Yamaha DX7 SuperMAX+ User manual

Music Technologies Group
Yamaha DX7 SuperMAX+
User Guide
Version 2.20
November 2018
Preliminary

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CONTENTS
1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 3
SuperMAX Features ...................................................................................... 3
SuperMAX+ Features .................................................................................... 3
Documentation Disclaimer ............................................................................. 4
Installation...................................................................................................... 4
Manual Conventions ...................................................................................... 4
2: Starting Out ....................................................................................................... 5
Description ..................................................................................................... 5
Saving and Loading ....................................................................................... 6
Function Page Selection ................................................................................ 6
Memory Bank Selection ................................................................................. 7
Version Check ............................................................................................... 7
3: Arpeggiator ....................................................................................................... 8
Selection ........................................................................................................ 8
Editing ............................................................................................................ 8
In Use .......................................................................................................... 11
4: Temperament.................................................................................................. 12
Selection ...................................................................................................... 12
Editing .......................................................................................................... 12
In Use .......................................................................................................... 13
5: Top-Level Control Settings ............................................................................. 14
6: Patch Function Settings .................................................................................. 15
7: Delay ............................................................................................................... 17
8: Voice Stacking ................................................................................................ 19
9: Patch Creation/Morphing ................................................................................ 21
10: Tips & Troubleshooting ................................................................................. 26
Appendix A: SuperMAX Factory Sounds ............................................................ 28
Appendix B: Panel Layout ................................................................................... 29

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1: Introduction
The SuperMAX+ is a very powerful option board that provides increased memory
and greater control of the legendary Yamaha DX7 synthesizer.
SuperMAX Features
 Memory Expansion: Sixteen banks of 32 patches equaling 512 patches
total. Two banks of "factory" patches are included.
 Voice Stacking: You can stack and detune two, three or four voices of the
same patch. You then have a choice of 16x1, 8x2, 5x3 or 4x4 polyphony.
The detuning can provide chorus effect and/or chording and/or octaves
(for example).
 Voice Delay: Add additional notes of the same or different pitch, delayed
from 10ms to 10s for each note you play.
 Arpeggiator: You can predefine 32 types of arpeggiation over part or all of
the keyboard.
 Sound Creation and Morphing: New patches can be developed and
existing ones can be selected live by pitch/mod wheel, velocity, random,
etc.
 Temperament: You can predefine 4 different keyboard tunings.
 Programmable master volume.
 Programmable keyboard zones, MIDI zones and MIDI channel.
SuperMAX+ Features
 Addition of mounting hardware makes SuperMAX+ more stable than the
original.
 Included battery holder option will save wear and tear on the DX7 main
board from battery re-soldering and leakage.
 Minor bug fixes and cosmetic changes to the user interface (LCD menus).
 Supported by someone that supports the original developer, not rips him
off.
 Faster boot-up. Reduced boot time by about 1.5 seconds. [v2.10+]
 Fixed a Yamaha bug in the oscillator frequency table. (Affects stock DX7’s
before v1.8, original SuperMAX and unlicensed SuperMAX clones.
Unknown which other expansions are affected.) [v2.10+]
 [Rev B] Hardware-selectable MIDI Velocity Offset fixes the stock DX7
velocity issue.

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Documentation Disclaimer
The SuperMAX was originally developed in the mid-80's by MAXsystems in
France. The "SuperMAX+" version is manufactured by Music Technologies
Group with permission from the original developer, however, MTG has limited
insight into (or ability to change) the underlying functionality. MTG, like you, is
simply interested in getting the very most out of such a ground-breaking
synthesizer by using this great mod.
This User Guide was put together from various (brief) manuals found on the 'net
as well as hands-on use and collaboration with other users. There may be errors
or omissions in the manual. Feel free to contact MTG with contributions to make
this manual better.
Installation
You are looking at the wrong document. Please refer to the SuperMAX+
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
This document is broken up into chapters based on the building blocks that
SuperMAX provides such as Arpeggiator, Delay, Stacking, Temperament, etc.
Also, an attempt is made to follow the panel numbering in order where possible.
Inside each chapter the panel buttons for that feature are described. In some
cases there is spillover from one chapter to another due to the nature of
SuperMAX.
It is recommended that you read the manual several times and then the
operation and functional sections will be much clearer. This is a powerful
expansion that many of us are learning about for the first time ever, nearly 30
years after it was released. Compared to other expansion options, it's really fairly
easy to use (once you have a good manual for it, wink wink).

