Alesis Q88 User manual

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3

VOLUME

ON/OFF

POWER

9V DC 500mA

USER GUIDE (ENGLISH)

BOX CONTENTS

• Q88

• USB Cable

• Software DVD

• User Guide

• Safety Instructions & Warranty Information Booklet

CONNECTION DIAGRAM

POWERING Q88

The Q88 can be powered by using a powered USB connection or an optional external power adapter (sold

separately).

Power and Connection via USB

1. Check that the on/off switch on the back of Q88 is set to “OFF”.

2. Connect the USB cable to a free USB port on your computer. Use a rear USB port on the computer for

better performance. If you are using a USB hub, make sure it is a powered hub.

3. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the USB port on Q88.

4. Turn Q88’s power switch on. The USB cable not only powers Q88 but also sends MIDI data to and from

your computer.

Using an External Power Adapter

You can use a power adapter (sold separately) with the following specification: 9V DC, 500 mA, center-pin

positive, 5.5 mm outside barrel diameter and 2.5 mm inside barrel diameter. If you are receiving power from

a powered USB hub, an external power adapter is not needed.

Note: Do not leave the power adapter plugged in for long periods of time if Q88 is not in use.

EXTERNAL MIDI DEVICE*

COMPUTER*

POWER

A

DAPTER*

SUSTAIN

PEDAL*

EXPRESSION

PEDAL*

*SOLD

SEPARATELY

4

REAR PANEL OVERVIEW

1. POWER ADAPTER INPUT – Connect a power adapter here if you do not want to power Q88 by using

a USB connection.

2. USB CONNECTION – Connect the included USB cable here and then connect it to a USB port on your

computer.

3. MIDI OUT – Use a standard five-pin MIDI cable (sold separately) to connect this jack to the MIDI IN of

an external MIDI device (keyboard, drum machine, sequencer, etc.).

4. SUSTAIN PEDAL INPUT – Connect a 1/4" TS sustain pedal (sold separately) to this input.

5. EXPRESSION PEDAL INPUT – Connect a 1/4" TRS expression pedal (sold separately) to this input.

A connected Expression Pedal will control the Volume Slider's assigned function and disable the

Volume Slider.

6. POWER SWITCH – Turns the power on/off.

TOP PANEL OVERVIEW

1. KEYBOARD – The keys on Q88 function as a standard MIDI keyboard but can also be used to adjust

MIDI settings and send MIDI messages.

2. PITCH BEND WHEEL – Transmits MIDI Pitch Bend information to temporarily raise or lower the pitch

of a note.

3. MODULATION WHEEL – Transmits continuous controller data (CC #1 - Modulation Depth by default).

The Modulation Wheel can also be assigned to different parameters such as pan, attack, reverb,

chorus, etc.

4. ADVANCED – Use this button to access the advanced MIDI settings listed above the keys.

5. VOLUME SLIDER – Transmits continuous controller data (CC#7 - Volume by default). The Volume

slider can also be assigned to different effects such as pan, attack, reverb, chorus etc.

6. OCTAVE - / + – Shifts the keyboard’s octave range up or down 3 octaves. To reset the octave to 0,

press both the Octave + and -

keys together. The Octave + and - keys can also be assigned to control

other functions such as transposition.

SELECTING & EDITING MIDI COMMANDS

Advanced Button

Pressing the ADVANCED button, along with the keyboard's keys, allows you to adjust and send precise MIDI

messages and information quickly and easily. In this mode, the black keys on the keyboard are used for

selecting functions, while the white keys are used for data entry and channel selection.

1. Press ADVANCED.

2. Press the key on Q88 whose MIDI setting (printed above the key) you want to adjust or send.

3. Enter a number value with the numeric keys.

4. Press the ENTER or CANCEL key to confirm or cancel your choice.

OCTAVEVOLUME

ADVANCED

1

4

5

6

2

3

VOLUME

ON/OFF

POWER

9V DC 500mA

1

2

3

5

6

4

5

MIDI Messages

MIDI CHANNELS – Selects the MIDI channel (1-16) over which Q88 will transmit MIDI messages. The

default is Channel 1.

