From: eirikur@ranger.enet.dec.com (Eirikur Hallgrimsson) Subject: Scoop: New Alesis S4 Synth module and S5 Keyboard (due in Q3 of '92) Date: 13 Feb 92 20:45:59 GMT >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 separate discrete 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. Projected Ship Date: Third Quarter 1992 Projected Suggested US Retail Price: $1495 Eirikur Hallgrimsson | This space blankly left intentional. eh@ranger.enet.dec.com | PATHWORKS for Macintosh |