USER INSTRUCTIONS FOR SY-EDIT

1. INTRODUCTION

• the frequency modulation (FM) voices can now be fully edited, including separate envelopes for carrier and modulator, although the FM presets can be selected from the editing software;
• amplitude modulation (AM) and pitch modulation (PM) can be individually assigned to modulator and carrier in the FM voices;
• the temperament (scale) of both the AWM and FM waves can be changed;
• a visual representation of the envelopes is displayed.

Note that, for the most part, the synthesizer front-panel numbers for various parameters can be forgotten, since they are sub-sets of the available MIDI values, e.g. on the front-panel levels go from 0 to 99 whereas over MIDI they go from 0 to 127.

2. USER INTERFACE

1. Title;
2. Element Area A;
3. Element Area B;
4. Element Area C;
5. Element Area D;
6. Voice Common Area;
7. Vector Area;
8. Edit Area which displays the currently selected item (elements A to D, Voice Common or Vector);
9. Button Area which has a row of buttons along the bottom of the display that have the following functions:
   • A: Select element A (AWM) to be edited in the Edit Area.
   • B: Select element B (FM) to be edited in the Edit Area.
   • C: Select element C (AWM) to be edited in the Edit Area.
   • D: Select element D (FM) to be edited in the Edit Area.
   • Glob: Select common voice elements to be edited in the Edit Area.
   • Vect: Select a graphic display on the vector information in the Edit Area.
   • Get: Send a voice request and receive voice information from the synthesizer.
   • Load: Load a voice from disk.
   • Save: Save the current voice to disk. The file is saved as a binary file that can be read by Steinberg’s Satellite desk accessory. The file includes four initial bytes for Satellite, followed by a complete system exclusive dump. The default name for the file is the name of the voice, with all non-alphanumeric characters converted to an underscore. All files are saved with the extension ‘BNK’ regardless of what the user enters for an extension.
   • Quit: Return to the desktop.

2.1 Element Area

1. velocity response: This is the line that appears next to the element name.
2. element level: This parameter graphically displays the volume of the element. Range 0 to 127
3. pan position: This parameter graphically displays the pan position of the element. Pressing the left mouse button shifts the pan position left and the right button shifts it right.
4. envelope shape: This is a graphical display of the envelope of the element. For the FM elements, two envelopes are displayed, the thick line being the carrier envelope, and the broken line being the modulator envelope.

   2.2 Voice Common Area

   In the Voice Common Area, the following are available:
   • voice name: This parameter displays the voice name. Clicking on the first three characters selects voice type. The voice types were defined by Yamaha after the release of the SY-22, but before the release of the SY-35, to allow for easy identification of voice type. These voice types are as follows:
     • SP: Synth Pad - sustaining synth sound for holding chords
     • SC: Synth Comping - decaying synth sounds with some shape
     • AP: Acoustic Piano - any sound resembling an acoustic piano
     • EP: Electric Piano - any sound resembling an electric piano
     • BR: Brass - sound resembling brass, including synth brass
     • ST: Strings - sounds resembling strings, including synth strings
     • WN: Wind - wind instruments and sound-alikes
     • BA: Bass - all bass or suitable bass sounds
     • CH: Choir - choirs, vocal-like sounds of any shape
     • KY: Keyboards - any other keyboards
     • PL: Plucked - plucked instruments, sharp decay synth
     • ME: Musical Effect - tuned sound effects
     • SE: Sound Effect - untuned sound effects
     • OR: Organ - all organs, organ-like synth sounds
     • PC: Percussion - all percussion and synth percussion instruments
     • DR: Drum Kit - any voice using the drum kit
     • KS: Keyboard Split - split keyboard voices
     • CT: Controllers - where controller use is essential for sound
     This two character combination is separated from the rest of the voice name with an asterisk. Clicking on any of the other characters selects a new character at that position.
   • elements: This parameter displays the element configuration of the voice. A-B or A-B-C-D
   • effect type: This parameter displays the currently selected effect type.
   • effect level: This parameter displays the level of the current effect. Range 0 to 7
   • pitch bend: This parameter displays the range of the pitch bend wheel. Range 0 to 12
   • mod wheel AM: This parameter displays whether AM is controlled by the modulation wheel. OFF or ON
   • mod wheel PM: This parameter displays whether PM is controlled by the modulation wheel. OFF or ON
   • A.T. AM: This parameter displays whether AM is controlled by after-touch. OFF or ON
   • A.T. PM: This parameter displays whether after-touch is assigned to control PM. OFF or ON
   • A.T. level: This parameter displays whether after-touch is assigned to alter the level of the voice. The sensitivity is individually editable for each element. OFF or ON
   • A.T. pitch bend: This parameter displays the maximum pitch bend introduced by after-touch. Range +/- 12

