This document will allow you get "up and running" when using the QS6 with either a hardware or software based sequencer. It assumes that you have a working knowledge of how to set up and operate your sequencer. It is necessary for you to have at least a basic understanding of the functions and capabilities of your sequencer before going any further.
The methods described are by no means the only ways to use the QS6 with a sequencer, nor do they cover every possible variable of every available feature. Once you are comfortable with the general process, feel free to create your own methods.
Please refer to the QS6 manual, Chapter 3: Connections, Example 2: Using an External Sequencer for instructions on proper connection of your MIDI cables.
Using General MIDI Mix Mode with a sequencer
If you want your QS6 to be multitimbral, playing different programs, each with its own MIDI channel, the easiest way is to start in 'General MIDI mode'. From there, depending on the capabilities of your sequencer, you may wish to:
Create a Mix from the with the proper programs, levels, and pans preset on the QS6, or
Use your sequencer to change the programs, levels, and pans in the Mix.
Method 1: Editing the 'General MIDI' Mix from the QS6
Use this method with most "HARDWARE" sequencers or when you wish to do most of your work from the front panel of the QS6. This method will create Mixes that you may recall with the press of a button.
On Your Sequencer:
Make sure to turn MIDI THRU (MIDI ECHO) off.
Make sure that the incoming MIDI data does not get "Rechannelized" (has its channel number changed during recording)
On the QS6:
Press EDIT SELECT, GLOBAL (BANK> ) and go to page 7. Press VALUE UP to enter "General MIDI mode" (note: If the display already reads "General MIDI ON", First press VALUE DOWN then press VALUE UP)
Before you start recording, you will want to assign a different program (sound) to each MIDI channel you are going to use.
Press the PROGRAM CHANNEL SELECT buttons (<PAGE and PAGE> ) to select the MIDI channel you wish to edit.
Press either BANK BUTTON (<BANK or BANK> ) to select the bank which contains the desired Program.
Press the desired 00-120 BUTTON and 0-9 BUTTON to assign the program to the MIDI channel.
Repeat steps 1-3 for each MIDI channel you wish to use.
As you switch from channel to channel, you will hear the program currently assigned to that channel when you play the keyboard. You may also want to change the volume, pan, and effects of a channel:
Press EDIT SELECT until the upper left corner of the display says "ED:MIX CHAN". (In most cases, you will only need to press the button once.)
Press the 60 button
Use the 0-9 buttons and the 00-50 buttons to select the MIDI channel to edit
Use the page buttons to select any of the following parameters:
page 2 = Program Volume
page 3 = Program Pan
page 5 = FX Level
page 6 = FX Bus
(The page number will be indicated in the upper right corner of the display)
Use the CONTROLER A Slider or the VALUE Buttons to enter the desired value for each parameter.
Repeat steps 3-5 for each MIDI channel.
When you finish setting up each MIDI channel you need for your sequence, you should name your mix, then store it for future recall.
To name your mix:
If you are no longer in edit mode (if the display does not say "ED:MIX CHAN"), press the EDIT SELECT button until the display reads "ED:MIX CHAN".
Press button 120 (The display should read "ED:MIX, NAME:XXXXX).
Use the PAGE buttons to move the courser to the correct letter position.
Use the CONTROLER A slider or the VALUE buttons to enter your desired letter or number. (The name can be up to 10 characters long)
To store your mix
Press STORE
Use the CONTROLER A slider, VALUE buttons, or 00-90 and 0-9 buttons to select the location number in the user bank or card bank where you wish to store the mix.
Press the STORE button.
You can now recall the mix at any time for use with future sequences. Make a note of which Mix should be used with which sequence. If you make different sequences which require different sounds, you must store a separate Mix for each sequence.
Once again, make sure you have disabled "MIDI THRU" (also called "MIDI ECHO") on the sequencer and that the sequencer is not changing the MIDI channel number as it records. ("RECHANNELIZATION")
Method 2: Editing the 'General MIDI' Mix from your sequencer
Use this method with most software (computer based) sequencers or when you wish to do most of your work from the front panel of your sequencer. This method will create a single Mix which will be customized by information stored in each song on your sequencer.
On the QS6:
Press EDIT SELECT, GLOBAL (BANK> ) and go to page 7. Press VALUE UP to enter "General MIDI mode" (note: If the display already reads "General MIDI ON", First press VALUE DOWN then press VALUE UP)
Press EDIT SELECT, GLOBAL (BANK> ) and go to page 6. Use the CONTROLER A or the VALUE UP button to select "KBD MODE:OUT 1".
Press MIX.
Your QS6 is now ready for recording.
On Your Sequencer:
Make sure that MIDI THRU (MIDI ECHO) is turned ON.
Make sure that your sequencer is capable of "Rechannelizing" (changing the channel number of in-coming MIDI data) and that the feature is Enabled.
Note: If your sequencer is not capable of "Rechannelizing," use Method 1.
Make sure that your sequencer can store and send the following types of information:
MIDI Bank Select (Continuous Controller 0)
MIDI Program Change
Continuous Controllers 7 (MIDI Volume) and 10 (MIDI Panning)
Note: If your sequencer is not capable of storing and sending these types of information, use Method 1.
At the beginning of your sequence, insert the following information for each MIDI channel you are going to use:
Parameter Description Range
Continuous Controller 0 Selects the Bank on the QS6 that contains the desired program 0 = User Bank
1 - 4 = Preset Banks 1 - 4
5 - 12 = Card Banks 1 - 8
Program change Selects the desired program 0 - 128
Continuous Controller 7 Sets the Volume for the selected program 0 -127 = 0 - 99 on the Quadrasynth
Continuous Controller 10 Sets the panning position for the selected program 0 - 127 = 3 Left - 3 Right
(63 = center)
You are now ready to start recording.
Be sure to leave AT LEAST FOUR BEATS between sending the information from the chart above and the first note of the sequence. This will give the Quadrasynth Plus time to respond to the information before it plays. Leaving insufficient time may cause the initial note to cut off or hang up.
You can insert program changes at any point in the song, but be sure to leave a space after each change before sending the next note on that channel.