Yamaha RM1x User manual

Yamaha RM1X Remix Sequencer -Power Users Guide
View the RM1X in the Yamaha Product Catalog
"Man, I love this box. This thing is hella-cool!" -D.J. Grant, one of
Seattle's top DJ's after his first experience with the RM1X.
The RM1x is a creative tool and therefore no single guide or manual will be able to fully explore all the
possibilities. How you finally wind up using the RM1x will depend greatly on your own imagination and
music.
Contents:
lWhat is a Sequence Remixer?
lBasic Skills: Pattern Mode
lBasic Skills: Section Mode
lBasic Skills: Mute Mode
lBasic Skills: Track Selection
lThe Control Knobs
lThe Play Effects Defined
lThe Voice Knobs Defined
lCreating your own Patterns
lPump Up the Bass
lRecord Modes
lPattern Edit Jobs
lPattern Mode Jobs
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What is a Sequence Remixer?
Within this one device you have a MIDI synthesizer tone generator, a professional sequencing program, and
a real-time MIDI control surface. As a tone generator, the RM1x features a 16-part multi-timbral synthesizer.
The tone generator section features a powerful sound set (designed specifically for today’s dance-oriented
music genres)with 654 sounds, 46 drum kits, 3 fully editable on-board effect processors, a real-time
controllable fully resonant LPF (Low Pass Filter) per part, editable voicing parameters, all with real-time
access via the knobs. The sequencer section features a high resolution (480 ppqn), 20 Song, 20 Pattern
Chain, and 110 on-board Patterns.
Patterns are divided into 60 Preset Pattern Styles and 50 User Pattern Styles. Each Pattern Style has 16
musical sections, and each Section is itself a Pattern. Each user track is called a "Phrase". Up to 16 Phrases
can be combined to make up a Pattern Section. The sequencer offers you a complete array of editing jobs,
many featuring real-time, non-destructive access to the results via the front panel knobs.
The RM1x also is a sophisticated MIDI controller. It can send its magic out via the MIDI out jack, and each
function is MIDI transmittable so you are not limited by the sound set of the built-in synthesizer. In addition,
the RM1x reads both type 0 and type 1 Standard Midi Files via the built-in floppy disk drive, so you can
perform your remix of a sequence regardless of what sequencer program originally created the data. You
can then use the RM1x’s many features to remake the tracks. Data can be freely moved back and forth
from Song mode (linear tracks) to the looped-based Pattern tracks (maximum loop length = 256 measures
per pattern section!). This allows you to "import" data from any SMF songs. Perhaps you really like a drum
pattern you created 4 years ago that you found on an old diskette. Even if you created it using a computer
sequencer it doesn’t matter--you can save the data as a SMF then load it into the RM1x. You can then
define and grab data from linear tracks and use it in constructing your original beats.
Basic Skills: Pattern Mode
The first RM1x skills you need to learn concern the Pattern mode functions: Section mode (real-time
rearrange), the Mute mode (change the active instruments), and track selection (real-time and/or stand-by
editing).
Make all appropriate connections to a great sound system. A system with a sub-woofer is highly
recommended for full effect (lighting, fog and additional atmosphere enhancement, optional!). Set the PA’s
EQ to flat -you will control the EQ from the RM1x. Remove any effect processing from the external sound
system -you will control all effects from the RM1x as well.
Figure 1: The Main Pattern mode screen
Basic Skills: Section Mode
1. Select [PATTERN] mode if not already selected and choose a Preset Style (P01-P60) via display
knob #1 or the cursor arrows and [YES/+1], [NO/-1] buttons. Holding [SHIFT] while changing values
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moves rapidly through the numbers.
2. Press and illuminate the LED for the [SECTION] mode (flashes).
3. Press the [PLAY] button
4. Try changing sections by pressing a white key [A]-[P].
You can also set how quickly the RM1x responds to Section changes. Press [STOP] and press the
[UTILITY] button. Use display knob #3 to select either 1/16 or 1 measure resolution for Pattern Quantize.
(See diagram below).
Figure 2: Utility System. Use the [<] [>] Display arrows to see additional Utility screens
A Pattern Quantize setting of 1/16 resolution requires fairly good timing and can be used to great effect on
certain types of music. Try triggering sections with a rapid-fire, stutter-step action. This is great on fast Drum
& Bass or aggressive Jungle patterns.
The 1 measure resolution setting will change sections at the start of the next measure and is appropriate
setting for certain styles of music and it requires less rhythmic precision.
In general, the selected Pattern Style contains up to 16 tracks per lettered section [A] thru [P]. (16 lettered
sections). You can view track activity via the bar graphs in the main Pattern screen display. Later you can
construct your own original Patterns and Phrases. Take note of the upper right-
hand corner of the screen for
the measure count. This will show the current measure and the total length of the current Section, (i.e., 001
of 008, 002 of 008 and so on). You will find some sections as short as 1 measure. These are intended as fill-
ins, but there are no strict rules. Pattern Section changes allows you to rearrange the performance in real
time. Sections can be user defined as Verse, Chorus, Interlude, Intro, Fill in, Ending or any such designation
that fits your kind of composition.
Remember: You can, at anytime, press the [SECTION] button to return and change sections
Basic Skills: Mute Mode
Now let’s explore the [MUTE] mode.
1. Press [MUTE] so that its LED is flashing. Tracks with activity will have a red LED above them. You
can mute (silence) an active track by pressing its associated white key. When you do this Its
corresponding LED will flash.
