Yamaha MOX8 Manual
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Yamaha MOX8 Manual

Synthesizer parameter manual
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See also: Reference Manual , Owner's Manual
Synthesizer Parameter Manual
EN
Introduction
This manual explains the parameters and technical terms that are used for synthesizers
incorporating the Yamaha AWM2 sound generators.
You should use this manual together with the documentation unique to the product. Read the
documentation first and use this parameter manual to learn more about parameters and terms
that relate to Yamaha synthesizers. We hope that this manual gives you a detailed and
comprehensive understanding of Yamaha synthesizers.
Information
The contents of this manual and the copyrights thereof are under exclusive ownership by
Yamaha Corporation.
The company names and product names in this manual are the trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
Some functions and parameters in this manual may not be provided in your product.
The information in this manual is current as of October 2010.
EN

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  • Page 1 You should use this manual together with the documentation unique to the product. Read the documentation first and use this parameter manual to learn more about parameters and terms that relate to Yamaha synthesizers. We hope that this manual gives you a detailed and comprehensive understanding of Yamaha synthesizers.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table Of Contents Voice Parameters ........4 Basic Terms .
  • Page 3 2-3-5 E ..........58 2-3-6 F .

  • Page 4: Voice Parameters

    Voice Parameters Voice Parameters Basic Terms 1-1-1 Definitions Voice A Voice is a musical instrument sound that is built into an Electronic Musical Instrument. There are two Voice Types: Normal Voices Drum Voices Normal Voice Normal Voices are mainly pitched musical instrument-type sounds. You can play over the range of the keyboard at the standard pitch for each key.

  • Page 5: Synthesis Parameters

    Voice Parameters Synthesis Parameters 1-2-1 Oscillator An Oscillator outputs the waveform that determines the basic pitch of an Element and is one unit of the tone generator block of the Electronic Musical Instrument. You can: Assign the waveform (or basic sound material) to each Element of a Normal Voice or each key of a Drum Voice;...
  • Page 6 Voice Parameters Waveform Bank Specifies the Waveform Bank of an Element or Drum Key (Drum Voice). Preset User: This lets you create User Waveforms based on samples that are recorded in the Sampling mode. Waveform Category and Specifies the waveform of an Element (Normal Voice) or Drum Key (Drum Number Voice).
  • Page 7 Voice Parameters Velocity Limit Determines the minimum and maximum Velocity values in which an Element responds. Each Element will only sound for notes played between its specified Velocity Limits. For example, this lets you have one Element sound when you play softly and have a different one sound when you play strongly.

  • Page 8: Pitch

    Voice Parameters 1-2-2 Pitch The processing unit that controls the pitch of the wave output from the Oscillator on the tone generator block of the Electronic Musical Instrument. This unit controls the pitch of the sound (wave) output from the Oscillator. In the case of a Normal Voice, you can detune separate Elements, apply Pitch Scaling and so on.

  • Page 9: Pitch Eg (Pitch Envelope Generator)

    Voice Parameters Pitch Key Follow Determines the central note or pitch for Pitch Key Follow. Sensitivity Center Key The note number set here is the same pitch as normal regardless of the Pitch Key Follow setting. – Figure 2: Pitch Key Follow and Center Key Lower range Center Key Higher range...
  • Page 10 Voice Parameters C: Time D: Pitch E: Hold Time F: Attack Time G: Decay 1 Time H: Decay 2 Time Release Time Hold Level K: Attack Level L: Decay 1 Level M: Decay 2 Level = Sustain Level N: Release Level Hold Time Determines the time between the moment you press a key on the keyboard and the moment the envelope starts to rise.
  • Page 11 Voice Parameters EG Depth Velocity Determines how the pitch range of the Element responds to Velocity. Sensitivity Positive values: High Velocities cause the pitch range to expand and low Velocities cause it to contract, as shown in Figure 4. Negative values: High Velocities cause the pitch range to contract and low Velocities cause it to expand.
  • Page 12 Voice Parameters EG Time Velocity Determines how the Pitch EG transition time (speed) responds to Velocity, Sensitivity or to the strength with which the key is pressed. Positive values: High Velocities result in a fast Pitch EG transition speed while low Velocities result in a slow speed, as shown in Figure Negative values: High Velocities result in a slow Pitch EG transition speed while low Velocities result in a fast speed.

