Alesis Q20 User Manual

ALESIS Q20 User Manual

Chapter 1 - Setting Up8 Q20 Reference ManualAudio ConnectionsThe connections between the Q20 and your studio are your musicÕs lifeline, so useonly hig

Chapter 6 - Advanced Applications98 Q20 Reference ManualEditing the Local GeneratorsTo select the Input GeneratorsÕ types and edit their parameters:➀

Advanced Applications - Chapter 6Q20 Reference Manual 99Each Local GeneratorÕs pages differ from page 5. Each Local Generator typeÕsparameters are ex

Chapter 6 - Advanced Applications100 Q20 Reference ManualGenerator Type Page DisplayDescriptionLow Freq.Oscillator5 LFO Cycle Time: 0.14-35.14 Seconds

Advanced Applications - Chapter 6Q20 Reference Manual 101Footswitch ControlsTwo footswitch jacks, [ADVANCE] and [BYPASS], are provided on the back pan

Chapter 6 - Advanced Applications102 Q20 Reference ManualBlock Bypass via MIDIIt is possible to engage Block Bypass via MIDI controller messages which

Advanced Applications - Chapter 6Q20 Reference Manual 103MIDI Clock Control of Tap Tempo DelayIf you are using a Program that uses either Tap Tempo De

Chapter 6 - Advanced Applications104 Q20 Reference Manual

Digital Connections - Chapter 7Q20 Reference Manual 105CHAPTER 7DIGITAL CONNECTIONSOverviewIn addition to the analog inputs and outputs, the Q20 accep

Chapter 7 - Digital Connections106 Q20 Reference ManualDigital Clock SynchronizationBefore talking about digital clocks, itÕs important to understand

Digital Connections - Chapter 7Q20 Reference Manual 107ConnectionsTo a Single ADATConnection between the Q20 and one or more ADATs is a simple task of

Setting Up - Chapter 1Q20 Reference Manual 9Interfacing Directly with InstrumentsWhen connecting audio cables and/or turning power on and off, make su

Chapter 7 - Digital Connections108 Q20 Reference ManualTo Two or More ADATsIf using two or more ADATs, they must be connected together so that they ar

Digital Connections - Chapter 7Q20 Reference Manual 109To Two or More ADATs With a BRC or AI-2If your ADAT system has an Alesis BRC Master Remote Cont

Chapter 7 - Digital Connections110 Q20 Reference Manual④ Press [<PAGE] until you reach Page 4. The display should read:INPUT AUDIO SOURCE: A NAL

Digital Connections - Chapter 7Q20 Reference Manual 111RoutingsTo specific ADAT tracksTo route the Q20Õs digital outputs to specific ADAT tracks depen

Chapter 7 - Digital Connections112 Q20 Reference ManualFrom ADAT through the Q20 back to ADATWhen routing ADAT tracks to the Q20 to be recorded back t

Digital Connections - Chapter 7Q20 Reference Manual 113From a QuadraSynth or QS-series synththrough the Q20 back to ADATThe QuadraSynth/QS7/QS8/etc.

Chapter 7 - Digital Connections114 Q20 Reference Manual

Troubleshooting - Chapter 8Q20 Reference Manual 115CHAPTER 8TROUBLESHOOTINGTroubleshooting IndexIf you are experience problems while operating the Q20

Chapter 8 - Troubleshooting116 Q20 Reference ManualSymptom Cause SolutionUnit does not respond tofront panel controls.Unknown softwareconflict, cosmic

Troubleshooting - Chapter 8Q20 Reference Manual 117Error MessagesAlthough the digital signal processing power in the Q20 is powerful and featuresplent

Chapter 1 - Setting Up10 Q20 Reference ManualInterfacing to a Mixing ConsoleThe Q20 handles mono or stereo sends at all system levels. The input circu

Chapter 8 - Troubleshooting118 Q20 Reference ManualMaintenance/ServiceCleaningDisconnect the AC cord, then use a damp cloth to clean the Q20Õs metal a

Setting Up - Chapter 1Q20 Reference Manual 11Setting the Effect/Dry BalanceNo matter where you connect the output of the Q20 into the mixer, you are i

Chapter 1 - Setting Up12 Q20 Reference ManualMono In - Stereo Out. If you only want to feed the Q20 a mono input, but wish toconnect both of its outpu

Setting Up - Chapter 1Q20 Reference Manual 13Using InsertsBy using individual channel inserts, you can dedicate the Q20 to a specific channel(or pair

