YAMAHA
AUTHORIZED
PRODUCT MANUAL
DX7
DIGITALPROGRAMMABLE
ALGORITHMSYNTHESIZER
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YAMAHA
DigitalProgrammable
Algorithm Synthesizer
OPERATION MANUAL
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PRECAUTIONS
Location
Cartridge Care
IfThe Sound is Too Quiet
Avoid placing the DX7 in direct sunlight or close to a
The RAM (user programmable) and ROM (factory
Check the FOOT CONTROL. There are two foot con-
troller jacks, VOLUME and MODULATION. Two addi-
tionaljacksareforfootswitches, SUSTAIN and
PORTAMENTO. Ifthefootcontrollerispluggedintothe
SUSTAIN or PORTAMENTO jack, it will not work. Also,
when the controller is plugged into the VOLUME jack
and is tilted forward, there will be little or no sound
regardless of how you set the VOLUME control on the
front panel.
source of heat. Also, avoid locations in which the instru- preset) cartridges have no moving parts, other than their
ment is likely to be subjected to vibration, excessive
dust, cold, or moisture. Extreme temperatures can ruin
theLCDdisplay
memory protect or bank selector switches, nor do they
have batteries. They should, however, be kept clean and
dry to protect their connectors. They should also be kept
away from strong electrostatic fields, as produced by
sparking electric motors and solenoids, fluorescent
lights, and so forth; as with all electronic memories, the
data (voices) could be accidentally altered. As a further
precaution against voice loss in the event of a synthe-
sizer malfunction, it is a good idea to remove the RAM
cartridge from its slot in the DX7 before you turn power
on or off.
Handling
Avoid applying excessive force to the slide knobs,
dropping or rough handling. While the internal circuitry
is of reliable, solid state design, the DX7 is nonetheless a
fine instrument that should be treated with care.
Some voices are inherently quieter than others. Often
this is due to the amount of touch sensitivity which may
be programmed into a voice. If the voice is programmed
so that the note will become louder if you press the key
harder, or if you press it faster, then a less vigorous play-
ing style will result in a quieter note. Played the same
way another voice which is less touch sensitive will
sound louder. The voice which is initially louder, how-
ever, may not become much louder (if at all) as you play
the notes harder. These qualities are user-programma-
ble, even for the preset voices, as explained elsewhere
in this manual.
Power Cord
Always grip the plug directly when removing it from
an AC receptacle. Removing the plug from the AC
receptacle by pulling the cord can result in damage to
the cord, and possibly a short circuit. It is also a good
idea to disconnect the DX7 from the AC receptacle if
you don't plan to use the instrument for an extended
period of time.
Cleaning
Use only a mild detergent on a cloth, and dry with a
soft cloth. Never use solvents (such as benzine or thin-
ner) since they can melt or discolor the instrument.
Electrical Storms (Lightning)
Computer circuitry including that in the DX7, is sensi-
tive to voltage spikes. For this reason, the DX7 should
be turned off and unplugged from the AC receptacle in
the event of an electrical storm. This precaution will
avoid the chance that a high voltage spike caused by
lightning will damage the instrument.
Relocation
If you plan to move the DX7 once it has been set up,
first be sure to disconnect all cables that connect it to
other equipment. This will help prevent accidental dam-
age to the instrument or shorting of the cables.
Save This Manual
The information in this manual is likely to be useful
for future reference. Even if you feel reasonably familiar
with the instrument, save this manual; reviewing it a
few months from now, after you have had considerable
experience with the DX7, may prove to be very informa-
tive.
Connections
Electromagnetic Fields
Carefully follow the "Setup" instructions in this man-
ual when you set up the DX7. Improper connection of
cables can lead to serious damage of the instrument,
amplifier, and/or speakers.
Computer circuitry is also sensitive to electromagnetic
radiation. Television sets, as well as radio receivers,
transmitters and transceivers, and wireless microphone
or intercom systems are all potential sources of such
radiation, and should be kept at least several feet from
the DX7 to avoid possible interference or random "errors."
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INTRODUCTION
offered to the public, providing greater control over the
sound than large or modular systems.
voices 1-32 in Bank A or 1-32 in Bank B — access for
playing, editing, or loading into the synthesizers internal
memories. Before the DX7 is shipped, 32 of the 128
The DX7 is the world's first fully user programmable
and preset FM digital synthesizer. If you're used to con-
ventional synthesizers, one look at the DX7 will tell you
that something unique has happened. There are no
knobs: just two linear controls, one of which is for vol-
ume, an LED digital display a small alphanumeric liquid
crystal display (LCD), and a number of flat panel mem-
brane switches. There are no voltage controlled oscilla-
tors, amplifiers or filters (VCOs, VCAs, or VCFs), nor are
there any conventional envelope generators (EGs).
Instead, the DX7 utilizes a totally unique method to
create the richest, most naturally expressive sound avail-
able in any electronic keyboard. This special sound
generation technology is called FM Digital Synthesis. FM
Digital Synthesis enables the DX7 to create the over-
tones that would be present in an actual acoustic instru-
ment, and to vary them over time in a precise,
The DX7 keyboard is fully polyphonic with 16-note
simultaneous capability, so the sustain of previous notes voices called the "Master Group" are loaded from the
bank A of the #3 ROM cartridge into the synthesizer's
internal memories. This means that a cartridge does not
have to be installed in order for you to open the carton,
plug in headphones or an amplifier/speaker system,
turn on power, and begin playing.
will not be cut short when you're playing with all 10
fingers. It is also highly responsive to player expression.
The harder or faster a key is played, the louder the
initial attack of the note — just like a piano. Unlike a
piano, however, the degree of touch response is pro-
grammable... both in sensitivity to the speed (velocity) at
which the key is pressed, and in sensitivity to how hard
you press after the kit hits the stop (after touch).
You can program voices from scratch (using a voice
initialize function). If you like an existing voice, you can
edit it to make subtle changes, or transform its character
completely.
You can edit the preset voices, or make voices from
scratch, but you cannot permanently store your own
voices on the ROM cartridges. For this purpose, a third
storage method is provided: an EEPROM (Electrically
Eraseable Programmable Read Only Memory) cartridge
which, forsimplicity,wecallaRAMcartridge(Random
Access Memory). The RAM cartridges go in the same
Because the DX7 employs unique FM tone generation slot as the ROM cartridges, and superficially they look
techniques and lets you program them with the preci-
sion and repeatability of digital control, you'll be able to
create voices that are a giant step beyond the capability
of former synthesizers. Pure sounds. Richly textured
sounds. Outer space sounds. Bold, heavy sounds. Sub-
tle, delicate sounds. Uncannily accurate acoustic sounds.
All are possible with the high fidelity that FM digital
tone generation can provide.
controllable manner to produce uncanny realism when
you're playing an acoustic voice — or to produce incred-
ible fantasy sounds — the possibilities are without limit.
the same. However, because of the added complexity of
RAM memory, only 32 voices will fit in one of these car-
tridges. The slide switch on the RAM cartridge is actually
an additional "write protect" feature that prevents accci-
dental erasure of voices you have stored; it is not a bank
A-B selector.
Because the DX7 creates sounds differently than con-
ventional analog or purely digital synthesizers, you'll
have to spend some time re-educating yourself with the
aid of this manual. After you've become familiar with
the panel, a few new terms, and the general concept of
FM digital synthesis, you'll love the precision and tre-
mendous versatility at your disposal. If you're already an
experienced synthesist, you will soon be able to go right
for a particular sound. Whether you're a beginner or a
world class performer, you can enjoy the large library of
preset sounds that come with the DX7.
The DX7 is delivered ready to play, loaded with 32
beautifully voiced, useful, factory preset sounds. These
sounds can be instantly changed, or can be replaced by
additional factory-supplied sounds from a library of 128
that are supplied on special solid state cartridges. Liter-
ally hundreds of exciting sounds can be at your finger-
tips with just the press a few selector buttons. You don't
have to program a single thing... unless you want to.
Presets won't handle every job, and there's nothing that
says you have to use ours. You can make your own
voices.
This arrangement lets you have a total of 96 voices at
your fingertips since you can have any 32 voices you
Once you've edited a voice or created an entirely new wish loaded in the internal memories, then install one
of the 64-voice ROM cartridges. You switch between
internal and cartridge voices with the press of a button,
one, you can store it in the internal memory and/or in
special solid state cartridges. A battery prevents loss of
memory — even after the instrument is unplugged from and between cartridge banks A & B with a slide switch.
the AC receptacle.
Of course, if you allow for changing cartridges, which
takes just a second, your live performance voice library
is really unlimited.
Up to 96 Voices Can Be "On Line" Ready for
Instant Recall
NOTE Portions of the front panel are used to illustrate
the text throughout this manual; it should be relatively
easy to see where these "spot" illustrations fit in the con-
text of the entire instrument ifyou are reading the man-
ual with the DX7 in front of you. If the instrument is not
handy we suggest opening this cover fully revealing an
overall front panel illustration that will remain visible as
you flip through the inside pages. Originally ROM car-
tridges were numbered #1 & 2. Later models were
shipped with ROM cartridges #3 & 4 instead. Both sets
have similar voices.
Voices (sounds or ''instruments") may be saved in 3
different ways with the DX7. As mentioned above, the
synthesizer has 32 internal voice memories that can
hold any combination of factory preset sounds or voices
you create. In addition to the internal memories, one of
two types of memory cartridges may be inserted in the
instrument for additional "on line" memory. Pushbuttons
enable you to select from the internal and cartridge
voices.
A total of 128 factory preset voices are provided. Obvi-
ously they all cannot fit in the 32 internal memories at
once; these voices are actually supplied to you stored in
2 solid state ROM (Read Only Memory) cartridges that
each hold 64 voices, arranged in two banks of 32. You
move a slide switch on the cartridge to gain access to
The compact size and relatively few controls of the
DX7 can be deceiving. Almost every button and knob
have multiple functions (depending on the selected
operating mode) so that a total of some 168 parameters
can be altered. In fact, the DX7 has more programmabil-
ity than any synthesizers Yamaha has ever before
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NOTE FORSYNTHESIZERSSOLD BY THE U.S.A.
2
Internally, the DX7 generates signals in the radio frequency spectrum. If the instrument is installed
in the immediate proximity of some types of audio or video devices (within ten feet), interference
mayoccur.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rule Part 15, Subpart J, establishes design and
manufacturing standards that will provide a reasonable level of protection against the possibility
that two electronic devices, operating simultaneously, might interfere with each other.
The DX7 has been type tested and found to be in compliance with the design and manufacturing
standards established for "Class B" computing devices. Compliance with the standards established
by the FCC does not guarantee that interference will be eliminated. If your instrument is suspected
of causing interference with other electronic devices, verification can be made by turning your
instrument on and off. If the interference continues when your instrument is off, the instrument is
not the source of the interference. If your instrument does indeed appear to be the source of the
interference, one or more of the following corrective measures should be tried.
(1) Relocate either the instrument or the electronic device that is being affected by the interference.
(2) Utilize power outlets for the instrument and the device being affected that are on different branch
circuits (different circuit breakers or fuses), or install AC line filters.
(3) In the case of radio or TV interference, relocate the antenna; if the antenna lead-in wire is 300
ohm ribbon lead, change it to 75 ohm co-axial type cable (utilizing the necessary transformer/
adaptors at either end, as required to match the cable).
If these corrective measures do not produce satisfactory results, please ask for suggestions or
seek corrective measures by contacting your Authorized Yamaha Dealer or:
Music Marketing Group
Service Division
YamahaInternationalCorporation
6600 Orangethorpe Avenue
P.O. Box 6600
Buena Park, CA 90622
If, for any reason, you should need additional information relating to radio or TV interference, you
mayfindhelpfulabookletpreparedbytheFCC: "HowtoIdentifyandResolveRadio-TVInterference
Problems." This booklet, (stock number 004-000-00345-4) is available from:
U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice
Washington,DC20402
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Operators
23
Memory Protect
49
Audio Output
12
PROGRAMMING VOICES: A TUTORIAL
the DX7
27
27
Playing the Internal Voices
14
How to create Frequency Modulation: getting acquainted
and ON-OFF edit features
33
PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS
LFO Modulation: The relationship between the "LFO"
how to program these
15
20
20
21
21
MIDI: A STANDARD INTERFACE FOR REMOTELY
SYNTHESIZERS
55
40
MIDI
EDITING A VOICE
47
MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING
Internal Memory Battery Backup
58
58
Voice Initialize
Modulation Wheel
After Touch
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CONVENTIONS
illustrate two or more adjacent panel buttons, whereas
in other cases we illustrate just one; the multiple buttons
are to help you identify the one button we are discus-
sing.
changes to suit whichever of the button's several func-
tions is under discussion, yet the button is always illus-
trated the same way:
Nearly every button on the DX7 has several functions.
Typically, the editing parameters are labeled in violet,
the overall instrument functions are labeled in brown,
and yet other functions are labeled in white or by
reversing out the color of the button. Since this manual
is not printed in full color, we have adopted the follow-
ing conventions when referring to buttons. First, even
though the button has several labels, we name only the
button label which applies to the particular step being
discussed. That button name will be bracketed to denote
a button. In addition, in many cases we actually illustrate
the button so there is no confusion as to which control
is being discussed.
3
In EDIT mode, press the
[OPERATOR ON-OFF 1]
button once to turn off
operator #1 and again
to turn it on.
This illustration
In FUNCTION mode,
press the [MASTER
Lets look at a few examples to illustrate the conven-
tions. Find the 32 numbered green buttons, and look at
the upper left corner of that area. This is how we illus-
trate the first two buttons:
TUNE ADJ] button to set
the [DATA ENTRY] slider
so it can alter the tuning
of the keyboard.
is the same as this one
We alternate between showing you the complete
display window, including the LED voice number read-
out, and just the LCD portion of the display. There is no
particular signficance to this; the abbreviated display
saves space on the printed page, and when we don't
consider the voice number readout significant for an
instruction, we omit it. Similarly in some cases we
Both buttons are part of a group of 6 that are labeled
inviolet"OPERATORON-OFF/EGCOPY". Whenthe
DX7 is in the EDIT mode, this label indicates that two
different functions can be selected or activated by each
button: (a) turning the output of an operator on or off,
and (b) copying an envelope from one operator to
another. Don't worry about what this means right now;
we describe operators and envelopes and so forth later.
Suffice it to say there are multiple uses for the buttons.
To continue, when we are discussing the left button in
the context of (a) above, the printed reference to the
button looks like this: [OPERATOR ON-OFF 1]. The
same button, used in context (b), is described like this:
(EG COPY 1]. When the DX7 is in the FUNCTION
mode rather than the EDIT mode, the brown label
below it applies instead of the violet label above it. In
this case, the identical button now prepares the DX7 so
that its master tuning can be adjusted, and the text
describes the button like this: (MASTER TUNE ADJ.).
When the DX7 is in PLAY mode, the green buttons
serve as Voice Selectors. The label "Voice Selector" does
not actually appear on the front panel, but when the
text asks you to play internal or cartridge voice #1 by
pressing Voice Selector [1], the #1 green button is the
correct choice. As you can see, the text reference
This illustration
is the same as this one
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"QUICK"BASICFEATURES
4
For example, if the DX7 asks you "are you sure", you
can reply [NO] or [YES] with the left and right buttons.
If you want to turn the glissando or some other pro-
gramming function on or off, the [OFF] and [ON] labels
apply — same buttons. If you want to change the fre-
quency ratio or some other programming value by one
unit at a time, the [-1] and [ +1] labels apply. If you just
want to move the cursor to a different position when
naming a voice, the [<] (move left) and [>] (move right)
labels apply Usually you will be able to get the same
effect by moving the adjacent slider up and down.
These controls are used primarily in the FUNCTION
and EDIT modes, but also continue to modify the last
selected FUNCTION parameter after returning to the
PLAY mode (MEMORY SELECT INTERNAL or CAR-
TRIDGE).
This section is provided for reference so you
can quickly locate a control or access a function.
It is meant more for review than as a learning
tool. If this is your first time reading the manual,
we suggest you either skim this section, or skip
it altogether and go on to the section titled "Play-
ing the Factory Preset Voices".
These are used for labeling voices, as explained in the
[VOICE NAME] button description.
NOTE Refer to the illustration in the foldout front
cover to identify the following features.
Rear panel connectors
These jacks include the line level output from the
DX7 to an amplifier, foot control jacks, and MIDI interface
connections. Refer to the "Setup" and "MIDI" sections of
this manual for details.
The DX7 has 3 basic operating modes:
• PLAY (MEMORY SELECT) Mode
This is the "normal" performance mode in which pre-
programmed voices can be selected.
Volume and Data Entry Controls
VOLUME
•EDIT mode
This mode is used to edit an existing voice or to create
an entirely new voice. Some of the "editing" functions
do not alter the structure of the voice directly yet can
have a major effect on the sound: for example, chang-
ing the sensitivity of a given voice to various modula-
tion sources, transposing the voice, or changing the
keyboardscaling.
This adjusts the overall output level at the rear panel
OUTPUTjack and the front panel HEADPHONE jack.
Some presets are inherently louder than others, and this
can be used to compensate, or to do overall fades. If
volume is too low, and the foot controller is plugged into
the VOLUME jack, make sure the pedal is tilted flat for
maximum level. It is also possible that amplitude modu-
lation sensitivity has been programmed into a voice, in
which case, to make the voice play louder, you may
want to use the MODULATION WHEEL, BREATH CON-
TROLLER, FOOT CONTROLLER (plugged into the
MODULATION jack), or the AFTER TOUCH (pressing
harder after the key hits bottom). See the FUNCTION
mode information on page 10 for more information on
these modulation controls.
These buttons are for increas-
ing or decreasing the values by
1, for turning a function on or
off, and for moving the cursor
when writing a voice name.
• FUNCTION mode
This mode is used to adjust parameters that affect
more than 1 voice, including the effect of the Modula-
tion Wheel, Foot Controller, Breath Controller and
AfterTouch (pressuresensitivity). FUNCTION mode
also provides access to certain utility functions such as
loading voices from a cartridge, saving voices onto a
cartridge, checking the internal backup battery volt-
age, and initializing the instrument when you want to
program a voice "from scratch" (which then automati-
cally places the instrument in EDIT mode).
Thisslider is used for rapidor large changes. Moving it
all the way down and up covers the full range available
foreachparameter.
The DX7 front panel is unlike any conventional syn-
thesizer. There are many more functions than buttons. It
is important to bear in mind that the [DATA ENTRY]
controls are assignable by means of the other buttons on
the DX7. They take the place of the many knobs and
sliders on conventional synthesizers. Another thing to
remember is that, depending on the operating mode,
the front panel controls may be used in different group-
ings. For example, in one place we may refer to VOICE
SELECT button [1]. This is the same physical button as
[OPERATOR ON-OFF 1] and the [MASTER TUNE]
function selector. The 2 rows of 16 buttons at the right of
the synthesizer are, among other things, the [VOICE
SELECT] buttons. They include large white numerals
[1] to [32], which apply when the buttons are used to
select voices from the correspondingly numbered inter-
nal or cartridge memories. Many of the buttons include
a small letter, number, or word at the right, inside edge.
Mode Select and Editing Control Section
These buttons let you see & changethe MEMORY
PROTECT status-
DATA
This group of a slider and two buttons serve as the
main programming controls for the DX7. The two green
buttons are single-step increment/decrement controls
that do the same thing as the slider; the slider is faster
for large changes and the buttons are better for small
adjustments.
This button is used for
copying EG data and for
storing individual voices on
an internal or RAM car-
tridgememory
This button selects the
current operator (the one
being adjusted) when the
synthesizer is in edit mode
Each of the buttons has four different labels. The
specific labels apply to different programming functions.
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5
FUNCTION
OPERATOR SELECT
When you are programming or editing a voice, this
button lets you select the operator which is to be modi-
fied, as shown in the upper right corner of the LCD
display. (It sets the "current operator".) Remember that
some programming parameters affect the overall voice,
in which case this button will have no effect. You can
only select from operators that are turned on, as shown
by the six 1's or 0's in the top line of the programming
display.
This button places the DX7 in the FUNCTION mode,
which is used to program the entire keyboard rather
than individual voices. This mode is also used for check-
ing battery voltage, storing all the internal memories
onto cartridge at once, and vice-versa, and a few other
specialized functions. The functions designated by
brown labels beneath other buttons are available after
pressing this button.
These buttons select the internal or cartridge
memory and activate the PLAY mode; they also
designate where individualvoices may bestored
This button selects the
FUNCTION mode
This button selects the
EDIT mode and com-
pares editedtooriginal
voices
LED & LCD Display Panel
The LED (Light Emitting Diode) window indicates the
number of the selected internal or cartridge voice mem-
ory. If the voice being played is in the midst of being
edited, a decimal point appears to the right of the voice
number. If you then press the [EDIT/COMPARE] button
to hear the original voice before the editing, the LED
numbers blink on and off. The LCD (Liquid Crystal
Display) window displays the current status of the syn-
thesizer, which may be the voice name and source, or
the FUNCTION or EDIT mode parameter which was
most recently selected. Refer to the paragraph "How to
interpret the display," on page 28.
EDIT/COMPARE-CHARACTER
STORE
This button places the DX7 in the EDIT mode,
wherein you can edit any of the preset voices to change
them slightly, or create completely new voices. Once in
the EDIT mode, if you have changed a preset, then
pressing this button lets you compare the edited version
with the original. Once in the EDIT mode, if you have
pressed the [VOICE NAME] button, then pressing this
button [CHARACTER] and holding it enables you to
press other buttons to enter the name of the voice in the
display
This button can be used to store whatever voice you
have selected from cartridge or internal memory, or
whatever voice you have just programmed. A voice can
be stored into any of 32 internal memories or into any
of the 32 memories in a RAM cartridge (provided the
memory protect is turned off). This button is also used
in conjunction with the [EG COPY] buttons for copying
envelopes from one operator to another.
LCDsynthesizer stains and voice namedisplay
MEMORYPROTECT
This pair of buttons enable you to set the internal and
cartridge memories so that voices cannot be accidentally
erased. When you press one of the buttons, the display
shows you whether the associated memories are
protectedor not, andyoucan use the[DATA ENTRY]
controls to change the status. Remember, however, that
even if you turn off the cartridge memory protect, you
still cannot save a voice on a ROM cartridge, nor can
you save a voice if the On/Off switch on the RAM car-
tidge itself is set to the ON position.
MEMORYSELECT-PLAY
Pressing either of these buttons prepares the DX7 to
PLAY any of the voices that are stored in the 32 INTER-
NAL memories, or in 32 memories of whatever CAR-
TRIDGEis installed. Oncethe[INTERNAL]or
[CARTRIDGE] source is designated, specific voices are
accessed by pressing the VOICE SELECT buttons [1] to
[32]. These buttons are also used to designate where
individual voices can be stored, in the internal or car-
tridge memories, either after being created or edited, or
when you want to rearrange the location of voices
within these memories.
Voice number LED display
Voice/Edit/Function select section
In PLAY mode. these 32 buttons select either the
voices in the DX7's internal memory or on the external
cartridge, as determined by the [MEMORY SELECT]
buttons and indicated by the large numbers inside the
buttons. However, these same buttons actually have
multiple functions (up to 5 per button) which are accessi-
ble when the DX7 is placed in the FUNCTION and EDIT
modes. All labels on these buttons are color and posi-
tion coded: white numbers on the inside left of the
buttons for PLAY mode, dark brown (reversed) type on
the inside right of the buttons for naming voices, violet
characters above the buttons for EDIT mode parameters,
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PMD
6
and light brown characters below the buttons for FUNC-
TION mode parameters. A brief example for two buttons
is shown here, with the specific references for these two
buttons noted in parentheses:
ALGORITHM
This lets you set the Pitch Modulation Depth. This is
the amount of modulation that will be applied to shift
the pitch of whatever notes are played (according to
the set waveform and speed). However, the modula-
tion can only affect the note if the pitch modulation
sensitivity is set to a value greater than zero (see
[MOD SENSITIVITY-PITCH]).
In EDIT mode, this button activates the [DATA
ENTRY] section so its controls can be used to select any
of the 32 available algorithms.
Violet EDIT mode parameters (Pitch and Amplitude
Modulation Sensitivity)
Reverse printed
White PLAY mode
EDIT mode Voice
voice number (15
Name character
&16)
AMD
FEEDBACK
Like PMD, this button lets you set the Amplitude
Modulation Depth, the amount of modulation that
will be applied when you play but it affects the
amplitude (level), not the pitch. Likewise, the modu-
lation can only affect the note if the Amplitude modu-
lation sensitivity is set to a value greater than zero
(see [MOD SENSITIVITY-AMPLITUDE]). The same
LFO speed and waveform controls both the [PMD]
and [AMD].
(E&F)
In EDIT mode, this button activates the [DATA
ENTRY] section so its controls can be used to alter the
amount of feedback in whatever algorithm is displayed
from none (0) to a maximum value (7).
Brown FUNCTIONmode parameters (SAVEall 32
voices from internal memory to cartridge, or LOAD 32
voices from cartridge to the internal memory)
To simplify the presentation, we have further sub-
divided these buttons into the EDIT (violet) and FUNC-
TION (brown) groupings. Therefore, if you don't see the
operational description that applies to what you're doing
with a particular button as you read through the para-
graphs on the EDIT parameters, check the correspond-
ing button in the FUNCTION parameter descriptions
(and vice-versa).
LFO
SYNC
In EDIT mode, these 6 buttons each activate the
[DATA ENTRY] section so it can be used to program or
edit individual voices with regard to Low Frequency
Oscillator modulation. When the modulation is used to
change the pitch, vibrato can be obtained. When it is
used to change the amplitude of a carrier, tremolo may
result; changing the amplitude of a modulator can create
"wah-wah."
This lets you turn on or off the LFO Key Synchroni-
zation. When Sync is ON, the LFO is automatically
reset to the beginning of the selected waveform each
time you play a note. When sync is OFF the LFO
waveform continues, and when you play a note, the
result will vary depending on where the LFO is in
the cycle. The effect can be easily detected at low
LFO frequencies (SPEED settings below 10).
EditParameterSelection (violetlabels)
OPERATOR ON/OFF-EG COPY (1-6)
MOD SENSITIVITY
These buttons have two functions, (a) to turn individ-
ual operators on and off while you are programming a
voice, and (b) to designate the operator into which you
wish to copy an envelope. When you are in the EDIT
mode, the top center portion of the LCD display shows 6
number 1's or 0's, corresponding to the 6 operators:
1 =ON, and 0=OFF To toggle operator's output on or
off, press the corresponding [OPERATOR ON-OFF]
button. To copy the envelope, set the operator whose
envelope you wish to copy as the current operator using
[OPERATOR SELECT], then press [STORE] and hold
it while pressing [EG.COPY] button for operator 1 to 6;
all 4 rates and levels are instantly copied.
In EDIT mode, this pair of buttons activate the [DATA
ENTRY] section so it can be used to set the sensitivity
of individual voices to LFO modulation. The modulation
sensitivity is like a master control for all the modulation,
whether it is "built into" the voice with the adjacent
[AMD] and/or [PMD] buttons, or whether it comes from
the "real time" modulation controls such as the Modula-
tion Wheel, the Foot Control, the Breath Control or the
keyboard After Touch. If the Pitch or Amplitude Modula-
tion Sensitivity is set at zero, then none of the external
controllers can affect the voice, regardless of how much
Depth is set with their FUNCTION mode controls.
WAVE
This lets you set the LFO waveform to any of the
following: triangle, sawtooth down, sawtooth up,
square, sine, sample & hold.
SPEED
This lets you adjust the LFO frequency in a 100 step
range, 0 being the slowest and 99 the fastest.
DELAY
This lets you set the LFO so modulation does not
begin until after a specified time after you press the
key, 0 being no delay, and 99 the maximum delay.
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PITCH
7
FREQUENCY FINE
simulations. Extreme settings can also be used for "split
keyboard" effects.
This lets you set the sensitivity of the voice to LFO
pitch modulation from no sensitivity (0) to maximum
(7). One setting affects the overall voice.
This lets you make small changes in the current
operator's frequency With this control, the maximum
available increase in frequency is just under the next
available "Coarse" setting (1.99 times "F COARSE").
AMPLITUDE
This lets you set the sensitivity of the individual
operators in a voice to amplitude modulation from no
sensitivity (0) to maximum (3).
DETUNE
Detune is like a "super fine" frequency adjustment for
each operator. You can shift the frequency over a
range of -7 to +7. Mild detuning can enrich the
harmonic structure and more closely simulate the
imperfect nature of a real acoustic instrument. Maxi-
mum detuning between carriers can be used to cause
"beating" within a voice to help simultate chorusing
or multiple instrument effects.
BREAK POINT
OSCILLATOR
The level can be scaled up or down differently on
either side of the Break Point in the curve. You can
set this break point from 1-1/3 octaves below the
lowest key on the keyboard (A -1) to 2 octaves above
the highest note on the keyboard.
In EDIT mode, these 4 buttons each activate the
[DATA ENTRY] section so it can be used to program or
edit the frequency of individual operators in a voice.
CURVE
EG
Pressing this button successive times gives you ac-
In EDIT mode, this pair of Envelope Generator but-
tons activate the [DATA ENTRY] section so it can be
used to program or edit the envelopes of individual
operators in a voice. 4 parameters are programmable
with each button, and the range of adjustment is from
the minimum of 0 to a maximum of 99 (100 steps).
cess to programming the scaling curve for the
or
right side of the break point. Either curve may ltehften
be set to any of four characteristics: negative linear,
negative exponential, positive exponential, positive
linear. The linear curves will give you a more exag-
gerated boost or cut in level at any given depth set-
ting as you play up and down the keyboard,where as
the exponential curves tend to give more natural
sounding scaling.
MODE/SYNC
The DX7 toggles between two different programming
functions when you press this button successive
times. One function, MODE, enables you to set the
current operator so it tracks the keyboard pitch (this
is Frequency Ratio Mode), or so the keyboard does
not affect that operator's frequency (Fixed Pitch
Mode). The other function, SYNC, enables you to set
the operator so its "oscillator" begins at the start of
the sine wave cycle each time you play a note. When
Oscillator Key Sync is OFF, the sine wave continues
so that subtle differences will occur even when you
play the same note repeatedly. You may not be able
to hear much difference in some voices.
DEPTH
Pressing this button successive times gives you ac-
cess to programming the depth of the selected left or
right curve. At a minimum setting (0), there is no
scaling, and you can increase or decrease the level
up to a maximum of 99. To increase the level, there
has to be some "headroom," some operator output,
level available for increase. For example, if the OP-
ERATOR OUTPUT LEVEL is set at 90, and a positive
(+) curve is set, the greatest curve depth that can be
achieved is 9. This is because 90 + 9 = 99, and 99
is the maximum possible output level. While the
curve depth can be set to a value greater than 9.
there will be no more effect than if it were set at 9; if
you want more boost as you move up or down the
keyboard, then you'll have to set the Operator Out-
put Level at a lower value so that more "headroom"
is available for the scaling to boost the level to the
maximum of 99. For your reference, a -L1N curve set
to a depth of 99 produces a roll-off of 22 dB per oc-
tave.
RATE
Pressing this button 4 successive times gives you
access to programming the 4 rates in the EG.
LEVEL
Pressing this button 4 successive times gives you
access to programming the 4 levels in the EG.
