Yamaha MOX8 Introduction Manual

[Page 1] Yamaha MOX8

Synthesizer Parameter Manual EN EN Introduction This manual explains the parameters and technical terms that are used for synthesizers incorporating the Yamaha AWM2 sound generators. You should use this manual together with the documentation unique ...

[Page 2] Yamaha MOX8

2 Table Of Contents 1 Voice Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1-1 Basic Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1-1-1 Definitions ....

[Page 3] Yamaha MOX8

3 2-3-5 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 2-3-6 F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 2-3-7 G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

[Page 4] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 4 1 Voice Parameters 1-1 Basic Terms 1-1-1 Definitions Voice A Voice is a musical instrument sound that is built into an Electronic Musical Instrument. There are two Voice Types:  Normal Voices  Drum Voices Normal Voice Normal...

[Page 5] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 5 1-2 Synthesis Parameters 1-2-1 Oscillator An Oscillator outputs the waveform that determines the basic pitch of an Element and is one unit of the tone generator block of the Electronic Musical Instrument. You can:  Assign the w...

[Page 6] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 6 Waveform Bank Specifies the Waveform Bank of an Element or Drum Key (Drum Voice).  Preset  User: This lets you create User Waveforms based on samples that are recorded in the Sampling mode. Waveform Category and Number Spec...

[Page 7] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 7 Velocity Limit Determines the minimum and maximum Velocity values in which an Element responds. Each Element will only sound for notes played between its specified Velocity Limits. For example, this lets you have one Element soun...

[Page 8] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 8 1-2-2 Pitch The processing unit that controls the pitch of the wave output from the Oscillator on the tone generator block of the Electronic Musical Instrument. This unit controls the pitch of the sound (wave) output from the Osci...

[Page 9] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 9 1-2-3 Pitch EG (Pitch Envelope Generator) This lets you control the transition in pitch from the moment the sound starts to the moment the sound stops. You can create the Pitch EG by setting parameters as illustrated below. When ...

[Page 10] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 10 C: Time D: Pitch E: Hold Time F: Attack Time G: Decay 1 Time H: Decay 2 Time I: Release Time J: Hold Level K: Attack Level L: Decay 1 Level M: Decay 2 Level = Sustain Level N: Release Level Hold Time Determines the time between th...

[Page 11] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 11 EG Depth Velocity Sensitivity Determines how the pitch range of the Element responds to Velocity.  Positive values: High Velocities cause the pitch range to expand and low Velocities cause it to contract, as shown in Figure 4...

[Page 12] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 12 EG Time Velocity Sensitivity Determines how the Pitch EG transition time (speed) responds to Velocity, or to the strength with which the key is pressed.  Positive values: High Velocities result in a fast Pitch EG transition ...

[Page 13] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 13 1-2-4 Filter A filter is a circuit or processor that modifies tone by blocking or passing a specific frequency range of the sound. Filters work by allowing portions of the signal lower or higher than a given frequency to pass, a...

[Page 14] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 14 Cutoff Velocity Sensitivity Determines how the Cutoff Frequency responds to Velocity, or the strength with which you play notes.  Positive values: The Cutoff Frequency rises the stronger you play the keyboard.  Negative v...

[Page 15] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 15 Cutoff Key Follow Center Key This indicates the central note for Cutoff Key Follow. Figure 10: Cutoff Key Follow and Center Key A: Lower range B: Center Key = C3 C: Higher range D: Amount of Cutoff Frequency change E: When Cutof...

[Page 16] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 16 1-2-5 Filter Type LPF (Low-Pass Filter) This is a Filter Type that only passes signals below the Cutoff Frequency. The sound can be brightened by raising the Cutoff Frequency of the filter. On the other hand, the sound can be da...

[Page 17] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 17 LPF24D A dynamic -24 dB/oct Low-Pass Filter with a characteristic digital sound. Compared to the LPF24A type, this filter can produce a more pronounced Resonance effect. Figure 12: LPF24D A: Resonance B: Frequencies that are “...

[Page 18] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 18 HPF24D A dynamic -24 dB/oct High-Pass Filter with a characteristic digital sound. This filter can produce a pronounced Resonance effect. Figure 14: HPF24D A: Resonance HPF12 -12 dB/oct dynamic High-Pass Filter. BPF (Band-Pass Fi...

[Page 19] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 19 BPF12D The combination of a -12 dB/oct HPF and LPF with a characteristic digital sound. Figure 16: BPF12D A: Resonance B: Cutoff Range C: Frequencies that are “passed” by the filter D: -12 dB/oct X: Frequency Y: Level BPF6 T...

