The Alesis Midiverb II was introduced in 1987 as a full stereo digital effects processor and a direct development of the original Alesis Midiverb. The Alesis Midiverb II improved on the original Alesis Midiverb with greater bandwidth, an improved noise floor, and a more practical single-space 19-inch rackmount format. This 1RU format made the Alesis Midiverb II easier to integrate into studio racks, live rigs, keyboard systems, guitar setups, and MIDI-based production environments.
The Alesis Midiverb II was designed as a professional quality multiple effects device that did not require a professional operator to use it. Rather than presenting the user with complex editing menus or deep parameter controls, the Alesis Midiverb II provided a wide range of ready-made sounds that could be recalled instantly from the front panel or by MIDI command. This made the Alesis Midiverb II especially useful for musicians and producers who wanted quick access to modern digital effects without interrupting the creative process.
At the centre of the Alesis Midiverb II is a 16-bit linear PCM processing system, designed to deliver digital sound quality comparable to the digital disc medium. The system was built around a very large-scale integrated chip developed by Alesis specifically for the Alesis Midiverb II. This custom processing approach allowed the unit to provide a wide range of digital effects in a compact and affordable rackmount processor.
The Alesis Midiverb II offered 99 programs, organised across effect banks that included reverb, gated reverb, reverse reverb, flange, chorus, delay, and additional effects. Programs could be selected manually using the numbered front panel buttons, with any two numbered buttons used to call up programs from 00 to 99. The front panel also included dedicated controls for input, mix, and output level, along with signal present and overload indicators for setting the correct operating level.
The Alesis Midiverb II was intended to handle a broad range of signal sources. Its high impedance stereo inputs could accept signals from low level electric instruments through to +4 professional mixing consoles. This made the Alesis Midiverb II suitable for direct connection to instruments, amplifiers, mixer sends and returns, and studio patching systems. The quick setup instructions show the unit being connected from an instrument, microphone, or mixer into either input, or into both inputs for stereo operation, with the outputs connected to instrument amplifiers or stereo mixer returns.
The Alesis Midiverb II also included MIDI control, allowing the user to integrate the processor into a MIDI system. The unit provided MIDI In and Thru connections, could be set to receive on MIDI channels 01 to 16, and allowed any of its 99 programs to be assigned to 32 MIDI patch locations. This made it possible to change effects automatically from a MIDI controller, sequencer, keyboard, or other MIDI device.
The rear panel of the Alesis Midiverb II included a 9V AC external power supply jack, a 6.35mm defeat jack, MIDI In and Thru sockets, 6.35mm stereo output jacks, and 6.35mm stereo input jacks. The front panel included input, mix, and output controls, signal present and signal overload LEDs, an LED display, patch and channel controls, numbered program buttons, program and store buttons, and program, patch, and channel indicator LEDs.
The Alesis Midiverb II was designed to make digital effects immediate and accessible while retaining stereo operation, MIDI control, and a broad set of musical effect types. Its 16-bit linear PCM processing, 15kHz bandwidth, 99 preset programs, and 1RU rackmount format made the Alesis Midiverb II a significant step forward from the original Midiverb and one of the most recognisable compact digital effects processors of its period.
Features
- Full stereo professional quality multiple effects processor
- Improved bandwidth and noise floor compared with the original Alesis Midiverb
- Single-space 19-inch rackmount format
- 16-bit linear PCM processing system
- Custom very large-scale integrated chip developed by Alesis for the Alesis Midiverb II
- 99 programs for instant recall
- Manual program selection using numbered front panel buttons
- MIDI program recall and MIDI system integration
- 32 MIDI patch locations for assigning programs
- MIDI receive channel selection from 01 to 16
- Reverb, gated reverb, reverse reverb, flange, chorus, delay, and effects banks
- High impedance stereo inputs for low level instruments and +4 professional mixing consoles
- Front panel input, mix, and output controls
- Signal present and overload LED indicators
- Rear panel MIDI In and Thru connections
- Rear panel 6.35mm stereo input and output jacks
- Rear panel defeat jack
- External 9V AC power supply connection
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