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2: Starting Out
The first time you power-up the DX7 with the SuperMAX installed, and in fact any
time the battery is changed, there will be a 5-second delay before the greeting
message is seen. This is normal, do not panic. The greeting message should
look something like this:
* Welcome to *
* SuperMAX+! *
All 16 of the memory banks are now filled with the 2 banks of SuperMAX
"factory" sounds. You can overwrite any or all of these sounds, but make sure to
read the tips later in this document before you begin to do so!
Description
SuperMAX has 512 memory locations (16 banks) and you can store in each
location:
 the sound patch/voice, plus
 all of the parameters of the normal DX7 functions, plus
 the new parameters of SuperMAX functions.
Ignoring the patch/voice elements for the moment, these programmable values
are:
DX7 Functions:
 Mono/Poly
 Pitch Bend (Range and Step)
 Portamento (Mode, Glissando and Time)
 Modulation Wheel (Range and Assignment: Pitch, Amplitude, EG Bias)
 Foot Controller (Range and Assignment: Pitch, Amplitude, EG Bias)
 Breath Controller (Range and Assignment: Pitch, Amplitude, EG Bias)
 Aftertouch Control: (Range and Assignment: Pitch, Amplitude, EG Bias)
SuperMAX Functions:
 Master Volume
 Keyboard Zone Limit Keys (Low and High)
 MIDI Keyboard Zone Limit Keys (Low and High)
 MIDI Channel Out
 Arpeggiator Preset Number
 Delay Time, Volume, Feedback, Pitch Transpose and Hold
 Voice Stack Mode Volumes and Pitches, Coarse and Fine
 Patch Creation/Morphing (Rolling Mode, Sound Creator, Velocity Cross-
switch)

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Saving and Loading
You can save a complete bank of 32 sounds and functions to any RAM cartridge
in 3 possible formats:
 SuperMAX Format, DX-MAX Format or standard DX7 Format. DX-MAX is
another MAXsystems product that preceded the SuperMAX.
When you load patches from a cartridge, SuperMAX is able to automatically
recognize the right format:
 If the cartridge is in DX-MAX Format all functions not used by DX-MAX are
set to zero (0).
 If it’s in DX7 Format, the default values for the extra SuperMAX
parameters are those in the EDIT BUFFER!
So, if you want to load a memory bank from a cartridge with a standard
DX7 Format, then prepare the EDIT BUFFER with the SuperMAX
values you want and all the 32 memories will be initialized with these
values! You have to do the same for MIDI receive (MIDI transmit only
sends the voice memories). If your loaded voices have unintended
arpeggiation, voice stacking or delays, this is why. One solution is to
select/edit a patch first that is "clean" of delays, stacking, etc. For your
convenience, the Appendix has a patch list for the SuperMAX factory
sounds.
Function Page Selection
For reference, see the full color Panel Layout in the Appendix.
BUTTON 13: Function Page Select
The new functions are accessible by pressing the Function button #13 which is
the PAGE CHANGE function. You can switch alternatively from one page to the
other by pressing Function button #13.
 Page 1 is the normal DX7 function list plus "Memory Bank Select" on
Function button #12
 Page 2 is the "SuperMAX new functions" list
There is no unique LCD message for this operation. Each Function Page
remembers your last position (your last button press on that page). This button is
active for both Page 1 and Page 2 so that you can toggle back and forth.

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Memory Bank Selection
BUTTON 12: Memory Bank Select
The function assigned to previously unused button #12 (Page 1 only!) is now
Memory Bank Select. Pressing Function, then 12 brings up this screen.
FUNCTION CONTROL
Memory Bank=16
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 choose. 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 512 voices.
CAVEAT: Keep in mind that this is the same for any function button. That means
for example: if the most recently selected Function is (Page 2) SUPERMAX
CONTROL KEY CONTROL (also on button #12) you could disconnect the
keyboard (LOCAL OFF) without knowing the reason but on the other hand it can
be very useful with other functions. For example: if the most recently selected
function is TEMPERAMENT (button #14), you can change the keyboard
temperament in "play" mode.
Version Check
You can check the version of your SuperMAX+ by pressing the brown
FUNCTION key and while holding it down press and hold 16 and 32. You should
see a version message such as:
MAXsystems v2.10
With stock Yamaha ROMs you will be prompted to enter Test Mode. Other
expansions may offer part of the test mode or some other message.
[Rev B] The latest revision of the SuperMAX+ board has a physical switch on the
circuit board that lets you add a velocity offset to the DX7’s MIDI note data. This
screen will say “Vel=+0” (normal) or “Vel=+3” (offset applied) depending on the
position of said switch.

