About The Sy99: Multi-Timbral Sequencing - Yamaha SY99 Owner's Manual

About the SY99: multi-timbral sequencing

In Multi mode, the SY99 acts as 16 synthesizers, each able to be controlled independently and produce its
own sound. The SY99's built-in 16-track sequencer records and plays back musical data. Each track 1-15
contains an independent musical performance; notes, pitch bends, controller movements, and program
changes. You can create 99 patterns and place them in track 16 (the pattern track). Using the sequencer
together with multi mode lets you use the SY99 to create sixteen-part compositions.
In Multi mode the SY99
is 16 independent
synthesizers
Use the sequencer to play
a multi
Three ways to record —
realtime, punch-in, and
step
16
In Voice mode, the SY99 plays a single voice in response to the notes you play
and the controllers (wheels, foot pedals, etc.) you move. However in Multi
mode, the SY99 acts as 16 completely independent synthesizers, each sounding
a different voice and responding independently to notes and controller move-
ments.
To create multi-part compositions, you will play and record one part at a time
using the SY99 sequencer.
A sequencer is a device that records music, but instead of recording the
sound of a musical performance, a sequencer records the musical data; the pre-
cise timing of the keys you press, program changes, movements of the sustain
pedal, foot controllers, and wheels, etc. When this data is played back, the result
is exactly the same as if you were playing the keys and moving the controllers.
You can record Tracks (musical parts played by one instrument) one at a time,
and then play back all the tracks together.
The SY99 sequencer has 16 tracks, and each track plays the corresponding
channel of a Multi. (A multi can also be played by an external sequencer con -
nected to the MIDI IN terminal, and the sequencer can also transmit data from
MIDI OUT to control external synthesizers.) For example, you might select a
piano voice for channel 1 and record the piano part on track 1, select a strings
voice for channel 2 and record the strings part on track 2, and so on for all six-
teen tracks and voices.
SEQUENCER
Measure 1 2
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
...
Track 16 (pattern track)
The SY99 sequencer lets you record in three ways.
Realtime: In realtime recording, notes and controller movements are
recorded with the exact timing that you play them.
Punch-in: Punch-in recording is like realtime recording, except that the data
is recorded only for the measures you specify. This is useful for fixing minor mis-
takes in an otherwise well-recorded track.
Step: Step recording allows you to enter notes and other data one step at a
time. This allows you to record complex musical phrases that would be impos-
sible for a human to play, and also can be used to edit individual notes that have
already been recorded.
... Each channel in the multi can play a different voice
Piano
Strings
Brass
Percussion
MULTI