Yamaha SY-35 User manual

AUTHORIZED
PRODUCTMANUAL
MUSICSYNTHESIZER
YAMAHA
®

YAMAHA
MUSICSYNTHESIZER

Congratulations!
Your SY35 Music Synthesizer offers extraordinary musical versatility and con-
trol witha "vector synthesis" system than combines Yamaha's advanced
AWM sample playback technology with high-performance FMtonegeneration.
Vector synthesis allows you to createand control synthesized sound with
unprecedented ease — in a very intimate, "human" way, putting you more
closely in touch with your instrument and music. Thevector control letsyou
blend sounds manually inreal time, and dynamic vectors let you "record"
dynamic vector sweeps that will play automatically whenever you play a note.
Foreven more expressive capability, the SY35keyboard features both velocity
sensitivity and after-touch response that canbe assignedto a number ofmusical
parameters. The more you play the SY35,the more you'llfind that "vectors"
will become an indispensable part ofyour musical repertoire.
Yamaha AWM and FMtone generators for superior sound and tonal versa-
tility.
2-element or4-element voice architecture brings AWM andFM waveforms
together.
Vector control for 2-axiscontrolofelementleveland detuning.
Dynamic leveland detune vectors canberecorded easily inrealtime.
128preset AWM waveforms and 256preset FMwaveforms — allinan
extended waveform ROM for superior sound quality — provide an extensive
library ofsonic"building blocks"from which to createnew voices.
64preset voices plus 64editable internal voice memory locations containing
an additional 64voices.
External memory cardsprovide limitless backup and storagecapability.
Easy-edit features make creating new voices quick and virtually program-
ming-free.
Detailed programming parameters for in-depth programming when necessary.
Fully programmable 8-part multi-play mode isperfect for sequencer-driven
applications, layered multi-voice performance, and splitkeyboard effects.
16preset multi-play setups plus 16editable internal multi-play memory loca-
tions containing an additional 16multi-play setups.
16internal digital effects including reverb and delayand distortion.
Overlapping voice selection capability for seamless voice transitions.
Velocity and after-touch sensitive keyboard.
Pitchbend and modulation wheels.
Stereo output.
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CONTENTS
GettingStartedManual
Precautions
About theManuals
The Getting Started Manual
Icons
TheFeature Reference Manual
TheControls & Connectors
FrontPanel
Rear Panel
1.Setting Up Your System
Connections
Power-on Procedure
Play the Demo
2.Selecting And Playing Voices
Play the Presets
ThePRESET, INTERNAL, and CARD
Voice Memories
Overlapping Voice Selection
3.Vectors
Manual VectorControl
How the VECTOR CONTROLWorks
Advanced Control:Dynamic Vectors
Try Out the SE*Elect Dynamic Vector
Recording An Original Dynamic Vector
StoreYour VoiceVector
InINTERNAL Memory
ForMore Detailed Vector Control
3
5
5
6
7
8
8
12
14
14
14
15
16
16
19
20
21
21
22
24
24
25
28
30
4.InstantVoice Programming
ForSerious VoiceEditing
5.TheMulti Mode
Try Out the PresetMulti Setups
When You Want ToCreatean Original
Multi
TheINTERNAL and CARD Memories
Multi Polyphony & Dynamic Voice
Allocation
Using the [STORE]Key toStoreVoices and
Multi Setups in INTERNAL or
CARD Memory
Conclusion
Glossary
Index
31
33
34
34
37
37
37
38
40
41
44

2

Precautions
1.AVOID EXCESSIVE
HEAT, HUMIDITY,
DUST AND
VIBRATION
Keep the SY35away from locations where it islikely to be exposedto high tem-
peratures or humidity — such asnear radiators, stoves, etc.Also avoid loca-
tions whichare subject to excessive dust accumulation orvibration which could
cause mechanical damage.
2.AVOID PHYSICAL
SHOCKS
Strong physical shocks to the SY35can cause damage. Handle it with care.
3.DO NOT OPEN THE
CASE OR ATTEMPT
REPAIRS OR
MODIFICATIONS
YOURSELF
This p roduct contains no user-serviceable parts. Refer all maintenance to quali-
fied Yamaha service personnel. Opening the caseand/or tampering with the
internal circuitry will void the warranty.
4.MAKE SURE POWER IS
OFF BEFORE MAKING
ORREMOVING
CONNECTIONS
Always turn the power OFFprior to connecting ordisconnecting cables.
5.HANDLE CABLES
CAREFULLY
Always plug andunplug cables by gripping the connector, not the cord.
6.CLEAN WITH A SOFT
DRY CLOTH Never use solvents such asbenzine or thinnerto clean the unit.Wipe clean with
asoft, dry cloth.
7.ALWAYS USE THE
CORRECTPOWER
SUPPLY
Always use the supplied AC Adaptor to power your SY35 or,ifthe original
adaptor islost or broken, a replacement or equivalent type obtained from your
Yamaha dealer. Also, make sure that the adaptor you have isappropriate for the
AC mains supply voltage in the area where you intend to use the SY35 (the
correct INPUT voltage ismarked on the adaptor).
8.ELECTRICAL
INTERFERENCE Since the SY35 contains digital circuitry, itmay cause interference and noise if
placed too closeto TV sets,radios or similar equipment. Ifsuch a problem does
occur, move the SY35 furtheraway from the affected equipment.
9.MIDI CABLES When connecting the SY35 to MIDI equipment, be sure to use high-quality
cables made especially for MIDI data transmission. Also avoid cables longer
than about 15meters, aslonger cables can pick up electrical noise that can
causes data errors.
3