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3: Arpeggiator
Each of your SuperMAX patches will reference one of the thirty-two arpeggiators
stored in the SuperMAX memory. It's essential you leave at least one of these 32
arpeggiators "off" so that patches that don't utilize arpeggiation can reference
that particular arpeggiator.
There are other buttons that associate the Arpeggiators with specific patches.
That information is covered later. This section deals only with how a specific
arpeggiator should operate.
Selection
When designing your arpeggiation "styles", the first thing to do is select which of
the 32 arpeggiator slots you are working with.
BUTTON 1: Arpeggiator Select
Arpeggiator #
Using the Data Slider or + / - buttons, choose one of the arpeggiators 1 through
32 for editing. Once selected, the remaining buttons in this family, Button 2
through Button 10 are used to set the parameters for each arpeggiator.
If the patch you are using already has an arpeggiator assigned, it's number will
automatically be copied to this screen when you press this button. This allows a
moderately easy way to go from patch to patch and see which arpeggiator is
selected for it.
Editing
BUTTON 2: Edit Arpeggiator Mode/Direction
Set the selected arpeggiator's direction. You can also turn off the arpeggiator
here.
Arpeggiator #
MODE=OFF

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The choices for MODE are:
 OFF = Arpeggiator is off
 UP = Arpeggio from low to high
 DOWN = Arpeggio from high to low
 UP/DOWN = Arpeggio from low->high then from high->low
 BACKWARD ASSIGN = Arpeggio reversed from the played notes
 FORWARD ASSIGN = Arpeggio from the played notes
 RANDOM = Random arpeggio from the played notes
BUTTON 3: Edit Arpeggiator Key Latch
Arpeggiator #
LATCH=OFF
The choices for LATCH are:
 OFF = Arpeggio stops when your hands leave the keyboard
 AUTO = Holds the arpeggio, when you play new notes the old ones stop
to leave place to the new ones
 EXTEND = Like AUTO but the old notes does not stop. To reinitialize the
EXTEND mode press YES/+
BUTTON 4: EDIT Arpeggiator Velocity
Arpeggiator #
VELOCITY=PLAYED
The choices for VELOCITY are:
 PLAYED = each note will be played back with its original velocity
 FIXED = each note will be played back with a fixed velocity
 RANDOM = each note will be played back with a random velocity
(randomized on the middle range)
 RANDOM+ = each note will be played back with a random velocity
(randomized on the full velocity range)
BUTTON 5: EDIT Arpeggiator Extend Number/Length
Arpeggiator #
NUMBER OF EXT= 0
The range is 0 to 7. This is the number of times that a note is repeated or an
arpeggio transposed.

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BUTTON 6: EDIT Arpeggiator Extend Mode
Arpeggiator #
EXT MODE=REPEAT
The choices for EXT MODE are:
 REPEAT = Each note is repeated as many times as chosen in Func #5
 RANDOM = The number of repetitions is random (the maximum value is
the one chosen in func #5)
 ROTATE = The whole arpeggio is transposed as many times as chosen
in Func #5
 EVOLVE = The same as ROTATE but the notes of the arpeggio are
transposed only one after the other in an evolutionary manner.
BUTTON 7: EDIT Arpeggiator Extend Interval
Arpeggiator #
INTERVAL=12
The range is 0 to 12 in semitones. This is the interval of transposition for each
extension.
BUTTON 8: EDIT Arpeggiator Low Limit Key and High Limit Key
Arpeggiator #
LIMIT KEY L=C -2
Arpeggiator #
LIMIT KEY H=G 8
Select the keyboard zone for the arpeggiator. Press Button 8 to set the lower
key, then press Button 8 again to set the higher key. The value is chosen using
the Data Slider or the + / - buttons.
BUTTON 9: EDIT Arpeggiator Gate Time
Arpeggiator #
GATE TIME=1/2
The choices for GATE TIME are 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16. This allows the EG to
transition through it's envelope.

