Yamaha S80 / Yamaha S90 / Yamaha S30

ANALOG SYNTHESIZER PROGRAMMING

MIDI COMMUNICATION


INTRODUCTION

	Compact, equipped with a 24 Mb AWM2 sound library and a 88 piano action keyboard, the S80 provides high quality sounds and complete master keyboard functions. In addition to this, host computer port, CD-ROM sequencer/editor software (supplied), SMF compatibility, songs and sounds storage on Smart Media Card and, especially, the possibility of adding new synthesis engines by installing a pair of optional Plug-in boards, make the S80 an extremely flexible machine suitable for any musical situation. Other models: S30 and S90 Modular Synthesis Plug-In System Bundled software Technical Details

MAIN PLUS

	The strong points of this keyboard are the large sound palette, the MIDI implementation, the Host connection, the great sound flexibility and the affordable price. More in details, these general concepts are based on the following features.
	Large polyphony, multitimbral capability and sound flexibility. The S80 is able to play up to 64 notes simultaneously in the Voice mode. In Performance mode it can play up to 16 sounds on 16 independent MIDI channels. Installing a Plug-in board both the poliphony and the multitimbral Parts increase. It should be considered that the Plug-in boards system is not just a sound library expansion but it is a convenient way to customize the keyboard depending on the user synthesis needs. At last, the Performance mode includes an additional "A/D" part for connected microphones or line signals. The signal can be processed by the S80 internal Effects too. Sounds and Plug-In boards. The S80 offers a wide range of high quality sounds useful in any musical performance. The feeling is that the synthesizer has been designed to give the user a complete sound palette, also able to stimulate musical creativity and new ideas. This is especially evident in the Performance mode, where the Arpeggio function provides a variety of inspirating melodic phrases and rhythmic sequences. S80 offers 256 Preset + 128 User Voices. Moreover, 8 Preset + 2 Internal Drum sets are provided. On the other hand, it should be not forgotten that the Plug-in boards installation enables new synthesis engines. Therefore, S80 acts as a kind of sound chamaleon, sounding in a complete different way depending on the synthesis engine in use (i.e.:AWM2, AN, VL, FM synthesis). The possibility to install up to 2 different sound generators is a big advantage for the user, considering the future developments of the project.
	Fast programming. The S80 allows a fast fixing of any creative idea. Based on a limited number of switches and knobs, its user interface gives an intuitive and quick access to the different functions. For example, the convenient Quick Access function allows an instant selection of the desired sound based on the instrumental category. This function avoids time waste in scrolling through the internal voices one at a time. Voice editing is intuitive. It recalls the analog synthesizers programming. Consequently it can be easily managed. At last, 12 powerful multi-mode resonant filters are available for a more accurate sound shaping. Bundled support software CD-ROM. The S80 provides advanced features in sound editing and song programming thanks to the Yamaha's own support software CD-ROM. This software supports both Mac and PC platforms. The applications include: - Song programming through XGWorks lite software; - Sound editing/creation through Voice Editor software, for an easy management both of the internal AWM2 samples and the additional synthesis generators available after Plug-in boards installation; - Standard MIDI Files (format 0) management on Smart Media card through Card filer software. Host Computer port (serial interface). The S80 built-in Host port allows a direct connection of the synthesizer to the Mac or PC serial ports without any need of external MIDI interface. This means that S80 and a computer can be the heart of a professional studio able to satisfy any musical need (live applications, composing, sound programming).
	Mass storage. The S80 uses a convenient and compact storage device, the Smart Media card, easily available on the market. It allows to store Voices and Performances as well as SMF sequences (type 0). Obviously, the amount of stored data depends on the card capacity: 2/4/8/16 and 32 Mb cards can be used. The card must be connected/disconnected only when the synthesizer is switched off. By the supplied CD-ROM Card filer software it is possible both to organize and modify the Smart Media card data (Voices files and/or SMF song files) and to exchange data between computer and card. Moreover, the Chain song function, very useful in live performances, enables the sequential playback of up to 100 songs. Sound processing. 4 independent effect processors are available both for Voices and Performances. They can be connected in series or in parallel, offering an extensive range of possible configurations. Two of them, named System effects, provide Reverb (12 types) and Chorus (23 types) and affect the global sound (Voice or Performance). The remaining two effects, named Insertion effects, can affect each element composing the Voice or each Part of a Performance. The Insertion 1 unit provides 24 effects (including flanger, auto-wah and chorus) while the Insertion 2 provides 93 effects (i.e.: guitar amplifier simulator, leslie, delay, etc.). Therefore, the range of sound processing possibilities is huge. Moreover, installing Plug-in boards adds more effects, obviously different from those yet available on-board. At last, the 4-band parametric EQ parameters are always available on the display for a convenient real time sound control.

	MIDI Master Keyboard functions. The MIDI implementation is complete, but limited in terms of transmit channels. In Master Keyboard mode, in fact, S80 can play the internal sounds (if required) and control external expanders transmitting on a maximum of 4 MIDI channels. The expanders control can be organized in layers with note limits, in order to create splits when required. MIDI real time controls can be assigned to wheels, sliders and pedals. Moreover, the MIDI connected modules octave transpose can be directly controlled thru the S80 MIDI tune transpose function without performing any direct setting on the external unit. This function is very convenient when the expander correct octave setting must be manteined independetly from the S80 keyboard zone played. Arpeggio notes and parameters can be MIDI transmitted too, allowing a creative use of the connected sound modules.

INTERNAL ARCHITECTURE

	The S80 architecture includes Voices and Performances. The smallest memory unit is the Voice, which can combine a maximum of 4 elements (sounds). Each element can be a single or a multisampling Sample. On the other hand, a Performance can manage up to 16 Parts. Each Part is a Voice assigned to a specific MIDI channel.
	The A/D input (for mic/line signals) and the 2 additional Plug-in boards provide 3 additional Parts with independent polyphony and effects. Therefore, a total of 19 Parts can be available. Connecting external MIDI sound modules, the user can set each MIDI transmission channel in order to play both the S80 and the external unit or just one of them.

CONCLUSIONS

	The S80 combines a stage-piano feeling (excellent weighted keyboard) with high quality sounds, complete Master Keyboard functions and intuitive user interface. The synthesizer seems to have been projected for live performances. This is quite evident considering the wide and effective range of sounds on-board and the availability of assignable knobs and sliders that facilitate the parameters real time control. Nevertheless, the most interesting feature of S80 is the sound expansion thru Plug-in boards. This system, in fact, doesn't increase just the number of samples available, as it happens in other synthesizers, but really provides different types of completely independent synthesis engines. Therefore, S80 can be considered as a very reliable and complete keyboard still open to further implementations.