YAMAHA AUTHORIZED PRODUCT MANUAL DIGITAL RHYTHM PROGRAMMER
YAMAHA DIGITAL RHYTHM PROGRAMMER OWNER’S MANUAL
FCC INFORMATION (USA) While the following statements are provided to comply with FCC Regulations in the United States, the corrective measures listed below are applicable worldwide. This series of Yamaha professional music equipment uses frequencies that appear in the radio frequency range and if installed in the immediate proximity of some types of audio or video devices (within three meters), interference may occur.
Congratulations on your purchase of a Yamaha RX17 Digital Rhythm Programmer! Your RX17 has been developed through over a century of Yamaha research and design, and features advanced microcomputer control plus high-quality digital percussion sounds, virtually indistinguishable from live instruments. We suggest you read this manual carefully while operating the RX17. All operations, “Modes”, “Functions” and “Jobs” are numbered for rapid reference.
4.0 CASSETTE MODE INTRODUCTION – HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL 23 2 4.1 SAVE 4.2 LOAD 4.3 VERIFY 23 24 24 PRECAUTIONS 3 5.0 MIDI MODE 25 1.0 BASIC OPERATIONS 4 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 25 25 26 26 26 27 27 28 CONTROL PANEL 1 REAR PANEL/CONNECTIONS 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.
11 1. MASTER VOLUME slider control. 5. CASSETTE MODE key. 2. TEMPO slider control. 6 . MIDI MODE key. 10. 3. PATTERN MODE key. 7. JOB key. 11. STOP/CONTINUE key. 4. SONG MODE key. 8. Numeric Key Pad. 12. START key. 9. –1/NO and +1/YES keys. keys. 13. INSTRUMENT keys. 14. ACCENT key. 15. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
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3 Avoid placing the RX17 in locations exposed to direct sunlight or high temperatures, excessively high or low humidity, high dust concentration, or vibration. Be sure to connect the RX17 to an AC power supply that meets the power supply specifications listed on the accompanying PA-1 12-volt AC convertor. If there is any possibility of an electrical storm occurring nearby, remove the power plug from the wall socket in advance.
4 1.1 SETTING UP 1. Connect the PA-1 AC convertor to the RX17 first, then to the AC power supply. 2. To hear the RX17, do one of the following: A. Connect stereo headphones to the PHONES connector. B. Connect the L(MONO) output to an amplifier, for mono playback. C. Connect the R and L(MONO) outputs to a stereo amplifier or mixer, for stereo playback. 3. Turn the RX17 power ON. NOTE: A brief output pulse appears at the RX17 outputs when the power is initially turned on.
5 1.3.2 SINGLE lNSTRUMENT CHANGE 1.4.1 CLICK LEVEL 1. Press INST CHANGE 1. Press LEVEL 2. Press the key corresponding to the instrument you wish to change. 2. Use the –1 NO key to reduce the Click level, or the +1 YES key to increase the Click level. RANGE: 0 (OFF)–31. 3. Press LEVEL again to return to the mode the RX17 was in before the Click Level operation. 1.4.2 INSTRUMENT LEVEL 3. Press the same instrument key again to change the instrument. 1. Press LEVEL 4.
6 2. Press and hold the green ACCENT key and then press the instrument key corresponding to the instrument whose Accent level you wish to change. 1.6.1 INSTRUMENT PAN 1. Press PAN 3. Use the –1 NO or +1 YES key to change the Accent level. RANGE: ±31. 4. Press LEVEL again to return to the mode the RX17 was in before the Accent Level operation.
7 On the RX17, a “Pattern” means a one bar sequence, which repeats when you play it back. You “write” (enter) each note of a Pattern, by pressing the instrument keys. Pattern Writing can be done in two ways: Real Time (see 2.2) or Step Write (see 2.3). The Quantize feature allows you to set the “fineness” of Pattern Writing, i.e., the shortest notes that may be written (see 6.2.2. and 6.2.3 for a full explanation of Quantize). The RX17 lets you create up to 100 Patterns, numbered 00 thru 99.