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BUTTON 10: EDIT Arpeggiator Tempo/Clock
Arpeggiator #
TEMPO= 80
The range for the TEMPO setting is 40 through 240 BPM and additional values
for MIDI Clock IN are MIDI/4, MIDI/2, MIDIx1, MIDIx2, MIDIx4.
In Use
When using the arpeggiator, the first decision you need to make is whether one
arpeggiator is used for the entire DX7 or whether each patch can select it's own
arpeggiator.
BUTTON 11: SuperMAX Arpeggiator Control, Global or Per-Patch
SupMAX Control
ARPEGGIATOR=RAM
With Arpeggiator Control set to =RAM (Patch Memory), each patch has its own
arpeggiator. In this case the patch establishes the arpeggiator it wants to use
with patch parameter Func #21 (see below).
With Arpeggiator Control set to =1, all the patches use Arpeggiator #1. This
mode enables you to listen to your various presets either without an arpeggiator,
or with a common arpeggiator. You may choose to have preset 1 turned off if
you do not wish to use an arpeggiator while auditioning sounds.
BUTTON 21: Patch Arpeggiator Number
SupMAX Function
ARPEGGIATOR= 1
You can choose any of the 32 preset arpeggiators for each sound (if Func #11 =
RAM). Function #21 sets the arpeggiator number for the active patch. If you don't
want arpeggiation, select an arpeggiator that has it's MODE setting set to OFF.
NOTE: The notes generated by the Arpeggiator can be sent out over MIDI.
Please see Func #19 and Func #20 to enable this feature.

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4: Temperament
There are four temperament in the SuperMAX. Whichever one you select is "live"
for both use and editing.
Selection
BUTTON 14: Temperament Select
Temperament #
95.00 B 5
Using the Data Slider or + / - buttons, choose a temperament number, 1 through
4. This chooses the temperament for playing (live) as well as editing.
The information on the second line is informational only. You need to use a
different button (below) to edit it. The second line shows the tuning for the last
key played and the key number itself. The information is live so you can play
different keys to see the tuning.
Editing
BUTTON 15: Edit Temperament Coarse Pitch
Temperament #
COAR= 95.00 B 5
Play a key to adjust the pitch for. You will see the key number on the right hand
side of the bottom line. Then use the Data Slider to set the coarse pitch (whole
part) from 0 to 127.
BUTTON 16: Edit Temperament Fine Pitch
Temperament #
COAR= 95.00 B 5
Play a key to adjust the pitch for. You will see the key number on the right hand
side of the bottom line. Then use the Data Slider to set the fine pitch (cents or
fractional part) from 0 to 99.

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In Use
You are already using it. You can't turn this feature off, just select the
temperament (1 to 4) of your choice.

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5: Top-Level Control Settings
There are two settings that determine which additional parameters get saved with
a patch.
 Button 11 "SUPERMAX CONTROL ARPEGGIATOR", discussed earlier in
the Arpeggiator chapter, sets whether each patch has it's own arpeggiator
(setting = RAM) or if there is one global arpeggiator (setting = 1).
 Button 12 "SUPERMAX CONTROL KEY CONT", discussed here,
performs a somewhat similar oversight for the keyboard zone setting
discussed later in the next chapter.
BUTTON 11: SuperMAX Arpeggiator Control, Global or Per-Patch
See the "In Use" section of the Arpeggiator chapter for more information about
this item.
BUTTON 12: SuperMAX Keyboard Control
This function establishes whether the keyboard is turned on or off and whether
the active region is set globally or per-patch.
SupMAX Control
KEY CONT=RAM
The choices for CONT are:
 OFF = This turns the keyboard off such that it does not control the DX7
(also known as LOCAL OFF).
 RAM = Each patch has its own Keyboard ZONE (limit keys) chosen in
Func #18 and its own MIDI KEY OUT mode chosen in Func #19.
 NORMAL = The Keyboard ZONE and the MIDI KEY OUT mode that you
set is the same for all patches.

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6: Patch Function Settings
There are several new SuperMAX parameters that can be saved with each
patch. These include volume, keyboard zones, MIDI channel out and which
arpeggiator the patch is assigned to use.
See the previous chapter as well because the keyboard zone and arpeggiator
number can be overridden by a global value.
BUTTON 17: Set Patch Master Volume
SupMAX Function
MASTER VOLUME= 7
The overall volume for the patch can be set to a value from 0 to 7. This allows
you to trim the patch volume levels for the appropriate impact when playing live
or switching from patch to patch.
BUTTON 18: Set Patch Keyboard Zone, Limit Key Low and High
SupMAX Function
LIMIT KEY L=C -2
SupMAX Function
LIMIT KEY H=G 8
This function specifies the zone or region of the keyboard that will control the
DX7 by setting a Low Limit Key and a High Limit Key. The next button, Func #19,
then expands on how the zoning is utilized.
Press Button 18 to set the lower key, then press Button 18 again to set the higher
key. The value is chosen using the Data Slider or the + / - buttons.
BUTTON 19: Set Patch MIDI Out Keyboard Region
SupMAX Function
MIDI KEY OUT=ALL
This section determines how the zoning specified in Func #18 is used (which key
data is sent out over MIDI). This allows you to use part of the keyboard for local
sound generation and part of it for MIDI control of another synthesizer.