[Page 20] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 20 BPFw A -12 dB/oct BPF that combines HPF and LPF filters to allow wider bandwidth settings. Figure 18: BPFw A: Width can be increased B: Cutoff Range C: Frequencies that are “passed” by the filter X: Frequency Y: Level BEF (B...

[Page 21] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 21 Dual LPF Two -12 dB/oct Low-Pass Filters connected in parallel. You can edit the distance between the two Cutoff Frequencies. Figure 20: Dual Low-Pass Filters A: Distance B: Lower Cutoff Frequency is set directly on the Display X...

[Page 22] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 22 1-2-6 Filter EG (Envelope Generator) This lets you control the transition in tone from the moment the sound starts to the moment the sound stops. You can create a custom Filter EG by setting parameters as illustrated below. When...

[Page 23] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 23 M: Decay 2 Level = Sustain Level N: Release Level Hold Time Determines the time between the moment you press a key on the keyboard and the moment the envelope starts to rise. Attack Time Determines the speed of attack from the in...

[Page 24] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 24 EG Depth Velocity Sensitivity Determines how the range of the Cutoff Frequency responds to Velocity.  Positive values: high Velocities cause the Filter EG range to expand and low Velocities cause it to contract, as shown in F...

[Page 25] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 25 EG Time Velocity Sensitivity Determines how the Filter EG transition time (speed) responds to Velocity, or the strength with which the key is pressed.  Positive values: High Velocities result in a fast Filter EG transition s...

[Page 26] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 26 1-2-7 Filter Scale This controls the Filter Cutoff Frequency according to the positions of the notes on the keyboard. You can divide the entire keyboard by setting four Break Points, and assign different Cutoff Frequency Offset ...

[Page 27] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 27 Figure 30: Filter Scale A: Break Point 1 B: Break Point 2 C: Break Point 3 D: Break Point 4 X: Note Y: Cutoff Frequency 1-2-8 Amplitude The Amplitude unit controls the output level (amplitude or volume) of the sound output from t...

[Page 28] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 28 Level Velocity Sensitivity Offset Raises or lowers the level specified by the Level Velocity Sensitivity. If the result is higher than 127, the velocity is set to 127. Figure 31: Level Velocity Sensitivity Offset = 0 Figure 32: ...

[Page 29] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 29 Level Velocity Sensitivity Curve Determines how the actual Velocity will be generated according to the Velocity (strength) with which you play notes on the keyboard. Figure 34: Level Velocity Sensitivity Curve A: Soft B: Strong...

[Page 30] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 30 Level Key Follow Sensitivity Center Key This indicates that the central note for Level Key Follow Sensitivity is C3. Figure 35: Level Key Follow and Center Key A: Lower range B: Center Key = C3 C: Higher range D: Amount of Amp...

[Page 31] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 31 1-2-9 Amplitude EG (Envelope Generator) This lets you control the transition in Amplitude from the moment the sound starts until the moment the sound stops. You can create a custom Amplitude EG by setting parameters as illustrat...

[Page 32] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 32 Half Damper Switch Determines if the Half Damper is switched on. When the Half Damper Switch is set to On, holding down the FC3 Foot Controller produces a "half-pedal" effect just as on a real acoustic piano. Half Dampe...

[Page 33] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 33 1-2-10 Amplitude Scale This controls the Amplitude output level according to the positions of the notes on the keyboard. You can divide the entire keyboard by setting four Break Points, and assign different Amplitude Offset valu...

[Page 34] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 34 Figure 40: Amplitude Scale A: Break Point 1 B: Break Point 2 C: Break Point 3 D: Break Point 4 X: Note Y: Amplitude 1-2-11 LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator) The Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO) unit of the tone generator block generat...

[Page 35] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 35 Phase Determines the starting phase point for the LFO Wave when it is reset. Figure 41: Phases of a wave A: Phase X: Time Y: Level Tempo Sync Determines whether or not the LFO speed is synchronized to the tempo of the Arpeggio o...

[Page 36] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 36  Each-on: The LFO resets with each note you play and starts a waveform at the phase specified by the Phase parameter. Figure 43: Key On Reset Each-on A: Key On (first note) B: Key On (second note) X: Time  1st-on: The LFO ...

[Page 37] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 37 Fade-In Time Determines the amount of time for the LFO effect to fade in after the Delay time has elapsed.  A higher value results in a slower fade-in.  0: The LFO effect will not fade in but reach the maximum level immedi...

[Page 38] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 38 Hold (Hold Time) Determines the time during which the LFO is held at its maximum level.  A higher value results in a longer Hold Time.  127: No fade-out. Figure 47: Hold Time A: Key On B: Maximum C: Hold X: Time B C A X ...

