Yamaha DX7 MiniMAX User manual

DX7 MiniMAX Page 1 of 4 User Guide v2.10
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Yamaha DX7 MiniMAX Expansion User Guide
* Welcome to *
* MiniMAX v2.1 *
1: Introduction
The DX7 MiniMAX
1
is essentially a very “lite” Yamaha DX7 expansion board. It provides the
following new features:
MEMORY EXPANSION
 4x memory expansion: There are now 128 patches
2
(what Yamaha calls "voices")
arranged in 4 banks of 32. Each patch is directly selectable by standard MIDI Patch
Change messages and, of course, the front panel.
GLOBAL PARAMETERS
 MIDI Transmit Channel: You can set the MIDI OUT channel from 1 to 16. (MIDI IN is
already settable in the Yamaha factory DX7 v1.8 firmware using button Function 8).
 MIDI Receive in OMNI mode (receives on any/all channels). Added to Function 8.
BUGFIXES
 Includes the fixes for the DX7 Fixed Frequency table bug and also includes the faster
boot).
Installation
You are looking at the wrong document. Please refer to the DX7 MiniMAX Installation Guide
available on the www.musictechnologiesgroup.com website.
Manual Conventions
Regarding the LCD, this manual shows the variable part of the LCD content using an underline.
The DX7 itself is not able to underline more than one character, but this convention makes it
easier to visualize the changing part of the LCD versus the fixed part.
THIS AREA IS FIXED
AND THIS: CAN CHANGE
1
The information provided in this document is intended for informational purposes only and is subject to
change without notice. Information may be changed or updated without notice. We may also make
improvements and/or changes in the product(s) described in this information at any time.
2
In this document the term "patch" is used to denote a programmed sound. For some unknown reason back
in the 80's, Yamaha called these "voices". The typical use for "voices" these days is to indicate the degree
of polyphony (how many keys you can hold down at once and get sound for).

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Version Check
You can check the version of your DX7 MiniMAX by powering the DX7 on. The greeting
message contains the version information. You should see a version message such as:
* Welcome to *
* MiniMAX v2.1 *
The message goes away on its own after a few moments.
Updates to MIDI (Function Button 8)
The following items are available on button #8 in Function mode:
MIDI Ch In = 1 Settable MIDI Receive channel, or OMNI mode
SYS INFO UNAVAIL Enable/Disable System Exclusive
MIDI TRANSMIT ? (Only if SYS INFO is set to AVAIL)
Recommended Initialization
After installing the board, or any time the battery is changed, there can be some random data in
the DX7 RAM. Check and set the Function parameters and load some patch data to begin using
your new DX7 MiniMAX:
1. Turn the Internal Memory Protect OFF to enable saving settings and data.
2. Check the Portamento Time and Mode (Mono/Poly). Double check all other Function settings
for peculiarities.
3. Set the active Memory Bank to 1 (see below).
4. Set MIDI Ch In = 1 and MIDI Ch Out = 1 or whichever channel(s) you prefer (see below).
5. Load a set of patches from cartridge or system exclusive. If the latter is used, then Sys Info
must be set to Available first.

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2: Operation
Aside from Function 8 mentioned above, the other changes are the addition of new settings on
buttons 12 and 13 in Function mode.
2.1 Memory Bank Selection (Function 12)
Recall that the DX7 has 32 internal patches accessed by pressing the INTERNAL button and
then one of the patch numbers 1 though 32.
The DX7 MiniMAX has four banks of these to make the 128 patches:
Bank 1 Patches 1 to 32 = MIDI patch numbers 1 to 32.
Bank 2 Patches 1 to 32 = MIDI patch numbers 33 to 64.
Bank 3 Patches 1 to 32 = MIDI patch numbers 65 to 96.
Bank 4 Patches 1 to 32 = MIDI patch numbers 97 to 128.
To select a Bank and patch from the front panel, press the Function button to activate Function
Control, then press button 12:
FUNCTION CONTROL
Memory Bank = 4
You can then select which bank is active using the Data Slider or + / - buttons. The next patch
you select will come from the memory bank you chose. Even when you return to play mode (say,
by pressing INT and/or a patch number), this function remains active so you can continue to
change banks with minimal button pressing. Please also see the caveat below.
A convenient way to select banks from your now expanded memory is to leave the most recently
selected MEMORY BANK button "live" in Function mode. When you return to "play" mode, the
Data Entry control remains active on the Memory Bank parameter thus making easy to access all
128 voices.
When you select a patch via the front panel, its patch number (1 through 128) will be transmitted
on the DX7's MIDI OUT.
Another way to select patches is through MIDI IN. The patch numbers correspond to the patch
numbers 1 to 128 in the table above. That is, on receipt of a MIDI Program Change message on
the correct MIDI channel, the correct bank and patch will be activated. Note that if you have
cartridge installed it will be selected in place of Bank 2.
Each bank must be saved or loaded individually using a cartridge or over MIDI.
CAVEAT: Keep in mind that this operating rule is the same for any function button. That means
for example, if the most recently selected Function is Volume, you could accidentally turn the
sound off without knowing the reason.

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2.2 MIDI Transmit Channel (Function 13)
The MIDI note data, patch changes, etc. will be transmitted on the MIDI Channel specified here.
Using the Data slider or the Yes/No buttons, select the MIDI OUT channel you want, the range is
1 to 16.
FUNCTION CONTROL
MIDI Ch Out = 1
Note: The MIDI IN channel is established via the standard DX7 Function button 8.
Enjoy your updated DX7!
See the MTG web site for more great vintage synth and drum machine goodies.