Alesis Fusion OS 1.24 joeri.peeters info@vstrea

The Alesis Fusion filesystem for newbies:
Document Version 1.03 (20/11/2007) – Alesis Fusion OS 1.24
joeri.peeters
[email protected]
first release: 13/11/2007
This brief manual is for all newbies who bought the wonderfull Alesis Fusion workstation.
I wrote this because it's important that you understand the Fusion's filesystem before you start
copying new sounds on your fusion made available by different sounddesigners.
This can be Virtual Analog Programs, FM Programs or Progams created with new Multisamples
and samples.
www.alesis.com
www.hollowsun.com (Mr Howell's fantastic sounds and the superb “Nebulae” if you love pads)
www.backintimerecordes.de (Hint: The superb patches “Ultra” by Klaus)
www.vstream.be (the Vstream patches)
This document will likely be updated now & then and the latest version can always be found
here:
http://www.vstream.be/pdf/vstream_manual.pdf
Before we start:
Because I'm flemish (dutch speaking) most of the screenshots were made running a Dutch XP
Home edition but are recognizable for all Windows users. I do not have a Mac, sorry for that.
My laptop is configured as a dual boot system. I also use the easy linux OS “Ubuntu 7.10”. But
watch out! Linux is not windows and allows to use more different characters in filenames &
foldernames!
You can for example use a ? character in Linux but not in Windows.
Linux OS Ubuntu 7.10 is a superb Free OS with great hardware recognition.
Apologies if my english is not “perfect” and if you should find any mistakes in this document.
Start:
If you connect you fusion to your Desktop or Laptop with an USB Cable you will find an extra
drive letter, on following screen it's (N:) You will see two folders: Clipboard & Volume
The Volume folder is the one where all data is stored: programs (patches or sounds),
samples, multisamples,...
As I'm using my laptop as DAW (digital audio workstation) and not the Fusion's workstation
functionalities I will not explain the folders like audio & songs where sequencer & audio data is
stored.
To keep it simple I will explain the filestructure with Hollowsun's Freepack04 as an example.
The G drive here is not the fusion's drive itself but just a simulation of the fusions file structure
leaving folders like Songs & audio out of the main volumefolder. It was easier to make the
sceenshots.
Let's doubleclick on Programs, this is where all patches are stored.
You will find a HS Freepack#04 folder.
If we doubleclick on the Programs folder you will find files like Angel Bells.afp and a bank.txt
file:
*.afp files are “Alesis Fusion Programs”.
If we open the bank.txt file with notepad you will find a list with 8 afp files:
The bank.txt's first row always starts with Number of items:
After the program name you will find :L
:L stands for PAD (one of the fusion's categories) but a Program can be Stringsound and
Pad as well. Therefore you sometimes will find different letters like :LFC behind the program
names.
We could drop a afp-file (a Virtual Analog for example) “vstream.afp” in this directory and
manually edit the
bank.txt file
After that we have to verify these programs on the fusion. This is explained later how this is
done.
You better use Marco's free Fusionsort if you want to rearrange Programs or add
seperate programs in a new programbank.
What if the bank.txt file is corrupt?
You can delete this file, performing a verify will automatically create this bank.txt as the
fusion's OS scans all folders and generates this bank.txt file if it has been deleted. You will
loose the catagories assigned to each program as they are not burned into the afp files.
It will look like this and you will need to assign the categories manually. Easier is to restore a
bank.txt file from a backup you have...
The lesson is: ALWAYS BACK UP THE COMPLETE VOLUME FOLDER BEFORE YOU
INSTALL A NEW BANK!
You can rename for example the Freepack#04 folder but you have to do this BEFORE you use
a Program out of this bank in a MIX. (A MIX is a collection of different programs “patches”
layered or splitted on the keyboard.)
DO NOT RENAME SAMPLES OR MULTSAMPLES SAMPLES AND MULTISAMPLES FOLDERS!
NEVER! There is no need to do so...
I REPEAT
DO NOT RENAME SAMPLES OR MULTSAMPLES and SAMPLES AND MULTISAMPLES
FOLDERS!
ALWAYS FORMAT YOUR HARD DRIVE IN THE FUSION'S OS AND NOT IN WINDOWS!
If you buy a soundbank like KPR's ULTRA it's normal that you receive a small zip file
containing a folder “Ultra” with 129 afp files and a bank.txt file. These programs are all nicely
programmed VA, FM programs and some use the internal ROM samples so there's no
Multisamples and Samples included.
You just need to copy the ULTRA SYNTH folder with all *.afp files in the Program
folder on your fusion.
