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Alesis QS8.2 88-Key Synthesizer Keyboard

Alesis introduced the QS8 in 1996, and shattered the price barrier for professional 88-note keyboards. Normal working musicians - and those just aspiring to work more - could suddenly afford a no-compromise instrument for a very compromising price, and this tradition continues with the QS6.2 and QS8.2. Learn More...

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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
Value:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Feature:
It came with a sustain pedal. I purchased several PCMCIA cards for storing my sounds all in one place, for ease of changing sounds in a program. However, Alesis has removed one of the PCMCIA slots from the 8.2 making it harder to copy from card to card. Now you have to dump to keyboard and then reload back to a different card.

Quality:
I purchased this keyboard based on the reliability and durability of my original QS8. I have an intermittent problems with it locking up, the display showing some sort of heiroglypics and then resulting in a pink noise. This is a problem when playing live settings and there are no other instruments to cover for you. I have found out that Alesis was purchased by a company named Numark; it appears the quality is no longer the same.

Value:
I would never purchase another Alesis product based on my experience with this. It's worth it to pay more for a product and have piece of mind that it will perform when needed.

Desirability:
I think the silver color looks cheap compared to the original QS8 which was a semi-gloss black.

Sound:
I chose this product because I previously owned an original QS8 for over 10 years. I loved the sounds and the touch of the keyboard. Nice bright pianos.

Ease of Use:
Typical of most keyboards, you have to study the manual. The manual for the 8.2 was much easier to understand than the one I previously had with the original QS8.

Support:
I had to send my keyboard in for repair in January, 2007 (only 6 months old) for locking up (see above quality). They said they couldn't find anything wrong with it! (It was locked when it left my home.) It took 5 1/2 weeks turnaround to get my keyboard back and it was scratched, dented and had something spilled onit when it was returned. I made at least 15 phone calls to customer service trying to find out the status. Customer service would never return my phone calls. It was a nightmare dealing with them. Just last weekend, it locked up again while playing at church and I had to reset it to get it back on while the other instruments covered for me. This would be an embarrassment if I am the only instrument playing when this happens. I cannot trust this keyboard in a live setting any more and have purchased a Yamaha to replace it. It's still under warranty, but the chance of getting this intermittent problem fixed before it runs out is probably impossible. I sent an email to Tech support, but as I expected, they have not responded.

Overall:
I had to purchase another keyboard due to the unreliability of the QS8.2. I purchased an Yamaha S08 for a replacement. I wish I had known that Alesis was no longer the same company I purchased my original QS8 from before I bought the 8.2.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
The synth came with a damper pedal. Adequate. The most useful features to me are the great number of onboard sounds, as well as the expandability with cards. So far, the least useful has been the front panel sliders. I was hoping to be able to shape the sound faster and easier. Maybe it will just take some getting used to.

Quality:
The quality is great. Very well made. I was surprised at how heavy the synth was, but pleased as well. Nice keybed, nice weighted synth action.

Value:
Best in it's category. Tried everything. Yamaha S03, Korg TR, and everything in between. For me, this is the best value.

Desirability:
It is nice looking, but I think the silver exterior is starting to be dated.

Sound:
There are many different types of pianos, one that will certainly fit into the type of music you are making. The strings compare with Korg. With as many synth sounds as are on board, I'm suprised that I haven't really found a good, basic synth sound that will fit well into rock music.

Ease of Use:
This is one section that is the best. The synth is so easy to play, and change sounds. Very well laid out.

Support:
Not necessary

Overall:
I think I will keep this for my primary piano keyboard. With people like Keith Emerson(owns a QS8.0, and the Ray Manzarek(owns a QS8.2, I feel like it was at least worth a try. It is not the best on the market, but for the price, the piano's are stunning and varied.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Came with a pedal...that's about all I need.

Quality:
VERY well made. Durable, solid construction. Key action feels very good, as well.

Desirability:
Very slick-looking machine.

Sound:
Excellent sounds. The organ settings are very good in particular, and synth settings are quite fun to play with.

Support:
Very good, personal service.

Overall:
Excellent keyboard, especially for the price range.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Value:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10

Feature:
I espected some good pedal cd-rom and other stuffs but what can I do? I already pay too much, this keyboard is too expensive here in Brazil. 1200 USD, Can you believe?

Quality:
Very fine quality but it could be less heavy as is it 42lb!?!? too much heavy for my hands since I play everywere I have to carry all the time.

Value:
I can says that it is expensive because in my country everythink that comes outside is expensive for us.

Desirability:
If alesis was not a bad lion I would recommend another couple of modulation and pitch wheels also on the right side, of course keeping the "couple" of the left side, this would be fantastic.

Sound:
ok, I loved organs, pianos and somekind strange effects, strings are not so good, and sax sux. I like the possibility to adjust every aspect of the tones and mix them. Pretty much for what I planned.

Support:
I am fine but as everybody says I am afraid to ask for it. I think I would be angry :-[

Overall:
I am happy with my keyboard, If I bought roland or kurswel or other famous stuff I would spend the double amount of money. For the grammar team, sorry for my english, I learned myself and I am not so good but I speak portuguese.

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