FREQUENCY COARSE
This lets you make large changes in the current
operator's frequency It operates in conjunction with
the adjacent [FREQUENCY FINE] button. Assum-
ing the Fine setting is all the way down, then in
Frequency Ratio mode the ratio increases from 0.50
to 1.00 and then by integer values to a maximum of
31.00. In Fixed Frequency mode, this lets you set the
beginning frequency to 1 Hz, 10 Hz, 100 Hz, or
1000 Hz.
KEYBOARD LEVEL SCALING
In EDIT mode, these 3 buttons each activate the
[DATA ENTRY] section so it can be used to program or
edit individual operators so their output levels change as
you play up and down the keyboard. Each operator can
be programmed to have any of 4 curves on either side
of an adjustable break point. The scaling can be used to
make the tone and/or volume change as you move to
different octaves, for more realistic acoustic instrument
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8
KEYBOARD RATE SCALING
press that key fast, and you'll get the maximum
output level you have set with [OUTPUT LEVEL]. If
the operator is a carrier, this function causes the
notes to be louder when you play faster, whereas if
the operator is a modulator, the timbre changes as
you play faster. This is the parameter that determines
why some preset voices have touch sensitivity and
others do not.
so that middle C (C3) is 262 Hz. When you press [KEY
TRANSPOSE], the first key you then press becomes
the pitch which is produced when you play middle C
(you won't hear anything until you play a subsequent
note). The transposition range is great enough that mid-
dle C can be set to sound the pitch of any note for 2
octaves up or down.
In EDIT mode, this button activates the [DATA EN-
TRY] section so its controls can be used to program or
edit each operator so its envelope rates become faster as
you move up the keyboard. The minimum setting (0)
produces no scaling, so rates Rl, R2, R3 and R4 are the
same on all keys, whereas the maximum setting (7)
speeds up the rates more and more as you move from
the lowest to the highest notes. The scaling is useful for
simulating the natural scaling of envelope rates that
characterizes many acoustic instruments.
PITCH EG
In EDIT mode, this pair of buttons activate the [DATA
ENTRY] section so its controls can be used to change a
special envelope generator that alters the frequency of
each note you play. The Pitch EG affects all 6 operators
equally. The "shape" of the envelope follows the same
rules as the individual operators' level envelopes, with
four rates and four "levels", although the levels actually
refer to frequency excursions. The Pitch EG can be used
for automatic pitch bending effects, including the slight
pitch changes that occur with plucked strings. However,
the 8 octave range of this feature permits all sorts of
special effects to be achieved.
VOICE NAME
In EDIT mode, this button DOES NOT RELY ON THE
[DATA ENTRY] section either. Instead, it converts the
[EDIT/COMPARE] button to the (CHARACTER] but-
ton so you can enter up to 10 letters, numbers, spaces
or punctuation marks to name a voice. Once you've
pressed [VOICE NAME], you hold down the [CHAR-
ACTER] button and then press each character you wish
to enter (indicated by the reversed dark brown type in
the right corner of most buttons). A flashing "cursor"
shows you the position of the character you are about to
enter, and you can move the cursor without entering a
character by pressing the [<] and [>] buttons. You can
"write" new-characters on top of previous names, or
erase a name by using the [CHARACTER] and
[SPACE] buttons.
OPERATOR
In EDIT mode, this pair of buttons activate the [DATA
ENTRY] section so its controls can be used to change
the output level of each of the 6 operators.
RATE
OUTPUT LEVEL
Pressing this button 4 successive times gives you
access to programming the 4 rates in the EG.
This button gives you "direct" programming access to
setting the output level of each operator from no
output (0) to maximum (99). Remember that the
[OPERATOR ON- OFF] buttons only have an effect
while you are programming a voice so if you want to
keep an operator turned off when you store a voice
(because you don't need its effect), then you have to
set its output level to zero. The scaling is such that
half the numerical value (i.e. 50 instead of 99)
produces much less than half the audible volume.
LEVEL
Pressing this button 4 successive times gives you
access to programming the 4 "levels" in the EG. If
you don't want any pitch bend, then all 4 levels
should be programmed to a value of 50. When you
set a level below 50, the pitch decreases (a zero value
is down 4 octaves from the note you play), and when
you set it above 50, the pitch increases (a 99 value is
up 4 octaves). The [PITCH] wheel can further add 1
octave above or below this "automatic" pitch bend.
Function Control Parameters
(light brown labels)
MASTER TUNE ADJ
In FUNCTION mode, this button activates the [DATA
ENTRY] slider so it can be used to tune the overall
pitch of the keyboard plus or minus 75 cents. (The [-1]
and (+1] DATA ENTRY buttons are not used in this
case because the tuning adjustment is already very fine.)
Larger pitch shifts can be programmed into a voice by
using the [KEY TRANSPOSE] button or by resetting
the frequencies of all operators.
KEY VELOCITY SENSITIVITY
This button lets you program the velocity "touch"
sensitivity of each operator so that the faster you
press a key the greater the output level. This function
interacts with the [OUTPUT LEVEL] function so
that, if you set a maximum [KEY VELOCITY SEN-
SITIVITY] of 7, and then press a key very slowly
there will be virtually no output from the operator;
KEYTRANSPOSE
In EDIT mode, this button DOES NOT RELY ON THE
[DATA ENTRY] section. Instead, it activates the key-
board so it can be used to transpose the pitch of the
entire voice. The "normal" pitch of the keyboard is set
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9
change, depending on whether the DX7 is in Poly or
Mono mode.
POLY/MONO
EDIT RECALL
In FUNCTION mode, this button activates the [DATA
ENTRY] section so its controls can set the keyboard to
play polyphonically (up to 16 notes simultaneously) or
monophonically (one note at a time).
This button activates the DATA ENTRY [YES] and
[NO] buttons so they can be used to recall a voice that
you had been editing in the event you inadvertently
leave the editing mode and select another voice to play
To "recapture" or recall the edited voice, press [FUNC-
TION], then [EDIT RECALL], then answer [YES] to the
two display prompts "Edit Recall?" and "Are You Sure?"
MODE
When the keyboard is in Mono mode, this lets you
select "FINGERED PORTA" or "FULL TIME PORTA"
functions. Fingered Portamento is a glide that occurs
only when you hold one key down and then press
another while holding the first. Full Time Portamento
gives you the glide from one note to the next even
when you release one key before pressing the next.
PITCH BEND
In FUNCTION mode, this pair of buttons activate the
[DATA ENTRY] section so its controls can program the
range and "smoothness" of the [PITCH] wheel. If the
RANGE is set to zero, the [PITCH] wheel will have no
effect.
VOICE INIT
The Voice Initialize button lets you create a neutral
starting point for programminq a new voice. After you
select VOICE INIT from the FUNCTION mode by press-
ing the button and then answering [YES] to the two
display prompts, the DX7 sets itself to the EDIT mode. A
neutral "voice" then exists with no modulation, algo-
rithm 1, operator 1 output level at 99 and all others off,
"square" envelopes, and all frequency ratios at 1.00.
When the keyboard is in Poly mode, this lets you
select "SUS-KEY P FOLLOW" or "SUS-KEY P
RETAIN". In Sustain-Key Pitch Follow mode, ifyou
play a note or chord and then play another note or
chord, the sustain from the original note/chord glides
to the pitch of the most recently played note/chord.
In Sustain-Key Pitch Retain mode, the pitch of the
new note or chord glides from that original pitch(es)
without disturbing the sustain of the original note or
chord.
RANGE
This lets you program the maximum amount of pitch
bend from no effect (0) to plus or minus an octave
(12 semitones). The numbers in the programming
display indicate how many semitones the wheel can
change the pitch in each direction. The [RANGE]
may only be adjusted when the [STEP] is set to zero.
If [STEP] is at 1 or higher, the [RANGE] is automati-
cally fixed at 12 semitones. Remember that a zero
setting turns off the pitch bend.
GLISSANDO
When the Glissando feature is turned ON, the glide
in pitch occurs in discrete steps. This effect is best
heard with a slower rate and when two widely sepa-
rated notes are played one after the other. When
Glissando is turned OFF then normal Portamento
(continuous glide) is available.
CART FORM
NOTE: Since the format of a RAM cartridge used for
other purposes, such as DX1 performance memories,
will vary' from that of a cartridge used for voice memo-
ries, make sure you observe the following procedure
when storing or saving DX7 internal voices into such a
cartridge.
STEP
This permits you to set the size of the increments by
which the wheel changes the pitch. A setting of zero
(0) will cause perfectly smooth pitch bending. Each
unit above zero represents the number of semitones
by which the pitch will "jump" as you move the
wheel. The maximum setting of 12, for example, will
cause the wheel to change the pitch in a single,
1octave jump.
TIME
This sets the time of the Portamento or Glissando
effect. A setting of 0 produces no effect, while a set-
ting of 99 produces the longest (slowest) pitch
changes. This is contrary to the operation of most DX7
rate controls whose fastest setting is 99. You don't
have to change the Time to zero to turn the effect off.
Instead, once an effect is selected, it can also be
turned On and Off by plugging an FC-4 or FC-5 foot
pedal into the PORTAMENTO jack on the rear panel;
stepping on the pedal then turns ON the portamento.
The Cartridge Format button lets you "initialize" all
the voices in a RAM cartridge much like you initialized
the single voice in the edit buffer using the [VOICE
INIT] button. It is like a cartridge "eraser." To use this
function you first have turn off the hardware memory
protect switch on the cartridge, then turn off the soft-
ware [MEMORY PROTECT-CARTRIDGE] function
on the DX7. Then press [CART FORM] and answer
[YES] to the two displayed prompts. THINK BEFORE
YOU DO THIS; IF THERE WERE ANY VOICES YOU
WANTED ON THAT CARTRIDGE, THEY WILL BE
GONE FOREVER. (You can load one or more cartridge
PORTAMENTO
In FUNCTION mode, these 3 buttons activate the
[DATA ENTRY] section so its controls can be used to
set portamento (glide) and glissando (stepped glide)
effects, and to control certain sustain characteristics of
the keyboard. The particular effects available will
NOTE: For [MIDI] information, see page 55.
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RAM or ROM cartridge voices into the DX7 internal
memories. Again, you have to answer [YES] twice
before the voices are loaded (which erases any exist-
ing voices in the internal memories). The actual
transfer occurs instantaneously
voices into the DX7 internal memory and then format if
you like.) You cannot format a ROM (factory preset) car-
tridge.
level with the corresponding modulation control
(Foot, Breath, etc.). In this case, the LFO is not in-
volved. Again, this will produce changes in brilliance
or volume or "wah" depending on the amplitude
sensitivity programmed into each operator in the
voice.
10
MODULATION
The bottom row of 16 Function buttons is used to set
the Modulation available from 4 control sources: the
MODULATION WHEEL, FOOT CONTROL, BREATH
CONTROL and key AFTER TOUCH. Since the 4 groups
are identical in nature, we'll cover the buttons just once.
Pressing any of these buttons activates the [DATA EN-
TRY] section so you can program different settings.
Voice Cartridge socket
BATTERY CHECK
This socket accepts the ROM cartridges which each
hold 64 pre-programmed voices (two are supplied with
the DX7), or the RAM cartridges which each hold 32
user-programmed voices. A protective door automati-
cally swings away when a cartridge is inserted. The
cartridges have a slot in their end connector, and the
socket has a keyway so that the cartridges can only be
inserted fully when properly oriented. If a cartridge does
not seat properly turn it around and try again. DO NOT
FORCE a cartridge into place.
In function mode, this button causes the display to
show the voltage level of the battery which preserves
the DX7 internal voice and programming memories
when power is turned off. The acceptable range is 2.3 to
3.5 volts. If the battery is below 2.2 volts, contact your
Yamaha dealer to arrange for replacement; this is NOT a
do-it-yourself repair.
NOTE: if the Amplitude or EG Bias is turned On, with a
low Range setting, certain voices may be inaudible or
nearly so due to their high modulation sensitivity.
CARTRIDGE
This pair of buttons sets the DX7 to transfer
a
full 32
voices between the internal and the cartridge memory
Before voices can be transferred TO a cartridge or TO
the DX7, the corresponding (MEMORY PROTECT)
features must be turned off. (Individual voices can be
transferred by first using the Play mode to "pick" the
voice, then pressing the [STORE] button and whatever
Voice Selector you like from 1 to 32.)
RANGE
This lets you program the amount of modulation
from none (0) to a maximum value (99). Bear in
mind, however, that the Pitch and Amplitude modu-
lation "range" may be zero (off) even if this control is
set at 99 unless the particular voice being played
includes some modulation sensitivity. Since sensitivity Power Switch
differs between voices, the identical Range setting
may produce different results with different voices.
This rear panel switch turns power on, permitting
the DX7 to be played and/or programmed. The inter-
nal voices are preserved even when power is turned
off, so long as the internal battery can deliver at least
2.3 volts (which can be verified by selecting the
FUNCTION/Battery Check mode).
PITCH
This lets you turn On LFO modulation of the voice's
pitch forvibrato-likeeffects.
SAVE
Pressing this button in FUNCTION mode stores all 32
internal memories to a RAM cartridge. You have an
opportunity to cancel the command by answering
[NO] to either displayed prompt; otherwise any
voices in the cartridge will be erased when the tran-
ter occurs. The display shows "Under Writing" for 20
seconds while the voices are being "written" to the
cartridge.
AMPLITUDE
This lets you turn On LFO modulation of the ampli-
tude (level) of those individual operators within a
voice that are programmed to be sensitive to it. The
effect may therefore be tremolo-like, or wah-like
depending on whether a carrier or modulator is
being modulated.
EG BIAS
LOAD
This lets you directly control the operator output
Pressing this button in FUNCTION mode loads 32
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11
Keyboard
PitchBendWheel
The Pitch Bend wheel permits you to shift the key-
board pitch up and down;
the range of this shift
This is a 61-key keyboard which has initial (veloc-
ity) and after (pressure) sensitivity, although these
parameters must be programmed into the voice in
order to be useable. The keyboard has 16-note poly-
phonic capability or can be switched to monophonic
mode. The overall keyboard pitch produced can be
altered + 75 cents using the Master Tune Adjust
parameter in FUNCTION mode, and the pitch of a
particular voice can be transposed over a 4 octave
range using the Key Transpose parameter in EDIT
mode. Each voice also may have an inherently
higher or lower pitch depending on the frequency
settings of components within the voice (the Opera-
tors).
depends on how far the
wheel is deflected from
the spring-return center
position, and on the
FUNCTIONmode[PITCH
BEND RANGE] setting,
with a maximum range of
plus or minus one octave.
The smoothness depends on
the [PITCH BEND STEP]
setting.
Modulation Wheel
The Modulation wheel permits you to introduce LFO
modulation of pitch and/or amplitude and/or EG bias
as you move the wheel away from you. The range and
nature of the effect obtained depends on several factors
(1) how the Modulation Wheel
Headphone & Breath Controller Jacks
The Headphone jack lets you listen without an exter-
nal amplifier/speaker system by plugging in almost any
pair of mono or stereo headphones that has a standard
1/4" (6.3 mm) diameter phone plug. The Breath Con-
troller jack accepts the miniature stereo phone plug from
a Yamaha BC-1 Breath Controller, which may be used to
introduce LFO modulation or EG bias into most voices
depending upon how the FUNCTION mode Breath
Control parameters are set, and on whether modulation
sensitivity is programmed into the voice. (If they are not
set appropriately the BC-1 will have no effect.)
parameters are set in
FUNCTION mode, and(2)
whether the voice has modu-
lation sensitivity programmed
into it; if either factor is
not set appropriately the
wheel will have no effect.
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SETUP
After all connections have been made, turn down the
mixer or amplifier volume as a precaution. Then turn
ON the POWER switch located at the rear of the instru-
ment (on the right side viewed from the keyboard). The
display panel will look like the illustration here for a few
seconds, and will then change to display the mode
which had been engaged before the DX7 was last turned
off.
goes into the BREATH CONT. jack on the front of the
DX7; DO NOT plug anything else into this jack.
NOTE: Do not turn power On until all other connections
have been made.
12
AudioOutput
MIDI Connectors
The DX7 has a built in headphone amplifier, so
stereo headphones may be plugged into the front
panel jack. However, the instrument does not have a
built in power amplifier, and thus requires an exter-
nal amplifier/speaker system. The OUTPUT jack is
suitable for connection to any unbalanced, low line
level input. This includes the input of the self-pow-
ered speaker systems, and the 600 ohm or higher
impedance line inputs of any Yamaha mixer. Remem-
ber (hat the audio output level not only depends on
the VOLUME setting, but also on the selected voice,
the playing style, and the position of the foot control
if it is plugged into the VOLUME jack.
These multi-pin DIN connectors are for the Musical
Instrument Digital Interface system (MIDI), a standard
adopted by several leading synthesizer manufactur-
ers. MIDI allows the DX7 to remotely control (or be
controlled by) other keyboards, sequencers and com-
puter interfaces. See the "MIDI" section of this man-
ual for additional information.
AC Power
Plug the DX7 power cord into any 120 volt, 50 or 60
Hz grounded (3-prong) AC receptacle. It draws 40 watts
maximum. When using the DX7 with an amplifier or
mixer that has an unbalanced input, it is a good idea to
plug both units into the same AC receptacle box or the
same "leg" of the AC service. This will reduce the
chance of hum.
InstallationofMusicRack
The music rack which comes with the DX7 fits into
two sockets on the rear panel (see diagram).
Use a single conductor shielded cable with a standard
1/4" (6.3 mm) tip/sleeve phone plug. Coiled guitar
cords are not recommended since they typically degrade
the high frequency response more than a straight cord.
Standard guitar cord, 20 feet maximum recommended
length.
The low impedance XLR inputs of Yamaha mixers
may be used with an adaptor cable or a "direct box," as
explained in the technical notes at the end of this sec-
tion.
External Foot Controller Jacks
There are 4 phone jacks designed for use with exter-
nal foot controls. The VOLUME and MODULATION
jacks each accept a Yamaha FC-3A foot pedal, which has
a tip/ring/sleeve (stereo type) phone plug. The PORTA-
MENTO and SUSTAIN jacks each accept a Yamaha FC-4
or FC-5 foot switch, which has a tip/sleeve phone plug.
None of these jacks needs to be used for normal opera-
tion of the DX7, but if the foot controllers are used, be
sure you plug in the proper type of controller. The picto-
rial diagrams on the rear panel should make this clear.
Breath Controller
The optional Yamaha BC-1 Breath Controller is a
pressure transducer that is designed for use with this
synthesizer. Its miniature tip/ring/sleeve phone plug
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Additional Technical Installation Notes
When connecting the DX7 to an amplifier or mixer, a
maximum unbalanced cable length of 20 feet will
reduce susceptibility to hum, noise, and high frequency
losses; if a longer cable is needed, utilize a "direct box"
which uses a transformer or amplifiers to convert the
output to a balanced line, and then run 2- conductor
shielded cable with XLR-3 or 1/4" Tip/Ring/Sleeve
phone plugs to a balanced input on the mixer or ampli-
fier.
13
The nominal output level is -20 dBm (77.5 mV),
although the actual level depends on the voice, the
VOLUME setting, and how many notes are being played
at once. The OUTPUT jack will drive low impedance
(600 ohm) or higher impedance inputs. Maximum out-
put may be considerably higher; since power amplifiers'
nominal input levels are those levels that drive the
amplifier to maximum power, an amplifier rated at 0
dBm or +4 dBm input level may be well matched to
the DX7 output. Mixers with adjustable input sensitivity
may have to be set anywhere from -20 to +4 dBm
nominal, depending on the selected voice, the playing
style, and the DX7 VOLUME setting.
If the cable length is under 20 feet, but the mixer or
amplifier input requires an XLR connector, a direct box
may not be necessary; a simple adaptor cable will often
do the job, so long as complex grounding problems
don't cause excessive hum. To adapt the phone jack
OUTPUT of the DX7 to an XLR input, first check the
manual on the other equipment to see which pin of its
XLR is the "hot" or "signal" pin. In Yamaha equipment,
pin 2 is "hot." Cut the phone plug off one end of a stand-
ard guitar-type cable, and connect the center conductor
to XLR's "hot" pin. Then wire the shield to the other two
pins of the XLR; if hum is a problem, cut the shield
connection to pin 1 of the XLR.
As is the case with any electric or electronic instru-
ment, the AC power receptacle should be checked for
correct voltage and polarity. To find out what to do about
operation with power mains that do not meet these
specifications, contact a Yamaha dealer or authorized
Yamaha DX service center.
Phone-to-XLR adaptor cable.
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PLAYING THE FACTORY PRESET VOICES
14
Playing the Internal Voices
NOTE Don't worry ifyou try to play a chord and the
keyboard acts monophonically rather than polyphoni-
cally This simply means the synthesizer is in mono-
phonic mode, and the change to polyphonic mode is
described in the following section of this manual.
1. If the DX7 happens to be on, turn it off. Then turn it
back on while observing the display window. This
will let you see the initial displays we are about to
Set the VOLUME so
describe. (In the future, you won't have to turn off the
instrument just to change modes.) When you first turn
on the DX7, the LCD display will briefly show:
you'll be able to hear
something
AVOID FRUSTRATION Although weencourage you to
explore all of the DX7 features on your own, please
try not to jump ahead and press buttons other than
voice selectors 1 to 32 at this time. This can place the
DX7 in a different operating mode so try to resist.
There's nothing wrong with pressing any buttons —
you can't damage the instrument — but if you do go
off on your own, these instructions may no longer
make sense. You may think something is wrong with
the instrument, and to get back to anything recognize-
able you will have to start all over again. Bear with
these step by step instructions the first few times, and
then after you really know what the controls do, you
can go ahead and have fun.
3. Enter the PLAY mode by pressing the [MEMORY
#
SELECT-INTERNAL] button, then select the 1
internal memory by pressing the [1] button.
The number 88 may or may not appear in the LED
voice number display; in any case, after a few sec-
onds, the display will change. However, we don't
know what it will show when it changes.
Press this... Then... Press this
Playing the Cartridge Voices
The display will change to show the new voice
1. Locate the cartridge labeled "DX7 VOICE ROM" on
the top, with a large numeral "3" on one side of the
cartridge. Slide the switch on that cartridge upward
(away from the connector) to gain access to the 32
voices in bank A. These are labeled "Master Group".
2. Insert the cartridge into the slot near the right side of
the keyboard, orienting it so its switch faces away
from the keyboard.
NOTE: A voice number will be shown in the RED
window, but its number will depend on the voice that
was last selected before the DX7 was turned off; we
have used question marks even though an actual
number will appear. Similarly we placed question
marks in the LCD display because we don't know
what will show in that window... it could be an inter-
nal (INT) voice name, a cartridge (CRT) voice name,
or a function; again, it depends on that which was
last used before power was turned off. In order that
you can explore the internal voices and find out for
yourself what they are, do the following:
3. Select the cartridge voice called "BRASSHORNS",
There won't be question marks. However, the 32
internal memories may have been loaded with any of
the 4 factory preset banks, something you or another
musician left in memory or something the dealer
placed there during checkout of your instrument prior
to delivery Therefore, we don't know what voice
name will appear. The LCD display "INT 1" is really
redundant here; it tells you that internal voice 1 is
selected, which you can read from the top line of the
LCD window and the red LED voice number display
(Later, when you are editing voices, the "INTERNAL
VOICE" and "INT 1" areas will have different labels,
and the red LED display will become an important
reminder of the voice you have selected.)
#
#
which is in location A-5 of the DX7 VOICE ROM 3
cartridge. Do this by pressing the [MEMORY
SELECT-CARTRIDGE] button and then the [5]
button.
Press this... Then press this
The display will change to show the new voice
2. If you are using an amplifier/speaker system with the
DX7, make sure that system is turned on and its
volume controls are set appropriately Whether you're
using an external amplifier/speaker system, or the
DX7 headphone jack and a pair of headphones, be
sure to set the DX7 VOLUME control so there is some
output; mid scale is a good starting point.
4. Play the keyboard, and explore this voice. In fact,
explore all the voices in the internal memories. You
can do this by simply pressing selector buttons [1]
through [32]. You don't have to press [MEMORY
SELECT- INTERNAL] each time.
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FUNCTIONMODE:
SETTING OVERALL PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS
IMPORTANT NOTE
[DATA ENTRY]
NOTE Yamaha reserves the right to continue to refine
and update factory preset voices. For this reason,
some ROMs may have this voice in a different loca-
tion, or may have a different voice altogether. Refer to
the notes which are packaged with the ROMs.
15
In order to provide meaningful examples as we explain
the various buttons and functions on the DX7, we will
refer to specific pre-programmed voices that are pro-
vided in the "MASTER GROUP", which is found in bank
A slider and two buttons at the left side of the control
panel are marked [DATA ENTRY]. This group of con-
trols is used for adjusting the settings of almost all the
programmable levels and modes. Moving the slider
down and up may turn one item OFF and ON, set
another for a level of from 0 to 7, and set still another
for a level or rate of from 0 to 99, and so on. For now,
just remember that [DATA ENTRY] is an assignable
group of controls that you use to change whatever you
have selected with other controls on the DX7.
#
A of the DX7 VOICE ROM 3 cartridge that comes with
4. Play the keyboard, and explore this voice.
Observe the change in the sound when you
press the key gently and when you hit it hard
(not all voices have this touch sensitivity pro-
grammed into them). You'll probably want to
play all the voices in Bank A of this ROM car-
tridge. You can do this by pressing selector but-
tons [1] through [32]; you don't have to press
[MEMORY SELECT-CARTRIDGE] each
time.
the instrument. (These procedures are virtually the same
for the internal voices, but since we don't know what
particular voices are loaded in the instrument, we are
using a known set of voices for now. Then our exam-
ples should match what your instrument actually does.)
Some control functions have no effect unless the voice
with which they are used is already programmed to be
sensitive to the control.
To play the voice we are using in this portion of the
manual as an example, you will need to set the DX7 to
select the cartridge voice called "ELEC PIANO 1" (Elec-
tric Piano 1), which is in location A-8 of the DX7 VOICE
NOTE At this point, the voice may not sound
"fight" or some of the features of the synthesizer
may not appear to work. This is likely to be due
to the settings of the FUNCTION controls, as
explained in the following section. WHAT
YOU'VEHEARDSOFARMAYBEDRAMATI-
CALLY CHANGED BY MOVING JUST A FEW
CONTROLS. This is demonstrated in the next sec-
tion of the manual.
#
ROM 3 cartridge. From the previous instuctions we'll
assume that cartridge is installed, the [MEMORY
SELECT- CARTRIDGE] button has already been
pressed and the top line of the LCD display already indi-
cates "CARTRIDGE VOICE" (ifnot,do so now). There-
fore you should only have to press the [8] button.
Whatever EDIT mode or FUNCTION mode program-
ming parameter value happens to be displayed may sud-
denly "jump" to a different value as soon as the [DATA
ENTRY] slide control is operated, or it may change
gradually, depending on the specific value and the posi-
tion of the slider. Think of the slider as having a scale
(from bottom to top) of 0-3, 0-7, 0-12, 0-99or OFF-ON,
depending on the function. If the slider is positioned at a
different point on its relative scale than the value dis-
played in the LCD window, then as soon as the slider is
moved at all, the displayed value will jump to the slider-
position value. In most cases, the two buttons next to
the slider will increment or decrement the displayed
value by 1 unit, with no "jump." The last selected FUNC-
TION parameter can be adjusted while in the PLAY
mode.
Press this
5. If you want to explore the "Keyboard & Plucked
Group" voices that are stored in Bank B of this
cartridge, slide the switch on the cartridge down
to "B" position, and again press the voice selector
buttons [1] to [32]. The same procedures apply
to the "Orchestral & Percussive Group" voices in
Bank A, and the "Complex & Effects Group"
voices in Bank B of the DX7 VOICE ROM #2 car-
tridge.
The display will change to show the voice
NOTE There is no "right way" or "wrong way" to
approach programming of the DX7, although some
methods may be rather inefficient. This chapter is pro-
vided to familiarize you with the use of some of the
programming functions. Ifsomething isn't perfectly clear
to you at first, don't spend too much time on it; it will
eventually make sense as you play the instrument and
become familiar with its basic features and functions. We
suggest you re-read these instructions after you've gained
a certain degree of confidence with the DX7.
[FUNCTION]
There are 3 main modes of operation: PLAY mode,
EDIT mode and FUNCTION mode. The parameters
which can be adjusted in FUNCTION mode are those
that affect the overall sound, no matter which voice you
select (provided, in some cases, that the voice itself is
programmed to accept the function control). This in-
cludes such parameters as the tuning of the keyboard,
whether or not the portamento is active and how it
works, and the effects of the modulation wheel, foot
control, breath control, and the pressure sensitivity of
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the keys(AfterTouch). Velocity sensitivity is NOT set in
this mode; it is programmed into individual voices.
ALL THE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS AFFECTED
BY FUNCTION MODE ARE MARKED IN BROWN on
the control panel. The Edit Recall and Voice Initialize
functions are also marked in brown, as are the Cartridge
Store/Load and Battery Check functions; even though
these items do not affect the sound of all the voices, they
are accessible from FUNCTION mode.
3. While playing a note or chord, move the [DATA
ENTRY] slider up and down. The pitch will move
with the slider because you have selected MASTER
TUNE mode.
and forth between polyphonic and monophonic
modes.
16
Press this
Move slider up to
raise the pitch,
The display will now look like this
1. In order to examine and/or change the various per-
formance parameters, you first have to press the
brown [FUNCTION] button.
-or-
Move it down to
lower the pitch
Press this
unless MONO mode had last been selected in which
case the bottom line will indicate "MONO MODE".
And you will see this
4. The two buttons next to the (DATA ENTRY] slider
normally serve as "fine" adjustments to do the same
thing the slider does as a "coarse" adjusment. In this
particular case, however, the slider by itself is enough
to tune the instrument since it is already programmed
to have fine resolution in MASTER TUNE mode. Tune
the DX7 to A = 440 Hz (slider approximately cen-
tered).
2. If it is not already in MONO mode, set the instrument
to that mode by pressing the [>] button (or by pushing
the slider to the top) and see how the keyboard
reacts. Observe that if you hold down one key then
hit a higher or lower note, you will hear the most
recent key you press. Thereafter, the keyboard is set
correspondingly to high or low note priority until you
release all keys. There is no "fixed" low or high note
priority.
(The message on the second tine of the display could be
one of many It doesn't matter now.)
NOTE: This function is primarily fortuningthe synthe-
sizer to other instruments. By limiting the adjustment
to a narrow range (+ 75 cents), we make it easier to
tune precisely with the slider. However, since each
voice can, itself, be programmed to a unique pitch...
or can be easily transposed (as explained elsewhere),
there is really no limit to the actual pitch you can
create when you press a given key
The red LED diplay will continue to indicate the
#
selected voice number ( 8), and you can still play that
voice, but the LCD display will change to indicate that
the FUNCTION mode has been selected. As with
voice selection, the particular FUNCTION that appears
in the LCD display will be the last one selected, so we
don't know exactly what that is.
Press
this
2. Press the [MASTER TUNE] button. This sets the
[DATA ENTRY] slider so it can adjust the overall
pitch of the keyboard.
And see
this
POLY/MONO
The DX7 is a polyphonic instrument capable of play-
ing 16 notes simultaneously This means that while you
are playing additional notes, up to 16 of them can sus-
tain at one time. As soon as all 16 notes have been
played, the DX7 will drop the first of the 16 notes when
the next one is played. Sometimes, however, you may
wish to have the instrument act as a monophonic (single
note) synthesizer... for example, when you're playing a
lead line. When FUNCTION mode is selected, pressing
the [MONO/POLY] button sets the DATA ENTRY con-
trols so you can make the choice.
3. Experiment with moving the [DATA ENTRY] slider
up and down. Notice the display toggle between
"MONO MODE" (slider up) and "POLY MODE" (slider
down). Now try pressing the adjacent [<] and [>]
buttons. Notice they do the same thing as moving the
slider down (<) and up (>). This relationship is true
for most programming functions.
Press this
The display will now look like this
4. Set the instrument to POLY mode by pressing the [<]
button or by pulling the slider to the bottom. See how
the keyboard reacts. Observe that you can play
chords, and if you hold one key pressing another
1. Press the [POLY/MONO] button. This sets the [DATA
ENTRY] slider and buttons so they can toggle back
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3. Notice that if you hold a key and hold the PITCH
wheel at a given position, moving the [DATA
ENTRY] slider will not have an effect. You have to
release the wheel first and then play to hear the effect
of the new pitch bend range setting. (This "set-then-
test" rather than "set-while-testing" function character-
izes many of the DX7 programming controls.)
