Synth DB

The Ultimate Synthesizer Database

Filter on ALL, SYNTH, DRUM, SAMPLER or MISC

Total list currently 2405 items in 330 Brands

Alesis | QS8.1

Description

The QS8.1 is a 64 Voice Expandable Synthesizer based on the QS8, QS6.1 and QS7.1. It's basically the same as the QS6.1 and QS7.1 but has an 88-note weighted keyboard with piano style hammer-action and a super cool metal chassis with solid oak wood end-pieces...it's the flagship QuadraSynth model! And compared to the older QS8, it offers up a much needed larger LCD display screen and a few more direct access buttons to certain edit function and parameters. It uses digital ROM samples (16MB) of sounds containing a library of 640 programs and 500 multitimbral mixes. Really amazing pianos, orchestral sounds as well as vintage synth sounds, strings, brass, winds, guitars, drums, percussion loops and groove patterns can all be found here.

The QS8.1 features 64 multitimbral parts over 16 MIDI channels. That's a lot. And since it's 64 voices polyphonic, you can arrange some pretty complex and complete music, from full orchestras to trance dance tracks, beats and sfx heaven! The keyboard can be split into 16-zones! Control the volume, panning, transposition, effects level and more of each channel independently. Four on-board edit/control sliders are assignable to most modulation parameters. Onboard multi-effects based on the QuadraVerb 2 include reverb, chorus, distortion, EQ, delay, rotary speaker simulation and more. These are on four independent busses so it's like having four FX units!

Powerful MIDI implementation suits the QS8.1 for any studio situation. But it has more! It can connect to your Mac or PC using its RS422 or RS232 ports. The QS8.1 comes with a CD-rom (Mac/PC) with Alesis' Sound Bridge and FreeLoader applications, plus programs for sequencing, editor/librarians, notation, extra samples, programs and mixes, sample sequences, demos and more. Either way you choose to use the QS8.1 it is a truly professional yet affordable versatile synth for the demanding player who needs a full-sized keyboard with the authentic feel of a real piano.

BrandAlesis
ModelQS8.1
DeviceSynth
TypeKeys
Engine TypeDigital
EngineSample
Voices (max)64
Multitimbral64
Oscillators1
LFO3
Engine DetailedQS Composite Synthesis (16 Bit Linear 48kHz Sample ROM): 16 MB, expandable to 32 MB via PCMCIA Expansion Card Slots
Filter (VCF)Sweepable Lowpass Filter
FXQuadraSynth 2 four-Bus Parallel Matrix Effects: reverb, chorus, distortion, EQ, delay, rotary speaker simulation and more.
MemoryPrograms: 512 preset, 128 user; Mix Mode: 400 preset, 100 user. Expandable using QCards or RAM Cards via 2 PCMCIA expansion card slots
ControllersSustain, 3x Expression
Keys88
Key typeHammer keys
VelocityY +Release
AftertouchChannel
Audio4 stereo outputs, ADAT optical digital output, 48kHz clock input.
MidiI-O-T
Extra infoThe QS8.2 is to the QS8.1 except it only one expansion slot to the 8.1's two. Also a bright shiny new silver design. The ROM Soundsets may also be a slightly newer version too.
Produced:1999 - 1999
Legend: Obvious Y: Yes, N: No, N/A: Not Applicable
VCO Voltage Controlled Oscillator DCO Digital Controlled Oscillator
LFO Low Frequency Oscillator Sub Sub Oscillator
VCF Voltage Controlled Filter VCA Voltage Controlled Amplifier
Velocity As with a piano, the harder you hit a key, the louder the sound, unlike most organs which always produce the same loudness no matter how hard you hit a key. Aftertouch Pressing a key after you activated it. Channel Aftertouch, no matter which key, it will send a Channel message. Poly Aftertouch, sends the pressure per key instead of the whole channel.
Values for OSC, LFO, Filter, Envelope are per voice unless stated otherwise.

Facebook

If you like to discuss or talk about synths in all forms (including VST and modular), you are welcome to join the Facebook group "The Hard, The Soft and The Modular".

My music

Interested in music from "Synthisfactory" or "SX Instrumentals"?

Visit our website.

Contact Us

Did you find an error in the info or do you have an item to list? Go to the Contribution page, fill out the form and I'll see what I can do.