EX5Tech EX5 F.A.Q. About the Instruments Q. What are the EX5, EX7, and EX5R? The EX5 is a 76-key synthesizer, the EX7 is a 61-key synthesizer, and the EX5R is a rack-mountable tone generator module. Except for having or not having a keyboard, and minor controller differences, the EX5 and EX5R have essentially the same features and functions. The EX7 is a simpler version of the EX5, with differences in tone generator structure and features. What is the maximum polyphony of the EX instruments?
The EX5's Song Sequencer is a full-featured sequencer complete with real-time play effects — including 'groove' quantization — and a comprehensive range of editing functions. A 30,000 note memory gives this sequencer plenty of capacity for recording and playback of complete songs with rich musical textures and complex arrangements.
The EX5 and EX5R AWM tone generator sections have a maximum polyphony of 126 notes, plus the output from the VL, AN, and FDSP tone generator sections. The maximum polyphony of the EX7 is 64 notes from the AWM tone generator stage plus the output from the AN and FDSP tone generator stages. The actual polyphony, however, will depend on the tone generator stages used simultaneously, the number of elements used in voices, and effect settings.
The number of notes available decreases in proportion to the number and type of elements used. For example, If an EX5 or EX5R voice uses two AWM elements, the maximum polyphony is 64 (in the same situation on the EX7, maximum polyphony would be 32). Voice Type EX5/ 5R Polyphony EX7 Polyphony AWM/ Drum. 126 64 VL+ AWM 1+ AWM - FDSP 16 8 AN( Poly)+ AWM 2+ AWM 1+ AWM AN( Layer)+ AWM 1+ AWM - AN+ FDSP AN: 1; FDSP: 8 -.Please note that the actual polyphony may be reduced under certain conditions. About the Tone Generation System Q. What is Extended Synthesis? Each EX family synthesizer incorporates multiple highly-acclaimed synthesis engines from Yamaha, with which is most appropriate for your desired sound you can play the instrument.
What is AWM Synthesis? AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) is one of popular synthesis from Yamaha, that enables sound creation using sampled waveforms provided (preset). AWM provides you an advantage of realistic and natural reproduction.
Even more, the EX family synthesizers allow for user sampling to add a new waveform and use it with AWM as well as preset ones. With the EX, you get virtually unlimited expandability in AWM waveforms. Please, listen to the Audio Track No. #05 Pf: Natural Grnd, #09 Or: Jimmy Perc and #15 Gt: Steel. VL refers to the name of another musical instrument product from Yamaha, and actual name of the synthesis adopted to that product and EX is VA (Virtual Acoustic). Based on a DSP (digital signal processing) technology, VA synthesis can create a virtual musical instrument that is called a physical model, simulating an instrument itself, not its sound or timbre.
Simulated instruments such as sax or flute (wind instruments), guitar or violin (string instrument) are especially highly acclaimed in its realistic sound. This innovative synthesis is available with the EX5 and EX5R. Please, listen to the Audio Track No.
#12 Br: Trumpet. What is AN synthesis? AN is a synthesis that fully simulates an analog synthesizer based on a DSP technology called Analog Physical Modeling. AN synthesis has an advantage to create a fat and heavy lead or bass sound. Please, listen to the Audio Track No. #17 Ba: Boogie On A. What is FDSP synthesis?
FDSP (Formulated Digital Sound Processing) synthesis has advantages of VA-based physical modeling and AWM technologies and implementation of their natural time variance of timbre and realistic tone. Using 10 different types of FDSP, including simulations for electric piano and electric guitar pick-ups, you can create a realistic sound or an unprecedented effect in many nuances. Please, listen to the Audio Track No. #07 Pf: Jazz Chorus, #08 Pf: Chorus Bell and #20 Pd: Silverlake. Can VL and AN voices be used together in a performance setup? Unfortunately, no more than one DSP-based synthesis engine (VL, AN) can be used at a time. But you can use the EX sampling feature to sample the VL and/ or AN sounds you want to use, and them use them in AWM elements.
About the Voices Q. How many voices are there? The EX5, EX7, and EX5R come with 512 preset voices (265 preset + 256 internal), and 128 performance setups.
The internal voices and performance setups can be edited and rearranged as required. What types of voices are provided?
When initially shipped the EX Preset banks contain a range of keyboard type voices, while the Internal banks contain a variety of voices which are ideal for dance music. Thanks to the Extended Synthesis system and the EX series sampling capability, these instruments are capable of producing an extraordinary range of sounds suited for use in dance music, pops, rock.
