FCC INFORMATION (U.S.A.) 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS UNIT! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved by Yamaha may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product. 2. IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/or another product use only high quality shielded cables. Cable/s supplied with this product MUST be used. Follow all installation instructions.
SPECIAL MESSAGE SECTION This product utilizes batteries or an external power supply (adapter). DO NOT connect this product to any power supply or adapter other than one described in the manual, on the name plate, or specifically recommended by Yamaha. WARNING: Do not place this product in a position where anyone could walk on, trip over ,or roll anything over power or connecting cords of any kind.
Thank you for choosing a Yamaha VL70-m Virtual Acoustic Tone Generator. The VL70-m is a monophonic tone generator incorporating Yamaha’s revolutionary “Virtual Acoustic Synthesis” tone generation system — based on the most advanced computer physical modeling technology. Virtual Acoustic Synthesis produces sound that is more realistic, more expressive, and more musical than any other system available at this time.
About the Manual The VL70-m is a very unique tone generator that operates on totally new principles that were simply unheard of until Yamaha released the worlds first “Virtual Acoustic” synthesizer based on computer physical modelling. If you’ve had some experience with the Yamaha VL1, VL1-m, VL-7, or their “Version 2” upgrades, you will have very little trouble understanding the VL70-m. If you are new to VA synthesis, however, you will need a little background before attempting to edit and modify voices.
Contents Precautions 4 Virtual Acoustic Synthesis 6 VA Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The VL70-m Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ■ The Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ■ The Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 ■ The Modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 There’s More … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Controls & Connectors ■ ■ Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Rear Panel .
Filter & Envelope Generator Editing 66 Amplitude & Filter EG . . . . . . . . . . Pitch & Embouchre EG . . . . . . . . . Accessing & Editing the Filter & EG Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Filter & EG Edit Parameters . . . . . . . . ■ VOICE Sound Module Mode Filter & EG Edit Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ■ VL-XG Sound Module Mode Filter & EG Edit Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ■ Filter & EG Edit Parameter Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Precautions !! PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE PROCEEDING !! ■ Location Do not expose the instrument to the following conditions to avoid deformation, discoloration, or more serious damage. • Direct sunlight (e.g. near a window). • High temperatures (e.g. near a heat source, outside, or in a car during the daytime). • Excessive humidity. • Excessive dust. • Strong vibration. ■ Power Supply • Turn the power switch OFF when the instrument is not in use.
■ • • • Cleaning Clean the cabinet and panel with a dry soft cloth. A slightly damp cloth may be used to remove stubborn grime and dirt. Never use cleaners such as alcohol or thinner. ■ Electrical Interference • This instrument contains digital circuitry and may cause interference if placed too close to radio or television receivers. If this occurs, move the instrument further away from the affected equipment.
Virtual Acoustic Synthesis Unlike previous tone generation systems which use oscillators, function generators, preset waveforms or samples to produce sound, Yamaha Virtual Acoustic (“VA”) Synthesis applies sophisticated computer-based “physical modeling” technology to musical sound synthesis.
The VL70-m Model The overall VL70-m model or “algorithm” consists of three main blocks: the instrument, controllers, and modifiers.
The Instrument The key block in this algorithm is the instrument, since it is here that the fundamental tone or “timbre” of the sound is defined. The instrument model consists primarily of a driver — the reed/mouthpiece, lip/mouthpiece, or bow/ string system — and a resonant system corresponding to the tube and air column or string. In all these instruments pressure applied here (the driving point) causes vibration which results in sound.
The Controllers The input to an acoustic wind instrument comes from the player’s lungs, trachea, oral cavity, and lips. In a string instrument it comes from the player’s arm movement, transmitted to the string via a bow. These elements actually form an important part of the sound generating system and, in the VL70-m model, are included in the controllers block.
The Modifiers The modifiers block consists of 4 sections as shown in the diagram. Although these may appear to be simple effects, they are actually intimately related to the VL70-m’s sound-producing model and have a significant effect on the sound (the VL70-m has a separate effects stage with reverb, chorus, variation, and distortion effects — see page 86).
There’s More … In this brief introduction to VL70-m basics we’ve only looked at the central physical model which is the key the VL70-m’s unprecedented sound and musical performance. There’s actually much more to it. There’s also an extensive range of other functions and features that are similar to those you may be familiar with from conventional synthesizers. There are, for example, programmable envelopes that can be applied to most of the controllers in addition to real-time player control.
