Alesis Akira manual

Reference Manual[...]

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Table Of Contents 1 Introduction ...................................................... 3 Important Safety Instructions ....................... 7 Chapter One: Quick Start Guide ................... 15 I f you can’t wa it to get started … ............................................................... 15 Step 1: Hook it up to a mixer ............[...]

Tab le Of Contents 2 Pitch Effects 19 - 29 ........................................................... 31 19 PHASOR 1 ............................................................................................... 31 20 PHASOR 2 ............................................................................................... 31 21 AUTOPHAZ ..........[...]

Introduction 3 Welcome! Thank you for making the Alesis Akira™ a part o f your studi o . Since 1984, we've be en designing and building creative tools for the audio communit y . We believe in our products, because we've heard the results that creative people like you have achieved with them. One o f Alesis' goals is to make high - [...]

Introduction 4 About the Akira Alesis, the company that created affordable effects processing with the introduction o f the Midi Verb, now offers the Akira Effects Processor. Following in the grand tradition o f the Midi Verb, Micro Verb and Nano Verb products, the Akira comes complete with 100 studio quality 24 - bit digital effects in a compact, [...]

Introduction 5 What Y ou Can Do With Y our Akira When you have the Akira properly connected, you can: o add space or “room sound” to dry or sterile sounds using the Halls, Rooms and Reverse reverberators. o generate echoes (multiple repeats) with diffe rent spectral characteristics to your source with the Delay programs. o create lively ensembl[...]

Introduction 6 How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections des cribing the various functions and applications for the Akira. While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefull y , those having general knowledge about studio equipment should use the table o f contents to look up specific functio[...]

Important Safety Instructions 7 Important Safety Instructions (English) Safety symbols used in this product This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit. This symbol warns the user o f uninsulated voltage within the unit that can cause dangerous electric shocks.[...]

Important Safety Instructions 8 12. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table design ed for use with professional audio or music equipment. In any installation, make sure that injury or damage will not result from cables pulling on the apparatus and its mounting. I f a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination t o av[...]

Important Safety Instructions 9 Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) Symboles utilisés dans ce produit Ce symbole alèrte l’utilisateur qu’il existe des instructions de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation jointe avec ce produit. Ce symbole avertit l’utilisateur d e la présence d’une tension non isolée à l?[...]

Important Safety Instructions 10 12. N’utilisez qu’avec un stand, ou table conçus pour l’utilisation d’audio professionnel ou instruments de musique. Dans toute inst allation, veillez de ne rien endommager à cause de câbles qui tirent sur des appareils et leur support. 13. Débranchez l’appareil lors d’un orage ou lorsqu’il n’est[...]

Important Safety Instructions 11 Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German) Sicherheit Symbole v erwendet in diesem Produkt Dieses Symbol alarmiert den Benutzer, daß es wichtige Funktionieren und Wartung Anweisungen in der Literatur gibt, die diese Maßeinheit begleitet. Dieses Symbol warnt den Benutzer der nicht isolierten Spannung[...]

Import ant Safety Instructions 12 12. Verwenden Sie ausschließlich Wagen, Ständer, oder Tische, die speziell für professionelle Audio - und Musikinstrumen te geeignet sind. Achten Sie immer darauf, daß die jeweiligen Geräte sicher installiert sind, um Schäden und Verletzungen zu vermeiden. Wenn Sie einen Rollwagen benutzen, achten Sie darauf,[...]

Important Safety Instructions 13 CE Declaration Of Conformity See our website at: http://ww w .alesis.com FCC Compliance Statement This device comp lies with Part 15 o f the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, i[...]

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1 Quick Start Guide 15 If you can’t wait to get started … The Alesis Akira is a unique product, but its basic hookup and operation is similar to other effects processo rs in most respects. I f you ’re experienced with signal processors, this chapter is a “shorthand” guide for those who want to start using the Akira right awa y . I f you h[...]

1 Quick Start Guide 16 Step 2: Try some effects 1. Play some audio into the Akira. Turn up your mixer ’ s effects sends to a moderate lev el and then turn up the level on your effects returns. 2. Adjust the INPUT knob on the front o f the Akira until you hear a strong, clear signal coming from the unit. I f you hear distortion or clipping, turn d[...]

2 Connec tions 17 Unpacking and Inspection Your Akira was packed carefully at the factor y . The shipping carton was designed to protect the unit during shippin g . Please retain this container in the high ly unlikely event that you need to return the Akira for se rvicin g. The shipping carton should contain the following items: ° Akira with the s[...]

2 Connections 18 Connecting Audio Inputs and Outputs Connecting to an Instrument or Microphone The Akira ’ s INPUT knob has been calibrated to accept “instrument level” signals such as a microphone or guitar input. To use the Akira this wa y , simply plug the guitar or microphone into one o f the Akira ’ s Input jacks and connect the output[...]