[Page 39] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 39 Fade-Out Time Determines the amount of time for the LFO effect to fade out (after the Hold Time has elapsed). A higher value results in a slower fade-out. Figure 48: Lower value: faster fade-out Figure 49: Higher value: slower ...

[Page 40] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 40 Control Depth Determines the LFO Wave Depth. LFO Element Switch Determines whether or not each Element is to be affected by the LFO. Depth Offset Determines the offset values of the Control Depth parameter for the respective Elem...

[Page 41] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 41 1-3 Operational Parameters 1-3-1 General 1-3-2 Play Mode Voice Bank The Voice Bank is the memory that includes data of Normal Voices and Drum Voices. Category The keyword Category indicates the instrument characteristics or the t...

[Page 42] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 42 1-3-3 Portamento Portamento is used to create a smooth transition in pitch from one note played on the keyboard to the next one. Mono/Poly Selects monophonic or polyphonic.  Mono: The selected Voice is played back monophonical...

[Page 43] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 43 1-3-4 Micro Tuning List Equal Temperament The "compromise" tuning used for most of the last 200 years of Western music, and found on most electronic keyboards. Each half step is exactly 1/12 of an octave, and music can ...

[Page 44] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 44 1-3-5 Arpeggio This function lets you automatically trigger musical and rhythmic phrases using the current Voice by simply pressing a key or keys on the keyboard. The Arpeggio sequence changes in response to the actual notes or c...

[Page 45] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 45 Key Mode Determines how the Arpeggio plays back when playing the keyboard.  Sort: When you play specific notes (for example, the notes of a chord), the same sequence plays, no matter what order you play the notes.  Thru: W...

[Page 46] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 46 Velocity Rate Determines how much the Velocity of Arpeggio playback is offset from the original value.  100%: The original Velocities are used.  Below 100%: Reduces the Velocities of the Arpeggio notes.  Above 100%: Incr...

[Page 47] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 47 1-3-6 Controller Set The controllers such as knobs on the front panel can be used to change and adjust a variety of parameters for each Voice--both in real time and simultaneously. For example, keyboard aftertouch can be used to...

[Page 48] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 48 1-3-7 Effect The Effect unit applies Effects to the output of the tone generator block and audio input block, processing and enhancing the sound. Effects are applied in the final stages of editing, letting you change the sound o...

[Page 49] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 49 Insertion Effect Connection Lets you set the effect routing for Insertion Effects A and B.  Parallel: Signals processed with the Insertion Effect A and B blocks are sent to the Master Effect, Master EQ, Reverb and Chorus bloc...

[Page 50] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 50 1-3-8 EQ (Equalizer) Usually an equalizer (EQ) is used to correct the sound output from amplifiers or speakers to match the special character of the room, or to change the tonal character of the sound. The sound is divided into s...

[Page 51] Yamaha MOX8

Voice Parameters 51 Q A parameter that determines the EQ bandwidth, or range of frequencies, to be attenuated/boosted. Consequently, this parameter determines the frequency characteristic curve. The Q setting is only available for the Mid band, whi...

[Page 52] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 52 2 Effects 2-1 Basic Terms 2-1-1 Definisions 2-2 Effect Types 2-2-1 Reverb Also called "reverberation," this refers to the sound energy remaining in a room or closed space after the original sound stops. Similar to, yet different...

[Page 53] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 53 2-2-3 Chorus Depending on the particular Chorus type and parameters, this can make a Voice sound "larger," as if several identical instruments were playing in unison, or it can give a Voice greater warmth and depth. 2-2-4 Flang...

[Page 54] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 54 2-2-6 Tremolo & Rotary The Tremolo effect cyclically modulates the volume. The Rotary Speaker effect simulates the characteristic vibrato effect of a rotary speaker. 2-2-7 Distortion This type can be used mainly for guitar, adding dis...

[Page 55] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 55 2-2-10 Lo-Fi This Effect intentionally degrades the audio quality of the input signal via several methods such as lowering the sampling frequency. 2-2-11 Tech This Effect changes the tonal characteristics radically by using a filter and m...

[Page 56] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 56 2-3 Effect Parameters 2-3-1 A 2-3-2 B 2-3-3 C AEG Phase Offsets the phase of the Amplitude EG. AM Depth Determines the depth of Amplitude Modulation. AM Inverse R Determines the phase of the Amplitude Modulation for the R channel. AM Speed...

[Page 57] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 57 2-3-4 D Comp Output Level Determines the level of the signal output from the compressor effect. Control Type This is a parameter of Control Delay.  Normal: The delay effect is always applied to the sound.  Scratch: The delay effect i...