The Controls & Connectors The following brief descriptions of the VL70-m controls and connectors should help you to understand the overall logic of the interface. Front Panel q [POWER/VOL] Control Press to turn power ON or OFF. Rotate to adjust overall output volume (clockwise to increase the volume). pressing the [PLAY] button causes the currently selected voice to sound — a convenient test feature.
!2 [MIDI/WX] Button Pressing this button alternately selects the VL70m MIDI and WX control modes (when the rearpanel HOST SELECT switch is set to Mac, PC1, PC-2). ➲ page 18 !3 [ENTER] Button The [ENTER] button is used to engage submodes, confirm input, and execute certain operations. Double-clicking this button (i.e. press the button twice in rapid succession) provides access to the SHOW CONTROL and SHOW EXCLUSIVE (page 103) modes.
Rear Panel !8 DC IN Connector The DC output cable from the Yamaha PA-3B AC Power Adaptor supplied with the VL70-m is plugged in here. ➲ page 15 !9 OUTPUT L/MONO and R Jacks These are the main stereo outputs from the VL70-m. Be sure to connect both outputs to the appropriate channels of a stereo sound system in order to appreciate the full quality of the VL70m sound and effects. The L/MONO jack can be used alone when connecting to a mono sound system (e.g. a musical instrument amplifier).
Setting Up Power Supply Your VL70-m comes supplied with a Yamaha PA-3B AC adaptor. Plug the DC output cable from the AC adaptor into the DC IN jack on the rear panel, then plug the adaptor into a convenient wall AC power socket. It is also a good idea to clip the adaptor’s DC cable into the cable clip on the VL70-m rear panel to minimize the possibility of accidentally unplugging the cable during operation.
MIDI Connections The VL70-m can be used with virtually any type of MIDI controller: keyboard, wind controller, sequencer, etc. To ensure reliable error-free transfer of MIDI data always use high-quality MIDI cables obtained from your Yamaha dealer or music equipment store. Also avoid MIDI cables that are longer than about 15 meters, since cables longer than this can pick up noise which can cause data errors.
Breath Controller If you will be using the VL70-m with a keyboard, a breath controller is an essential expressive tool — both for realistic expression with wind-instrument voices and unprecedented expressive control with string voices. Plug an optional Yamaha BC3, BC2 or BC1 Breath Controller into the front-panel breath controller jack. If the controlling MIDI keyboard has a breath controller jack, it might be more convenient to plug the breath contoller in there rather than directly into the VL70-m.
WX-series Wind MIDI Controller The VL70-m is an ideal tone generator for use with a Yamaha WX-series Wind MIDI Controller such as the WX11 or WX7. In either case the controller can be plugged directly into the WX IN connector on the VL70-m front panel, without the need for a WT11 or BT7 wind controller interface.
G50 Guitar MIDI Converter The Yamaha G50 is a high-performance Guitar MIDI Converter designed to work in conjunction with the Yamaha G1D Divided Pickup Unit installed on an electric or steel-string acoustic guitar. The G50 offers unprecedented MIDI guitar synthesizer performance with exceptionally fast response and a range of advanced features that bring the true creative potential of MIDI control to guitar players for the first time.
Connecting to a Personal Computer Although the VL70-m can be connected to a personal computer via the MIDI IN/OUT connectors and a MIDI interface, the TO HOST connector and selector switch allow direct connection to Apple Macintosh, IBM PC/AT, or NEC PC-9801/9821 series personal computers for sequencing and other music applications without the need for a separate MIDI interface.
Connecting to an IBM PC/AT Series Computer Connect the TO HOST connector of the VL70-m to the RS-232C port on your IBM computer, using a standard 8-pin MINI DIN → 9-pin D-SUB cross cable. Set the TO HOST selector to the “PC-2” position. Refer to your software owner’s manual for information on any settings you might have to make on the computer side. ● “PC-2” Cable Connections mini Din 8-pin D-SUB 9-pin • 8-pin mini DIN → 9-pin D-SUB cable.
Audio Connections ■ Headphones For private listening and practice headphones are ideal. You don’t have to hook up and complete sound system, and you won’t disturb the neighbors no matter how loud or late you play. Any standard pair of stereo headphones with a stereo mini phone plug and an impedance of between about 8 and 150 ohms can be used.
Power-on Procedure Always follow proper procedure when powering-up a sound system to minimize the possibility of damage to the equipment (and your ears!). 1. Make sure your sound system’s main level/volume control(s) and the VL70-m volume control are turned all the way down prior to turning power on. 2. Turn on the VL70-m. 3. Turn on your MIDI controller (and computer/sequencer, if used). 4. Turn on the sound system. 5. Raise the sound system volume to a reasonable level. 6.
