Yamaha DX21 Owner's Manual
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Yamaha DX21 Owner's Manual

Digital programmable algorithm synthesizer
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YAMAHA
AUTHORIZED
PRODUCT MANUAL
DIGITAL PROGRAMMABLE ALGORITHM SYNTHESIZER

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Summary of Contents for Yamaha DX21

  • Page 1 YAMAHA AUTHORIZED PRODUCT MANUAL DIGITAL PROGRAMMABLE ALGORITHM SYNTHESIZER...
  • Page 2 YAMAHA DIGITAL PROGRAMMABLE ALGORITHM SYNTHESIZER OWNER’S MANUAL...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    CONGRATULATIONS! Your Yamaha DX21 Digital Programmable Algorithm Synthsizer incorporates the state-of-the-art in digital FM tone generation technology, providing extraordinarily vi- brant, rich voices and outstanding playability. The DX21 actually has two FM tone generators, permitting two voices to be combined and played simultaneously, or in a split keyboard configuration.

  • Page 4: Precautions

    Such actions may not only result in electrical shock or damage, but will also void the product warranty. Refer all servicing to a qualified Modifications Yamaha service center. When moving the instrument be sure to unplug the AC mains cord as well as all 4. Relocation other connecting cables.

  • Page 5: Chapter I: Settlng Up

    The remaining three phone jacks are for optional foot controllers and footswitches. 2. Optional Foot The VOLUME jack accepts a Yamaha FC-7 or equivalent foot controller for volume or “swell” control. The SUSTAIN jack accepts a Yamaha FC-4 or FC-5 footswitch Controllers &...

  • Page 6: Ac Power

    Plug the DX21 AC power cord into an AC wall socket. Be sure that your local line 7. AC Power voltage matches that specified on the DX21 rear panel. The POWER switch is located next to the AC cord on the rear panel. NOTE: When setting up your system, be sure to turn the DX21 and any effects units used on BEFORE turning the main amplifier system on.

  • Page 7: Chapter Ii: Playing The Dx21

    CHAPTER II: PLAYING THE DX21 The DX21 has 32 RAM (Random Access Memory) locations which contain voices 1. The 32 Voice RAM which may be immediately selected by pressing the appropriate memory button while the DX21 is in one of the three normal play modes described below. The two Memory rows of 16 buttons- row A and row B-are the voice memory selectors.

  • Page 8: The Dual Play Mode

    Enter the DUAL mode by pressing the PLAY DUAL button. 3. The DUAL Play Mode “DU” in the upper left display corner indicates that the DUAL mode has been se- lected. The upper display line now shows the number and name of any voice selected from the “A”...

  • Page 9: The 128 Voice Rom Memory

    SPLIT POINT set at 60 The split point number on the LCD will change to the number of the pressed key, the “A” voice will be playable on all keys to its left (Including the split key), and the “B” voice will be playable on all keys to the right of the split key. This process can be repeated as many times as necessary, but you must press and hold the S POINT key again every time you re-program the split point.
  • Page 10 T H E 1 2 8 V O I C E S P R O V I D E D I N T H E I N T E R N A L R O M GROUP 5 : BRASS GROUP 9 : PERCUSSION 2 GROUP 1 : PIANO GROUP 13 : BASS...

  • Page 11: Chapter Iii: The Function Mode

    CHAPTER III: THE FUNCTION MODE The FUNCTION mode permits access to four groups of functions: tuning functions, MIDI functions, memory management functions, and performance functions. In this chapter we’ll describe each of these functions; what they do and how they are programmed. The FUNCTION mode is accessed by pressing the FUNCTION button to the left 1.

  • Page 12: The Performance Parameters

    “Performance parameters” are programmable parameters which pertain mainly to 3. The Performance real-time performance effects such as how the pitch bend and modulation wheels affect the sound. All performance parameters can be memorized for each voice. Parameters If you wish that the edited data will remain in the memory, you have to store it using STORE function (see CHAPTER V: VOICE PROGRAMMING, “4.
  • Page 13 When OFF the PORTAMENTO footswitch will NOT function. When ON the PORTAMENTO footswitch connected to the PORTAMENTO jack can be used to turn the portamento effect ON or OFF. (accepts Yamaha FC-4 or FC-5 foot switches) Once the PORTAMENTO FOOT SW function has been called, subsequent presses on the B5 button alternate between the ON and OFF settings.
  • Page 14 B9 button increment the data value. The Yamaha Breath Controller The optional Yamaha BC1 Breath Controller is a unique way of adding expression to the sound as you play the DX21 keyboard. The BC1 is held in the mouth just like the mouthpiece of a wind instrument.
  • Page 15 Data is entered using the DATA ENTRY controls and -1/+1 switches. Once this function is called, subsequent presses on the B10 button increment the data value. B11: BREATH RANGE, AMPLITUDE This function is used to set the maximum depth of LFO amplitude modulation which can be applied using the Breath Controller.