MIDI OUT FROM USB – Enables/disables the Q88's ability to receive MIDI data from a USB connection (i.e.,

a DAW via a computer) and send it to an external sound engine.

Assignment Data Entry Group

DATA: OCTAVE – Allows you to adjust the octave range.

DATA: TRANSPOSE – Allows you to adjust the transposition.

DATA: PROGRAM – Allows you to adjust the program changes.

WHEEL ASSIGN – When in the ADVANCED menu, press the WHEEL ASSIGN key and use the Volume

Slider or the numeric keys to enter a MIDI CC# to assign a function to the wheel.

SLIDER ASSIGN – When in the ADVANCED menu, press the SLIDER ASSIGN key and then use the

Volume Slider or the numeric keys to enter a MIDI CC# to assign a function to the slider.

Octave Group

OCTAVE - – Lowers the octave range of the keyboard by one octave.

OCTAVE 0 – Sets the octave range to the default value, with the first key being A1.

OCTAVE + – Raises the octave range of the keyboard by one octave.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

In addition to setting an octave shift, the Octave + and - buttons can also be used to control other MIDI

functions. The keys that are labeled DATA: ________ are used to select the function for these octave

buttons. When the octave buttons are

used to control these functions, both lights above the buttons will

remain on, regardless of the current function setting.

To select an alternate function:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the labeled black key that represents the function you want.

Octave Shift

The Octave + and - Keys

To shift the octaves using the Octave + and – buttons, first press the ADVANCED button and then use the

Octave + and - keys to shift the keyboard’s pitch up or down one or more octaves (one for each time

pressed). The default octave setting is 0 (when both LED’s are illuminated above the octave buttons) and will

be the octave setting each time you power up Q88.

To assign the Octave + and – buttons

to control the octave:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the DATA: OCTAVE key.

To perform a quick octave change when the Octave + and - buttons are being used to control other MIDI

functions:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the OCTAVE + key to increase the octave by 1 (press it again to increase the octave by 2, and

so on).

3. Press the OCTAVE - key to decrease the octave by 1 (press it again to decrease the octave by 2, and

so on). Alternatively, press the OCTAVE 0 key to reset the octave to 0.

4. Press ENTER to confirm the change.

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Transposition

In some cases it is useful to reduce or raise or lower the keyboard's pitch by a number of semitones rather

than an entire octave. For example, if you are playing a song with a singer that is having difficulty singing

notes out of their vocal range, you can tranpose the pitch by one or two semitones to play the song in an

easier range for the singer. This is achieved by using a MIDI function called Transpose.

Note: A semitone is a half-step, the distance between two adjacent chromatic notes. Two semitones are

equal to a whole step. For example, one semitone higher than "C” would be "C#", and two semitones higher

than "C" would be "D".

Transpose works in the same way as Octave Shift, except the shift is +/- 12 semitones. There are two ways

to transpose the keyboard. You can use the Octave + and - buttons, or use the TRANSPOSE -,

TRANSPOSE 0 and TRANSPOSE + keys.

To assign the Octave + and - buttons to the transpose function:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the DATA: TRANSPOSE key.

Press the Octave + button or the Octave - button to hear the pitch of the note you play go up or down. Press

both Octave + and - buttons together to cancel the keyboard transposition.

MIDI Channel

MIDI data from Q88 can be sent on any of the 16 MIDI channels. However, certain MIDI devices and MIDI

software applications may require the keyboard to send MIDI data on a specific channel. If this is the case,

you can change the channel that the MIDI data is sent using the following method:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press one of the 16 channel keys on Q88, according to the MIDI channel that you need.

The MIDI channel can also be assigned to the Octave + and - buttons. Once assigned, pressing + or - will

incrementally increase or decrease the channel. When channel 16 is reached and + is pressed, channel 1

will be selected. Pressing both the + and - buttons together will recall MIDI channel 1.

Program Change

Program changes are used to change the instrument or voice you are using. There are two ways to send a

program change message:

1. Increment/Decrement Program Change:

A. Press the ADVANCED button.

B. Press the DATA: PROGRAM key.

Now the Octave + and Octave - buttons can be used to change the program. Press the Octave + or Octave -

button and play the keys until you find the instrument that you want.