Play the Demo Once you’ve set up your VL70-m system, you might like to play the preprogrammed demo sequence to hear how some of the voices sound. This process will also help to familiarize you with some of the VL70-m’s selection and editing procedures. ■ NOTES • When the demo is played all system setup parameters and current voice are initialized.
The Supplied Demo Disk The VL70-m is supplied with a demonstration data disk which contains several songs which demonstrate some of the VL70-m’s advanced musical capabilities. The songs on this disk can be reproduced using any sequencer or computer-based sequence software which can handle SMF (Standard MIDI File — format 0) song files. All of the demo songs use the VL70-m for the main melody line, while a second XG tone generator (Yamaha MU50 or MU80 for example) supplies the backing.
Voice Organization and Sound Module Modes Voice Organization The VL70-m voices are organized into four main banks. Additional banks are used when the VL70-m is set to operate in the VL-XG sound module mode (page 29). The four main banks are as follows: PRESET 1 The PRESET 1 bank contains 128 preset voices which have been created primarily to be played via a keyboard.
The VL70-m Sound Module Modes The VL70-m has two main Sound Module Modes: VOICE and VL-XG. It is important to understand the difference between these modes because they determine how the VL70-m responds to MIDI program change and bank numbers received from a MIDI keyboard or other controller, and how the internal effects relate to the individual voices. The VOICE Mode In this mode the VL70-m functions as a “standard” tone generator module.
The VL-XG Mode In this mode the VL70-m functions as an “XG expansion” tone generator module. The VL-XG mode should be selected when the VL70-m is being used with other XG tone generators/synthesizers to play music data created for tone generators complying with the Yamaha XG format (see “VL Extension for XG”, page 30).
Selecting the VOICE or VL-XG Sound Module Mode The current sound module mode is indicated by the triangular pointer in the lower right- corner of the display in the PLAY mode. VOICE VL-XG The VOICE or VL-XG sound module mode is selected as follows: 1. Press the [MODE] Button Press the [MODE] button access the VL70-m sound module modes selection function. 2. Select the VOICE or VL-XG Mode Use the VALUE [-] and [+] buttons to select the “VOICE” or “VL-XG” sound module mode, as required. 3.
■ VL Extension for XG The VL Extension for XG (“VL Extension for XG” is abbreviated to VL-XG) included in the VL70-m Virtual Acoustic Tone Generator significantly enhances and expands the musical capabilities of the XG format with the superior sound and expressive potential of Yamaha Virtual Acoustic Synthesis.
The VOICE PLAY Mode When the VOICE sound module mode is selected (see “The VL70-m Sound Module Modes, page 27), pressing the [PLAY] button engages the VL70-m VOICE PLAY mode. This mode allows voices to be selected and played, and thus is the mode you’ll normally use when playing the VL70-m. The VOICE PLAY mode also provides access to several important performance parameters including volume, panning, etc.
DevNo. (Device Number) Volume Settings: 001 … 016, all Settings: 000 … 127 The Device Number parameter must be set properly when you want to transmit or receive MIDI system exclusive data to or from another VL70-m or other MIDI device (system exclusive data includes voice parameters, system setup parameters, etc). The VL70-m Device number must be set to the same number as the Device Number of the external device. Select a device number from “001” to “016”, or “all”.
ChoRtn (Chorus Return) Settings: 000 … 127 Adjusts the level of the signal returned from the VL70-m chorus effect stage. The higher the value, the higher the level of the chorus signal. VarRtn (Variation Return) Settings: 000 … 127 Adjusts the level of the signal returned from the VL70-m variation effect stage. The higher the value, the higher the level of the variation signal.
The VOICE PLAY Sub-control Mode The sub control mode can be selected from the main control mode by simultaneously pressing the PART [-] and [+] buttons. The VOICE PLAY sub-control mode display looks like this: PART MIDI BANK/PGM VOL EXP PAN REV • Receive Channel • Bank Pointer • Program Pointer CHO VAR KEY • • • • Note Shift Variation Send Chorus Send Reverb Send The various parameters in this mode are selected via the SELECT [<] and [>] buttons.
