Yamaha SY55 User manual

YAMAHA
®
AUTHORIZED
PRODUCTMANUAL
MUSIC SYNTHESIZER

YAMAHA
MUSIC SYNTHESIZER

SUPPLEMENTALMARKING INFORMATION
Thisinformation on safety isprovidedtocomplywithU.S.A.laws,butshouldbeobserved byusersinallcountries.
YAMAHA Digital MusicalInstrument Products will have either a labelsimilar tothe graphic shown below ora molded/
stamped facsimileofthe graphic on its enclosure.The explanationofthese graphicsappearsonthis page.Pleaseobserveall
cautions indicated.
Theexclamationpoint within an equilat-
eraltriangleisintendedtoalertthe usersto
the presenceofimportant operatingand
maintenance (servicing)instructions in the
literature accompanying the product.
Thelightning flash with arrowhead symbol
within an equilateraltriangle isintended to
alertthe userofthe presenceofuninsu-
lated"dangerousvoltage"within theprod-
uct'senclosurethat may be ofsufficient
magnitude to constitute a riskofelectric
shocktopersons.
FCCINFORMATION (USA)
While the following statements are provided to comply with FCCRegula-
tions inthe UnitedStates, thecorrective measures listed belowareappli-
cableworldwide.
Thisseries of YAMAHA professional musicequipment uses frequencies
that appearintheradiofrequency rangeandifinstalledinthe immediate
proximity of some types of audioor video devices (withinthree meters),
interference mayoccur. Thisseries of YAMAHA professional music equip-
ment has been type tested andfound to comply with the specifications set
for a class B computing device inaccordance with those specifications
listedinsubpart J of part 15of the FCC rules.These rulesaredesigned to
provide a reasonable measure of protection againstsuch interference.
However, thisdoes not guarantee thatinterference will not occur. Ifyour
professional musicequipmentshouldbe suspected of causinginterference
with other electronic devices, verification can be madebyturning your pro-
fessional musicequipment off and on.Ifthe interference continues when
your equipment isoff,the equipment isnotthesource of interference. If
your equipment does appearto be the source of the interference, you
should try to correct thesituationbyusingoneor more of the following
measures:
Relocate eitherthe equipment or theelectronic device that isbeingaf-
fected bytheinterference. Utilizepower outlets for the professionalmusic
equipmentandthedevice beingaffected thatare on different branch (cir-
cuit breaker or fuse) circuits, or install AC linefilters.
Inthe case of radio or TV interference, relocate the antennaor,ifthe an-
tenna lead-inIs300 ohm ribbonlead,change the lead-into a co-axial type
cable.
Ifthese corrective measures do not produce satisfactory results, please
contact your authorized YAMAHA professional products dealer for sugges-
tions and/orcorrective measures.
Ifyou cannot locate a franchised YAMAHA professional products dealer in
your general area contact the Electronic Service Division,YAMAHA Corpo-
rationof America, 6600 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620, U.S.A.
Ifforany reason, you should need additional information relating to radio
or TV interference, you may find a booklet prepared bythe Federal Com-
municationsCommission helpful:
"How to identify and Resolve Radio - TV Interference Problems". This
booklet isavailable from theU.S.Government Printing Office, Washington
D.C.20402 - Stock No.004-000-00345-4.
Thisapplies only to products distributed byYAMAHA CORPORATION OF
AMERICA.
IIMPORTANT NOTICE FOR
THE UNITEDKINGDOM
Connecting the Plug andCord
IMPORTANT. The wires in this mains lead are
coloured in accordance with the following code:
BLUE : NEUTRAL
BROWN : LIVE
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of
this apparatus may notcorrespond with the
coloured markings identifying the terminals in
your plug proceed as follows:
The wire which iscoloured BLUE must be con-
nected to the terminal which ismarked with the
letter N or coloured BLACK.
The wire which iscoloured BROWN must be con-
nected tothe terminal which ismarked with the
letter L or coloured RED.
Thisappliesonlyto products distributedbyYAMAHA-KEMBLE
MUSIC(U.K.)LTD.
CANADA
THISAPPARATUSCOMPLIESWITH THE"CLASS B"LIMITS
FOR RADIONOISEEMISSIONSSET OUT INRADIOINTERFER-
ENCEREGULATIONS.
This appliesonlytoproductsdistributedby YAMAHACANADA
MUSICLTD.