2. The white keys are laid out so that you can quickly mute several parts. The preset patterns have a
recommended track convention with kick drum tracks usually set on tracks 1 and 2, snare/clap type
parts on 3 and 4, hi-hat/shaker type parts on tracks 5 and 6, other percussion on 7 and 8. Instrument
parts are typically found on tracks 9-16, with the bass line normally on track 9. It is important to
remember that you can skip this convention if you'd like and place any type of instrument on any
track, but generally you'll want to stick with the recommended track assignments.
3. While in MUTE mode 9 of the 10 black keys recall stored mute configurations: the lowest black key
(F#)/(ALL) mutes all tracks; lowest G# mutes tracks 1~8; lowest A# mutes 9~16; C# brings all the
tracks back. The 5 upper black keys are user Mute Memory locations described below.
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4. You can assign 5 different mute groups for instant recall. When you have the instruments you want
muted you can store this with the RM1x’s Mute Memory function. The 5 highest black keys can
store/recall mutes when the RM1x is in MUTE mode. [SHIFT] + [MUTE MEMORY] key will store a
Mute and simply touching a MUTE MEMORY key (while in MUTE mode) will recall the setting.
Store Mute -hold [SHIFT] + [MUTE MEMORY] key -Upper 5 black keys are designated
memories
Recall Mute -touch a [MUTE MEMORY] key while in MUTE mode
Solo a Track -hold [SHIFT] + [MUTE] then touch the key corresponding to the track [1]-[16]
Figure 3: Pattern screen 1 with reverse video "M" signifying muted tracks. A muted track’s LED
flashes. Hold [SHIFT] + [MUTE] to activate the Solo feature. The soloed track’s LED flashes. An
inverse video "s" signifies solo. To exit solo mode hit [MUTE]. If you wish to isolate several tracks,
simply MUTE ALL tracks and then activate only the ones you wish to hear.
If neither the [MUTE] nor the [SECTION] button LED's are flashing you are in normal play mode. The RM1x
keyboard is active on the track last selected (highlighted in the screen). Here the red LED above each track
will show when activity occurs on that track. At anytime, in any of the 3 modes discussed thus far, you can
select and edit a track via the knobs. You can change the octave via the [OCT+], [OCT-] buttons. You can
also activate the arpeggiator from this normal mode. In fact, pressing the [ARPEGGIO ON] button
automatically selects Normal mode. The arpeggiator settings can be made or changed at anytime via the
front panel [Arpeggio] section.
Basic Skills: Track Selection
As stated above, the preset Patterns have the drums mapped to tracks 1-8 and the music tracks on 9-16
and you can conform to this template for your own music or not-- it’s your choice). However, if you use a
consistent track assignment within a Style it will make editing and Play Effecting much more easy and
convenient. Regardless of whether or not you follow the default template, you will want to come up with
some consistent track layout from Section to Section. This way you always know what track has your bass
sound is on, what track your kick drum is on, what track a cool synth effect is on, etc.
The RM1x control knobs are active for the selected track or tracks. Tracks are selected by touching
[TRACK] + [1]…[16]. The selected track will be indicated in the screen by an inverse video box around its
number and its track LED will illuminate. You can select ALL tracks, tracks 1-8, or tracks 9-16 for
simultaneous editing by holding down the selection buttons while moving the knobs. So, for example, if you
want to close the filter on all tracks simultaneously, hold [TRACK] + [ALL] with your left hand while turning
the CUTOFF knob with your right hand.
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Figure 4: Shows the 2 Pattern screens with track 1 selected / User Style U08 / User phrase 001. The
second screen, PATCH, shows the individual Phrases that are ‘patched’to make the Pattern Style.
The screen # is indicated in the upper left portion of the screen next to "PATT".
The Control Knobs
Located in the upper right corner of the front panel are the 8 control knobs. These knobs are assignable, and
the parameter assigned can be determined by the condition of the A/B KNOB LED. When the LED is lit you
read the function listed and highlighted with white (see figure 5 below). When you first power the RM1x on,
the knobs are in their default setting and follow the assignments listed on the front panel. The row of knobs
control PLAY EFFECTS: Beat/Time Stretch, Clock Shift, Gate Time, and Velocity. The bottom row knobs
control the following VOICE parameters: Cutoff, Resonance, EG Decay, and Pitch Bend. When the A/B
KNOB LED is not illuminated the same 8 knobs control a section set of PLAY EFFECT and VOICE
parameters. In this configuration, the row knows controls the following PLAY EFFECT parameters: MIDI
Delay, Octaver, Harmonize 1, and Harmonize 2. The bottom row knobs control the following VOICE
parameters: Variation send, Reverb send, Chorus send, and Part volume.
The control knobs can also be used as volume pots, pan pots, and/or individual effect sends to the 3 on-
board processors. This is accomplished at any time by pressing the [SETUP] button twice (see figure 5
below). On this screen you can assign the knobs to control 1-8 when A is selected and 9-16 when B is
selected via the Knob A/B switch, indicated by its LED. You have great flexibility in assigning parameters to
knobs via this Setup page.
Figure 5: Setup screen-by changing the Template you can reassign the 8 control knobs to Volume,
Pan, or sends for each channel Whether setting up for a Remix or performing a ‘live’session you
can change this assignment, as necessary, during playback.
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