DX Simulator Manual Important Notices The DX Simulator provides an easy, intuitive way to edit and create your own original DX voices for the PLG150-DX Advanced DX/TX Plug-in Board. • Do not use any of the panel controls on an external tone generator while editing the DX voices with the DX Simulator, since this may inadvertently change the settings of the PLG150DX. Copyright Notices • The software and this owner’s manual are the exclusive copyrights of Yamaha Corporation.
About the DX Simulator The DX Simulator is providing an exceptionally simple and convenient way to edit and control all of the parameters on the PLG150-DX Advanced DX/TX Plug-in Board — even providing the same control format as used on the original DX7. DX Simulator lets you store your edits as an original Custom voice and save up to 64 Custom voices directly to the PLG150-DX. Naturally, you can save additional sets of 64 Custom voices to floppy disks or your hard disk drive as DX Cartridge Files.
Operations Assigning the PLG150-DX to a Part • The following information pertains only to the Plug-in Editor. In order to play and edit the PLG150-DX, the DX voice must be assigned to a Part on the tone generator/sound card. This can be done from two separate menus on the DX Simulator: the initial Select DX Part pop-up menu (which appears automatically whenever you start the DX Simulator) and DX Simulator Setup.
Operations / Assigning the PLG150-DX to a Part DX Simulator Setup Even after you’ve set the DX Part from the pop-up menu, you can change the setting during an editing session from the DX Simulator Setup dialog box. z Select “DX Simulator Setup.” While the DX Simulator is active and selected, click “Setup” on the menu bar, then select “DX Simulator Setup.” (Keyboard shortcut: [Alt], [U], [U], then [ENTER].) • “DX Simulator Setup” can also be selected from the toolbar. x Select the desired Part.
Operations / Selecting a DX Voice Selecting a DX Voice Selecting a DX voice is the important first step in editing. Once you’ve edited a voice you can store it to the PLG150-DX or save it to a floppy disk/hard disk drive with other voices as a DX Cartridge File. DX voices can be selected from either the Edit Panel window or the Edit List window. • Only Custom voices can be selected in the DX Simulator. • Make sure to store your edits to a voice before selecting another voice.
Operations / Selecting a DX Voice Selecting a Voice From the Edit List Window z Select “DX Voice List.” Click “Edit” on the menu bar, then select “DX Voice List.” (Keyboard shortcut: [Alt], [E], [V].) You can also quickly call up this dialog box by right-clicking any inactive part of the window (on the Macintosh, click while holding the CONTROL key) and clicking “DX Voice List” in the pop-up menu. x Select the desired voice.
Operations / Opening the Various Windows Opening the Various Windows DX Simulator Window This window automatically appears when you open the DX Simulator and serves as the “front end” of the plug-in module. For the most part, no editing functions are available from the DX Simulator window. However, from this window you can: • Audition the currently selected voice by clicking on the keys of the keyboard. • Open a DX Cartridge File by clicking on the cartridge or cartridge slot.
Operations / Opening the Various Windows Edit Panel Window This window provides a “virtual” DX7 panel, and lets you edit the voices much as you would if you were operating the panel controls of an actual DX7 keyboard. (For more information, see Editing a DX Voice and DX Simulator Window.) To call up this window, click anywhere on the panel control area of the DX Simulator window.
Operations / Opening the Various Windows Edit List Window This window provides a comprehensive, at-a-glance display of all DX voice parameters, and allows you to easily change any desired parameter. (For more information, see Editing a DX Voice.) To call up this window, click the DX7 logo in the DX Simulator window. Alternately, click “Edit” on the menu bar, then select “DX Edit List.” (Keyboard shortcut: [Alt], [E], [X].) You can also call it up from the toolbar.
Operations / Opening the Various Windows Selecting a Mode — Play, Edit or Function In the Edit Panel window, you can select from among the three main modes: Play, Edit and Function. • Play Mode In the Play mode, you can: • Select one of the 64 Custom voices. • Play the selected voice (from the connected MIDI keyboard or from the keys in the DX Simulator window). To select the Play mode: Click one of the [MEMORY SELECT] buttons: [1-32] or [33-64].
Operations / Editing a DX Voice Editing a DX Voice z Select the desired voice. Refer to Selecting a DX Voice. x Edit the voice parameters as desired from one of the editing windows: Edit Panel or Edit List. The Edit Panel window provides a “virtual” DX7 panel, and lets you edit the voices much as you would if you were operating the panel controls of an actual DX7 keyboard.
Operations / Editing a DX Voice c Store the edited settings as a Custom voice, then save it with other edited voices as a DX Cartridge File. Use the Store operation to store your newly edited voice. Then use the Save operation to save that edited voice with other Custom voices to a DX Cartridge File. Both the Store and Save operations are necessary to ensure that your voice is saved properly. Failing to do so would be roughly similar to writing a letter but not putting it in an envelope.
