YAMAHA DIGITAL PROGRAMMABLE ALGORITHM SYNTHESIZER OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENTAL MARKING INFORMATION Yamaha Digital Musical Instrument Products will have either a label similar to the graphic shown below or a molded/stamped facsimile of the graphic on its enclosure. The explanation of these graphics appears on this page. Please observe all cautions indicated. The Exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL SPECIAL MESSAGE SECTION ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (RFI): Your Yamaha Digital Musical Instrument Product has been type tested and found to comply with all applicable regulations. However, if it is installed in the immediate proximity of other electronic devices, some form of interference may occur. For additional RFI information see FCC information section located in this manual. IMPORTANT NOTICE: This product has been tested and approved by independent safety testing laboratories in order that you may be sure that when it is properly installed and used in its normal and customary manner, all foreseeable risks have been eliminated. DO NOT modify this unit or commission others to do so unless specifically authorized by Yamaha. Product performance and/or safety standards may be diminished. Claims filed under the expressed warranty may be denied if the unit is/has been modified. Implied warranties may also be affected. SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE: The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing. Yamaha reserves the right to change or modify specifications at any time without notice or obligation to update existing units. NOTICE: Service charges incurred due to ledge relating to how a function or effect unit is operating as designed), are not manufacturer's warranty. Please study this before requesting service. a lack of knowworks (when the covered by the manual carefully STATIC ELECTRICITY CAUTION: Some Yamaha Digital Musical Instrument products have modules that plug into the unit to perform various functions. The contents of a plug-in module can be altered/damaged by static electricity discharges. Static electricity build-ups are more likely to occur during cold winter months (or in areas with very dry climates) when the natural humidity is low. To avoid possible damage to the plug-in module, touch any metal object (a metal desk lamp, a door knob, etc.) before handling the module. If static electricity is a problem in your area, you may want to have your carpet treated with a substance that reduces static electricity build-up. See your local carpet retailer for professional advice that relates to your specific situation. Model Serial No. Purchase Date This information on safety is provided to comply with U.S.A. laws. but should be observed by users in all countries. Welcome Welcome to the DX7s, the newest member of the growing family of FM digital synthesizers from Yamaha. Using the industry-standard DX7 as its starting point, the DX7s offers a number of important new features, such as improved sound quality, additional FM features, new performance options, and improved controls. Since there is so much material available on the DX7 family of synthesizers (and on the theory of FM digital synthesis), this manual will not be an FM tutorial. Instead, it has been designed to be a "users manual" in the truest sense -- its goal is to help you make music with your new DX7s as quickly as possible. If you are already familiar with the operation of the original DX7, this manual will help you make the transition to the DX7s in short order. On the other hand, if this is your first FM digital instrument, this manual will guide you into the operation of your new synthesizer with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and explanations. After you are comfortable with the operation of your new synthesizer, you may want to explore the fascinating world of FM digital voicing. If so, consult the extensive list of reference works on FM synthesis listed in the bibliography at the back of this manual. Tips The DX7s has been designed for years of trouhle-free use. In order to ensure that it remains a healthy member of your family of musical instruments, please keep the following tips in mind: Installation: When setting up the DX7s in your home or studio, avoid exposure to direct sunlight or other sources of heat. Environments with excessive dust, cold, dampness, or vibration can also damage your instrument. Even though the DX7s is electronic, you should treat it with the same kind of care you would lavish on any other musical instrument. Also, since the DX7s is electronic, you should make sure not to set it too close to equipment (such as a television set) that generates electromagnetic fields. Such proximity could cause both malfunctions in the synthesizer's digital circuitry and interference noise in the other unit. Handling: The DX7s is sturdy, but it can do without rough handling. Don't subject it to sudden jolts (such as dropping it), as this can damage the internal circuitry. If you plan to travel with it, be sure to use a road case. Also, make sure not to apply excessive force to any of the keys, buttons, or other controls. Cleaning: To clean or dust your DX7s, use nothing more than a clean, slightly damp cloth. Using chemical solvents will damage the finish, and using too much water may do considerable damage to the internal circuitry. AC Power & Other Equipment: When you are using the DX7s with an amplifier or mixer that has unbalanced outputs, connect both units to the same AC outlet to avoid hum. If you use a number of electronic instruments in your setup, you may want to consult an electrician, who can make sure that your system does not overtax the available power. AC Power & Down Time: Whenever the DX7s will not be used for an extended period of time, it is best to protect it from potential disaster. Electrical storms and other natural or man-made disasters can give rise to power surges, which may damage the digital circuitry of your DX7s -- even if the power is turned off. Either unplug your instrument when not in use, or invest in power strips with surge protectors to safeguard all of your electronic equipment. Service & Your Warranty: The DX7s contains no user-serviceable parts. Opening it up or tampering with it in any way will void the warranty, and may also lead you to experience some nasty electrical shocks. If you have a problem with your instrument, please take it to an authorized Yamaha service center. Modifications & Your Warranty: Unless you are assured to the contrary in writing, you should assume that any modifications made to your DX7s will void the original product warranty. Therefore, you should make sure that you receive a warranty (or some other kind of guarantee) from the person or company that is responsible for the modification. Contents 1 3 6 8 12 16 17 19 21 26 29 31 33 36 38 41 43 52 53 55 57 59 61 64 66 68 69 71 73 75 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 Section 1: Playing the DX7s Getting Started Setting the ROM Cartridge Banks Exploring the DX7s Performance Library Exploring the DX7s Voice Library The Play Modes Using Controllers with the DX7s Section 2: Creating and Storing New Sounds Creating New Sounds Saving New Sounds Section 3: Using the New Performance Features Performance Edit Buttons Basic Performance Parameters Performance Controllers Micro Tuning Section 4: Using the New Voice Features Voice Edit Buttons Basic Voice Editing Functions New Voice Parameters Voice Controllers Fractional Scaling Section 5: Memory Functions Utility Buttons Memory Layout Memory Storage Types Basic Utility Functions Cartridge Memory Functions Section 6: MIDI Functions MIDI Buttons System Setup MIDI System Exclusives Immediate MIDI Program Change Out Appendices Appendix 1: Supplemental Information Appendix 2: Bibliography MIDI Implementation Chart Blank Data Chart Playing the DX7s -1- Contents 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 16 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 Getting Started Making Audio Connections Turning on the DX7s Setting the Volume Slider Setting the ROM Cartridge Banks Inserting the ROM Cartridge Selecting the ROM Banks Exploring the DX7s Performance Library Selecting the Internal Performance Memories The Internal Performance Memories Selecting the Cartridge Performance Memories The Cartridge Performance Memories Exploring the DX7s Voice Library Selecting the Internal Voice Memories The Internal Voice Memories Selecting the Cartridge Voice Memories The Cartridge Voice Memories The Play Modes Voice Mode and Performance Mode Using the 1 ~ 32/33 ~ 64 Button Using the Poly/Mono Button Using the Key Shift Button Using Controllers with the DX7s Pitch Bend Wheel Modulation Wheel After Touch Breath Controller Foot Controllers 1 and 2 Footswitches 1 and 2 Continuous Sliders 1 and 2 -2- Getting Started You can begin to enjoy your DX7s immediately, without poring through a lot of complicated electronic theory. All you have to do is take the instrument out of the box and proceed as follows: Making Audio Connections There are three different ways to connect the DX7s to sound reinforcement equipment. The one you choose will depend on your situation: 1. If you have a monophonic (single input) amplifier such as a guitar amp, connect the DX's output to the amp's input (using a standard ¼" cable). Connecting the DX7s to a single input amplifier. 2. If you are using a multi-channel mixer, connect the DX's back-panel audio output to one of your mixer's inputs (using a ¼" cable). 3. If you are using a set of standard stereo headphones, plug them into the DX's Phones output. Using stereo headphones with the DX7s. -3- Turning on the DX7s After you have made the audio connection of your choice, turn the DX7s on by pressing the power switch located on the right side of the back panel. This is the first display you will see on the main panel: The DX's "welcome" display. After a few seconds, this display will be replaced by the last Play Mode display selected before the DX7s was turned off: The DX's next initial display. The LED's will now display the voice or performance number that was displayed when the DX was turned off. The LCD will now show the voice or performance name which corresponds to the number in the LED. -4- Setting the Volume Slider Since the volumes of the various voices differ, start with a setting in the middle of the slider's range; adjust later to suit your taste, depending on the voice or voices being played. Volume Slider -5- Setting the ROM Cartridge Banks The ROM Cartridge supplied with your DX7s actually contains several sets of data -- called "banks." These banks can be selected from the front panel. In order to hear all of the Voice and Performance data, you will need to set the Voice/Performance bank to 2. Also, certain voices in the DX7s are created using the new fractional scaling feature. These scalings are stored in bank 3 of the ROM cartridge, so the Fractional Scaling Bank will need to be set to bank 3. Look at the diagram on the next page and make the necessary changes before you begin playing. Inserting the ROM Cartridge Before you begin to play your DX7s, insert the supplied ROM cartridge into the cartridge slot: -6- Selecting the ROM Banks This is the Set Bank LCD display with Bank 2 of the ROM cartridge selected for Voice & Performance data. This is the Set Bank LCD display with Bank 3 of the ROM cartridge selected for Fractional Scaling data. -7- Exploring the DX7s Performance Library The Performance Mode is a completely new feature for the DX7s. It allows a number of useful performance-oriented features to be stored and recalled instantly. These features will be explained in detail in Sections 2 and 3 of this manual. For now, though, just follow the steps below, and explore the richness of the Performance Mode by playing through all of the new sounds available in the Internal and ROM Cartridge memories. Selecting the Internal Performance Memories The LCD display will show the number and name of the selected Performance memory. -8- The Internal Performance Memories These are the Performance Memories loaded into the DX7s when it is shipped from the factory. Since these memories can be adjusted, your DX's Internal Memory may contain different data. If so, reload the Internal Voice & Performance data from bank 4 of the supplied ROM cartridge (see pa ...