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!
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://m-audio.com/kb/article/2060
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!
Hi Brian,
I bought an Alesis 7.1 when I worked in music retail just after I got out of college. Got it through a dealer accommodation via the late Glen Heffner. Always wanted the 8.1, and was lucky enough to find one a few weeks ago. I need to reload the user bank though. I found a midi file with the user bank, but it still doesn’t sound quite right (don’t know if it was because the file I had said was for the 7/8, not the 7.1/8.1). At any rate, do you know where I can find either the sysex or midi file for the 8.1 (and really the 7.1 as well, as I need to reload it before selling).
THANKS!
Does anyone out there have the QS7.1/8.1 sound bank sysex files? If so, send them to me and I’ll post them! (Leave a comment and I’ll get in touch with you).
Thanks,
Brian
Hi Brian,
Two years ago my Alesis QS6.2 failed… It sounds really funny (with something like an “electric crisp” at the key press and a succession of random notes after that, all mixed up with the patch sound). If I try to change the patch, sometimes it gives me the “ADDRESS ERROR” failure. The first thing I thought was “that’s the battery… USER BANK corrupted, etc…” and take it to service for replacing it, but after that, the failure was still there… I had the “Service Manual” so I follow the procedure for “Self Testing” the keyboard. The ressult: EPROM ok, SRAM ok, F/X DRAM ok, Sound ROM Fail (Ú_Ù)… I tried cleaning everything on the board and restoring USER BANK via MIDI, but 90% sure the ROM chipset have some kind of problem…
Can you tell me if there’s something more I can test / try for saving this unit? (I don’t know… some factory hard reset or any other board test for locating where exactly the failure is…). The only thing I have not tested is replacing the PCMCIA SRAM card battery: it was connected when the keyboard stopped working and I’m pretty sure its battery is dead… also keyboard does not recognize CARD BANKS anymore (don’t know if it is for the dead battery, if this is part of the system failure or if the PCMCIA card is not involved with this problem…)
As you said somewhere, this isn’t a special synth at all.. but I used it for so many years and it is sentimentally preciated for me =(
Thanks in advance,
Dani.
Hi Dani,
The only thing I can think of would be to touch up the pins of the ROM with a soldering iron, in case any of the joints were marginal or cracked. Good luck!
Best,
Brian
Hi Brian great read. I recently acquired a QS 8.1 and already owned a QS 8.2. Kind of wanted aftertouch. Is it possible to dump the user bank from the qs 8.2 on pcmcia to the qs8.1. I don’t have enough real estate for both. Thanks
Thanks for the comment! I believe it is possible, but I’m not 100% certain. It’s worth a try.
Best,
Brian
Hi Brian! Excellent and very helpful information here. I, too, am now suffering with an Alesis QS8 that went from perfect working condition to green screen with no sound. I had to open it up to fix 2 keys that were sticking. In the process of fixing those keys, I must have done something to it because it is now dead – just a blank (but backlit) LCD and no sounds from headphones or line out. From reading below, someone else had a similar issue and you advised that a serial cable could be backward something else loose. I have checked all of those things – several times – and nothing is really changing. I had a new eprom and tried that – still no luck. I am getting +5V and the battery is a solid 3V. No luck with factory reset. No other obvious damaged caps, loose fittings, etc.
I believe I may have reversed the LCD screen cable when I reassembled and perhaps I fried it. The only other cables I would have touched when fixing the keys would have been the aftertouch cables. I’ve tried every configuration of those and no luck. I’ve reversed the other serial cables (some aren’t keyed) and nothing seems to sort it out. I would think that if that were the case, the sound output would not be affected.
Any advice on here to look next before this one has to go to the shop? Thanks in advance.
Hi Paul,
Sorry to hear your QS isn’t working. I think you’ve tried everything I would have thought of. Probably time to take it to the shop.
Best,
Brian
many thanks just had to reload my user bank on QS 6.1 .and this worked jan 2020…
shame not much info left out there or patches….
Hi Johnnyboy,
Glad this user bank was useful to you!
