Quasimidi
Encyclopedia
Quasimidi Musikelektronik GmbH was a German synthesizer
manufacturer. It was founded in 1987 by Friedhelm Haas and Jörg Reichstein. It was originally based in Kirchhain
, but moved to Rauschenberg
in 1998. The company folded in 2000.
During the early part of its life the company produced MIDI master keyboards, and later the Quasimidi Styledrive, which could store and replay MIDI sequence and system exclusive control codes. The company also produced an upgrade kit to expand the capabilities of the popular Roland E-20
keyboard, as well as several ROM cards for the E-20 offering additional accompaniment styles.
Subsequently they became notable for their range of synthesisers, which were aimed at the dance music
market. Their first popular product was the Quasimidi Quasar, a rack-mounted digital synthesiser module which was released in 1993. The presets and drum sounds eschewed the typical General Midi
specification, which was in vogue at the time, in favour of electronic and trance techno styles. The Quasar included an arpeggiator, which was an unusual feature in 1993.
Whereas the Quasar was a simple one-unit rackmounted box, Quasimidi's subsequent equipment was visually adventurous. Quasimidi was one of the first modern synthesizer companies to re-introduce knobs, lit buttons, and dials to synthesizer control interfaces, notably with the Quasimidi Rave-O-Lution 309 of 1997. This was a module which combined a pattern-based sequencer
with a drum section and a synthesiser section. It competed in the "groovebox
" market segment against Roland's popular MC-303
. Quasimidi released a keyboard version of the Rave-O-Lution, as the Quasimidi Sirius
, which included a built-in vocoder.
Quasimidi also built the Raven
,which also was based on the dance market genre of the time, making use of a very logical sequencer which was very good for live usage, using the keys to mute or unmute elements of the tracks, and also an octave of keys allowing the sequence to be transposed in real time based on the root chord note, it also featured real and step time recording in the style of Roland type TR drum machine
type step input, many Raven models were fitted with the "MAXX" expansion board which took the internal PCM data from 6 mb to 14mb, whilst the Standard Raven is quite a large palette of sounds, the MAXX version is the Raven model to own, The Raven is also similar in use to the Roland JX-305
.
Quasimidi also built a master keyboard, namely the Cyber 6 which shared the same casing as the Raven
, albeit a couple of cosmetic differences, most notably the striking red Livery.The Cyber 6 was a 61-note Master keyboard with aftertouch, which allowed control of 32 independent midi channels thanks to its two midi out sockets located on the rear,part of the advantage of this is that the keyboard can be split into zones,or layers,with each zone being able to transmit on its own midi channel, and can also be transposed individually in the zone, so it is possible to create large timbre
s using separate sound sources or synthesizer
s, for large thick layering on the same key zones. It also had an 8-track sequencer
, in the same guise as the Raven but went beyond the realms of the traditional arpeggiator types of grooves, which became known as "Motivators", of which it featured two within the Engine of the sadly the Cyber 6 does not have any internal sounds.
The Cyber 6 along with the Raven have become increasingly popular in the last few years, despite a lack of appreciation in the past or perhaps thanks to the dire manuals which were poorly translated from German to English.
Quasimidi's final product was the PolyMorph
, a successor of the Rave-O-Lution. Although the company's products were popular, Quasimidi went out of business in 2000.
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
manufacturer. It was founded in 1987 by Friedhelm Haas and Jörg Reichstein. It was originally based in Kirchhain
Kirchhain
Kirchhain is a town in Marburg-Biedenkopf district in Hesse, Germany.-Geography:Kirchhain is located in the heart of the state of Hesse in Marburg-Biedenkopf County...
, but moved to Rauschenberg
Rauschenberg, Hesse
-Location:Rauschenberg lies at the southern edge of the Burgwald, a low mountain range, near Marburg and Kirchhain.-Neighbouring communities:Rauschenberg borders in the north on the town of Rosenthal as well as on the communities of Wohratal and Gilserberg , in the east on the town of...
in 1998. The company folded in 2000.
During the early part of its life the company produced MIDI master keyboards, and later the Quasimidi Styledrive, which could store and replay MIDI sequence and system exclusive control codes. The company also produced an upgrade kit to expand the capabilities of the popular Roland E-20
Roland E-20
The Roland E-20 is a keyboard instrument introduced by Roland in 1988.Described by Roland as an "Intelligent Synthesizer", the instrument was the first product of Roland Europe SpA, which had been set up after a takeover of the SIEL company of Italy the previous year...
keyboard, as well as several ROM cards for the E-20 offering additional accompaniment styles.
Subsequently they became notable for their range of synthesisers, which were aimed at the dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
market. Their first popular product was the Quasimidi Quasar, a rack-mounted digital synthesiser module which was released in 1993. The presets and drum sounds eschewed the typical General Midi
General MIDI
General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...
specification, which was in vogue at the time, in favour of electronic and trance techno styles. The Quasar included an arpeggiator, which was an unusual feature in 1993.