Even jazz and classical genres. Several voice demonstration are provided as audio tracks on this CD-ROM. Play these demos on a standard audio CD player for maximum quality. The best way to hear the extraordinary range of voices available, however, is to actually play them on the EX series instruments. What do the characters preceding the voice and performance names mean? The two characters preceding the voice and performance names indicate the voice 'category,' and are useful for identifying and locating specific types of voices. LCD Category LCD Category - No Assign Pd Synth Pad Pf Piano Fx Synth Sound Effects Cp Chromatic Percussion Et Ethnic Or Organ Pc Percussive Gt Guitar Se Sound Effects Ba Bass Dr Drums St Strings/ Orchestral Sc Synth Comping En Ensemble Vo Vocal Br Brass Co Combination Rd Reed Wv Material Wave Pi Pipe Sq Sequence Ld Synth Lead Q.
Is the VOICE mode for simple voice sounds? Up to 4 elements can be used in a single Normal Voice, so extremely complex sounds can be produced in the VOICE mode. In addition, 2 voice 'scenes' can be specified to allow advanced real-time voice variation. Voice can be layered in the PERFORMANCE mode, and Drum Voices which have a different structure from the Normal Voices are provided for even more versatility.
What is the structure of Drum Voices? A single Drum Voice can have as many as 128 different elements. Normally these would be different drum and percussion instruments assigned to different keys of the keyboard.
Sampled data can also be used, so instead of simple drum sounds you can assign loops and break beats to different keys as required. And since different filter settings can be applied to each of the 128 elements, extremely precise sound control is possible. When is the PERFORMANCE mode most useful? When using the sequencer to play up to 16 voices with individual settings, or when layering 2 voices for a thicker sound, or when programming a split keyboard setup. This mode also provides a range of MIDI settings which give the EX5 and EX7 advanced MIDI master keyboard capabilities. What is the preset wave capacity?
16 megabytes. But thanks to advanced Yamaha compression technology, this is actually equivalent to about 29 megabytes of uncompressed wave memory. 1 megabyte of sampling DRAM is also provided with the basic EX configuration. How can I initialize the memory?
Turn the power on while holding the EXIT button. This erases all internal voice, performance, system, and MIDI parameters. To restore the initial factory settings, use the supplied floppy disk.
About Sampling Q. Do the EX instruments have sampling capability? Sampled waveforms can be used in AWM and drum voices. The EX Key Map feature also makes use of sampled waveforms. What is the sampling frequency? Samples are recorded by the EX instruments at 44.1 kHz. Samples read from AKAI(r), AIFF or WAV files, however, can be of any standard sampling frequency.
Is the sampling memory expandable? In addition to the 1 megabyte of DRAM initially provided, two SIMM slots are provided for up to an additional 64 megabytes (65 megabytes total). The optional EXFLM1 board can also be installed for an additional 8 megabytes of non-volatile sample memory.
What type of expansion SIMMs can be used? A pair of 72-pin DRAM SIMMs are required, each with a capacity of 4, 8, 16, or 32 megabytes. Is waveform editing software available? The latest version of the Yamaha freeware TWE for Windows and Macintosh can be used. This application was originally released for use with the Yamaha CBX-D3/ 5 HD Recorder and A3000 sampler.
Are the EX instruments compatible with A3000 data? A3000 Program Voices cannot be used by the EX instruments, but files can be transferred back and forth using AIFF or WAV format. If you have the Yamaha TWE installed on your computer, it is most convenient to transfer sample files via the computer. Since the A3000 is a dedicated sampler which uses a different sampling system from the EX instruments, no direct compatibility is provided. Can the EX instruments load and use AKAI(r) format samples? AKAI(r), AIFF, and WAV files can be read and used as required.
About the Features Q. Does the Arpeggiator only work in the VOICE mode? The Arpeggiator can be used in both the VOICE and PERFORMANCE modes. Is there a Micro Tuning function?
A total of 32 preset Micro Tunings are provided. Type Key Comments 00 Equal temperament - The 'compromise' tuning used for most of the last 200 years of Western music, and found on most electronic keyboards. Each half step is exactly 1/ 2th of an octave, and music can be played in any key with equal ease. However, none of the intervals are perfectly in tune. 0112 Pure major CB This tuning is designed so that most of the intervals (especially the major third and perfect fifth) in the major scale are pure.
This means that other intervals will be correspondingly out of tune. You need to specify the key (C B) you will be playing in. 1324 Pure minor AG# The same as Pure Major, but designed for the minor scale. 25 Werckmeister - Andreas Werckmeister, a contemporary of Bach, designed this tuning so that keyboard instruments could be played in any key. Each key has a unique character. 26 Kirnberger - Johan Philipp Kirnberber was also concerned with tempering the scale to allow performances in any key. 27 Vallotti & Young - Francescantonio Vallotti and Thomas Young (both midÐ 1700s) deviced this adjustment to the Pythagorean tuning in which the first six fifths are lower by the same amount.