4. Go back and experiment with different step sizes by
pressing [PITCH BEND-STEP] and moving the
slider and/or pressing the [+1] and [-1] buttons. The
bend was continuous with the step size at 0. A step
size of 1 enables you to hear each semitone as you
move the wheel, and, at the other extreme, a step
size of 12 means you'll hear the note or chord "jump"
a full octave.
Any step size above 0 sets the range to 12, but spe-
cific step sizes affects the maximum available range; it
may not always be as much as plus or minus an
octave. For example, if you choose a step size of 5
steps, and move the PITCH wheel slightly you'll get a
jump up or down of 5 semitones. Full deflection of
the wheel from its resting position will cause the pitch
to jump up or down a total of 10 semitones... and
that'sit. A range of 6 steps, however, would allow for
an octave of pitch "bend" in 2 increments.
does not cancel the original note. Leave the instru-
ment set to POLY mode for the time being.
17
Then use either of these
PITCH BEND RANGE & STEP
The PITCH bend wheel located at the far left side of
the keyboard can be used to "bend" notes or chords,
provided the Pitch Bend Range is set to some non-zero
value. The wheel is spring-loaded to return to center
from either direction.
When the DX7 is set for a pitch bend step size of
zero, the display should look like this:
The maximum pitch bend range is adjustable from 0
(no pitch bend) to a as much as 12 semitones in either
direction (plus or minus an octave). Additionally the
PITCH wheel can be programmed for a smooth, contin-
uous bend, or the change can occur in "steps" of a size
you set (from 0 to 12 semitones). The RANGE adjust-
ment works only when the step size is set to 0; when
discrete steps are selected, the maximum range is 1
octave, with the step size determining the highest and
lowest pitch actually available.
2. Press the [PITCH BEND-RANGE] button and move
the [DATA ENTRY] slider up and down to get differ-
ent range values displayed in the window. Play a note
or chord and use the PITCH wheel to try each setting.
When you've experimented, leave the system set for a
maximum 12 semitone pitch bend range. (As soon as
you select a [STEP] size other than zero, the
PORTAMENTO FUNCTIONS
NOTES
Several related functions are qrouped under the
FUNCTION heading "PORTAMENTO." The actual
effects obtained will depend upon more than the
PORTAMENTO settings.
[RANGE] is automatically reset to 12 semitones.)
What you hear will change when the synthesizer is
settoPOLYorMONOmode.Weinitiallyexplorethe
PORTAMENTO and GLISSANDO effects in POLY
mode since that is the mode to which we have.
already set the DX7.
Specific effects also change based on the inherent
sustain programmed into a given voice, and whether
or not you use the SUSTAIN foot pedal. We recom-
mend that you have the FC-4 or FC-5 foot switch
plugged into the rear panel SUSTAINjack in order to
fully benefit from these instructions. Ifa footswitch is
not plugged into the PORTAMENTOjack, then the
portamento will be ON.
1. Press the [PITCH BEND-STEP] button first. This sets
the [DATA ENTRY] slider and buttons so they can
adjust the size of the steps that will be produced when
you operate the PITCH bend wheel. Try it — move
the [DATA ENTRY] slider(or press the adjacent [<]
and [>] buttons) — then play a note and move the
PITCH wheel.
Since the RANGE function works only when the step
size is zero (continuous glide), move the [DATA
ENTRY] slider, or instead press the adjacent [-1] but-
ton as many times as may be necessary to obtain a
step size of zero.
Then use either of these
When the DX7 is set for a pitch bend range of plus or
minus an octave, the display should look like this:
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PORTAMENTO & GLISSANDO IN POLY MODE
4. Now play several notes, one after the other, while-
stepping on the SUSTAIN pedal. Play a bass chord,
then a high note. Observe that the pitch glides from
the previously played note(s) to the next note(s), but
the sustain of the earlier notes remains at their origi-
nal pitch. Experiment with this effect.
Sustain: Key Pitch Retain
1. Press [PORTAMENTO TIME] and use the [DATA
ENTRY] controls to set a time of 80, as indicated in
the LCD window. (If the TIME is set at or near zero,
there will be no discernable portamento or glissando
effect, regardless of what you do with the other POR-
TAMENTO functions. Higher values than 80 are OK,
but will take more of your time than necessary when
exploring these functions.)
Then, ifnecessary, movethe
slider down or press this but-
tonso the display indicates
"GLISSANDO=OFF"
Sustain: Key Pitch Follow
Assuming you have just completed the previous
instructions, the DX7 is in "SUSTAIN: KEY PITCH
RETAIN" mode, with SUSTAIN mode engaged(i.e., GLIS-
SANDOturnedoff), anda moderatePORTAMENTO
time of 80. Now let's explore "SUSTAIN: KEY PITCH
FOLLOW" mode.
The display should look like this
1. Since the DX7 is already in PORTAMENTO mode,
press the [>] DATA ENTRY button or push up the
slider to set the DX7 to SUSTAIN-KEY PITCH FOL-
LOW mode.
Then adjust this
slider or the adja-
centbuttons
3. Now press [PORTAMENTO-MODE] to see which of
Push up the slider or press this
button so the display indicates
"SUS-KEY P FOLLOW"
two possible modes is engaged; the display will indi-
cate either "SUS-KEY P FOLLOW" or "SUS-KEY P
RETAIN." Lets make sure it is set to "SUS-KEY P
RETAIN."
Until the display looks like this
The display should look like this
Then, ifnecessary, movethe
slider down or press this but-
ton so the display indicates
"SUS-KEY P RETAIN"
2. Now press [GLISSANDO] to see whether the Glis-
sando is turned on or not; the display will indicate
one of two modes ,"GLISSANDO=ON"or "GLISSAN-
DO =OFF." For now let's make sureit off
means the DX7 is in PORTAMENTO rather than
GLISSANDO mode.
, which
2. Now play several widely spaced notes or chords, one
after the other, while stepping on the SUSTAIN pedal.
Observe that the pitch again glides from the previ-
ously played note(s) to the next note(s), but the sus-
tain of the earlier notes also moves up to the latest
note or chord played (FOLLOWS) instead of RETAIN-
ING the original pitch.
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MODE], you no longer have a choice of "RETAIN" or
"FOLLOW" functions; instead, you can choose between
"FINGERED PORTA" and "FULL TIME PORTA" (where
"PORTA" refers to portamento or glissando); These differ-
ences are explained below.
Glissando (Key Pitch Retain & Key Pitch Follow)
Glissando is similar to the Portamento effects you just
explored, with this exception; the pitch glide in Porta-
mento is continuous, whereas in Glissando it moves up
or down in 1/2 step increments. Glissando works with
cither the "Follow" or "Retain" functions.
19
at the new one, whereas if you continue holding the
first key and release the second key, the pitch glides
back to the original.
5. Now play several notes in succession, releasing one
before playing the nest. Notice that there is no porta-
mento. THIS EXPLAINS "FINGERED PORTA" MODE:
you only get portamento when one key is pressed
while another is still being held down.
Fingered Portamento (and Glissando)
1. It is OK to leave the Portamento Time at 80, but for
now, let's turn off glissando by pressing [GLIS-
SANDO] and then the DATA ENTRY [OFF] button.
2. Set the DX7 to MONO mode by pressing [POLY/
MONO]andthentheDATAENTRY[>]button.
1. Press [PORTAMENTO/GLISSANDO], and then
press the DATA ENTRY [ON] button to place the
instrument in glissando mode.
6. You can obtain a "Fingered Glissando" effect in much
the same way (with stepped pitch shift instead of a
continuous glide); just press (GLISSANDO) and then
the DATA ENTRY [ON] button.
Full Time Portamento (and Glissando)
1. It is OK to leave the [PORTAMENTO TIME] at 80,
although interesting effects can be obtained at lower
values, too. Leave the keyboard in MONO mode, with
glissando turned off.
Then move the slider up or
press this buttonso the display
indicates "GLISSANDO=ON"
2. Select the full time portamento mode by pressing
[PORTAMENTO-MODE] and then the DATA ENTRY
[>] button.
3. Select the Fingered Portamento mode by pressing
[PORTAMENTO-MODE] and then the DATA ENTRY
[<]button.
2. Again play several widely spaced notes or chords
while stepping on theSUSTAIN pedal. Observe how
the pitch moves to the most recent note(s) in 1/2 step
increments. The speed can be changed by pressing
[PORTAMENTO-TIME] and adjusting [DATA
ENTRY].
3. The portamento will work the same as in FINGERED
PORTA mode if you hold a key and then press a
second key However, if you now play several notes in
succession, releasing one before playing the next,
you'll find the portamento remains active. THIS
EXPLAINS "FULL TIME PORTA" MODE; you always
getportamento. even if one key is released before the
next one is pressed down.
3. The instrument is still in "FOLLOW" mode, so the
glissando effect cancels the sustain of previous notes.
Now try the effect in "RETAIN" mode by pressing
[PORTAMENTO-MODE] and the DATA ENTRY [<]
button.
NOTE Ifa foot switch is plugged into the Portmento
jack, itwillhave noeffect in the FINGEREDPORTA
mode. In FULLTIME PORTA mode, the footswitch
can be used to turn the effect on and off.
4. Observe that if you hold down one key, then press a
second key that is a higher or lower note, you will
hear the pitch from the original note move to the new
pitch. If you then release the first key the pitch stays
PORTAMENTO & GLISSANDO IN MONO MODE
When the DX7 is placed in MONO mode rather than
POLYmode, theavailableportamento/glissandoeffects
change somewhat. When you press [PORTAMENTO
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20
4. You can obtain a "Full Time Glissando" effect in much
the same way (with stepped pitch shift instead of a
continuous glide); just press [GLISSANDO] and then
the DATA ENTRY [ON] button.
button again shows either "SYS INFO AVAIL" or "SYS
CARTRIDGE FORMAT
INFO
depending on how you press the
[YES]UaNnAdV[ANIALOV"],AbILu"ttons.
Voice selector button [11] serves a special purpose in
the FUNCTION mode. Pressing this button selects the
cartridgeFORM(format)function.Formattingerasesall
the voices in a RAM cartridge. Don't experiment with
this feature unless you're willing to loose the voices on
the RAM. Instead, read the description in the "FUNC-
TION mode" portion of the "Quick Basic Features" sec-
tion of this manual. See page 9.
"SYS INFO
enables you to program other
5. Enough work — take a fun break! Now that you've
been exposed to some of the FUNCTION control
features, try using them with other voices. You can
select any voice by pressing either [MEMORY
SELECT-INTERNAL]or[MEMORYSELECT-
CARTRIDGE] and then any voice selector button
from 1 to 32. Once you've selected a voice, press
[FUNCTION] to experiment with the Master Tuning,
Poly/Mono, Pitch Bend and Portamento functions.
When you've finished experimenting, select the "E.
PIANO 1" voice again.
devices connected by MIDI cable — to send every
parameter for one voice or all 32 internal voices from
the Master to the Slave, and you can also select and play
voices on the Slave(s). To send all 32 voices to aAnVoAthILe"r
DX7 (or 20 of them to
a
DX9), once "SYS INFO
is
displayed, press the MIDI button [8] again and, when
the display asks "MIDI TRANSIT?" press the [YES] but-
ton (memory protect must be OFF in the other synthe-
sizer). Individual voices or parts of voices can also be
transferred. If you set the instrument so it displays "SYS
INFO UNAVAIL," then you can change programs(select
different voices) and play the Slave from the Master, but
you cannot transfer voice parameters from one instru-
ment to the other.
BATTERY CHECK
The battery backup preserves the internal RAM voice
memories when the AC power is turned off. The normal
batteryvoltagerangesfrom2.3to3.5volts.Ifthebattery
voltage is too low, the synthesizer will operate normally
but any voices in the internal memories may be lost or
altered when power is turned off. Therefore, it is advis-
able to check the battery voltage prior to turning off the
instrument and, if it is low, be sure the internal voices
are saved on a cartridge. (Refer to page 49 for instruc-
tions on storing your voices in the RAM cartridges.)
NOTE The following modes should be reset as indica-
ted so that the rest ofthe instructions in this section
can be accomplished without confusion from any
portamento, glissando, orpitch bendeffects. Press
[FUNCTION], then:
A. Return to polyphonic mode by pressing [POLY/
MONO] and then [<].
EDIT RECALL
B. Turn off glissando mode, if engaged, by pressing
[GLISSANDO] and [OFF].
This function is used as an "emergency backup" to
recall a voice that was "lost" while it was being edited or
created from scratch. Please do not press this button
right now; if you already have, just press [NO] or an-
other FUNCTION button, like [BATT CHECK]. This
button's operation is described in the "FUNCTION
Mode" portion of the "Quick Basic Features" section of
this manual. See page 9.
C. Set the portamento time to zero by pressing [POR-
TAMENTOTIME] and pullingthe[DATA
ENTRY] slider down so the display indicates
"PORTATIME=0".
Press the [BATTERY CHECK] button and examine
the voltage. If it is below 2.2 volts, the battery must
be replaced; if it is over 3.6 volts, something may be
wrong with the DX7.
D. It doesn't make any difference which portamento
mode is set since, with the time at zero, there is no
effect.
MIDI
MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital
Interface. The MIDI connectors on the back of the DX7
permit 16 channels of digital information to be shared
with other synthesizers, sequencers, and computer con-
trollers. MIDI permits two or more synthesizers to be
played from one keyboard, as well as remote-controlled
voice selection and even remote-controlled voicing
within the DX series. Voice selector button [8], the
[MIDI] button, actually selects multiple functions in the
FUNCTION mode when it is pressed successive times.
When the display shows "MIDI CH ?" you use the [<]
and [>] to select any of the 16 MIDI channels for receiv-
ing information: only Channel 1 is needed to remotely
program or play multiple synthesizers (the other chan-
nels are reserved for sequencers, computer interface and
as yet undetermined future uses). Pressing the [MIDI]
VOICE INTT (Initialize)
This function is used to create a new voice "from
scratch," and pressing it is the first step of an alternative
method of entering the EDIT mode. Please do not press
this button right now; if you already have, the display
shows "VOICE INIT?"; press [NO] or any other FUNC-
TION button to cancel the mode. This button's operation
is described in the "FUNCTION mode" portion of the
"Quick Basic Features" section of this manual. See page
9.
The voltage should be between 2.3 and 3.5
CAUTION The battery is a long-life Lithium
type, and when it is exhausted (below 2.2
volts) it must be replaced by your Yamaha
dealer. Be sure you save any internal voice on
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a RAM cartridge before submitting the instru-
ment for a new battery or repair. See page 49
for Cartridge Save and Load descriptions and
directions. Please do not try to change the
batteryyourself;expensivedamagethatisnot
covered by your Warranty may result.
(Actually each operator or "sub-component" of a voice
may or may not be internally programmed to be sensi-
tive to these modulation sources.) The fourth button,
RANGE, lets you set the maximum amount of modula-
tion that can be applied to each of the adjacent three
voice components.
2. For now, the object is to turn off all modulation.
Therefore, if the display shows "WHEEL
21
PITCH=ON", use [DATA ENTRY] to turn if off.
The only difference between the four groups of four
FUNCTION controls is the means you use to control the
LFO modulation. It can be introduced:
MODULATIONWHEEL
FOOT CONTROL
BREATH CONTROL
AFTER TOUCH
Moresliderdownorpressthis
button to turn offthemodula-
tion
A) when you move the modulation wheel at the left of
the keyboard,
B) when you tilt an FC-3A foot controller plugged into
the MODULATION jack,
C) when you blow into the BC-1 breath controller
plugged into the BREATH CONT jack, or
D) when you press hard on a key (or keys) to activate
the after touch sensors within the keyboard.
Because the four groups of modulation controls all
operate similarly we will concentrate primarily on just
one modulation source: the MODULATION WHEEL.
First, make sureall modulation is OFF
NOTE While you may not be using a given source of
modulation, it can still affect the voice if its FUNC-
TION control parameters are inappropriately set.
SOME SETTINGS COULD RESULT IN LITTLE OR NO
AUDIBLE OUTPUTFROM THE SYNTHESIZER.
Therefore, to simplify the operation as we go through
the following explanations, we first instruct you to turn
off all the modulation sources except the MODULA-
TION WHEEL. Later when you actually play the
instrument, you can turn on the modulation as you
wish.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 above, but instead of pressing
[MODULATION WHEEL PITCH], press [MODULA-
TION WHEEL- AMPLITUDE] and then [MODULA-
TION WHEEL-EG BIAS]. In each instance, use
[DATA ENTRY] as required to turn OFF the modula-
tion.
1. If the instrument is not still in FUNCTION mode
(upper line of the LCD display showing "FUNCTION
CONTROL), press the [FUNCTION] button. Then
press [MODULATION WHEEL-PITCH] and see
whether the modulation is on.
And press this if necessary to
ensure all the modulation
sources are turned off
4. Now repeat steps 1 through 3 above for the Pitch,
Amplitude and EG Bias functions of the FOOT CON-
TROL, BREATH CONTROL, and AFTER TOUCH
groups; in each case. make sure the LCD display
indicates the function is OFF or else use (DATA EN-
TRY] to turn it off.
When we arrange these four groups of FUNCTION
controls above one another on this page (for the Modu-
lation Wheel, Foot Control, Breath Control and After
Touch), you can see the groups are essentially identical.
There are three main components of a voice to which
LFO modulation can be applied: to the PITCH, to the
AMPLITUDE, or to the EG (envelope generator) BIAS.
NOTE It is not necessary to press the [RANGE] but-
tons to set the range for any of these modulation
sources because the range has no effect when the
modulation is turned off.
(The ??? will either be "OFF"or "ON")
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22
5. Play the keyboard and then move the MODULATION
WHEEL toward "MAX". Notice it does not change the
sound; that's because you just turned OFF the Wheel's
effect.
modulation achieved with the wheel will depend not
only on the setting of the wheel itself, but also on the
set Range, and on the Pitch Modulation Sensitivity of
individual voices.
4. If you don't hear pitch modulation with the "WHEEL
PITCH= ON", the Wheel at MAX, and the "WHEEL
RANGE= 99", leave these controls set, and try other
voices. Other voices may be programmed to be sensi-
tive to pitch modulation.
From this point, you can access other voices by press-
ing [MEMORY SELECT-INTERNAL] or [MEMORY
SELECT-CARTRIDGE]. Then press each voice selec-
tor button, [1] through [32], and move the MODULA-
TION WHEEL back and forth to test these voices.
When you find a voice that sounds interesting with
the pitch modulation, again press the [FUNCTION]
button and try moving the [DATA ENTRY] slider to
change the modulation RANGE so you can hear how
the wheel works at other than maximum available
range.
3. Set the MODULATION Wheel at maximum (notch in
the wheel toward the back of the instrument). Then
press [MODULATION WHEEL-RANGE] and use
the [DATA ENTRY] slider to set different values from
0 (no modulation) to 99 (maximum modulation) while
playing the keyboard. IF YOU DON'T HEAR THE
MODULATION, BE SURE YOU'RE HOLDING DOWN
THE KEYS FOR AT LEAST A FEW SECONDS.
Set this wheel
at maximum
NOTE You will now be asked to turn on the MODU-
LATION WHEEL effects and see how they can be
used to alter the sound of different voices.
5. Now that you've explored the Modulation Wheel
PITCH modulation, try applying AMPLITUDE modu-
lation.
Selectively turn ON and try the modulation
1. Press [MODULATION WHEEL-PITCH] and then
press the DATA ENTRY [ON] button to activate the
pitch modulation effect.
And set this wheel to take
advantage of the maximum set
modulation
To work without confusing two types of modulation,
you'll want to turn ON only one effect at a time.
Therefore first turn OFF Pitch modulation by pressing
[MODULATION WHEEL-PITCH] and then DATA
ENTRY [OFF]. Then turn ON Amplitude modulation
by pressing [MODULATION WHEEL-AMPLITUDE]
and DATA ENTRY [ON].
NOTE Applying AMPLITUDE modulation makes
individual operators (voice sub-components) louder
and softer, which can affect the volume or the tone or
both, depending on the particular voice's internal
structure. Once again, the voice must be programmed
to be sensitive to the type of modulation. The voice we
have been using as an example, "E.PIANO 1 " is sensi-
tive to pitch modulation, but not to amplitude modula-
tion, so the wheel will not have any effect on the voice
with only amplitude modulation turned on. Try the
other voices to find one which is sensitive to amplitude
modulation; a saxophone voice would be a likely
choice.
Then move this slider up to
achieve the maximum possible
range of modulation
Then move slider up or press
this button to turn on the
modulation
And see this
6. In a similar fashion to step 5 above, turn OFF the
[MODULATION WHEEL-AMPLITUDE] and turn
ON the [MODULATION WHEEL- EG BIAS]. The
EG bias does not utilize LFO modulation, but instead
it varies the amplitude of any envelopes whose Modu-
lation Sensitivity is programmed to a value greater
than zero. As a result, you can use the MODULATION
Wheel (or any modulation controller such as the
IMPORTANT NOTE At this point it is still possible that
you won't hear any pitch modulation, even when the
wheel is at maximum and the [MODULATION
WHEEL-RANGE] is set to 99. This is because the
voice itself must first have been programmed to be
sensitive to pitch modulation.
2. Play the keyboard and operate the MODULATION
WHEEL.
AT THIS POINT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HEAR THE
PITCH CHANGE IN A VIBRATO-LIKE FASHION.
THERE REMAIN SEVERAL VARIABLES WHICH WE
HAVE NOTYET DISCUSSED. Theamount ofpitch
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HOW THE DX7 CREATES SOUNDS
Breath Controller or Foot Controller) to turn notes up
and down within the existing envelopes, provided
you are also playing the notes on the keyboard. The
more EG bias, the less amplitude is present when you
play a note; the level increases when you add EG bias
by advancing the Wheel.
Operators
The Yamaha DX Series FM digital synthesizers use
pure tones (sine waves) that interact to create all the
overtones needed for any voice. Each sine wave oscilla-
tor has its own envelope generator. The combination of
the two is called an "operator."
7. When you've experimented with [MODULATION
WHEEL-EG BIAS], turn it OFF, and try each of the 3
types of modulation with the other sources (Foot
Control, Breath control and After Touch).
Each of the above sources of modulation can be pro-
grammed to function differently, so this is not neces-
sarily a redundant system. For example, you might
use the after touch to add pitch modulation, the mod-
ulation wheel to add amplitude modulation, and the
breath controller to alter EG bias (blowing notes,
provided you first hold down the key(s)) for a given
voice.
8. After you've explored all the modulation functions,
we recommend that you go through them and set
them in a way that will be useful as you work
through other sections of this manual. Therefore,
please set the modulation as follows:
The primary functional circuit in the DX7 is comprised
of the digital SINE WAVE OSCILLATOR plus a digital
ENVELOPEGENERATORwithmultiple inputsandjust
one output. This is called an OPERATOR.
When the outputofone OPERATOR is "patched"to the
input ofanother Operator, the result is a complex wave-
form. This is the essence of FM SYNTHESIS.
If you could look inside an operator (which is just a
digital circuit), you might see a block structure that looks
like this:
FUNCTION
CONTROLLER
PITCH
ON
RANGE
50
AMPLITUDE
OFF
EG BIAS
OFF
MODULATION WHEEL
FOOT CONTROL
BREATH CONTROL
AFTER TOUCH
ON
OFF
51)
50
50
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
(These settings are not ideal for all voices. If, for in-
stance. you're playing the voice called "SAX - BC1", you
will want to turn ON the Breath Controller EG bias, and
perhaps set Us range to 99.)
Carriers, Modulators and FM
The DX7 has 6 operators. When the output of one
operator is connected to the input of another, modula-
tion occurs. Harmonics are generated — up to a whole
spectrum of frequencies that are the equivalent of a
triangle wave or a sawtooth or a square wave, etc. — all
from a pair of sine waves. Additionally, operator's sine
wave outputs can be mixed together. The two processes,
mixing and modulating (whereby the sine waves inter-
act and produce complex sounds), are called FM synthe-
sis.
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24
ADlgifoferrietnht marrasngements of operators are known as
can be programmed to change over time, just as a
of the sound you achieve is highly dependent upon the
frequencies and levels you program into the operators
(modulators and carriers). The 32 algorithms available in
the DX7 were selected because they offer a broad spec-
trum of useful programming possibilities.
plucked string changes its overtones as the note decays.
"algorithms." An algorithm is something like a "patch"
on a modular synthesizer; it defines the way the opera-
tors are interconnected, only instead of using patch
cords, the DX synthesizers digitally switch the operators
to make up the various algorithms. The DX7 lets you
select among 32 different algorithms. Referring to the
diagrams on the top panel of the synthesizer, the small
boxes numbered 1-6 are the operators, and each "map"
pf operators (numbered 1-32) is an algorithm:
Depending on the selected algorithm, operators can
be stacked up vertically ("series connected"), arranged
side by side ("parallel connected") or both. In the vertical
arrangement, when the output of one operator is con-
nected to the input of the next, the result is modulation
— the essence of FM synthesis. By convention, we call
the operator at the bottom of a vertical stack the "car-
rier", and any operators that are above and which feed
its input are known as "modulators." By increasing the
output level of the modulators) going into a given the
carrier, you increase the number of harmonics present,
extending the bandwidth of the voice (making it more
"brilliant").
#
ALGORITHM 5
has 3 carriers and 3 modulators
#
Algorithm
5
#
ALGORITHM 1
Algorithm 1 has 2 carriers and 4 modulators
stack of
3 modulators
& 1 carrier
The bottom operator of a
stack is called a CARRIER.
Any operators which are
connected to the carrier's
inputs are called MODULA-
TORS. YOU CANT HEAR A
MODULATOR DIRECTLY,
but you hear its effect by
listening to the carrier's
altered (modulated) output.
A given operator can be
either a carrier or a modu-
lator: the only difference is
how it is "connected" in a
given algorithm.
#
ALGORITHM I6
Algorithm 16 has 1 carrier and 5 modulators.
#
Most algorithms have multiple carriers and modula-
tors. In one algorithm a given operator may be a carrier,
while in the next algorithm it may be a modulator —
the only difference is how it is connected. In algorithm
#
5, for example, there are 3 vertical stacks connected in
A given arrangement of OPERATORS is called an AL-
GORITHM. The available Algorithmsare numbered.
parallel, and each stack has a single modulator con-
nected to a single carrier. Thus algorithm 5 has an equal
number of carriers and modulators (3 of each). In con-
#
Illustrated here is Algorithm 1, which happens to have
2 parallel STACKS, one with 2 operators, and the other
with 4 operators.
#
trast, all 6 operators in algorithm 32 are carriers... there
#
are no modulators, while in algorithm 16 there are 5
modulators and just 1 carrier.
#
#
As you move from algorithm 32 to 1, there is a
greater potential for increased harmonic complexity due
to the structure of the algorithm. However, the algorithm
alone does not determine the sound. The actual nature
The relationship between algorithms and the
sound
#
ALGORITHM 32
#
By changing the relative frequencies of each operator,
you can change not only the fundamental pitch of the
note, but also the frequencies present in the note's har-
monic structure. Thus, the timbre of the voice can be
precisely controlled. In addition, because each operator
has its own envelope, the harmonic structure of a note
Algorithm 32 has 6 carriers and no modulators.
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The results of using different frequency ratios, as well
as different algorithms, are shown graphically in the
accompanying illustration. In the left column, you see
the resulting waveforms created by 1:1,2:1 and 3:1
frequency ratios when a modulator is stacked atop a
carrier — for example, operators 1 and 2 in Algorithm 5
or 16. In the right column you see the resulting wave-
forms from these same 3 frequency ratios when the two
operators are side-by-side, both serving as carriers so
there is no frequency modulation, but instead there is
additive synthesis.
relative output levels between operators; the greater the
level of the modulator, the more harmonics are present.
feedback paths are part of every algorithm, feedback is
not used in every voice; an editing function permits the
amount of feedback to be set to any of 8 values from
none (0) to a maximum (7).
Often, the only difference between two algorithms is
the location of the feedback loop. This is true with algo-
rithms #3 and #4, and with algorithms #5 and #6, as
illustrated. If you were to switch between either of the
two algorithms in a pair with the feedback level at 0,
there would be no difference in the sound, whereas
with the feedback at a higher setting, the sound could
differ significantly.
25
Feedback is available in every algorithm
Notice that every algorithm includes one FEEDBACK
path. The feedback is usually "wrapped around" a single
operator, with a few exceptions noted below. The feed-
back returns a portion of the operators output back to
an additional input on the same operator (except in
algorithms #4 & #6, where the feedback is returned to
the top modulator on the "stack". In effect, the operator
is modulating itself when feedback is used. While the
Still more variations can be achieved by changing the
If FEEDBACK is at 0, these two algorithms become
identical
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Envelopes and Envelope Generators
Consider what happens when you play a note. The
volume goes up to some value, then eventually falls to
nothing, with some sort of reasonably well defined pat-
tern that is characteristic of the particular instrument.
For example, a low note on a pipe organ starts slowly
when you press a key due to the time the column of air
takes to build up in the long pipe, and the note takes a
while to die away as the column of air collapses in the
pipe. In contrast, a note played on a wood block starts
quickly as the mallet strikes the block, and dies quickly
as the block stops resonating. The overall pattern of the
volume when you play a note — how loud the note
becomes at any instant, and how long it takes to change
in level — is known as the "volume envelope." Organs
and wood blocks have very different envelopes. With
some unusual "synthesizer" voices, a note may not end
at zero volume, so the next note won't start at zero
volume. In some cases, notes can start at maximum,
then go to zero when you press a key then come back
to maximum level when you release the key; These are
exceptions to the rule, and such notes still have enve-
lopes, even if they are inverted.
When the operator reaches LEVEL 1, it doesn't stay
there. Instead it immediately begins moving toward the
next level in the envelope, LEVEL 2, and it moves to
LEVEL 2 at RATE 2 (R2).
26
The change from LEVEL 1 to LEVEL 2 can be an
increase in level, or a decrease in level, depending on
the values you have chosen for these points in the enve-
lope. If, for example, you set LEVEL 1 at the mid point,
and LEVEL 2 at maximum, when you play a note, the
level of the operator will increase to LEVEL 1 and con-
tinue increasing to LEVEL 2. If RATE 1 and RATE 2 are
similar, you won't hear two distinct envelope segments.
Instead there will be one smoothly increasing sound.
Suppose, however, that RATE 1 and RATE 2 are quite
different — say RATE 1 is slow and RATE 2 is fast. In
that case, you'll hear a distinct "knee" as the sound
slowly reaches LEVEL 1 and then jumps to LEVEL 2 at
the faster rate.
If LEVEL 2 is lower than LEVEL 1, then the sound
will begin decreasing in level as soon as it reaches
LEVEL 1. falling to LEVEL 2 at RATE 2. If LEVEL 1 and
LEVEL 2 are both set to the same level (other than
zero), RATE 2 has no meaning since the sound is
already at LEVEL 2 the instant it reaches LEVEL 1;
therefore set it to 99. In any case, the sound continues
to move on to LEVEL 3.
Similarly, changes in timbre occur from the onset of a
note to the time it dies away; these changes can also be
defined by an envelope.
In the DX7, each of the 6 operators can be pro-
The sound moves from LEVEL 2 to LEVEL 3 (which
may be higher, lower or the same as LEVEL 2); the
transition occurs at RATE 3. You may see the similarity
between the second and third segments of the DX7
envelope illustrated (LEVEL 1 to LEVEL 2 and LEVEL 2
to LEVEL 3) and the decay portion of a standard ADSR.
If LEVEL 1 is the highest level in the envelope, LEVEL 2
is lower, and LEVEL 3 is still lower, you have a 2-stage
decay to LEVEL 3. If, on the other hand, LEVEL 3 is set
higher than LEVEL 2, then only the LEVEL 1 to LEVEL
2 segment is a decay, and the LEVEL 2 to LEVEL 3
segment becomes a secondary attack (at RATE 3) to the
higher level.
LEVEL 3 is different than the first two because when
it is reached, the sound does not automatically move
toward the next level. Instead, the sound remains at
LEVEL 3 for as long as you hold down the key.. or if a
sustain pedal is used, for as long as you step on the
pedal. LEVEL 3 thus corresponds to the sustain level in
a conventional ADSR envelope.
