Digital programmable algorithm synthesizer (36 pages)
Summary of Contents for Yamaha DX7 II FD
Page 1
YAMAHA AUTHORIZED PRODUCT MANUAL DIGITAL PROGRAMMABLE ALGORITHM SYNTHESIZER...
Page 2
YAMAHA DIGITAL PROGRAMMABLE ALGORITHM SYNTHESIZER OWNER'S MANUAL...
Page 3
Welcome Welcome to the DX7 II FD/D, the newest members of the growing family of FM digital synthesizers from Yamaha. Using the industry-standard DX7 as its starting point, the DX II offers a number of important new features, such as improved sound quality, two-layer voice programming, additional FM features, new performance options, an expanded front-panel LCD display, and on-board disk storage (on the DX7IIFD).
Page 4
Tips The DX7 I I FD/D has been designed for years of trouble-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 DX in your home or studio, avoid exposure to direct sunlight or other sources of heat.
Page 5
The DX 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 ah authorized Yamaha service center.
Contents Getting Started Making Audio Connections Turning On the DX Setting the Volume Slider Setting the Pan and Poly/Mono Buttons Exploring The New Performance Library Selecting the Internal Performance Memories The Internal Performance Memories Selecting the Cartridge Performance Memories The Cartridge Performance Memories Exploring The New Voice Library Selecting the Internal Voice Memories The Internal Voice Memories...
Page 9
Contents Section 1: Playing the DX7 II FD/D Getting Started Exploring The New Performance Library Exploring The New Voice Library The Play Modes Using Controllers with the DX Section 2: Creating and Storing New Sounds Creating New Sounds Saving New Sounds...
Getting You can begin to enjoy your new DX immediately, without poring through a lot of complicated electronic theory. All you have to do is take the instrument out of it's box and Started proceed as follows: Making Audio Connections There are three different ways to connect the DX to sound reinforcement equipment.
Turning On the DX After you have made the audio connection of your choice, turn the DX 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"...
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 VOLUME Setting the Pan and Poly/Mono Buttons Before you begin to play your new DX, make sure that the settings of the Pan and Poly/Mono buttons are correct for your situation:...
Exploring The Performance Mode is a completely new feature for the DX7. It allows you to play two different voices at once, and offers a number of other useful performance-oriented The New features. These features will be explained in detail in Sections 2 and 3 of this manual. For Performance 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...
The Internal Performance Memories Voice A Voice B Performance Name Each Performance Name Warm Stg B can consist of up to Warm String Section INT 1 Warm Stg A INT 49 MalletHorn Mallet Brass INT 63 XyloBrass INT 25 20 characters; Strinq Bass-Guitar INT 57 GuitarBox...
Selecting the Cartridge Performance Memories The LCD should show this display, with the cursor blinking on the arrow next to the word BANK. If not, press button 15 until this display appears.
Exploring The Voices in the new DX were created using techniques like those used on the original The New DX7. The new Performance Mode opens up a number of exciting possibilities—many of the Voices in the new DX were created specifically to be used in combinations of two. In Voice addition, there are a number of new features available in Voice mode (most of them extensions of the Function mode in the original DX7).
The Internal Voice Memories FingaPicka Warm Stg A These are the Voice Memories MellowHorn ElectoComb loaded into the DX when it is PickGuitar ClariSolo Analog-X PianoBrite shipped from the factory. FullTines Choir Since these memories SuperBass TempleGong can be adjusted, SkweekBass FMilters your DX's Internal Memory...
Selecting the Cartridge Voice Memories The LCD should show this display, with the cursor blinking on the arrow next to the word BANK. If not, press button 15 until this display appears. *The 1~32/33~64 light will be off, indicating that voices 1-32 are currently selectable.
The Cartridge Voice Memories Bank 1 of the supplied Bank 2 Bank 1 ROM cartridge contains the Warm Stg A FingaPicka Clavecin Glastine B Voice & Performance Memory HardTrumps MellowHorn ElectoComb SmoohBass loaded into the DX's Internal PickGuitar Pipe Organ Timpani ClariSolo Memory when it is shipped...
The Play Modes Now that you have an idea of some of the sound combinations available on the new DX, it is time to take a closer look at how the various Play Modes operate. Read on: Voice Modes and Performance Mode As you have heard from playing through the Performance Memories, it is possible to play two different voices at the same time on the new DX.