Always verify as the fusion needs to add this new bank into the bank.txt file with a
list of all Program Folders.
Let's take a look in the samples folder:
This is the biggest folder with only *.afs (Alesis Fusion Samples) files.
In the vstream_01 samples bank you will find 697 samples. Mostly filenames are XXX and then
the note that has been sampled. G1 for example.
You cannot see the difference if it's a stereo or mono sample or if it's a one shot sample or
looped sample. You can however ask this info on your fusion.
Afs files are converted *.wav or *.aiff (mac), or Akai samples. SF2 banks are also possiible.
The free and free downloadable Fusion Converter converts these samples in fusion format.
http://www.alesis.com/index.php?id=58,59,0,0,1,0
The program “does the job” , runs stable, but I personally find it not that much userfriendly as
it creates new folders per program so you have to move the files to creat a nice set of
programs. (or I'm to dumb to understand the different settings or operating procedure) I'm
sure graphically they can do a better job as well. I hope this program will improve, the only
question is when.
One of the features missing is that you cannot assign samples to the different keyboard zones
with a prelisten function of the multisample by pressing a note graphically (or via midi).
sample_C1 Range C0-C1
sample_C2 Range C1#-C2
sample_C3 Range C2#-C3
If you want a cheap but a fantastic an VERY userfriendly loop program I can recommend ZeroX by beatcreator. Www.beatcreator.com At the time of writing the website is down (since
september 2007) and I wonder what has happend.
You cannot convert these samples back in wav format. Security you know, I understand why,
these samples cannot be copied for use on other hardware or software samplers.
You will also find a bank.txt file and you can safely remove this file as it will be created next
time the fusion boots or when you use the verify function on the fusion.
There is no need to move all afs files in one folder. THIS will result in BIG problems.
Like I wrote before. Don't touch them.
Let's take a look in the Multisamples folder:
This time Alesis decided to choose *.afi as extension and not *.afm.
I don't know why they did this but they must have had a reason to do so.
You will notice that these files are also very small in filesize.
the samples linked (not hard linked) to the multisample FS1R Float Sweep.afi are the
samples:
FS1R
FS1R
FS1R
FS1R
Float
Float
Float
Float
Swp
Swp
Swp
Swp
G2.afs
G3.afs
G4.afs
G5.afs
(I think so as I cannot check as I'm 50 km's away from my beloved fusion)
Now you should understand why you cannot rename the samples or multisamples or
even the foldernames.
If you rename or move (for example the FS1R* samples) the multisample
FS1R Float Sweep.afi will not find the *.afs files in the samples folder
HSFreepack#04.
An example of installing a new Program bank (vstream_02) with samples,
multisamples.
Open the folder where you have uncompressed (unzip or unrar) the vstream_02 files, select
the 3 folders and DROP them On the volume folder on your Fusions Hard Drive!
It will tell you there is already a Folder Multisamples,... Just press yes to all
It will start copying:
Finished!
One remark for LINUX (ubuntu users, I don't know if this is also the case with Redhat or SuSE
or any other linux distribution)
If you copy a large volume , 250 Mb for example (programs, samples, multisamples) the
indication of the progress bar is not always correct! If it's 100% done, finished, ... just look at
your Fusion's Pitch Bend Wheel. If it is still has a blue color blinking or not it's still copying!!!
Do not unmount or plug out the USB Cable till it's back transparant.
How to do safe removal of the Fusion Hard Drive!
Now it's time to disconnect your fusion but DON't pull the USB cable out!!! Not YET!
In your taskbar you should see a green arrow (XP). In English when you move the mouse over
“safely remova hardware”.
DOUBLE CLICK on this icon.
Now Look for anything with USB in front of the text or in english :
USB can be anything, Hard drives, USB Sticks, Scanners,...
Double click Starting with the first one untill you find Alesis Fusion:
In this Example it's the second in the list:
Remember that N was the driver letter? (see second page in this manual)
IMPORTANT!!! CLOSE ALL EXPLORER SESSIONS or ANY other Program that might use
this N drive! The best thing to do is to close all programs!
Now click the N drive and OK
There should be a message that the hardware can be removed safely!
If this doesn't work select USB-device for... : and press OK
After a succesfull “software disconnection” the fusions HD is also removed from the
hardwarelist:
Now you can disconnect the USB cable if you want.
It's time to verify the Programs, Samples and Multisamples.
This has to be done on the fusion?
