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Alesis D4 User Manual

Alesis D4
50 pages
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ALESIS
D4
Reference Manual

Table of Contents

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Alesis D4 Specifications

General IconGeneral
TypeDrum Sound Module
Polyphony16 voices
Trigger Inputs12
MIDIIn, Out, Thru
OutputsHeadphone
Dimensions19"
EffectsReverb
InputsTrigger inputs
DisplayLED
Power Supply9V AC
Sounds500

Summary

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.0 PRINCIPAL FEATURES

Details the D4's core features including sound count, sample rate, trigger inputs, MIDI implementation, and output capabilities.

1.1 RETURN YOUR WARRANTY CARD NOW!

Procedure to ensure warranty is active and receive product updates.

1.2 HOOKUP/INSTANT GRATIFICATION

Guide to connecting the D4, selecting Drum Sets, and auditioning sounds.

1.3 BASICS AND DEFINITIONS

Explains fundamental concepts and terminology for using the D4.

1.4 ABOUT THE USER INTERFACE

Overview of the D4's front panel buttons, display, and controls.

CHAPTER 4 - MIDI FUNCTIONS

4.0 DRUM SET ROOT NOTE

Sets the lowest MIDI note (36-96) the D4 responds to, shifting assignments in parallel.

4.1 MIDI CHANNEL SELECTION

Configures D4 to Omni mode or a specific MIDI channel for data reception/transmission.

4.2 MIDI THRU/OUT SELECTION

Selects if MIDI Out/Thru passes incoming data or acts solely as an output.

4.3 PROGRAM CHANGE ENABLE

Activates or deactivates D4's response to Program Change commands for Drum Set selection.

4.4 CONTROLLER ENABLE

Lists and explains MIDI controllers the D4 responds to, like Data Slider and Volume.

4.5 PROGRAM CHANGE TABLE

Creates a map for incoming Program Change numbers to specific D4 Drum Sets.

4.6 SAVE DATA VIA MIDI

Backs up D4 data using System Exclusive format to external devices like DataDisk.

4.7 RECEIVE DATA FROM ANOTHER MIDI DEVICE

How D4 automatically loads compatible D4 System Exclusive data from MIDI In.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.2A Installation

Details rack mounting for easy access to the Preview button and ventilation.

1.2B Hook Up Audio (rear panel)

Instructions for connecting audio outputs to monitoring systems and headphones.

1.2C Hook Up MIDI (rear panel)

Connects MIDI source to D4 MIDI In and distributes signals via MIDI Out/Thru.

1.2D Hook Up External Triggers (rear panel)

Connects non-MIDI pads and audio signals to D4 trigger inputs.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.2E Hook Up Power (rear panel)

Guide for connecting the AC adapter, emphasizing using the supplied unit.

1.2F Turn On Power

Step-by-step guide for powering on the D4 and monitoring system safely.

1.2G Select Drum Sets

How to select and view Drum Sets using the Drum Set button and Data wheel.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.2H Audition Different Drum Sounds

Explains sound organization into Banks and how to audition them.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.2I Assign Drum Sounds to Particular MIDI Notes

Assigns specific drum sounds to MIDI notes using Voice, Bank, and sound selection.

1.3 BASICS AND DEFINITIONS

1.3A The Voice

Defines a 'voice' as a sound-generating element with parameters like sound, tuning, volume, and panning.

1.3 BASICS AND DEFINITIONS

1.3B About the Edit Buffer

Explains the temporary memory buffer for editing Drum Sets and its importance for changes.

1.3C About Defaults

Defines defaults as automatic settings and explains their use for saving time and convenience.

1.3D MIDI Note Range

Describes the 5-octave MIDI note range (36-96) and the effect of the Root Note feature.

1.4 ABOUT THE USER INTERFACE

1.4 ABOUT THE USER INTERFACE

1.4A Function Buttons

Details the eight Function buttons (Voice, Tune, Mix, etc.) for parameter editing.

1.4B Cursor Buttons

Explains navigation and selection using cursor buttons on the LCD display.

1.4C Multi-Page Functions

Describes accessing additional parameter screens for functions like MIDI and Ext Trig.

1.4 ABOUT THE USER INTERFACE

1.4D Editing Parameter Values

How to use the Data wheel to change parameter values and the period indicator.

1.4E The Store and Note Chase buttons

Function of Store for saving edits and Note Chase for selecting notes.

1.4F The Preview Button

Function of the velocity-sensitive Preview button for auditioning sounds.

CHAPTER 2 - DRUM SET MANAGEMENT

2.0 SELECTING DRUM SETS

How to select and view Drum Sets using the Drum Set function button and Data wheel.

2.1 STORING/NAMING AN EDITED DRUM SET

Steps to save edited Drum Sets, including naming and overwriting data.

CHAPTER 2 - DRUM SET MANAGEMENT

2.2 RECALLING FACTORY DRUM SETS

Instructions to recall and load factory-programmed Drum Sets into memory.

CHAPTER 3: FUNCTION BUTTONS

3.0 NOTE CHASE/DRUM NOTE SELECTION

Select drum notes for editing via cursor or Note Chase, triggering sounds.

3.1 VOICE

Select drum sounds by Bank and sound number using the Voice button and Data wheel.

CHAPTER 3: FUNCTION BUTTONS

3.2 TUNE

Adjust the pitch of a drum sound using the Tune button, with semitone or cent adjustments.

3.3 MIX

Adjust Volume and Pan parameters for a drum sound using the Mix button.