Thanks,
Brian
Yes Brian, the QS6.2 and SR16 backup battery are the same, as they are listed in the spare parts list on the links you gave me. Thank you.
Hi Innocenzo,
You need a computer with MIDI interface to load the sysex file. On my PC I use a program called MIDI-OX, which is free to download if you search for it.
Best,
Brian
The standard battery that I putted in the SR-16 drum machine is Duracell 2032 not CR3032 (it was a typing mistake)
I don’t remember for sure if the SR16 uses the same battery as the QS synths, but I think so. You can find the SR16 battery here:
https://syntaur.com/alesis_dm5.html
Best,
Brian
La batteria standard che ho inserito nella drum machine SR-16 è Duracell 2032 non CR3032 (era un errore di battitura)
I think I found the right person to solve my problems!
I have an old Alesis QS 6.2 keyboard that I definitely don’t want to get rid of. As normally happens after more than 15 years, the backup battery is gone. I done some interesting sounds on the USER banks (both PROGRAM and MIX) programmed by myself; fortunately I had managed to backup the USER section on my Mac. Now I must begin by replacing the battery. In the past I worked as a lab technician and I have experience in doing such jobs, unfortunately now I have serious sight problems and I have to turn to a technician, friend of mine, to do this job. Just yesterday, this technician replaced my Alesis SR-16 drum machine’s backup battery which I imagine was designed at the same time as QS 6.2, and the factory putted on it the BR2325 (Battery Manufacturer: Panasonic / Matsushita Type: BR2325 Rating 3V, 5mA). This battery has soldered legs, safer to avoid unhooking from a battery holder, but difficult to replace when a soldering iron can no longer be used, as in my case. Taking into account that the drum machine is kept in my studio, and I don’t need to transport it, in agreement with the technician, we opted to install a battery holder soldered in the PCB with the legs suitable for the holes existing in the PCB, with inserted a standard battery (Duracell CR3032), easily available everywhere. To do all this, I limited myself to opening the drum machine, taking a photo of the battery and its anchor and showing it to the technician. He proceeded to procure the battery holder, when this was available I took the drum machine to the laboratory and in half an hour he restored the drum machine. Now I ask you if my QS 6.2 has the same backup battery as the SR-16 drum machine and I can get the technician CR2032 holder without having to disassemble the synth cover and take photos like the drum machine (this for the QS 6.2 being a bit more complicated than the drum machine). Like the drum machine also QS 6.2 still remains into my studio and it is not subject to shocking moves.
Note that I found photos of the QS 6.1 backup battery on the internet and it is the BR2325, soldered just like in the SR-16. Does the original battery in the QS6.2 is the same of the QS6.1? Who better than you who designed the differences between QS6.1 and QS6.2 can confirm this?
Another problem with QS 6.2: the return spring to the central position of the pith bend control does not work. Do you think, for your experience, that may have just dropped or you think it’s broken and I need to replace it? In the latter case, only the spring can be found or all the control must be replaced? Do you know where to buy these spare parts? Thank you so much.
Hi Innocenzo,
Yes, the QS6.2 uses the same backup battery as the QS6.1.
When you open up the unit to replace the battery, you’ll see the pitch bend mechanism. It might be just that the spring fell off. You’ll have to open it up to diagnose it.
You can find all kinds of QS replacement parts here:
https://syntaur.com/alesis_qs.html
Best,
Brian
Thank you so much for your reply
Hey there! Ran into this problem with my QS8.2 yesterday….all of the user bank programs were gone, both in program and mix banks. That hurt, because I play live with lots of custom splits in the mix bank, but now I’m scrambling. Opened it up and found the backup battery was dead, and ordered one….the only person that had it was in Israel, I think…but I could use some help in restoring the factory “program” user bank sounds, as it appears they were used quite heavily in creating my custom mixes. I am not too tech savvy, so any step by step instructions on how to reboot those program sounds would be most helpful. Thank you!
Hi William,
You have to have a MIDI interface on your computer, then use a program like MIDI-OX (or Cakewalk, etc.) to upload the sounds to your QS synth.
Best,
Brian
Hi Brian My name is Dani … How is the process to load the sounds