Yamaha Vocal Harmony Plug-in Board PLG100-VH Owner’s Manual 1
Precautions ● Do not expose the plug-in board to direct sunlight, excessive humidity, high temperatures, excessive dust or strong vibrations. ● Before handling the plug-in board, be sure to touch a metal surface to discharge any static electricity which may be in your body. ● When holding the plug-in board, do not touch the inside area of the circuit board or apply excessive pressure to the board, and be sure to protect the board from contact with water or other liquids.
Introduction Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Yamaha PLG100-VH Vocal Harmony Plug-in Board! The PLG100-VH is designed for use with the MU128 Tone Generator (as well as other MU-series instruments and the SW1000XG PCI Audio/MIDI Card), providing automatic and authentic sounding vocal harmony effects. It takes the sound of your voice (via a microphone and one of the A/D inputs) and reproduces it as a harmony vocal — providing up to four-part harmonies, including your original voice.
About the PLG100-VH Overview of the PLG100-VH The PLG100-VH provides a sophisticated harmony effect that takes the sound of your voice (via a microphone and the A/D inputs) and reproduces it as a harmony vocal, providing up to four-part harmonies (including your original voice). Once it is connected, the PLG100-VH automatically becomes another effect block (Harmony) in the tone generator/sound card, and can be applied to one of the Parts.
About the PLG100-VH Required and Recommended Items In addition to the included items listed above, you should also have the following: • An XG tone generator/sound card compatible with the XG Plug-in System In order to use the PLG100-VH, you’ll need an XG tone generator or sound card that is compatible with the XG Plug-in System. Compatible instruments include the MU128, MU100, and the SW1000XG. The tone generator/sound card should also have an available slot or space for installing the PLG100-VH.
About the PLG100-VH Troubleshooting If the harmony effect does not function properly or cannot be heard, check the following points: Is an appropriate XG tone generator/sound card connected to a sequencer or computer? • Refer to the relevant “Setting Up” instructions in the owner’s manual of the tone generator/sound card. Is the HOST SELECT switch set properly? • Refer to the relevant “Setting Up” instructions in the owner’s manual of the tone generator/sound card.
Effect Connection and Harmony Types The PLG100-VH functions as an Insertion effect as the following illustration. The bold lines are stereo lines. Insertion1 is valid for only one part. insertion1 part Insertion2 is valid for only one part. insertion2 part VH insertion is valid for only one part. VH insertion part Variation is valid for only one part.
Using the Harmony Effect This section guides you through the steps of setting up and using the Harmony effect. Since the PLG100-VH functions as an Insertion effect, it can be edited in the same fashion as the other Insertion effects in the XG tone generator. • Keep in mind that actual operation procedures may differ depending on which XG device you are using, the MU128 or SW1000XG. In general, the instructions below assume you are using the MU128.
Using the Harmony Effect C Set the Harmony Channel (Utility mode). This determines the MIDI receive channel for the Harmony effect, and should be set to the same value as set for the MIDI device in step #1 above. Harmony Channel is set in the Utility mode. (For more information on the Utility mode and its parameters, see page 24.) To do this: 1) Select the Utility mode. (Press the [UTIL] button.) 2) Select the “PLUGIN” menu. (Use the [SELECT [ENTER] button.
Using the Harmony Effect 2) Select the “PLG” menu. (Use the [SELECT the [ENTER] button.) ] button if necessary, and press 3) At the “PLG100-VH” (Harmony) menu, press [ENTER] again. 4) Assign the Insert Part parameter to the desired A/D Input. Use the [SELECT ] button to select “Ins Part” (Insert Part), then use the [VALUE / ] buttons to set the value to “AD01” (Input 1) as needed. B Set the Harmony Type.
About the VH Effect Editor in XGworks All of the settings and parameters of the PLG100-VH can be easily edited from a computer by using the VH Effect Editor software module (included in the optional XGworks or XGworks lite Music Sequencer software). The VH Effect Editor gives you convenient at-a-glance view of all Harmony effect parameters, and lets you easily edit them by typing in values on the computer keyboard or dragging the mouse.