When you stop pressing on a key (or lift your foot
from the sustain pedal), the sound immediately begins
moving toward LEVEL 4 at RATE 4. It makes no differ-
grammed with its own envelope. Generally speaking, if
an operator acts as a carrier in a given algorithm, its
envelope controls the volume of the note. If an algo-
rithm acts as a modulator, its envelope controls the
timbre. (This is a useful conceptual model, although
somewhat of an over simplification.)
Illustrated here is a copy of the envelope diagram near
the upper right corner of the synthesizer front panel. We
have a few additional notes of explanation. The illustra-
tion is an aid to visualizing the DX7 envelope settings as
you program or edit a voice. There are actually trillions
of possible envelopes you can define with these EGs.
Each envelope generator in the DX7 permits you to
set 4 different LEVELs and to set 4 specific RATEs at
which the envelope moves from each level to the next.
We use the term "level" rather than "volume" or "tonal
value" because the envelope of the operator you're
adjusting could affect the volume or timbre depending
on the operator's location within the algorithm.
over a half a minute to reach LEVEL 1, depending on
the setting of RATE 1 (R1).
NOTE Ifyou are familiar with analog synthesizers that
have Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release envelope genera-
tors (ADSR EGs), you may recognize the line defined
by R1 and L1 as the "attack"portion of the envelope.
There are parallels between a conventional ADSR EGs
and the DX7's EGs. However the DX7 envelopes are
much more flexible than ADSR types because the DX7
offers 8 precisely programmable parameters (R1, L1,
R2,L2. R3,L3, R4, L4) insteadof4(A-D-S-R). It's not
really important for you to understand ADSR enve-
lopes when you're programming the DX7, but ifyou
already do and are curious about the comparison, see
the envelope discussion in the Advanced Program-
ming Notes section of this manual.
LEVEL 1 (L1) is the level to which the operator begins
moving as soon as you press down the key The opera-
tor may reach L1 almost instantaneously, or it may take
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PROGRAMMING VOICES: A TUTORIAL
Twobasicapproachestocreatingyour
own sounds on the DX7.
In this section of the manual, we present information
ence whether the envelope had reached LEVEL 3 and
was sustaining, had just reached LEVEL 2, or had not
yet reached LEVEL 1. Whatever the level when you
release the key, the sound immediately moves toward
LEVEL 4 at RATE 4. At the slowest setting for RATE 4,
the sound can linger for so long that you think the note
is stuck (up to 3 minutes). Typically LEVEL 4 is set at
zero (minimum or "off") so that the note eventually turns
off. RATE 4 is analogous to the release time in a stand-
ard ADSR.
A major advantage of the DX7 envelope is that each
of the 8 parameters can be set to any of 100 values, pro-
viding precision and repeatability The maximum value
of each LEVEL setting is 99, with a minimum value of
zero (off). Similarly, the maximum rate is also 99 (fastest
change in level). Mathematically, this works out to pro-
vide something over 1,000,000,000,000,000 different
envelopes (that's right, 15 zeroes!).
27
in an order which should make it possible for you to
achieve immediate, audible and satisfying results as you
learn to program a voice. To aid in organization of the
information, we have used subheadings that often use
the name of the button, or that describe the use of sev-
eral buttons which, together, achieve the programming
function being discussed. Many of these subheads
There are two basic approaches to programming the
DX7. First, you can run through all the available preset
voices, choose one that is close to the sound you want,
and then edit that voice to create the sound you want.
Second, you can "initialize" the editing buffer of the DX7
and create a voice "from scratch," one that does not rely
at all upon any previously created voice.
include their own step-by-step instructions. Weintention-
ally restart with Step 1 for each subhead so that you can
later review a single subhead and follow the steps for
programming that particular parameter. Once you have
become familiar with the DX7, there is no "rule" that
you have to follow this order. For now, however, please
read and follow these instructions as presented.
NOTE If you do jump ahead and "get lost" or should
you accidentally program one parameter when you
thought you were working on something else, an
"emergency bail out" is always available: return to the
[VOICE INIT] function presented here at Ihe beginning
of this section. Turning power off and on will NOT
reset your voice.
The first method, editing a preset voice, is generally a
much more efficient approach, provided the sound you
want is close to something that already exists. (We don't
mean to say that you can't edit an existing voice into
something radically different, but the knowledge and
effort required to do that in a predictable fashion are
formidable.) If you are looking for a unique voice that is
totally unlike any preset, it is probably best to start "from
scratch." The decision about which approach to use will
become easier as you gain experience with the DX7.
Initially we urge you to read this section and follow
instructions carefully as we give you a "guided tour" of
the DX7 and show you how to program a voice "from
scratch." This may seem more difficult, but it is actually
a much better way for you to learn how each of the
editing parameters (functions) really works. In the begin-
ning, it may seem almost overwhelming due to the
unfamiliar terminology and technology. However, as you
become familiar with the instrument and gain a working
knowledge of envelopes, frequency ratios, keyboard
scaling, and so forth, you'll find creating a voice "from
scratch" will become much easier, and editing an exist-
ing voice (a preset or one of your own prior creations)
will become a fast, relatively simple process.
NOTE: Ifyou program a carrier envelope so LEVEL 4
is greater than 0, the sound will not die. Ifyou pro-
gram RATE 4 at or new 0, the sound will seem to last
"forever" Even if you then reset LEVEL 4 to 0 and
RATE 1 to 99, the sound will continue until you play
16 notes, the 16th note cancels the last "lingering"note
that was programmed with the previous settings.
VOICE INITiaIization
When you want to program a voice "from scratch,"
you do it by initializing a voice. That is, regardless of
which voice you are currently playing, you reset all its
parameters to a starting point which is about the sim-
plest setting that will still produce a sound. This could
take many minutes of button pushing if you had to
manually check each programmable item. To save time,
you can instead use the [VOICE INIT] function.
Although you gain access to "Voice Initialize" from the
FUNCTION mode, the actual voice is not programmed
with the DX7 in FUNCTION mode. As soon as you have
performed the steps below to initialize the voice, the
DX7 is automatically placed in the EDIT mode, and then
the programming begins.
Programmingavoice"fromscratch"
In order to begin programming a voice "from scratch,"
you'll want to have a clear memory location so that
when you've completed working on the voice, you can
save it. Actually, any of the DX7 internal memories can
be used. Nothing is erased while you are creating a
voice, but when you're done and you store the new
voice in one of the memories, whatever voice had been
in that memory will be erased.
1. To gain access to the "Voice Initialize" function, press
[FUNCTION], and then [VOICE INIT], and answer
the displayed prompts.
CAUTION Ifyou are using the synthesizer after
someone else has been programming voices,
make sure those voices have first been stored
on a RAM cartridge before proceeding. Other-
wise you might accidentally "erase" or change
someone else's efforts.
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28
2. Assuming you want to initialize the voice edit mem-
ory (buffer), answer affirmative by pressing [YES]. (If
you changed your mind and don't want to initialize a
voice, press [NO]; the display won't change, but the
voice will not be initialized and you can select any
other function you wish.)
What is intialization?
HNoowwtleot'sIn"dteecordpe"rtehtetdhisepldayissopylaouycan understand
the useful programming information being presented.
What have you just done? You have created a "blank"
in a special memory called the editing buffer. That buffer
memory normally contains the same cartridge or inter-
nal memory voice you have selected to PLAY or EDIT
However, once you have "initialized" the editing buffer, it
no longer contains the same information. Instead, it
contains a special "initialized" voice. That voice is noth-
ing more than a sine wave (a pure tone) which is either
on or off.
Remember there are 6 operators. Again, you can
think of these as 6 individually pre-settable sine wave
oscillators each with its own envelope generator that
defines how the operator level changes when you play a
note. In the "initialized" voice, all the operator's EG are
set to produce an envelope with a "square" shape. That
is, when you press a key to play a note, the operator
(the sine wave carrier in this case) is on, and when you
release the key and the operator is immediately off. Try
playing a few notes and hear for yourself.
3. The DX7 gives you one last opportunity to avoid
wiping out any voice which you might have been
creating by asking "are you sure you want to initialize
the voice editing memory?" In this case you are sure,
so answer [YES] again. (If you answer [NO], the
display won't change, but the voice will not be initial-
ized and you can select any other function you wish.)
All operators' output levels are set at 0 except operator
1, which is set at maximum output level (99). In this
case, algorithm 1 is automatically selected by the initiali-
zation. This algorithm has 2 carriers and 4 modulators:
operator 1 is a carrier (at the bottom of one stack).
Because operator 1's output level is fully on, you can
hear the sine wave it produces. You hear only a pure
tone because the other operator's levels are at 0, effec-
tively turning them off even though the operators are
"available" because their envelopes are "on". Thus there
is nothing to modulate operator 1, nothing to produce
the harmonics which might create various timbres.
The pitch of each operator is set to frequency ratio
mode at 1.00, so when you play a "C" you hear a corre-
sponding pitch, as explained in one of the following sub-
sections. There is no transposition, keyboard scaling,
detuning of the operators, feedback, etc. In other words,
all "enhancements" are turned off.
LookingattheinitialEGsettings
Since the envelope is one of the primary factors that
you use to distinguish different sounds, we'll begin pro-
gramming with the EG (envelope generator) parameters.
1. Press the [EG LEVEL] button, and observe the dis-
play You can now examine and/or change one level
at a lime in the envelope for whichever operator is
the "current" operator. DO NOTPRESSANYOTHER
BUTTONS OR MOVE ANYTHING UNTIL YOU FOL-
LOW THE NEXT STEP.
4. The memory number in the LED display will be
whatever had been last selected, but this has no effect
here. Also, the particular operator displayed at the top
right, and the editing parameter displayed on the
bottom line may vary because the DX7 will show the
last used functions or settings. However, it will always
initialize to algorithm 1 with all 6 operators enabled
(turned on).
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29
This envelope, with all maximum levels (except Level
4) and maximum rates defines a "square" envelope
that turns on to maximum level the instant you press
a key and turns off completely the instant you release
the key If you could see the envelope, it would look
like this:
The "current" operator is that one whose parameters
are being displayed, and which is ready to be repro-
grammed. You can see which one is current (OP1
through OP6) by looking at the upper right hand
comer of the LCD display A"?" is illustrated here
because we don't know which operator is current
(that is not reset by the VOICE INIT function).
2. Press [OPERATOR SELECT] as many times as nec-
essary until the upper right corner of the display
shows OP1; if OP is already displayed, you can skip
this step.
This is what the "initialized" envelope would look like if
you could see it. You can hear it, though.
ALG1 1 1 1 1 1 1 OP1
EG LEVELS =99
ALG1 1 1 1 1 1 1
EG LEVELS =99
OP1
Actually, since L1 and L2 and L3 are the same, R2
and R3 should be set to 99 here to avoid anomalies.
This rate does not affect the "square" envelope;
because the level does not have to change in this part
of the envelope, the rate of change is inconsequential.
R1 (where the sound first builds to L1) and R4 (where
thesound fallsto L4)dohaveaneffect, as we are
about to demonstrate.
NOTE At this point, operator 1, a carrier, is the only
operator contributing to the sound because the output
levels of operators 2 through 6 were set at zero when
youinitializedthevoice.Ifyouweretoplaythekey-
boardwiththedisplayshowing"OP2"oranyother
operator you would be hearing only operator 1. If you
were to then go ahead and adjust the envelope of an
operator other than OP1, you would not hear any-
thing change because only operator 1 is contributing
to the sound in the DX7's current status. This step,
selecting the "current operator" to be OP1, is necessary
so that you will hear the results of the adjustments we
ask you to make in subsequent steps.
ALG1 1 1 1 1 1 1 OP1
EG LEVEL 4 = 0
4. Lets look at the 4 envelope rates. Press the [EG
RATE] button, and the display will now show you
Rate 1. Press it 3 additional times to see the remain-
ing 3 rates. Both EG Rate and EG Level work like
this, in a continuous cycle through the 4 available
points.
ExperimentingwiththeEG
Now lets alter the initial envelope to cause the volume
to gradually work up to the maximum (the L1/L2/L3
level), and then gradually reduce to zero (the L4 level)
1. Press EG RATE as many times as required so the
display shows Rate 1 (it should be just once if you
followed the previous instructions to the letter.) Then
move the [DATA ENTRY] slider until the rate
changes from 99 to 25, stopping several times to play
the same note so you can hearthe changes that recur
at slower and slower rates.
3. Lets just look at the 4 levels for this envelope without
changing them. The display should already show you
that Level 1 is set at 99 (the maximum), as illustrated
above. Press [EG LEVEL] 3 additional times, examin-
ing the display each time you press the button. Notice
that Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 are all set at 99, but
Level 4 is at zero. Normally Level 4 will be set to zero
because if it is at a non-zero point the sound will not
fall to silence when you release the key (A Level 4
value higher than zero is something like latching the
Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) open in a conven-
tional synthesizer.)
And watch
the display
You may find it easier to press the [<] and/or [>]
buttons to precisely set the rate after using the [DATA
ENTRY] slider to get close to 25. When you're done
experimenting with Rate 1, leave it set at 25.
NOTE The slower the rate, the longer it takes for the
note to build to the maximum level. You can experi-
ment with rates below 25, but you'll have to wait a
long time for each note to develop. \Vhen Rate 1 is 0
and Level 1 is 99, the sound will take about 40 sec-
onds to reach maximum intensity;
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30
3. Press a key, wait for the note to build to maximum
volume, release the key and observe how long the
sound lingers. At the slowest rate (0), it takes about 3
minutes for the sound to decrease to complete
silence. (You'll need to push the DX7 [VOLUME]
slider up and/or turn up the volume of the amplifier
in order to hear the last portion of-a long release
time.)
With all maximum levels at 99 (except Level 4), Rate
1 at 25 and Rate 4 at 25, the note builds up slowly
when you press a key and turns off even more slowly
when you release the key This points out an interest-
ing fact about the DX7 envelope rates. Given any
setting (25 in this case), the actual rate of change in
level will be faster when the level is increasing, and
slower when the level is decreasing. In other words,
the actual rate is dependent on the relative levels.
With all levels at the maximum of 99 (except Level 4,
which is at 0) and with Rate 1 at 25 instead of the 99
to which the other rates are set, the note builds up
slowly when you press a key and turns off the instant
you release the key If you could see the envelope, it
would look something like this:
If you could see the envelope, it would look some-
thing like this:
4. To explore the middle of the envelope, press [EG
LEVEL] until Level 3 is displayed, then adjust [DATA
ENTRY] to obtain a Level 3 value of 80. When you
now play a note, observe that it builds to a maximum
value (L1 and L2=99), then instantly drops to a lower
value (L3=80), where it will remain as long as you
hold down the key.
2. To change the envelope so the sound gradually falls to
silence when you release the key you must lower
Rate 4. Press [EG RATE] 3 times so that Rate 4
appears in the display and then use [DATA ENTRY]
to change the rate from 99 to 25.
5. The drop to Level 3 from the peak at Level 1 (which
is the same as Level 2 right now), is very abrupt due
to the fast setting of Rate 3. To slow it, press [EG
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NOTE Ifyou are familiar with ADSR envelope genera-
tors, you'll probably see the similarity between this
envelope and the typical ADSR envelope. However, we
have not yet "used" Level 2, and it can significantly
alterthesituation, asyou'll now learn.
6. Press [EG LEVEL] until LEVEL 2 appears in the
display then adjust [DATA ENTRY] for a value of 45.
Then press [EG RATE] until RATE 2 appears in the
display and adjust [DATA ENTRY] for a value of 50.
Play a note and hold the key down for a full minute,
then release the note.
RATE] as required so you can use [DATA ENTRY] to
adjust Rate 3 to a value of 50.
long it takes for the sound to die away. Even though
Rate 2 and Level 2 are the next segment programmed
in the envelope, the sound is not moving toward
Level 2. Instead, because you released the key the
sound moves from Level 1 directly toward Level 4.
That's why Rate 4 (the slower rate) applies.
Remember, what you hear is coming from the same
EG settings you had established in Step 6 above. If
you could see what happens when you "prematurely"
let go of the key. the envelope might look like this.
31
When you play the note, observe how the sound
builds to a maximum, then falls to almost nothing, then
builds to the intermediate sustain level and stays there
until you release the key after which the sound slowly
fades. This "double" note is made possible by the 4-
segment envelope which, if it were visible, would look
something like this:
When you play a note, observe how the sound builds
to a maximum, then falls to the sustain level at a
moderate rate and stays there until you release the
key, after which the sound slowly fades. If you could
see this new envelope, it would look something like
this:
Learning to change the operator
FREQUENCY settings
The frequency of the sine wave produced by each
operator can be set so it follows the keyboard. This
characteristic is set with the [OSCILLATOR-MODE/
SYNC] button, and is called "Frequency Ratio" mode
because the frequency produced when you play a key is
not necessarily tuned to the pitch of that key; it can be
multiplied by almost any number you wish by using the
[OSCILLATOR-FREQUENCY COARSE] and [OSCIL-
LATOR-FREQUENCY FINE] adjustments to repro-
gram the operator. For most voices, the DX7 is set to
this ratio mode. (The Voice Intialize function also-sets
the DX7 to ratio mode.)
7. At this point, you're ready to see one more "fine
point" about how the envelope functions. We showed
you how Rate 4 adjusts the release of the note as it
fades from Level 3 (the sustain level) to Level 4 (the
final level) which was set at zero. In fact. Rate 4 sets
the release time from whatever level the envelope has
achieved at the instant you release the key
This may seem a subtle distinction, but you can hear
it by experimenting with the envelope you have just
created.
*The DX7 envelope rates are internally programmed so that each
The frequency does not have to follow the keyboard,
however. Instead, it can be set to a single frequency that
does not change regardless of which key you play. The
segment of the envelope behaves similarly.
A
level of 99, whether it
8. Hold down the key until the note is well info Level 3
(the sustain level). Then release the key, and listen to
the length of time it takes for the sound to decay Play
several more notes, and compare that time to the
rather short time it takes for the sound to fall from the
initial peak at Level 1 to the low point at Level 2. The
difference is because Rate 2 is 50, which is considera-
bly faster than Rate 4, which is 25.
is LEVEL I, 2, 3 or 4, is always the same. However, as mentionned
in the preceeding text, when a given rate is used for moving from a
lower to
a
higher level, that rate will be faster than if the envelope
"REFS WHISTL" voice of the "Master Group" on the
#3
is moving from a higher to a lower level. This is done because
naturally occuring "attack" times are typically faster than "decay"
or ,"release" times. If all rates were scaled identically you might
have to work with the highest numbers for attacks and the lowest
numbers for decay or release. Instead, the DX7's "smart" program-
ming lets you maintain a full 100 step resolution within the range
you need it. This explains why even though Rate 1 and Rate 4 are
both 25 in this case. Rate 1 is faster; it is an upward moving rate.
DX7 VOICE ROM uses this "Fixed Frequency" mode.
While you can adjust the frequency characteristics of
operator 1 (fixed/ratio mode and actual frequency) using
the envelope you just created, we recommend changing
the envelope. The sustain level (Level 3) is now at 80,
and if you hold down a key to experiment with the fre-
quency settings, you will not hear it at full volume.
9. Now play a note and let go of the key just as the
sound reaches the first peak at Level 1. Notice how
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CAUTION Don't turn up the volume too high
or hold a note very long at the higher fre-
quency ratios or you can easily damage the
high frequency driver (tweeter) in your
Instea d of taking the time to reprogram the envelope ,
we ask you to again use the Voice Initialize feature.. . it
save s time .
1. To gai n acces s to the "Voice Initialize " function , press
[FUNCTION], and then [VOICE INIT], and answer
the displayed prompts .
know , the "initialized " envelop e has al l rates a t 99 .
Play a note an d you'l l hea r the DX7 is back to the
"square " envelope .
3. No w pres s [OSCILLATOR-FREQUENCY COARSE ]
and operat e the [DATA ENTRY] slide r and/o r but -
ton s while playin g a note . Watch the display a s you
listen to the pitch change .
32
speaker system. There's nothing "wrong" with
the synthesizer for "letting you" program such
high frequencies. The very high frequencies
are useful at low levels as part of a voice, or
for modulating with other frequencies in order
to produce lower frequencies that are clearly
audible. Unless you're programming dog whis-
tles or ultrasonic alarm simulations, you
won't ever use a ratio near 31.00 as a funda-
mental pitch tor a carrier.
NOTE The pitches you hear as you move the [DATA
ENTRY ] slider constitute the Harmonic Series of the
note you are playing. When the diplay indicates "F
COARSE= 1.00" the "1.00" part is the frequency ratio.
The "FCOARSE" part merely tells you that the adjust-
ments you make will be coarse. With the exception of
the "0.50" ratio, all COARSE adjustments are integer
multiples of the fundamental frequency of the note.
Thenusethesliderand/or
these buttons while continuing
to play Middle C
2. Then press [YES] twice to initialize the edit memory
(buffer).
That is. "1.00" is the fundamental, "2.00" is
2
times
the fundamental frequency and so forth. If you play a
middle C, "1.00" is 262 Hz, "0.50" is 131 Hz (262 x
0.5), "2.00" is 524 Hz (2 x 262), and "31.00" is 8.122
Hz (31 x 262). The reason we suggest playing Middle
C is that if you play notes at the higher end of the
keyboard, by the time you increase to a ratio of
31.00, you will not be able to hear the pitch because
it will be above the range of human hearing. Speaker
performance is also a factor at these very high fre-
quencies. If you play the A which is normally 440 Hz
when the ratio is "1.00" but change the ratio to
"31.00", the actual frequency is 13,640 Hz. That is
near or beyond the point where many speaker sys-
tems "rolloff," so even ifyour ears are good, you may
have difficulty hearing it. Play an A one octave lower
and the frequency is cut in half, so you'll have no
trouble hearing this same 31.00 ratio.
The display shows "EG RATE 2 = 99 " for two rea -
sons. First , the programming paramete r displaye d is
whateve r paramete r you had last adjusted . In this
case , going back to Ste p 6 of the previous instructions ,
you had set Rate 2 a t 50 , so "RAT E 2" is diplayed . The
value , however , is not 50 , bu t is 99 , since , a s you
4. Adjust [DATAENTRY]so the ratio is 1.00 again .
5. Now pres s [OSCILLATOR-FREQUENC Y FINE]
and operate the [DATA ENTRY] slider and/or
buttons while playing a not e Watch the display a s
you listen to the pitc h change .
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7. Press [OSCILLATOR-FREQUENCY FINE] again,
and slowly move the (DATA ENTRY] slider all the
way up. The increments you get with the Fine adjust-
ment will depend on the beginning Coarse setting.
The pitch change will seem continuous when the
Fine adjustment is selected and you move the [DATA
ENTRY] slider, rather than discretely stepped, as it
does with the Coarse setting.
too high to be audible on all but the lowest notes of
the keyboard.
33
8. Slowly bring the [DATA ENTRY] slider all the way
down so the pitch returns to a ratio of 2.00. Then
press [OSCILLATOR-FREQUENCY COARSE] and
then the [-1] DATA ENTRY button to reset the ratio to
1.00. (This should now be identical to the "starting"
initialized voice.)
Then slowly move this slider
up and down fully, or use these
buttonswhile continuing to
play a note
HowtocreateFrequencyModulations
getting acquainted with the OPERATOR
SELECT, OUTPUT LEVEL and ON - OFF edit
featurec
Up to now you have manipulated only OPERATOR 1
which, in ALGORITHM 1, happens to be a carrier. We'll
now leave Operator 1 set at the "square" envelope at a
frequency ratio of 1.00 (as initialized), and begin ex-
ploring what happens when Operator 2 is used to mod-
ulate Operator 1. For review, we again point out the
Operator On/Off display (which you are about to use)
and illustrate Algorithm 1, but with additional informa-
tion you may now begin to understand.
NOTE If you 're "lost" or if it has been a while since
you read and followed the instructions in the previous
sections, you can start "from scratch" here by pressing
[FUNCTION], then [VOICE INIT], then answering
[YES] [YES]. The DX7 will now be set as we assume
it is for the following instructions. The display how-
ever, may not match: ifa different editing parameter is
shown, press [OSCILLATOR-FREQUENCY
COARSE]. Now your diplay should match the follow-
ing illustration.
6. Slide [DATA ENTRY] all the way down so the fre-
quency returns to 1.00, and then press [OSCILLA-
TOR-FREQUENCY COARSE] and use DATA
ENTRY [+1] to set the frequency ratio to 2.00.
If the ratio does not quite reach 3.98 when you push the
slider up, press the increment button [>] once or more.
Notice the maximum increase available with the Fine
frequency adjustment is always a little less than twice
the beginning Coarse frequency The "Fine" control
multilplies the "Coarse" value by up to 1.99. For ex-
ample, if you start at a ratio of 1.00, the Fine adjust-
ment will go only as high as 1.99 (just under twice
1.00). Start at 2.00, and the Fine adjustment will go
only as high as 3.98. Start at 3.00, and the Fine ad-
justment will go only as high as 5.94. Start at 31.00,
and Fine will take you up to 61.69. Thus you can use
a combination of Coarse and Fine adjustments to
achieve anywhere from 1/2 the "normal" keyboard
pitch to nearly 62 times that frequency — which is
Remember the display of 6 1 's tell you the correspond-
ing 6 operators are turned ON at this point in the pro-
gramming process. The On/Off "switches" are shown in
the following algorithm diagram.
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34
ALGORITHM
#I
Thesebracketednumbers
show you where the on/off
switchingisdone in thealgo-
rithm. Operatorscan be dis-
abled (turned Off) using the
[OPERATOR ON/OFF] buttons,
but they remain Offonly while
programming.Storedvoices
havealloperatorsOn. The
reasonyou have heard only
Operator 1 in the "intialized"
voice eventhoughall Opera-
tors are On, is thatall output
levels are set to 0, except
Operator 1, whoseoutput level
is at 99.
And watch the current operator change: 1-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-
3 etc.
Leave the display showing OP3.
Since you're only going to be working with operators
1 and 2 at first, this can be annoying if you have to
move from operator 2 to operator 1; it requires that
you cycle through 3, 4, 5 and 6 to get back to 1. In
subsequent steps we show you how to speed the
process of selecting the current operator.
As you can see, the DX7 automatically performs the
OPERATOR SELECT function if you turn OFF an
operator that is set as the current operator.
3. Now press [OPERATOR SELECT] several times and
observe that the display only moves between OP1
and OP2. Leave it set to OP2.
2. Since you will not yet be using operators 3, 4, 5 or 6,
you can turn them OFF by pressing the correspond-
ing [OPERATOR ON/OFF] buttons once. You won't
hear any change in the sound as you play because
those operators are not contributing to the sound
(their output levels are set to zero).
Press eachofthese buttons once and watch the display
change
The heavy lineshows which operatorscontribute to the
sound: Operator 1 alone inthiscase
4. In the last 3 steps you have pressed a lot of buttons,
but if you bothered to play any notes, you will have
noticed that the sound did not change. In order to
modulate operator 1 and create harmonics, you have
to bring up the output level of operator 2.
matically goes to t#he next
So the current OP auto-
operator which is On
As soon as you turn off
OP3, itcannot be ad-
justed
1. Press [OPERATOR SELECT] to change the operator
which is set as the "current" operator. The current
operator is the one whose parameters are displayed,
and which you can program with the DATA ENTRY
controls. Even when several operators are turned ON
and are contributing to the sound, only one at a time
can be adjusted or examined by selecting it as the
current operator.
Press [OPERATOR-OUTPUT LEVEL] and then
move the [DATA ENTRY] slider up to increase the
level from 0 to 99. Play the note repeatedly as you
increase the settings. You probably won't hear much
until the level is up near 50.
So the current OP# goes
to the next operator
which is turned On
When you then turn off
OP4, itcannot be adjusted
Each time you press the [OPERATOR SELECT]
button, the current operator increments by one, and
then jumps from 6 to 1 and continues.
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35
Only the frequency should change in the display
Press this button(Don't
confuse it with[EG
LEVEL], button 22)
Just to review the changes you
have made, notice that the
right hand stack (Operators 3
to 6) are turned off, while
Operator 2's output level is
now increased to 99.
From a minimum of 0.50 to a maximum of 31.00.
Listen to each ratio.
You are changing the entire harmonic structure of the
sound by changing the frequency of the modulator.
However, because the modulator output level is at
maximum, the bandwidth of the harmonics is great
(there are a lot of very high frequencies caused by a
lot of modulation). Musically, most of these sounds are
"extreme". You can achieve rather different sounding
results by simply reducing the amount ot modulation,
as demonstrated in the next step.
This is the
modulator
which creates
the harmonics
Then move this
slider upward slowly
6. Press [OPERATOR-OUTPUT LEVEL] and thin
move the [DATA ENTRY] slider down to decrease
the level from 99 to 69 Then press [OSCILLATOR-
FREQUENCY COARSE] and again try playing notes
as you adjust the modulator frequency.
And repeatedly play notes until the display shows maxi-
mum output level
Make sure OP2 is current
And see this
5. Press the [OSCILLATOR-FREQUENCY COARSE]
button and play a note while slowly adjusting [DATA
ENTRY]. In fact play several notes at each frequency
setting, and observe the sound.
If you are familiar with analog synthesizers, you may
see a parallel between this sound and that of a saw-
tooth wave which is going through a filter that has a
lot of resonance. In fact you are frequency modulating
one sine wave with another sine wave; both are set to
the same frequency and the same level. There are no
filters involved.
Then move this slider
down slowly or press the
[-1] button
Until the display shows this output level
Then move this slider down
and gradually raise it or use
the [-1] and [+1] buttons while
playing
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7. To compare what the sound is like with and without
modulation, you don't have to turn down the output
level of operator 2; you can simply turn it off. Press
[OPERATOR ON/OFF 2] to turn off the modulator,
play a few notes, then press the button again to turn
the modulation back on.
36
Then move [DATA ENTRY] while playing a note (or
And again adjust [DATA ENTRY] to hear the results of
several)
different frequency ratios as you play
And see the display change from this
Listen and watch the display as the ratio changes from
a minimum of 0.50 to a maximum of 31.00
Leave Operator 2 set to a frequency ratio of 2.00
The sound you now hear will
be simitar to that of a square
wave in a conventional synthe-
sizer. In this case, it is created
by sine wave modulation of
the carrier by another sine
wave at twice the frequency,
and at a somewhat lower level
than the carrier.
Note that the current operator has
automatically switched to OP1;
remember it can only be set to an
operator that is on.
In this case, the effect you get
as you move [DATA ENTRY] is
similar to sweeping a high
pass filter in an analog synthe-
sizer. You're not moving a
filter, ofcourse, but instead
you are controlling the entire
harmonic structure of the note
by changing the carrier fre-
quency relative to a particular
modulator frequency.
This is the
And see the
display change
to this
modulator
which creates
the harmonics
Note the current operator stays at
OP1. If you again want to adjust
any parameters for Operator 2, you
will have to press the [OPERATOR
SELECT]button.
8. Now lets see what happens when we leave the modu-
lator (Operator 2) set at a frequency ratio of 2.00, and
change the frequency ratio of the carrier (Operator 1).
Since the current operator automatically switched to
OP1 when you turned off OP 2 above, you can just
pressthe[OSCILLATOR-FREQUENCYCOARSE]
button and play a note while slowly adjusting [DATA
ENTRY].
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9. To compare what the sound is like with and without
the carrier, you don't have to turn down the output
level of operator 1; you can simply turn it off. Press
[OPERATOR ON/OFF 1] to turn off the carrier, and
try to play few notes. (Don't adjust anything else right
now.)
10. Press [OPERATOR ON/OFF 1] again to turn on
operator 1 and restore the sound.
13. Now change the envelope of operator 2 the same
way so that the modulator has the same envelope as
the carrier. This is not necessarily desirable in all
voicing. In fact the modulators usually have different
envelopes. However, right now we want to show you
something.
37
In the previous Step, the reason we asked you not to
adjust anything is that the current operator changed
to operator 2, and if you were to try pressing edit
buttons and moving the slider you would be repro-
gramming the modulator without realizing it. You
would not hear what you were doing.
You could press [OPERATOR SELECT], then press
the [EG LEVEL] button and adjust the [DATA EN-
TRY] slider all over again, but there's an easier way.
Use the [EG COPY] function by holding down the
[STORE] button and then pressing the [EG COPY
2] button. (The 6 Operator ON/OFF buttons are also
EG COPY buttons that you use to designate which
operator will receive the envelope which is being
copied.)
And see the display change from this
11. Now press [OPERATOR SELECT] to set operator 1
as the current operator (the one to be adjusted), and
adjust its frequency to be 0.50 using the [OSCILLA-
TOR- FREQUENCY COARSE] parameter.
The display should look like this
EG COPY copies the entire envelope of the current
operator (the one displayed in the corner of the
window) into whatever other operator or operators
you specify. BE SURE YOU START WITH OP1 in the
upper right corner of the display.
NOTHING HAPPENS! NO
SOUND! That's because you
just turned offthe carrier, and
you cannot hear a modulator
(Operator 2) directly; you can
only here its effect on a carrier.
With the carrier shut off, there
is no sound.
12. To make the sound more interesting, you'll want to
change the envelopes of the two operators. Begin-
ning with the current operator (1), change its initial
attack rate (Rate 1) and its release rate (Rate 4) using
the [EG RATE] button.
Play a few notes and see how the sound is some-
what more clarinet-like. The square envelope of the
modulator causes the note to become "pure" when
you release the key We'll correct that situation next.
(There is no need to change the EG levels for now.)
That's it, let go of both buttons. You have just trans-
ferred 4 levels and 4 rates from operator 1 to opera-
tor 2. Play a few notes. Now the timbre doesn't go
"pure" as soon as you release the key
NOTE There are still many more editing functions to
explore, and we'll use the settings you've just created
as a point of departure for the additional functions. If
you are ready to go on, please continue, ffyou want
to take a break and relax or have some fun with the
Initialized levels
Operator 1levels
forOperator 1
remain unchanged
EG LEVEL 1 = 99
EG LEVEL 2 = 99
EG LEVEL 3 = 99
EG LEVEL 1 = 99
EG LEVEL 2 = 99
EG LEVEL 3 = 99
EG LEVEL 4=
0
EG LEVEL 4 =
0
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preset voices, you can do so without "losing" this
voice. There are two approaches to this.
(A) You can store this voice in its current state on
a RAM cartridge by following the instructions on
page 49, or...
(B) You can press the [MEMORY SELECT-IN-
TERNAL] or [MEMORY SELECT-CARTRIDGE]
button and then play any preset voices you like.
Later, even if you've turned power off and then on
again, you can return to this voice by doing the
following; press [FUNCTION], the [EDIT RE-
CALL], then [YES] [YES].
38
This chart represents what you have programmed so
far:
In these fragments of several algorithms, operator 2 is
always modulating operator 1. This is characteristic of
Algorithms 1-19 and 28:
OPERATOR
EDITmode
1
2
PARAMETER
99
69
OUTPUT LEVEL
FREQUENCY RATIO
EG RATE 1
0.50
2.00
43
99
99
50
99
99
99
0
43
99
99
50
99
99
EG RATE 2
EG RATE 3
EG RATE 4
EG LEVEL 1
EG LEVEL 2
EG LEVEL 3
EG LEVEL 4
Additionaleditingfeatures:ALGORITHM SE-
LECT, KEYBOARD RATE SCALING, and KEY-
BOARD LEVEL SCALING
99
0
At this point you have programmed Operators 1 and
2, which serve respectively as a carrier and modulator
(as arranged in Algorithm 1), so the frequency modula-
tion creates a woodwind-like character. You have also
modified the initialized "square" envelopes to more
closely resemble a woodwind instrument. We have not
yet created a particularly realistic or even pleasing voice,
but that's not the object for now. We are more concerned
with showing you how the DX7 may be programmed.
Some of the settings we suggest are calculated to most
clearly present concepts to you, not to produce the
"best" voice. This will continue to be the case as we go
on to show you a number of ways to refine the voice.
We ask that you continue to use the settings we rec-
ommend. Otherwise, future instructions may not make
any sense — sometimes a slight difference in one setting
will cause another setting to have no effect or far too
much effect. After you've learned how the instrument
works, you'll be able to program voices that are pleasing
to you.
1. The difference between algorithms is the difference in
the way operators are arranged. Let's try switching the
two operators that are turned on and see what hap-
pens to the sound. Press the [ALGORITHM] button
and then press the DATA ENTRY [ +1] button repeat-
edly to step through algorithms 1 through 32 (or
move the slider up slowly). Play a few notes each
time you press [>] so you can hear how each algo-
rithm affects the sound.
In these fragments of two algorithms, operators 1 and
2 are always adding together. This is characteristic of
algorithms 20-27 and 29-32:
To move from algorithm 1 through
algorithm 32. Be sure to play and
listen to each one.
NOTE These instructions assume you have followed
the instructions in the previous section, and that the
DX7 is in the EDIT mode. Before you go on, the dis-
play should appear as shown here, and Operators 1
and 2 should be programmed as indicated in the
chart.
Surprised? You can get JUST TWO sounds from the 32
algorithms! This is predictable if you look at the algo-
rithm diagrams; in all cases, operator 2 either feeds
into operator 1 (is modulating it) or is adjacent to it (so
the sine waves add instead of causing FM synthesis).
If Operators 3 through 6are ON(display 111111), turn
them off for now (display 110000)
Operator 1 should be
the current operator,
as shown here
This parameter doesn't matter for now because you're
about to select another one anyway
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When you later try switching algorithms after adding
FEEDBACK and activating the other 4 operators,
you'll hear much more variation.
Alternately play very low and then very high notes
and listen to the envelope attack and release rates.
Then press the [KEYBOARD RATE SCALING]
button, and, for the most noticeable effect, push the
[DATA ENTRY] slider all the way up so you get a
maximum rate scaling value of 7. Then play the same
notes again and listen to the rates. The low notes will
not change much, but the highest notes will have
significantly shorter times. The scaling is not continu-
ously changing with each note, but instead changes
the rates for each group of 3 keys on the keyboard.
When you've tried the maximum, reset the scaling to
a value of 4.
39
KEYBOARD LEVEL SCALING
2. Pull down the [DATA ENTRY] slider and/or use the
[-1] button until you've selected algorithm 1 again.
Useeither
of these
controls
To return to algorithm 1
*With a (-) linear curve set to a depth of 99, the attenua-
tion is 22 dB per octave.
And push up [DATA ENTRY]; leave it set like this
5. If necessary, reset the current operator to operator 1
by pressing (OPERATOR SELECT).
3. It you play the lowest note on the keyboard, then the
highest, you can hear the same attack and release
time. In a natural, acoustic instrument the times
would tend to be faster as you move up the scale.
This is because a vibrating reed or string, or a reso-
nating column of air can be excited more quickly and
will stop moving more rapidly when the string, pipe,
etc. isshorter.
In this case, the rate scaling for the modulator (opera-
tor 2) will have little effect, so you don't have to
change it from the "initialized" value of zero.
4. Much like the envelope rates can be varied across the
keyboard, so, too, can the operator output levels. By
using the multiple functions of the 3 KEYBOARD
LEVELSCALING buttons, you can obtain 99
[DEPTH] settings on either side of a [BREAK
POINT] that you select, and you can also choose any
of 4 [CURVE] settings on each side of that break
point. You can do this for each of the 6 operators.
These selections are diagrammed at the upper right
corner of the synthesizer.
The DX7 is still in rate scaling mode from the pre-
viousstep.
6. In order to show you an extreme setting, we will "split
the keyboard" so that this woodwind-like voice com-
ponent appears on the upper portion of the keyboard
only (When we program operators 3 through 6, we'll
scale them so they work primarily on the lower por-
tion of the keyboard.)
You can achieve this effect by scaling the envelope
rates across the keyboard to any of 8 values (from 0 to
7), as illustrated.
KEYBOARD RATE SCALING
Press [BREAK POINT] and then move the [DATA
ENTRY] controls as required to obtain a break point
ofE4.
These 3 buttons provide access So all the level scaling
parameters
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In this case scaling operator 2 is not necessary so you
can omit the process of setting its break point (which
would be done by pressing [OPERATOR SELECT]
and adjusting the value as desired).
Now play some scales and notice that the sound is
still reasonably uniform across the keyboard. That's
because, while we have selected a break point for the
carrier, we have not yet assigned any depth to the
curves on either side of the break point.
40
Now play up the scale from E4 and hear how you
have removed just a bit of volume from the highest
notes.
NOTE In the examples just given, the keyboard level
scaling may seem to have an effect mostly at the
higher number values, but that's because you were
adjusting a carrier Modulator levels tend to be more
critical, and you'll hear
a
greater difference in some
voices than others, depending on the algorithm, the
particular location of the modulator within the "stack",
and the actual output level setting of the operator
Remember, also, that ifyou are "boosting" the level
with a positive (+) linear or exponential curve, you
have to begin with an Operator Output Level that is
less than 99; the lower the Operator Output Level
setting, the more range available for Keyboard Level
Scalingboost.
7. Basically there are two types of level scaling curves,
LINEAR and EXPONENTIAL. Linearcurvesseem to
cause a more rapid boost or cut and are useful for
exaggerated scaling effects, such as keyboard splitting.
Exponential curves are similar to the inherent loga-
rithmic sensitivity of our ears and therefore seem
more "natural". These curves are useful for simulating
the natural changes in level that occur across the
range of an acoustic instrument. Of course, the depth
and break point make a big difference, as does the
operator to which the scaling is applied (modulator or
carrier).
Press [CURVE] and observe the display It will either
show the curve set for the left or the right side of the
break point. If necessary press the button a second
time to ensure that the LEFT curve is displayed. Then
adjust [DATA ENTRY], if necessary, to select a "-LIN"
curve.
Now play some scales and notice how the sound
"goes away" as you move down the keyboard. While
the break point is set at E4, you probably won't hear
the sound getting quieter until you get to C4. By the
time you reach middle C, however, the level is down
about 22 dB. That's about 1/14 as loud. As you move
down the keyboard, the sound disappears. This is an
extreme example of level scaling, and a useful one as
you will hear. Lets leave the lower portion of the
keyboard "rolled off" for now.
9. As you play the highest notes on the keyboard, you
may find the sound to be unnaturally loud. In order
to scale this portion of the sound, you can set the
right curve and depth as follows:
10. Press [OPERATOR SELECT], then use the KEY-
BOARD LEVEL SCALING buttons and [DATA EN-
TRY] to set operator 2 to a [BREAK POINT) of E4
with a "LIN" left [CURVE] and a left [DEPTH] of 99.
LFOModulation:Therelationship
betweenthe"LFO" settingsandthe
"MOD SENSITIVITY" settings,andhow
toprogramthese
The LFO section enables you to set the waveform
[WAVE] and frequency [SPEED] of a sub-audible oscilla-
tor. The LFO section has a button [PMD] that permits
you to preset the voice so a portion of that modulation is
applied to change the pitch of the voice (for anything
from vibrato-like effects to exaggerated, continuous pitch
bending). Simultaneously or instead, the same LFO
wave can be assigned to modulate the amplitude (level)
of each operator by using the [AMD] button. Amplitude
modulation can produce tremolo when applied to a
carrier, or "wah-wah" effects when applied to a modula-
tor — among other effects.
Press the [CURVE] button to see what curve is set for
the right side, and adjust [DATA ENTRY], if neces-
sary to obtain a (-) exponential curve. Then press
[DEPTH] once or twice to see the RIGHT scaling
value and adjust [DATA ENTRY] to get a value of 80.
And adjust the [DATA ENTRY]
controls to see this
8. Set the depth of the left curve (the slope at which the
sound will roll off below the break point). Do so by
pressing [DEPTH] and observing the display which
will either indicate the LEFT or RIGHT depth; if nec-
essary press the button a second time to ensure that
the LEFT depth setting is displayed. Then push up
[DATA ENTRY] to obtain a maximum depth setting
of 99.
A critical concept to grasp is that the modulation you
select with these LFO buttons does not go directly to the
operators. It does not necessarily do what you've set it to
do unless you "open the gates" for the amplitude and/or
pitch modulation output of the LFO to get to the opera-
tors.- These "gates" are the Modulation Sensitivity adjust-
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41
LFO SECTION BLOCK DIAGRAM
ments.OneMODULATIONSENSITIVITYcontrolis
provided for PITCH, and another for AMPLITUDE. In
order for you to hear the result of any LFO PMD or
AMD settings, the corresponding [MOD SENSITIVITY-
PITCH] or [MOD SENSITIVITY-AMPLITUDE] param-
eter must be greater than zero.
Lets program a small amount of sine wave modula-
tion of the pitch to give the sound some ''character"
1. Press the [WAVE] button. You can now use the
[DATA ENTRY] section to select any of 6 waveforms.
triangle, sawtooth down, sawtooth up, square, sine, or
sample & hold. Set the waveform to SINE.
And adjust the [DATA ENTRY] controls to see this
2. Press [SPEED] and adjust [DATA ENTRY] for a
speed of 50 as a starting point.
And adjust the [DATA ENTRY] controls to sec this
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42
3. Press [PMD] (Pitch Modulation Depth), and adjust
[DATA ENTRY] for a value of 50, again, just to begin.
Now play a few notes. You probably won't hear any
change from when you started... even with [PMD] set
at the maximum of 99! That's because while the LFO
is now generating a reasonably fast (SPEED = 50)
waveform (SINE) at a high intensity (DEPTH = 50) for
use by the pitch modulation circuitry the "gate" is still
closed to the frequency shifting inputs of the opera-
tors.
8. There are several additional, related controls we have
not yet explored: [SYNC] and [AMD] in the LFO
section, and [MOD SENSITIVITY-AMPLITUDE].
Lets begin with the [SYNC] function.
And adjust the [DATA ENTRY] controls to see this
[SYNC] lets you use [DATA ENTRY] to turn LFO
Key Synchronization ON or OFF When Sync is ON,
the LFO wave form starts at the beginning of its cycle
each time you play a note. When Sync is OFF the
LFO just keeps running, and each note you play
"catches" the modulating waveform wherever it hap-
pens to be in its cycle. This effect is difficult to hear at
the moderate LFO speed and depth you have pro-
grammed, so let's temporarily increase the depth and
slow down the speed.
NOTE By now you should know how to set [SPEED],
[DELAY], [PMD] and [MOD SENSITIVITY-PITCH]
so TEMPORARILYchange these values. Set a Speed
of 3, a Delay of 0, a Depth of 99 and a Pitch Mod
Sensitivity of 7. This "swooping" may sound strange,
but bear with us.
6. This is an improvement, assuming you're attempting
to program a clarinet-like voice (we are for now), but
the modulation is still much too fast to be natural.
Press [SPEED] and then adjust the LFO speed to a
more natural-sounding frequency... a value of 27
should be about right. Play a few notes and see how
it sounds.
And adjust the [DATA ENTRY] controls to see this
4. Press [MOD SENSITIVITY PITCH], and now slowly
raise the PMod Sensitivity value using the [DATA
ENTRY] controls as you play a note. As the sensitiv-
ity value ranges from 0 (none or "closed gate") to 7
(maximum), the sound can quickly become weird.
Leave the [MOD SENSITIVITY- PITCH] set at the
lowest value that still gives you a noticeable effect,
which is a value of about 2.
And adjust the [DATA ENTRY] controls to see this
Temporarily reset these values as shown
7. You have now set the LFO section to automatically
add a small amount of vibrato to the voice, simulating
the natural vibrato in a reed instrument. However, the
effect is there all the time, whereas in a "real" instru-
ment the vibrato might begin a short time after the
note first becomes audible. This delayed onset of LFO
modulation is available in the DX7 by using the LFO
[DELAY] button; press it and set the delay value to 75
with the [DATA ENTRY] controls. Now play, a few
notes and listen after you press a key to the elapsed
time before the vibrato commences. This is probably
a bit too much delay so readjust it to a value of 55 for
now.
Try all values of[DATAENTRY] while playing, then set
at 2
5. This is probably giving you far too much pitch modu-
lation, but if you reduce the sensitivity further, there
may not be enough sensitivity for modulation from
other controls (like the after touch, breath controller,
etc.). Therefore, leave the sensitivity set at 2, and
instead lower the Pitch Modulation Depth in the LFO
section. Press [PMD] and then adjust the value to 15.
9. Press the LFO [SYNC] button and observe the dis-
play The Sync should be ON. Play a note and hold
the key down long enough to hear the modulation
"swing" as the LFO wavform repeats. Then play the
same note several times, holding the key down for a
very brief time, and hear how each note starts chang-
ing pitch from the same initial frequency.
And adjust the [DATA ENTRY] controls to see this
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43
"open the gate" for each operator that you want the
modulation to affect.
of the carrier through which all the sound in the
stack must travel. Now reduce the sensitivity to 1.
The display should look like this. Play several brief
notes
And adjust the [DATA ENTRY] controls to see this
and adjust [DATA ENTRY] to maximum (3) then (1)
13. Press [MOD SENSITIVITY-AMPLITUDE] and then
press [OPERATOR SELECT] to set Operator 2 as
the current operator. Then use [DATA ENTRY] to
bring up the sensitivity to a maximum of 3. Play a
note, and listen to the timbre change. This modula-
tion will be very pronounced, so you'll probably
want to lower the sensitivity to about 1. The timbre
changes because the LFO is modulating the modula-
tor which produces the harmonics.
10. Now use [DATA ENTRY] to turn the sync OFF
Again, play the same brief note several times, and
listen to the pitch each time. You'll hear the initial
pitch of each note change slightly as the randomly
timed notes interact with the regularly oscillating
LFO. With less exaggerated settings, leaving the LFO
Sync OFF will cause minor changes from note to
note that result in a more natural simulation of an
acoustic instrument.
15. The amount of amplitude modulation is probably
still much too high, but we may want some ampli-
tude modulation SENSITIVITY for use by an external
modulation source (like the wheel or breath control-
ler). Therefore, leave the sensitivity settings alone.
Instead, press [AMD] and use [DATA ENTRY] to
bring the amplitude modulation depth down to
about 10 (very little depth compared to the maxi-
mum of 99).
Then adjust [DATA ENTRY] so the display looks like
this, and again play several brief notes
And adjust the [DATA ENTRY] controls to see this
And the display should look like this
The two amplitude modulation functions, LFO [AMD]
and[MODSENSITIVITY-AMPLITUDE],worksimilarly
to the pitch modulation depth and sensitivity, except that
the amplitude sensitivity can be programmed separately
for each operator. The SAX-BC1 voice in the Master
Group is a good example of the use of LFO amplitude
modulation, where the breath controller can be used to
change the level of several operators.
16. Add some pitch modulation depth (it should be at
zero) to obtain a pleasing frequency variation for
some interest. Press [PMD] and set it to 15. Then
press [DELAY] and set it to 55, press [SYNC] and
turn off the key sync, and press [SPEED] and reset
it to 27.
to select OP2, and adjust [DATA ENTRY] to 3 first, then
to 1
To see how the amplitude modulation works, lets turn
off the pitch modulation temporarily and turn on the
amplitudemodulation.
Now reset all these
parameters for a
more natural
sound
11. Turn LFO Sync ON again by pressing [SYNC] and
the [ON] button. Then set the pitch modulation
depth at 0 by pressing [PMD] and pulling down the
[DATA ENTRY] slider.
Now lets see what happens when you modulate the
carrier's level.
14. Press [OPERATOR SELECT] as needed to select
operator 1, and then adjust its amplitude sensitivity
to the maximum (3). Play a note in the upper part of
the keyboard, and hear the wide deviations in vol-
ume. The wide deviations in volume occur because
the LFO is being applied to change the output level
12. Press [AMD] and bring the amplitude modulation
depth up to a high value (from 50 to 99), and play a
note on the upper section of the keyboard. (Remem-
ber that the Keyboard Level Scaling has "rolled off"
this sound on the lower part of the keyboard). Notice
there is no amplitude modulation yet. You need to
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3. You won't hear anything yet because those operator
output levels are still set at the initialized value (zero).
Reset the levels as indicated below; first press [OPER-
ATOR OUTPUT LEVEL], and adjust the level of the
current operator. Then press [OPERATOR SELECT],
and set the output level for the next operator, and so
forth.
You could press [OPERATOR SELECT] to set opera-
tor 4 as the current operator, then press [EG RATE]
and [EG LEVEL] 4 times each while using [DATA
ENTRY] to set the desired values. There is an easier
method, as you may recall; use the "EG COPY" func-
tion.
Programmingthe remaining
44
4Soopfearrwateohra*ve used just 2 of the 6 available operators
within the algorithm to create the voice you are hearing.
The remaining 4 operators can be used to add to the
voice and richen it. However, for the purpose of demon-
stration, we'll show you how to program a completely
different sound with them. Then, by using Keyboard
Level Scaling, you can roll off this second voice in the
upper part of the keyboard so you end up with a split
keyboard.
To copy the envelope FROM operator 3 to operator 4,
first make sure that operator 3 is still set as the cur-
rent operator. Then press the [STORE] button and
hold it down while pressing the [4] button. This cop-
ies all rates and levels from operator 3 to operator 4.
There is one change to be made for operator 4 in that
Rate 2 must be set at 29 instead of 20, where it had
been for operator 3. Press [OPERATOR SELECT] to
set operator 4 as current. Then press [EG RATE] until
rate 2 appears in the display and adjust it with the
DATA ENTRY [+1] button. The envelopes for opera-
tors 3 and 4 now complement one another. The set-
tings are shown below for operator 4:
OUTPUT LEVEL
OPERATOR
93
93
70
75
3
4
5
6
NOTE In this part of the manual, we'll assume you
are beginning to gain some familiarity with the DX7,
so we won't use quite as many illustrations, nor will
we always instruct you to use [DATA ENTRY] to
alter a value if it should be obvious that that's how the
value is changed. If we say "adjust the frequency ratio
to 3.00" we'll assume that you know how to push the
slider or use the [-1] and [ +1] buttons.
Play a few notes and listen to the sound. The "square"
envelopes can be altered, making a major improve-
ment toward obtaining a sound like an electronic
piano.
4. If necessary, press [OPERATQR SELECT] until oper-
ator 3 is current. Then press [EG RATE] and adjust
[DATA ENTRY] for each of the 4 rates, setting them
as shown in the following chart. Then press [EG
LEVEL] and set the 4 levels for operator 3, also accor-
ding to the chart.
This segment of the voice will become a piano-like
sound. Remember that this is not supposed to be a
"great" sound, just one for learning. In fact, we're eager
for you to experiment with the voice after you create it
so you can make improvements.
OPERATOR 4 EG SETTINGS
LEVEL 1 = 99
LEVEL 2 = 95
LEVEL 3 = 0
RATE 1 = 95
RATE 2 = 29
RATE 3 = 20
RATE 4 == 50
OPERATOR 3 EG SETTINGS
1. Press [OSCILLATOR-FREQUENCY COARSE].
Turn ON operators 3, 4, 5 and 6, then turn OFF oper-
ators 1 and 2 by pressing the corresponding [OPERA-
TOR ON-OFF] buttons.
RATE1
RATE 2
RATE 3
RATE 4
95
20
20
50
LEVEL
1
99
95
0
LEVEL 4 = 0 .
LEVEL2
LEVEL3
LEVEL4
6. The envelope for operator 6 will be set identically to
that of operator 4. Since OP4 is still set as the current
operator, just press and hold [STORE] and then press
[6] to copy the envelope from OP4 to OP6.
0
The display will show
Play a few notes and observe how the sound now
resembles a hammer strike. This effect occurs because
you have a fast rate to maximum level (R1,L1) for the
"hammer strike", followed by a slow fall to an inter-
mediate decay level (R2.L2), which has the effect of
"widening" the hammer strike and making less of a
"click". There is no sustain level (L3=0) because a
piano string will not sustain indefinitely However, it
will continue vibrating for a long time if you do not
release the key so a very slow rate is set for the fall to
Level 3 (Rate 3=20). If you release the piano key
shortly after striking the note, the sound will fall
rather quickly to zero due to the damper. For this
reason, Rate 4 is set to a moderately fast rate of 50.
Level 4 is, of course, zero so that the sound will even-
tually fall to silence.
7. Similarly the envelope from operator 3 can be copied
to operator 5. Do so by pressing [OPERATOR SE-
LECT] until OP3 is current. Then press down the
[STORE] button and hold it while pressing [5] to copy
the envelope to OP5.
Note that the current operator automatically changes
to operator 3 (OP3) when you turn off the first two
operators.
2. Change the frequency of operator 3 to a ratio of 2.00.
Then press (OPERATOR SELECT] and adjust the
frequency of each remaining operator as follows:
8. Play a few notes, and observe how the sound has
improved, with much more of an electric piano feel to
it. The "piano" sound now appears across the entire
keyboard. Let's see what happens when the "clarinet"
sound is again introduced.
OPERATOR
FREQUENCY
9. Press the (OPERATOR ON-OFF] buttons [1] and [2]
to turn on the clarinet-like sound. Now play from the
bottom of the keyboard to the top. Notice how there
is only piano sound on the bottom, and how the
clarinet enters in the top half of the keyboard due to
the previous keyboard level scaling of operators 1 and
2.
2.00
2.00
3
4
5
6
12.00
4.00
5. You want to have a similar envelope for operator 4,
although a few of the rates can be changed so that the
harmonic structure changes at a different rate than
the overall volume.
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45
In this case, we do not want these two segments of
the voice (OP1-OP2 and OP3-OP6) to combine; we
want a "split" keyboard instead. (With another voice,
you might want the two voice segments to play to-
gether, complementing one another.) Since we don't
want the piano mixed with the clarinet, let's use the
keyboard level scaling feature to "roll off" the piano
(OP3-OP6).
To illustrate this feature, lets program the piano-like
portion of the voice to get louder and more brilliant
when you press the keys faster. We'll do something
similar with the clarinet-like portion of the voice. (We'd
say "play harder," which is what we mean, but we don't
want to confuse this parameter with the After Touch
modulation that depends on the pressure you apply alter
the key "bottoms out.")
and adjusting [DATA ENTRY] to suit your taste
while playing the piano-like sound on the lower
portion of the keyboard. We recommend starting
with a Detune value of + 3 for OP4.
15. The entire keyboard can be transposed if you like.
Press the [KEY TRANSPOSE] button and then
press the key which you want middle C to become.
Now play and see what happens. If you want to
transpose again, press [KEY TRANSPOSE] again
and press the new "middle C" key This transposes
both portions of the voice.
1.Press[KEYVELOCITYSENSITIVITY]andthen
press [OPERATOR SELECT] as required to set oper-
ator 1 as the current operator.
10. If necesary press [OPERATOR SELECT] to set
operator 3 as current. Then press [BREAK POINT]
and use [DATA ENTRY] to set the break point as
shown below. Next press [OPERATOR SELECT] to
set operator 4 as current, and set its break point as
indicated in the chart. Operators 5 and 6 will not
need any level scaling because their effects will be
adequately contoured by operator 4 (through which
bath must travel).
Suppose, however, that you just want to transpose
the piano portion of the voice. To do this, you do not
use the transpose feature. Instead, you change the
frequency ratios of the operators in that part of the
voice (operators 3, 4, 5 & 6).
and use (DATA ENTRY] to set OP1 like this
16. Press [OPERATOR SELECT] as many times as
needed to set operator 3 as current. Then press
[OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY COARSE] and
you'll see the ratio is now set at 2.00. To transpose
an octave, double this ratio to 4.00. At this point, the
voice will seem to "change" because the modulator
frequencies have not yet been transposed, so the
modulation will, in fact, be producing a different
effect.
17. To "correct" and completely transpose the piano-like
sound, double the frequency ratio of each of opera-
tors 4, 5 and 6 by pressing [OPERATOR SELECT]
and adjusting [DATA ENTRY]. Operator 4 increases
from 2.00 to 4.00, operator 5 from 12.00 to 24.00,
and operator 6 from 4.00 to 8.00. Now play across
the keyboard and listen to what has happened... two
lead voices!
BREAKPOINT
OPERATOR
3
A2
C3
4
(Doesn't matter)
(Doesn't matter)
5
6
2. Then press (OPERATOR SELECT] and use [DATA
ENTRY] to set each of the other operators' for key
velocity sensitivities as shown in the accompanying
chart.
11. Now that the break points are set, you'll need to
establish the curves for each of these operators.
Press [CURVE] and use [DATA ENTRY] to set oper-
ator 4 to a negative linear curve on the right side of
the break point. Remember you may have to press
[CURVE] once or twice to see the "R CURVE = ?"
display
12. Set operator 3 as the current operator, and then use
[DATA ENTRY] to set it to a -LIN Right curve.
13. Now set the depth of the right curves for operator 3
by pressing [DEPTH] once, to see the "R DEPTH =
?" display and adjusting [DATA ENTRY] to a value
of 99 (maximum roll off). Press [OPERATOR SE-
LECT] to set operator 4 as current, and set its depth
to 99 also.
KEY VELOCITY SENSITIVITY
OPERATOR
VALUE
1
2
3
4
5
6
3
0
2
7
7
7
Programmingvelocitysensitivity
The output level of each operator can be programmed
to increase based on how rapidly a key is pressed down.
This is accomplished with the [KEY VELOCITY SEN-
SITIVITY] button. Since the maximum output level of
any operator is always 99, if an operator is already set to
99, it might seem that no further output can be achieved
using the velocity sensitivity. To get around this problem,
the DX7 is designed so that the nominal operator output
level decreases as you program the operator for more
key velocity sensitivity If an operator is programmed for
maximum key velocity sensitivity (7), and you play a
note very slowly, that operator will have a very low
output level; play the same note quickly, and the output
level will increase substantially
3. The resulting voice will change as you press keys
faster. If you experiment with different velocity sensi-
tivity values, you may find that no combination is
"ideal." It may be necessary to go back and change
the operator output level settings,
You can now play the keyboard and observe how
the sound changes from the piano-like voice on the
bottom to the clarinet-like voice at the top. It's all one
voice, but the component "stacks" of carriers and
modulators are uniquely programmed and scaled to
produce two distinct sounds.
Namingandstoringthenewly
created voice
1. Now that you've created the voice, perhaps you'd like
to give it a name all of your own. Press [VOICE
NAME] and you'll see a blinking cursor (a box) ap-
pear at the starting position of the 10 available charac-
ter spaces for the name. To actually enter a name,
14. To obtain a slightly altered harmonic structure, you
may want to shift the pitch just a little bit for opera-
tor 4, the primary modulator in the piano portion of
the voice. You can do this by pressing [DETUNE]
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46
press and hold down the [CHARACTER] button,
then press individual buttons which correspond to the
letters, numbers, or punctuation you wish to use.
4. The voice is stored, but it is also still in the edit/play
buffer memory where you can continue to experi-
ment with it. For example, press [EDIT/COMPARE]
to return to the editing mode, and then try adjusting
some parameters. One change we recommend is to
trythedifferent algorithms. Press(ALGORITHM
SELECT] and then change from algorithm #1 to #9.
Notice the improvement in the piano portion of the
voice (at least we think it's an improvement), and the
change in the clarinet side of the voice.
Try all the algorithms to hear the differences they
make in the sound. You may want to experiment with
different EG settings, keyboard rate scaling, and so
forth. If you stumble across something you want to
keep, rename it and store it in another memory loca-
tion.
5. When you're done with your editing session, press
whichever [MEMORY PROTECT] button you had
originally pressed to turn off the protection (cartridge
or internal), and use the [DATA ENTRY-ON] button
to restore protection so you or someone else cannot
accidentally erase any voices. If the RAM cartridge is
where you saved the voice, also remember to turn on
its hardware memory protect switch once again.
