MIDI OUT problem PC>Alesis QS..help

Hi,

I'm using the Alesis serial interface between my QS6.1 and my pc.(this eliminates the need for MIDI IN and OUT cables as well as a MIDI interface. I'm able to receive data and record to my multitrack software (n-track)
My problem is this:

When I select the QS as the MIDI output port, I get nothing, no sound from the pc speakers, and no sound from the keyboard. I've turned MIDI to ON on the keyboard and selecte THRU for the output port on the keyboard based on what I read in the manual.

The only time I get playback sound on the pc speakers is when I select the Soundcard Synth as the MIDI output device.

When I record, I'm not hearing my synth voice, just the default voice #1, general midi of the soundcard synth. Essentialy the synth is acting like a MIDI controller.

I'm sure I'm missing something very basic, but I'm expecting I should be able to input from the QS and record IT'S voices as well as play them back.
I'm beyond the basic I/O issues and into set up issues I believe.

Some basic info:
QS6.1
Serial interface from Alesis COM 1
GENERAL MIDI = On
BAUD rate set for PC
MIDI OUT = THRU

Multi track software - n-track Studio v2.2

Thanks for the help,
Karl

Karl, I have (among other stuff) an Alesis Nanosynth,
little brother to your QS6. I could never get
the serial interface to work right. I tried everything.

I finally called Alesis. The answer I got was "Dont
use the serial interface, just use Midi". Like
I couldnt figure that out myself. Dont know why
they put it on there if it doesnt work, but that
was their response.

At the time, I just went out and bought a $15
joystick inerface, saved a lot of frustration.
I now have a few synths and a usb midi interface.

Your setup sounds like you are doing everything
right.

What was strange when I called Alesis is how
nonchalant the guy was. He simply stated "Dont
use the serial driver". I have owned lots of
Alesis gear, that was the first time I called
them, and hopefully the last. Good Luck, David

David,

Thanks for the reply (and advice) The bullheaded German in me just couldn't stomach tossing the $30 I paid to Alesis for the serial cable.

I finally got things working (I think, this midi/synth thing is new to me, I'm a guitar guy)

Turns out that I had to turn GENERAL MIDI > off on the synth, and change a couple other Global settings on the synth, then assign the QS as the midi out device for the wave track.

Silly me....I was expecting a sort of plug-n-play approach.....punch in the soundbank I wanted, record the MIDI and voila....I'm not sure I have the patience for all this. I'm thinking of just going analog and saying to hell with it.

Karl

Karl, the guy who invented the term plug-n-play
made a typo, and for some reason it stuck. The
original term was plug-n-pray.

Come to think of it, I think I also paid extra
for a serial interface, it ended up in my box of misfit
toys, which is getting bigger all the time.

Maybe this irishman can learn something from the
bullheaded German, 30 bucks would be a nice meal.
David