Harmony Parameters Path [EFFECT] button → “PLG” → “PLG100-VH” These parameters control the Harmony effect. Other Harmony parameters not included in this section are set in the System section (page 24). For general information on the Harmony effect and how to use it, see page 8. Since the available parameters depend on which Harmony Type is selected, separate parameter charts are given for each of the four types: Vocoder, Chordal, Detune, and Chromatic.
Harmony Parameters Vocoder Harmony Parameters The Vocoder type produces up to three harmony notes whose pitches correspond to the notes you play on a connected MIDI keyboard. In other words, you can sing the melody and “play” the harmony or harmonies from the keyboard (or from a sequencer). The Harmony sound can also be transposed (see the Mode parameter below). • When more than four MIDI notes are received, priority is given first to the most recently played notes, then the highest notes.
Harmony Parameters ■ Parameter Descriptions .................................................................. 1. Mode • no trans No transposition. The harmony notes correspond exactly to the pitch of the incoming MIDI notes. • auto trans Automatic transposition of the harmony notes. This keeps the harmony notes close (around the same octave register; ±600 cents) to the input signal, no matter which octave the MIDI notes are played.
Harmony Parameters 3. Lead Gender Type (L.GendrTyp) Settings: off, unis (unison), male, fem. (female) The PLG100-VH also produces a “lead” voice sound that can be mixed with harmony notes. These settings determine whether the gender of the lead voice can be changed or not. It also lets you set the gender. When this is set to “off,” the gender of the lead voice cannot be changed.
Harmony Parameters 4. Lead Gender Depth (L.GendrDpt) Range: -64 — +63 This determines the quality or character of the lead voice, and depends on the setting made in Lead Gender Type above. (This parameter has no effect when Lead Gender Type is set to “off.”) Extreme negative or positive values result in pronounced distortion of the voice quality. Also, the effect may vary according to the quality, character and pitch of the actual voice.
Harmony Parameters 7. Auto Lower Gender Threshold (Not selectable from MU128 panel controls.) Range: 0 - 12 (semitones) This determines which harmony notes below the melody will be gender-transformed when Harmony Gender Type is set to “Auto.” More specifically, it sets the range or interval of unchanged harmonies. When set to “0,” the gender of all harmony notes below the melody will be changed. When set to another value, any harmonies within the interval specified will not be changed.
Harmony Parameters 10. Lead/Harmony Balance (Lead/Harm) Range: L63>H (maximum lead level) — L=H (equal level) — LH” or more). 11. Vibrato Depth (Not selectable from MU128 panel controls.) Range: 0 — 127 This determines the depth of the Vibrato effect on the harmony notes and the lead note.
Harmony Parameters Chordal Harmony Parameters The Chordal type produces up to three harmony notes that correspond to the chords you play on a connected MIDI keyboard (or chords recorded to a sequencer). For example, if you play a C major triad on the keyboard (with Chordal Mode set to “trio”) and sing a C note, the resulting harmonies will be C, E, and G.
Harmony Parameters ■ Parameter Descriptions .................................................................. 1. Mode • duet above Produces one harmony note, in a pitch above the lead note. • duet below Produces one harmony note, in a pitch below the lead note. • duet abv+b (duet above + bass) Produces two harmony notes — one in a pitch above the lead note, and one an octave below the other harmony. (The “+b” in the type name stands for “added bass note.
Harmony Parameters Detune Harmony Parameters The Detune type produces a slightly “detuned” pitch and mixes it with the input signal for a rich chorusing effect. The amount of the detuning is set in the Mode parameter (below). MIDI note data from a keyboard or sequencer has no effect in this type. ■ Parameter List ................................................................................. No.
Harmony Parameters Chromatic Harmony Parameters The Chromatic type produces a harmony at a fixed pitch interval from the original sound (such as an octave, or a third). The amount and direction of the pitch shift is set in the Mode parameter (below). MIDI note data from a keyboard or sequencer has no effect in this type. ■ Parameter List ................................................................................. No.