Connections 2 19 Connecting to the Channel Inserts of a Mixing Console Most mixing consoles have a jack near the mic and line inputs labeled “insert”. This is typically a TRS jack with the send and return on the same jack. To use the Akira as a channel insert effect, you will need an insert cable (not included). This cable splits the TRS insert[...]

2 Connections 20 Connecting to the Main Inserts of a Mixing Console In addition to channel inserts, m ost mixing consoles have main insert jacks near the main outputs. You can use insert cables to connect the Akira to the main L/R bus the same way you connect it to a pair o f channels. Simply connect one insert cable to the left main insert o f the[...]

Connections 2 21 About Audio Cables The connections between the Akira and your studio are music ’s lifeline, so us e only high quality cables. These should be low - capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internal conductor and a low - resistance shield. Although quality cables cost more, they do make a difference. Route cables to[...]

2 Connections 22 Bypass Footswitch The Akira has a bypass function that allows you to disengage the effect. To use the b ypass, either press the BY PASS button on the front panel or connect a footswitch to the jack on the rear panel labeled FOOTSWITCH . MIDI In and Out To send program changes or continuous controller data to the Akira from an exter[...]

3 Editing 23 Editin g Programs The sound designers at Alesis have assigned three specific editable parameters to each individual program in the Akira. These editable parameters are accessed simply by turning the Parameter X, Y and Z knob s . The following chapter contains a d escription o f each Akira program and its editable parameters assigned to[...]

3 Editing 24 Compare The COM PARE button allows you to temporarily revert back to the stored state o f the program without losing your edits. This feature allows you to “compare” the original stored version o f the program w ith your edited version without saving it to a new location first. When the compare function is activated, you will hear [...]

4 Description of Programs 25 Your Akira comes from the factory with 50 studio quality preset effects programs. Press the VALUE up / down buttons to select an effects program. Reverb Effects 0 - 11 Reverb is made up o f a large number o f distinct echoes, called reflections. In a natural acoustic space, each reflection ’ s amplitude and brightness[...]

4 Description of Programs 26 1 VOCA L HALL A smaller, brighter concert hall designed for vocals. X – DENSITY The higher the value, the more “smeared” the sound. Y – DECAY Length o f time until the tail o f the reverb cuts off. Z – WARMTH The higher the value, the warmer the reverb sound. 2 VOCA L PL ATE Emulation o f a classic plate rever[...]

Description of Programs 4 27 5 TRASH CAN A trashy metallic reverb. T ry it on drums and guitars. X – DENSITY The higher the value, the more “smeared” the sound. Y – DECAY Length o f time until the tail o f the reverb cuts off. Z – BRIGHTNESS The higher the value, the brighter the reverb sound. 6 G ATED This reverb ’ s signal abruptly cu[...]

4 Description of Programs 28 9 FLANGED REVERB A reverb with a flanger effect. X – BRIGHTNESS The higher the value, the brighter the reverb sound. Y – DECAY Length o f time until the tail o f the reverb cuts off. Z – FEEDBACK Amount o f resonance in the flanger effect. 10 PITCHED REVERB A reverb ’ s decay is looped through a pitch shifter wi[...]

Description of Programs 4 29 Delay Effects 12 - 18 Delay provides a discrete repeti tion, or echo o f the input signal. A portion o f the delayed signal is fed back into the input to produce additional echoes o f the original signal. Most o f the programs in this category share the following three parameters: DEL AY This specifies the len gth o f t[...]

4 Description of Programs 30 14 RUN AWAY A mono delay where the Mix control has been placed in front o f the delay loop. Careful manipulation o f the Mix knob will let you create complex looping phrases. Or just crank up the Mix for out - of - control fun. X – DELAY Length o f time the signal is delayed. Y – FEEDBACK Number o f times the delaye[...]

Description of Programs 4 31 18 PHASOR DEL AY A delay program with a phasor effect in the delay feedback loop. X – DELAY Length o f time the signal is delayed. Y – FEEDBACK Number o f times the delayed signal repeats. Z – REGEN Phasor feedback amount. Pitch Effects 19 - 29 The Pitch effects alter the pitch o f a signal in various ways to prod[...]

4 Description of Programs 32 21 AUTOPHAZ An envelope controlled phasor effect. The sweep o f the phasor tracks the input signal level. X – FREQUENCY Adjusts the center frequency from which the LFO modula tes up and down. This sets the frequency range and character o f the effect. Y – FEEDBACK Amount o f feedback. Turn clockwise to make the effe[...]

Description of Programs 4 33 25 STEREO DETUNE Dual pitch detune effect. Use this to create a richer sound. X – SPREAD Creates detuned copies o f the left and right signals, one above and one below the detuned signal. Y – P ITCH L Amount o f detune (+/ - ) applied to left signal. Z – PITCH R Amount o f detune (+/ - ) applied to right signal. 2[...]

3 Editing 34 Filter Effects 30 - 38 These effects change the frequency response o f the input by boosting or cutting parts o f the signal. 30 BAND LIMIT Limits the high and low frequency range o f the input. Good for emulating telephones, radio and other low - fidelity sound sources. X – FREQUENCY Adjusts the center frequency o f the effect, the [...]