Operations / Compare Compare This function lets you switch back and forth between the current edited condition of the voice and its original un-edited condition. This allows you to easily hear and compare the changes you make to a voice with its original condition. Using Compare From the Edit Panel Window z Select the Edit mode. Click the [EDIT/COMPARE] button. x Edit the voice as desired. As soon as any parameter has been edited, a dot appears at the bottom right of the voice number in the LED.
Operations / Compare Using Compare From the Edit List Window z Edit the voice as desired. x Select “DX Compare.” Click “Edit” on the menu bar, then select “DX Compare.” (Keyboard shortcut: [Alt], [E], [C].) You can also quickly use Compare by right-clicking any inactive part of the window (on the Macintosh, click while holding the CONTROL key) and clicking “DX Compare” in the pop-up menu. In the Compare condition, a check appears beside “DX Compare” in the menu.
Operations / Initializing a DX Voice to the Default Settings Initializing a DX Voice to the Default Settings This function allows you to reset all the parameters of the selected voice to the factory “initial voice” default values. This gives you a “blank slate” from which you can create your own voice. The currently selected voice can be initialized from either the Edit Panel window or the Edit List window. Initializing a Voice From the Edit Panel Window z Select the Function mode.
Operations / Initializing a DX Voice to the Default Settings Initializing a Voice From the Edit List Window • Keep in mind that this operation automatically erases all the settings of the selected voice. z Select “DX Voice List.” Click “Edit” on the menu bar, then select “DX Voice List.” (Keyboard shortcut: [Alt], [E], [V].
Operations / Storing a DX Voice Storing a DX Voice This operation lets you store your voice edits as a Custom voice. The currently edited voice can be stored from either the Edit Panel window or the Edit List window. • To ensure that your new voice is available for future recall, make sure to also save the voice (with other voices) to a DX Cartridge File.
Operations / Storing a DX Voice Storing a Voice From the Edit List Window z Select “DX Store.” Click “Edit” on the menu bar, then select “DX Store.” (Keyboard shortcut: [Alt], [E], [S].) You can also quickly call up this dialog box by right-clicking any inactive part of the window (on the Macintosh, click while holding the CONTROL key) and clicking “DX Store” in the pop-up menu. x Select the destination voice. Click on the desired voice in the dialog box. c Store the voice.
Operations / Saving Voices to a DX Cartridge File Saving Voices to a DX Cartridge File Once you’ve edited a DX voice to your satisfaction you can save it to a DX Cartridge File. Each DX Cartridge File can contain up to 64 voices, and these can be called up at any time with the Open function. (Also see Calling Up Voices from a DX Cartridge File.
Operations / Calling Up Voices from a DX Cartridge File (Open) Calling Up Voices from a DX Cartridge File (Open) Once you’ve saved a set of Custom voices to one or more DX Cartridge Files (see Saving Voices), you can instantly call up the desired voices with this command. To create a new DX Cartridge File, use the New DX Cartridge File command. z Select “Open DX Cartridge File.” Click “File” on the menu bar, then select “Open DX Cartridge File.” (Keyboard shortcut: [Alt], [F], [R].
Operations / Inserting Edited Voice Data to a Track / Extracting Edited Voice Data from a Track Inserting Edited Voice Data to a Track • The following information pertains only to the Plug-in Editor. Custom voice data can be inserted to a host application’s track (using Insert DX Bulk Dump Data). By inserting appropriate data at appropriate points in the song, you can have the DX voices change automatically as needed. z Select “Insert DX Bulk Dump Data” from the Setup menu, or from the toolbar.
Operations / Receiving Voice Data from a DX7/DX7II Receiving Voice Data from a DX7/DX7II This operation lets you transfer voice data from a DX7, DX7II or other DX-compatible instrument. A single voice or 32 voices can be received. (See Receive DX Bulk Dump Data). z Select “Receive DX Bulk Dump Data” from the Setup menu. x Select the desired Receive Method (“1 Voice” or “32 Voices”). When “32 Voices” is selected, specify the desired set of voices (“1 - 32,” or “33 - 64”). c Click “Start.
Parameters Most of the DX Simulator parameters for editing the DX voices are contained in the virtual “main control panel” screen. From this main panel, you can also jump to other windows for controlling additional PLG150-DX functions (such as the EditPanel and EditList). Setting and Changing Parameter Values • The conventions described here pertain primarily to the Edit List Window. For information on the controls in the Edit Panel window, see Edit Panel Window / Play and Edit Modes.
Parameters / Setting and Changing Parameter Values • Incrementing/decrementing values Values and settings in the Edit List window can be changed by clicking on the value box, and then dragging the cursor up or down, in the direction of the desired change. To increment or decrement a value, click the right or left mouse button, respectively. Holding down either mouse button continuously increases or decreases through the value.
Parameters / DX Simulator Window DX Simulator Window This is the main control panel for the DX Simulator, and is comprised of the virtual “panel” controls. • Toolbar The toolbar gives you quick access to some important functions and controls. These buttons let you easily execute the desired function without having to select a menu. Save DX Cartridge File This is the same as the corresponding command in the File menu.