8 2. To stop play, press STOP/CONTINUE. 2.2 REAL TIME WRITE This is the first of two ways of writing Patterns on the RX17. It lets you “play” a Pattern on the instrument keys, while listening to a click guide. You can add instruments and rhythms until the Pattern is complete. The advantage of this method is that you can actually hear the Pattern being built up as you write it, as opposed to Step Write, where a Pattern is built up without hearing it. 3.
9 2.2.3 SETTING QUANTIZE Quantize when used in Real Time Write is an automatic timing correction device. Any notes you play that do not fall exactly on the beat are moved to the nearest beat. For example, if you set Quantize to 1/16, all notes played will be moved to the nearest 16th note. This is a convenient way of creating timing-perfect Patterns. Quantize is set as follows: 1. After setting the Pattern Length, press to move the cursor to “2”. 4.
10 2.3.2 SETTING PATTERN LENGTH 2A. Enter a note by tapping the HH CLOSED key. An accented note can be entered by holding down the green ACCENT key while pressing HH CLOSED. The note will be shown in the form of a Note Marker. The cursor will move to the next beat. See operation 2.2.2. 2.3.3 SETTING QUANTIZE In the Step Write mode, Quantize allows you to set the minimum note length that can be entered.
11 You can edit (alter) the Accent Level of the note at which the cursor is flashing. This in effect allows you alter the level of each note, to add expressive dynamics to your Patterns. 2.3.6 DELETING NOTES Notes can be deleted (erased) by stepping through a Dot Display until you locate the erroneous note, then holding the BEAT CLEAR key, and tapping the appropriate instrument key. The Note Marker will disappear, and the cursor will move to the next beat.
12 2. Press +1 YES to continue this operation. (Or press PATTERN to return to the Select Pattern display, if you do NOT wish to clear the Pattern). then return to the Select Pattern display. 3. Press +1 YES to clear the selected Pattern (or press –1 NO to cancel this operation). The LCD will show then return to the Select Pattern display. 2.6 COPY PATTERN The Pattern Copy function lets you copy any selected Pattern to another destination in the RX17’s Pattern memory.
13 then return to the Select Pattern display. 2.7 SHOW REMAINING MEMORY This function allows you to check the remaining Pattern memory of the RX17, as a percentage of its total Pattern memory capacity. Press PATTERN and select Function 7.
14 The function of the Song Mode is to allow you to connect different Patterns in order to form a drum sequence for an entire song or piece of music. The RX17 lets you create up to 10 Songs, numbered 0 thru 9. Each Song can contain up to 999 Parts, and the maximum number of Parts of all 10 Songs combined is 1200. A Part can contain not only a Pattern, but also a Repeat Command, a Tempo Change or a Volume Change.
15 3. To restart play, press START to play from the beginning of the Song, or STOP/ CONTINUE, to play from the point at which play was stopped. If you stopped play during a repeat section, the repeat command will be ignored when you continue play. If you stopped play in the middle of a Pattern, pressing –1 NO or +1 YES before pressing the STOP/CONTINUE key will cause play to restart from the beginning of the previous Pattern, or the beginning of the next Pattern, respectively.
16 The LCD shows the first Part of the Song. The asterisks indicate that the Part is empty. The flashing cursor indicates that you can enter data. The flashing “PTN” indicates that the type of data you can enter is a Pattern number. NOTE 1: There are square brackets around “PTN”, as a further reminder that you can now enter a Pattern. By moving these brackets, you can enter other types of data.
17 2. Press +1 YES to enter a begin Repeat command. The LCD will automatically move to the next Part. Continue editing (entering Patterns and other data) and when you reach the point at which an End repeat command is needed (for example, Part 5) use the key to select :ll, the symbol for an End repeat command. 1. After selecting a Song and entering Edit Song, press “accel”. to move the brackets to 2. The cursor will be flashing at the Tempo Change value. Use the Numeric Key Pad to set this value.
18 2. The cursor will be flashing at the Volume Change value. Use the Numeric Key Pad to set this value. RANGE: 0–31. 1. After selecting a Song and entering Edit Song, press JOB. NOTE: The Volume Change function can NOT alter the volume of any note beyond the RX17’s Instrument Level range (0–31). 3. The Volume Change is now set, and you can press +1 YES to move on to the next Part and continue editing, or press SONG or STOP/CONTINUE to exit Edit Song. 2.
