Yamaha GW50 User manual

FCC INFORMATION (U.S.A.)
1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS UNIT!
This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved
by Yamaha may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product.
2. IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/or another product use only high quality shielded cables. Cable/s supplied with this
product MUST be used. Follow all installation instructions. Failure to follow instructions could void your FCC authorization to use this product in the
USA.
3. NOTE: This product has been tested and found to comply with the requirements listed in FCC Regulations, Part 15 for Class ”B” digital devices.
Compliance with these requirements provides a reasonable level of assurance that your use of this product in a residential environment will not
result in harmful interference with other electronic devices. This equipment generates/uses radio frequencies and, if not installed and used according
to the instructions found in the users manual, may cause interference harmful to the operation of other electronic devices. Compliance with FCC
regulations does not guarantee that interference will not occur in all installations. If this product is found to be the source of interference, which can
be determined by turning the unit ”OFF” and ”ON”, please try to eliminate the problem by using one of the following measures:
Relocate either this product or the device that is being affected by the interference.
Utilize power outlets that are on different branch (circuit breaker or fuse) circuits or install AC line filter/s.
In the case of radio or TV interference, relocate/reorient the antenna. If the antenna lead-in is 300 ohm ribbon lead, change the lead-in to co-axial type
cable.
If these corrective measures do not produce satisfactory results, please contact the local retailer authorized to distribute this type of product. If you
can not locate the appropriate retailer, please contact Yamaha Corporation of America, Electronic Service Division, 6600 Orangethorpe Ave, Buena
Park, CA 90620
The above statements apply ONLY to those products distributed by Yamaha Corporation of America or its subsidiaries.
* This applies only to products distributed by YAMAHA CORPORATION OF AMERICA.
Litiumbatteri!
Bör endast bytas av servicepersonal.
Explosionsfara vid felaktig hantering.
VA OITUS!
Lithiumparisto, äjähdysvaara.
Pariston saa vaihtaa ainoastaan alan
ammattimies.
ADVA SEL!
Lithiumbatteri!
Eksplosionsfare. Udskiftning må kun foretages
af en sagkyndig, – og som beskrevet i
servicemanualen.
CANADA
THIS DIGITAL APPA ATUS DOES NOT EXCEED THE “CLASS B” LIMITS FO ADIO
NOISE EMISSIONS F OM DIGITAL APPA ATUS SET OUT IN THE ADIO INTE FE -
ENCE EGULATION OF THE CANADIAN DEPA TMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS.
LE P ESENT APPA EIL NUME IQUE N’EMET PAS DE B UITS ADIOELECT IQUES
DEPASSANT LES LIMITES APPLICABLES AUX APPA EILS NUME IQUES DE LA “CLASSE
B” P ESC ITES DANS LE EGLEMENT SU LE B OUILLAGE ADIOELECT IQUE
EDICTE PA LE MINISTE E DES COMMUNICATIONS DU CANADA.
* This applies only to products distributed by YAMAHA CANADA MUSIC LTD.
* Ceci ne s’applique qu’aux produits distribués par Yamaha Canada Musique Ltée.

SPECIAL MESSAGE SECTION
92-BP
PLEASE KEEP THIS MANUAL
This product utilizes an external power supply (adapter). DO NOT
connect this product to any power supply or adapter other than one
described in the manual, on the name plate, or specifically recom-
mended by Yamaha.
WARNING: Do not place this product in a position where anyone
could walk on, trip over, or roll anything over power or connecting
cords of any kind. The use of an extension cord is not recom-
mended! If you must use an extension cord, the minimum wire size
for a 25’ cord (or 1 cm) is I8 AWG. NOTE: The smaller the AWG
number, the larger the current handling capacity. For longer exten-
sion cords, consult a local electrician.
This product should be used only with the components supplied, or
a cart, rack, or stand that is recommended by Yamaha. If a cart,
etc., is used, please observe all safety markings and instructions
that accompany the accessory product.
SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE: The information
contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of
printing. However, Yamaha reserves the right to change or modify
any of the specifications without notice or obligation to update
existing units.
Do not attempt to service this product beyond that described in the
user-maintenance instructions. All other servicing should be re-
ferred to qualified service personnel.
This product, either alone or in combination with an amplifier and
headphones or speaker/s, may be capable of producing sound levels
that could cause permanent hearing loss. DO NOT operate for long
periods of time at a high volume level or at a level that is uncom-
fortable. If you experience any hearing loss or ringing in the ears,
you should consult an audiologist. IMPORTANT: The louder the
sound, the shorter the time period before damage occurs.
Some Yamaha products may have benches and/or accessory mount-
ing fixtures that are either supplied with the product or as optional
accessories. Some of these items are designed to be dealer assem-
bled or installed. Please make sure that benches are stable and any
optional fixtures (where applicable) are well secured BEFORE
using. Benches supplied by Yamaha are designed for seating only.
No other uses are recommended.
NOTICE: Service charges incurred due to lack of knowledge relat-
ing to how a function or effect works (when the unit is operating as
designed) are not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, and are
therefore the owner’s responsibility. Please study this manual care-
fully and consult your dealer before requesting service.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: Yamaha strives to produce prod-
ucts that are both user safe and environmentally friendly. We sin-
cerely believe that our products and the production methods used to
produce them, meet these goals. In keeping with both the letter and
the spirit of the law, we want you to be aware of the following:
Battery Notice: This product MAY contain a small non-recharge-
able battery which (if applicable) is soldered in place. The average
life span of this type of battery is approximately five years. When
replacement becomes necessary, contact a qualified service repre-
sentative to perform the replacement.
This product may also use “household” type batteries. Some of
these may be rechargeable. Make sure that the battery being
charged is a rechargeable type and that the charger is intended for
the battery being charged.
When installing batteries, do not mix old batteries with new, or
with batteries of a different type. Batteries MUST be installed cor-
rectly. Mismatches or incorrect installation may result in overheat-
ing and battery case rupture.
Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble, or incinerate any battery.
Keep all batteries away from children. Dispose of used batteries
promptly and as regulated by the laws in your area. Note: Check
with any retailer of household type batteries in your area for battery
disposal information.
Disposal Notice: Should this product become damaged beyond re-
pair, or for some reason its useful life is considered to be at an end,
please observe all local, state, and federal regulations that relate to
the disposal of products that contain lead, batteries, plastics, etc. If
your dealer is unable to assist you, please contact Yamaha directly.
NAME PLATE LOCATION: The graphic below indicates the lo-
cation of the name plate for this model. The model number, serial
number, power requirements, etc., are located on this plate. You
should record the model number, serial number, and the date of
purchase in the spaces provided below and retain this manual as a
permanent record of your purchase.
Model
Serial No.
Purchase Date