  • Page 13: Filter

    Voice Parameters EG Time Key Follow Determines the central note or pitch for the EG Time Key Follow. Sensitivity Center When the Center Key note is played, the Pitch EG behaves according to its actual settings. Figure 9: Pitch EG Time Key Follow and Center Key Center Key Slower Speed Faster Speed...
  • Page 14 Voice Parameters Cutoff Velocity Determines how the Cutoff Frequency responds to Velocity, or the strength Sensitivity with which you play notes. Positive values: The Cutoff Frequency rises the stronger you play the keyboard. Negative values: The Cutoff Frequency rises the softer you play the keyboard.
  • Page 15 Voice Parameters Cutoff Key Follow This indicates the central note for Cutoff Key Follow. Center Key – Figure 10: Cutoff Key Follow and Center Key Lower range Center Key = C3 Higher range Amount of Cutoff Frequency change When Cutoff Key Follow Sensitivity = 100 Large Small Distance...

  • Page 16: Filter Type

    Voice Parameters 1-2-5 Filter Type LPF (Low-Pass This is a Filter Type that only passes signals below the Cutoff Frequency. Filter) The sound can be brightened by raising the Cutoff Frequency of the filter. On the other hand, the sound can be darkened by lowering the Cutoff Frequency of the filter.
  • Page 17 Voice Parameters LPF24D A dynamic -24 dB/oct Low-Pass Filter with a characteristic digital sound. Compared to the LPF24A type, this filter can produce a more pronounced Resonance effect. Figure 12: LPF24D Resonance Frequencies that are “passed” by the filter LPF24A A digital dynamic Low-Pass Filter with characteristics similar to a 4-pole analog synthesizer filter.
  • Page 18 Voice Parameters HPF24D A dynamic -24 dB/oct High-Pass Filter with a characteristic digital sound. This filter can produce a pronounced Resonance effect. Figure 14: HPF24D Resonance HPF12 -12 dB/oct dynamic High-Pass Filter. BPF (Band-Pass A Filter Type that only passes a band of signals around the Cutoff Filter) Frequency.
  • Page 19 Voice Parameters BPF12D The combination of a -12 dB/oct HPF and LPF with a characteristic digital sound. Figure 16: BPF12D Resonance Cutoff Range Frequencies that are “passed” by the filter -12 dB/oct Frequency Level BPF6 The combination of a -6 dB/oct HPF and LPF. Figure 17: BPF6 Resonance Cutoff Range...
  • Page 20 Voice Parameters BPFw A -12 dB/oct BPF that combines HPF and LPF filters to allow wider bandwidth settings. Figure 18: BPFw Width can be increased Cutoff Range Frequencies that are “passed” by the filter Frequency Level BEF (Band-Eliminate The Band-Eliminate Filter has an opposite effect on the sound compared Filter) to the Band-Pass Filter.
  • Page 21 Voice Parameters Dual LPF Two -12 dB/oct Low-Pass Filters connected in parallel. You can edit the distance between the two Cutoff Frequencies. Figure 20: Dual Low-Pass Filters Distance Lower Cutoff Frequency is set directly on the Display Frequency Level Dual HPF Two -12 dB/oct High-Pass Filters connected in parallel.

  • Page 22: Filter Eg (Envelope Generator)

    Voice Parameters LPF12+BPF6 A combination of a -12 dB/oct Low-Pass Filter and a -6 dB/oct Band-Pass Filter connected in parallel. You can edit the distance between the two Cutoff Frequencies. Figure 22: LPF12+BPF6 Distance Lower Cutoff Frequency is set directly on the Display Frequency Level 1-2-6...
  • Page 23 Voice Parameters M: Decay 2 Level = Sustain Level N: Release Level Hold Time Determines the time between the moment you press a key on the keyboard and the moment the envelope starts to rise. Attack Time Determines the speed of attack from the initial Cutoff Frequency (at Hold Level) to the maximum level of the Voice after the Hold Time has elapsed.
  • Page 24 Voice Parameters EG Depth Velocity Determines how the range of the Cutoff Frequency responds to Velocity. Sensitivity Positive values: high Velocities cause the Filter EG range to expand and low Velocities cause it to contract, as shown in Figure 24 and Figure 25.
  • Page 25 Voice Parameters EG Time Velocity Determines how the Filter EG transition time (speed) responds to Velocity, Sensitivity or the strength with which the key is pressed. Positive values: High Velocities result in a fast Filter EG transition speed while low Velocities result in a slow speed, as shown in Figure 27 and Figure 28.