Parameters / DX Simulator Window DX Simulator Setup This is the same as the corresponding command in the Setup menu. It lets you make various important settings for configuring the DX Simulator with the PLG150-DX. (See Setup Menus, DX Simulator Setup.) Insert DX Bulk Dump Data (Plug-in Editor only) This is the same as the corresponding command in the Setup menu. It lets you insert the current DX Simulator settings to a specified track/position in the host application song.
Parameters / Edit Panel Window / Play and Edit Modes Edit Panel Window / Play and Edit Modes To select the Play mode, click either one of the [MEMORY SELECT] buttons. To select the Edit mode, click the [EDIT/COMPARE] button. • Volume slider This adjusts the overall output level. • DATA ENTRY slider This is used for making rapid or large changes. Moving it all the way down and up covers the full range available for each parameter.
Parameters / Edit Panel Window / Play and Edit Modes • [OPERATOR SELECT] button This button is used to select the desired operator (1-6) for editing in the Edit mode. Each successive click of the button steps through the available operators. (If an operator is off, it will be unavailable.) The operator number is shown at the top right of the LCD for the appropriate parameters. Currently selected operator (Operator 6).
Parameters / Edit Panel Window / Play and Edit Modes • [1] - [6] OPERATOR ON/OFF-EG COPY (1-6) These buttons have two functions: 1) to turn individual operators on and off while you are programming a voice, and 2) to select the operator to which you wish to copy certain envelope generator (EG) settings. • [7] ALGORITHM This button is used to select the Algorithm parameter. • [8] FEEDBACK This button is used to select the Feedback parameter.
Parameters / Edit Panel Window / Play and Edit Modes • [17] MODE/SYNC These buttons are used to alternately select the Oscillator Mode and Oscillator Sync parameters. • [18] FREQUENCY COARSE This is used to select the Oscillator Frequency Coarse parameter, letting you make large changes in the current operator’s frequency. • [19] FREQUENCY FINE This is used to select the Oscillator Frequency Fine parameter, letting you make small changes in the current operator’s frequency.
Parameters / Edit Panel Window / Play and Edit Modes • [28] KEY VELOCITY SENSITIVITY This is used to select the Operator Velocity Sensitivity parameter. • [29], [30] PITCH EG These buttons are used to select the Pitch EG parameters. • [29] RATE This is used to select the Pitch EG Rate 1 - 4 and Pitch EG Rate Scaling parameters. • [30] LEVEL This is used to select the Pitch EG Level 1 - 4 and Pitch EG Level Range parameters. • [31] KEY TRANSPOSE This is used to select the Key Transpose parameter.
Parameters / Edit Panel Window / Function Mode Edit Panel Window / Function Mode To select the Function mode, click the [FUNCTION] button. • [2] POLY/MONO This is used to select the Poly/Mono parameter. • [3], [4] PITCH BEND These buttons are used to select the Pitch Bend parameters. • [3] RANGE This is used to select the Pitch Bend Range parameter. • [4] STEP This is used to select the Pitch Bend Step parameter. • [5] - [7] PORTAMENTO These buttons are used to select the Portamento parameters.
Parameters / Edit List Window Edit List Window To call up this window, click the DX7 logo in the DX Simulator window. Or click “Edit” on the menu bar, then select “DX Edit List.
Parameters / Parameter Descriptions Parameter Descriptions Algorithm Range: 1 ... 32 This determines the algorithm used for the voice. The algorithm determines how the operators are configured for the voice. The FM synthesis system of the PLG150-DX has 32 of these configurations, called “algorithms.” (Refer to the Algorithm List.) This section displays the signal path, showing which operators are “carriers” and which are “modulators.
Parameters / Parameter Descriptions Voice Name This determines the name of the voice being edited. Up to ten characters can be entered. (In the Edit List window, both uppercase and lowercase letters can be entered.) In the Edit List window: 1) Click on the VOICE NAME box. 2) At the cursor position, type the desired name. Up to ten characters (uppercase or lowercase) can be entered. 3) Store the voice, if desired. In the Edit Panel window: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Click the [EDIT] button to call up the Edit mode.
Parameters / Parameter Descriptions LFO Parameters The LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) parameters are used to regularly modulate the pitch or volume of a voice, letting you create vibrato, tremolo, or “wah” effects. These are also related to the Modulation Sensitivity parameters.
Parameters / Parameter Descriptions • LFO Delay Range: 0 ... 99 This determines the delay time for the LFO, or the amount of time that elapses between the press of a key and onset of the LFO effect. This is useful in producing delayed vibrato or tremolo effects (often used by singers or instrumentalists). Higher values result in a longer delay time. • LFO PMD (Pitch Modulation Depth) Range: 0 ... 99 This determines the amount of Pitch Modulation Depth.
Parameters / Parameter Descriptions • LFO Mode Settings: sngl (single), mult (multi) This determines the operating mode of the LFO; in effect, it determines how many LFOs are used to modulate the voice (when several notes are played simultaneously). When set to “sngl,” a single LFO affects all notes played. In other words, the LFO effect begins when the first key is played, and continues in the same way at the same phase for all subsequent notes.