19 You can also copy to a destination BEFORE the end of the Song, provided it comes BEFORE or AFTER the Parts which are lo be copied. This example shows what happens if we copy Parts 2 and 3 to Part 4. If you have entered wrong Part numbers, press –1 NO to clear the display, and enter the correct numbers. 4. Press +1 YES to carry out the Copy Part operation (or press START to cancel this operation and return to the Edit Song display).
20 You now have another chance to cancel this operation, by pressing –1 NO. The LCD will return to the previous display, allowing you to select another Job. 3. To carry out the Delete operation, press +1 YES again. The LCD will show then return to the Delete display, allowing you to select another Job. 4. If you wish to continue editing, press START. The LCD will show the Part FOLLOWING the Part that was deleted. In our example, this will be Part 003, containing Pattern 03. 3.2.10 JOB 5: INSERT PART 1.
21 You now have a second chance to cancel this operation, and return to the Select Song display by pressing – 1 NO. 3. Press +1 YES to clear the selected Song. The LCD will show then return to the Select Song display. 3.5 COPY SONG The Song Copy function lets you copy any selected Song to another destination in the RX17’s Song memory. This is useful if you want to copy a Song in order to alter it to create a new Song, while retaining the original Song. then return to the Select Song display. 1.
22 3.6 SHOW REMAlNlNG MEMORY This function allows you to check the remaining Song memory of the RX17, as a percentage of its total Song memory capacity. Press SONG and select Function 6.
23 The function of the Cassette Mode is to let you save Patterns and Songs onto a normal cassette tape. This allows you to clear (erase) Patterns and Songs stored in the RX17’s internal memory, and create new Patterns and Songs. You can then create an expanding cassette tape library of Patterns and Songs. At any time, you can load the Patterns and Songs from the tape into the RX17. The verify function allows you to check that the data has been correctly saved.
24 4.2 LOAD 4.3 VERIFY This Function allows you to load a complete set of Pattern and Song data from cassette into the RX17’s internal memory. This Function allows you to check that the data has been correctly saved onto tape, by comparing the data saved on tape with the data in the RX17’s internal memory. It should be executed immediately after saving data. NOTE: When you load data into the RX17, ALL Patterns and Songs in the internal memory will be erased.
25 The RX17 is fully compatible with all MIDI equipment. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is the technology that allows digital musical instruments to control each other. MIDI signals (data) are sent from one MIDI instrument to another, so that one instrument can “play” another instrument, or so that instruments such as sequencers and drum machines can be kept in perfect synchronization. You can even use MIDI to synchronize the RX17 to a tape recording.
26 5.3 SET RECEIVE CHANNEL MIDI signals can be sent and received on any of 16 MIDI Channels. This Function allows you to select which MIDI Channel the RX17 will use for reception of MIDI signals when it is being “played” by an external MIDI keyboard, sequencer or music computer. 1. Press MIDI then select Function 3. 4. Press +1 YES to enter the MIDI Transmit Channel for all instruments. The LCD will show then return to the display for MIDI Function 1. 2.
27 2. Press +1 YES to continue this Function. 4 . During transmission, which takes a few seconds, and is executed from the transmitting RX17 (or QX1, MDF1 or similar device) the LCD will show 3 . Press the instrument key corresponding to the instrument that is to be assigned. For example, Bass Drum. 5. If you wish to abort the Bulk Dump, press STOP/CONTINUE. The LCD will show a “BREAK!” DISPLAY. Press any Mode key to clear the “BREAK” display. 5.7 TRANSMIT BULK 6.
28 then return to the display for MIDI Function 1. The data has now been transmitted to the receiving RX17. If transmitting data to a QX1, you can also execute the actual transmission by sending a “Bulk Dump Request” from the QX1. In this case, the MIDI OUT of the QX1 must be connected to the MIDI IN of the RX17, as well as the QX1’s MIDI IN to the RX17’s MIDI OUT. 5.8 ECHO BACK This function allows you to set the RX17’s MIDI OUT connector to act as a MIDI THRU connector.
