Song Mode (Sequencer) And Multi Mode (Tone Generator) - Yamaha SY99 Owner's Manual

SONG MODE
In Song mode you can use the SY99's sequencer to record and play back up to ten songs, each of which can
consist of up to 16 tracks. Tracks 1 through 15 each can contain an independent musical part extending the
entire length of the song. Track 16 is a special Pattern track which consists of pattern numbers and repeat
marks which specify how the patterns created in Pattern mode (page 233) will be played back along with
the other tracks.
All data from the sequencer will be transmitted to the internal tone generator and also transmitted
from MIDI OUT. This allows you to play external synthesizers or tone generators from the SY99's
sequencer.

Song mode (sequencer) and Multi mode (tone generator)

The greatest musical complexity is possible when the sequencer is in Song mode, transmitting 16 channels
of musical data, and the tone generator is in Multi mode, functioning as 16 indepenent synthesizers.
By default, sequencer tracks 1-16 are set to transmit on the corresponding channels 1-16. However,
you can change this using the Transmit channel function described on page 230.
A Multi consists of a voice selection and other settings for each of 16 channels. If you want to use a
sequencer track to play only an external tone generator via MIDI OUT, you must select an "off" voice for
the corresponding channel of the multi.
The following diagram shows an example of how the sequencer in Song mode can control the tone
generator in Multi mode. Sequencer track 1 is transmitting on channel 2, and will play the "Strings" voice
which has been selected for channel 2 of the multi. Sequencer track 2 is transmitting on channel 3, but since
channel 3 of the multi is set to the "off" voice, track 2 will not play the multi.
Regardless of the settings of the Multi, the data of all sequencer tracks is always transmitted from
MIDI OUT, and can be used to play external tone generators.
Note: The SY99 sequencer will also record MIDI data received from MIDI IN, in addition to the data from its own
keyboard and controllers. However, system exclusive messages longer than 32 bytes cannot be recorded.
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