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The choices for MIDI KEY OUT are:
 MID = The middle portion of the keyboard higher than LIMIT KEY L and
lower than LIMIT KEY H is active.
 LEF = The keyboard zone to the left (below) LIMIT KEY L is active.
 RIG = The keyboard zone to the right (above) LIMIT KEY H is active.
 L+R = The keyboard zones below LIMIT KEY L and above LIMIT KEY H
are active.
 ALL = The entire keyboard is active. The zones set by LIMIT KEY L and
H are ignored.
 DEL = Only note information from the DELAY will be transmitted.
 ARP = Only note information from the ARPEGGIATOR will be sent.
BUTTON 20: Set Patch MIDI Out Channel
SupMAX Function
MIDI CH OUT= 1
The MIDI note data transmitted (as defined in the previous sections) will be sent
out on the MIDI Channel specified here. The range is 1 to 16.
BUTTON 21: Set Patch Arpeggiator Number
See the "In Use" section of the Arpeggiator chapter for more information about
this item.

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7: Delay
SuperMAX provides several programmable Delay parameters for a variety of
digital delay effects that greatly expand the DX7's sound capabilities.
BUTTON 22: Delay Time
SupMAX Function
DELAY TIME= 80
The Delay Time can be set from 10 to 9930 milliseconds.
BUTTON 23: Delay Volume
SupMAX Function
DELAY VOLUME= 0
The Delay Volume can be set from 0 to 3. When the Delay Volume is set to
zero, this feature is off.
BUTTON 24: Delay Feedback
SupMAX Function
DELAY FDBACK= 0
The Delay Feedback range can be set from 0 to 15. Don't forget that the DX7 is
only 16-note polyphonic and that the delay uses up polyphony. However, the
feedback is very effective and it's rare to need a lot of feedback
BUTTON 25: Delay Pitch Transpose
SupMAX Function
DELAY P.T.= 0.08
SupMAX Function
DELAY P.T.= 0.08

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With each repeat the pitch increases by the value set here. There are two scales.
 Scale 1 is the fractional part .00 to .99 (cents/hundredths of a semitone).
 Scale 2 is the whole number of semitones (0 to 12).
BUTTON 26: Delay Hold
SupMAX Function
DELAY HOLD= OFF
The Delay Hold can be turned ON or OFF. You can clear the notes and start over
by pressing the "Yes/+1" button.

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8: Voice Stacking
SuperMAX allows you to stack a DX7 patch in modes of 16x1 (standard, no
stacking), 8x2, 5x3 or 4x4. Each of the extra three voices can have it's own
volume and pitch. Thus you can create not only chorus/flange type effects, but
also octave and chording.
BUTTON 27: Stack Voice Volumes
There are up to three additional voices, or copies of the patch, available in this
mode. How many of the three are "turned up" determines the stacking
arrangement. So you don't need to concern yourself with selecting a stacking
scenario, only how many volumes to set non-zero.
The three additional voices are called "2", "3" and "4". You access each in a
circular fashion by pressing the same function button over and over again. In this
case it is Func #27.
Voice Stack Mode
VOLUME 2= 0
Voice Stack Mode
VOLUME 3= 0
Voice Stack Mode
VOLUME 4= 0
The range of volume for each voice is 0 to 3. To completely disable this
feature, set all volumes to zero.
BUTTON 28: Stack Voice Coarse Pitch
Voice Stack Mode
COARSE 2=-12.00
Voice Stack Mode
COARSE 3=- 5.00
Voice Stack Mode
COARSE 4= 7.00

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Here you can set the coarse pitch for each of the three additional voices in
semitones from -24 to +24.
BUTTON 29: Stack Voice Fine Pitch
Voice Stack Mode
FINE 2=-12.00
Voice Stack Mode
FINE 3=- 5.00
Voice Stack Mode
FINE 4= 7.00
Here you can set the fine pitch for each of the three additional voices in cents
from .00 to .99.