  • Page 26: Filter Scale

    Voice Parameters EG Time Key Follow Determines the central note or pitch for EG Time Key Follow. Sensitivity Center When the Center Key note is played, the Filter EG behaves according to its actual settings. Figure 29: Filter EG Time Key Follow and Center Key Center Key Slower Speed Faster Speed...

  • Page 27: Amplitude

    Voice Parameters Figure 30: Filter Scale A: Break Point 1 B: Break Point 2 C: Break Point 3 D: Break Point 4 X: Note Cutoff Frequency Break Point 1 - 4 Determines the four Filter Scale Break Points by specifying their respective note numbers.
  • Page 28 Voice Parameters Level Velocity Raises or lowers the level specified by the Level Velocity Sensitivity. Sensitivity Offset If the result is higher than 127, the velocity is set to 127. Figure 31: Level Velocity Sensitivity Offset = 0 Figure 32: Level Velocity Sensitivity Offset = 64 Figure 33: Level Velocity Sensitivity Offset = 96 Level Velocity Sensitivity = 0 Level Velocity Sensitivity = 32...
  • Page 29 Voice Parameters Level Velocity Determines how the actual Velocity will be generated according to the Sensitivity Curve Velocity (strength) with which you play notes on the keyboard. Figure 34: Level Velocity Sensitivity Curve Soft Strong High Velocity (Playing strength) Volume Level Key Follow Determines the degree to which the notes (specifically, their position or Sensitivity...
  • Page 30 Voice Parameters Level Key Follow This indicates that the central note for Level Key Follow Sensitivity is C3. Sensitivity Center – Level Key Follow and Center Key Figure 35: Lower range Center Key = C3 Higher range Amount of Amplitude EG level change When Level Key Follow = 100 Large Small...

  • Page 31: Amplitude Eg (Envelope Generator)

    Voice Parameters 1-2-9 Amplitude EG (Envelope Generator) This lets you control the transition in Amplitude from the moment the sound starts until the moment the sound stops. You can create a custom Amplitude EG by setting parameters as illustrated below. When you press a key on the keyboard, the volume will change according to these EG settings.
  • Page 32 Voice Parameters Half Damper Switch Determines if the Half Damper is switched on. When the Half Damper Switch is set to On, holding down the FC3 Foot Controller produces a "half-pedal" effect just as on a real acoustic piano. Half Damper Time Determines how quickly the sound decays to silence after the key is released while holding down the Foot Controller FC3 with the Half Damper Switch set to On.

  • Page 33: 1-2-10 Amplitude Scale

    Voice Parameters EG Time Key Follow Determines the central note for EG Time Key Follow Sensitivity. Sensitivity Center When the Center Key note is played, the AEG behaves according to its actual settings. Figure 39: Amplitude EG Time Key Follow and Center Key Center Key Slower Speed Faster Speed...

  • Page 34: Lfo (Low-Frequency Oscillator)