2. Quick Select Program Change:

A. Press the ADVANCED button.

B. Press the PROGRAM key.

Press the numeric keys to enter a program change number followed by the ENTER key. Alternatively, you

can use the Octave + and - buttons to change the value, and then press ENTER.

Bank LSB and Bank MSB

Program change messages are used to change MIDI instruments and voices. However, the number of

instruments accessible through program changes is limited to 128. Some devices have more than 128 voices

in various banks, requiring a different way to access these extra voices. Generally, these devices use Bank

LSB and Bank MSB messages.

Increment/Decrement Bank LSB and Bank MSB Changes:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the DATA: BANK LSB key

to set the LSB value or press the DATA: BANK MSB to set the MSB

value.

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Use the Octave + and - buttons to change the program. Press the + or - button and play the keys until you

find the instrument you want.

Using the Quick Select Method:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press either the BANK LSB or BANK MSB key.

3. Use the numeric keys to enter the desired value, followed by the ENTER key. Alternatively, you can

use the Octave + and - buttons to change the value, and then press ENTER. Press the Octave + and -

buttons simultaneously

to select Bank 0.

The Modulation Wheel

You can assign MIDI CC messages to the Modulation Wheel. Some useful values are:

• 01 Modulation

• 05 Portamento

• 07 Volume

• 10 Pan

For the MIDI CCs to have any effect on the sound, the receiving MIDI device must be able to read and

respond to these MIDI messages. Most devices will respond to at least

volume (CC #7), modulation (CC #1),

and pan data (CC #10).

To assign CC# to the Modulation Wheel:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the WHEEL ASSIGN key.

3. Use the numeric keys to enter the MIDI CC you want to assign to the Modulation Wheel. Alternatively,

you can use the Octave + and - buttons to change the value.

4. Press the ENTER key.

To cancel the numeric data you are entering, press the CANCEL key to exit Edit Mode without changing the

assignment of the Modulation Wheel.

Note: Each time Q88 is powered off, the value assigned to the Modulation Wheel will be lost and reset to the

default value of CC#1 (Modulation).

The Volume Slider

To assign the Volume Slider to any MIDI CC:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the SLIDER ASSIGN key.

3. Use the numeric keys to enter the number of the MIDI CC you want to assign to the Volume Slider.

Alternatively, you can use the Octave + and - buttons to change the value.

4. Press the ENTER key.

If you have made an error while entering the numeric data, you can press the CANCEL key to exit Edit Mode

without changing the assignment to the Volume Slider. Note that each time the keyboard is powered off, the

value assigned to the Volume Slider will be lost and reset to the default value of controlling volume.

Pitch Bend Sensitivity

You can alter the sensitivity of the Pitch Bend Wheel by assigning MIDI CC #128 to the Modulation Wheel or

Volume Slider. This will allow you to alter the pitch bend range up/down one octave.

USING A SUSTAIN PEDAL

You can connect a sustain pedal (sold separately) to Q88 to control the length of notes, similar to the sustain

pedal on a piano. Connect the pedal before Q88 is powered on so it can to detect the correct polarity. To

reverse the default polarity of the pedal, press and hold the pedal while powering on Q88.

8

SETTING UP Q88 WITH ABLETON LIVE LITE

1. CONFIGURING AS A CONTROL SURFACE

1. Open the software and go to the Options menu (Windows) or Live Lite menu (Mac),

and select Preferences.

2. In the Preferences menu, choose the MIDI Sync tab, and then open the Control Surface menu to

select Q88 from the Control Surface list.

3. Go to the Input and Output drop-down menus. On the Input drop-down menu, select Q88 as the MIDI

input device. Note: You may see USB Audio Device and not Q88.

4. Go to the Output drop-down menu and select the first MIDI output (which represents the USB MIDI

signal).

2. INPUT/OUTPUT OPTIONS

Q88 is now selected as the control surface. In the Input/Output menus, view the Track, Sync, and Remote

options:

1. The Track option routes any MIDI notes sent by Q88. When using Q88 to trigger virtual instruments in

Live Lite, turn Track On for the MIDI input.

