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ErichS
New member
When I use my QS 8 with Garageband, all I can do is control the midi instruments within Garageband.
Can I instead capture the QS 8's own sound, but in midi form?
If not, what is the best way to record the QS 8 - amplify and mic, or audio out into an interface?
Thanks
MIDI does not encode sound, it only contains instructions to operate MIDI devices. If you want the QS sounds you will have to record them from the audio outputs (analog or digital). You can record the MIDI notes/commands, etc.. either from the QS or other input device and then send those back out to the QS for automated playback, but you will still need to record that audio output to get the QS sounds.
As for recording the sounds, I have always preferred going direct from the audio outputs to the recorder. It sounds good and keeps things simple.
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alex1fly
New member
That keeps it easy. I have a hard time wrapping my head around midi.
The QS 8's manual is quite vague, and the controls do not seem intuitive; though I suppose that could just be the nature of midi - mystical.
Does the fact that I'm trying to learn on 13 year old technology make things more complicated, as far as learning to use midi's full capabilities?
The QS 8's manual is quite vague, and the controls do not seem intuitive; though I suppose that could just be the nature of midi - mystical.
Does the fact that I'm trying to learn on 13 year old technology make things more complicated, as far as learning to use midi's full capabilities?
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ErichS
New member
No, it's still pretty much the same. MIDI is not exactly intuitive to learn, and the Alesis interface does not make it much easier. What helped me a lot was getting some MIDI editing software for the Alesis. The version I have is called Sound Editor Pro http://www.soundtower.com/synth/quadrasynth.htm. There used to be some free midi editing software on the Alesis site but I haven't been there in a while.
Also take a look at this site also http://www.synthman.com/alesis/index.html, you might find some old but useful information or utilities
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alex1fly
New member
Thanks for helping me. Plugging one of the QS 8’s Main Outs into my Toneport box captured the audio like a charm.
The interface is indeed confusing. I long for knobs or some way to do things without extensive menus and very slow value editing. I will check out those sites when I’m ready to dive back into this keyboard – thanks again. You can do so much with midi – just have to get in there and figure it out!
The interface is indeed confusing. I long for knobs or some way to do things without extensive menus and very slow value editing. I will check out those sites when I’m ready to dive back into this keyboard – thanks again. You can do so much with midi – just have to get in there and figure it out!
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ErichS
New member
Glad to hear things are progressing. Keep in mind that many of the patches on the QS are stereo. If you use one output, be sure to use the right with nothing plugged into the left so the output will be converted to mono (instead of just half of the stereo field). If your tone port has stereo input you may want to try that - it makes a big difference in the sound on many of the patches.
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