   2.3 Vector Area

   The Vector Area, the following are available:
   • level vector step: This parameter displays the step in the level vector to be edited. Range 1 to 50
   • level X value: This parameter displays the C-D level ratio. Range +/- 31
   • level Y value: This parameter displays the A-B level ratio. Range +/- 31
   • level repeat: This parameter displays the number of times the step is repeated before moving on to the next. Range 1 to 254, "End" or "Rep"
   • level step time: This parameter displays the time between consecutive steps. Range 10 to 160 ms
   • detune vector step: This parameter displays the step in the detune vector to be edited. Range 1 to 50
   • detune X value: This parameter displays the C-D detune ratio. +/- 31
   • detune Y value: This parameter displays the A-B detune ratio. +/- 31
   • detune repeat: This parameter displays the amount of times the step repeats before moving on to the next. Range 1 to 254, "End" or "Rep"
   • detune step time: This parameter displays the time between consecutive steps. Range 10 to 160 ms

   2.4 Edit Area

   The contents of the Edit Area depend on the currently selected edit mode. When the program starts up, it is in Global edit mode. The modes are explained as follows:

   2.4.1 AWM Edit (Elements A and C)

   When elements A or C are selected for editing, the following parameters are available to be edited:
   • Column 1
     • wave: This parameter displays one of the 128 AWM waveforms for the element.
     • pitch shift: This parameter displays the pitch of the element. Range +/- 12 semitones
     • velocity response: This parameter graphically displays the velocity response.
     • A.T. response: This parameter graphically displays the after-touch response.
     • LFO wave: This parameter graphically displays the LFO wave form.
     • LFO speed: This parameter displays the speed of the LFO. Range 0 to 31
     • LFO delay: This parameter displays the delay before the LFO starts. Range 0 to 255
     • LFO rate: This parameter displays the rate at which the LFO comes in. Range 0 to 255
     • LFO AM depth: This parameter displays the amount of amplitude modulation. Range 0 to 15
     • LFO PM depth: This parameter displays the amount of pitch modulation. Range 0 to 31
     • envelope: This parameter displays a preset envelope type. This may not necessarily relate to the actual envelope shape, which can be edited by the user. When the voice is sent to the synth, the envelope type is always set to ‘USER’.
   • Column 2
     • level: This parameter displays the volume of the element. Range 0 to 127
     • temperament: This parameter displays the pitch scaling of the element. Range 0 (normal) to 3
     • detune: This parameter displays the detune of the element. Range 0 to 15
     • level scaling: This parameter graphically displays the keyboard scaling for envelope level.
     • rate scaling: This parameter graphically displays the keyboard scaling for envelope rate.
     • envelope delay: This parameter displays whether the global envelope delay is enabled. OFF or ON
     • initial level: This parameter displays the volume before the envelope starts. Range 0 to 127
     • attack rate: This parameter displays the envelope attack rate. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • attack level: This parameter displays the volume at the end of the attack stage. Range 0 to 127
     • decay rate 1: This parameter displays the envelope decay rate 1. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • decay level 1: This parameter displays the volume at the end of the decay 1 stage. Range 0 to 127
     • decay rate 2: This parameter displays the envelope decay rate 2. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • decay level 2: This parameter displays the volume at the end of the decay 2 stage. Range 0 to 127
     • release rate: This parameter displays the envelope release rate. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)