i
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Yamaha GW50 Guitar Performance Effector.
The GW50 combines high-quality multi effects for guitar (and other instruments as well) with a
sophisticated backing section that provides realistic automatic rhythmic accompaniment for you
to play along with. The dual functions — effects and backing — make the GW50 useful in a wide
range of applications, from live performance and studio use to home recording and individual
music practice.
Some of the advanced features of the GW50 include:
Effect Section
■Five basic effect blocks, featuring Compressor,
Distortion, Equalizer, Chorus and Reverb/
Delay, plus additional effect types within each
block, such as Overdrive, Wah, Amp Simulator,
Flanger, Phaser, Pitch Shifter, Tap Delay, and a
built-in Noise Gate.
■User memory for storing up to 50 user-created
effect programs, all instantly selectable from
the convenient Pedal Switches. (See pages 11,
25.)
■High-quality sound in all effects, plus added
sonic benefit of having all effects integrated
into one unit.
■Comprehensive parameter control over all
effects, yet exceptional ease-of-use — you can
adjust the main parameters of the effect blocks
just as you would on conventional pedal effects.
Backing Section
■A total of 248 automatic rhythm and accompa-
niment patterns, using realistic drum, bass and
other backing instrument sounds. (See page 32.)
The automatic accompaniment includes sophis-
ticated chord control, with 25 different chord
types available in all keys. (See pages 33-35.)
■Song record capability, for creating songs with
the rhythm/accompaniment patterns and chord
changes, as well as automating effect program
changes, effect bypass and other functions. (See
pages 36-38.)
■A special Root Select function (see page 78),
which lets you change the root note of the
backing chord by playing the note on your
guitar, and Triggered Run (see page 82), which
allows you to start a song or pattern just by
playing a note on your guitar.
Other Features
■Convenient Pedal Switch control over many
functions, including chord change, start/stop of
pattern/song playback, bypassing of effects, and
so on.
■Built-in tuner, allowing you to tune your instru-
ment without removing it from the signal chain.
(See page 39.)
■Various MIDI features for interfacing with a
wide range of other MIDI devices. (See pages
101-107.)

ii PRECAUTIONS
PRECAUTIONS
(This message appears only when the power is
turned on, and stays in the LCD until a panel
button is pressed.) When this happens, save all
original data to a MIDI data storage device (see
note below) or write down all necessary settings
to a piece of paper, then have the battery
replaced by qualified Yamaha service person-
nel as soon as possible. DO NOT ATTEMPT
TO REPLACE THE BACKUP BATTERY
YOURSELF!
IMPORTANT
BACKING UP DATA—We recommend that you
transfer all important data to a MIDI data re-
corder, such as the Yamaha MDF2 MIDI Data Filer
or another data storage device, for safe, long-
term storage. (For more information, refer to the
section on the MIDI Bulk Dump function, page
102.) Yamaha cannot be held responsible for data
loss caused by battery failure or improper
operation of the GW50.
■AVOID PHYSICAL SHOCKS
Although the GW50 has been constructed to
withstand the normal rigors of stage and studio
use for optimum sturdiness and reliability,
avoid subjecting it to strong physical shocks
(such as dropping or hitting it), since this may
damage the unit. Since the GW50 is a preci-
sion-made electronic device, also avoid apply-
ing excessive force to the various controls.
Also, avoid stepping on any part of the GW50
other than the Pedal Switches, since this may
damage or break the controls or glass of the
display.
PRECAUTIONS
■USE THE CORRECT POWER
SUPPLY
Power to the GW50 should be supplied only
from the appropriate Yamaha AC adaptor (the
included PA-3). Use of another adaptor may
cause serious damage to the unit. Also make
sure that the adaptor you have is appropriate for
the AC mains supply voltage in the area where
you intend to use the GW50. (The correct input
voltage is marked on the adaptor.)
■USE ONLY APPROPRIATE FOOT
CONTROLLERS AND
FOOTSWITCHES
Certain functions of the GW50 can be control-
led by the optional Yamaha FC7 Foot Con-
troller and the FC5 (or FC4) Footswitch. Use
of any other pedal or footswitch besides those
recommended here may result in erratic opera-
tion or may cause some other trouble in the foot
controller or footswitch itself.
■MEMORY BACKUP
The GW50 memorizes the following data, even
when the power is turned off: Memory effect
program data, Manual effect data (excepting
main parameter values), song data, and
general panel settings. The GW50 contains a
special long-life lithium battery that retains this
data in the internal RAM memory. The battery
should last for approximately five years from
the date of manufacture. When the backup
battery power becomes too low to maintain the
memory contents, a warning message appears
in the LCD: