Alesis QS6

The synth has a minimal user interface. If you use a Mac or PC you can do your sound editing with the included Unisyn SQ6 editor. There are 600+ patches including a GM set. Most of the patches are useful with some killers. Editing is easy, even using the sparse keyboard interface. The layout is simple enough to learn and the manual is decently written.

Polyphony is 64 notes. Each patch can contain between 1 to 4 voices so polyphony can be used quickly. Alesis uses a very effective voice stealing scheme that looks for the amplitude envelopes and takes any voices that are no longer making sound. The effects are similar to a QuadraSynth 2 and are very comprehensive. The manual does a good job of explaining how to use the effects in Patch and Mix mode. The parameters available rival many rack processors. You can expand the QS6 by using a PCMCIA card. The Pop/Rock card was included when I purchased it. This added 8mb of samples to the onboard 8mb of samples. Like it's sibling the Quadrasynth the QS6 can read sample data via Alesis' Soundbridge software. The user can save up to 8mb of samples on a Flash RAM PCMCIA card using the software. Note- the samples in the QS6 are different from the Quadrasynth keyboards. The midi capabilities are typical for a keyboard in the under $1000 street price range. There is no MIDI through which is a drag but the out can be used instead. Like others in it's price point the QS6 offers a built in midi interface for PC's and Mac's. Some of the midi implementation is not clearly documented.

"Real" instrument timbres are good. There is a noticable improvment in the piano sound from the original Quadrasynth. The brass is a bit weak. The QS6 is quite expressive and flexible in it's controller routings. The effects section is sophisticated and clean. It seems like Alesis listened to it's users and included both sonic and ease of use features. The keyboard is solid if somewhat stiff. The worst feature is the placement of the pitch and modulation wheels above the keyboard. This makes it difficult to do many realtime expression. Still, it is nicer than the Korg/Roland T-style control. The keyboard can be globally set to several styles such as "plastic keys, controller", etc.

If there is any concern I have about the instrument it is reliability. In the past I've had problems with Alesis keyboards. On the QS6 the pitch wheel is a little loose feeling but this seems to be a design thing. Time will tell how well the QS6 holds up. It is small but weighs more than some larger synths I've used. The quality seems to be good. As for gigging, I don't think I'd like to use any equipment without a backup if I can help it.

Haven't used it for the QS6 yet but in the past it took some time for Alesis to respond. When they did it was usually helpful and their techs did a good job to help troubleshoot problems. Almost a 10 except for timely response.

I chose this over the Quadrasynth Piano Plus because I liked the sound better. I would buy it again. I love the flexible sounds, ability to add my own, and the ease of use. I hate the munchkin LCD readout. When trying the QS6 I was if anything predisposed towards not liking it. When I played it compared to an XP-50 and a Quadrasynth+ I found myself enjoying the presets on the QS6. The money was not the issue, I just liked the sound of the keyboard. As in any other purchase you should listen to whatever you are considering purchasing. Just because the QS6 fits my needs doesn't mean it will do so for someone else. I can live with 61 keys instead of 76, I can live with the sparse user interface but if I wasn't using a computer I don't know if I'd be as accepting. The least that can be said about the QS6 is great features for the price and it won't become obsolete since you can always put your own samples on a PCMCIA card. The synthesis features are rich although a resonant filter would be nice. Bottom line, well worth a listen.