You can determine which buttons produce which
alphanumeric characters by looking at the small dark
brown "reversed" type in the right comer of each
button. If you want to correct a character, continue
holding [CHARACTER] and use the DATA ENTRY
[<] or [>] buttons to move the cursor to the position
you want to change. Then re-enter the new character
(or press [SPACE] to leave a blank space).
2. Now that the voice is reasonably complete, you may
wish to store it on a RAM cartridge, or to store it in an
internal memory Ifyou're going to use the RAM
cartridge, make sure its On-Off slide switch is set to
OFF so that the memory is not protected. You will
then have to turn off the software memory protection
in the DX7 for the cartridge or internal memories by
pressing the corresponding [MEMORY PROTECT]
button and then pressing the [OFF] DATA ENTRY
button. The memory is now ready to accept the voice.
3. Pressthe [MEMORYSELECT-INTERNAL]or
[MEMORYSELECT-CARTRIDGE]button,depend-
ing on where you want to store the voice, then press
and hold down the [STORE] button. While holding
[STORE], press the voice selector button correspond-
ing to the specific location (1-32) in which you want to
place the voice.
That covers just about all the basic programming
functions of the DX7. If you've mastered this informa-
tion, you're ready to create any voice you wish. It may
take a bit of practice, but soon the instrument can be-
come an "intuitive" extension of your creative mind.
That's it. The voice is now stored.
NOTEIfyouaccidentallypressavoiceselectorbutton
without holding down the [STORE] button, you will
lose the voiceyou havejustcreated and will. instead,
hearthenewlyselectedinternalorcartridgevoice.
HAVE NO FEAR, you can recover the "lost" voice by
using the following "EDIT RECALL" procedure:
Hint Ifyou'replayingonstage, eitherpresetsorvoices
you've programmed on RAM, you may want to ID these
voices by applying a length ofwhite masking tape (ap-
propriate width) to the front paneland writing the voice
names next to the voice selector buttons.
Edit Recall "Emergency Voice Recovery"
Instructions
a) Press the [FUNCTION] button to place the DX7 in
FUNCTIONmode.
b) Press the [EDIT RECALL] button, then press the
[DATA ENTRY] [YES] button to answer the two
prompts "edit recall?" and "are you sure?".
c) You have now recovered the "lost" voice; repeat
step 3 to store the voice.
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Any of the preset voices can be edited to change them
slightly, or totally In fact, the term "primary voice" might
be better than "preset voice," since these voices are not
permanent like the presets of most other synthesizers. In
fact, all DX7 presets are completely programmable. So,
too, are any voices you may have created from scratch
or copied from another DX synthesizer.
A special EDIT mode is provided for editing the
voices, preset or personally programmed. We'll provide
a brief example of editing a preset voice, and you'll see
that the process is almost identical to that of program-
ming from scratch, as previously detailed.
[OPERATOR OUTPUT LEVEL] and then press
[OPERATOR SELECT] until operator 2 is set as the
current operator.
47
You can see that this is exactly the same way you use
the controls to create a voice "from scratch" using the
[VOICE INIT] function. In fact, [VOICE INIT) really
does nothing more than to set all parameters to a
default value, and then places the DX7 in the EDIT
mode. If you want to change any other parameters,
just press the appropriate selector butlon(s) and use
[DATA ENTRY] or any other buttons required to
program the new values. We strongly recommend
that you rename an edited voice by using the [VOICE
NAME]function.
6. If you wish to save the edited voice, you have sev-
eral choices. If you have edited a preset ROM voice.
you cannot save that voice on a ROM... ROMs are
Read Only Memories. You can, however, save the
edited preset on a RAM (Random Access Memory)
cartridge or in an internal memory within the DX7.
If the "original" voice you edited was selected from
a RAM or an internal memory, you can over-store
the edited voice in the same place, or in a different
memory location so you retain the original and
edited versions. The method of storing the edited
voice is identical to that for storing a voice you
created "from scratch"; we repeat this below for
convenience.
1. Select the Electric Piano 1 voice from the Master
Group of the DX7 voice ROM cartridge. Play the
voice. Lets suppose you want to change the timbre of
the sound so it becomes more penetrating... but not
alter any of the envelopes, fundamental pitches, mod-
ulation, or touch sensitivity.
So far, the only clue you have that you are in the Edit
mode is that the LCD display shows editing functions
such as "Algorithm Select" and "Output Level." You
are about to see that another aspect of the display can
showyouwhetheranything has yet been changed.
(So far, you have not actually changed the voice.)
4. Play a few notes, varying the velocity with which you
press the keys. Then move the [DATA ENTRY]
slider to change the output level of operator 2 to 90.
Notice that the instant you change this parameter, a
decimal point appears to the right of the voice num-
ber in the LED display This decimal is your clue that
the voice is no longer the same as the preset. Play a
few notes and hear for yourself.
The display should look like this
7. You can store the edited voice on a RAM cartridge, or
store it in an internal memory If you're going to use
the RAM cartridge, make sure its On-Off slide switch
is set to OFF so that the memory is not protected. You
will then have to turn off the software memory protec-
tion in the DX7 for the cartridge or internal memories
by pressing the corresponding [MEMORY PRO-
TECT] button and then pressing the [OFF] DATA
ENTRY button. The memory is now ready to accept
the voice.
2. Press the [EDIT/COMPARE] button, and notice that
the display changes to show the last programming
function which had been used. If you've been going
straight through the manual, that function would be
"algorithm select," though it is not important really
8. Press the [MEMORY SELECT-INTERNAL] or
[MEMORYSELECT-CARTRIDGE]button,depend-
ing on where you want to store the voice, then press
and hold down the [STORE] button. While holding
[STORE], press the voice selector button correspond-
ing to the specific location (1-32) in which you want to
place the voice. If this is the same location where the
original voice was located, the edited voice will erase
(and replace) the original. The moment you store the
voice, the decimal point in the LED voice number
window disappears, and you are out of the EDIT
mode.
Notice this decimal point appears
when the output level changes
5. If you want to compare the newly edited sound to the
original sound, you can press the [EDIT/COMPARE]
button once. Notice the decimal point in the LED
voice number display disappears, and the number
itself begins to flash. While the number is flashing,
you can play the original, unedited voice. Press
[EDIT/COMPARE] again and the edited voice reap-
pears, decimal point and all.
3. From the diagram for algorigthm 5 (which the display
tells us is the algorithm of this voice), we see that
operator 2 is the modulator of one stack, and there-
fore increasing its output level may "brighten" the
voice. We won't know for sure until we try it. Press
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TOR FREQUENCY-COARSE]. Finally press [OPERA-
TOR SELECT] repeatedly and examine the frequency
ratios for the 6 operators. With most voices, you'll see a
lot of 1.00 and 2.00 ratios, but mixed in with these there
may be one ratio which is unusual, a fine-tuned ratio
forms as you wish). The accompanying form has been
filled out as you might do it to describe the voice created
in the Tutorial section of this manual.
Analyzing and keeping a record
48
of voices
You can use the EDIT mode to examine all the param-
eters of each preset... or of any voice. You don't have to
change anything, but the envelope or frequency ratios
or touch sensitivity of a voice may be useful to you in
creating a new voice. In the event a voice is accidentally
erased, the written record can be used to guide you in
reprogramming the voice. We recommend using the
handy form provided on the inside of the back cover of
this manual (unrestricted permission is hereby granted
for you to reproduce as many of the DX7 Voice Data List
In fact, we recommend using the EDIT mode to ana-
lyze and record the parameters of several preset voices
strictly as a learning tool for you. Play the voices, look at like 1.53, or a a very high ratio like 24.00. If you then
the way the voice is programmed, and try to understand
adjust the [OUTPUT LEVEL] of that "unusual" opera-
how the settings affect the sound and touch of the voice. tor's frequency ratio, or change its frequency ratio with
Here's a hint on how to make useful edits on complex coarse or fine control, you can make interesting and
voices without excessive analysis or trial-and-error.
Select a voice such as a flute, french horn, piano, etc.
Then press [EDIT/COMPARE], and press [OSCILLA-
useful changes to the character of the sound.
DX7 VOICE DATA LIST
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THE INTERNAL AND CARTRIDGE MEMORIES
StoringindividualvoicestoRAM
We have already described how to play voices that are
stored intheinternal memoriesorcartridgememories.
As part of the tutorial, we have also described how to
store a single voice. The following instructions provide
additional detail on the use of these memories for
storing and rearranging voices. To remain consistent
with the panel labels on the DX7, we use the term
"Store" to describe the process of placing the currently
selected voice (the one which is being played or edited)
into any location (1-32) in the internal or cartridge mem-
ories. We use the term "Save" to describe the process of
simultaneously placing all 32 internal memory voices
into the correspondingly numbered cartridge memories.
We use the term "Load" to describe the process of trans-
ferring the 32 voices from one bank of a ROM cartridge,
or from a RAM cartridge, into the 32 internal memories.
you wish).
49
cartridge
3. Because you are about to erase whatever voices are in
the RAM cartridge, the DX7 gives you one more
opportunity to change your mind by asking "SAVE
MEMORY, ARE YOU SURE?" If you indeed want to
save the 32 internal voices in the RAM cartridge,
press [YES] this second time (if not, press [NO]).
4. The display will indicate "SAVE MEMORY, UNDER
WRITING!" for stout 20 seconds as the voices are
being written (saved) onto the cartridge. The d i s p l a y
will then indicated "SAVE MEMORY COMPLETED", at
which point you can select whatever mode you wish
5. Once the 32 voices are saved, press [MEMORY
PROTECT- CARTRIDGE] and [YES] to reactivate
the software memory protection, and then reset the
switch on the RAM cartridge to reactivate its hardware
memory protection.
1. First make sure the Memory Protect switch on the
RAM cartridge is turned OFF (switch positioned away
from the connector).
2. Whether you have been playing an internal voice,
editing a voice, or creating one from scratch in the
VOICE INIT mode, turn off the software memory pro-
tect. Press [MEMORY PROTECT-CARTR1DGE],
and the display will indicate "MEMORY PROTECT
CARTRIDGE???".If "???" is"OFF",thesoftwarepro-
tection is already off and you can go directly to Step 3.
If the"???" is "ON", then press the [OFF] button.
3. Press the [MEMORY SELECT-CARTRIDGE] but-
ton, and then press the [STORE] button and hold it
down while pressing the voice selector button (1-32)
which corresponds to the RAM cartridge memory in
which you wish to store the voice. The LCD display
will briefly indicate "Under Writing", and will then
return to the voice name and number, indicating the
voice has been stored.
Memory Protect
When you store a voice (or voices) into an internal or
cartridge memory, whatever voice had been in that
memory location is automatically erased... just like
recording new material over an old tape (although
recording tape is not involved). To help you avoid the
frustration and inconvenience of accidentally erasing
any voices, the DX7 is equipped with several types of
Memory Protection. The [MEMORY PROTECT] but-
tons provide independent "software" protection for the
internal and cartridge memories. In addition, the RAM
cartridges themselves have "hardware" memory protect
switches. You can always "read" or "load" a voice from a
memory regardless of memory protect status. However,
you cannot store a voice in any internal memory (or
load the RAM voices into the internal memories) unless
the internal memory protect is first disabled (turned
OFF). Similarly, you cannot store a voice in any internal
memory (or save the 32 internal voices to RAM car-
tridge) unless the cartridge's hardware memory protect
switch is OFF and the DX7's software memory protect-
cartridge feature is also OFF
Loadingall32 ROM or RAM cartridge
voicestointernalmemory
1. First turn off the internal memory protect. Press
[MEMORY PROTECT-INTERNAL], and the dis-
play will indicate "MEMORY PROTECT INTERNAL
???". If "???" is "OFF", the internal memory protection
is already off and you can go directly to Step 2. If the
"???" is "ON", then press the [OFF] button.
NOTE: If you attempt this step with either the software
or hardware cartridge memory protection ON, the dis-
play will indicate "MEMORY PROTECTED"as soon
as you press [STORE]. If, when you release
[STORE], the voice name reappears, then the soft-
ware memory protect is ON; perform Step 2 as above,
then Step 3 again. If, when you release [STORE], the
"MEMORY PROTECTED"message remains dis-
played, the hardware protect is ON; perform Step 1,
then Step 3 again.
2. Press [FUNCTION] to place the DX7 in FUNCTION
mode, and then press [LOAD]. When the display
asks "LOAD MEMORY ALLOF MEMORY?", press
[YES] (unless you change your mind, in which case
you should press [NO] and go on to whatever func-
tion you wish). Because you are about to erase what-
ever 32 voices are in the internal memory, the DX7
gives you one more opportunity to change your mind
by asking "LOAD MEMORY, ARE YOU SURE?" If you
indeed want to load the 32 RAM voices into the inter-
nal memory press [YES] this second time (if not,
press [NO]). After a second or so, the message "LOAD
MEMORY COMPLETED" appears, telling you the
voices are loaded.
4. Once the voice is stored, press [MEMORY PRO-
TECT- CARTRIDGE] and [YES] to reactivate the
software memory protection, and then reset the
switch on the RAM cartridge to reactivate its hardware
memory protection.
Savingall32internalmemoryvoices
toRAM cartridge
The following instructions describe the procedure for
turning the memory protect off; they also instruct you to
turn ON the memory protect as soon as the voice(s)
have been stored. It is a good idea to always turn ON
the memory protect unless you specifically need to store
a voice. This habit may someday avoid accidental era-
sure of your voices.
1. First make sure the Memory Protect switch on the
cartridge is turned OFF (switch positioned away from
the connector). Then turn off the software memory
protect by pressing [MEMORY PROTECT-CAR-
3. Once the 32 voices are loaded, press [MEMORY
PROTECT- INTERNAL] and [YES] to reactivate
the internal memory protection.
TRIDGE] followed by [OFF].
Transferingasinglevoicefromone
cartridgeorinternalmemRorAyM
locationtoanother inthe
2. Press [FUNCTION] to place the DX7 in FUNCTION
mode, and then press [SAVE]. When the display asks
"SAVE MEMORY ALL OF MEMORY?", press [YES]
(unless you change your mind, in which case you
should press [NO] and go on to whatever function
You may wish to rearrange the voices so they fall in a
particular order as, for example, when you are going to
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play a live performance and you want memories 1-32 to
contain the voices you plan to play in numerical order.
This can be done either in the internal memory or in
the RAM cartridge memory Its best to have at least 1
"blank" or unwanted voice which you can erase when
doing this. If you need all 32 voices, but simply in a dif-
ferent order, make a copy of them (either by saving from
internal to RAM cartridge, or loading from RAM car-
tridge to internal, as appropriate).
To move the next voice from a RAM cartridge to an
internal location, repeat Step 2 and Step 3b.
50
4. The process can be continued, selecting a voice and
moving it to a new location. As you can see, its like
one of the puzzles where you have 15 numbered
squares and 1 blank space, and you have to rear-
range the squares in numerical order — you always
have to use at least one memory location as the
"blank" square so you can shuttle the others around.
That's why we suggest making a copy of all 32 voices
if you plan to move them around within the internal
or cartridge memory. Once you've done most of the
rearranging, you can go to the copied voices and
transfer the "erased" voices back where you want
them using the procedure in Step 3b above.
1. Determine whether you want to work with the RAM
cartridge or internal memory and turn off the corre-
sponding sofware memory protection by pressing
[MEMORY PROTECT-INTERNAL] or [MEM-
ORY PROTECT-CARTRIDGE] and then pressing
[OFF]. If you're working with the RAM cartridge,
also be sure its hardware memory protect switch is
OFF.
2. Select a voice you wish to move by pressing [MEM-
ORY SELECT-INTERNAL] or [MEMORY
SELECT-CARTRIDGE], and then the appropriate
voice selector button, from [1] to [32].
5. As always, when you have completed the operation,
turn the memory protection back ON.
NOTE: If a "FORMAT CONFLICT "ID CONFLICT
or "READ PROTECT message is displayed during a
STORE or SAVE operation using a RAM cartridge, it
means the cartridge must be formatted. For details,
please refer to the CARTRIDGE FORMATTING sec-
tion on page 9.
3a. Assuming you want to move the voice into a differ-
ent position within the same memory area (internal
or RAM cartridge) from which you selected it, press
and hold [STORE]. Then press the voice selector
button corresponding to the memory location into
which you wish to move the voice. THIS NEW
LOCATION SHOULD BE BLANK, OR ONE YOU
DONT MIND ERASING, UNLESS YOU HAVE
ALREADY MADE A COPY OF ALL 32 VOICES AS
DESCRIBED PREVIOUSLY.
The voice has now been stored in the new location.
(It still exists in its original location.) Now you can
release the [STORE] button, press the voice selector
of the next voice you want to move, and then press
[STORE] and the voice selector of the memory in
which you wish to store this voice.
3b. If you want to move the voice into the same or a dif-
ferent position within the other memory area (i.e.,
from RAM cartridge memory 6 to internal memory
2), the procedure is similar. You have already pressed
[MEMORY SELECT-CARTRIDGE] and [6] to
select RAM cartridge voice number 6. To assign this
to internal memory 2, press [MEMORY SELECT-
INTERNAL], then press and hold [STORE] while
you press voice selector [2]. (If you want to move
from an internal location to a RAM cartridge loca-
tion, substitute the opposite [MEMORY SELECT]
buttons for those in this example.)
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ADVANCED PROGRAMMING NOTES
Playing style and programming of
dynamic control
the break point, and to use adequate scaling Depth to
You can simulate an ADSR if you set the envelope as
follows: L1 =99, L2=99, L4=0, and R2=99. With these
settings, then R1 becomes Attack time, R3 is Decay
time, L3 is Sustain level, and R4 is Release time.
To get the "whap" sound of brass, try using [VOICE
INIT] Then, from the initialized voice, leave OP1 as it
is. Change from ALG 1 to ALG 2, change from Feed-
back=0 to Feedback=7. and then bring up the OP2
output level to 75. This produces the modulation you
need for brass, but not the "whap," Reset OP2 EG Rate 1
from 99 to 70, which causes the modulation to "ramp
up," rapidly increase the harmonics and produce the
characteristic brass attack sound.
51
"smooth out" the response.
By now you should be familiar with some of the ways
the DX7's keyboard can be programmed to be touch
responsive. If you have read the programming instruc-
tions in this manual and tried to create or edit voices,
you are probably aware of the wide range of sensitivity
settings that are available to you. If not, you can still
experience a good deal of this flexibility by playing the
presets. Excellent preset examples can be found in the
DX7VOICE ROM#3MasterGroup, includingElectric
Piano, and Jazz Guitar. Flexibility and variety in pro-
gramming can be virtues, if used wisely When it comes
to programming the touch response of the instrument,
there is more to consider than "how wide a range can I
obtain?"
One approach to achieving consistency is to first find
or create a few voices whose keyboard response you
like. Then document the FUNCTION mode modulation
settings as well as the EDIT mode's settings for LFO
(speed, PMD and AMD), Modulation Sensitivity (ampli-
tude and/or pitch), Keyboard Rate Scaling, and Key-
board Velocity Sensitivity settings. Then try to use
settings in this same general range for most of your
voices. Naturally there will be exceptions, but at least
this will give you a framework which suits your own
playing style and taste.
The envelope generator (EG) settings can also have a
signficant effect on the playing response of the key-
board. If the envelope attacks are slow and you're play-
ing a staccatto passage, the notes may not fully develop
— or you may find yourself tending to slow your playing
in order to hear the sound you want. In this case, it
would be worthwhile to reprogram the attack rate, or to
add some Keyboard Rate Scaling if the problem is pri-
marily at the upper end of the keyboard.
Delayed turn-on usiing the envelopes
If you want the Operator attack to begin a while after
you press the key, there are two approaches. One way is
to set the first level (L1) to 99, and to set the attack rate
to a low number (0 to 30). This will result in a gradual
turn-on of the note, with almost no sound at first. If you
want an abrupt (fast) attack, but you don't want it to start
for a while after the key is pressed, you'll need to take a
second approach. Set EG Level 1 to 0; Rl should be set
to 99. Then set Level 2 to 0, and set Rate 2 to achieve
whatever delay time you want. Be sure you press the
key long enough while programming these delayed
turn-on envelopes... it can take over a half a minute
before you hear anything. Set Level 3 to 99 (or some
reasonably high level), and set Rate 3 for whatever
attack time you want on the note. Level 4 should be 0,
and Rate 4 can be set to whatever release rate you
desire.
Consistency is a primary consideration. We speak of
consistency in terms of your playing style, not the sound
of the voice itself. Use your ears to determine how loud
or bright a sound is created in relation to how forcefully
you play the keyboard. If you strive to program your
voices so the keyboard "plays" similarly the DX7 will
take on a characteristic "feel." If you program each voice
independently you may never become accustomed to
the keyboard because it will behave like many different
instruments. You'll make your job much easier if you
program the DX7 to sound like many different instru-
ments, but to play like one.
All of the preceding suggestions may be completely
inappropriate if you are using the DX7 for creating spe-
cial effects. Then you may want odd level scaling,
extreme touch sensitivity and so forth.
Additionalenvelopeconsiderations
Two notes can be sounded from a single keystroke
(for double-tongued trumpet or mandolin like sounds) if
the envelope is programmed as follows:
When you set out to create a voice that will have
touch sensitivity (Keyboard Velocity Sensitivity and/or
After Touch modulation sensitivity), we recommend that
you work on it while playing and listening at moderate
volume levels. Program the parameters for a mellow,
almost pianissimo sound. Then, when you hit the keys
hard, the voice will have "somewhere to go." Of course,
you have to use some judgement because if you set
things too low to begin with, you provide enough "head
room" in the instrument so that a vigorous "fortissimo"
chord could saturate a tape recording or damage a
speaker system.
L1 = 99 (high)
L2 = 20 Qow)
L3 = 95 (high)
L4 = 0 (off)
R1 = 99 (fast)
R2 = 35 (slow)
R3 = 90 (fast)
Howtoselectanalgorithm
R4 = 50 (not critical)
There are 32 algorithms; all have the same 6 opera-
tors and one feedback loop, yet each algorithm is capa-
ble of creating sounds that the others cannot. Sometimes
the differences between algorithms are negligible, yet at
times the difference can be dramatic. It may help you to
picture a voice as a the result of two interactive ele-
ments, (1) the algorithm, and (2) the frequencies and
relative level of the operators within that algorithm.
An algorithm is nothing more or less than an arrange-
ment of operators. Ultimately, there are just two ways
that the operators can be connected: (1) side by side for
additive synthesis, and (2) one on top of the other for
frequency modulation. "Branching" where one operator
feeds or is fed by two or three other operators, is just a
The resulting envelope will have a rapid initial attack
upon pressing the key Then the sound begins falling to
Level 2, which will sound like zero even if it is set as
high as 30 or so. The sound then jumps rapidly to Level
3, at which it sustains as long as the key is held down.
However, if you release the key as soon as Level 3 is
attained, the sustain is truncated and you hear a "double
attack" sound. If Level 2 is set at an intermediate point,
say between 40 and 60, the double attack still works.
but the effect is as though Rate 2 and Rate 3 were sped
up. This apparent rate increase occurs because R2
doesn't have to fall to as low a level, and R3 doesn't
have as far to climb, so the time is reduced.
The Keyboard Level Scaling is also an important
adjunct to dynamic playing style in that it can be used to
change the output level when you play with the same
touch at different areas of the keyboard. The human ear
tends to be more sensitive to higher frequencies, and
the DX7 normally creates equally intense sound across
its entire keyboard so the net result is that higher notes
can sound too loud or shrill. Therefore, it is often desir-
able to program a -EXP or -LIN curve on the right side of
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52
fundamental) can be simulated by using the [DETUNE]
function, and thereby changing the modulator frequen-
cies to be slightly "off" from the perfect integer ratios.
(Even though the frequency might still indicate some-
thing like "2.00", Detune causes it to be more like "2.001
or 1.998".)
variation of the second category. Another variation simi-
lar to category (2) is feedback, which creates frequency
modulation through regeneration.
what algorithms the presets use, or by logical reasoning
(after you learn a little more about programming the
DX7.) Within a given group of algorithms, begin with
the least complex algorithm that you feel will do the job
— that is, the algorithm with the highest number. (We
realize that decision, in itself, requires a reasonable
amount of experience and insight... which should come
more quickly if you follow our guidelines.) You may also
find that it is sometimes possible to get precisely the
same results with different algorithms — it depends on
whether you're using feedback, and on the actual output
level settings of each operator. At other times, two or
more algorithms may at first seem to be the same, and
as you refine the voice, you find that only one algorithm
will do the job.
If you were to set the 6 operators to any frequency
ratios you choose, and set their envelopes and output
levels to "typical" values (i.e., values like those found in
several preset voices), you would find that changing the
algorithm would change the sound very markedly
Notice that the 32 algorithms, as illustrated on the DX7
front panel, are sub-divided into 4 major groups (as
shown by the boxes). While we are about to make a
gross generalization, it can be useful in planning an
approach to programming.
If you're working on a bowed or plucked string sound,
you can probably visualize the string being stretched
initially then, as the vibration settles down, the note gets
quieter. The initial stretch not only leads to a louder
sound, it also raises the pitch, which then falls steadily
toward the "normal" pitch of the note as the amplitude
also falls. This effect can be simulated by using the Pitch
Envelope. Set it for a slight increase in pitch initially (L1
slightly higher than 50), and then set the pitch of the
rest of the voice to be "normal" (L2, L3 and L4 at 50). R1
should be at 99 so that the pitch initially starts at the
higher frequency and then R2 can be set to a moderate
rate so the pitch falls to normal at a rate resembling that
of the plucked or bowed string. LFO pitch modulation
can simulate vibrato, and so forth.
By following this logical approach, you should be able
to figure out how to program more complex sounds with
less guessing... or at least with more directed guessing.
This is not to say that other methods are invalid or will
not work — there are many ways to obtain a pleasing
sound. Some piano voices, for example, can be achieved
using Algorithm 19, which has just one carrier. The
multiple stacks of modulators which all affect that carrier
can be programmed to achieve the hammer strike and
string sounds.
The most complex algorithms are at the upper left (1
through 6). Theseare examples of straight FM synthesis
with two or three "stacks" of operators per algorithm.
Many of the piano voices or orchestra voices are done
with these algorithms because each stack can be pro-
grammed as though it were a separate voice within a
voice (hence multiple strings on a piano note, or brass,
bell and flute together).
A different type of complex algorithm appears in the
upper right (7 through 18). These are useful for voices
whose harmonic structure undergoes complex changes,
yet with fewer different "sub voices" within a voice (bass,
harp, and stringed instruments, for example). Of this
cateogry algorithms 7 through 15 include two carriers
each, one of which has multiple stacks of modulators
feeding it through two different carrier inputs (good for
electric pianos as an example). Algorithms 16 through
18 also have branching, but they all have a singe carrier
whose three inputs are fed by different stacks of modula-
tors (good for brass sounds, as an example).
Algorithm Selection Hints:
Two carriers, side by side, can be functionally equiva-
lent to having two distinct sound sources that are
simply added together. You can also program the two
carriers with nearly the same parameters for a "richer"
or "thicker"texture.
Regardless of the algorithm you select, use the fewest
number of operators you can when you begin to pro-
gram. Turn off the others while programming by using
the [OPERATOR ON-OFF] buttons; if you want them
to remain off alter the voice is stored, turn their
[OPERATOR OUTPUT LEVEL] to zero.
Learntoprogrambystudyinghow
acoustic Instruments work
It is important to consider how an acoustic instrument
creates sound, and to think about the relationship
between particular "patches" on the DX to the method of
sound generation in the acoustic instrument. For exam-
ple, if you are trying to duplicate the sound of a piano,
you would observe that many piano keys cause a ham-
mer to strike two or three strings. Therefore, you might
want to use an algorithm with two or three carrier/
modulator stacks. Each stack can then be programmed
to duplicate the sound of a different string, emulating the
2 or 3 strings struck by the hammer. There are other
considerations, such as the sound of the hammer itself.
You may program one stack to synthesize the sound of
the felt striking the string(s), and then use the remaining
stack(s) to create the string sound. The shifting harmonic
structure of the acoustic piano note can be simulated by
using different envelopes for each modulator. The inhar-
monicity (where harmonics are not in tune with the
Thereismorethan 1 wayto create
a pitch
Less complex still are the algorithms pictured at the
lower left (19 through 25). Each includes one modulator
which feeds 2 or more carriers, and the number of carri-
ers form a progression: algorithms 19 and 20 each have
3 carriers, 21 to 23 each have 4 carriers, 25 and 26 each
have 5 carriers. These are useful for sounds with more
discrete attacks and less harmonic complexity — a pipe
organ for example. Algorithms in the lower right (26
through 32) are arranged with a similar progression of 3,
4, 5 and 6 carriers, but these are the least complex
algorithms in terms of the amount of modulation availa-
ble. They are useful for such sounds as electric organs,
simple wind instruments like a recorder, and so forth.
When you set out to create a given sound, you'll have
to find the group of algorithms that you feel may be able
to do the job; this judgement can be based on looking at
There are many ways to achieve a given pitch within
a particular voice. At first, it may seem that the carrier
frequency determines the fundamental pitch of the
voice, and the modulator(s) affect primarily the har-
monics or overtones. However, you will find this is not
necessarily the case. For example, changing the carrier
to a frequency ratio of 6.00 and the first modulator
above it to a ratio of 2.00 can produce tones that have a
fundamental pitch which is considerably lower than the
6.00 ratio would suggest. This is due to the strength of
the sum and difference products of modulation — the
so-called "sub harmonics" which are produced. When
you are trying to get a particular sound, take the time to
experiment with many different frequency ratios, not
just the "obvious" choice. Moreover, be sure to try differ-
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ent modulator output levels for each combination of
frequencies, since this can make a world of difference in
the sound.
50. Then press [BREATH CONTROLLER-AMPLI-
TUDE] and turn it ON. Within the voice itself, the
amplitude modulation sensitivity of one or more opera-
tors must be set to 1 or higher. In this case, the BC-1
may alter the volume, the timbre, or both depending on
whethertheAMsensitivityisturneduponthecarriers)
or modulator(s). Play the instrument and blow into the
BC-1 to hear what happens.
NOTE If you have to blow too hard while playing a
voice which is known to be modulation sensitive, you
may want to adjust the sensitivity ofthe BC-1 itself.
Useasmallslot-bladescrewdrivertoturn the recessed
screw on the bottom ofthe unit. You can also cover up
the small vent hole in the BC-1 withyour fingeror
adhesive tape; this will increase theeffectivenessof
yourbreath, but will restricttheplayingstyle some-
what(italsoquietsthe BC-1).
Pitch modulation with the BC-1
53
Turn on the pitch modulation (we assume the range is
still set between 50 and 99). You will also need to set the
pitch modulation sensitivity within the voice itself to a
value of 1 or higher (check this in EDIT mode, and
change if necessary). Hold down a key, and blow on the
breath controller. You should hear a vibrato effect — the
speed has nothing to do with how you blow since it is
set by the LFO speed which is programmed into the
voice — your breath affects the vibrato depth.
Ensemble voices m ay differ from
solo voices
When a musician plays an instrument as part of an
ensemble, whether 2 or 70 people are playing, the
sound of his instrument will interact with the other
sounds. There is a certain balance to be struck between
blending with the other instruments, yet retaining a
distinct identity. The need to retain an identity in the
midst of this complex group texture (even if the "group"
is nothing more than tape recorded Overdubs of the
same DX synthesizer) calls for a more "penetrating"
sound, sometimes one with more exaggerated LFO
modulation or a slightly "edgy" harmonic structure. The
same voice might sound too harsh or exaggerated in a
solo performance. When you are programming a voice,
be sure to evaluate it in the musical context where it will
be used. You may want to program and store two varia-
tions of the same voice, one for ensemble and one for
solo use. Some of the preset voices include the term
"ensemble" (ENS) in their title; these voices often work
better in an ensemble than as solo voices.
Breath controller techniques
You can use the breath controller several ways. Take it
into your mouth and grip it with your teeth. Touch a key
on the keyboard, and begin to blow gently If the voice is
set up for breath controller EG bias, the note will begin
to sound, and will become louder the harder you blow
If the voice is set up for pitch modulation, the vibrato
will increase as you blow harder. If the voice is set up for
amplitude modulation, the tremolo and/or wah-wah will
increase as you blow harder.