SY55 Music Synthesizer
Operating Manual

Congratulations!
Your YAMAHA SY55 Music Synthesizer features a breakthrough voice architecture
that allows extensive sample layering and programmable dynamic timbre variation. With
the SY55, individual sampled "waves" — either those pre-programmed in ROM or others
available via plug-in waveform cards — are building blocks that you arrange and process
with a sophisticated dynamic filter system to create sound that's a perfect match for your
music. You alsohave pitch envelope generators, amplitude envelope generators, a range of
34programmable effects, real-time sound control viaa range ofcontrollers, and a wealth
of other ways to customize your sound. Add to allthis a sophisticated 8-track sequencer,
and you have a complete musicproduction workstation aswell asan outstanding perform-
ance tool.
The SY55is one digital synthesizer that puts samples in their proper place. Ratherthan
rigid sounds that limit the musical outcome, the SY55's samples are flexible tools that the
musician can shape, color and combine to create an original world of sound.
MAIN FEATURES
Second-generation 16-bit AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory) technology for superior sound.
Versatile 1,2, or 4-element voice architecture and complex envelope generators forextensive sample
layering capability.
Sophisticated dynamic filter system offersunlimited real-time timbre variation.
74waveform samples in ROM.
64 preset voices in ROM.
64-voice internal RAM memory.
External waveform and voice card slots.
Multi-play mode allows independent control of up to 16voices.
16memory locations formulti-play setups.
Drum voices allow 61 different drumand other waveforms to be assigned to differentkeys.
Sophisticated built-in 8-track sequencer takes full advantage of the multi-play mode and drum-setvoices.
Velocity switching forexpressive power.
Extensive voice editing functions.
Keyboard initial and after touch response.
Arange of controllers: pitch wheel, modulationwheel, continuous slider, breathcontroller jack,foot
volume jack,sustain switch jack.
34high-quality programmabledigital effects builtin.
Stereo output.

Contents
PRECAUTIONS ...........................................................2
HOW TO USE THIS OPERATION MANUAL ..............................3
THE CONTROLS & CONNECTORS .....................................4
TUTORIALS ........................................................... 10 *
1. SETTING UP YOUR SYSTEM .......................................... 11
2. SELECTING AND PLAYING VOICES ...................................13
3. THE MULTI PLAY MODE .............................................. 19
4. RECORDING & PLAYBACK WITH THE SEQUENCER .................... 27
5.EDITING VOICES .....................................................35
REFERENCE
VOICE EDIT MODE ....................................................50 *
DRUM EDIT MODE ..................................................... 92 *
MULTI EDIT MODE ....................................................104*
SEQUENCER MODE ....................................................116 *
UTILITY MODE ....................................................... 130 *
ERROR MESSAGES ................................................ 144
SPECIFICATIONS .................................................... 147
INDEX ................................................................ 148
*Seethese pages for local tables of contents.
1

PRECAUTIONS (PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE PROCEEDING!!)
1. Avoid Excessive Heat, Humidity, Dust and Vibration
Keep the unitaway fromlocations where it is likely to be exposed to high
temperatures or humidity— such as near radiators, stoves, etc. Also avoid
locations which are subject to excessive dust accumulation or vibrationwhich
could cause mechanical damage.
2.Avoid Physical Shocks
Strong physical shocks to the unitcan cause damage. Handle it withcare.
3. Do Not Open The Case Or Attempt RepairsOr Modifications Yourself
This productcontains no user-serviceable parts. Refer all maintenanceto
qualified YAMAHA service personnel. Opening the case and/or tampering
with the internal circuitry will void the warranty.
4.Make Sure Power IsOff Before MakingOr RemovingConnections
Always turnthe power OFFprior to connecting or disconnecting cables.
5. Handle Cables Carefully
Always plug and unplug cables — including the AC cord — by gripping
the connector, not the cord.
6. Clean Witha Soft Dry Cloth
Never use solvents such as benzine or thinner to clean the unit.Wipe clean
witha soft,drycloth.
7. Always Use the Correct Power Supply
The power requirements forthe SY55 are clearly markedon the rear
panel. Make sure the specified mainsvoltage matches the voltage in yourarea
before using the unit!
8. ElectricalInterference
Since the SY55 contains digitalcircuitry,itmaycauseinterference and
noise if placed too close to TV sets, radios or similarequipment. If such a
problem does occur, move the SY55 furtheraway from the affected equip-
ment.
9. Memory Backup
The SY55 contains a special long-lifebattery thatretains the contents of
its internal RAM memoryeven when the power is turnedOFF.The backup
battery should last for approximately 5 years. When the batteryvoltage drops
toa level thatis too low to maintainthe memory contents, the following
message will appear on the SY55 display when the poweris turnedON:
If thisdisplayappears, have the backupbatteryreplaced byqualified
YAMAHA service personnel. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPLACE THE
BACKUP BATTERY YOURSELF!
2

