Alesis Updates Top Synthesizers, Introduces QS7.1 & QS8.1
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| Alesis QS7.1 |
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| Alesis QS8.1 |
April 19, 1999
Alesis introduces new models of the QS7 and QS8, the top keyboards in the QS
Series synthesizer line. The 76-key QS7.1 and 88-key QS8.1 are composition and
performance synthesizers that offer a superb sonic library, open-ended expandability,
onboard controllers, built-in digital effects and a companion CD with sequencing
and editing software.
"We're excited to be offering new models in the award-winning QS Series
line, which was first introduced in 1995," says Mark Frederick, Alesis director
of sales. "The QS Series synthesizers are our most popular selling keyboards
ever because of their tremendous performance, and now we've managed to add even
more value for relatively the same price."
The price for the QS8.1 will remain at $1999 USD MSRP while the QS7.1 and QS6.1
will retail at $1399 USD MSRP and $1099 USD MSRP respectively. Units are currently
available domestically and will be available worldwide in June.
The Alesis QS Series keyboards - including the recently released QS6.1--are
well known and respected for their highly detailed and accurate sounding samples
(such as the acclaimed stereo grand piano), preset and userdefinable programs,
and the simple elegant interface that facilitates performing, programming and
editing. Updates on the QS7.1 and QS8.1 include an enhanced General MIDI sound
set, larger display and new buttons for transposition and sequence playback. With
improvements to circuitry design, Alesis has been able to increase the dynamic
range of the keyboards by 6dB.
All QS Series keyboards now include two PCMCIA-format expansion slots for adding
new sounds to those provided in the internal memory. The synthesizers support
flash memory cards as large as 8MB, allowing them to simultaneously access up
to 32MB of sounds. Alesis offers a full line of QCard ROM expansion cards with
samples, programs and sequences in a variety of instrumental and musical styles,
such as Classical, Vintage Keyboards and Sanctuary. MIDI sequences, new sounds
and an additional program bank can be stored on blank flash memory cards and accessed
instantaneously by the unit.
The keyboards ship with a companion CD-ROM with useful programs that turn
a Macintosh or Windows computer into a MIDI/audio sequencer, editor and librarian.
Software includes a full-blown version of Emagic MicroLogic AV, Steinberg Cubase
Mixmaps, Emagic Sound Diver, Alesis Freeloader and Alesis Sound Bridge, among
others. Also included are hundreds of megabytes of - samples and a plethora of
standard MIDI files.
Each QS Series Synthesizer includes a high-speed serial data port, MIDI In,
Out and Thru as well as an ADAT Optical output for direct audio connection to
a wide variety of recorders, mixers and other tools.
For more information, visit Alesis at http://www.alesis.com/
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