Yamaha EX5 / Yamaha EX5R / Yamaha EX7

ANALOG SYNTHESIZER PROGRAMMING

MIDI COMMUNICATION


SYNTHESIS TECHNIQUES

	The EX5 combines various tone generation techniques: - AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) that provides an extensive range of sampled sounds editable thru a wide filters range. - VA (Virtual Acoustic Synthesis) to reproduce real acoustic instruments sound (mainly winds and strings). - AN (Analog Physical Modeling) to simulate the typical old analog synthesizers sounds. - FDSP (Formulated Digital Signal Processing) to improve the sampled sounds realism or to create totally new effects. Any EX5 voice (sound) can combine a maximum of 4 elements.
AWM (ADVANCED WAVE MEMORY)

	AWM synthesis is based on 44.1 kHz and 16-bit resolution sampled waveforms. The sounds include pitched voices which can be played on a musical scale from low to high (i.e.: piano, trumpet) or a complete set of drum/percussions sounds, each having a fixed pitch and being assigned to individual notes of the keyboard. Preset waveforms (419) are grouped in categories to facilitate the selection during programming opearations. EX5 can load waveforms or directly sample sounds (even though advanced editing functions reveal some lack).
	Waveforms can be played in various loop types (i.e.: Forward loop, Reverse, etc.) and each one is provided with an individual Level, Pan, Detune, Key Zone, Velocity, Cross-fade and Micro-Tuning. An extensive range of resonant filters (static and dynamic) grant a powerful tone editing. Each waveform can be processed by 2 dynamic filters (serial and parallel settings available) with resonance control. The DCF can be controlled by velocity sensitivity and EG. The amplifier section includes a six Times and seven Levels EG. 2 LFO provide Vibrato, Wah and Tremolo effects. In AWM sound editing, EX5 provides intuitive and well structured display information.

VA (VIRTUAL ACOUSTIC)

	The first VA (Virtual Acoustic Synthesis) synthesizer has been introduced by Yamaha in 1994 (VL1). Tone generation is based on mathematic algorithms, that reproduce realistic winds, reeds and string instruments sounds. In this type of synthesis, better known as Physical modeling, the "instrument" defines the basic tone of the sound (see picture). The "instrument" consists of 2 components: a Driver and a Resonator. The driver simulates the sound generating vibration (es: reed/mouthpiece, lip/mouthpiece or bow/string system), while the resonator is the resonant element (trumpet flare, pipe, violin body, etc.). The sound timbre is controlled by 2 sections: Controls and Modifiers. The Controls section parameters allows the player to obtain effects due to the tightness of the lips against the reed, the amount of breath pressure applied to the reed or mouthpiece, the tonguing technique, etc. (in wind instruments) or bow movement (in string instruments). The Modifier section affects the harmonic structure of the basic sound. VA synthesis provides also unusual combinations (i.e.: string controlled by breath) allowing the creation of new sounds. The EX5 mathematic algorithm is specialized in reproducing wind instruments in a monophonic way. That's why this synthesis is called VL (Virtual Lead). Anyway, it must be pointed out that, due to the complexity of the synthesis, EX5 VA section provides only preset sounds and effects models (256). These sounds can be edited thru 5-bands parametric EQ, dynamic resonant filter, EG and LFO (this one just providing vibrato effect). In order to better reproduce wind instruments, the use of a BC2 or BC3 Yamaha breath controller, connected to the EX5 rear panel, is suggested. In this way, the player can reproduce timbral variations in a more natural and instinctive way.

AN (ANALOG PHYSICAL MODELING)

	FDSP can be considered as an hybrid synthesis, using both AWM and physical modeling sound generation. FDSP provides 10 algorithm. Some algorithm is useful to improve electroacustic tones (Electric Piano and Electric Guitar) while others reproduce classic (PWM, Phaser, Flanger) or unusual effects (Water, Tornado, Seismic). For instance, "EG pickup" effect can modify in a very sophisticated way an electric guitar sound. Tonal changes, in fact, are due to pick-up electromagnetic characteristics (single coil or humbucking) and position or depend from picking position and distance between pickup and strings. "EG pickup" effect parameters allow to change all the above mentioned characteristics. FDSP user interface is not immediate. Anyway, edit procedure is not very complex: interesting results can be obtained. The drastic polyphony reduction (maximum 16 notes) is the main disadvantage.

FDSP (FORMULATED DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING)

	FDSP can be considered as an hybrid synthesis, using both AWM and physical modeling sound generation. FDSP provides 10 algorithm. Some algorithm is useful to improve electroacustic tones (Electric Piano and Electric Guitar) while others reproduce classic (PWM, Phaser, Flanger) or unusual effects (Water, Tornado, Seismic). For instance, "EG pickup" effect can modify in a very sophisticated way an electric guitar sound. Tonal changes, in fact, are due to pick-up electromagnetic characteristics (single coil or humbucking) and position or depend from picking position and distance between pickup and strings. "EG pickup" effect parameters allow to change all the above mentioned characteristics. FDSP user interface is not immediate. Anyway, edit procedure is not very complex: interesting results can be obtained. The drastic polyphony reduction (maximum 16 notes) is the main disadvantage.
	EX5 and the correspondent EX5R rack version feature 2 built-in DSP (Digital Signal Processors). The top of the picture on the left shows that DSP 1 is always dedicated to effects creation. 3 blocks are available: 2 are dedicated to reverb (12 types) and chorus (17 types) effects with independent send; the third block provides various insert effects (Insert 1 = 24 types; Insert 2 = 79 types). DSP 2 can be used to create effects, but alternatively is also used to create AN, FDSP and VL voices. In this case DSP2 works in parallel or series with the AWM generator. When DSP 2 is used in sound generation, EX5 polyphony may change. The EX7 version (61 keys with a built-in 64 notes polyphony AWM tone generator) doesn't feature DSP 2. Being available a single DSP, EX7 provides only AWM, AN e FDSP synthesis, as shown in the lowest part of the picture.

SYNTHESIS TYPES COMBINATIONS

	Synthesis types can be combined in various ways. AWM SYNTHESIS The simplest possibility is the pure AWM synthesis. In this case up to 4 elements can be mixed and sent to the DSPs, each one acting as an insert effect or with separate send. The maximum polyphony available is 126 notes.
	FDSP or AN+FDSP SYNTHESIS DSP 2 is also involved in FDSP synthesis. In this case, two possibilities are available: - FDSP synthesis: DSP 2 is completely dedicated in up to 4 AWM elements processing. In this case, due to the DSP 2 processing, the maximum polyphony is 16 notes; - AN + FDSP synthesis: DSP 2 is partially dedicated to AN tone generation and to FDSP effects production. In this mode, maximum polyphony is 1 AN voice + 8 FDSP voices.
	AN+AWM SYNTHESIS Another possibility is the combination of AN + AWM. In this case, DSP 2 generates only AN sounds with a polyphony of 1 or 2 notes, depending on the mode selected (mono or polyphonic). AN sound can be combined with a maximum of 3 AWM elements that provides a maximum 126 notes polyphony.
	VL or VL+AWM SYNTHESIS Finally, DSP 2 can be totally dedicated to VA synthesis. In this case the sound generated is always monophonic, but it can be combined with a maximum of 126 notes provided by AWM synthesis (VL + AWM).