[Page 58] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 58 2-3-5 E Divide Type Determines how the sound (wave) is sliced by the note length. Drive Determines the extent of a series of specific effects. For the distortion, noisy or slice effects, this parameter determines the extent to which the s...

[Page 59] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 59 2-3-6 F EQ2 Q Determines the EQ2 bandwidth, or range of EQ2 frequencies. EQ3 Frequency Determines the center frequency of the EQ3. EQ3 Gain Determines the level gain of the EQ3 center frequency. EQ3 Q Determines the EQ3 bandwidth, or rang...

[Page 60] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 60 2-3-7 G 2-3-8 H 2-3-9 I Gate Switch Determines whether or not the microphone sound is output from the HPF while you release the keys.  Off: The microphone sound is always output.  On: The microphone sound is output only while a key ...

[Page 61] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 61 2-3-10 L Input Select Selects an input channel. Inst Input Level Determines the level of the keyboard performance sound which is to be input to the Vocoder. L/R Depth Determines the depth of the L/R pan effect. L/R Diffusion Determines th...

[Page 62] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 62 2-3-11 M Manual Determines a specific value, depending on the selected Effect type. For VCM Flanger, this parameter determines the offset value of the delay modulation. For VCM Phaser mono and VCM Phaser stereo, this parameter determines...

[Page 63] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 63 2-3-12 N 2-3-13 O 2-3-14 P Noise Gate Attack Determines the amount of time that elapses between the playing of a key and the start of the Noise Gate effect. Noise Gate Release Determines the amount of time that elapses between the releasi...

[Page 64] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 64 2-3-15 R 2-3-16 S Pedal Control When VCM Pedal Wah is selected, this parameter determines the Cutoff Frequency of the wah filter. For best results, assign this parameter to the Foot Controller in the Controller Set display, then use the ...

[Page 65] Yamaha MOX8

Effects 65 2-3-17 T 2-3-18 V 2-3-19 W Slow-Fast Time of Horn Determines how long it takes for the rotation speed of the horn to change from the current speed (slow or fast) to the other one (fast or slow) when the rotation speed is switched. Slow-...

[Page 66] Yamaha MOX8

MIDI 66 3MIDI 3-1 Overview 3-1-1 About MIDI MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard that allows electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other, by sending and receiving compatible types of MIDI data or messages. The...

[Page 67] Yamaha MOX8

MIDI 67 Figure 57: MIDI Cable A: MIDI Transmit channel 2 B: MIDI cable C: MIDI Receive channel 2 3-1-3 MIDI ports The above-mentioned sixteen-channel limit can be overcome by using separate MIDI "ports," each supporting sixteen channels. ...

[Page 68] Yamaha MOX8

MIDI 68 3-2 Channel Messages 3-2-1 Note On/Off Messages which are generated when the keyboard is played:  Note On: Generated when a key is pressed.  Note Off: Generated when a key is released. Each message includes a specific note number, which...

[Page 69] Yamaha MOX8

MIDI 69 Portamento Time (Control #5) Messages that control the duration of portamento, or a continuous pitch glide between successively played notes.  127: Maximum portamento time.  0: Minimum portamento time. When the parameter Portamento Sw...

[Page 70] Yamaha MOX8

MIDI 70 /i Harmonic Content (Control #71) Messages that adjust the filter Resonance set for each part. The value set here is an offset value which will be added to or subtracted from the Voice data. Release Time (Control #72) Messages that adjust ...

[Page 71] Yamaha MOX8

MIDI 71 Table 3: RPN Parameter List 3-2-5 Channel Mode message 3-2-6 Channel After Touch Messages that let you control the sounds by the pressure you apply to the keys after the initial striking of the keys, over the entire channel. 3-2-7 Polyphonic...

[Page 72] Yamaha MOX8

MIDI 72 3-3 System Messages 3-3-1 System Exclusive Messages Changes internal tone generator settings such as Voice and effect settings, remote switch control, tone generator more switching, and others via MIDI. The Device Number of the synthesizer m...

[Page 73] Yamaha MOX8

MIDI 73 Stop (FCH) This message causes MIDI sequence data (song) to stop playing back. This message will be transmitted when pressing the [] (Stop) button during playback. Active Sensing (FEH) This is a type of MIDI message used to prevent unexpe...

[Page 74] Yamaha MOX8

U.R.G., Digital Musical Instruments Division ©2011 Yamaha Corporation A0 Yamaha Web Site (English only) http://www.yamahasynth.com Yamaha Manual Library http://www.yamaha.co.jp/manual/ ...