   2.4.2 FM Edit (Elements B and D)

   When elements B or D are selected for editing, the following parameters are available to be edited:
   • Column 1
     • wave: This parameter displays one of the 256 preset FM waveforms. This is used to select the FM parameters of the preset sounds. Since these sounds are editable, this name will not necessarily reflect the actual sound.
     • pitch shift: This parameter displays the pitch of the element. Range +/- 12
     • velocity response: This parameter graphically displays velocity response.
     • A.T. response: This parameter graphically displays after-touch response.
     • LFO wave: This parameter graphically displays the LFO waveform.
     • LFO speed: This parameter displays the speed of the LFO. Range 0 to 31
     • LFO delay: This parameter displays the delay before the LFO starts. Range 0 to 255
     • LFO rate: This parameter displays the rate at which the LFO comes in. Range 0 to 255
     • LFO AM depth: This parameter displays the amount of amplitude modulation. Range 0 to 15
     • LFO PM depth: This parameter displays the amount of pitch modulation. Range 0 to 31
     • LFO AM carrier assign: This parameter displays whether AM is assigned to the FM carrier. OFF or ON
     • LFO AM modulator assign: This parameter displays whether AM is assigned to the FM modulator. OFF or ON
     • LFO PM carrier assign: This parameter displays whether PM is assigned to the FM carrier. OFF or ON
     • LFO PM modulator assign: This parameter displays whether PM is assigned to the FM modulator. OFF or ON
     • envelope: This parameter displays a preset envelope type. This may not necessarily relate to the actual envelope shape, which can be edited by the user. When the voice is sent to the synth, the envelope type is always set to ‘USER’.
   • Column 2 (carrier)
     • level: This parameter displays the volume of the element. Range 0 to 127
     • temperament: This parameter displays the pitch scaling of the carrier. Range 0 (normal) to 3
     • detune: This parameter displays the detune of the carrier. Range 0 to 15
     • level scaling: This parameter displays the keyboard scaling for carrier envelope level.
     • rate scaling: This parameter displays the keyboard scaling for carrier envelope rate.
     • envelope delay: This parameter displays whether the global envelope delay is enabled for the carrier. OFF or ON
     • initial level: This parameter displays the carrier volume before the envelope starts. Range 0 to 127
     • attack rate: This parameter displays the carrier envelope attack rate. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • attack level: This parameter displays the carrier volume at the end of the attack stage. Range 0 to 127
     • decay rate 1: This parameter displays the carrier envelope decay rate 1. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • decay level 1: This parameter displays the carrier volume at the end of the decay 1 stage. Range 0 to 127
     • decay rate 2: This parameter displays the carrier envelope decay rate 2. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • decay level 2: This parameter displays the carrier volume at the end of the decay 2 stage. Range 0 to 127
     • release rate: This parameter displays the carrier envelope release rate. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • fixed frequency: This parameter displays whether the frequency of the carrier is fixed. OFF or ON
     • waveform: This parameter displays the carrier waveform. Range 0 to 7
     • harmonics: This parameter displays the frequency of the carrier. Range 0 to 15
   • Column 3 (modulator)
     • level: This parameter displays the modulator level. Range 0 to 127
     • temperament: This parameter displays the pitch scaling of the modulator. Range 0 (normal) to 3
     • detune: This parameter displays the detune of the modulator. Range 0 to 15
     • level scaling: This parameter displays the keyboard scaling for modulator envelope level.
     • rate scaling: This parameter displays the keyboard scaling for modulator envelope rate.
     • envelope delay: This parameter displays whether the global envelope delay is enabled for the modulator. OFF or ON
     • initial level: This parameter displays the modulator level before the envelope starts. Range 0 to 127
     • attack rate: This parameter displays the modulator envelope attack rate. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • attack level: This parameter displays the modulator level at the end of the attack stage. Range 0 to 127
     • decay rate 1: This parameter displays the modulator envelope decay rate 1. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • decay level 1: This parameter displays the modulator level at the end of the decay 1 stage. Range 0 to 127
     • decay rate 2: This parameter displays the modulator envelope decay rate 2. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • decay level 2: This parameter displays the modulator level at the end of the decay 2 stage. Range 0 to 127
     • release rate: This parameter displays the modulator envelope release rate. Range 0 to 63 (fastest)
     • fixed frequency: This parameter displays whether the frequency of the modulator is fixed. OFF or ON
     • waveform: This parameter displays the modulator waveform. Range 0 to 7
     • harmonics: This parameter displays the frequency of the modulator. Range 0 to 15
     • feedback: This parameter displays the amount of FM feedback. Range 0 to 7

   2.4.3 Edit Voice Common

   When Voice Common data is selected for editing, the following parameters are available to be edited:
   • voice name: This parameter displays the voice name. See section 2.2.
   • effect type: This paramet
   • Synth basic receive and transmit MIDI channels and SY-Edit MIDI channel (on the Global Edit page) should all be set to the same channel.
   • New voice data is sent to the synthesizer each time a parameter is changed.
   • The program does not implement a MIDI Thru function, since the SY-22 and SY-35 are keyboard instruments, and so its inclusion is superfluous.
   FM Waves:
   • Note that the SY-22 only supports 2-operator FM synthesis. In voice configuration A-B-C-D it could be argued that it is four operator,trolled by after-touch. OFF or ON
   • A.T. level: This parameter displays whether element volume is controlled by after- touch. The sensitivity is individually editable for each element. OFF or ON
   • A.T. pitch shift: This parameter displays the maximum pitch bend introduced by after-touch. Range +/- 12 semitones
   • envelope delay rate: This parameter displays the amount by which envelopes are delayed. This is global to all elements, but individually switchable for each. Range 0 to 127
   • pitch bend: This parameter displays the range of the pitch bend wheel. Range 0 to 12
   • common attack rate: This parameter displays the offset to the attack rates of all elements. Range -64 to +63
   • common release rate: This parameter displays the offset to the release rate of all elements. Range -64 to +63
   • MIDI channel: This parameter displays the MIDI channel on which to transmit.
   • synth: This parameter displays the currently selected synthesizer. SY-22 or SY-35