    Voice Parameters Figure 40: Amplitude Scale A: Break Point 1 B: Break Point 2 C: Break Point 3 D: Break Point 4 X: Note Amplitude Break Point 1 - 4 Determines the four Amplitude Scale Break Points by specifying their respective note numbers.
  • Page 35 Voice Parameters Phase Determines the starting phase point for the LFO Wave when it is reset. Figure 41: Phases of a wave Phase Time Level Tempo Sync Determines whether or not the LFO speed is synchronized to the tempo of the Arpeggio or sequencer (Song or Pattern).
  • Page 36 Voice Parameters Each-on: The LFO resets with each note you play and starts a waveform at the phase specified by the Phase parameter. Figure 43: Key On Reset Each-on Key On (first note) Key On (second note) Time 1st-on: The LFO resets with each note you play and starts a waveform at the phase specified by the Phase parameter.
  • Page 37 Voice Parameters Fade-In Time Determines the amount of time for the LFO effect to fade in after the Delay time has elapsed. A higher value results in a slower fade-in. 0: The LFO effect will not fade in but reach the maximum level immediately after the Delay time has elapsed.
  • Page 38 Voice Parameters Hold (Hold Time) Determines the time during which the LFO is held at its maximum level. A higher value results in a longer Hold Time. 127: No fade-out. Figure 47: Hold Time Key On Maximum Hold Time...
  • Page 39 Voice Parameters Fade-Out Time Determines the amount of time for the LFO effect to fade out (after the Hold Time has elapsed). A higher value results in a slower fade-out. Figure 48: Lower value: faster fade-out Figure 49: Higher value: slower fade-out Key On Maximum Hold...
  • Page 40 Voice Parameters Control Depth Determines the LFO Wave Depth. LFO Element Switch Determines whether or not each Element is to be affected by the LFO. Depth Offset Determines the offset values of the Control Depth parameter for the respective Elements. If the resultant Control Depth value is negative, it will be set to 0.

  • Page 41: Operational Parameters

    Voice Parameters Operational Parameters 1-3-1 General Voice Bank The Voice Bank is the memory that includes data of Normal Voices and Drum Voices. Category The keyword Category indicates the instrument characteristics or the type of sound. A Preset Voice is registered to a certain Category. Assignable Function Determines whether the buttons ASSIGNABLE FUNCTION [1] and 1 Mode and...

  • Page 42: Portamento

    Voice Parameters Mono/Poly Selects monophonic or polyphonic. Mono: The selected Voice is played back monophonically; only a single note is played back simultaneously. Poly: The selected Voice is played back polyphonically; multiple notes or chords can be played back simultaneously. For many instrument sounds (such as bass and synth lead), Mono allows a more natural and smooth sounding legato performance than Poly.

  • Page 43: Micro Tuning List

    Voice Parameters 1-3-4 Micro Tuning List Equal Temperament The "compromise" tuning used for most of the last 200 years of Western music, and found on most electronic keyboards. Each half step is exactly 1/12 of an octave, and music can be played in any key with equal ease.

  • Page 44: Arpeggio

    Voice Parameters 1-3-5 Arpeggio This function lets you automatically trigger musical and rhythmic phrases using the current Voice by simply pressing a key or keys on the keyboard. The Arpeggio sequence changes in response to the actual notes or chords you play, giving you a wide variety of inspiring musical phrases and ideas, both in composing and performing.
  • Page 45 Voice Parameters Key Mode Determines how the Arpeggio plays back when playing the keyboard. Sort: When you play specific notes (for example, the notes of a chord), the same sequence plays, no matter what order you play the notes. Thru: When you play specific notes (for example, the notes of a chord), the resulting sequence differs depending on the order of the notes.
  • Page 46 Voice Parameters Velocity Rate Determines how much the Velocity of Arpeggio playback is offset from the original value. 100%: The original Velocities are used. Below 100%: Reduces the Velocities of the Arpeggio notes. Above 100%: Increases the Velocities. If the resulting Velocity value is 0, it will be set to 1. If the resulting Velocity value is greater than 127 it will be set to 127.

  • Page 47: Controller Set

    Voice Parameters Random SFX Determines the offset value by which the Random SFX notes will be Velocity Offset shifted from their original Velocities. If the resulting Velocity is 0, it will be set to 1. If the resulting Velocity is greater than 127, it will be set to 127. Random SFX Key On Defines the way in which the Velocity of the Random SFX special sound Control...

  • Page 48: Effect

    Voice Parameters 1-3-7 Effect The Effect unit applies Effects to the output of the tone generator block and audio input block, processing and enhancing the sound. Effects are applied in the final stages of editing, letting you change the sound of the created Voice as desired. The unprocessed sound is called "dry"...
  • Page 49 Voice Parameters Insertion Effect Lets you set the effect routing for Insertion Effects A and B. Connection Parallel: Signals processed with the Insertion Effect A and B blocks are sent to the Master Effect, Master EQ, Reverb and Chorus blocks. Figure 51: Insertion Effect Connection Parallel Ins A>B: Signals processed with the Insertion Effect A are sent to the Insertion Effect B and signals processed with the Insertion Effect B...