10.MEMORY BACKUP The SY35contains a specialbackup battery that will retain the contents ofthe
internal RAM memory for up to approximately five years from the date ofmanu-
facture. When the battery finally fails the contentsofthe RAM memory will be
lost,sowe recommend that you make regular backup copies ofimportant data by
transferring the data to external memory cards (seepage 41ofthe Feature
Reference manual for information oncard data storage).Foreven greatersecu-
rity(memory card data can be lostdue to battery failure, accidental erasure,
etc.)saveyour data to floppy disk via a MIDI data filer unit such asthe Yamaha
MDF2.
Have the backup battery replacedby qualified Yamaha service personnel
(seeyour Yamaha dealer) after approximately 5 years.
IMPORTANT!: Yamaha cannot be held responsible for data losscaused by
backup failure orimproper operationofthe SY35!
11.THIRD-PARTY Yamaha can not take any responsibility for software produced for this product by
SOFTWARE third-party manufacturers. Pleasedirect any questions orcomments about such
software tothe manufacturer ortheir agents.
4

About the Manuals
The SY35 comes with two manuals — Getting Started and Feature Reference.
The Getting Started In addition to an overview ofthe SY35 controls and connectors (page 8),the
Manual (this manual) Getting Started manual contains five separatetutorials that take you step-by -
stepthrough the main procedures you will need to know tobecomefamiliar with
your SY35:
1.Setting Up Your System[Page14]
Basic system connections.
2.Selecting And Playing Voices[Page16]
Selecting and playing voices from the PRESET,INTERNAL and CARD
voice banks.
3.Vectors [Page21]
Using and understanding manual and dynamic vectors.
4.Instant Voice Programming [Page31]
The fast way to create an unlimited rangeofnew voicesfor the SY35.
5.TheMulti Mode [Page34]
Play severalvoicessimultaneously, orcontrolmultiple SY35voices from an
external MIDIsequencer.
We recommend that you go through the tutorials insequence while actually
carrying out procedures onyour SY35.Once you've gone through the entire
TUTORIALS section inthis way, you should befamiliar enoughwith the SY35
to need only the Feature Reference manual infuture.
5

The following simple icons areused throughout the Getting Started manual to
draw attention to important points and information where necessary. The icons
alsomake it easier to differentiate between information that you should read
immediately andinformation that can be skipped until later,hopefully helping you
to becomefamiliar with the SY35in the quickest, mostefficient manner possible.
Icons
This icon warns ofpossible hardware damage, software mal-
function,or any other serious problem that may occur due to
improper operation orsetup.
This icon marks information that you must read — i.e.important
steps or procedures that are essential for proper, efficient, or
easy operation.
IMPORTANT
The magnifying-glass icon indicates information that may not be
essential for general operation, but is a more detailed explana-
tion ofa feature, a description ofthe principle involved, etc.You
can skip thisinformation if fulldetails are not required
immediately.
Suggestions asto how a feature or function canbe applied musi-
cally are identified by this icon.
Hints or ideas that are not specifically musical but may make
operation easieror more interesting aremarked by the light-bulb
icon.
6

TheFeature The Feature Reference manual is the "nuts and bolts" reference for the SY35,
Reference Manual individually describing itsmany functions in detail. The Feature Reference man-
ual is divided into eight main sections, each describing the various functions
within a particular SY35edit orutility mode.
1.VOICECOMMON
[Page3]
2.VOICE VECTOR [Page9]
3.ELEMENT TONE [Page15]
4.ELEMENT ENVELOPE [Page25]
5.MULTI [Page33]
6.UTILITY SETUP [Page39]
7.UTILITY RECALL [Page47]
8.UTILITYMIDI[Page51]
Onceyou have becomefamiliar with the way the SY35works by goingthrough
the Getting Startedmanual, you shouldonly need to refer to the Feature
Reference manual from time to time to getdetailsonfunctions you've never
used before, orrefresh your memory about functions that you don't use very
often.
Eachsectionofthe Feature Reference manual has itsown tableofcontents,
soyou should beableto locate any particular function quickly and easily.
Functions and references can alsobe locatedby referring to the index atthe
backofthemanual.
7

