Yamaha QX5 User manual

YAMAHA
DIGITAL SEQUENCE RECORDER
OWNER’S MANUAL

ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Thank you for purchasing the QX5 Digital Sequence Recorder. The QX5 is an 8 track
MIDI sequencer with extensive editing functions and superb flexibility, yet easy to learn
and simple to use. In order to understand the QX5 and take full advantage of its capa-
bilities, please read through this manual and try out the examples.
CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS MANUAL... 1
HOW DOES THE QX5 WORK?.... 2
FEATURES wa 4
PRECAUTIONR ss sseeree eette reeeo 5
OPERATION GUIDE eee eee eee 6
FRONT/REAR PANEL 7
RECORDING
REALTIME RECORDING
PUNCH IN RECORDING .... we 16
STEP BECORHDING << ss nsigna eZ Vane aeree 17
EVENT EDIT...........
MEASURE EDIT ..
TRACK EDIT
. 38
we AT
MIDI Zs ena zaoa 44
OTHER FUNCTIONSG.................... ‘
TAPE SYNC
46
47
IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS
MESSAGES
48
SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE DATA FORMAT
SPECIFICATIONS
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART
WHAT’S HEXADECIMAL?
WHAT'S MIDI?

HOW DOES THE QX5 WORK?
This section will give you a quick overview of the QX5. When you play a MIDI keyboard, it sends messages indicating
which note was played and how strongly, sustain pedal on/off, etc. The OX5 digitally records these messages and
can “play” them back, causing a MIDI tone generator to produce sound. To use the QX5, you need a MIDI keyboard
and at least one MIDI tone generator or synthesizer.
— —— T back
MIDI eet ic MIDI IN Mibi our ua OUT MIDI IN
ET Di Tone
MIDI
anen
|
L
For example you can use a Yamaha DX7 as MIDI keyboard, a Yamaha TX816 as tone generator and add a Yamaha
RX11 for drum tracks.
MIDI OUT MIDI IN MIDI OUT Dror wd IN
MIDI THRU MIDI IN
see |
The QX5 can record MIDI data in three ways.
RECORDING
Realtime Notes are recorded in the timing that you play them.
Punch In The same as realtime recording, but you can set the point at which recording will
begin and end.
- Step You can use a MIDI keyboard to enter notes and specify their timing and gate time
using the QX5 panel switches.
8 tracks of MIDI data can be stored, edited, saved and loaded independently.
EIGHT TRACKS Recording is always done on track 1. When you have finished recording a track,
you can exchange track 1 with an empty track (2-8) and record again. Channel
information is recorded, and each track can contain independent MIDI data of up
to 16 channels. Tracks can be joined, mixed, cut, deleted, exchanged, etc. Each
track can be turned on or off for playback.
N

THIRTY-TWO
MACROS
EDITING
Event Edit
Measure Edit
Track Edit
Think of a macro as a “floating track.” A macro contains the same data as a track,
and tracks and macros can be freely exchanged. A macro number can be inserted
at any point in a track. When playback comes to that point in the track, the data
in the macro will begin playing along with the data in the tracks. Up to 4 macros
can be playing at once.
Measure 1
Track 1 MACRO 03
*
|
Track 2 MACRO 02
MACRO 05
*
Macros are handy for repeated phrases, or as temporary storage. There is no limit
to the capacity of a track or macro, but the total number of recorded notes (tracks
+ macros) must be less than 20,000. (If Note On Velocity data is recorded, capacity
is about 15,000 notes.)
Since the QX5 “records” data, not sound, you have complete freedom to change
a performance after it has been recorded. There are three ways to edit what you
have recorded.
Edit individual MIDI “events”. You can go in and change, insert, delete, or change
the timing of individual notes or data such as Program Change messages.
Edit individual measures. You can delete, insert and copy measures, and selectively
remove or change certain data from specified measures.
Edit whole tracks. You can exchange, copy, mix, erase, and connect tracks, and
transfer specified data to another track or macro. ~

