512kb SRAM Memory Card for Alesis not recognized?

[soressa]

I just bought a 512kb SRAM Memory Card for my Alesis QS8.1 from the Midi Store.
Both slots recognize the Jazz Piano card I have, but neither recognize the new card. Before returning it, the Midi Store kindly suggested I ask the forum.
I have checked that I have the card facing the right side up, etc, and that it is fully inserted.
Any ideas??
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[synthman]

You have to format the card first. Simply store your complete user bank to it, this will take care of formatting and then you can use the card to store full banks or individual patches and mixes.
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Info and support for synthesizer users

[soressa]

That worked - thank you!
The card, as you know, has 8 banks. Am I right that the entire user bank takes up just 1/8 of the card?

And by extension, do Q-cards (ie Jazz Piano, etc) have just 1/8 of the capacity of a 512kb SRam card? (Yes, I am new to hard synths.)

Thanks again
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[synthman]

Yes, the 512kb SRAM card can store up to 8 full banks, it's like having 8 additional user banks in your synth.

QCards are different, they not only store the patches and mixes but also a selection of new, unique samples, not found in the synth's internal ROM.
Samples take up a lot more storage space, that's why you only get one bank on an 8Mb QCard.
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Info and support for synthesizer users

[soressa]

Thanks much.
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