However, while the QS6 also sold in respectable numbers in the UK, my guess is that the PCMCIA slots on British synths remained largely unused.But eight years on, surely the spec has been significantly upgraded to reflect the passage of time.
Alesis Qsr Patch List Series Has RemainedAs the synth architecture of the QS series has remained largely unchanged, the essential details of the spec can be found in the QS6 review from SOS January 1996.
Its also worth reading the QS8 review from SOS November 1996, and the QSR review from SOS June 1997. Since the QS6.2 and 8.2 differ only in their keyboards (and because you cant swing a cat in my studio without incurring the wrath of the local RSPCA), I chose to review the QS6.2, though my comments apply to both synths equally. The QS6 was upgraded to the QS6.1 in 1998, although this revision was never reviewed in SOS, so a quick crash course is in order. The astronomical price of said obsolete PCMCIA storage media compared to other, more modern forms of storage. Stereo output only. Synth engine has not matured noticeably since the QS series was introduced. However, sample importing, potentially the most attractive feature of the QSs, has been compromised by the continued use of old PCMCIA technology and lack of computer connectivity, and the general spec of the instrument is lacklustre by todays standards given its price. Alesis Qsr Patch List Plus Four AssignableThe two volume and controlvalue sliders of the QS6 were augmented to five: volume, plus four assignable performance sliders, one of which also doubles as a means for data entry. The QS6s tiddly 2x16 display was replaced by a larger, more informative type, the same one subsequently used on the Alesis DM Pro drum module. Dedicated Transpose and Sequence buttons were added, the latter intended for playback of MIDI files stored on PCMCIA cards. Two PCMCIA slots were provided, enabling the user to effectively double the available ROM each slot could read up to 8MB of additional sample data, either from the series of optional themed Alesis sound expansion cards (or Q Cards, as theyre known), or from sample data burned onto blank PCMCIA cards using the bundled SoundBridge software. The number of Programs (640) and Mixes (500) remained the same as on the QS6. The connections on the rear panel were also repositioned apparently the QS6 had some problems sitting comfortably on certain keyboard stands. Finally, the QS6.1 was awarded the ultimate luxury an internal transformer and proper mains lead, which banished the QS6s external PSU. ![]() The 16MB internal sample ROM remains the same, as do the effects and the polyphony. The casing of the QS6.2 is now a sleek silver, with silver plastic end cheeks and a splash of blue on the panel. Alesis Qsr Patch List Serial Port IsHowever, the computer serial port is gone, and expandability is halved the QS6.2 has only one PCMCIA slot as opposed to the QS6.1s two. ![]() Although higher bit-rate designs seem to be increasingly in vogue, is this factor enough to warrant the QS6.2s existence The answer to this is clouded by several factors in particular one glaring, missed opportunity. The opening paragraph contained the phrase most importantly, the means to import your own sample waveforms. The feature to which this referred was the QS6s ability to read sample data stored on PCMCIA cards a pretty groundbreaking facility at that time and at the selling price of the QS6. The sample burning was achieved via the bundled SoundBridge software you simply compiled the samples you wanted using SoundBridge, then transmitted them to the QS6 (with the PCMCIA card inserted into the slot.) Transmission could be done using either the QS6s serial port or via MIDI. Inevitably, the MIDI data transmission was painfully slow, but the main thing was that you could do it after all, who ever turned their nose up at a long tea break The maximum data capacity of one of these PCMCIA cards was (a now meagre) 8MB, but again, at the time, this was relatively generous, and the opportunity to integrate your own samples into the QS6s synth architecture had punters buying the QS6 in droves for this very reason, especially in the US.
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