Restore the Factory User Bank in Your Alesis QS Synthesizer
I recently fired up my old Alesis QS6.2 synth after a long hiatus, only to discover the user bank was hosed. Not only did I want those sounds to play with, but they have special significance to me, since I worked on them while I was an engineer at Alesis!
Opening up the unit, I found out sure enough that the battery was dead. It was pretty easy to find a source online at Syntaur, so I ordered a replacement.
Replacing the Battery
Doing battery swap requires de-soldering the existing battery from the PC board, which is not trivial. Ideally, you’d have a good soldering gun and a “solder-sucker” or a good solder wick. I had neither but I got it off, albeit sloppily.
Then, I had to solder the new battery on. Again, if you have a solder-sucker or wick, you can clear the holes of solder and simply drop the battery in. If you don’t, it’s more difficult. Here are the official instructions from Syntaur.
If you’ve never done anything like this before, I recommend taking your unit in to an authorized repair center get the battery professionally replaced.
Finding the QS User Bank
I figured it would then be easy to find the QS6.2 User Bank sysex file online, but it’s not.
Searching through my old computer files, I found it on my computer from when I worked on it!
Here They Are!!
So, as a public service, here are the QS Synth User Bank Sysex files:
The following banks are provided courtesy of reader Charles:
To load these into your QS synth, you’ll need a MIDI interface for your computer and some MIDI software. On Windows, I use Cakewalk or MIDI-OX (free). Enjoy!!
Leave me a comment below if you have a QS synth! – Brian
p.s., this is the NAMM show display where we introduced the QS6.2 synth back in 2002. I was the engineer in charge of the update from the QS6.1 to QS6.2. I upgraded the D/A converters, improved the analog PCB layout to eliminate hum in the outputs, improved the button layout ergonomics, and updated the colors (from black to silver). Oh, and I re-programmed the user bank!
For Alesis Service
Lots of people have asked me where to get service for their Alesis synths! In the Los Angeles area, we used to work closely with Audio Design & Service in Burbank, CA, and I recommend them for music instrument repair.
I have an alesis Qs 6.2 it doesn’t respond to any commands I was told that the battery was out I had battery replaced but keyboard doesn’t want to work I was hoping someone could give some kind of orientation on what could be wrong because I tried to reset to factory and once I press any key it shows incorrect command or error on the screen
Hi Ignacio,
Two things to try. First, see if it responds to MIDI commands. If so, then it could be just a keyboard connection problem.
If not, there is a more fundamental problem. You could open it up and make sure all of the cable connections are secure. After that you’d have to take it to a service center.
Best,
Brian
Hi Brian,
I bought the QS7 when it first came out at a music store in Upstate New York called The Only Guitar Shop where I worked sellibg keyboards which is long since gone, I have been over in Austria near Vienna since a few months after I bought the QS7 – 24 years now. In fact I think I may have met you, I think it may have been you who came to The Only Guitar Shop specifically to turn everyone on to the QS6, 7 & 8 – it was definitely someone from Alesis who worked on the QS keyboard architecture, and that Alesis person came with the Alesis rep Greg Ouzinoff. I just came across this article – thanks for the user bank SysEx link – that’s very handy. I also read your p.s. paragraph with great interest about how you upgraded the D/A converters, improved the analog PCB layout to “eliminate hum in the outputs”; that hum in the outputs has always been a big problem for me in not being able to record with the QS7, because I love the piano sounds – Greg told me all those years ago that it was an 8 Meg sampled Bösendorfer and that hum has always prevented me from recording the QS7. Can you please tell me how can I get rid of that hum in the outputs? You can be techn with me, I used to build keyboards, me and two friends built by hand the Lync LN4 strap-on MIDI controller keyboard back in the mid 80s, we were based in Colonie, New York between Albany and Schenectady, we got crushed by the big boys, Roland, and Yamaha hell, they had a much bigger budget for marketing and research and development. Maybe you have a schematic fix for this analog output hum problem. I am looking forward to your help in any way that you can on this QS7 hum in the analog outputs problem.
Kind regards,
Mark Luce
Vienna, Austria
Hi Mark,
Thanks for sharing! It probably wasn’t me that you met, as I only worked on the QS8.2 / 6.2 iteration, not on the original keyboards.
In my revision, I upgraded the 16-bit converters to 20-bit Alesis D/A converters. Although the samples are still 16-bit, the higher quality converter gives lower noise. But, I think the thing that eliminated the hum in the analog outputs was my re-layout of the PCB to separate the analog ground plane from the digital ground plane, with a connection only at one point under the DAC. I don’t think that is something that can be replicated on a QS7 original PC board; you’d have to get a new PCB.
However, if the QS7 has an ADAT optical output (I think it does but I don’t remember for sure), you could use that and that would be hum-free!
Best,
Brian
I have been using an Alesis QS 6.2 for the past 10 years but had put it aside for a little while. Trying to use it again, I found the output is a random bunch of noise, sounds and effects on both the stereo outputs and headphone. While some of the sounds seem to be in the neighborhood of the intended output, the device is basically useless. The last 5 high keys do not appear to be activating the keyboard and are not outputted through midi. The rest of the keys as well as controllers and buttons do work. I had replaced the battery before and thought maybe this would help but it didn’t. I downloaded your user presets and was able to upload them to the QS6.2 successfully. Unfortunately, that did not help. I downloaded the service manual, replaced the large caps on the motherboard, check voltages, reflowed solder back over sockets and other soldered components, and ran the diagnostics. What I’m getting is a failure during the Sound ROM test at address 8176 for both of the tests (1 and 2). I can’t find a schematic for the actual QS6.2 only for the QS6 and, as strange as it might sound, it’s really hard to find the actual sound ROMs on this board. Pictures of the QS6, 7, and 8 all show eight ROMs (2MB ROMs). Obviously something changed in this version. I see an Intel TE28F128 chip and was wondering if this is the sound ROM for this device. It has the word “Flash” on it and it’s description looks like it could be the ROM. Are there places that services these units? I’ve dug about as far into the unit as I can. Any other suggestions would be helpful as I find it is a truly unique and valuable keyboard.