28 1/ 4 shifted - This is the normal equal tempered scale shifted up 50 cents. 29 1/ 4 tone - TwentyÐ four equally spaced notes per octave. (Play twentyÐ four notes to move one octave.) 30 1/ 8 tone - FortyÐ eight equally spaced notes per octave. (Play fortyÐ eight notes to move one octave.) 31 Indian CB Usually observed in the Indian music (white keys C-B only). What can be done with the Controller Set feature?
A voice can include up to 16 controller sets, each of which is a combination of one or more assignable controllers like Knob and/ or Modulation Wheel with a controllable function. By fully utilizing 16 controller sets, you can have a variety of sound controls for unexpected realtime effects. What can be done with the Key Map feature? Pattern sequence data and sampled waveforms can be played via different keys on the keyboard. For example, hi-hat and snare patterns could be triggered from different keys, sampled loops can be played back with sequenced patterns, and more.
How many songs can be handled by the Song Sequencer? Only one song can be maintained in internal memory at one time. Sequential playback of more than one song without delays between songs can be accomplished using Standard MIDI File type 0 data on disk with the EX SMF Direct Play function. What is a 'scene'? The positions of all six control knobs can be memorized in the VOICE or PERFORMANCE mode and instantly recalled as required. What is convenient about the Controller Knobs?
By assigning appropriate parameters to each knob, they can make voice editing easy and intuitive, allow editing several parameters at once, and more. Operations that would normally necessitate going through several display layers can be accomplished easily and in real time while playing. The EX series instruments provide a wide range of assignable controllers in addition to the 6 controller knobs for unprecedented control versatility. Is it difficult to make the required knob assignments? When initially shipped the knobs are pre-assigned to a range of appropriate voice parameters and can be used immediately without programming. The preset assignments can be used as a starting point for your own settings. Can the EX controllers be used to control external instruments and MIDI devices?
All controllers can be used to transmit appropriate MIDI data. Is arpeggiator data transmitted via MIDI?
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Arpeggiator data can be transmitted via any specified MIDI channel. Can the EX sequencer play SY99 song data?
The EX instruments handle SMF data as well as Yamaha's own ESEQ format, so SY99 song data (ESEQ format) can be played directly. Other Points Q. What does the 'DSP Resource Full!!' Alert display mean? The EX series instruments employ DSP technology for outstanding voicing and effect capability.
The available DSP capacity is not unlimited, however, and the 'DSP Resource Full!!' Alert will appear when this capacity is exceeded. Is a voice editor available? At the current time Yamaha has no plans to release a freeware voice editor application. Are the EX instruments XG Format and GM compatible? Such compatibility has been omitted in order to provide the highest possible quality and music production power possible. What does 'SONDIUS-XG' on the EX panel mean?
Sondius-XG is a license program developed by Yamaha and Stanford University, joint owners of patents related to Virtual Acoustic Synthesis. Thus the Sondius-XG logo is displayed on the EX5 and EX5R, but not on the EX7 because it does not include VL tone generation.
SD Card HxC Floppy Emulator Today I just purchased an SD Card HxC Floppy Emulator off Ebay for testing with the Roland W-30 and Roland S-330 Samplers that I have. I’ve been pondering whether to to do this or not and finally gathered enough info with my own research on the subject. I feel it’s worth giving it a shot to see if the SD Card HxC Floppy Emulator rev. C works with my Roland W-30 or S-330. The SDCard HxC Floppy Emulator can replace different kind of floppy disk drive and allows you use SDCard media instead of floppy disk.
I heard this Emulator will work with the Roland S-50. The Roland W-30 and S-330 are very similar if not the same as the Roland S-50. I really need something more reliable for my samplers and so I thought why not give it a test. I also have a couple of other synths that likely could work with the SD Card HxC Floppy Emulator, so all is not lost if it fails to work on the Roland W-30 and S-330. It’ll be a couple of weeks before I receive the SD Card HxC Floppy Emulator in the mail.
Please stay tuned for further updates on how I progress with this project. Progress Report: Does the SD Card HxC Floppy Emulator work on the Roland S-330 and W-30 Samplers? Roland S-330 – YES! Roland W-30 – YES! Roland S-50 – YES!
Korg T2 – YES! Yamaha Silver EX5S This is a three part story about acquiring a Yamaha EX5 “Silver” Beast Edition in Japan today. Part 1: At a Japan used music shop that I frequent in Nagano-city there is a Silver EX5 that has been sitting there for about one year.