  • Page 16: Tuning Functions

    B15: TRANSPOSE This function permits transposing the pitch of the entire DX21 keyboard up or down two octaves in semitone steps. The data range is from C1 to C5 (C3 is middle C, C2 is one octave lower than middle C, C4 is one octave higher than middle C, etc.). Immediately after this function is called the desired new key can be selected simply by pressing any note on the keyboard between C1 and C5 (within a plus or minus two octave range of middle C).

  • Page 17: Memory Management Functions

    imately 1/4 semitone—is achieved with a setting of 99. The detune effect is produced by simultaneously increasing the pitch of channel A while decreasing the pitch of channel B. Use the DATA ENTRY control or -1/+1 switches to enter the data for this parameter. Once the DUAL MODE DETUNE function is called, subsequent presses on the A2 button increment the data value.
  • Page 18 INITIALIZED VOICE DATA LIST When this function is called the LCD will read “Init. Voice ?“. Confirm your intention to initialize the voice edit buffer by pressing the DATA ENTRY YES button. The DX21 will then ask you to reconfirm your intention to initialize the voice with “Are You Sure ?“.
  • Page 19 Once you have selected the desired ROM memory group, press the DATA ENTRY YES button to go on to the next step. If you press the NO button at this point the display will revert to the “Group to Bank?” stage. If you do press the YES button, the display will prompt you to select the group of 8 memory locations to which you will load the selected ROM voice group—A1 through A8, A9 through A16, B1 through B8, or B9 through B16.
  • Page 20 You can now try out the newly loaded voice. ** Be sure to turn the MEMORY PROTECT function back ON after the load op- e r a t i o n . A13: CASSETTE SAVE/VERIFY This function actually incorporates two “sub-functions” —SAVE and VERIFY. After calling this function, subsequent presses on the B13 button alternate between the SAVE and VERIFY sub- functions.
  • Page 21 A14: CASSETTE LOAD This function loads a complete set of 32 voices from cassette tape into the DX21 RAM voice memory. Before using this function make sure that all cassette con- CHAPTER I: nections have been properly made, as described in SETTING UP.

  • Page 22: Midi Functions

    A16: MEMORY PROTECT This function turns the DX21 MEMORY PROTECT function ON or OFF. When ON, the internal RAM voice memory cannot be altered using the STORE, INTERNAL MEMORY LOAD, or CASSETTE LOAD functions. The MEMORY PROTECT function does not affect the voice edit buffer, so the INIT VOICE, EDIT RECALL, INTERNAL MEMORY LOAD SINGLE, and CASSETTE LOAD SINGLE functions will operate whether MEMORY protect is ON or OFF.
  • Page 23 When this function is called the LCD will read "Midi Transmit ?". Pressing the DATA ENTRY YES button then begins actual transmission of the data. During transmission the LCD will go blank. Transmission takes about two seconds. NOTE: System exclusive communication data is only useable with compatible Yamaha MIDI equipment.

  • Page 24: Chapter Iv: The Performance Memory

    CHAPTER IV: THE PERFORMANCE MEMORY In addition to the DX21’s 32 voice RAM memories and 128-voice ROM memory, 1. Performance the DX21 also features a special 32 performance memory system. This performance memory can be programmed with a voice number or pair of voice numbers (one Memory from each channel), play mode, split mode split key number or dual mode detune Organization...