Using The DX is designed to operate with many controllers, each of which can be set to perform one of a number of different effects. The settings for these controllers can be different for Controllers each Voice Memory or Performance Memory. To begin your exploration of the expanded with the DX musical possibilities available with controllers on the DX, try the examples listed below.
Foot Controllers 1 and 2 The Foot Controllers plug into the two Foot Controller plugs on the back panel of the DX. They can give you continuous control over a number of aspects of the sounds. Try using Foot Controller 1 with Cartridge Voice #47 or Cartridge Voice #52 (from Bank 2 of the ROM).
Page 24
Creating and Storing New Sounds - 1 7 -...
Page 25
Contents Creating New Sounds Editing and Edit Mode Entering Performance Edit Mode Entering Voice Edit Mode Editing Performance and Voice Data Using the Cursor Buttons and the Data Entry Buttons/Slider Edit/Compare Edit Button Quick Reference Guide Saving New Sounds Memory Protection Turning Memory Protect Off Performance Memory Storing Performance Data to Internal or Cartridge Memory...
Creating The Voices and Performance setups in the DX are stored as digital information in a computer-like memory. And, like computer memory, the memory of the DX can be altered New Sounds for different uses. In other words, voices do not exist as unchangeable presets (as they do in electronic organs), but rather as streams of data.
Entering Performance Edit Mode Entering Voice Edit Mode In both of the above procedures, you enter the Edit Mode after the Edit Button is pressed in step #2. At that time, you can push any or all of the buttons indicated (in step #3) as many times as necessary to make the desired edits.
Editing Performance and Voice Data After entering one of the Edit Modes, use the number buttons to access the parameter whose value you wish to change. Each number button calls up a variety of parameters, often through the use of multiple LCD screen displays. A complete set of these screen displays will be given at the beginning of Section 3 (for Performance Edit Mode) and Section 4 (for Voice Edit Mode).
Edit Button Quick Reference Guide Voice parameters are discussed in more detail in Section 4. Voice Edit parameters are discussed in more detail in Section 4. -22-...
Page 30
Performance parameters are discussed in more detail in Section 3. Utility parameters are discussed in more detail in Section 5. MIDI parameters are discussed in more detail in Section 6. -23-...
Saving Once you have altered a particular Voice or Performance memory to your liking, you will want to save your new data in one of the DX's memory locations. Single Voice memories New Sounds and single Performance setups can be saved either to the Internal Memory or to a RAM Cartridge Memory.
Storing Performance Data to Internal or Cartridge Memory Voice Memory Do not try to edit Voice data while in Performance Edit Mode. If you do, you will hear and see the Voice edits, but they will not be stored as part of memory when you store the Performance Data.
Page 33
Using the New Performance Features -27-...
Contents Performance Edit Buttons Button 27 LCD Displays Button 28 LCD Displays Button 29 LCD Displays Button 30 LCD Displays Basic Performance Parameters Total Volume Balance Dual Detune Split Point Note Shift EG Forced Damp Performance Name Basic Pan Function Pan Modes Pan EG Controllers...
Page 35
Performance All of the Performance Mode parameters are adjusted via the LCD displays called up using buttons 27 ~ 30. All of the these buttons call up multiple LCD displays. The charts Edit Buttons below show all of the displays called up by each button, and provide a complete list of parameters and value ranges.
Basic Accessed using buttons 28 and 29, these parameters determine the basic voice relationships in Performance Mode. Performance Parameters Total Volume This parameter allows you to set an overall volume for each Performance memory. If you desire, you can use this setting to balance the levels of your Performance memories, so that constant Volume Slider or mixer adjustments are not necessary.
Split Point In Performance Mode, the Split Point is adjustable, and is memorized as part of the Performance Memory. The Split Point can be selected using the Data Entry Slider/Buttons or the keyboard: The first note played on the keyboard after accessing the Split Point parameter will be entered as the Split Point in the LCD display.
EG Forced Damp Even though the DX is a 16-voice synthesizer, these voices can be used up quickly when you are in Dual Mode (or when you use a Sustain Footswitch pedal). When you do exceed the DX's note capacity, the first notes played will stop sounding to make way for the new notes being played.