Description of Programs 4 35 33 AUTO WAH W ah - wah filter effect with envelope control. The frequency o f the filter changes in response to the input signal level. X – FREQUENCY Initial filter frequenc y . Y – SENSITIVITY Envelope sensitivit y . This determines how much effect the input signal has on the wah - wah. Z – RATE Envelope rate. Th[...]

4 Description of Programs 36 37 VOCO - BEND 40 - band vocoder with adjustable formant frequencies. X – BRIGHTNESS Frequency o f the output formant filters. Y – SIBILANCE High - frequency (s ibilant) boost for intelligibilit y. Z – FREQUENCY Pitch o f the internal oscillator. 38 VOCODER 40 - band vocoder effect for robotic vocals. X – PITCH [...]

Description of Programs 4 37 42 DECIM AT OR Reduces the digital resolution o f the signal to create unique lo - fi distortion. X – DECIMATION Amou nt o f bit reduction. Y – RING Increases aliasing artifacts. Z – DAMP Filter to decrease high frequency distortion and aliasing artifacts. 43 GRINDER Filtered, multi - band distortion. Works best w[...]

4 Description of Programs 38 46 SUB BASS Sub - harmonic synthesizer. Adds ultra - low bass. X – SUB Sub - harmonic (sub - b ass) level. Y – DRIVE Multi - band limiter threshold. Turn down for a more dynamic sound, up for longer sustain.. Z – LO CUT Adjusts frequency o f steep high - pass filter. At high volumes, the ultra - low bass frequenci[...]

5 MIDI 39 MIDI Program Change You can change programs on the Akira from external source via MIDI. Make sure that there is a MIDI cable patched from the MIDI Out o f your source (controller) device to the MIDI In o f the Akira. The Akira will then change programs every time a program change command is sent from the source device. Setting the MIDI Ch[...]

5 MIDI 40 Using MIDI Continuous Controllers You can assign the Akira ’ s Parameter X, Y and Z to a MIDI continuous controller for external control. For example, you can assign the modulation wheel on a MIDI keyboard to change Parameter X. To assign a Parameter knob to a MIDI continuous controller, hold the Akira ’ s MIDI button and then turn th[...]

6 Trouble shooting 41 Troubleshooting Index I f you experience problems while operating your Akira, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis Product Support for assistance. Symptoms Cause Solution No audio outputs No input audio Test with a known good input. Bad cables Replace the cables. Desti[...]

6 Troubleshooting 42 Clearing Memory and Restoring the Factory Defaults To clear the Akira ’ s user memory and restore the factory default settings, first turn of f your Akira. Next, turn it on and immediately pr ess both o f the VALUE up and down buttons. The display should read “Cl”, which stands for “Clear”. Immediately after this, the[...]

Specifications 43 MIDI In/Out with MIDI merge for Thru applications Audi o Input Input Connectors: 2 1/4" balanced TRS jacks Nominal Input Level: +4dBU ( - 15dBFS) Maximum Input Level: +19dBU (6.90 V rms) Input Impedance: 10k Ω mono, 20k Ω stereo Input Trim: Yes Audio Output Output Connectors: 2 1/4" balanced TRS jacks No minal Output[...]

Specifications 44[...]

Warranty/Contact 45 Alesis Limited Warranty ALESIS CORPORATION ("ALESIS") warrants this product to be free o f defects in material and workmanship for a period o f one (1) year for parts and for a period o f one (1) year for labor from the date o f original retail purchase. This warranty is enforceable only by the original retail purchase[...]

Warranty/Contact 46 Alesis Contact Information Alesis Distribution, LLC Los Angeles, CA USA E - mail: support@alesis.com Website: http://ww w .alesis.com Alesis Akira Reference Manual Revision 1.0 by Erik Norlander/Modifications by Brian Shim Copyright 2002, Alesis Distribution, LLC. All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibite[...]

Program Chart 47 # REVERBS X PARAMETER Y PARAMETER Z PARAMETER 0 HA LL Reverb Density Decay Time Brightness 1 VOCAL HALL Reverb Density Decay Time Warmth 2 VOCAL PLATE Reverb Density Decay Time Warmth 3 DRUM ROOM Reverb Density Decay Time Brightness 4 SPACE Reverb Density Decay Time Brightness 5 TRASH CAN Reverb Density Decay Time Brightness 6 GATE[...]

Program Chart 48 # FILTER EFFECTS X PARAMETER Y PARAMETER Z PARAMETER 30 BAND LIMIT Center Frequency Bandwidth Adds Noise 31 LP HP BP Filter Frequency Resonance Amount Filter Type Selection 32 LFO LOWPASS Filter Frequency Modulation Depth Modulation Rate 33 AUTOWAH Filter Frequency Envelope Follower Amt Response to Input Rate 34 FORMANTS Formant Se[...]