Tracks & Macros
Memory Capacity
Relative Tempo
3 Position Memories
Auto Locate
Punch In/Out Record-
ing
Step Recording
Unlimited Editing
4 Setup Memories
MIDI re-channelizing
Tape Sync
Backlit LCD
Tape or MIDI Save/-
Load
STOPI
FEATURES
The OX5 offers an unprecedented array of features in a compact unit, just the right size for placing on top of a
keyboard, and is the same width as the TX7 Tone Generator and RX21 Rhythm Programmer for easy stacking.
8 tracks (p. 2) and 32 macros (p. 3) give you great versatility in your composing
and arranging.
You can record approximately 20,000 notes (15,000 when recording velocity data).
Recording controller data (Aftertouch, etc.) will also use memory.
Tempo changes can be inserted at any point.
Three measure positions can be stored and jumped to at the touch of a switch.
Recording can be set to automatically begin from a certain measure.
You can set recording to begin and end at specified measures.
A MIDI keyboard and the OX5 pane! switches can be used to enter complex phrases
note by note.
Recorded data can be edited by track, measure or event (p. 3).
MIDI reception and transmission conditions and QX5 settings can be set and stored
in 4 memories for instant recall.
Each incoming and outgoing channel of MIDI messages can be independently
re-assigned to a different channel.
An FSK tape sync signal can be recorded on tape to synchronize the QX5 with a
multitrack recording.
The two-line 16-character LCD is backlit for easy visiblity even in dim lighting.
Sequence data can be saved to and loaded from a data cassette tape or a MIDI
data managing device.
lf you are a little unsure about your understanding of MIDI, go and read p. 53 “What's
Hexadecimal!” and p. 55 “What's MIDI?”

PRECAUTIONS
on
LOCATION
HANDLING
POWER CABLE
CLEANING
ELECTRICAL STORMS
(LIGHTNING)
ELECTROMAGNETIC
FIELDS
Avoid placing the QX5 in direct sunlight or close to a source of heat. Also, avoid
locations in which the device is likely to be subjected to vibration, excessive dust,
cold or moisture.
Avoid applying excessive force to the switches, dropping or rough handling. While
the circuitry is of reliable integrated circuit design, the QX5 should be treated with
care.
Always grip the plug directly when removing it from an AC receptacle. Removing
the plug from the AC receptacle by pulling the cable can result in damage to the
cable, and possibly a short circuit. It is also a good idea to disconnect the QX5 from
the AC receptacle if you don’t plan to use it for an extended period of time. ~
Use only a mild detergent on a cloth, and dry with a soft cloth. Never use solvents
(such as benzine or thinner) since they can melt or discolor the finish.
Computer circuitry, including that in the QX5, is sensitive to voltage spikes. For
this reason, the QX5 should be turned off and unplugged from the AC receptacle
in the event of an electrical storm. This precaution will avoid the chance that a
high voltage spike caused by lightning will damage the device.
Computer circuitry is also sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. Television sets,
radio receivers, transmitters and transceivers, and wireless microphone or intercom
systems are all potential sources of such radiation. The QX5 should not be placed
too close to such devices.

