The QS6.1 has a better keyboard than any synth in its price range, and most non-weighted synths of any price. The semi-weighted action and solid construction of the unit are far beyond what one would expect for a $700 instrument.

This particular line of instruments is not designed to be the dance/trance monster. It is, however, a very solid unit with loads of features, excellent sound quality, and a relatively easy to use editing system. Some will decry the lack of a sequencer, however most folks do their sequence recording and editing outbound anyway. Completed sequences can be dumped to flashRAM cards and played back through the QS units once disconnected from your computer.

Simply poking at the keys on the QS series won't reveal much. It's when you get into the flexibility (4 effects sends, 5 master FX configs, 18 effects, many internal samples, easy-to-understand editing engine, sheer volume of patches, the power of splits and layers in Mix Mode) that you will truly appreciate the potential of this affordable piece.

The QS6.1 provides a huge sound library of 640 programs and 500 multitimbral mixes...the same great sounds from our powerful QS7 and QS8 keyboards. All the QS6.1's sounds are constructed from non-compressed 16-bit linear samples, adding texture and realism that inspires every performance. The QS6.1's 16 megabyte collection of sounds includes Alesis' stereo Bosendorfer grand piano, one of the most realistic-sounding piano programs ever implemented into a synthesizer. In addition, you'll get dozens of organs, cutting-edge and vintage synth sounds, strings, brass, winds, guitars, drums, percussion and much more. Plus, the QS6.1 has groups of rhythmic/sonic loops, built-in grooves that sound great on their own, and can also be used to add dynamic movement to your music.