2. The same can be done for the MIDI outputs. Generally, you will not need to turn Track On here.

However, if you need to route MIDI notes back out to an external MIDI device, turn Track On for MIDI

Output 2 (which represents the physical MIDI output port on Q88).

3. To use the Volume Slider, Pitch Bend Wheel, or Modulation Wheel to control Live Lite, turn Remote On

for the MIDI Input. This routes the MIDI CC messages into the software to control different functions in

the software.

3. SETUP WITH A VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT

1. Select a Virtual Instrument from Live Lite’s Live Devices list. For example, select Billy the Kid (in the

Brass folder) from the Instrument Rack.

2. Add the virtual instrument to your project by dragging it over the Clip/Device Drop Area (where it says

"Drop Files and Devices Here").

3. Click the Record Enable button at the bottom of the screen (in order to hear what you will be playing).

4. Click the drop-down menu for the MIDI input, labeled MIDI From and set this to All Ins.

5. If you have Q88 set to a specific MIDI channel that you would like only this virtual instrument to respond

to, you can choose the specific MIDI channel from the drop-down menu. Generally, this should stay on

All Channels.

6. Play the keys on Q88 to hear the audio from the Virtual Instrument track coming from your computer

speakers.

For more details, refer to Live’s Help documentation by navigating to Help > Help View. A pane on the right

will display helpful information.

4. CUSTOM ASSIGN CONTROLS

Follow these steps to customize Live Lite to respond to certain controls on Q88:

1. In Live Lite, bring up the MIDI assignment options menu by clicking the MIDI button in the upper right

corner. A purple sheen will be placed over the assignable options. Any option you see highlighted can

be mapped to the Volume Slider, Pitch Bend Wheel, or Modulation Wheel on Q88.

2. Click an assignable option on the screen.

3. Move the control you would like to assign. Its CC (Control Change) number will be shown for the

particular control that you moved.

4. Click the MIDI button in the upper right corner to exit MIDI assignment mode.

5. Move the control on Q88 that you assigned it will now move the assignment that you chose on-screen.

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5. VALUE SCALING VS. PICKUP MODE

In the Preferences menu, go to the Takeover Mode drop-down menu which has options for Pickup and

Value Scaling.

• When Set to Pickup, a control on Q88 will start moving its assigned software parameter only when

Q88's hardware control moves past the current value of that parameter.

Example: The Volume Slider on Q88 is all the way down. Fader 1 in the software is halfway up. When

set to Pickup, Fader 1 will not move until the Volume Slider on Q88 goes past the halfway point. It will

then “pickup” from this point and begin to move Fader 1 in the software.

• When set to Value Scaling, it will do the opposite.

Example: The Volume Slider on Q88 is all the way down. Fader 1 in the software is halfway up.

When set to Value Scaling, Fader 1 will move as soon as you move the Volume Slider on Q88.

MIDI TROUBLESHOOTING

All Notes Off

If you experience hanging notes that do not

stop playing, send an All Notes Off MIDI

message to stop this by performing the

following:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the ALL NOTES OFF key.

Reset All Controllers

If you find there is an effect on an instrument

that you do not want, rather than having to

isolate and identify that particular effect, you

can send a Reset All Controllers MIDI

message by performing the following:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the RESET ALL CONTROLLERS

key.

MIDI Out

The MIDI Out port can be used to connect Q88 to an external sound module or another MIDI keyboard. By

default (when you power Q88 on), all controller data is sent out its MIDI output and USB connection.

However, if you want the MIDI output to act as a traditional USB-to-MIDI interface, follow the steps below:

1. Press the ADVANCED button.

2. Press the key labeled MIDI OUT FROM USB.

3. Select Q88 as the MIDI Out device in your sequencer software. Q88 will now receive MIDI data from

the computer through its USB connection and send it out its MIDI output. See the side diagram for MIDI

routing details.

OCTAVEVOLUME

ADVANCED

10

GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION

No sound from target device.

Q88 is not properly

connected.

Check your computer's USB connection to confirm that

the Q88 is recognized. If necessary, replug the

connection and restart your computer.