  • Page 50: Eq (Equalizer)

    Voice Parameters Chorus to Reverb Determines the Send level of the signal sent from the Chorus Effect to the Reverb Effect. The higher the value, the deeper the Reverb that is applied to the Chorus processed signal. Reverb Return Determines the Return level of the Reverb Effect. Chorus Return Determines the Return level of the Chorus Effect.
  • Page 51 Voice Parameters A parameter that determines the EQ bandwidth, or range of frequencies, to be attenuated/boosted. Consequently, this parameter determines the frequency characteristic curve. The Q setting is only available for the Mid band, which is a Peaking type EQ. The EQ Shape of the High and Low band is of the Shelving type.

  • Page 52: Effects

    REV-X REV-X is a Reverb algorithm developed by Yamaha. It provides a high- density, richly reverberant sound quality, with smooth attenuation, spread and depth that work together to enhance the original sound.

  • Page 53: Chorus

    Effects TEMPO DELAY Tempo-synchronized Mono delay. MONO TEMPO DELAY Tempo-synchronized Stereo delay. STEREO CONTROL DELAY Delay with delay time that is controllable in real time. DELAY LR Produces two delayed sounds: L and R. DELAY LCR Produces three delayed sounds: L, R and C (center). DELAY LR (Stereo) Produces two delayed sounds in stereo: L and R.

  • Page 54: Tremolo & Rotary

    Effects 2-2-6 Tremolo & Rotary The Tremolo effect cyclically modulates the volume. The Rotary Speaker effect simulates the characteristic vibrato effect of a rotary speaker. AUTO PAN An effect which cyclically moves the sound left/right and front/back. TREMOLO An effect which cyclically modulates the volume. ROTARY SPEAKER Simulation of a rotary speaker.

  • Page 55: 2-2-10 Lo-Fi

    Effects 2-2-10 Lo-Fi This Effect intentionally degrades the audio quality of the input signal via several methods such as lowering the sampling frequency. LO-FI Degrades the audio quality of the input signal to get a lo-fi sound. NOISY Adds noise to the current sound. DIGITAL Simulates the noise of an analog record.

  • Page 56: Effect Parameters

    Effects Effect Parameters 2-3-1 AEG Phase Offsets the phase of the Amplitude EG. AM Depth Determines the depth of Amplitude Modulation. AM Inverse R Determines the phase of the Amplitude Modulation for the R channel. AM Speed Determines the Amplitude Modulation speed. AM Wave Selects the wave for modulating the Amplitude.
  • Page 57 Effects Comp Output Level Determines the level of the signal output from the compressor effect. Control Type This is a parameter of Control Delay. Normal: The delay effect is always applied to the sound. Scratch: The delay effect is not applied if both the Delay Time and Delay Time Offset are set to 0.
  • Page 58 Effects Divide Type Determines how the sound (wave) is sliced by the note length. Drive Determines the extent of a series of specific effects. For the distortion, noisy or slice effects, this parameter determines the extent to which the sound is distorted. For one of the Miscellaneous effects, this parameter determines the extent to which the enhancer or talking modulator is applied.
  • Page 59 Effects EQ2 Q Determines the EQ2 bandwidth, or range of EQ2 frequencies. EQ3 Frequency Determines the center frequency of the EQ3. EQ3 Gain Determines the level gain of the EQ3 center frequency. EQ3 Q Determines the EQ3 bandwidth, or range of EQ3 frequencies. EQ4 Frequency Determines the center frequency of the EQ4.
  • Page 60 Effects 2-3-7 Gate Switch Determines whether or not the microphone sound is output from the HPF while you release the keys. Off: The microphone sound is always output. On: The microphone sound is output only while a key is pressed. Normally, set this parameter to On.
  • Page 61 Effects Input Select Selects an input channel. Inst Input Level Determines the level of the keyboard performance sound which is to be input to the Vocoder. 2-3-10 L L/R Depth Determines the depth of the L/R pan effect. L/R Diffusion Determines the spread of the sound.
  • Page 62 Effects 2-3-11 M Manual Determines a specific value, depending on the selected Effect type. For VCM Flanger, this parameter determines the offset value of the delay modulation. For VCM Phaser mono and VCM Phaser stereo, this parameter determines the offset value of the phase modulation. Meter Changes the meter.
  • Page 63 Effects 2-3-12 N Noise Gate Attack Determines the amount of time that elapses between the playing of a key and the start of the Noise Gate effect. Noise Gate Release Determines the amount of time that elapses between the releasing of a note and the end of the Noise Gate effect.
  • Page 64 Effects Pedal Control When VCM Pedal Wah is selected, this parameter determines the Cutoff Frequency of the wah filter. For best results, assign this parameter to the Foot Controller in the Controller Set display, then use the Foot Controller to control this parameter.
  • Page 65 Effects Slow-Fast Time of Determines how long it takes for the rotation speed of the horn to change Horn from the current speed (slow or fast) to the other one (fast or slow) when the rotation speed is switched. Slow-Fast Time of Determines how long it takes for the rotation speed of the rotor to change Rotor from the current speed (slow or fast) to another one (fast or slow) when the...