Hi Chris,
Yeah, for the 6.2, we replaced the ROMs with flash; it was actually cheaper that way. Sounds like the flash has gone bad on this unit. You can try touching up the pins with a soldering iron, but the problem could be internal.
Our “go to” place to service Alesis keyboards was Audio Design & Service in Burank, CA:
https://audiodesign-service.com/new/
Best,
Brian
HELLO BRIAN
THANKS FOR THE QS SOUND BANKS.
I WILL BE TRYING TO SEND THESE TO A QSR RACK MODULE USING EITHER QS EDIT PRO OR MIDI OX.
FIRST QUESTION, ARE ALL THESE BANKS CAPABLE OF BEING LOADED INTO A QSR MODULE.
SECOND, I HAVE LOST THE MANUAL FOR THE QSR, SO WILL BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD EXPALAIN HOW TO
SET UP THE MODULE READY TO RECEIVE THE SOUND BANKS VIA MIDI/SYSEX BULK DUMP.
THIRDLY, IF NOT TO MUCH TROUBLE CAN YOU TALK ME THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS TO BULK DUMP THESE
USING MIDI OX.
THANKS AGAIN FOR THE SOUNS BANKS, AND STAY SAFE DURING THIS COVID 19 PANDEMIC.
BY THE WAY, THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME IS VIA THE E-MAIL BELOW, INCIDENTALLY DO YOU HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS WHERE WE CAN TALK PRIVATELYWITHOUT THE WHOLE WORLD WATCHING, FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE THAT WAY.
ALL THE BEST MIKE.
Hi Mike,
You can find the QSR manual here:
https://www.manualslib.com/products/Alesis-Qsr-1740273.html
From what I can recall, you don’t need to set up the QSR to receive MIDI sysex. I think you can just send it at any time, but you should double check that in the manual.
I am not able to provide individual help, but I hope you are able to figure it out from the manual.
Best,
Brian
Hi Brian, good to know you, man. Well, go direct to the point. I have a QS6.2. Buy about 3/4 yoears ago on a old stock here in Brazil. Mine had exactly the same problem of yours. Than I went to the guarrantee and resolve the battery’s replace. But I’m no good with MIDI programs. I’ve downloaded the user bank and MIDI-OX but don’t know how to do it. Ask you to help, please. If you like my whatsapp is +55 51 981491421. Thanks so much.
Hi Tiago,
Do you have a MIDI interface for your computer? First step is to get that working. Then use MID-OX to do a sysex dump to your QS.
Best,
Brian
Show. Yes, I have a midi-in-out-usb cable. But my doubt is that. How in the MID-OX I do that?
This is for a different synth, but it shows how to use Midi-Ox to send sysex data:
https://inmusicbrands.force.com/ranedj/s/article/M-Audio-Code-Series-Sending-and-Receiving-Sysex-Dumps-with-MIDI-OX
Basically, load the sysex file in Midi-Ox, then go to Command Window > Send Sysex.
Brian
Hi Brian! Sorry, but I’m not getting it right. The cable/interface shows that it’s receiving the data but nothings changes in the instrument. i don’t know what to do. Maybe reset the instrument and do all again?
Just to make sure your interface is working, are you able to send MIDI notes from your computer to the QS synth?
Well my brother, it seems so hehe. If I could show you what I’m doing. In true, I want to sell my QS and want to pass it with all the banks working alright. This user bank the way it is now is signal of corrupted instrument ?
When I start do send syx it seems to work. The cable/interface starts to blink the leds. It seems QS is not receiving. I don’t really know.
Are you able to edit a user bank, say the name, then save it and have it stay saved after you power cycle?
Well, I pick up an alleatory sound and save in the user bank, reboot the QS and it continues there. That’s it? It’s the sign that the user bank is ok?
Yes, user bank is ok. Sounds like a MIDI communication problem or hardware problem.
Cool man. This alterates the price in the selling? I thank you for the super attention!
Hey, make sure the switch on the back is set to use PC or Mac as appropriate. But then also go into the Global Menu (Edit Select and then right Bank button). Use the Page buttons to get to Page 15, which should tell the synth whether to use the MIDI ports, or serial. Let me know if that helps!
Hi Charles! My friend, in my QS6.2 doesn’t exist this PC/Mac button hehe. And in the Global’s P15 the MIDI Out is set: OUT (it has OUT and THRU). Does It helped?
Ohhhh…. I might have told you the wrong page to check. It should be I/O, and then the choice should be MIDI.
Good Day Brian. I own 3 Alesis keyboards and just this weekend I turned on my QS 6.2. The display read 00 with no patch name. As I cursed through the patches and as the patch names displayed, I noticed that the user banks would show gibberish i.e. @3$%67! and/or very bazar sounds when played. Is this a battery issue as you described or do I possibly have a more nefarious situation. Also, do you know anything about the Micron, specifically if there’s anything that can be done about the random volume loss. Thanks
Hi Patrick,
It does sound like the battery is dead. To confirm it’s not some other problem, try initializing a sound. If that plays fine, then it’s probably just the battery.
Regarding the Micron, sounds like you’d have to take that to a service center to get it fixed.
Best,
Brian
Hello, just purchased a QS6.2 and exited to get into it.
Thank you for posting this page.
Whatever help with software you can help me with would be great :)
Hey! So I found them finally on a demo CD that came with the classical card. If you want, I can send them to you for posting. Thanks!