  • Page 25: Chapter V: Voice Programming

    OPERATORS The Yamaha DX series FM digital synthesizers use pure sine waves that interact to create the full harmonic spectrum for any voice. Each digital sine wave oscillator is combined with its own envelope generator to form an “operator”.
  • Page 26 Operators do not have to be connected “vertically” in a modulator-carrier re- lationship, as shown above. The outputs of two operators can also be mixed—just as the stops in an organ are mixed. In this case the sounds are simply added together with no modulation effect.
  • Page 27 The bottom operator of a stack is called a CARRIER. Any operators which are connected to the carrier’s inputs are called MODULA- TORS. YOU CAN’T HEAR A MODULATOR DIRECTLY, but you hear its effect by listening to the carrier’s altered (modulated) output. A given operator can be either a carrier or a modu- lator: the only difference is...
  • Page 28 Still more variations can be achieved by changing the relative output levels between operators; the greater the level of the modulating operator, the more harmonics are present. FEEDBACK Note that every algorithm has one operator with a “feedback loop”—represented by a line from the output of the operator which feeds back to the input of the same operator.
  • Page 29 Each of the 4 operators available in DX21 can be programmed with its own envelope. The envelope applied to a carrier will, generally, contribute to the overall volume envelope of the note, while an envelope applied to a modulator will contribute to the timbre envelope of the note.

  • Page 30: The Edit And Compare Modes

    To actually program or edit a voice you need to enter the EDIT mode. This is done 2. The EDIT and by pressing the EDIT/COMPARE switch in the group of switches to the left of the LCD panel. COMPARE Modes When the EDIT mode is activated the upper line of the LCD will indicate the currently selected algorithm, the operator ON/OFF status (the group of four 1s or 0s) and the currently selected operator.
  • Page 31 at the top right corner of the LCD: for example, “OP 3”. This only applies to pa- rameters which can be individually programmed for each operator, however, when parameters that affect all operators simultaneously are called (the LFO WAVE, SPEED and DELAY parameters, for example) the current operator display will di- sappear from the LCD and individual operators cannot be selected.
  • Page 32 A8: LFO SPEED Permits setting the speed of the low frequency oscillator. The data range is from 0 to 99. 0 corresponds to the slowest LFO speed (0.06 Hz), and 99 corresponds to the fastest LFO speed (50 Hz). A9: LFO DELAY Permits setting a delay of between 0 and approximately 3 seconds before the LFO modulation effect begins after a key is played.
  • Page 33 A12: LFO SYNC The beginning of the LFO cycle is normally synchronized with key-on timing. This parameter permits turning this synchronization ON or OFF. All operators are affected simultaneously. When this parameter is ON, the LFO cycle always begins from the peak of a positive half-cycle (90 degrees phase angle) when a key is played.
  • Page 34 BIAS is applied to a carrier via the breath controller the result is volume (expression) control, and applied to a modulator the result is brilliance control. The data range is from 0 to 7. At 0 EG BIAS sensitivity is OFF and no EG BIAS effects can be applied to the selected operators.
  • Page 35 including extremely realistic bells, explosions, etc. More even ratios are more useful for creating musical instrument sounds. It is possible to combine a modulator set to a fractional ratio at a low operator level with even-ratio operators to add bite to a string sound and many other effects.
  • Page 36 The following EG curves show the parameters for some common instruments. When creating voices on the DX21 you should apply these EG curves to the carrier operator. B8: OPERATOR OUTPUT LEVEL Permits setting the output level of the selected operator. The data range is from 0 to 99.
  • Page 37 B10: LEVEL SCALING This parameter produces a gradual decrease in note output level towards the right (high) end of the keyboard. Many acoustic instruments exhibit a gradual falloff in level towards the higher notes, and this function can be used to create the most natural overall keyboard response for any particular voice.

  • Page 38: Storing Voice Data

    B16 (FUNCTION MODE): VOICE NAME This function is accessed in the FUNCTION mode—press the FUNCTION button and then the B16 (VOICE NAME) button. The VOICE NAME function can be used to give voices in the voice memory an identifying name. Voice names can be up to 10 characters in length. When this function is called the flashing cursor will appear at the beginning of the voice name entry space on the lower display line, ready for you to enter the first character.

  • Page 39: General Specifications

    GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Keyboard 61 keys, C Sound Source FM Tone Generator: 4 operators x 2 (A,B), 8 Alogorithms Simultaneous Note Output Polyphonic: 8 notes (SINGLE), 4 notes (DUAL), 4 + 4 notes (SPLIT) Monophonic: 1 note (SINGLE, DUAL), 1 + 1 note (SPLIT) Internal Memory 128 ROM voice memory 32 RAM voice memory...