The Controls & Connectors
Front Panel
VECTOR CONTROL
This is the key to SY35's remarkable vector
synthesissystem. The VECTOR CONTROL
allows manual control oflevel or detune for 2 or 4
voice "elements" simultaneously. It alsoallows
real-time recording ofdynamic level and detune
vectors.
[PITCH BEND] Wheel
This self-centering pitch wheel allows smooth
upward and downward pitch bends.
[MODULATION] Wheel
Can be assigned to apply pitch and/or amplitude
modulation for a range ofexpressive effects.
Keyboard
The SY35keyboard isboth velocity and after-
touch sensitive for broad, intimate expressive
control.
VOLUMEControl
Adjusts the volume ofthe sound delivered via
the rear-panel OUTPUT and PHONES jack.
VECTOR PLAY [ON/OFF] and [LEVEL/
DETUNE] Keys & Indicators
The [ON/OFF]key turns manual vector control
onor off, while the [LEVEL/DETUNE] key se-
lects levelordetune control.
8

[VOICE] Key & Indicator
Selects the normal voice play mode in which any
ofthe SY35's preset, internal or cardvoices can
be played viathe keyboard or other controller
connected to the MIDI IN connector.
[MULTI] Key & Indicator
Selects the MULTI mode in which up to 8 voices
can be played via simultaneouslyviathe key-
board or controlled on differentMIDI channels
via an external MIDI sequencer.
Cursor Keys
Movethescreen cursor fromparameterto
parameter inmany ofthe SY35editingfunctions.
[-1/NO]and [+1/YES]Keys
Can be used to select voices and multisetups,
and are used to edit parameter values in any of
the SY35edit modes. Either key can bepressed
briefly for single stepping in the specified direc-
tion, orheld for continuous scrolling. Thesekeys
are also used to answer the "Are you sure?"
confirmation prompt when saving or initializing
data.
[EDIT/UTILITY/COMPARE] Key
Accesses the SY35's voice edit, multi-play edit
and utilitymodes. Also activates the compare
function when in any edit mode, allowing quick
comparison ofthe original and edited voice or
multi-play setup.
9

LEDDisplay
This2-digit 7-segment LED numericdisplay
shows the bank and numberofthe currently
selected voice or multi-playsetup in the VOICE
PLAY or MULTI PLAY mode. It also indicates
when an edit or utilitymode is active, and shows
the character — A, B, C or D — ofthe currently
selected elementinone of the elementedit
modes.
Liquid Crystal Display Panel
This16-character x 2-line backlit liquidcrystal
display panel shows theselected voice or multi-
playsetupnameinthevoiceor multi-play
modes, as well as functionnames and param-
eters in the utilityand edit modes.
[STORE]Key
Used to store edited data to an internal or card
memory location.
[INTERNAL], [CARD], and [PRESET] Keys
&Indicators
Select the data bank — preset, internal or card
—from which voices ormulti-play setups willbe
selected.
10

[BANK]Select and Edit/UtilityMode Access
keys
In the VOICE PLAY or MULTI PLAY mode,
these keys— [1]through[8]— are used to
select thebank of thevoice or multi-play setup to
be selected.
In an edit or utilitymode, or immediatelyafter
the [EDIT/UTILITY] key has been pressed to
access these modes, these keys are used to se-
lected thedesired edit or utilityfunctiongroup
(green labels below thekeys).
[NUMBER/MULTI PARTSELECT] And
Element Control Keys
In the VOICE PLAY or MULTI PLAY mode,
these keys — [1]through[8]— are used to
select the number ofthe voice or multi-play setup
to be selected.
In the MULTI edit mode they select the multi
part to be edited, and in the ELEMENT TONE
orELEMENT ENVELOPE edit mode they are
used to select individualelements and turn indi-
vidualelements on and off for editing(green
labels below the keys).
[DEMO] Key
Activates the SY35 built-indemonstration — a
great way to hear what the SY35 can do after
you set upyoursystem.
11

