Contents |
Description
The YRM-306 (YRM-36 in Japan) DX7-II-D/FD Voicing Program is one of the programs developed by Yamaha that allows to use his MSX1/MSX2 CX computers to program voices for another Yamaha device. Here's the software dedicated to the DX7II-D/FD Digital Programmable Algorithm Synthesizer, it was released in 1988 and has mouse support.
The DX7II-D/FD has a monotimbral, 16-note polyphonic sound with possibility of dual timbral performance. It's an impressively improved version of the DX7, as it comes with new great features such as enhanced MIDI support, micro-tuning capabilities, aftertouch controlled pitch bending, multiple LFOs, fractional scaling mode and performance editing. Besides its internal ROM, the machine was shipped with a ROM cartridge for a total of 128 preset voices, 64 performance memories and 13 micro-tunings.
Voices, performances and micro-tunings can be programmed by the user and loaded into a 64-voice/32-performance/2 micro-tunings RAM internal memory. Only RAM cartridges can be used on the DX7II-D, but a floppy drive, offering one megabyte of memory space (equal to 40 RAM cartridges), is added to the DX7II-FD, with the possibility to store exclusive MIDI data.
When using the YRM-306 cartrige, the voice and performance data, function and micro-tunings parameters are visualised on the MSX screen, they can be edited and new voices, performances and micro-tunings can be created.
All data and parameters can be saved on disk, they can be sent from the CX computer to the DX7II.
As this software is actually a triple editor, each editor will be separately described. Selecting of the editor can be made on the intro menu. Except if you are in a Load/Save menu, you can always go back to this intro menu by pressing F1.
Performance
Performance Directory
After selecting the Performance editor in the main menu, you will not directly land in the Directory, but it is recommended to press F2. The software will read the content of the DX7II RAM memory to display the Directory with the names of the 32 performances that are available for editing.
(Note that the screenshot has been made on an emulator, without connection to a DX7II synthesizer)
You will first get the 16 first performances. Press the F key or click on the FP zone to get performances 17 to 32. To go back to the first 32 performances, press the B key or click on the BP zone of the screen.
The bottom part indicates important keys that can be used in the Voice editor.
The red cursor on the above part always indicates the last performance that was selected for editing with the cursors or the mouse, a black cursor wlll indicate the last performance number selected with the Play function (F5) or by pressing RETURN.
Performance Editor
To quit the Directory, press again F2 or click on the corresponding line at the bottom of the Directory. The screen of the Voice editor is divided in different sections: selecting of voices and mode, selecting of micro-tuning table and different effects, settings for balance and note shift, settings for sound panning.
According the voice mode you will select, 1 voice or 2 voices will be used, and different parameters can be switched on/off for these voices. Amongst all these parameters, there's a powerful tool called Continuous Slider (1 and 2), giving access to real-time control of one of the 105 voice parameters.
The cursors are useful for selecting a parameter, but you will for sure prefer the mouse. To modify a parameter, mainly use the (INS +) HOME or DEL keys. However, for some important parameters, you need to confirm your choice by pressing the RETURN key: voice A, voice B, micro-tuning table.
| Parameter | Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Perform | Performance name | Use BS for corrections before pressing RETURN ! |
| Voice A | INT(ernal) 1 to 64 or CRT(cartridge) 1 to 64 | |
| Voice B | INT(ernal) 1 to 64 or CRT(cartridge) 1 to 64 | |
| Voice Mode | SINGL(e), DUAL or SPLIT | |
| Split Point | C-2 to G8 | |
| Dual Detu | Dual Detune | 0 to 7 |
| EG forced damp | Envelope Generator Forced Damping | ON / OFF |
| Micro tuning table | Table | 1 to 75 (1 to 13 = DX7II memory, 14 to 75 = cartridge data) |
| Key | C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, Gb, G, Ab, A, Bb, B | |
| Switch A | ON / OFF | |
| Switch B | ON / OFF | |
| Continuous Slider 1 (CS1) | FM Voice Parameter | 1 to 105 |
| Switch A | ON / OFF | |
| Switch B | ON / OFF | |
| Continuous Slider 2 (CS2) | FM Voice Parameter | 1 to 105 |
| Switch A | ON / OFF | |
| Switch B | ON / OFF | |
| Sustain Foot Switch | Switch A | ON / OFF |
| Switch B | ON / OFF | |
| Foot Switch | Effect | SUS(tain), POR(tamento), KHLD (Key Hold), SFT (Soft) |
| Soft Range | 0 to 7 | |
| Switch A | ON / OFF | |
| Switch B | ON / OFF | |
| Total vol | Total Volume | 0 to 99 |
| V balance | Volume Balance | -50 to 50 |
| Note Shift | A | -24 to 24 |
| B | -24 to 24 | |
| PAN | Envelope Generator - Rates | 0 to 99 |
| Envelope Generator - Levels | 0 to 99 | |
| Range (Rng) | 0 to 99 | |
| Type | LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator), VEL(ocity), KEY (Note number) | |
| Mode | MIX, ON.ON, ON.OFF, OFF.ON |
Voice and function
Voice Directory
After selecting the Voice editor in the main menu, you will not directly land in the Directory, but it is recommended to press F2. The software will read the content of the DX7II RAM memory to display the Directory with the names of the 64 voices that are available for editing.