3.4 OUTPUT

Assign a drum sound to Main or Aux stereo outputs using the Output button.

CHAPTER 3: FUNCTION BUTTONS

3.5 DRUM SET

Select a Drum Set using the Drum Set button and Data wheel.

CHAPTER 3: FUNCTION BUTTONS

3.6 EXT TRIG

View Trigger input, characteristics, and associated note using the Ext Trig button.

3.7 GROUP BUTTON

Set drum sound Mode (Multi, Single, Group 1/2) to control voice stealing.

CHAPTER 3: FUNCTION BUTTONS

3.8 MIDI BUTTON

View the root note for the selected drumset using the MIDI button.

3.9 COPYING A NOTE'S PARAMETERS TO ANOTHER NOTE

Copy Voice, Tune, Mix, Output, and Group parameters from one note to another.

CHAPTER 4: MIDI FUNCTIONS

4.0 DRUM SET ROOT NOTE

Sets the lowest MIDI note (36-96) the D4 responds to, shifting assignments in parallel.

CHAPTER 4: MIDI FUNCTIONS

4.1 MIDI CHANNEL SELECTION

Configures D4 to Omni mode or a specific MIDI channel for data reception/transmission.

4.2 MIDI THRU/OUT SELECTION

Selects if MIDI Out/Thru passes incoming data or acts solely as an output.

4.3 PROGRAM CHANGE ENABLE

Activates or deactivates D4's response to Program Change commands for Drum Set selection.

CHAPTER 4: MIDI FUNCTIONS

4.4 CONTROLLER ENABLE

Lists and explains MIDI controllers the D4 responds to, like Data Slider and Volume.

4.5 PROGRAM CHANGE TABLE

Creates a map for incoming Program Change numbers to specific D4 Drum Sets.

CHAPTER 4: MIDI FUNCTIONS

4.6 SAVE DATA VIA MIDI

Backs up D4 data using System Exclusive format to external devices like DataDisk.

4.6A SAVE TO DATADISK

Step-by-step guide on saving D4 MIDI data to an Alesis DataDisk.

CHAPTER 4: MIDI FUNCTIONS

4.7 RECEIVE DATA FROM ANOTHER MIDI DEVICE

How D4 automatically loads compatible D4 System Exclusive data from MIDI In.

CHAPTER 4: MIDI FUNCTIONS

4.7A LOAD FROM DATADISK

Step-by-step guide on loading D4 MIDI data from a DataDisk via MIDI.

CHAPTER 5: EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

CHAPTER 5: EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

About Trigger Parameters

Introduces five user-controllable trigger parameters: VCURVE, XTALK, DCAY, NOISE, and GAIN.

5.0 TRIGGER SELECTION

How to select one of the 12 input triggers for editing its parameters.

CHAPTER 5: EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

5.1 TRIGGER NOTE SELECTION

Assigns a MIDI note number to each trigger input, associated with a drum sound.

5.2 TRIGGER VELOCITY SELECTION

Adjusts trigger velocity sensitivity (VCURVE) for playing styles and pad variances.

CHAPTER 5: EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

5.3 TRIGGER PARAMETER SELECTION

Sets crosstalk, decay, and noise floor level for each trigger independently.

5.4 TRIGGER CROSSTALK SELECTION

Adjusts XTALK parameter to resolve interaction or "crosstalk" problems between pads.

CHAPTER 5: EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

5.5 TRIGGER DCAY CONTROL SELECTION

Adjusts DCAY level to prevent a pad from "double triggering" or emitting ghost notes.

CHAPTER 5: EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

5.6 TRIGGER NOISE LEVEL SELECTION

Adjusts NOISE parameter to suppress false triggering from ambient noise or stage vibrations.

CHAPTER 5: EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

5.7 TRIGGER GAIN SELECTION

Sets GAIN parameter to adjust transducer signal strength for reliable triggering.

CHAPTER 5: EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

5.8 FOOTSWITCH MODE

Selects footswitch function: Hi Hat Pedal or Drumset Advance.

CHAPTER 5: EXTERNAL TRIGGERING

5.8A UNDERSTANDING HI HAT PEDAL MODE

Replicates realistic hi-hat effects using a footswitch and drum pad.

CHAPTER 6: MIDI SUPPLEMENT

6.0 MIDI BASICS

Introduction to MIDI, its history, and how it standardizes musical data.

6.1 MIDI HARDWARE

Explains MIDI In/Out jacks and their functions for transmitting and receiving MIDI data.

CHAPTER 6: MIDI SUPPLEMENT

6.2 MIDI MESSAGE BASICS

Classifies MIDI messages into Channel (Voice, Mode) and System types.

6.3 CHANNEL MESSAGES

Focuses on Voice messages like Note On/Off, Velocity, Pressure, and Program Change.

CHAPTER 6: MIDI SUPPLEMENT

6.3B MODE MESSAGES

Explains MIDI Mode messages (Omni, Mono/Poly) and their implementation in the D4.

CHAPTER 6: MIDI SUPPLEMENT

6.4 SYSTEM COMMON MESSAGES

Describes System Common messages like Song Position Pointer, System Exclusive, and Timing Clock.

CHAPTER 6: MIDI SUPPLEMENT

6.5 BOOKS ON MIDI

Lists recommended books for further information on MIDI topics.

CHAPTER 6: MIDI SUPPLEMENT

6.6 VIDEOS ON MIDI

Recommends a video for an overview of MIDI concepts and applications.

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