Alesis Introduces Three New QCards

July 23, 1999 -- Alesis Corporation has announced the addition of three new titles to its growing library of QCard expansion cards - the Stereo Classical Piano, Stereo Jazz Piano and Latin QCards. Designed to complement the variety of internal samples found on board Alesis keyboards and sound modules, the QCards are compatible with all QS Series synthesizers, all models of QuadraSynths, the DG8 Digital Grand Piano and the DM Pro Drum Module. Each 8MB PCMCIA format memory card is offered at $249 USD MSRP and will be available this fall. QCards are completely self-referencing -100% plug-and-play - so there's no download time or installing circuit boards.

Says David Bryce, marketing manager-synthesizers and head of sound development, "I'm especially pleased to be introducing these new QCards because they demonstrate Alesis' commitment to keeping our synthesizer products fresh. Continually introducing new sound sets as QCards means our customers' synths can stay current and basically new for years to come."

"The Stereo Classical and Stereo Jazz Piano cards represent a new collection within the QCard library- the Soloist Series," continues Bryce. "Each card in the series will each focus on the many individual aspects of a given set of instruments."

The first cards of the Soloist Series -the Stereo Classical and Stereo Jazz Piano cards - are designed with samples culled from the new DG8 Digital Grand Piano's sound set. Using 48kHz linear true stereo samples, the new cards feature stretch-tuned and concert-tuned programs for a natural and realistic piano sound.

The Latin QCard features authentic sounds from the hottest dance beats to traditional music. With 128 programs and 100 mixes, the card provides instant access to the hot sounds of tex-mex tejano, the dance rhythms of Brazilian salsa and merengue or classical mariachi and quebraditas songs. Traditional Latin acoustic instruments include realistic accordions, spectacular guitars and violins, and a large variety of brass instruments, including ensemble and solo horns. As the Latin card is rich in percussive sounds and rhythms, it's also an ideal expansion card for the Alesis DM Pro Drum Module. The card abounds with Latin percussion sounds and loops with samples colored by everything from Afro-Caribbean to Brazilian influences.

Several additional QCards are underdevelopment and are slated for release later this year.

For more information, visit Alesis at http://www.alesis.com/