Whereas the Quasar was a simple one-unit rackmounted box, Quasimidi's subsequent equipment was visually adventurous. Quasimidi was one of the first modern synthesizer companies to re-introduce knobs, lit buttons, and dials to synthesizer control interfaces, notably with the Quasimidi Rave-O-Lution 309 of 1997. This was a module which combined a pattern-based sequencer
Music sequencer
The music sequencer is a device or computer software to record, edit, play back the music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically :...
with a drum section and a synthesiser section. It competed in the "groovebox
Groovebox
The term Groovebox was originally used by Roland corporation to refer to its MC-303, but the term has since entered general use. It refers to a self-contained instrument for the production of live, loop-based electronic music with a high degree of user control facilitating improvisation.A groovebox...
" market segment against Roland's popular MC-303
Roland MC-303
The Roland MC-303 is the first of a series of musical instruments known as a Groovebox. It combines a simple sound module with a sequencer to record and store notation, along with controls aimed at encouraging the musician to improvise the music while it is playing...
. Quasimidi released a keyboard version of the Rave-O-Lution, as the Quasimidi Sirius
Quasimidi Sirius
The Sirius is a synthesizer with hybrid tone generator referred to as DTE synthesis introduced in 1997 by Quasimidi. It also features a vocoder, both conventional and step sequencers and a built-in drum machine...
, which included a built-in vocoder.
Quasimidi also built the Raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
,which also was based on the dance market genre of the time, making use of a very logical sequencer which was very good for live usage, using the keys to mute or unmute elements of the tracks, and also an octave of keys allowing the sequence to be transposed in real time based on the root chord note, it also featured real and step time recording in the style of Roland type TR drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
type step input, many Raven models were fitted with the "MAXX" expansion board which took the internal PCM data from 6 mb to 14mb, whilst the Standard Raven is quite a large palette of sounds, the MAXX version is the Raven model to own, The Raven is also similar in use to the Roland JX-305
Roland JX-305
The Roland JX-305 Groovesynth synthesizer was produced in 1998 by Roland. It is very similar to a Roland MC-505 with an additional set of 61 keys. The keyboard is sensitive to velocity and has channel aftertouch...
.
Quasimidi also built a master keyboard, namely the Cyber 6 which shared the same casing as the Raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
, albeit a couple of cosmetic differences, most notably the striking red Livery.The Cyber 6 was a 61-note Master keyboard with aftertouch, which allowed control of 32 independent midi channels thanks to its two midi out sockets located on the rear,part of the advantage of this is that the keyboard can be split into zones,or layers,with each zone being able to transmit on its own midi channel, and can also be transposed individually in the zone, so it is possible to create large timbre
Timbre
In music, timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, such as string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine the...
s using separate sound sources or synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s, for large thick layering on the same key zones. It also had an 8-track sequencer
Music sequencer
The music sequencer is a device or computer software to record, edit, play back the music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically :...
, in the same guise as the Raven but went beyond the realms of the traditional arpeggiator types of grooves, which became known as "Motivators", of which it featured two within the Engine of the sadly the Cyber 6 does not have any internal sounds.
The Cyber 6 along with the Raven have become increasingly popular in the last few years, despite a lack of appreciation in the past or perhaps thanks to the dire manuals which were poorly translated from German to English.
Quasimidi's final product was the PolyMorph
Quasimidi Polymorph
Quasimidi Polymorph sequencer/synthesizer was released in 1997. It is a full featured and powerful Analog emulation synthesizer that assumes an evolved form and purpose of its predecessor - the Quasimidi Rave-O-Lution 309 which was released in 1996.-Sound:...
, a successor of the Rave-O-Lution. Although the company's products were popular, Quasimidi went out of business in 2000.
Partial Product Listing
- Quasimidi Quasar (1993)
- Quasimidi Caruso (1993)
- Quasimidi Raven (1995)
- Quasimidi Cyber 6 (1995)
- Quasimidi Technox (1995)
- Quasimidi Rave-O-Lution 309 (1996)
- Quasimidi SiriusQuasimidi SiriusThe Sirius is a synthesizer with hybrid tone generator referred to as DTE synthesis introduced in 1997 by Quasimidi. It also features a vocoder, both conventional and step sequencers and a built-in drum machine...
(1997) - Quasimidi PolymorphQuasimidi PolymorphQuasimidi Polymorph sequencer/synthesizer was released in 1997. It is a full featured and powerful Analog emulation synthesizer that assumes an evolved form and purpose of its predecessor - the Quasimidi Rave-O-Lution 309 which was released in 1996.-Sound:...
(1997)
External links
- A comprehensive product listing (German)
- Quasimidi Styledrive Fanseite - Infos, manuals and tools for all Quasimidi devices (German)
Further reading
- Johnson, Derek. "A Sirius Matter", Sound On SoundSound on SoundSound on Sound is an independently-owned monthly music technology magazine published by SOS Publications Group, based in Cambridge, UK. The magazine includes product tests of electronic musical performance and recording devices, and interviews with industry professionals...
, October 1998. Accessed April 7, 2008