   2.4.4 Vector Display

   When Vector information is selected, a graphical representation is displayed for the X and Y elements for both the level and detune vectors. Note that some of the detail is missing in order to fit all four vectors on the display, however it is still more detailed than on the synthesizer’s front panel! Note also that for two element voices (A-B) only the Y values are relevant. No parameters can be edited in this display.

   3. GENERAL NOTES

   MIDI:
   • Atari MIDI In should be connected to synthesizer MIDI Out, and Atari MIDI Out to synthesizer MIDI In.
   • Synth basic receive and transmit MIDI channels and SY-Edit MIDI channel (on the Global Edit page) should all be set to the same channel.
   • New voice data is sent to the synthesizer each time a parameter is changed.
   • The program does not implement a MIDI Thru function, since the SY-22 and SY-35 are keyboard instruments, and so its inclusion is superfluous.
   FM Waves:
   • Note that the SY-22 only supports 2-operator FM synthesis. In voice configuration A-B-C-D it could be argued that it is four operator, with two independent carrier and modulator stacks.
   • Selecting a preset FM waveform will select the appropriate parameters for carrier waveform, fixed frequency and harmonics and all parameters for modulator. These parameters can then be freely edited. However, note that the FM name does not change, so what appears as the element wave name will not necessarily bear any resemblance to the preset FM wave of that name.
   • The greater the modulator level, the more harmonically complex the sound becomes. By using the envelope, it is possible to create a convincing filter sweep effect.
   • To create a normal vibrato, the LFO is assigned to both the modulator and the carrier. By assigning it to only the carrier or the modulator, ‘beating’ effects can be created.
   • To create a normal tremolo, the LFO is assigned only to the carrier. By assigning to the modulator, either as well as the carrier or instead of the carrier, further ‘beating’ effects can be created.
   • Selecting a temperament other than 0 for the modulator can create effects similar to that of ring modulation. Selecting a waveform other than 0 introduces more harmonics, making the resulting sound more complex.
   • Setting pitch modulation to affect only the modulator or only the carrier will create complex ‘beating’ effects, as will applying amplitude modulation to the modulator.
   • Selecting a temperament other than 0 for the carrier alters the pitch keyboard tracking, effectively ‘stretching’ the scale of the keyboard.
   AWM Waves:
   • Selecting a temperament other than 0 alters the pitch keyboard tracking, altering the scale of the keyboard.
   Envelopes:
   • For envelope types, the Preset type for each voice is displayed if it is received from the synth, but cannot be selected from the editor. Selecting an envelope type, other than User, will set up appropriate parameters for the element’s envelope (in the case of elements B and D, for the carrier’s envelope).
   Vectors:
   • For vectors, step 1 cannot be ‘Rep’ (repeat), and step 50 should be either ‘End’ or ‘Rep’ if none of the preceding steps are ‘End’ or ‘Rep’. If this is not the case, the data for the vector will continue through the synthesizer’s memory, producing a random vector;
   • If ‘Rep’ is selected for any step, then the X and Y values for that step are not used.

   4. TROUBLESHOOTING

   No sound from the synth:
   • When a sound is first sent to the synth, all elements are sometimes disabled. Press the element on/off keys to turn on the elements.
   • Local control turned off on the synth. Switch on local control.
   Synth will not receive voice data:
   • MIDI receive channel on synth is different to MIDI channel of program. Set MIDI channels to the same value.
   • Faulty MIDI cable between Atari MIDI Out and synth MIDI In. Replace cable.
   Program will not receive voice data:
   • Faulty MIDI cable between Atari MIDI In and synth MIDI Out. Replace cable.
   • MIDI receive channel on synth is different to MIDI channel of program. Set MIDI channels to the same value. To stop the program from hanging up, manually transmit voice from the synth.

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