Chapter 1 - Setting Up14 Q20 Reference ManualStereo. In the case where a stereo instrument, such as a keyboard or sampler, isconnected to two separate

Setting Up - Chapter 1Q20 Reference Manual 15When to use Balanced ConnectorsThere are three options for connecting analog audio to the Q20: 1/4Ó unbal

Chapter 1 - Setting Up16 Q20 Reference ManualMIDIMIDI is an internationally-accepted protocol that allows music-related data to beconveyed from one de

Setting Up - Chapter 1Q20 Reference Manual 17FootswitchesOn the rear panel you will find two footswitch jacks labeled [ADVANCE] and[BYPASS]. Any momen

Q20 Reference Manual 1IntroductionThank you for purchasing the Alesis Q20 Professional 20-Bit Master EffectsProcessor. To take full advantage of of th

Chapter 1 - Setting Up18 Q20 Reference ManualTap TempoEither footswitch jack can be used to provide a tap tempo source for setting delaytime, provided

Your First Session with the Q20 - Chapter 2Q20 Reference Manual 19CHAPTER 2YOUR FIRST SESSIONWITH THE Q20Powering UpAfter making your connections, tur

Chapter 2 - Your First Session with the Q2020 Q20 Reference ManualThe Value/Enter KnobLocated just to the right of the custom LCD display, the [VALUE/

Your First Session with the Q20 - Chapter 2Q20 Reference Manual 21Auditioning Internal ProgramsYou can audition the Programs in the Q20 by using the [

Chapter 2 - Your First Session with the Q2022 Q20 Reference ManualExample ProgramsThe following are descriptions of the three example Programs in the

Your First Session with the Q20 - Chapter 2Q20 Reference Manual 23Adjusting Effects LevelsAlthough we may not want to get started editing Programs jus

Chapter 2 - Your First Session with the Q2024 Q20 Reference Manual➇ Use the [< BLOCK >] buttons to select other Blocks, and adjust their levels,

Your First Session with the Q20 - Chapter 2Q20 Reference Manual 25Storing Edited ProgramsOnce you are satisfied with the changes you have made to a Pr

Chapter 2 - Your First Session with the Q2026 Q20 Reference ManualBypassing EffectsAt any time you can bypass all effects at once, thereby allowing th

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 27CHAPTER 3OVERVIEWThe Architecture of the Q20The Q20 provides eight Effect Blocks per Program, each of which

2 Q20 Reference Manual

Chapter 3 - Overview28 Q20 Reference ManualROUTING. Once a Block is defined, you must select its input source and route itsoutputs either to another B

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 29Quick RouteA new feature has been added to greatly simplify the task of creating Programs,especially a 1-Bl

Chapter 3 - Overview30 Q20 Reference Manualprocessing within the block itself (for example, a boost in EQ or feedback in a chorusor delay). Output cl

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 31DSP. The DSP (Digital Signal Processor) chip inside the Q20 is what processes allsignals in the digital dom

Chapter 3 - Overview32 Q20 Reference ManualEqualizationEqualization, or EQ, provides the ability to control the timbre, or coloration, of anaudio sign

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 33Shelving EQsLowpass Shelf and Highpass ShelfA shelving EQ can boost or cut frequencies in its pass band, wh

Chapter 3 - Overview34 Q20 Reference ManualMultiband EQs2 Band Sweep Shelf EQ, 3 Band Parametric EQ, and 4 BandParametric EQMultiband EQs can be used

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 35ResonatorA resonator is a special filter whose response is so sharp that it actually imparts apitch to any

Chapter 3 - Overview36 Q20 Reference ManualOverdriveTwo new distortion effect types finish out the set of EQ effects: Soft Overdrive andHard Overdrive

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 37Triggered Panning with DopplerThis EQ Type creates the effect of audio moving back and forth between the le

ContentsQ20 Reference Manual 3CONTENTS1: Setting Up...7Unpacking and Insp

Chapter 3 - Overview38 Q20 Reference ManualTrigger SourceTrigger Source (Parameter mode, Page 4) determines what will trigger the Panningeffect. This

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 39Pitch EffectsThe Pitch effects alter the pitch of a signal in various ways to produce ÒlayeredÓtimbres that

Chapter 3 - Overview40 Q20 Reference ManualQuad ChorusQuad Chorus modulates four delayed signals, each with its phase offset by 90°.Each of the four s