REAR PANEL
DC 10V-12VIN Jack The DC outputcable from the supplied AC Adaptor should be connected here.
When connecting the power supply, make sure that the SY35POWER switch is
in the OFFposition (extended), then plug the AC adaptor output cable into the
DC 10V-12V IN jack, and finally the adaptor's AC plug into a convenient AC
wall outlet. The cable clip located immediately below the DC 10V-12VIN jack
helps to prevent accidental unplugging of the power supply during use. Wrap the
DC cable firmly around the clip a few centimeters from the plug end.
Do not attempt to use a different AC adaptor to power the SY35.
The use of an incompatible adaptor may cause irreparable dam-
age to the SY35, and might pose a serious shock hazard!
PHONES Jack
OUTPUT R and
L/MONO Jacks
FOOT VOLUME Jack
[POWER] Switch Slideto the "ON"position to turn power ON.
Accepts a standard pair ofstereo headphones (1/4"stereo phone plug) for
headphone monitoring ofthe SY35sound without the need for external amplifi-
cation equipment.
Theseare the main stereo outputs from the SY35.Ifa plug isinserted only into
the L/MONO jack, the left and right-channel signals arecombined and delivered
via this jack (for connection to a monaural sound system).
An optional Yamaha FC7foot controller connected here canbe used for volume
control.
12

SUSTAIN Jack An optional Yamaha FC4or FC5footswitch can be connected here for press-
on/release-off sustain control.
CARD Slot The CARD slot accepts Yamaha MCD64 or MCD32 Memory Cards for storage
and retrieval ofSY35voices.
MIDI IN, OUT and
THRU Connectors The MIDI IN connector receives the data from a sequencer or other MIDI con-
troller whichis to control the SY35.The MIDI THRU connector simply re-
transmits the data received at the MIDI IN connector, allowing convenient
chaining of MIDI devices. The MIDI OUT connector transmits data correspond -
ing to all SY35performance operations, or bulkdata when one ofthe MIDI voice
data transmission functionsare activated.
13

1.Setting UpYour System
Connections
The diagram below shows the basic connections in a setup using only the SY35
and a stereo sound system.
Make sure that both the SY35 and your sound system are turned
OFF when making connections.
Power-on Procedure Believe it or not, there's actuallya "right" way to turn ona sound system that
willminimize the possibility ofdamage to the equipment (and yourears!).
Make sure yoursound system's volume control and the SY35volume con-
trol are turned all the way down prior to turning power on.
Turn on the SY35.
Turn on the sound system.
Raise the sound system volume to a reasonable level.
Gradually raise theSY35VOLUME control while playing the keyboard to
set the desired listeninglevel.
14

IMPORTANT
The SY35 automatically transmits MIDI control change data cor-
responding to its control status when its power switch is turned
ON or OFF. This can interfere with operation of other MIDI
equipment connected to the SY35 MIDI OUT connector. If the
SY35 is connected to other MIDI equipment, the SY35 power
switch should
be turned ON first, and turned OFF last.
Play the Demo The SY35 isprogrammed with a demonstration sequence that you might enjoy
listening to after settingup your system. Take a shortbreak and enjoy the demo:
Press[DEMO]Key
Pressthe[DEMO]key."Yesto Start"will appearonthe LCDdisplay.
[+1/YES]toStarttheDemo
Pressthe [+1/YES]key to startdemo playback. "Noto Stop"will appear
ontheLCD display.Thedemonstrationwillplaycontinuously.
[-1/NO]toStoptheDemo
Pressthe[-1/NO]key when you want to stopdemoplayback.
-1
NO
Since the SY35 demonstration sequence uses voices in the
INTERNAL memory, demo playback may not sound right if any
of the internal voices have been edited and changed in any way.
Use the Factory Voice & Multi Restore function described on
page 45 of the Feature Reference manual to restore the original
internal voices prior to playing the demo. Be sure to save any
edited data that you want to keep to card before restoring the
voices (see page 41 of the Feature Reference manual), because
the Factory Voice & Multi Restore function will overwrite all
data in the internal memory.
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IMPORTANT

Selecting And Playing Voices
Thefirst thing you'll want todowith your SY35is select andplay someofits outstanding voices ... this sec-
tion will showyou how todo just that. We'll also look atthe overall SY35 voice memory configuration.
Play the Presets
Although the SY35 can access three different voice memories — PRESET,
INTERNAL, and CARD — let's begin by selecting and playing someofthe pre-
setvoices.
Select the Voice Play Mode
Ifthe MODE [VOICE]key indicator islit, then the Voice Play mode is
already selectedand you cango directly to the next step.Ifitisn't, press
the [VOICE]key to selectit.
MODE
The words "VOICEPLAY" alsoappear onthe top line ofthe LCD panel
when the Voice Play mode isselected.
Select the PRESET Voice Memory
Ifthe MEMORY [PRESET]key indicator isalready lit, then the PRESET
voice memory is already selected and you can go straight to the next step.
Ifitisn't,press the [PRESET]key to selectit.
MEMORY
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