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ALESIS
Q20
User Manual
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Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Alesis Q20 Professional 20-Bit Master Effects Processor. To take full advantage of of the Q20Õs fuctions, and to enjoy long and trouble free use, please read this userÕs manual carefully. How To Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various modes of the Q20. Though we recommend you take time to read through the entire manual once carefully, those having general knowledge about effects devices should use the tab
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2 Q20 Reference Manual
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Contents CONTENTS 1: Setting Up................................................................................7 Unpacking and Inspection.......................................................................................7 AC Power Hookup..................................................................................................7 Line Conditioners and Protectors.................................................................7 Audio Connections...........................................
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Contents Multiband EQs...........................................................................................34 5 Band Graphic EQ.....................................................................................34 Resonator...................................................................................................35 Mono/Stereo Tremolo .................................................................................35 Stereo Simulator................................................
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Contents 4: Making Your Own Programs ................................................55 Getting Started......................................................................................................55 Programming A Single Block...................................................................................56 Type..........................................................................................................56 Routing............................................................
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Contents Effect Parameters...................................................................................................81 Equalization..............................................................................................81 Pitch.........................................................................................................82 Delay........................................................................................................83 Reverberation.........................
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Contents Q20 Reference Manual 7
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Setting Up - Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1 SETTING UP Unpacking and Inspection Your Q20 was packed carefully at the factory, and the shipping carton was designed to protect the unit during shipping. Please retain this container in the highly unlikely event that you need to return the Q20 for servicing. The shipping carton should contain the following items: ¥ This instruction manual ¥ Alesis Q20 with the same serial number as shown on shipping carton ¥ AC Power Cable ¥ Alesis warranty card ¥ Quick Referen
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Chapter 1 - Setting Up Audio Connections The connections between the Q20 and your studio are your musicÕs lifeline, so use only high quality cables. These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internal conductor and a low-resistance shield. Although quality cables cost more, they do make a difference. Route cables to the Q20 correctly by observing the following precautions: ¥ Do not bundle audio cables with AC power cords. ¥ Avoid running audio cables near sources
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Setting Up - Chapter 1 Interfacing Directly with Instruments When connecting audio cables and/or turning power on and off, make sure that all J devices in your system are turned off and the volume controls are turned down. The Q20 has two balanced inputs and two balanced outputs. These provide three different (analog) audio hookup options: ¥ Mono. Connect a cable to the [L] INPUT of the Q20 from a mono source, and another cable from the [L] OUTPUT of the Q20 to an amplification system or mixer i
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Chapter 1 - Setting Up Interfacing to a Mixing Console The Q20 handles mono or stereo sends at all system levels. The input circuitry of the Q20 can easily handle +4 dBu levels (+17.5 dBu peaks), while having enough input and output gain to interface with the lower -10 dBV signal levels of many recording systems. The Q20 may be connected to a mixing console in several ways. Usually, it is connected to the auxiliary send and return controls of the mixer. Another method of interfacing is to connec
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Setting Up - Chapter 1 Setting the Effect/Dry Balance No matter where you connect the output of the Q20 into the mixer, you are in control of the balance between the mixerÕs channel inputs (the uneffected signal being routed to the aux sends and the Mix) and the effect returns coming from the Q20. The effect returns generally should only contain effected signal, and not have any uneffected signal mixed with it (since these two signals are blended together at the mixer). If the Program you are us
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Chapter 1 - Setting Up Mono In - Stereo Out. If you only want to feed the Q20 a mono input, but wish to connect both of its outputs back to the mixer, you will need three audio cables. Connect a cable from an effect send to the [L] INPUT of the Q20, another cable from the [L] OUTPUT of the Q20 to an effect return or other mixer input, and another cable from the [R] OUTPUT of the Q20 to an adjacent mixer input. Left Input Left and Right Outputs Aux Send 3 Stereo Aux Returns Stereo In - Stereo Out
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Setting Up - Chapter 1 Using Inserts By using individual channel inserts, you can dedicate the Q20 to a specific channel (or pair of channels) on the mixer. The Insert connections on the back of the mixer provide a way of ÒinsertingÓ external processing equipment into the signal path. The insert occurs after the input amplifier, and before the main fader; essentially it is the same as connecting the source (instrument or microphone) into the Q20 before the mixerÕs channel input. However, some mi
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Chapter 1 - Setting Up Stereo. In the case where a stereo instrument, such as a keyboard or sampler, is connected to two separate channels of a mixing console, you will need two 1/4" TRS cables, one for each channel. The connection is made in a similar fashion as described above. Right Right Input Output Left Left Input Output Left Right Insert Insert Using Main Outputs When you want to effect everything on the mixer, you can connect the Q20 between the mixerÕs outputs and the amplifierÕs or tap
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Setting Up - Chapter 1 When to use Balanced Connectors There are three options for connecting analog audio to the Q20: 1/4Ó unbalanced, 1/4Ó balanced (TRS) and XLR balanced. If your source and destination use balanced connectors, you should try to stay balanced throughout the chain. Balanced cables have a higher signal level and have the ability to cancel out hum and noise, which can make your mixes quieter. XLR connectors have the added bonus of locking into place, a good idea if you need to mo
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Chapter 1 - Setting Up MIDI MIDI is an internationally-accepted protocol that allows music-related data to be conveyed from one device to another. The MIDI connections on the Q20 provide five different functions: ¥ To recall programs using MIDI program change messages ¥ To control various parameters inside the Q20 in realtime via MIDI controllers (example: A keyboardÕs mod wheel, or pedals, etc.) ¥ To convert MIDI Clock messages into delay settings on Tap Tempo Delay Blocks ¥ To send and receive
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Setting Up - Chapter 1 Footswitches On the rear panel you will find two footswitch jacks labeled [ADVANCE] and [BYPASS]. Any momentary single-pole/single-throw footswitch, normally open or normally closed, will work for the two footswitch functions. These should be plugged in prior to power-up so that the Q20 can configure itself for the type of footswitch being used. Advance The [ADVANCE] jack lets you scroll through the Programs in memory by advancing to the next higher numbered Program each t
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Chapter 1 - Setting Up Tap Tempo Either footswitch jack can be used to provide a tap tempo source for setting delay time, provided the selected Program uses one of the two available tap tempo delay types. This requires that you have defined an Effect Block as one of the two Tap Tempo delay types, and that the desired footswitch jack has been selected for controlling tap tempo. To select a footswitch jack for use with a Tap Tempo Delay: Press [GLOBAL]. The [GLOBAL] LED will light. ` Press [< PA