Harmony Parameters • unison Produces a “harmony” note at the same pitch as the input note. (This can be clearly distinguished from the original signal by changing the Harmony Gender Type; see page 14.) • 3rd above Produces a major third harmony note in the same octave as the input note. (Harmony is transposed four semitones up.) • 5th above Produces a perfect fifth harmony note in the same octave as the input note. (Harmony is transposed seven semitones up.
Harmony System Parameters Path [UTILITY] button → “PLUGIN” → “PLG100-VH” The System section of parameters provide a variety of additional settings for the Harmony effect, including MIDI channel settings for the harmony and melody, as well as independent volume, pan, and detune controls for each harmony note. For general information on the Harmony effect and how to use it, see page 8.
Appendix XG Effect Map UNIQUE INSERTION EFFECT (HARMONY) TYPE TYPE MSB TYPE LSB DEC HEX 00 01 000 0 THRU : : : 088 58 THRU 089 59 VOCODER HARMONY 090 5A CHORDAL HARMONY 091 5B DETUNE HARMONY 092 5C CHROMATIC HARMONY 093 5D THRU : : : 127 7F THRU 02 ...
Appendix MIDI Data Format 1. Channel Messages 1.1 Note on/note off 9n kk vv note on message For Vocoder harmony, used to specify the pitch to be sounded. For Chordal harmony, used to detect chords. note off message 8n 9n kk kk n kk vv vv 00 : MIDI channel : note number : velocity Harmony ch O Melody ch O O O Velocity values are ignored. For the Harmony channel, processing will be follows. 1) For Vocoder harmony, these messages will specify the pitch to be sounded.
Appendix 02 18 mm Harmony 3 Volume mm : 00 - 127 (0...127) O X The following NRPN numbers independently control the panning of each harmony note. The currently-sounding harmony notes are numbered sequentially beginning from the lowest note. When the value is 0, panning will be random. For random panning with Vocoder harmony, the pan position will change at each key-on. For random panning with Chordal harmony, the pan position will change whenever the chord changes.
Appendix 2.4 XG bulk dump format F0 43 0n 4C bb bb aa aa aa dd ... dd cc F7 This message sends and receives parameters from tables 1 and 2 as independent blocks (parameters are combined as a TOTAL SIZE unit). n bb aa dd cc 2.5 : : device number address (only top of parameters in TABLE1 can be selected) XG parameter request format F0 43 3n 4C aa aa aa F7 This message sends parameter changes after receiving a send request for a parameter unit from table 1. n aa 2.7 device number byte count (dd...
Appendix TABLE1 XG PARAMETER CHANGE TABLE ( UNIQUE EFFECT) Address Size Data Parameter (H) (H) (H) 04 n 00 2 00 - 7F UNIQUE INSERTION EFFECT TYPE MSB 00 - 7F UNIQUE INSERTION EFFECT TYPE LSB 02 1 00 - 7F UNIQUE INSERTION EFFECT PARAMETER1 03 1 00 - 7F UNIQUE INSERTION EFFECT PARAMETER2 04 1 00 - 7F UNIQUE INSERTION EFFECT PARAMETER3 05 1 00 - 7F UNIQUE INSERTION EFFECT PARAMETER4 06 1 00 - 7F UNIQUE INSERTION EFFECT PARAMETER5 07 1 00 - 7F UNIQUE INSERTION EFFECT PARAMETER6 08 1 00 - 7F UNIQUE INSERTION EFF
Change Control 6 64 98-99 100-101 Key's Ch's After Touch Pitch Bend Note ON Note OFF x x x x x x x x x x : True voice ************** Velocity Note Number x x Default Messages Altered Mode ************** x x Default Changed Basic Channel Transmitted o o o o o 0-24 semi x x x x 0 - 127 0 - 127 3 x x off 1 - 16 Recognized [ Vocal Harmony Plug-in Board ] Model PLG100-VH MIDI Implementation Chart Function...
: True # Mode 1 : OMNI ON , POLY Mode 3 : OMNI OFF, POLY All Sound Off Reset All Cntrls Local ON/OFF All Notes OFF Active Sense Reset x x x x x x : : : : Mes- : sages: Notes: Aux x x x x x : Song Pos. : Song Sel.