EG BIAS modulation with the BC-1
When you turn up the EG bias (99 max), the actual
level of each operator whose AM sensitivity is above 0
will go down. With a maximum AM sensitivity of 3, and
EG BIAS of 99, the operator level will be zero. Then,
when you blow hard into the BC-1, the level comes
back up to the maximum level permitted by the enve-
lope at any given instant; you must have played the
note first on the keyboard so that the EG bias is bringing
up the level within the programmed envelope. The rates
of the envelope remain unchanged, but the sound will
disappear instantly if the BC-1 is not blown.
The EG bias is perhaps the most interesting modula-
tion for thebreath controller. When you blow normally.
the notes start softly By tongueing the note (forming the
breath with a "T" sound), you can get a harder edge. By
finishing the blowing with a "T" sound, you can get the
note to end abruptly Of course, you have to coordinate
the blowing with the playing of the notes on the key-
board. Given maximum EG bias modulation and maxi-
mum amplitude modulation sensitivity within the voice,
there will be no sound when you play a key; the sound
will come only when you hold the key and then blow
into the BC-1. It may take some practice to achieve the
proper coordination.
Youcanachievea"growling" effectbyhumminginto
the BC-1 while you are blowing. This can create an
occasionally useful "gritty" sound for playing saxophone.
for instance, or an overdriven lead guitar. You'll want to
experiment with combinations of humming, tongueing
by meansof "T-ing", "D-ing" or "F-ing", and so forth. An
"F" or "CH" sound may be better for whistles, while a
"too-kah" sound may do the job for a birdsong. The
possibilities are particularly exciting when you blend the
breath controller effect with the pitch bend wheel or
other modulation sources.
Breath controller applications
and hints
There are certain types of instruments that are difficult
to phrase or articulate with a keyboard, such as brass or
vocal sounds. The BC-1 breath controller may be used
to phrase and shape the envelope or to add modulation
of pitch and amplitude. The BC-1 is sensitive to pres-
sure; the harder you blow into it, the more voltage it
applies to the synthesizer's Breath Controller input. This
voltage can be programmed to affect different aspects of
the voice. The changes it brings about can be made
very quickly — a great asset when performing. However,
in order to use the breath controller, various parameters
must be programmed into both the voice and the
FUNCTION modeofthe instrument.
For creating a voice like the "SAX - BC1" preset,
where you may want all the sound controlled by the BC-
1, you might set all the operators' amplitude modulation
sensitivities to 3, and the BC range to 99. In something
like the E.P-BRS BC (Electric piano-Brass Breath Con-
trolled) voice in the complex & effects group, the piano
portion of the voice is not affected by the breath control-
lerbecausetheseoperators' AM sensitivities are at 0, but
the operators in the brass portion of the voice have their
AM sensitivities set at 3; the [BREATH CONTROL-
LER-RANGE] should be 99 for this voice.
With the "Sax - BC1" voice you may want to use the
BC-1 for phrasing (EG bias), use after touch for vibrato
(Pitch), and use the foot control for overall volume. The
Modulation Wheel can be used to apply LFO amplitude
modulation.
To explore the use of the breath controller, select a
voice which includes amplitude modulation sensitivity
such as the "SAX-BC1" voice from the Master Group.
Then plug in the Yamaha BC-1 breath controller.
Special effects from [DATA ENTRY] while
in PLAY mode
The DX7 [DATA ENTRY] section continues to be
Amplitude modulation with the BC-1
Press the [FUNCTION] button and then press
[BREATH CONTROL-RANGE] and set the range to
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ReferenceSourcesonFMSynthesis
FM digital synthesis, of the type used in the DX syn-
thesizers, was pioneered by Dr. John M. Chowning and
his associates at Stanford University in the early 1970's.
A number of research papers have been published, and
offer the technically-inclined reader ample opportunity
to understand the theory and mathematics of FM syn-
thesis.
54
"live"after you exit the FUNCTION mode by pressing
one of the [MEMORY SELECT] buttons (internal or
cartridge). The [DATA ENTRY] controls only change
the last used parameter prior to pressing the [MEM-
ORY SELECT] button. This feature can be useful as an
additional live performance control. For example, you
might go into the EDIT mode and select [LFO
SPEED]. Then go back to the PLAY mode and you can
play any voice you like and change its LFO speed by
moving the [DATA ENTRY] controls. Similarly, you can
go into FUNCTION mode and adjust [MASTER
TUNE], then go back into PLAY mode and use [DATA
ENTRY] to tune a voice. One application of this charac-
teristic is to achieve simulated "doppler shift" with the
train bell or whisltle (Doppler effect is the increase in
pitch that occurs as two objects move closer togther at a
rapid rate, and the decrease in pitch as they move
apart).
[ON] and [OFF] buttons will toggle the keyboard
between polyphonic and mono operation.
5. Press [MEMORY SELECT] (internal or cartridge) to
enter the PLAY mode.
When you select a voice like the Fretless Bass, push
up [DATA ENTRY] or press [>] to set the DX7 to
MONO mode. You can now use fingered portamento
(holding one key while pressing and releasing
another) to achieve a pitch bending glide to the next
note, or play notes sequentially to avoid portamento.
If you select another voice, such as Electric Piano, pull
down [DATA ENTRY] or press [<] to return to poly-
phonic operation; since the portamento jack is
shorted, there will be no portamento on that voice. If
you want, you can use a foot switch in the Porta-
mento jack, in which case the portamento would be
active in POLY mode when you step on the pedal.
If you don't want to accidentally have a parameter
change whenever you're in PLAY mode, select a non-
critical parameter before you exit the FUNCTION
mode. From FUNCTION mode, for example, you
might press [BATT CHECK] before going into PLAY
mode. This will avoid accidental, unexplained
changes while you are playing.
John M. Chowning, "The Synthesis of Complex Audio
Spectra by Means of Frequency Modulation," Journal
#
of the Audio Engineering Society Vol. 21, 7 pp 526-
534 (Sept. 1973); reprinted in Computer Music Jour-
#
nal, Vol. 1, 1, pp 46-54 (April 1977).
John Grey, "An Exploration of Musical Timbre," PhD
Dissertation, Dept. of Psychology Stanford University
(Feb. 1975); distributed through the Dept. Music, Tech.
Rep. Stan-M2.
James A. Moorer, "The Synthesis of Complex Audio
Spectra by Means of Discrete Summation Formulas,"
One of the most important parameters to access dur-
ing performance is the POLY/MONO mode selection.
You can exit FUNCTION mode after first pressing
[POLY/MONO], and then toggle between these modes
while playing various voices.
#
Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, vol. 24, 9,
pp 717-727 (Nov. 1976).
James A. Moorer and John Grey, "Lexicon of Analyzed
Tones (analysis and plotting programs), Part I: A Violin
Tone," Computer MusicJournal (Box E, Menlo Park,
CA 94025), 1(1): 39-45 (1977).
The ability to change the last selected FUNCTION
parameter is particularly useful for changing the
portamento characteristics. For example, you can enter
FUNCTION mode and adjust the [PORTAMENTO
TIME], then play a voice and alter that time as you play.
A very useful "trick" relies upon the difference in por-
tamento that occurs between polyphonic and mono
modes. As explained here, you can use [DATA
ENTRY] to switch between fingered portamento with a
mono keyboard (useful for a Fretless Bass voice), and no
portamento with a polyphonic voice (Electric Piano, for
example).
Bill Schottstaedt, "The Simulation of Natural Instru-
ment Tones using Frequency Modulation with a Com-
plex Modulating Wave," Computer Music Journal, pp
46-50 (Nov. 1977)
Marc LeBrun, "A Derivation of the Spectrum of FM
with a Complex Modulating Wave," Computer Music
Journal, pp 51-52 (Nov. 1977)
1. Wire a standard phone jack so its tip is shorted out to
its sleeeve (jumper from tip to sleeve). Insert this plug
in the Portamento Foot Switch jack on the back of the
DX7. It has the same effect as though you plugged in
a foot switch but did not step on it.
2. Enter FUNCTION mode. press [POLY/MONO], and
set the instrument for MONO operation.
3 Press [PORTAMENTO MODE] and select "FIN-
GEREDPORTA".You'llnoticethatfingeredporta-
mento is not sensitive to the portamento foot switch,
so it will work even though the shorted jack is
present.
4. Press [POLY/MONO] again before leaving FUNC-
TION mode so that the [DATA ENTRY] slider or
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MIDI: A STANDARD INTERFACE
FORREMOTELY PLAYINGAND/OR PROGRAMMINGMULTIPLE SYNTHESIZERS
the keyboard, or adjust almost any FUNCTION mode
parameter remotely and, of course, you can play one
instrument from the other's keyboard.
MIDIconnections
MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital
Interface, a specification which several manufacturers
have already agreed to use for designing equipment
which is compatible. MIDI is a non-proprietary "lan-
guage" which allows different (or identical) synthesizers
to "talk" to each other. There are many, many parame-
ters described by MIDI. MIDI-compatible instruments
made by any one manufacturer should generally be
capable of causing other manufacturers' MIDI compati-
ble instruments to play and to switch from one voice to
the next. Computer or sequencer control of multiple
synthesizers will be possible using MIDI, and many
independent computer software and hardware concerns
are working on MIDI related products. Computers will
also be able to provide "hard copy" manuscript of an
improvisation or composition, and permit video synthe-
sis to be integrated with music synthesis. Almost any
computer should be suitable, provided it is fitted with a
special hardware interface capable of communicating at
31.25 kilobaud (31,250 bits per second), and pro-
grammed to satisfy the MIDI specifications. The standard
MIDI interconnect utilizes 5-pin DIN male plugs (Swit-
chcraft 05GM5M or equivalent) on twisted-pair shielded
cable (shield to pin 2 of both ends). To avoid data distor-
tion due to cable capacitance, a maximum of 50 feet (15
meters) of interconnect cable may be used.
55
To utilize MIDI, you'll need a suitable cable, available
from your Yamaha DX dealer. One instrument will be
designated as the Master, and the other instruments) as
the Slave(s). The Master is the DX which you primarily
use to play or program the other DX(s). In the simplest
setup, you connect the MIDI OUT jack of the Master to
the MIDI IN jack of the Slave.
With two or more DX synthesizers connected together,
you can use the controls on the Master to control the
Slave(s), yet each synthesizer retains its own sensitivity
and voice assignments. For example, moving the Mas-
ter's MODULATION Wheel to full forward deflection
might cause a slight bit of LFO pitch modulation on that
instrument, while on the Slave there might be a large
amount of LFO amplitude modulation with a completely
different waveform — it depends on how the two instru-
ments' voices and FUNCTION modes are programmed.
Similarly operating the Master's PITCH Wheel would
cause a change in each instrument's voice that depends
on the individually programmed Range and Step values.
This "differential" sensitivity can be helpful as an effect,
for example with a steel guitar voice; you can program
the same voice into both instruments, then play the
Master and use its PITCH Wheel to bend one "string"
(one note) on one DX, but not bend the same "string"
which MIDI is playing on the other DX. In other cases,
you could set the Master to move up in pitch in a con-
tinuous slide until, at full PITCH Wheel deflection, the
keyboard is up 1/5 octave; at the same time, the Slave
could be programmed to move up in pitch by 1/3 step
jumps until it reaches a full octave above the starting
pitch.
Many of these same .things can be done with a DX7
connected to a DX9; the interface automatically compen-
sates for the different algorithms and different numbers
of operators. What's more, several synthesizers can be
"daisy chained" together for simultaneous playing, and
you can switch the voice memories on all of them by
pressing a single button. Individual voices on the vari-
ous MIDI-connected instruments can then be "brought
out" or faded by using individual foot controls to adjust
the volume.
Standard MIDI setup with two DX7s. You play and/or
program voices for both instruments from the Master
(which is the one whose MIDI OUT jack is used You
can also play the Slave directly if you wish.
#
In this setup, the Master (instrument 1) can be used to
#
play and/or program the first Slave (instrument 2)
Some brands of MIDI-compatible instruments may be
able to cause other brands to bend pitch, tune the key-
board, and perhaps respond to touch sensitivity, but total
compatibility is not nececessarily guaranteed by the
label "MIDI". In fact, the very methods of sound genera-
tion differ between instruments that use MIDI, limiting
the remote programming capability. Within a single
manufacturer's product line, such as the Yamaha DX
series, MIDI can permit extensive programming of one
instrument through the controls of another by com-
municating so-called "system exclusive" information.
When dissimilar synthesizers are fed this type of infor-
mation, they simply ignore it.
However, the the second Slave, (instrument 3) cannot be
remotely controlled by the Master — the fir#st Slave
#
(instrument 2) can control the second Slave (instru-
#
ment 3). In other words, when MIDI IN/OUTjacks are
used to interconnect several instruments, remote play-
ing or programming is possible only from one instru-
ment to the next along the "chain." As always, each
instrument can be played or programmed locally
Yimaha utilizes extensive system information so,
within the DX series, you can perform most functions
from a single keyboard. For example, you can program
a voice on one DX7 and then transfer that voice to
another DX7. You can transfer part of a voice to the
other DX7, making it possible to merge parts you like in
different voices to create a new voice (this could be done
by manually programming each parameter, but MIDI
makes it faster and easier). You can transfer all 32 voices
from one DX7 to another. You can bend the pitch, tune
In this setup, the Master can be used to play or program
both Slaves. The difference, compared to the previous
setup, is that here the THRU connector of the first Slave
(instrument #2) is used to feed IN connector of the sec-
ond Slave. Additional instruments can also be con-
trolled by the Master by feeding from the THRU
connector ofone to the IN connector of the next, and so
on.
NOTE One further MIDI connection diagram is shown at
the end of this section of the manual.
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Transmitting32voicesfromtheMaster
to the Slave
in Step 2.)
56
occurs, there is no more MIDI communication
between the two synthesizers, so pressing [NO]
on the Master cannot return the Slave to the
proper channel. You may not find out about
this inadvertent change untilyou again try to
play the two instruments together. The only
way to get the Slave back on Channel 1 is to
manually press its [NO] button.
Playing the Slave from the Master
1. Set the Master synthesizer to MIDI channel 1 by
pressing [FUNCTION], then press [MIDI] (button 8)
until thedisplayshows"FUNCTIONCONTROL, MIDI
CH = ?", where the question mark may be any num-
ber from 1 to 16. If it's at 1, go on to the next step; if
not, use the [-1] DATA ENTRY button to set the instru-
mentsotheLCDdisplays"FUNCTIONCONTROL,
MIDI CH=1."
2. Now set the Slave to communicate on MIDI channel 1
by repeating Step 1 on that instrument. It is not nece-
sary to set "SYS INFO AVAIL" in order to play or select
voices via MIDI; the "system information" need be
available only when you are transmitting voices or
parts thereof from one instrument to the other.
3. Press [MEMORY SELECT-INTERNAL] or [MEM-
ORY SELECT-CARTRIDGE] on the Master, and
do the same on the Slave, selecting whichever source
of 32 voices you wish to play on the particular instru-
ment. That's it. Now, any time you press a voice selec-
tor (buttons 1-32), both instruments will go to that
numbered voice memory Both will play and will
respond to modulation controls (if the FUNCTION
mode programming is appropriately set in each
instrument).
For this discussion, we will assume the simple setup
shown with just two DX7 synthesizers. Basically, the
same procedure is used when playing more DX7s, or a
mixture of other DX synthesizers.
1. Load the 32 voices you wish to transmit into the Mas-
ter's internal memory
2. Set the Master synthesizer to MIDI channel 1 by
pressing [FUNCTION], then press [MIDI] (button 8)
untilthedisplayshows"FUNCTIONCONTROL,MIDI
CH= ?", where the question mark may be any num-
ber from 1 to 16. If it's at 1, go on to the next step, if
not. Use the [-1] DATA ENTRY button to set the
instrument so the LCD displays "FUNCTION CON-
TROL, MIDI CH= 1."
This same effect can cause problems in Master
Tune mode, since editing a voice parameter on
the Master would throw the Slave out of tune.
In order to prevent such Inadvertent channel
switching or FUNCTION modification on the
Slave, it is a good idea to select an inconse-
quential FUNCTION mode parameter before
entering the PLAY mode - [BATT CHECK] is a
good choice. Then the [DATA ENTRY] controls
will have no effect so you cannot accidentally
switch the Slave(s) to an inoperative channel.
NOTE You can use the "live" [DATA ENTRY] con-
trols to advantage. For example, you miqht go into the
FUNCTION mode and select [PORTAMENTO
TIME. Then go back to the PLAY mode and you can
play both instruments and change the time it takes to
glide from one note to the next (assuming the porta-
mento effect is in use) through MIDI. This works with
multiple DX7s or with a DX7 MIDI connected to a
DX9. If you do not want the Slave voice to be modi-
fied when you alter the Master voice, select a FUNC-
TION mode parameter such as [BATT CHECK]
prior to selecting PLAY mode on the Slave.
3. Now press [MIDI] once more and the LCD will proba-
blydisplay"FUNCTIONCONTROL,SYSINFO
UNAVAIL". This means that the synthesizer's MIDIsys-
tem communication on channel 1 is turned off. Press
the [ON] button, and the display will change to
"FUNCTION CONTROL, SYS INFO AVAIL". The Mas-
ter synthesizer is now set to transmit voice data.
4. Now set the Slave to receive on MIDI channel 1 by
repeating Steps 2 and 3 above on that instrument.
5. From now on, most changes of the Master's EDIT or
FUNCTION mode programming controls will affect
the Slave.
6. Press [MIDI] once more on the Master, and its LCD
will display "FUNCTION CONTROL, MIDI TRANS-
MIT?" to which you answer [YES]. In about a second,
the 32 voices will be transmitted to the next DX syn-
thesizer (the Slave). When the operation is over, the
Slave's LCD will display "FUNCTION CONTROL, MIDI
RECEIVED".
CAUTION With or without MIDI, a DX synthe-
siser's [DATA ENTRY] section continues to be
"live" after you exit the EDIT mode or the
FUNCTION modeby pressingone ofthe [MEM-
ORY SELECT] buttons (internalor cartridge).
This feature can, in some cases, be useful.
However, it can also cause problems when you
are using the MIDI system. For example, when
you set up the instruments to communicate via
MIDI, as they are now, the MIDI channel func-
tion may be the last FUNCTION mode opera-
tion you perform prior to entering PLAY mode.
Ifyou then place the Master synthesizer in
EDIT mode to change its voice, the Slave
remains in PLAY mode. As soon as you press
the [YES] DATA ENTRY button on the Master
to change a voice parameter on that instru-
ment, the same [YES] command is sent, via
MIDI, to the Slave. On the Slave, however, that
command is interpreted to change from MIDI
channel 1 to channel 2. The instant this
Transmitting individual voices from the Master
to the Slave
You can transmit a voice to the Slave's internal or car-
tridge memory, provided you first turn OFF the corre-
sponding protection.
1. Make sure that both Synthesizers are set to communi-
cate on MIDI channel 1, as described in Steps 1 to 3
of the "Transmitting 32 voices..." instructions.
2. Turn OFF the memory protection on the Slave by
pressing the [MEMORY PROTECT] button corre-
sponding to the memory area you wish to use
(INTERNALorCARTRIDGE),andthenpressingthe
[OFF] button. If you're using a cartridge, be sure to
turn OFF its hardware memory protect switch, too.
3. Select the voice on the Master that you want to trans-
mit by pressing [MEMORY SELECT-INTERNAL]
NOTE If the Slave is a DX9, only the first 20 voices
will be transmitted, and they will be truncated to the
closest sounding voice that can be achieved with 4
instead of 6 operators. Operators 3, 4, 5 and 6 are
transmitted to the DX9, but operators 1 and 2 are not.
This will affect some voices more than others. A simi-
lar translation will occur when moving voices from
DX9 to DX7.
If the Slave did not receive the voices, there are two
things to check. First, be sure its memory protection
was OFF. Second, be sure both synthesizers were set
to MIDI channel 1. (If one is not, you'll have to manu-
ally change it from the FUNCTION mode as described
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or [MEMORY SELECT-CARTRIDGE] and then
pressing the appropriateVOICESELECTOR(1-32).
4. The voice you just selected on the Master is now
located in the edit buffer within the Slave. To save it,
press and hold the Slave's [STORE] button, and then
press the Slave's voice selector corresponding to the
memory number you wish to use (1-32). The voice is
now stored in that internal or cartridge memory
5. Turn the memory protection back ON unless you plan
to transmit additional voices.
to create a voice "from scratch" then it doesn't matter
what voice is selected on the Slave. However, you can
program some parameters on the Master which will
then automatically be transmitted to the slave, while
other aspects of the Slave's selected voice will remain
as they were. In this way, components of two (or
more) different voices can be merged.
57
the first connection shown, with one Master and one
Slave. However, you might wish to stack each DX atop
different keyboards, so it might be more convenient to
use one DX as the Master for part of your performance,
and the other DX as the Master for another part of your
performance. This can be done by using a second MIDI
cable as shown here. Then, by setting both synthesizers
to"MIDICH=1",youcanuseeithersynthesizerasthe
Master. DO NOT USE THE THRU connector in this type
of setup unless you also want to control an additional
DX from either of the first two.
3. Press [EDIT/COMPARE] on the Master.
4. You can now transmit an operator's envelope, fre-
quency ratio, or any EDIT mode information from 1
voice on the Master and apply it to another voice on
the Slave. As soon as you select or alter any EDIT
parameter on the Master, that value change is auto-
matically transmitted to the Edit buffer of the Slave.
5. During this process, you can still play the Master key-
board and listen to either the Master or the Slave by
selectively adjusting their VOLUME controls (which
are not MIDI interconnected) or by using Volume foot
controls, or by playing the Slave keyboard to hear just
that instrument.
UsingDX7
DX9 voicesRAM
cartridgestosave
MIDI makes it possible to take voices from the DX9,
transmit by MIDI to the DX7, and store them on the
DX7 RAM cartridge instead of on the DX9 tape. While the
RAM storage is more expensive than the tape, the car-
tridgcs are sometimes more convenient in live perform-
ance situations — or if one's tape recorder fails. This
type of alternate storage can be done in the other direc-
tion, storing DX7 programmed voices on DX9 cassette.
You might wish to do this to save money or if you tem-
porarily run out of cartridge space. It is true that the DX9
tape storage cannot save some of the touch sensitivity
parameters, and that the DX7's 6 operators will be trun-
cated to 4, but in some cases the loss of 2 operators will
not significantly alter the voice so you may wish to try
this technique.
Special MIDI setup with two DX7s. You play and/or
program voices for both instruments from either one. If
you use the THRU connector of either synthesizer to
feed the MIDI IN connector of a third synthesizer then
eitheroftheseMasterswillcontrolallthreeinstrumnets.
6. When you wish to store the voice on the Slave, press
its [STORE] button and hold it while pressing the
appropriatelynumberedVOICESELECTOR(1-32).
MIDI DOES NOT PERMIT YOU TO PRESS THE MAS-
TERS [STORE] BUTTON AND STOREAVOICE 0N
THE SLAVE. YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE SLAVE'S
[STORE] BUTTON.
More information on MIDI
MIDI opens up an exciting new world to synthesists.
Because MIDI is relatively new, its full potential has yet
to be explored. Certainly, the DX7 is capable of more
MIDI operations than have been outlined in this text.
In addition, there is already a "MIDI users' group" to
share MIDI information. At the time this manual was
prepared, informationwasavailablefrom: IMA(Interna-
tional Midi Association), 8426 Vine Valley Drive, Sun
Valley, CA 91352, USA. Phone (213) 768-7448.
7. Turn the memory protection back ON.
When going from a DX9 to a DX7, the key level scal-
ing will always be set to the exponential curve, with a
value corresponding to whatever scaling value had been
set the DX9. You may wish to reprogram the voice to
have a linear curve after you transmit it to the DX7.
Escaping from MIDI control
You can "turn off" MIDI in any of several ways. The
most immediate way is to unplug the cable, although
this is not always convenient, and can prematurely wear
out the connectors if you do it often. You can also enter
the FUNCTION mode on the Master or the Slave and
Programming remotely with MIDI
As already stated, you can remotely control FUNC-
TION mode parameters by setting both instruments to
"MIDI CH 1" and setting them to "SYS INFO AVAIL". You
can also remotely control EDIT mode parameters.
1. Turn OFF the memory protection on the Slave by
pressing the [MEMORY PROTECT] button corre-
sponding to the memory area you wish to use
(INTERNALorCARTRIDGE),andthenpressingthe
[OFF] button. If you're using a RAM cartridge, be
sure to turn OFF its hardware memory protect switch,
too.
#
press the [MIDI] button ( 8) and either change one
instrument to a different channel (press [ +1] when the
displayshows"FUNCTIONCONTROL. MIDICH= 1). If
you just want to play remotely but not program
remotely set it so that system information is not availa-
ble (press [NO] when the display shows "FUNCTION
CONTROL, SYSTEM INFO AVAILABLE").
A special setup with two Masters and
no Slave
If you are playing on stage and you wish to be able to
play two DX synthesizers simultaneously, you could use
2. Select a voice on the Master that you wish to use as a
starting point for editing. You can, if you wish, select
the same or a different voice on the Slave. If you plan
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MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING
Cleaning
58
IF THE DISPLAY SHOWS "GARBAGE", LOCKS
UP, OR SOME OTHER FUNCTION REFUSES TO
OPERATE PROPERLY
display They should be "111111" indicating all operators
The DX7 should be cleaned with a soft, moistened
cloth. To remove more stubborn dirt, use a mild deter-
gent solution on the cloth. Do not allow fluid to run into
the instrument, and do not use special cleaners since
solvents can mar the finish.
are turned ON. If there are zeros, that may be why you
hear nothing. Try pressing the [EDIT/COMPARE] but-
ton to get to the "original" voice and see if the sound
returns. Another possibility is that the operator output
level is turned down. Press [OPERATOR OUTPUT
LEVEL] and then press [OPERATOR SELECT] to look
at the level of at least the carriers. If the level is below
30, there will be almost no sound; try 99 and see if
things improve.
The DX7 is really a very sophisticated computer.
Sometimes a random power surge or static spark —
even a powerful single cosmic ray believe it or not —
can temporarily destroy information in a digital memory
When this occurs, the results are unpredictable. Such
malfunctions are known as "soft" errors because they
are not caused by actual component failure. Turning the
DX7 power switch OFF waiting a half minute, and then
turning the power back ON will usually clear this type of
"soft" malfunction.
InternalMemoryBatteryBackup
If the internal battery voltage drops below 2.2 volts
(see [BATT CHECK] on page 20), the battery should be
replaced by an authorized Yamaha DX service center or
dealer. Make sure you have saved any internal voices on
a RAM cartridge before unplugging the instrument; there
is a chance the voices will be lost due to the low voltage
(or zero voltage while the battery is being changed).
Special lithium batteries are used, and this operation
should not be attempted by the owner. The battery life is
expected to be from 3 to 5 years.
Another possibility is that you have selected a voice
which has a lot of amplitude modulation sensitivity
programmed into its carriers, and that one of the modu-
lation controls is programmed with a significant amount
of amplitude modulation range. Lets say for example,
that the voice you are trying to play has its carriers set
for an [MOD SENSITIVITY-AMPLITUDE] value of 3
(the maximum), and that the keyboard AFTER TOUCH
section has been set, in FUNCTION mode, to a
IF THE LCD WINDOW REMAINS DARK
The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) can be permanently
damaged by extreme heat or cold. A symptom is a dark
or non-operating display This problem calls for a
replacement display
If something goes wrong
[RANGE] of 99 and that the [AMPLITUDE] is ON. This
means that there will be absolutely no sound at all
when you play notes unless you begin to press hard on
the keys after they "bottom out". You can remedy the
situation by several means: turn OFF the AFTER
TOUCH amplitude response in the FUNCTION mode or
reduce the RANGE for that parameter, select a different
voice which does not have as much amplitude modula-
tion sensitivity or reprogram the voice in EDIT mode to
have less amplitude modulation sensitivity The same
type of problem can occur if the voice has amplitude
modulation sensitivity and the DX7 BREATH CONTROL,
FOOT CONTROL or MOD WHEEL sections are pro-
grammed (from FUNCTION mode) to have an extreme
amount of amplitude modulation range.
The DX7 circuitry largely consists of a few very special
integrated circuits ("chips"). These are generally quite
reliable, although malfunctions can occur. If you do not
get sound out of the DX7, there is always a chance that
the circuitry is malfunctioning. More often, however, the
reason can be traced to something less drastic, like a
foot controller plugged into the VOLUME jack and set
for zero level.
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, READ THE
INSTRUCTIONS
The DX7 is a deceptively simple looking instrument,
one which has many functions that are not obvious at
first glance. We realize this is a long manual, and there
is a strong temptation to skim over portions of it or skip
them altogether. If you are having difficulty, we urge you
to spend a little time re-reading the appropriate sections
of this manual to make sure you understand how the
instrument is supposed to work. Then, if things still
don't seem right, contact your Yamaha DX dealer for
assistance.
IF THERE'S NO SOUND, OR ALMOST NONE
If you cannot get sound out of the instrument, first
recheck all connections to be sure they are made to the
proper jacks, including your amplifier and speaker sys-
tem. Make sure all equipment is turned on, and that the
volume controls are set at a reasonable level. Check the
DX7 to be sure its foot controller, if plugged into the
VOLUME jack, is tilted flat so there is at least some
output volume, and, of course, make sure the DX7 front
panel VOLUME control is pushed up. If you still hear
nothing, unplug the cable from the DX7 output and plug
it into another instrument which is known to work, or
use a test oscillator, to verify that the cables and the
sound system are indeed working. If they are, there are
still other reasons why you may not be getting sound
from the DX7.
IF THE KEYBOARD IS MONOPHONIC
The problem may simply be that the instrument is set
to MONO mode. Press [FUNCTION] then press [POLY/
MONO] and see if the display shows "MONO MODE"
— if it does, use the [DATA ENTRY] controls to change
to "POLY MODE."
IF THE PITCH WHEEL HAS NO EFFECT OR TOO
LITTLE RANGE
The PITCH Wheel can and must be programmed to
be effective. Press [FUNCTION] and then press [PITCH
BEND- RANGE] and use [DATA ENTRY] to set the
range to whatever maximum you wish. See page 17 for
more details.
If the DX7 is in EDIT mode, make sure that all the
operators are turned ON by selecting a parameter which
shows you the algorithm number (such as [EG RATE])
and then look at the six digits in the top row of the LCD
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DX SYNTHESIZER GLOSSARY
ADSR This is an acronym for "Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release"
which, in turn, refers to the four controls provided on a con-
ventional synthesizer's envelope generators. While the DX
synlhesizers can simulate ADSR-type EGs, the DX EGs are
more complex. ADSR EGs have 4 variables, whereas DX EGs
have 8 variables.
in the DX synthsizers may also be programmed to have
the envelope rates may be scaled to increase or decrease delay in that it may not begin sounding the note until
Break point In the DX7, the operator output level and
59
some time after the key is depressed (this is a different
type of delay than the modulation delay). In a broader
sense, delay may describe a signal processing effect
which is used to produce echo (i.e., analog delay or
digital delayunits).
EDIT mode This mode permits you to program individ-
ual parameters of a voice (such as the envelope, opera-
tor frequency, keyboard scaling, and so forth). EDIT
mode may be entered by pressing [EDIT/COMPARE].
EEPROM This is an acronym for "Electrically Erase
able, Programmable, Read Only Memory" The RAM
cartridges contain EEPROMs which store the voice data.
There are no moving parts nor any batteries in an
EEPROM; the data is stored by means of an electric
current that "burns a pattern" in the memory, and erased
by a different electric current, both of which arc supplied
by the DX7.
EG This is an abbreviation for "Envelope Generator" An
envelope generator is the circuit which creates the
"shape" of a note — the rates at which it turns on and
dies away and the intermediate levels. The DX7 has 6
primary EGs, one to shape the output level of each
operator, plus another EG which changes the pitch of all
6 operators.