Performance Name You can enter a Performance Name of up to 20 characters. To do so, follow the instructions below. Since you have a total of twenty characters to define your Performance Memory, make sure that your Performance Name conveys the basic approach of the specific Performance Memory immediately.
The Pan features represent an entirely new class of Performance controls for the DX. Accessed using button 30, these parameters provide control over the stereo image of the instrument's output. Basic Pan Functions In order for Pan effects to operate, you must connect both of the audio outputs on the DX's back panel.
If Key Number is selected, the Pan/Level effect will be controlled by the right/left position of keys played on the keyboard. If you are operating in Pan Mode 0, Key Number controls the position of the audio output in the stereo mix: Notes played to the left of C3 will position the sound more in output jack A, while notes played to the right of C3 will position the sound more in output jack B.
Controllers The DX features a greatly expanded set of controller options. The settings for Footswitches 1 and 2 and Continuous Sliders 1 and 2 are adjusted in Performance Edit Mode, using button 27. (The other controller settings are accessed in Voice Edit Mode.) Sustain Footswitch (FS 1) Footswitch 1 is set to operate as a Sustain pedal.
Continuous Sliders The two Continuous Sliders give you access to real-time control of FM Voice parameters. There are a total of 105 different possibilities: FM Parameters Assignable to CS 1 and CS2 DATA ENTRY slider EGRate1(R1) OP 6 Total level The Continuous Sliders provide OP 6 OSC.
Micro Tuning Micro Tuning is another new feature for the DX. It offers the possibility of performing music using tuning and intonation systems other than Equal Temperament (which is the current standard tuning for both pianos and synthesizers). Micro Tuning data is accessed using button 29.
Page 47
Entering the Micro Tuning Edit Mode Editing Micro Tuning Data Storing Micro Tuning Data -41-...
Voice All of the Voice Mode parameters are adjusted via the LCD displays called up using buttons 7 ~ 13 and 23 ~ 26. Many of the these buttons call up multiple LCD displays. The Edit Buttons charts below show all of the displays called up by each button, and provide a complete list of parameters and value ranges.
Basic The new DX offers an expanded LCD display, which makes Voice editing much easier than it was with the original DX7. A number of other basic Edit operations have also been Voice Editing simplified, as follows: Functions Operator Select The parameters accessed using buttons 8 ~ 11 are adjustable for each of the six operators.
The basic Voice of the new DX is almost exactly the same as that of the original DX7, assuring complete compatibility between the old and new instruments. To discover the Voice additional Voice parameters of the new DX, read on. Parameters Pitch Envelope The Pitch Envelope operates as it did in the original DX7, but some new features have...
Key Modes The new DX offers two Unison Key Modes, which create “fatter” sounds. Since these new Modes use more than one note of the DX's sixteen-note capacity, they will affect the total number of notes available at any one time: Voice Mode Mode Single...
Controllers The new DX features an expanded set of controller options. The settings for Pitch Bend Wheel, Modulation Wheel, Aftertouch, Breath Controller, and Foot Controllers 1 and 2 are adjusted in Voice Edit Mode, using buttons 24 ~ 26. (The other controller settings are accessed in Performance Edit Mode.) Function Data and Voice Effect Data The original DX7 separated its operational parameters into two groups: Voice data and...
Fractional One of the most important aspects of DX7 voicing is Level Scaling, which allows adjustment of each operator's output over the range of the keyboard. The new DX offers Scaling the possibility of even more subtle control over operator outputs, through Fractional Scaling.
Page 60
Editing Fractional Scaling Data Storing Fractional Scaling Data - 5 5 -...
Utility Buttons All of the Memory functions (and related utility functions) are adjusted via the LCD displays called up using buttons 14 ~ 16. All of the these buttons call up multiple LCD displays. The charts below show all of the displays called up by each button, and provide a complete list of parameters and value ranges.
Memory Types As you can see from the diagram on the facing page, there are many facets to the Memory layout of the new DX. To understand all of these types of memory, study the diagram and read the explanation below: Voice &...
Current Play/Edit Memory Whenever you call up a Voice Memory or Performance Memory in Play Mode, you are actually sending it to a special location in the DX — the current Play/Edit Memory. As the name indicates, this is also the location where Voice or Performance data is edited. In computer terminology, this memory location is often called the Edit Buffer.