  • Page 40: Midi Data Format

    MIDI DATA FORMAT 1. Transmission Conditions All MIDI data is transmitted when the MIDI ON/OFF function is ON. The MIDI 2. Transmission Data transmission channel is determined by the setting of the MIDI TRNS CH function. 2-1. CHANNEL INFORMATION 2-1-1. Channel Voice Message (1) Key Off Status 1000nnnn...
  • Page 41 (2) Key On n=channel no. Status 1000nnnn 0kkkkkkk k=36(C1) ~ 96(C6) Note no. 01000000 Velocity (3) Control Change 1011nnnn n=channel no. Status 0ccccccc Control no. 0vvvvvvv Control code a) Transmitted whether MIDI CH INFO is ON or OFF Control no. Control code.
  • Page 42 (1) Parameter Change Status 11110000 ID no. 01000011 Substatus/ch. no. 0001nnnn n=channel no. Parameter group no. 00010010 0ppppppp Perameter no. 0ddddddd Data 11110111 This data is transmitted when voice or function parameters are changed in the EDIT or FUNCTION modes. The voice parameters transmitted are those given in voice parameter table 5-2, and the function parameters transmitted are shown in function parameter table 5-3.

  • Page 43: Reception Parameters

    3. Reception Conditions MIDI IN...

  • Page 44: Reception Data

    All MIDI data is received when the MIDI ON/OFF function is ON. When a specific 4. Reception Data MIDI receive channel has been selected using the MIDI RECV CH function, and the OMNI mode is OFF, MIDI data will be received only on the specified channel. MIDI data will be received on all channels when the OMNI mode is ON.
  • Page 45 Function s only on MSB data: 00000000 Lowest value 01000000 Center value 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Highest value 4-1-2. Channel Mode Message Status 1011nnnn n=channel no. 0ccccccc 0vvvvvvv a) Recived whether MIDI CH INFO is ON or OFF C=123 All notes OFF b) Received only when MIDI CH INFO is ON...
  • Page 46 (3) 1 Voice Bulk Data Received only when MIDI SYS INFO is ON. The format is the same as for the transmitted 1 voice bulk data. The 93 voice data bytes are read into the voice edit buffer, replacing the current voice data. The 93 received data bytes are shown in voice parameter table 5-2.

  • Page 47: System Exclusive Data

    5. System Exclusive Data 5-1. VOICE DATA (VMEM format) Parameter no. Parameter ATTACK RATE DECAY 1 RATE DECAY 2 RATE RELEASE RATE DECAY 1 LEVEL O P 4 KEYBOARD SCALING LEVEL AMPLITUDE MODULATION ENABLE/EG BIAS SENSITIVITY/KEY VELOCITY OUTPUT LEVEL OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY KEYBOARD SCALING RATE/DETUNE 1 SAME AS FOR OP4 SAME AS FOR OP4...
  • Page 48 5-2. VOICE PARAMETERS (VCED format) Parameter no. Data Note LCD Display Parameter ATTACK RATE 0 ~31 EG AR DECAY 1 RATE EG D1R 0 ~31 DECAY 2 RATE 0 ~31 EG D2R RELEASE RATE EG RR 0 ~15 DECAY 1 LEVEL EG D1L 0 ~15 KEYBOARD SCALING LEVEL...
  • Page 49 5-3. FUNCTION PARAMETERS Parameter no. Note Parameter LCD Display Data OPERATOR ENABLE/DISABLE 0 ~15 OPETATOR SELECT EDIT MODE 1=ON 0, 1 0 , 1 FUNCTION MODE 1=ON FUNCTION CONTROL STORE MODE 1=ON 0, 1 MEMORY STORE 0 , 1 PLAY DUAL MODE 1=ON PLAY SPLIT MODE 1=ON 0, 1 0, 1...
  • Page 50 [ Digital Programmable Algorithm Synthesiser 3 Date : 3/9, 1985 Model DX21 MIDI Implementation Chart Version : 1 . 2 Transmitted Recognized Remarks Function ... Basic Default 1 - 16 memorized 1 - 1 6 Channel Changed 1 - 1 6 1 - 1 6 Default 1 , 2 , 3 , 4...
  • Page 53 J of part 15 of the measures. If you can not locate a authorized Yamaha combo equipment dealer in your general area contact FCC rules. Those rules are designed to provide a reason- the Combo Service Departments, Yamaha International, able measure of protection against such interference.
  • Page 54 ® YAMAHA DX21 OM Yamaha Corporation of America 6607 Orangethorpe Avenue, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 80622-6600 D X 2 1 O M 9/10/98 29645...

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