Do not switch off your fusion but select:
–
–
GLOBAL
ITEM
Scroll all the way up (songs) and press Mark
Press next (or scroll the wheel one down on Mixes)
Press again on Mark
do the same for programs, Patterns, Multisamples & Samples untill you see the same screen as
above.
Press Process
Press Verify , confirm with Yes untill you see NOTICE Selected types have been verified.
And now it's time to enjoy another great vstream or other fusion release!
Some tips for the fusion converter & file management.
I want to load samples (*.wav) into my fusion:
You will need the free fusion converter as the Alesis Fusion cannot read *.wav files directly.
http://www.alesis.com/index.php?id=58,59,0,0,1,0
The procedure is a very simple drag & drop.
Where are the converted files stored?
When you start the free fusion converter it automatically creates folder necessary to store the
converted samples. The folder structure is the same as the folder structure on the alesis
fusion. The Mixes folder is pointless as you cannot create any mixes within the fusion
converter program.
You can safely remove the Fusion Archives folder with all contents before you start a new
conversion.
You can change the path where all converted samples are stored but I recommend to leave the
this path to default and change the settings to:
The free fusion converter converts following samples:
*.wav = Waveform Audio (windows)
*.aif = Audio Interchange File (mac)
*.aiff = Audio Interchange File (mac)
*.sf2 = Creative Labs Soundfont 2.0 Bank File
*.akp = (akai programs???) S5000 & S6000 series
Tip
more info on akp:
http://mda.smartelectronix.com/akai/AKPspec.html
search engine for file extensions:
http://filext.com
If you buy a sample CD it's important it has looped waves. Better buy an S6000 Akai
Compatible CD as you don't need to assign the samples to different keyboard zones.
Be carefull with people selling stereo samples!
There are a lot of fraud on the market selling stereo samples but they are actually doubled
mono samples!!!!!!! If someone samples in mono (s)he can easily create a fraud stereo
sample by copying the sampled left channel to right channel!
Anyhow for 90% mono samples are OK and will do as they take less time to load. Stereo
effects can be created by LFO's (Use a LFO controlling the Balance), The fusion's internal
effects, creating patches with different multisamples....
Zero-X seamless looper:
If you want to sample & loop yourself:
Another tip about creating loops in Zero-X seamless looper is to change the value to -1 of
loop start
Tip
This eliminates the ' click ' effect in the fusion when samples are converted. Trust me, change
this setting if you are using seamless looper.
ALWAYS make a backup of your original *.wav data as there is no way back
converting fusion samples back to *.wav format!
Like I wrote before converting to Fusion format is a simple drag & drop:
First press ADD Folder where the samples are stored:
Select the folder & press OK.
You should see the Samples:
Do not Press Import ALL!
It's important that samples are order by keys:
For example:
Sample_C1
Sample_C2
Sample_C3
...
and not
Sample_C3
Sample_C1
Sample_C2
In this example the sample names are actually increased numbers.
Now select the first group of samples:
(select the first sample, keep your shift key pressed on the keyboard and select the last
sample)
It's time to drag & drop :
It will ask you for a name
You will be asked to for a new bank name.If not check the settings.
Type in China and press OK.
When done a message appears:
Let's take a look, press the + to open the folder structure:
We find a China folder, a China.afp and 7 samples.
Let's take a look in our explorer:
Created:
In Multisamples:
A China folder with a China.afi (multisample file)
A bank.txt file
In Samples:
A China Folder with 7 converted samples with the same name as the original.
A bank.txt file
In Programs:
A China Folder with 1 Program with the same name as the original.
A bank.txt file
Let's Convert the second batch:
Type in Digibell
If we look at the folder structure:
A second FOLDER 'DIGIBELL' is created!!!!!!!!
Don't worry we will fix this later......
Summary:
Always convert your samples in group.
Do NOT use import all
We could copy all folder contents on the fusion but that's not the way to go...
We DO NOT want to fill our fusion's Hard Drive with useless folders!
What we need to do is to copy ALL *.afi (multisamples) files in one single folder!
We also need to copy ALL *.afs files (samples) files in one single folder.
READ THIS:
What we want is some standardisation:
Multisamples: Vstream_03 (with all *.afi files)
Samples: Vstream_03 (with all *.afs files)
Programs: Vstream_03 (with all *.afp files)
YOU DO NOT NEED TO COPY the bank.txt files as they will automatically be created
on the fusion!
Volume:
\Multisamples\Vstream_03\*.afi
\Samples\Vstream_03\*.afs
Under Construction....
This Document & PDF was created with a portable version of openoffice
http://www.openoffice.org/
http://portableapps.com/apps/office/openoffice_portable