(Bank Pointer) ChoSend (Chorus Send) Settings: Pr1, Pr2, Cst Settings: 000 … 127 This parameter refers to the bank containing the selected voice in the VOICE PLAY main control mode. It selects the VL70-m PRESET 1 (Pr1), PRESET 2 (Pr2) or CUSTOM (Cst) voice bank (see “Voice Organization” on page 26). Adjusts the level of the signal sent to the VL70-m chorus effect stage. The higher the value, the higher the level of the chorus send signal.
The VL-XG PLAY Mode When the VL-XG sound module mode is selected (see “The VL70-m Sound Module Modes, page 27), pressing the [PLAY] button engages the VL70-m VLXG PLAY mode. In this mode the VL70-m can be used as an “XG expansion” tone generator module with other XG tone generators/synthesizers to play music data created for tone generators complying with the Yamaha XG format (see “VL Extension for XG”, page 30).
The VL-XG PLAY Main Control Mode This mode is initially engaged when the VL-XG sound module mode is selected. If the sub-control mode is active (see page 40), the main control mode can be selected by simultaneously pressing the PART [-] and [+] buttons.
Rcv CH (Receive Channel) Volume Settings: 01 … 16, OFF Settings: 000 … 127 Sets the MIDI receive channel on which the VL70m will receive data from your keyboard or other controller. The receive channel must be set to the same channel that the controlling device is transmitting on (“01” through “16”). When “OFF” is selected, the VL70-m will not receive any data from external MIDI devices. Sets the volume of the current voice. The higher the value the louder the volume.
RevSend (Reverb Send) NoteSft (Note Shift) Settings: 000 … 127 Settings: -24 … 0 … +24 Adjusts the level of the signal sent to the VL70-m reverb effect stage. The higher the value, the higher the level of the reverb send signal. Transposes the pitch of the current voice down or up in semitone steps over a ±2 octave range. “+00” corresponds to standard pitch. Each increment corresponds to a semitone. A setting of “-12”, for example, transposes the pitch down one octave.
The VL-XG PLAY Sub-control Mode The sub control mode can be selected from the main control mode by simultaneously pressing the PART [-] and [+] buttons.
DevNo. (Device Number) ChoRtn (Chorus Return) Settings: 001 … 016, all Settings: 000 … 127 The Device Number parameter must be set properly when you want to transmit or receive MIDI system exclusive data to or from another VL70-m or other MIDI device (system exclusive data includes voice parameters, system setup parameters, etc). The VL70-m Device number must be set to the same number as the Device Number of the external device. Select a device number from “001” to “016”, or “all” .
Controllers & Control Editing If you’ve read the “Virtual Acoustic Synthesis” section (if you haven’t, please do so — page 6) you should understand the concept of “controllers” as applied to the VL70-m. The “controller parameters” correspond to simulated characteristics of the instrument model — e.g. breath pressure, embouchure or tonguing. Any of these can be controlled by you via “physical controllers” — e.g. a breath controller or modulation wheel — assigned to the required controller parameter.
● Physical Controllers First, here’s a list of some of the physical controllers you might want to use with the VL70-m: Breath Controller A natural candidate for controlling pressure, tonguing, throat (MIDI control formant, growl, and other parameters. change no. 02) Pitch Bend Wheel The pitch bend wheel on your keyboard or other MIDI device can be assigned to a range of parameters, but it’s “standard” function is pitch control.
44 Controllers & Control Editing Control No.
● VL70-m Controller Parameters Any of the physical controllers listed above can be assigned to control any of the VL70-m’s controller parameters: Pressure The amount of breath pressure applied to a reed or mouthpiece, or the speed of the bow applied to a string. Pressure variations affect both volume and timbre. Embouchure The tightness of the lips against the reed or against each other. In a string instrument voice Embouchure corresponds to how strongly the bow is pressed against the string.
Accessing & Editing the Control Parameters The CONTROL EDIT mode can be accessed from the VOICE PLAY mode as follows: 1. Press [EDIT] Press the [EDIT] button to go to the VOICE EDIT sub-mode menu. 2. Select the CONTROL Sub-mode Use the SELECT [<] and [>] buttons to select the CONTROL sub-mode, if necessary. The icon to the left of “CONTROL” on the display will flash when the CONTROL sub-mode is selected. 3. Press [ENTER] Press the [ENTER] button to go to the CONTROL EDIT mode.
6. Repeat As Necessary Repeat steps 4 and 5 to edit as many parameters as required. 7. Exit When Done Press ther [EXIT] button to return to the VOICE EDIT sub-mode menu, or the [PLAY] button to return to the VOICE PLAY mode when you’re finished editing. ■ IMPORTANT! • If you want to keep the changes you made in the VOICE EDIT mode, be sure to store the edited voice to an appropriate INTERNAL voice number before selecting a new voice.