STEP RECORD
STEP
FREE MEMORY
r 1
OPERATION GUIDE
The QX5 Top Panel contains a JOB TABLE to show how to enter job groups and quick guides of EVENT EDIT
and STEP RECORD. It is for your reference when you operate the QX5.
YAMAHA e
EVENT EDIT JOB TABLE
MEASURE BEAT CLOCK
r fom fa
250
1/04 080% 064
4 — Le
STEP TIME GATE TIME VELOCITY
DISPLAY
M=0001-01-00/96
1/04 080% 064
STEP TIME CLOCK
STEP TIME CLOCK
1/02 192
1/03 128
1/04
1/06
1/08
4/12
M=0001-01-00/96
NOTE (1) C..3 064
—_ — —— —
Y Y v
EVENT EDIT
SEARCH
CHANGE
v
MEAS EDIT
COREY
DELETE
REMOVE
TRACK EDIT
EXCHANGE
COPY
LOAD/SAVE
TAPE SAVE
TAPE LOAD
TAPE VERIFY
EVENT DATA
TR.DOWN
CLEAR
CUT
INSERT
EXTRACT
CLOCK MOV
THIN OUT
SHIFT
SHIFT
QUANTIZE
TRANSPOSE
VELOCITY
GATE TIME
CRESCENDO
CREATE
MIDI TRANSMIT
MIDI RECEIVE
SETUP STORE
SETUP RECALL
NOTE PROGRAM
AFTER TOUCH EXCLUSIVE
PITCH BEND MACRO
CONTROL TEMPO
MODE MEASURE
SEARCH FA CHANGE SETUP MONITOR MIDI 1 MIDI 2
1/16
1/24
1/32
1/48
1/64
1/96
24
JOB TABLE
EVENT EDIT
Search
Change
STEP RECORD
Step Time
Gate Time
Velocity
Free Memory
BEAT/MEASURE INPUT MONITOR INPUT ASSIGN
CLICK OUTPUT MONITR OUTPUT ASSIGN
REPEAT VELOCITY
MEM.PROTECT AFTER TOUCH
FOOT SWITCH PITCH BEND
LOCATE DELAY
REMOTE IN
REMOTE OUT
ECHO
DEVICE NUMBER
F3 BACK
pa
F2 CURSOR
=i
+1
DELETE
INSERT
REPLACE
Få
SHIFT + RECORD
SHIFT + STOP
SHIFT + START
CONTROL CHNG
SYS.EXCLUSIVE
The four main function switches (Tempo, Measure, Track and Clock) each access
two job groups, one group when double-clicked, and one group when pressed
while holding [SHIFT]. To exit from the Job mode, press one of these function
switches or {SHIFT] + [RESET].
This guide contains an illustration of the LCD, a list of events and a diagram of
EDIT operations. For details see EVENT EDIT (p. 20).
When the cursor is hidden, use (<), (œ) to move through track 1
searching for events you want to change. Press (JOB) to switch from Search
to Change. The cursor will start blinking.
Use (CURSOR) to select what you will change (Position, Event, Data), and
use [F3] (<1), (>) to change the value.
Then, you need to Delete, Insert or Replace the event using [SHIFT] and
RECORD}/|STOP|/([START].
This guide contains illustrations of the LCD and a table showing the number of
clocks per step. For details see STEP RECORDING (p. 17).
Time value of the note (1/2 —1/96).
Length the note is held, displayed as a percentage of the Step Time.
Force with which the note is played (1 — 127).
Unused memory in blocks of 80 notes.
By pressing [DISPLAY], you can display the current position; measure, beat, clock.

FRONT PANEL
LCD
TEMPO
MEASURE
TRACK
CLOCK
DISPLAY (CLICK)
FRONT/REAR PANEL
DELETE STEP BACK TE REST
oa
dod
MEASURE TRACK CLOCK _ DISPLAY AUTO LOCATE
Hija
MEAS EDIT “ea a 9 RESET
SHIFT
TEMPO
c osc C4
"CURSOR 7 >
AEC MODE
A two-row 16-character Liquid Crystal Display, backlit for high visibility.
* The Job Guide on p. 6 describes the functions of the following 4
switches when pressed with [SHIFT] and when double-clicked.
Display and change the current tempo. The LED blinks to indicate the current tempo.
While [SHIFT] is pressed, you can recall and set the Tempo Memories.
Move through the measures of a song (fast forward and rewind). While (SHIFT
is pressed, you can recall and set the Measure Memories.
Each track can be switched on or off. {F1]-[F4] switch tracks 1-4. While
SHIFT] is pressed, [F1]-[F4] switch tracks 5-8.
The QX5 can be controlled by its own internal clock, MIDI clock, or tape (FSK)
clock. While [SHIFT] is pressed, the Clock Output can be turned on or off.
Select display mode. Tempo, Measure, Track and Clock can each have their own
display (with help message) or all be shown in one display (no help messages).
When pressed with [SHIFT], the click is turned on or off.
AUTO LOCATE (RESET) When this is on, pressing [START] will begin recording or playback from the measure
RECORD (REC MODE)
STOP/CONTINUE
in the first (left) Measure Memory. The LED indicates Autolocator On. You can
loop between the current measure and the first Measure Memory by pressing
SHIFT] + [START]. By pressing [SHIFT] with this switch, you can abort the current
operation.
Enter record mode. When [RECORD] is pressed with [SHIFT], the Record Mode
will change.
Stop recording or play. If pressed again, play will continue from that point. If pressed
after [RECORD], recording wil! begin from that point.
N
l