(Note that the screenshot has been made on an emulator, without connection to a DX7II synthesizer)
As only 48 voices can be displayed, you will first get the 32 first voices, followed by voices 65 to 80 reserved for your own tests. Press the F key or click on the FP zone to get voices 33 to 64. To go back to the first 32 voices, press the B key or click on the BP zone of the screen.
The bottom part indicates important keys that can be used in the Voice editor.
The red cursor on the above part always indicates the last voice number that was selected for editing with the cursors or the mouse, a black cursor wlll indicate the last voice number selected with the Play function (F5) or by pressing RETURN.
Voice Editor 1
To quit the Directory, press again F2 or click on the corresponding line at the bottom of the Directory. Each screen of the Voice editor is divided in 8 blocks, allowing to make a fine editing of the currently displayed voice.
General settings are in the first block (up-left), settings for the Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) or the Pitch Envelope Generator (PEG) are in the 2nd block (up-right), specific settings for each operator of the DX7II device are in the 6 blocks with number 1 to 6. Use the mouse or SHIFT + a cursor to go from one block to another one.
The cursors are useful for selecting a parameter, but you will for sure prefer the mouse. To modify a parameter, mainly use the (INS +) HOME or DEL keys. Each of the 6 operators can be switched ON/OFF by pressing one of the keys 1 to 6 corresponding to this operator or by clicking on the corresponding big numbers at the top right of each block.
General settings
| Parameter | Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Voice name | Use BS for corrections before pressing RETURN ! |
| Tr | Key Transpose | C1 to C5 |
| Fb | Feedback | 0 to 7 |
| Sn | Oscillator Synchronization | ON / OFF |
| ALG | Algorithm | 1 to 32 |
LFO settings
| Parameter | Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Wave | Waveform | 6 different waveforms |
| Tr | LFO mode | S(ingle) or (M)ulti |
| Sp | Speed (LFO frequency) | 0 to 99 |
| Pmd | Pitch Modulation Depth (LFO influence on pitch) | 0 to 99 |
| Pms | Pitch Modulation Sensitivity | 0 to 7 |
| Dl | Delay | 0 to 99 |
| Amd | Amplitude Modulation Depth (LFO influence on volume) | 0 to 99 |
| Sync | Synchronization of LFO to the playing of a note | ON / OFF |
Specific settings for each operator (part 1)
These settings are related to the Envelope Generator of each operator.
| Parameter | Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 0 to 99 | |
| Levels | 0 to 99 | |
| RS | Rate Scaling | 0 to 7 |
| d | Detune | -7 to 7 |
There are 3 other settings that are also available in Edit mode 2.
By pressing BS key, it is possible to copy the EG data of the current operator to another one. If you press the SELECT key when the cursor is in one operator block, you will see the envelopes displayed graphically for this block. You can also click on an empty zone in this block. To make the change for all 6 operator blocks, press SHIFT + SELECT.
In graphic mode, you cau use the mouse to change specific points of the envelope and edit this way rates or levels, but you need to use the cursors to display a different parameter on the graphics.
Voice Editor 2
To access to the second part of the settings, press the SELECT key one time when the cursor is in the LFO block or two times if the cursor is in one of the operator blocks. You can also use the mouse in the same way (one or two clicks on an empty zone).