  • Page 66: Midi

    MIDI MIDI Overview 3-1-1 About MIDI MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard that allows electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other, by sending and receiving compatible types of MIDI data or messages. The types of MIDI data include Note, Control Change, Program Change and various other types.

  • Page 67: Midi Ports

    MIDI Figure 57: MIDI Cable A: MIDI Transmit channel 2 B: MIDI cable C: MIDI Receive channel 2 3-1-3 MIDI ports The above-mentioned sixteen-channel limit can be overcome by using separate MIDI "ports," each supporting sixteen channels. While a single MIDI cable is equipped to handle data over up to sixteen channels simultaneously, a USB connection is capable of handling far more, thanks to the use of MIDI ports.

  • Page 68: Channel Messages

    MIDI Channel Messages 3-2-1 Note On/Off Messages which are generated when the keyboard is played: Note On: Generated when a key is pressed. Note Off: Generated when a key is released. Each message includes a specific note number, which corresponds to the key that is pressed, plus a Velocity value based on how hard the key is struck.
  • Page 69 MIDI Portamento Time Messages that control the duration of portamento, or a continuous pitch (Control #5) glide between successively played notes. 127: Maximum portamento time. 0: Minimum portamento time. When the parameter Portamento Switch (Control #65) is set to On, the value set here can adjust the speed of the pitch change.
  • Page 70 MIDI Harmonic Content Messages that adjust the filter Resonance set for each part. (Control #71) The value set here is an offset value which will be added to or subtracted from the Voice data. Release Time Messages that adjust the Amplitude EG Release Time set for each part. (Control #72) This is an offset that is added to or subtracted from the Voice data.

  • Page 71: Channel Mode Message

    MIDI Table 3: RPN Parameter List Parameter Data Entry Function Name (Range) Pitch Bend 000 - 024 - Specifies the amount of pitch bend Sensitivity produced in response to pitch bend data in semitone increments. Fine Tune -64 - +63 Adjusts the tuning in cent increments.

  • Page 72: System Messages

    MIDI System Messages 3-3-1 System Exclusive Messages Changes internal tone generator settings such as Voice and effect settings, remote switch control, tone generator more switching, and others via MIDI. The Device Number of the synthesizer must match the Device Number of the external MIDI device when transmitting/receiving bulk data, parameter changes or other System Exclusive Messages.
  • Page 73 MIDI Stop (FCH) This message causes MIDI sequence data (song) to stop playing back. This message will be transmitted when pressing the [ ] (Stop) button during playback. Active Sensing (FEH) This is a type of MIDI message used to prevent unexpected results when a MIDI cable is disconnected or damaged while the instrument is being played.
  • Page 74 Yamaha Web Site (English only) http://www.yamahasynth.com Yamaha Manual Library http://www.yamaha.co.jp/manual/ U.R.G., Digital Musical Instruments Division ©2011 Yamaha Corporation...

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