29 This chapter contains a variety of useful hints, some essential, some creative, to add to your enjoyment of the RX17. These will give you useful knowledge to encourage you to go beyond the limitations of this manual and create your own music. The RX17, in spite of its compact dimensions, has enormous potential! 6.1 THE lNSTRUMENTS 6.1.1 LATIN PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS The RX17’s instruments include 14 exciting Latin percussion sounds, in addition to the 12 basic drum sounds.
30 6.2.3 QUANTIZE APPLIED TO REAL TIME WRITE 6.3.2 FADE-OUTS/FADE-INS In Real Time Write, Quantize automatically corrects each part that you enter, to a selected minimum note length. This makes the writing of perfectly-timed Patterns easy and rapid. For example, you could set the Quantize to 1/8 and write in a simple Bass Drum figure. Even if you play the notes off the beat, you’ll hear them sound exactly on the beat as soon as the Pattern recycles. Volume Changes are instantaneous.
31 APPLICATION EXAMPLE: RX17 plus QX21 plus TX81Z When you start play on the RX17, the QX21 will also start play. The RX17 will continuously send MIDI Clock signals to the QX21, to keep both units in perfect synchronization. If you change the Tempo on the RX17, the QX21 will also change tempo. The QX21 will automatically stop playing when the RX17’s Song ends, or when you press STOP/ CONTINUE on the RX17. 6.5.3 MIDI NOTE RECEIVE For this MIDI application use 5.1 SYNC to set the RX17’s sync mode to MIDI.
32 APPLICATION EXAMPLE #2: RX17 plus QX5 plus TX81Z For this MIDI application, use the following Functions: 5.1 SYNC to set the RX17’s sync mode to MIDI. 5.2 MIDI CHANNEL MESSAGE to allow the RX17 to transmit MIDI Key data. 5.4 TRANSMIT CHANNEL ASSIGN to assign some of the RX17’s instruments to MIDI Channel 1 and some to MIDI Channel 2. 5.5 MIDI NOTE ASSIGN to assign the RX17’s instruments to MIDI Keys, causing selected pitches to sound on the DX27 and TX81Z.
33 In the example shown the RX17 is being used with a Yamaha MT1X Multitrack Cassette Recorder, a QX5 Digital Sequence Recorder, a DX21 Digital Programmable Algorithm Synthesizer and a TX81Z Multi-Timbral FM Tone Generator. A YME8 MIDI Expander allows the QX5 to send MIDI data to the RX17, the DX21 and the TX81Z. First, a music sequence is recorded on the QX5 (which can record up to eight tracks of music, each of which could control one of the TX81Z’s voices).
34 Sometimes you may see an unusual message on the RX17's LCD, indicating that an operation has been executed wrongly, or there is a technical malfunction. This chart lists those messages, their causes and remedies. MESSAGE * init PARAM. * * illegal PTN * o r * illegal SONG* ! ERROR During MIDI Bulk Receive, incorrect data was sent due to faulty cable or electrical interference.
35 SOUND SOURCE ROM; PCM, 2 MBYTE ROM NUMBER OF VOICES 26 MEMORY CAPACITY PATTERNS: 100 SONGS: 10 (UP TO 999 PARTS PER SONG. TOTAL SONG MEMORY: 1200 PARTS) CONTROLLERS KEYS: PATTERN, SONG, CAS, MIDI, JOB, LEVEL, PAN, INST CHANGE, TEMPO, BEAT CLEAR, NUMERIC KEYS (10, NUMBERED 0—9), -1 NO.
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[ Digital Rhythm Programmer ] Date : 12/13, 1986 Model RX17 MIDI Implementation Chart Version : 1 . 0 Remarks Recognized Transmitted Function ...
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40 Use this Quick Guide as a rapid reference index to enable you to find any operation on the RX17. For convenience, an operation may be listed under more than one entry. For example, "Pattern Length" also appears under "Length of Pattern" and "Time Signature". This index also includes references to parts of the HINTS AND TIPS chapter, for extra commentary and advice. ABOUT BULK DUMP ABORT CASSETTE ACCELERANDO Hint ACCENT EDIT ACCENT LEVEL 5.6 4.0.3 3.2.4 6.3.1 2.3.8 1.4.3 BULK Receive Transmit 5.6 5.
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