START (ENTER) Start recording or play from the beginning of the song. When editing, executes the
selected function.
* Switches [F1]-[F4] perform the function indicated in the LCD above
the corresponding numbers [F1] - [F4].
F1 (JOB) When performing a Setup, Edit or Load/Save function, [F1] steps through the jobs.
F2 (CURSOR) When performing a Setup, Edit or Load/Save function, moves the cursor.
F3(<2) When performing a Setup, Edit or Load/Save function, decrements the data
indicated by the cursor.
EA) When performing a Setup, Edit or Load/Save function, increments the data
indicated by the cursor.
SHIFT Used to access the functions printed in purple below the keys. Holding down
SHIFT] reverses the movement of the and [CURSOR] keys.
REAR PANEL
TAPE
OUT N FOOT $w CLICK OUT
MIDI THRU All messages received at MIDI IN are sent unchanged from this terminal.
MIDI OUT Sequence playback and other MIDI messages are sent from here. You may set the
MIDI OUT to echo back messages received at MIDI IN.
MIDI IN MIDI messages coming in to this terminal can be recorded by the QX5.
TAPE OUT In play and record mode, this sends an FSK tape sync signal. In load/save mode,
it sends sequence data to tape.
TAPE IN In play and record mode, this receives an FSK tape sync signal. in load/save mode,
it receives sequence data from tape.
FOOT SW An optional footswitch such as the FC4 or FC5 can be used to start, stop or continue
playback or recording.
CLICK OUT The metronome signal is output from this jack to an external mixer or amp. The
internal click tone will go off if this is connected.

SIMPLE RECORDING EXAMPLE
To give you a general idea of how to use the OX5, we will show you how to record in real time.
CONNECTIONS
SETTINGS
Memory Protect
Echo
Channel Assign
Connect the QX5 to your keyboard and tone generator as shown on p. 2. If you
are using the OX5 with a single MIDI synthesizer, connect the synthesizer MIDI
OUT to QX5 MIDI IN, and QX5 MIDI OUT to the synthesizer MIDI IN.
Recording on the QX5 is usually very simple; just press [RECORD] and then
START]. But in order to make this example absolutely foolproof, we will make
sure all settings are correct. We will give detailed explanations of each function
later.
For us to record, memory protect must be off. Double-click the [TEMPO] switch
(quickly press it twice). Press three times to get the Memory Protect display, a
and press <1 to make it read “MEM.PROTECT OFF.” -
(Press three times)
(Press twice) |
TEMPO ital
£3) ab 4>MEM. PROTECT
EVENT EDIT JOB <a OF F
We need to hear ourselves play, so we will set the QX5 to transmit all messages
received at MIDI IN directly from MIDI OUT. (This is called Echo Back.) Dou-
ble-click the [CLOCK] switch. Press twice to get the Echo display, and
press <j or t to make it read “DIRECT”.
(Press twice) (Press twice)
CLOCK (Fi EJ [Ea
3>ECHO
LOAD/SAVE JOB < G DIRECT
We want to record MIDI messages coming in on channel 1, and play them back
on the same channel. Check to make sure that your keyboard is transmitting on —
channel 1 and that your tone generator is receiving channel 1 (see the owner's
manual for each device).
Double-click the |TRACK] switch. The display will show “INPUT ASSIGN", with
a blinking cursor at the lower far left. The number at the cursor should be “1”. If
not, use <I or & to change it to “1”.
(Press twice) (Press if —
9 23456789 10 11 12 13 141516
TRACK EDIT <a