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 41Stereo Flanging In the case of the Stereo Flange, the signal is split into three parts with a drysignal and

Chapter 3 - Overview42 Q20 Reference ManualPitch ShifterThis effect type shifts the pitch of the input signal by a fixed amount. This createsa thicken

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 43Sweeping ModeThe Sweeping Mode parameter (Parameter mode, Page 3) determines whether theFlanger effect will

Chapter 3 - Overview44 Q20 Reference ManualDelayDelay provides a discrete repetition of a signal. By adding feedback within theeffect, the delayed sig

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 45SamplingOnce a Block is de-fined as a Delay function, you can select the Sampler effect type.The Sampler ha

Chapter 3 - Overview46 Q20 Reference ManualIf you attempt to trigger sample playback when no audio has been sampled, thedisplay will temporarily read:

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 47Start and End PointersThe Start and End parameters (Parameter Mode, Page 3) serve as ÒpointersÓ whichdeterm

Contents4 Q20 Reference ManualMultiband EQs...345 Band Graphic

Chapter 3 - Overview48 Q20 Reference ManualRec TriggerThe Rec Trigger parameter (Parameter Mode, Page 5) determines what will triggerthe recording of

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 49ReverberationReverb is made up of a large number of distinct echoes, called reflections.In a natural acoust

Chapter 3 - Overview50 Q20 Reference ManualPlate 2A richer version of Plate 1 which uses more processing power for more density and asmoother decay.Ch

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 51Reverb ParametersMost of the reverb effects in the Q20 operate under the same set of controlparameters, whi

Chapter 3 - Overview52 Q20 Reference ManualInput High Frequency Roll OffThis is a lowpass filter that can be set between 200Hz and 20kHz, and attenuat

Overview - Chapter 3Q20 Reference Manual 53GatingOf all the different reverb types, only two types do not provide gating parameters(ÒReverseÓ and ÒN

Chapter 3 - Overview54 Q20 Reference Manual

Making Your Own Programs - Chapter 4Q20 Reference Manual 55CHAPTER 4MAKING YOUR OWNPROGRAMSGetting StartedBecause the Q20Õs custom LCD display clearly

Chapter 4 - Making Your Own Programs56 Q20 Reference ManualProgramming A Single BlockTypeA Block can provide Equalization, Pitch, Delay, Reverberation

Making Your Own Programs - Chapter 4Q20 Reference Manual 57RoutingRouting is the Function used to connect audio between the L/R IN and the EffectBlock

ContentsQ20 Reference Manual 54: Making Your Own Programs ...55Getting Started...

Chapter 4 - Making Your Own Programs58 Q20 Reference ManualYou should set the level to accommodate the headroom the effect will need. Forexample, eve

Making Your Own Programs - Chapter 4Q20 Reference Manual 59We have now connected the output of the EQ to our Right output.Having connected both an inp

Chapter 4 - Making Your Own Programs60 Q20 Reference ManualSet the Q to a small number to effect the specific frequency you selected, or to alarger nu

Making Your Own Programs - Chapter 4Q20 Reference Manual 61Programming Multiple BlocksWhen you start adding more Blocks, the same principles apply as

Chapter 4 - Making Your Own Programs62 Q20 Reference ManualDeleting Unnecessary RoutingsNow that weÕve added our new Blocks, we want to reroute the si

Making Your Own Programs - Chapter 4Q20 Reference Manual 63➆ Turn the [VALUE/ENTER] knob until the display looks like this:ADD ROUTE FROM: D LY 2 M

Chapter 4 - Making Your Own Programs64 Q20 Reference ManualMoving, swapping and copying blocksBlock MoveA third page is included in Type mode which al

Making Your Own Programs - Chapter 4Q20 Reference Manual 65Block Copy & PasteIt is also possible to duplicate a single effect block, including all

Chapter 4 - Making Your Own Programs66 Q20 Reference ManualChanging Effect TypesIf you already have defined a Block and assigned its routings, you can

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 67CHAPTER 5DESCRIPTION OFCONTROLSFront PanelInput LevelLeft and Right: These concentric knobs

Contents6 Q20 Reference ManualEffect Parameters...81Eq

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls68 Q20 Reference ManualNote: This illustration shows all display flags and routes (Òpatch cordsÓ) turned onat once.

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 69Deferred. The desired value is selected by turning the [VALUE/ENTER] knob, butthe new value

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls70 Q20 Reference ManualStoreOnce you have created a new Program you can press [STORE] to store it. The [STOREbutton

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 71BypassEach time the [BYPASS] button is pressed, Bypass mode is toggled on and off. WhenBypa

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls72 Q20 Reference ManualTypeUse the [TYPE] button to define the type of effect in the selected Block. Once aBlock ha

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 73RoutingIn order for us to hear our signal through the Q20 it must be routed from input toou

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls74 Q20 Reference ManualGlobalWhen the [GLOBAL] button is pressed, its LED will light. The [GLOBAL] buttongives us a

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 75Page 6: Dig In/Out Channels. When using the Alesis Optical DIGITAL [IN]connector, (Input Au

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls76 Q20 Reference ManualNameSelecting this button allows us to name, edit a name or rename a Program.Names can conta

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 77Page 3: Program Table. The Program Table allows you to intercept incoming programchange mes

ContentsQ20 Reference Manual 7

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls78 Q20 Reference ManualModulationThe Q20 allows you to set up to 8 modulation routings which can control almost any

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 79Rear PanelPowerThis is a standard IEC-spec power jack for the internal universal power supp

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls80 Q20 Reference ManualDigital In - ADAT Digital Audio InThis is an EIAJ fiber optic jack which connects to the AD

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 81Effect ParametersThe following charts are designed to act as a Òroad mapÓ to assist you in

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls82 Q20 Reference ManualPitchPitch Type Parameters Page#Mono Chorus Speed: 0-99, Depth: 0-99, Feedback: 0-99 1Chorus

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 83DelayDelay Type Parameters Page #Mono Delay Delay Time: 0.1-5000mS, Beat Count: 1/2, 1/4.,1

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls84 Q20 Reference ManualReverberationReverb Type Parameters Page #Mono Room Decay: 0-99, Damping Hi: 0-99, Lo: 0-99

Description of Controls - Chapter 5Q20 Reference Manual 85Reverb Type Parameters Page #Hall 2 Decay: 0-99, Damping Hi: 0-99, Lo: 0-99 1Reverb Density

Chapter 5 - Description of Controls86 Q20 Reference ManualReverb Type Parameters Page #Spring Decay: 0-99, Damping Hi: 0-99, Lo: 0-99 1Reverb Density:

Advanced Applications - Chapter 6Q20 Reference Manual 87CHAPTER 6ADVANCEDAPPLICATIONSMIDI FunctionsThe Q20 provides many MIDI functions, including bei

Setting Up - Chapter 1Q20 Reference Manual 7CHAPTER 1SETTING UPUnpacking and InspectionYour Q20 was packed carefully at the factory, and the shipping

Chapter 6 - Advanced Applications88 Q20 Reference ManualSelecting Banks via MIDIYou can use MIDI Controller 0 messages to select one of the three Prog

Advanced Applications - Chapter 6Q20 Reference Manual 89➄ Turn the [VALUE/ENTER] knob to select a program change number from 000Ð127to be re-mapped.➅

Chapter 6 - Advanced Applications90 Q20 Reference ManualIf sending a single Program, the display will not change when the[VALUE/ENTER] button is press

Advanced Applications - Chapter 6Q20 Reference Manual 91Realtime Modulation FunctionsYou can use various MIDI messages (such as note number, velocity,

Chapter 6 - Advanced Applications92 Q20 Reference ManualChoosing a TargetOnce you have selected a Modulator, you must then select the Target to bemodu

Advanced Applications - Chapter 6Q20 Reference Manual 93Type Effect Target4 Band Parametric EQ Lowpass Frequency, Lowpass GainLow BP Frequency, Low BP

Chapter 6 - Advanced Applications94 Q20 Reference ManualType Effect TargetReverberation Mono RoomRoom 1Hall 1Plate 1Chamber 1SpringInput Hi RolloffPre

Advanced Applications - Chapter 6Q20 Reference Manual 95Choosing a SourceOnce you have chosen a Modulator and a Target, it is time to select a Source.

Chapter 6 - Advanced Applications96 Q20 Reference ManualLocal GeneratorsThe Q20 is equipped with two Local Generators which can be used as ModulationS

Advanced Applications - Chapter 6Q20 Reference Manual 97Ramp. The Ramp Local Generator is similar to the Envelope Generator, exceptthat it doesnÕt ha