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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

2845.0. "Alesis S4 Synth module and S5 Keyboard" by RANGER::EIRIKUR () Thu Feb 13 1992 18:38

From the latesty Daddy's Junky Music flyer which came in the mail today:

S4 QuadraSynth Sound Module
The Alesis S4 QuadraSynth is a 64 voice, rackmount MIDI sound module featuring
built-in parallel-matrix digital signal processing.  The 64 (sic, probably S4)
has a large, easy-to-read, back-lit LCD display for "Composite Synthesis,"
which is an innovative combination of subtractive and additive synthesis.  Each
program can be made up of as many as four individual "sounds" (dividing
polyphony by four in the process???? Eirikur) each with their own set of 3
envelope generators, 3 LPO's (sic), tracking generator, dynamic low pass
filter, and very comprehensive modulation matrix.  In the "Program Mode," teh
S4 has 128 present and 128 user programs in which the user can program up to 7
simultaneous effects which can be independently assigned to any of four effect
busses.  This allows different programs or composite sounds to be routed to
different effects with dynamically controllable amounts.  In the "Mix Mode,"
the S4 has an additional 128 preset and 128 user programmable "Mixes" which can
be used for multi-timbral sequencing applications.  In this mode, differnt
programs may be assigned to each of the 16 MIDI channels simultaneously, and
eve (sic) allows you to have separatiscrete effects on different sounds with
complete mix control.  That's why we call it "Mix Mode" rather than a simple
multipatch.  Programs may be routed to any of the four audio output jacks on
the back and the S4 supports optional Sound Rom (sic) cards.  Has OPTICAL
OUTPUT, (mentioned in the S5 paragraph, summarized below).

Projected Ship Date: Third Quarter 1992
Projected Suggested US Retail Price: $995

S5 QuadraSynth Master Keyboard
(My fingers are tired.... I'm editing this down)
Same synth engine with a larger display in a 76 key master keyboard with zones,
velocity, aftertouch (doesn't say if it's channel or key) and release velocity. 
Two wheels, pitch and mod, but can be "completely programmable using the
modulation matrix."  Both S4 and S5 have digital optical outputs and can go
directly to ADAT without leaving the digital domain.

Remember Metlay's law.  (Vaporware doesn't mount in your rack)


Eirikur Hallgrimsson     |  This space blankly left intentional.
eh@ranger.enet.dec.com   |
PATHWORKS for Macintosh  |


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2845.1S5 price/dateRANGER::EIRIKURThu Feb 13 1992 18:406
I forgot...

Price is projected at $1495 and it's available 3rd quarter '92.

Eirikur

2845.2New Alesis - Where do I buy?NZOMIS::GANDARThu Feb 13 1992 21:4118
    This sounds like a real step forward in synth technology. 64 voices?
    Separate effects processing for sequence channels? Maybe I won't buy
    that Korg 01/W after all. 
    
    When you say 3rd quarter, I presume you mean calendar. It's a long
    wait. Is the system based on sample sounds, and if so do you know what
    resolution?
    
    I have been evaluating synths heavily for several weeks, nd once I
    realised that they are really only computers with specialised operating
    systems I knew that whatever I bought would be superceded in months.
    
    Does the Alesis system have facilities to interface with computers for
    sequence editing, sound editing, and sound libraries? This seems to me
    to be the right way to reduce the techno-obsolescence of current
    synths.
    
    David  
2845.3That's all we know for now....RANGER::EIRIKURFri Feb 14 1992 02:128
"That's all she wrote."  I don't know anything about what waveforms or
modulations thereof will be available.  I don't even know if that much info was
supposed to be released.  Clearly Daddy's got a very early (or possibly
non-disclosure) info package.  That is the most detail anyone has on that
machine to date.  I agree that the most likely interpertation is calendar Q3.

	Eirikur

2845.4Frivolous reply re Mother of all synthsNZOMIS::GANDARSat Feb 15 1992 00:435
    Sounds like the mother of all synths. Now I know how DECsystem users
    feel when they hear about Alpha. Am awaiting further news with tongue
    hanging & fingers itching.
    
    David
2845.5MAJTOM::ROBERTTue Feb 18 1992 19:1422
  I was talking to Jack at Acton Music a couple weeks ago.  He mentioned the
  synth/module and seemed to have high hopes for them.  Although he didn't know
  much more than what was just posted.

  I've been thrilled with recent purchases of Alesis equipment recently, as
  far as bang-for-the-buck goes.  I just picked up the D4 drum module for
  $325, and the 3630 Compressor/Limiter for only $215!  This was a steal
  for a decent stereo/dual-mono comp/lim, and I didn't even know it had the
  'ducking' capability, which comes in handy for voice-overs.

  (As an aside, Jack @Acton almost fell over when I mentioned I got the
  3630 for $215, he claims their store pays $266 for them! - might be something
  rotten in Demark here - I should be more discrete in the future though,
  as I might get a source in hot water - I made sure not to mention that I
  heard of the price thru the notesfile - that could get me/DEC in hot water)

  In any case, I'm really looking forward to what these thrifty lil engineers
  will be putting into a synth-for-the-buck!

-Tom
 
2845.6ayahDYPSS1::SCHAFERName something that floats.Tue Feb 18 1992 21:396
Like I posted in the Music Dealers note, Sweetwater is cutting us *very* good
prices.  They probably do much higher volume than Acton.

Discretion is the better part of valour.

+b
2845.7GOES11::G_HOUSENow I'm down in itTue Feb 18 1992 22:1312
    However, surely Sweetwater isn't going to lose money to see us stuff. 
    I'm quite sure their prices are just as fair as any large volume dealer
    (like Sam Ash, for instance) could do.
    
    It's not at all uncommon for dealer cost for very low volume orders to
    be higher then the retail cost that a large volume shop can do.  My
    friend was telling me just last week that he worked closely with a
    dealer who's cost for a single AKG 414 mike was close to $900, but you can
    find them in the $700 range from many larger mail order places because
    they can get a real good volume discount.
    
    Greg