If controlling an external hardware module, make sure

that the MIDI cable is connected to Q88 and to the

device's MIDI IN port.

Q88 was connected after the

software application started.

Restart the software application.

Problem is caused by use of

a USB hub.

Unplug Q88 from the USB hub and connect directly to

the computer.

Software is not set to receive

MIDI data from the Q88.

Ensure that Q88 or USB MIDI device is listed as an

active MIDI source in your application. Usually, the

MIDI settings can be accessed through the

application's Preferences menu.

Q88's MIDI channel is not the

same as software's incoming

MIDI channel.

Make sure that the Q88 is sending MIDI information on

the channel over which the target device is set to

receive it.

Notes sustain continuously.

Sustain pedal was plugged in

after the Q88 was powered

on.

Power off Q88 for 10 seconds and then restart.

Stuck notes due to

incomplete MIDI data.

Turn Q88’s power off, wait 10 seconds, and then turn it

on again.

Sustain pedal works in

reverse.

Sustain pedal was plugged in

after power was turned on.

With the pedal plugged in, turn the Q88's power off,

wait a moment, and turn it on again.

When I press a key, there is

a delay before I hear any

sound.

This is software latency.

Try to increase the buffer size for your software

program, use low-latency ASIO drivers, or temporarily

use a General MIDI instrument in place of a high-

latency VST instrument while recording.

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MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART

Transmit/Export Recognize/Import Remarks

1. Basic Information

MIDI channels 1-16 No Default = 1

Note numbers 0-127 No With Octave +/- buttons

Program change 1-128 No

Bank Select response Yes No 0-127

Modes supported: Mode 1: Omni-On, Poly

Mode 2: Omni-On, Mono

Mode 3: Omni-Off, Poly

Mode 4: Omni-Off, Mono

Multi Mode

No

Yes

No

Note-On Velocity Yes No

Note-Off Velocity No No

Channel Aftertouch Yes No

Via volume slider, when

assigned

Poly (Key) Aftertouch No No

Pitch Bend Yes No

Active Sensing No No

System Reset Yes No

Tune Request No No

Universal System Exclusive No No

Manufacturer or Non-Commercial System

Exclusive

No No

NRPNs No No

RPNs No No

2. MIDI Timing and Synchronization

MIDI Clock No No

Song Position Pointer No No

Song Select No No

Start

Continue

Stop

No

MIDI Time Code No No

MIDI Machine Control No No

MIDI Show Control No No

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MIDI CC LIST

CC Number Description

0 Bank Select (MSB)

1 Modulation Wheel

2 Breath Controller

3 Undefined

4 Foot Pedal (MSB)

5 Portamento Time (MSB)

6 Data Entry (MSB)

7 Volume (MSB)

8 Balance (MSB)

9 Undefined

10 Pan (MSB)

11 Expression (MSB)

12-13 Effect Control (MSB)

14-15 Undefined

16-19 General Purpose Controllers

20-31 Undefined

32-63 LSB for Controllers 0-31

64 Damper Pedal

65 Portamento

66 Sostenuto

67 Soft Pedal

68 Legato Footswitch

69 Sustain

70-79 Sound Controller

80-83 General Purpose Controller

84 Portamento Control

85-90 Undefined

91-95 Effects Depth

96-97 Data Increment

98 NRPN LSB

99 NRPN MSB

100 RPN LSB

101 RPN MSB

102-119 Undefined

120 All Sound Off

121 All Controllers Off

122 Local Keyboard On/Off

123 All Notes Off

124 Omni Mode Off

125 Omni Mode On

126 Mono Mode

127 Poly Mode

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SPECIFICATIONS

POWER: USB; 9V DC, 500 mA, center pin-positive, 5.5 mm outside barrel diameter and 2.5

mm inside barrel diameter (sold separately)

KEYBOARD: 88 keys

ACCESSORIES: USB cable, Software DVD, User Guide

MIDI OUTPUT: 5-pin jack

USB: 1 slave connector (MIDI over USB)

www.alesis.com/Q88

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7-51-0388-A

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Alesis Q88 User manual

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