Envelope This is the overall "shape" of a note in terms
of its output level. When you play a note. typically the
sound rises to some level, then falls to another level,
and, when you release the key, falls to zero level —
although there are many exceptions. The specific rates
at which the levels change, and the intermediate and
final levels, together define the envelope. In the DX7,
envelopes may apply to carriers (which change the
volume of the sound), to modulators (which change the
timbre) or to the pitch (which changes the frequency of
the note). Envelopes are programmed with the EG
(envelope generator).
as notes are played across the keyboard. With the key-
board level scaling in particular, almost any note may be
chosen as the starting point for a boost or cut curve to
either side. This starting point is knon as the "break
point." The break point for keyboard rate scaling is not
adjustable, and falls below the lowest note on the key-
board.
Carrier When an operator is at the bottom of a stack
within an algorithm, where it contributes directly to the
output of the synthesizer, it is considered to be a carrier.
There is no difference between a carrier and a modula-
tor in that both are operators; their relative arrangement
within the algorithm is what differentiates the two.
Cartridge In the DX7, therearetwo typesofnon-
volatile voice storage. One way to store a voice is on the
internal memory, which, while it is electronic, is not
erased when power is turned off due to an internal
battery. The other voice storage medium is the cartridge.
There are two types of cartridges, RAM and ROM (see
these definitions).
Cartridge Form This is an abbreviation for cartridge
format. Formatting a RAM cartridge on the DX7 erases
all voices and instead sets the 32 memory locations to
the "initializedvoice" (see INIT). ROM cartridgescannot
be formatted.
After Touch The DX7 keyboard has pressure transduc-
ers beneath the keys that permit the player to alter the
sound based on how hard the key is pressed after it
"bottoms out." This aspect of touch sensitivity is known
as After Touch. It may be used to apply LFO modulation
to the pitch or amplitude, or to alter the envelope gener-
ator bias, depending on the way the DX7 FUNCTION
mode is programmed, and depending on the pro-
grammed values within the particular voice.
Algorithm An algorithm is an arrangement of opera-
tors. It is roughly the equivalent of a "patch" in an older
style, modular synthesizer. The DX7 has 32 different
algorithms.
AMD This is an abbreviation for "Amplitude Modulation
Depth." Increasing the AMD value applies more LFO
modulation to the operators, which causes their output
levels to go up and down according to the set LFO
speed and waveform. AMD will have an effect only if
the Amplitude Modulation Sensitivity isset higherthan
0 for individual operators.
Amplitude This refers to the output level of an opera-
tor. Amplitude may or may not be related to "volume,"
depending on whether the operator whose amplitude is
being varied is a modulator or a carrier. When the
amplitude of a carrier is changed, the "volume" or out-
put level of the synthesizer changes. When the modula-
tor amplitude is varied, the timbre of the voice changes,
and, subjectively, the volume may also change (loudness
depends on timbre as well as level).
Attack This is the beginning of a sound or the initial
transient of a musical note. In the DX synthesizer enve-
lopes, L1 generally determines the maximum level of
the attack, while Rl determines how rapidly the note
reaches L1. Rl can thus be considered the attack rate. In
a conventional synthesizer, there is no attack level (L1);
it is always at maximum (equal to 99 on the DX), and
the attack time is adjustable. The DX envelope's attack
time is indirectly set by the attack rate since, if the level
is made higher at a given rate, it will take more time to
reach that level. If L1 and L2 are zero, however, then R3
and L3 determine the attack time and level, while R2
sets the turn-on delay; Rl should be at 99.
CRT In the DX7, CRT is an abbreviation for "cartridge."
(In most other situations, CRT stands for "Cathode Ray
Tube,"
Current operator In the EDIT mode, this is the opera-
tor whose parameters are displayed, and which you can
program with the DATA ENTRY controls. Even when
several operators are turned ON, you can only adjust or
examine one at a time, the "current operator."
Decay In a typical musical note, the initial fading of
sound after the attack.
Default The "default" values for programmed parame-
ters are the values which the synthesizer automatically
selects if not otherwise programmed. This primarily
applies to the initialized voice or the cartridge format
voices.
Delay In the DX synthesizers, it is possible to program
a voice so that its built-in LFO modulation does not
begin as soon as you play a note, but after a certain
time. That time span is known as "delay," An envelope
Feedback In general, feedback is the return of the
output from a circuit to the circuit's input. The DX7
allows for feedback from the output of an operator back
to its input, or to the input of an operator higher up in
the same "stack" of the algorithm. All 32 algorithms
have feedback paths, but there is feedback only if the
voice is so programmed. Feedback may be set to any of
8 levels from 0 (no feedback) to 7 (maximum). The effect
of feedback is similar to the use of an additional modula-
tor, though not precisely the same.
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Fingered Porta This is an abbreviation for "fingered
portamento." This is a functional mode of the DX7
which is available only when the keyboard is set to
MONO operation. Provided the unit is set to fingered
portamento, and the portamento time is greater than 0
(actually greater than 30 for any significant effect), you
will hear portamento only when you continue holding
down one key and then press and release another key
Pressing one key at a time will produce no portamento.
60
contain varying amounts of overtones (harmonics) in
addition to the fundamental; the overtones create the
unique timbre of a given instrument. In the DX synthe-
sizers, the carrier often defines the fundamental pitch of
a voice, but not always; sometimes, due to the effects of
the modulators, the frequency of the fundamental may
be higher or lower than the set frequency of the carrier.
Harmonics These are integer multiples of a fundamen-
tal frequency The "first harmonic" is the fundamental.
The second harmonic is twice the fundamental, and so
forth. Harmonics are similar to overtones, except the
first overtone is the second harmonic. In the DX synthe-
sizers, harmonics are generally created by the interac-
tion of the modulator(s) with the carrier(s), although
parallel carriers set at integer multiples can also produce
harmonics.
Key Pitch Retain This is one of the two ways the
portamento or glissando effect can be set when the
synthesizer is in the POLY (polyphonic) mode. If you
play a note or chord and hold down the sustain pedal,
then release that note or chord and play any other note
or chord, the sustaining pitch(es) from the first note/
chord will continue to sustain at their original pitches. At
the same time, the most recently played note or chord
will begin at the pitch of the sustaining note/chord, and
will then slide up or down to the proper pitch(es).
FM An abbreviation; see "Frequency Modulation."
kHz An abbreviation for "kiloHertz," or 1,000 Hz.
Frequency Modulation When the output level of one
waveform is made to vary in frequency by a circuit
which combines it with a second waveform, the result-
ing complex waveform is said to be the result of fre-
quency modulation. This is not the simple mixing of two
frequencies, but rather it is a process which results in
the creation of sum and difference frequencies (the fun-
damental plus the modulating frequency, the fundamen-
tal plus twice the modulation frequency and so forth,
and the fundamental minus the modulating frequency
and so forth). Some of these "sidebands" theoretically
extend below 0 Hz, which is actually impossible in an
analog synthesizer. However, the FM digital synthesizer
correctly follows the equation for FM by "reflecting" the
negative frequency components back into the positive
frequency domain, but with their phase shifted 180
degrees. In some cases, these "reflected" components
will subtract from the level of the fundamental or certain
harmonics. Therfore, frequency modulation not only
creates side frequencies, it also changes the balance
between the fundamental, harmonics and subhar-
monics. This is one reason why FM synthesis can create
such interesting harmonic structures.
LCD This is an abbreviation for "liquid crystal display."
This is the type of display technology used to indicate
the name of selected edit parameters, functions and
voices on the DX7. Liquid crystal displays operate by
means of special chemicals which change their light
polarization characteristics when voltage is applied to
them. In combination with a constant polarized layer,
the voltage-altered crystal cancels out the light comple-
tely forming the black dots which create the alphabetical
and numerical symbols in the display. You can test this
effect by looking at the LCD with polaroid sunglasses —
at a certain angle, the display will be completely black.
LCD displays do have a limited viewing angle due to the
effect of light polarization, and at very high or very low
temperatures they may not function correctly However,
they are reliable, quite visible in bright light, and they
use very little power (making them popular for wrist-
watches and calculators).
LED This is an abbreivaition for "light emitting diode."
This is the type of display technology used to indicate
the number of the selected internal or cartridge voice on
the DX7. Numerical light emitting diode displays actu-
ally consist of 7 segments for each number. Voltage
applied to the diodes is converted to light, red light in
this case. The DX7 LEDs are very visible in low light
levels and can be viewed over a wide angle.
Hz This is an abbreviation for "Hertz," the unit of mea-
surement for frequency 1 Hz is equal to one cycle per
second(1 cps).
INIT This is an abbreviation for "initialize." In the DX
synthesizers, there is no such thing as erasing a voice
memory. The memory including the editing buffer, will
always contain some data... some numbers that describe
a voice. If all data were set to zero, you would hear
nothing, and it would take a lot of programming to get
any sound at all. Therefore, when you INITialize the
buffer memory or the entire RAM cartridge (which you
can do with the [CART FORM] button in FUNCTION
mode), the DX7 stores a very simple, basic voice in the
memory This voice has all "square" envelopes (all rates
and levels at 99 except level 4, which is 0 — operator 1
output level at 99 and all others at 0 — all frequency
ratios at 1.00 — all modulation and other parameters set
to 0 or minimum value).
INT This is an abbreviation for "internal," as in "internal
voice". The DX7 has two primary places to store voices,
in the cartridges or in its internal memory The LCD
display often abbreviates the source of an internal voice
as "INT."
Key Pitch Follow This is one of the two ways the
portamento or glissando effect can be set when the
synthesizer is in the POLY (polyphonic) mode. If you
play a note or chord and hold down the sustain pedal,
then release that note or chord and play any other note
or chord, the sustaining pitch(es) from the first note/
chord will slide up or down to the most recently played
note/chord.
In the DX7, all the various, complex waveforms are
created by means of frequency modulation with sine
waves.
FUNCTION mode This is a mode of operation wherein
the overall performance parameters of the instrument
are programmed, such as polyphonic or monophonic
operation, or modulation from the modulation wheel,
after touch, breath conroller and foot controller. FUNC-
TION mode is also used to tune the keyboard, to check
the backup battery condition, to save or load voices
from a RAM cartridge, and so forth.
LFO This is an abbreviation for "low frequency oscilla-
tor." Like the sine wave "oscillators" in the operators, the
LFO in the DX7 is actually a digital oscillator. However, it
can be set to create a square wave, a triangle wave, an
upward moving sawtooth, a downward moving saw-
tooth, or a sample-and-hold wave (random output) as
well as a sine wave. The LFO output can be varied in
"speed" over a range from under 1 Hz to about 50 Hz.
The LFO can be assigned to vary the amplitude of indi-
vidual operators, or the pitch of the entire voice.
Fundamental This is the basic pitch of a musical note.
A note consisting only of the fundamental is a "pure"
tone, a sine wave. Most instruments play notes that also
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Load In the DX7, "Load" describes the process of trans-
ferring the 32 voices from one bank of a ROM cartridge,
or from a RAM cartridge, into the 32 internal memories.
Parameter In general terms, a parameter is any defin-
able characteristic of a device or system. In the DX syn-
thesizers, "performance parameters" refer to those
characteristics of the instrument that, when adjusted
from the FUNCTION mode, affect the overall keyboard
— or at least affect more than a single voice. For exam-
ple, adjusting the keyboard's pressure sensitivity (After
Touch) is considered to be a "performance parameter"
because it affects any voice which is programmed to be
modulation sensitive. "Editing parameters" refer to those
internal memory (although that is, in fact, a RAM mem-
ory). Instead, the term refers to an electronic secondary
memory — the EEPROM cartridge — and its size is
defined not in bytes, but in voices. The RAM cartridges
each hold 32 voices. The RAM cartridges are truly ran-
dom access memories since each voice can be written to
or read from the cartridge independently of the others,
or all 32 voices may be moved at once. However, the
DX7 RAM cartridgesdifferfromconventional RAM in
that the cartridges retain their memory after power is
61
MIDI This is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital
Interface, a specification which several manufacturers
have already agreed to use for designing equipment
which is compatible. MIDI is a non-proprietary "lan-
guage" which allows different (or identical) synthesizers
to "talk" to each other. MIDI-compatible instruments
made by any one manufacturer should generally be
capable of causing other manufacturers' MIDI-compati-
ble instruments to play, and to switch from one voice to
the next. Computer or sequencer control of multiple
synthesizers will be possible using MIDI. Within a single
manufacturer's product line, such as the Yamaha DX
series, MIDI can permit extensive programming of one
instrument through the controls of another by com-
municating so-called "system exclusive" information;
when dissimilar synthesizers are fed this type of infor-
mation, they simply ignore it.
characteristics that can be programmed for an individual turned off, without the use of backup batteries.
voice when the instrument is in the EDIT mode (such as
Release In a synthesizer, this is the time it takes for the
the choice of an algorithm).
note to die away after you let go of the key In the DX7,
PLAY mode In the DX7, this is the operating mode
rate 4 of the envelope is equivalent to the release rate;
from which you can select and play voices stored in a
the release time will depend on the level at the moment
cartridge or an internal memory. You select PLAY mode
the key is released, since, for a given rate. the time is
by pressing either [MEMORY SELECT-INTERNAL]
greater if the level is greater.
OR[MEMORYSELECT-CARTRIDGE].
ROM This is an acronym for "Read Only Memory." In
computers, ROM is generally provided for storage of
PMD This is an abbreviation for "Pitch Modulation
Depth." Higher PMD values apply more LFO modulation
small to medium sized, often-used programs such as
Modulation This is the process of varying one signal
with another. See "Frequency Modulation."
toward changing the pitch of a voice when you play a
self-test routines, BASIC language, input/output drivers,
note, provided the [MODULATION SENSITIVITY-
and so forth. ROM is generally provided on 1C chips that
PITCH] setting is greater than zero.
Modulation Index This refers to the ratio between the
output level of a modulator and the level of the carrier
which it is modulating. The greater the modulation
index, the more harmonics are produced (the wider the
bandwidth of the FM-generated complex tone). When
you turn up the level of a modulator, you increase the
modulation index.
Modulator In general terms, this is the circuit which
allows one signal to modulate another. In the DX syn-
thesizers, a modulator is an operator which sends its
signal to another operator (either another modulator or a
carrier) rather than directly to the output. The only thing
that differentiates a modulator from a carrier is its posi-
tion within the algorithm; carriers are on the bottom
row of the stack(s) and modulators are above them.
cannot be altered. In the DX7, the factory "preset" voices
are stored in ROM chips inside the ROM cartridges.
Each of these cartridges holds 64 voices. Simple ROM
chips can only be programmed at the time of manufac-
ture, like those in the DX7 voice ROM cartridges. Semi-
ROM chips can be programmed after their manufacture
by using special equipment; these are known as PROMS
(Programmable Read Only Memories). Some PROMs
can also be erased (usually by exposure to ultra- violet
light) and can then be reprogrammed; these are known
as EPROMs (Eraseable Programmable Read Only Memo-
ries). Finally, some EPROMs are electrically eraseable so
that they can be reprogrammed easily without special
equipment; these are called EEPROMs (Electrically
Eraseable Progrmmable Read Only Memory) — and
Yamaha calls them RAM in the DX7, although they
differfromconventionalRAM(seeRAMdefinition).
EEPROMs mayalsobecalled EAROMs(Electrically
Alterable Read Only Memories).
Preset A preset is a voice which can be played without
having to be programmed. Some synthesizers force the
player to program any voice which is to be played.
Other instruments have only factory presets — basically
fixed, unalterable voices. Still other synthesizers offer a
combination of programmable and preset voices. The
DX synthesizers go a step further. They offer complete
programmability plus presets (in the form of internal and
cartridge memories on the DX7), but the presets are,
themselves, completely programmable. Because the DX
preset voices can be edited, a better term might be "pri-
mary voices." Yamaha uses the term "preset" only
because it is familiar to synthesists, and the DX series
require enough new terminology without coining
another new term.
RAM This is an acronym for "Random Access Memory"
In computers, RAM is the "main memory" the solid state
area where programs are stored while they are active,
and where data is temporarily stored until it is trans-
ferred to secondary storage such as a floppy disk, hard
disk, magnetic bubble memory or magnetic tape. Such
computer RAM memories are ususally categorized in
terms of how many bytes of 8 bits each they can store; a
1K RAM holds about 1,000 bytes (actually 1K is 1,024
bytes). In the DX synthesizers, RAM does not refer to the
OP This is an abbreviation; see "operator."
Operator This is a functional block within the circuitry
of the DX synthesizer. An operator can be thought of as
an oscillator, but it is somewhat more complex. It is
actually a digital sine wave oscillator which includes a
digital envelope generator. The frequency and output
level of an operator are adjustable. Operators actually
have multiple inputs so that they can be fed signals from
more than one source (i.e., an operator serving as a
carrier may accept signals from two or three modula-
tors). The DX7 has 6 operators, all identical.
Sample andholdThis is a random "waveform." It
jumps from one level to another in a non-periodic fash-
ion, unlike the regular, uniform changes in level asso-
ciated with sine, sawtooth, square or triangle waves. In
the DX synthesizers, a sample and hold signal may be
selected for use in the LFO section.
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62
Save In the DX7, "Save" describes the process ofsimul-
taneously placing all 32 internal memory voices into the
correspondingly numbered RAM cartridge memories.
the key is held down. In the DX synthesizers, L3 in the
envelope determines the sustain level.
Sync This is an abbreviation for "synchronize" or "syn-
chronization." In the DX7 there are two types of sync
that may be programmed. One is the LFO KEY SYNC;
when it is ON, the LFO waveform re-starts at the same
point each time you play a note; when it's OFF the LFO
wave continues with each note. The second type of sync
in the DX7 is OSCILLATOR KEY SYNC. When KEY
SYNC is ON, the phase of each note begins at zero,
whereas when the sync is OFF; a smoother transition
occurs to the next note played because the oscillator
does not re-start at zero phase. (We use the term "oscilla-
tor" loosely here; the DX actually has digital circuits
which simulate oscillators.) Sometimes a voice will
sound more natural with sync OFF because, when you
play a note successive times, it may sound slightly differ-
ent — just like an acoustic instrument.
Transient An abrupt increase in signal level. In music,
transients are produced by percussive or plucked instru-
ments, such as a drum head being struck or a guitar
string being plucked. A transient may also be an unde-
sirable signal, such as a "click" or "thud" caused by an
amplifier being switched on or off. In synthesis, the tran-
sient of a note often refers to its initial attack, as created
by the envelope generator.
Triangle wave This is similar to a sine wave, but with
some harmonic content. A triangle wave at a sub-audi-
ble frequency may be selected in the DX7 LFO section.
Voice This is a programmed sound for a synthesizer.
Another term might be "instrument." Some polyphonic
keyboards use the term "voice" to describe the number
of keys that may be played simultaneously but DX syn-
thesizers use the word "note" to express this concept.
Thus, the DX7 is a 16-note polyphonic synthesizer that
can store 32 voices in its internal memory.
Sawtooth wave A waveform that contains the funda-
mental and both odd and even harmonics. In conven-
tional synthesizers, a sawtooth wave may be used to
create rich, "brassy" sounds. In the DX synthesizers,
such sounds are created by the frequency modulation of
sine waves. However, two sawtooth waves (saw up and
saw down) may be selected at sub-audible frequencies
for use in the LFO section.
Sine wave A pure waveform that contains only the
fundamental and no harmonics. The operators in the
DX synthesizers produce only sine waves. A sine wave
also may be selected at sub-audible frequencies for use
in the LFO section.
Squarewave A waveform consisting ofthe fundamen-
tal plus its odd-order harmonics. In conventional synthe-
sizers, square waves may be used to create hollow,
reedy sounds. In the DX synthesizers, such sounds are
created by the frequency modulation of sine waves.
However, a square wave may be selected at sub-audible
frequencies for use in the LFO section.
Stack In the DX synthesizers, the term refers to a verti-
cally related column of operators. The operator at the
bottom is always a carrier, and those above it in the
stack are modulators. Some algorithms have no stacks
because all the operators are on the bottom row (DX7
#
algorithm 32, for example), whereas others have two or
three stacks (DX7 algorithms #1 and #5, for example).
Store In the DX7, "Store" describes one of two proc-
esses. In the edit mode, the [STORE] button is used to
copy an envelope from one operator to the next. In the
play mode, the same [STORE] button is used to place
the currently selected voice (the one which is being
played or edited) into any location (1-32) in the internal
or RAM cartridge memories.
Sus-Key Pitch Follow This is an abbreviation for
"Sustain-Key Pitch Follow." See "Key Pitch Follow."
Sus-Key Pitch Retain This is an abbreviaiton for
"Sustain-Key Pitch Retain." See "Key Pitch Retain."
Sustain In a synthesizer, the sustain describes the level
which a note "settles into" while a key is held down, or
while the sustain foot pedal is pressed down. Some
voices have no sustain (no sustain level) in that they
continue to fade out after the initial sound even when
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DX7SPECIFICATIONS
63
Keyboard
OSCILLATOR:
MODE*
AFTER TOUCH:
RANGE
61 keys, Cl to C6: velocity and pressure sensitive
(Initial & After touch): 16 note polyphonic, and may
be set to monophonic
RATIO/ FIXED (Hz)
ON/OFF*
0-99
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
SYNC
PITCH
AMPLITUDE
EG BIAS
Signal Connections
FREQUENCYCOARSE* 0.5-31 (1 Hz-10 kHz)
FREQUENCYFINE*
FREQ.COARSE
Sound Source
FM digital tone generators: 6 operators and 32 algo-
rithms
times 1.00 -1.99*
DETUNE*
EG:
RATE (1-4)*
LEVEL (1-4)*
-7-+7
OUTPUT (T.S. PHONE JACK) -10 dBm, 600 ohm
unbalanced
Internal Memory
0-99
0-99
HEADPHONES (TS. PHONE JACK)
mono or stereo phones
8 - 150 ohm
RAM memory with 32-voice capacity; battery back-
up prevents loss when AC power is turned OFF
Lithium battery has 3 to 5 year service life.
KEYBOARDLEVELSCALING:
BREAK POINT*
Control Connections
FOOT SWITCH (2 T.S. phone jacks):
SUSTAIN
A-l to C8
± LINEAR, ± EXP
0-99
CURVE (L, R)*
DEPTH (L, R)*
External Memory
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
RAM cartridge with 32-voice capacity; non-volatile
EEPROM does not require battery These cartrdiges
are used to save user-programmed voices or edited
presets.
PORTAMENTO
KEYBOARD RATE SCALING*
OPERATOR OUTPUT LEVEL*
0-7
FOOT CONTROL (2 T.S. phone jacks):
VOLUME
0-99
0 - maximum
KEY VELOCITY SENSITIVITY*
PITCH EG:
0-7
MODULATION .. 0 - MaxMOD WHEEL RANGE
ROM cartridge with 64-voice capacity (2 banks of 32
voices, with switch): these cartridges hold the preset
voices,
MIDI
RATE (1-4)
0-99
0 - 99 (± 4 octaves)
± 2 octaves
(5-pin DIN type female jacks)
IN,OUT,THRU
LEVEL (1-4)
KEY TRANSPOSE
VOICENAME
Other Features
LCD DISPLAY
LEDDISPLAY
CARTRIDGE INTERFACE
only
Mode Selectors
Upto 10characters
16 char. x 2 lines
2 numbers w/decimal
For DX RAM or ROM
STORE, MEMORY PROTECT-INTERNAL, MEMORY
PROTECT-CARTRIDGE, OPERATOR SELECT, EDIT/
COMPARE, MEMORY SELECT-INTERNAL, MEM-
ORY SELECT-CARTRIDGE, FUNCTION
Function Parameters
(FUNCTION mode)
MASTER TUNE
POLY/MONO
PITCH BEND:
RANGE
± 75 cents
16 note polyphonic/1 note mono
Dimensions/Weight
WIDTH
Controls
40" (101.2 cm)
4" (10.2 cm)
VOLUME, DATAENTRY(sliderpluspairofadjacent
buttons for Yes/No, On/Off, >/<, or +1/-1), PITCH
WHEEL, MODULATION WHEEL, OPERATOR ON-
OFF; EG COPY (For other controls, see "Voice
Parameters" and "Function Parameters" in these
specifications)
0 -12 (1 octave)
0-12
HEIGHT
STEP
DEPTH
13"(32.9cnn)
PORTAMENTO MODE:
POLY
WEIGHT
31.2 lbs (14.2 kg)
RETAIN/ FOLLOW
FULL TIME/FINGERED
ON/OFF
Temperature Range
32°F (0°C) to 104°F (40°C)
MONO
GLISSANDO
TIME
Accessories*
*
0-99
Voice Parameters
2 ROM cartridges, RAM cartridge, music stand.
FC-3A foot controller (for VOLUME or MODULA-
TION) , FC-4 or FC-5 foot switch (for PORTA-
MENTO or SUSTAIN), BC-1 breath controller.
MODULATION WHEEL:
RANGE
(EDIT MODE)
1-32
0-7
0-99
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
ALGORITHM
FEEDBACK
LFO:
PITCH
AMPLITUDE
EG BIAS
WAVE triangle, saw down, saw up, square, sine,
FOOT CONTROL:
RANGE
S
&
H
0-99
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
0-99
0-99
SPEED
PITCH
DELAY
AMPLITUDE
EG BIAS
0-99
PITCHMODULATIONDEPTH
AMPLITUDEMODULATIONDEPTH
SYNC
*Those voice parameters marked with an asterisk may be pro-
grammed individually for each of the 6 operators; other voice
parameters apply to the voice as a whole.
"Certain accessories are standard, and others are optional,
depending upon the part of the world where the instrument is
sold. Check with your dealer.
0-99
BREATH CONTROL:
RANGE
ON/OFF
0-99
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
PITCH MODULATION
SENSITIVITY
AMPLITUDE MODULATION
SENSITIVIT*
PITCH
AMPLITUDE
EG BIAS
0-7
0-3
Specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.
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INDEX
64
AC power C*,12-14,20,27,58,59,61,63
Internal memoryC,4-6,9,10,14,15,20,22,38,46,47,49,50,54,56-63
Key Pitch Follow 9,18,19,60,62,63
Key Pitch Retain 9,18,19,60,62,63
Sus-Key Pitch Follow (see "key pitch follow")
Sus-Key Pitch Retain (see "key pitch retain")
sync 6,7,31,42,43.62,63
after touch C,4,10,16,21,23,42,44,52,58,59,61,63
algorithm6,9,24-26,28,33,34,38,39,44,46,47,52,55,59,62,63
AMD(amplitudemodulation depth)6,40-43,51,59,63
amplitudemodulation4,6,7,10,11,22,23,40,43,53,58,59,63
audiooutput4,12-14,23,63
key transpose (see "transpose")
transpose 8,11,16,63
keyboard level scaling 4,7,38-40,43-45,51,57,59,63
keyboardratescaling 8,38,39,46,51,59,63
key sync (see "sync")
velocity sensitivity 8,11,16,45,47,51,63
voice initialization C,4,9,16,20,27-29,32,33.37,3S,47,49,51,59,60
voice name 4,6,8,45.47,49,54,63
voice ROM(see "ROM")
volume C,4,7,8,10,12-14,22,26,29-32,40,43,44,51,53,57-59,63
volume foot control C,4,12,55,57,58,63
battery (batt check) C,4,5,10.16,20,54,56,58-61,63 BC-1 (see
"breath controller")
LCD C,3,5,6,14-16,18,21,22,47,49,56,58,60,63
bias (see "E.G. Bias")
breakpoint39,40,45,51,59,63
breath controller 4,6,10,11,12,16,21,23,42,43,53,63
buffer10,27,28,32,46,57,60
carrier 6-8,10,23-29,32,33,35-38,40,42,43,45,52,53,58-62
LFO (includes LFO: AMD, delay, modulation, PMD, speed,
sync, wave) 6,7,10,11,21,22,40-43,51-56,59-63
load C,4,6,9,10,14-16,49,56,60,61
memory C,4-6,9,10,14,15,22,32,38,46,47,49,50,54,56-63
MIDI 4,12,20,55-57,63
cartridge C,3-6,9,10,14-16,20,22,27,28,38,46,47,49,50,54,56,57,59-
modulation(see "LFO" and "frequencymodulation")
63
modulation foot control C,4,6,10,12,15,21,23,53,60,63
modulation sensitivity 6,7,10,11,21,22,40-43,51,53,58,59,61,63
modulation wheel C,4,6,10,11,15,21.22,43,53,55,60,63
modulator 6,8,10,35-40,43,45,47,52,53,59,60,61
musicrack 12
operator 3-8,10,11,20,22,31,33-35,37-40,42-45,47,48,51-53,55-63
operator output level 7,10,33-36,39,40,44,45,51-53,48,49,63
oscillator C,6,7,31,40,58,60-63
cartridge form(at) 9,20,59
character5,6.8,45,46,63
compare (see "edit/compare")
connections C,4,10,12,13,20,55-58,63
data entry C,3,4,6.8-10,15-22,28-35,37-;47,53,54,56,58,59,63
display C,3,5,6.9,10.12,14,20,21,28-30,32,33,37,38,40,47,49
edit/compare4,5,8,47,48,57-59
edit mode 3-9,11,15,20,26-28,33,38,46-18,51,53,54,56-59,61-63
edit recall 9,16,20,38,46,63
output 3,4,16,12-14,21,51,58,59,61,63
pitch 6-8,10,11,16,18,19,21-23,31-33,39,40,42,43,45,47,51-55,59-
EEPROM C, 59,61,63
61,63
EG C,3.4,6,7,21,26,28-32,37,38,44,51,58,59,63
EG bias 10,11,21-23,53,63
pitch(bend)wheel8,9,11,17,53,55,58,63
pitchEGC,8,52,59,63
EG copy 4,6,37.44,63
play mode 3-6,10,14,15,53,54,56,61,63
envelope 3,5-9,23,24,26-30,37-39,44,51-53,57,59-63
feedback 6,25,28,39,51,52,59,63
fingeredporta(mento)9,19,54,60,63
FORM (see "cartridge format")
PMD(pitchmodulationdepth)6,40-43,51,61
poly(polyphonic) C,9,11,14,16-20,54,58,60,62,63
portamento C,4,9,12,15,17-20,54,60,63
presetC,4,5,8,9,14,27,38,40,46- 48,51-53,61,63
pressuresensitivity 4,11,15,44,53
FM C,23,24,38,52,54,60,61,63
frequency 4,6-9,11-13,25,27,31-33,35-38,40,42-45,48,52,57,59-63
frequency modulation 25,33,35,38,51,52,54,60-63
full time porta(mento) 9,19,20,63
program/programming C,4-11,15-17,20-23,31-34,37,38-45,47.
RAM 0,4,5,9,10,20,27,38,46,47,49,50,58-63
range 8-11,17,20-23,40,51,53,55,58,63
reference C,3-5,55,57
function mode/parameter 3,4-11,15-17,20-23,32,33,37,38,46,
49,51,53-61,63
glissando 4,9,17-20,60,63
harmonic 7,32,34-36,43-45,51-53,60-62
headphones C,11,12,14,63
INIT (see "voice Initialize")
Initialtouch C,11,63
ROM C,5,9,10,14,15,47,49,51,59,61-63
Save C,5,6,10,27,46,47,49,57,58,60,62,63
splitkeyboard7,39,40,44,45
stack 24,25,28,35,39,43,45,47,52,57,59,61,62
step 4,5,7,9,11,17,19,20,55,63
*"C" designates the front cover, which includes the "Precautions"
INT 14,60
and "Introduction" sections.
Store C,5,6,8,10,14,27,34,37,44,46,47,49,50,52,53,57,59-63
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VOICE DATA LIST
YAMAHA
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DX7 OM
5/20/99 19E0112
international Corp., Box 6600, Buena Park, Calif. 90622
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YAMAHA
Yamaha Corporation of America
6600 Orangethorpe Avenue, P.O. Box 6600
Buena Park, CA 90622-6600
DX7 OM
10/11/99 19J0062
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