Alesis QS6.2, Reference Manual

Page: 57 / 105

Modulations
8
55
It might be helpful to think of the Tracking Generator as a fifth page
available to the Mod function. When you choose it as your source on the
first page of a Mod (let's say button [0], or Mod 1), you then need to go
select the TG's input on button [9], page 1. In effect, the TG's input is its
"Mod source", and the TG itself becomes a sort of "Mod destination".
Modulation input is basically filtered through the TG before it reaches
the actual Mod destination on page 2 of Mod 1.
The Tracking Generator divides the range of the input into 11 points (0-
10), each of which can be set between 0 and 100. If you boost the value
of one of the lower points, you make the input more sensitive in its
lower register. By creating a non-linear curve using the velocity example
above, you can scale the velocity’s control over the sound’s volume just
the way you want.
When selecting the Tracking Generator as a modulation source in the
Mod Function, two choices will be available (TRACKGEN and
STEPTRAK). When TRACKGEN is selected as the modulation source,
the Tracking Generator functions normally, scaling its input as
determined by its parameter settings.
When STEPTRAK is selected as a modulation source, the Tracking
Generator’s output will be stepped, or interpolated. This means that
instead of scaling the input in a linear fashion from point to point, the
input is kept at each point’s value setting until it goes beyond the
following point’s value setting, at which point it jumps to that setting.
This feature is very useful in creating “mini-sequences” if the modulation
destination is set to PITCH and the Tracking Generator’s input is an
LFO using an “Up Sawtooth” as its waveform. The HipHop and
EuroDance QCards contain many examples of this extremely cool usage
of the Tracking Generator.
0
100
POINTS: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
LINEAR
0
100
POINTS: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NON-LINEAR
0
100
POINTS: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NON-LINEAR STEPPED
TIP: The Tracking Generator can be used
to turn a variable control, such as the Mod
Wheel or velocity, into a switch by setting all
of the points to 0 except for point 10. Only
near the maximum input will anything other
than 0 come out of the Tracking generator.
LINEAR TRACKGEN
NON-LINEAR TRACKGEN
NON-LINEAR STEPTRACK