Only the display of the concerned block will change. The Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) settings will be replaced by the Pitch Envelope Generator (PEG) settings and the operator parameters will now be related to especially Keyboard Scaling.
To make the change in all 6 operators blocks, you need to use twice SHIFT + SELECT.
PEG settings
These settings are related to the Pitch Envelope Generator.
| Parameter | Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 0 to 99 | |
| Levels | 0 to 99 | |
| RS | Rate Scaling | 0 to 7 |
| oc | Octave Range | 1/2, 1, 2 or 8 |
| VSW | Velocity Sensitivity Weight | ON / OFF |
From this block, press the SELECT key to see the envelopes displayed graphically. In graphic mode, you cau use the mouse to change specific points of the envelope and edit this way rates or levels, but you need to use the cursors to display a different parameter on the graphics.
Specific settings for each operator (part 2)
| Parameter | Values | |
|---|---|---|
| BP | Break Point (*) | A-1 to C8 |
| L | Left Curve (*) | LINear or EXPonential (+ or -) |
| Left Depth (*) | 0 to 99 | |
| R | Right Curve (*) | LINear or EXPonential (+ or -) |
| Right Depth (*) | 0 to 99 | |
| Scaling Level for key range of 3 notes (**) | 0 to 255 | |
| Scaling Mode | NML (Normal) or FRC (Fractional) | |
| Ams | Amplitude Modulation Sensitivity | 0 to 3 |
| Kvs | Keyboard Velocity Sensitivity | 0 to 7 |
| OPL | Operator Output Level (*) | 0 to 99 |
| OF | Offset (**) | -127 to 127 |
| Oscillator Mode | Fixed or Ratio | |
| Frequency Coarse | 0 to 61 in Ratio Mode | |
| Frequency Fine | 0 to 99 in Ratio Mode |
(*) In Normal Scaling Mode
(**) In Fractional Scaling Mode
By pressing BS key, it is possible to copy the EG data of the current operator to another one. If you press the SELECT key when the cursor is in one operator block, you will see the keyboard scaling displayed graphically for this block. You can also click on an empty zone in this block. To make the change for all 6 operator blocks, press SHIFT + SELECT.
In graphic mode, you cau use the mouse to change specific points of the envelope and edit this way some parameters, but you need to use the cursors to display a different parameter on the graphics.
Voice Editor 3
To access to the third part of the settings, you need to press the TAB key or click on the small middle empty zone between the operator blocks, between the letters T and F.
Most of the settings will be replaced by a new serie of settings.
These parameters are related to different effects.
Effects settings
| Effect | Parameter | Values |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | POLYphonic or MONOphonic | |
| Unison | Enable | ON / OFF |
| Detune (Uni.D) | 0 to 7 | |
| Random Pitch | 0 to 7 | |
| Pitch Bend Wheel | Range | 0 to 12 |
| Step | 0 to 12 | |
| Mode | Normal, Low, High, Key on | |
| Portamento | Sustain Key in Polyphonic mode | Retain or Follow |
| Type in Monophonic mode | Fingered or Full Time | |
| Step | 0 to 12 | |
| Time | 0 to 99 | |
| Modulation Wheel | Pitch | 0 to 99 |
| Amplitude | 0 to 99 | |
| Envelope Generator Bias | 0 to 99 | |
| Foot Control | Slider (SW) | ON / OFF |
| Pitch | 0 to 99 | |
| Amplitude | 0 to 99 | |
| Envelope Generator Bias | 0 to 99 | |
| Volume | 0 to 99 | |
| Breath Control | Pitch | 0 to 99 |
| Amplitude | 0 to 99 | |
| Envelope Generator Bias | 0 to 99 | |
| Pitch Bias | -50 to 50 | |
| After Touch | Pitch | 0 to 99 |
| Amplitude | 0 to 99 | |
| Envelope Generator Bias | 0 to 99 | |
| Pitch Bias | -50 to 50 |
Micro-Tuning Editor
Micro-Tuning allows to use alternate intonations tables instead of the by default EQUAL (TEMPERAMENT) table. This screen displays the list of the 13 tables available in the RAM memory of the DX7II device.
Tables 1 to 11 are presets, tables 12 and 13 are reserved for personal alternate tunings and intonations. Note that 63 micro-tuning tables can be saved from the DX7II device to a RAM cartridge that has been properly formatted for this purpose.
Selecting a table can be made with the mouse or the cursors, followed by pressing on RETURN. In presets 2 to 5, the tuning can be adjusted according to the key of the music being played. You can use the (INS +) HOME or DEL keys to modify it.
The parameters at the top right of the screen determine how the intonations will be displayed graphically on the same screen. Selecting is similar as for the tables. You can choose to display all octaves or only one octave, and decide how many abscissas need to be displayed.
By using the mouse, you can modify the graphical display and see the modifications in the parameters under this display. You can also select a parameter (Key Name or Data) and use the (INS +) HOME or DEL keys.
This screen is the same for the three editors, it allows to load/save data from/to disk or to receive/send these data via MIDI from/to the DX7II device.
Contrary to other products developed by Yamaha, there's no any suppport for cassette or UDC-01 Data Memory Cartridge.
The name of the file can be entered on the second line of this screen. Here are the different possibilities:
| OPERATION | Disk | MIDI |
|---|---|---|
| Files | X | - |
| Next File | X | - |
| Load | X | X |
| Save | X | X |
| Kill | X | - |
Useful keys
In the Performance and Voice editors, the list of useful keys is hidden. You can make it appear by clicking on a special zone: the 'FUNC MENU' in the Performance editor, the middle empty zone between the operator blocks under the letter F in the Voice editor.
In the Micro-Tuning editor, the Directories and the Load/Save menus, the list of useful keys is always visible.
Here's a more complete list that integrates all the modes of this software:
| Key | |
|---|---|
| F1 | Back to intro menu |
| F2 | Switch between Directory and Edit mode in Performance and Voice editors, back to previously used editor if you are in the Load/Save menu |
| F3 | Store a performance, voice or micro-tuning in RAM memory |
| F4 | Recall the stored performance, voice or micro-tuning from the RAM memory |
| F5 | Select a performance or voice and play it on the DX7II (the voice is automatically stored in the MSX edit buffer and transferred to the DX7II) |
| F6 | Go to Load/Save menu |
| F7 | Print data and parameters from performance, voice or micro-tuning n to performance, voice or micro-tuning m |
| F8 | Copy or swap performances or voices data in the edit buffer |
| F9 | Initialize a performance, voice or micro-tuning |
| F10 | Hardcopy of current screen or autocopy of different parameters |
| All cursors | Select parameter in Edit mode |
| BS | Correction for Voice Name in Edit mode, copy the EG data of the current operator to another one |
| CODE/KANA/HANGUL | Switch cassette recorder motor on/off |
| 1 | Switch ON/OFF operator 1 in Edit mode |
| 2 | Switch ON/OFF operator 2 in Edit mode |
| 3 | Switch ON/OFF operator 3 in Edit mode |
| 4 | Switch ON/OFF operator 4 in Edit mode |
| 5 | Switch ON/OFF operator 5 in Edit mode |
| 6 | Switch ON/OFF operator 6 in Edit mode |
| CTRL + STOP | Stop loading/saving operation |
| DEL | Increase value (+1) in Edit mode, confirm command (Yes) in message area |
| ESC | Cancel not yet entered command |
| GRAPH | Select printer type and printing quality |
| HOME | Decrease value (-1) in Edit mode, cancel command (No) in message area |
| INS + DEL | Increase value (+10) in Edit mode |
| INS + HOME | Decrease value (-10) in Edit mode |
| RETURN | Enter some parameters in Edit mode, enter command in message area |
| SELECT | Switch type of parameters or graphics to display in a block (except the up-left block) in Voice editor, select type of operation or option |
| SHIFT + cursor | Fast moving of cursor |
| SHIFT + SELECT | Switch type of parameters or graphics for all the 6 operator blocks in the Voice editor |
| SPACE | Insert space in Performance or Voice Name in Edit mode, cancel change of key-off point |
| STOP | Stop hardcopy or autocopy |
| TAB | Switch Voice parameters/Effects settings in Voice editor |
| B | Previous performances or voices in the directories |
| F | Next performances or voices in the directories |
| M | Change MIDI channel or switch MIDI Merge ON / OFF |