The Control Edit Parameters Please note that a number of CONTROL EDIT parameters which are available in the VOICE sound module mode are not available in the VL-XG sound module mode (page 28). The parameter numbers are therefore different in each mode. Some of the value ranges are also different — the differences will be listed with the actual parameter descriptions. ● VOICE Sound Module Mode Control Edit Parameters Refer to the page numbers listed for full details on each parameter. Pitch Bend ............
Embouchure ..................................................................................... 57 22: Emb CC No. (Embouchure Control Change Number) 23: EmbUpprDpt (Embouchure Upper Control Depth) 24: EmbLowrDpt (Embouchure Lower Control Depth) 25: Emb Mode (Embouchure Mode) Tonguing .......................................................................................... 58 26: Tng CC No. (Tonguing Control Change Number) 27: TngCtrlDpt (Tonguing Control Depth) 28: Tng Curve (Tonguing Curve) Scream ....
● VL-XG Sound Module Mode Control Edit Parameters Refer to the page numbers listed for full details on each parameter. Pitch Bend ........................................................................................ 52 01: PB Ctrl (Pitch Bend Control) 02: PB LowCtrl (Pitch Bend Low Control) 03: PBLFO PMod (Pitch Bend LFO Pitch Modulation) Modulation Wheel ..........................................................................
Throat Formant ............................................................................... 62 24: Thr CC No. (Throat Formant Control Change Number) 25: ThrCtrlDpt (Throat Formant Control Depth) Harmonic Enhancer ......................................................................... 62 26: Hrm CC No. (Harmonic Enhancer Control Change Number) 27: HrmCtrlDpt (Harmonic Enhancer Control Depth) Damping ..........................................................................................
● Control Edit Parameter Descriptions The small parameter numbers in parentheses apply in the VL-XG sound module mode. Pitch Bend 01(01): PB Ctrl 02(02): PB LowCtrl • Pitch Bend Low Control • Settings: -24 … +24 • Pitch Bend Control • Settings: -24 … +24 This parameter sets the maximum amount of pitch bend which will occur when the pitch controller is set to its maximum position (e.g. when the pitch bend wheel on a keyboard is rolled all the way up). Minus setting produce a downward pitch bend.
Modulation Wheel 04(04): MWLFO PMod • Modulation Wheel LFO Pitch Modulation • Settings: 000 … 127 Sets the amount of LFO pitch modulation applied by the modulation controller (e.g. the modulation wheel on a keyboard — MIDI control change number 01). The higher the value the greater the amount of pitch modulation produced by modulation controller operation. A setting of “000” produces no pitch modulation.
Assignable Controller 08(08): AC1 CC No. • Assignable Controller 1 Control Change Number • Settings: off … 95 amplitude to increase in response to increasing controller values, while minus values cause the amplitude to decrease in response to increasing controller values. 11(11): AC1LFOPMod • Assignable Controller 1 LFO Pitch Modulation • Settings: 000 … 127 Assigns the specified control change number as “Assignable Controller 1”.
Pressure 13(12): Prs CC No. 15: Prs Curve (VOICE mode only) • Pressure Curve • Settings: -16 … +16 • Pressure Control Change Number • Settings: off… 95, AT, VEL, PB “Pressure” corresponds to the amount of breath pressure applied to a reed or mouthpiece, or the speed of the bow applied to a string. Pressure variations affect both volume and timbre. The “Prs CC No.” parameter specifies the controller to be used for pressure control. When set to “off” maximum pressure is applied at all times.
eliminate types. Some voices use very little filter processing at all. Changing the filter settings may not produce a particularly noticeable effect. For detailed filter parameter programming use the VL70-m Expert Editor software (page 25). 17: FilCtrlDpt (VOICE mode only) • Filter Control Depth • Settings: -127 … +127 relatively little effect on the sound while higher controller values produce more dramatic changes.
pressure or higher modulation wheel position), while minus values cause a decrease in amplitude in response to higher controller values. The “Depth” setting is reflected in the graph at the bottom of the display — the horizontal axis represents the controller value and the vertical axis represents amplitude. 21: Amp Curve (VOICE mode only) • Amplitude Curve • Settings: -16 … +16 Determines the relationship between the controller value and amplitude. When set to “+00” the relationship is linear.