Memory In addition to having a number of distinct types of memory, the new DX offers a number of ways to store these various memories. To understand how the various memory storage Storage Types possibilities interact, read on. Internal Memory The DX's Internal Memory holds a standard Voice &...
ROM Cartridge The supplied ROM cartridge contains 4 banks, which can be accessed using button 15 in Edit Mode: Contents of Supplied ROM Cartridge Voice & Performance Memory The supplied ROM cartridge 64 Voice Memories holds a number of different 32 PERFORMANCE Memories kinds of DX memory.
Basic Utility Most of the basic Internal Memory Utility functions are accessed using button 14 in Edit Mode, as follows: Functions Master Tune This sets the tuning of the DX relative to its internal A-440 reference. This setting is stored as part of the DX's System Setup Memory. Recall Edit These functions can be used to recall Voice, Performance, or Micro Tuning data from the DX's Compare/Recall Memory.
Cartridge RAM cartridges are useful storage centers for Voice & Performance data. In addition, they are the only storage source from which Fractional Scaling data and Micro Tuning Memory data can be accessed for immediate use with DX Internal Voice & Performance data. To Functions understand the basic Cartridge Utility functions, read on.
Loading Voice & Performance Data from a RAM Cartridge *lf you answer NO, you are telling the DX to load the RAM Cartridge data with *System Setup data. If you answer YES, you are telling the DX to load the RAM *Cartridge without System Setup data.
Using and Handling Disks The DX7 II FD uses 3.5" micro floppy disks. These disks have a Memory Protect function that is similar to that of the RAM4 cartridge: Even though 3.5" disks are relatively sturdy, you should handle them with care when...
Basic Disk Drive Operations Formatting a Disk Saving Internal Memory to Disk *lt is possible to store files on top of files already loaded (which will erase the original data). Make sure to select a blank file location before moving to the Save function.
Page 77
Saving Cartridge Memory to Disk Loading Internal Memory from Disk *lf you answer NO, you are telling the DX to load the Internal data with System Setup data. If you answer YES, you are telling the DX to load the Internal data without System Setup data. - 7 3 -...
Disk Disk MDR The DX7 II FD's disk drive can also be used as a MIDI Data Recorder, to record MIDI information from external instruments via the DX's MIDI ports. The DX's disk can record external MIDI data into files of up to 20K bytes. To use this MIDI record function, make the proper MIDI connections and follow the prompts in the DX's LCD display.
Page 80
Contents MIDI Buttons Button 31 LCD Displays Button 32 LCD Displays System Setup Channel Messages Note On/Off Program Change Transmission Local On/Off Immediate MIDI Program Change Out Control Number Other System Setup Parameters MIDI Data Communications MIDI Device Number Receive Block MIDI Out -76-...
MIDI Buttons All of the MIDI functions and parameters are adjusted via the LCD displays called up using buttons 31 ~ 32. All of the these buttons call up multiple LCD displays. The charts below show all of the displays called up by each button, and provide a complete list of parameters and value ranges.
System Setup Since the use of many basic MIDI functions might depend on the contents of a specific set of Voice & Performance data, the new DX provides a special memory location, System Setup Memory, to store basic MIDI parameters and other data in conjunction with a Voice &...
Immediate MIDI Program Change Out If you wish to send a quick MIDI Program Change Message to an external MIDI unit, use the following procedure: In any of the Play Modes (Single, Dual, Split, or Performance), press and hold the button of the current Play Mode (the one with the lit LED).
Communications MIDI Device Number If the DX is connected to another Yamaha product, this parameter must be used to set a Yamaha System Exclusive Device Number for MIDI System Exclusive data reception or transmission. This parameter is also used when the FD's disk drive is used as a MIDI data recorder.
For continuing information concerning the DX7 II FD/D, consult AfterTouch, the official publication of the Yamaha Users Group. Many advanced functions will be discussed in its pages in the coming months. There will also be information concerning the availability of other material concerning more advanced applications.
Appendix 2: Many of the basic functions of the DX7 II FD/D are the same as those of the original DX7. Since there is a wealth of material available on the operation of the original DX7, Bibliography this manual has focused on the new functions and features. For more information on the...