HOW TOUSE THIS OPERATIONAL MANUAL
This operation manualis broadlydividedinto two main sections — TU-
TORIALS and REFERENCE.
What's IntheThe TUTORIALS section contains fiveseparate tutorials thattake you
TUTORIALS
Section step-by-step through the mainprocedures you will need to knowto become
familiarwithyourSY55:
1.SETTING UP YOUR SYSTEM [Page11]
Basic system connections.
2. SELECTING AND PLAYING VOICES [Page 13]
Selecting and playing voices from the PRESET, INTERNAL and
CARD voice banks.
3.THE MULTI PLAY MODE [Page 19]
Creating multi-voice setups foruse with the SY55 sequencer.
4. RECORDING & PLAYBACK WITH THE SEQUENCER [Page 27]
Using the SY55's internal sequencer to record and play back your
originalcompositions.
5.EDITING VOICES [Page 35]
The basic informationyou need to know about the AWM2 tone
generation system in order to editvoices quicklyand efficiently,
and general procedure forediting and creatingnew voices.
We recommend that you gothroughthe tutorialsin sequence while ac-
tuallycarryingoutthe procedures on yourSY55. Once you'vegone through
the entire TUTORIALS section in thisway,you should be familiarenough
withthe SY55 to need only the REFERENCE section infuture.
What'sIntheThe REFERENCE section is the "nuts and bolts" section of the manual,
REFERENCE
Section individuallydescribing each of the SY55's manyfunctionsor "jobs" in
detail. The REFERENCE section is dividedintofivesub-sections, each
describingthe variousjobs withina particularSY55 mode.
1.VOICE EDIT MODE [Page 50]
2. DRUM EDIT MODE [Page 92]
3.MULTI EDIT MODE [Page 104]
4. SEQUENCER MODE [Page 118]
5.UTILITY MODE [Page 130]
Once you havebecome completely familiarwiththe waythe SY55
worksby going throughthe TUTORIALS section, you should onlyneed to
referto the REFERENCE section from timeto timeto get detailson jobs
you'veneverusedbefore,orrefresh yourmemoryaboutjobsthatyou don't
use veryoften.
Each sub-sectionortheREFERENCE sectionhas itsown table of con-
tents,so youshouldbe able to locateany particularjobquicklyand easily.
Functionsandreferences can also be locatedbyreferringto theINDEXat
theback ofthemanual.
3

THE CONTROLS & CONNECTORS
FRONT PANEL
KeyboardThe SY55 keyboard is both velocity and after-touch sensitive forbroad
expressive control.
[PITCH] Wheel This self-cenetering pitch bend wheel allows smooth upwardand down-
ward pitch bends.
[MODULATION] Wheel Can be assigned to apply pitch modulation,amplitude modulation,cutoff
modulation,envelope generator bias,and other effects.
MASTER VOLUME Adjuststhe volumeof the sound delivered viathe rear-panel OUTPUT
Control and PHONES jack.
[SEQUENCER] Keys Control the record, play and measureselection functions of the internal
&Indicator sequencer.
[INTERNAL], [CARD] Select the databank — internal,card or preset — from whichvoicesor
and [PRESET] Keys multi-playsetups will be selected.
[VOICE] Key & IndicatorSelects the normalvoice playmodeinwhichany of the SY55's preset,
internalor card voices can be played viathekeyboardoran externalcontrol-
ler connected to the MIDI IN connector.
4

[MULTI] Key & Indicator Selects the multi-play mode in which up to 16voices can be controlled on
16differentMIDI channels viathe SY55's internal sequencer or an external
MIDIsequencer.
[SEQ]Key & Indicator Selects the sequencer modein which 8 independent tracks can be recorded
and played back usingthe variousinstrumentsin one of the SY55 multi-play
setups.
[EDIT/COMPARE] Key Activates the voice editmode when a voice between 1 and 62 is selected,
&Indicator the drumedit modewhen voice number63 or 64 is selected, themulti-play
editmode if the multi-playmode is selected, or the sequencer editmodeif the
sequencer mode is selected. Also activates the compare functionin certain
edit modes, allowing quick comparison of the originaland edited voice or
multi-playsetup.
[UTILITY] Key Accesses the SY55 utilityfunctionsincludingMIDI parameters,master
tuning,transposition,overall velocitycurveselection, effecton/offswitching,
memorycard formattingand save/load operations.
[STORE/COPY] Key Used to store edited datato an internalor card memorylocation. Also
selects several handydatacopy functionsin the SY55 editmodes.
5