The price in Japanese yen at the moment is 65,000 which equals about $772.642 USD according to today’s exchange rate. The condition is “good” but not excellent. There appears to be no expansions, modules, SCSI interface, or whatever attached to the EX5 other than a hard shell case. Just the basic version.
Furthermore, in some areas the paint appears to be rubbing off slightly. The EX5 definitely appears to have been used in performance or practice, but is still fully operational I believe.
I haven’t played it, but the shop is offering a 3 month guarantee against problems or I can return it. It’s standard policy for them.
This past week I picked up both a Yamaha V50 and an SY77 which I’m really happy with. I really don’t see myself picking up this EX5 and I’ve obviously had a year to think about it, so I suppose I’m seeking closurelaugh. What I’m curious about is whether this appears to be a good deal among EX5 users and enthusiasts.
The guys at the shop may consider lowering the price since I am a frequent customer, but if I recall correctly, they already dropped the price about two months ago from 85,000 yen ( $1,010 USD ), so I doubt they will drop the price anymore this soon. I’ve heard there is little or no difference between the Silver version and the regular version. Just curious on whether it’s a potential diamond in the rough, or better to move on but maybe keep an eye on it. I went back to the used music shop here in Japan and tried out the Silver EX5 I mentioned above. I found two problems with the synth. There was a “ Change Internal Battery” error message when powering up the unit. I suppose that is an easy fix by simply replacing the CR2032 internal battery.
I was able to continue playing the synth though. There is a dead “E” key at the upper most octave of the keyboard.
This is probably most bothersome in that I can’t seem to find success stories about how to fix that. I have no idea if it simply would require cleaning the contact or what not. So, I would have to consider the notion that the EX5 could permanently have a dead key there.
There are no options as indicated with the exception that there was the 64MB extra memory in the EX5, but no flash memory of course. I pushed the “ Sample” button and found that info. The asking price is basically $750. Being in Japan I have to consider the cost of shipping should I buy overseas which I generally don’t. So $750 could be reasonable if buying abroad, but being that I’m down the street from the store, the keyboard “silver edition” seems to be priced pretty high. I’ll probably continue checking about whether I can fix the dead key or not. If I can, I may go back to the store and see if I can talk him down.
This may be the best opportunity to get a much better deal. However, if I fail, I then really have to consider whether I want it bad enough. The sound is incredible and it was a joy playing through the presets.
Even if I can talk the owner down, it’s greatly upsetting that there’s a dead key. I really wanted the full working 76 set of keys. Reasons for wanting the EX5: 1.
FDSP Synth 2. VL Synth (I have an ES Rack but no breath controller except with the CS6r, but I have two PLG-AN boards in that. The ES Rack has the PLG Drums and PLG DX. Could switch around and by the PLG-VL I suppose.) 3. RHODES – I am an EP freak and most of my playing “foundation” wise is with the Rhodes or EPs.
Owning a Roland W-30 and S-760, I do lots of multi-sampling but with very “small” samples. Contrary to most EX5 users perhaps, I don’t mind loading my samples from floppy. I also have an A3000 with SCSI should I need that. I use other phrase/loop gear for large samples.
Programming Options! The thought of all those synth patch possibilities has me intrigued. Pattern Sequencer. I am an active keyboard learner and “jam” artist so I prefer to create Sequenced patterns with drums, bass, and maybe some strings.
I then like to practice and play “rhodes” oriented stuff over that as improv or just learning theory etc. The EX5 has the sequencer inside and it seems “good enough” for basic pattern back tracks in a non-live environment. Finally Speculation.
With the release of the Yamaha XF, there seems to be a lot of comparison going around with Motif series. I notice that the EX5(r) keeps coming up a lot with the majority of people saying either “ Get it now!” or “ I’ll never get rid of it!”. One of the things I really liked about the EX5 though was that it was 76 keys.
All of my synths are either 61 keys or less. Although I’m exaggerating a bit, it seems having a dead key is almost like having 61 keys all over again. – Perhaps someone reading this will simply feel that I’m whacked for considering the EX5 given my current Yamaha gear setup.
Maybe I need to hear that as well from someone. Part3: I went back to the store and managed to “surprisingly” talk the owner down to $375 for the Silver Yamaha EX5 with hard shell case.
He asked me if there were any problems with the keyboard and I honestly told him that I had to: (a) change the battery, (b) figure out how to fix the dead “E” key in the upper octave, and finally (c) upgrade the rom chip as the synth had V1.06 and TG V1.07 if I remember correctly. I think that’s what I saw when I pressed “Voice + H + Bank8”. I also indicated that there may be other things wrong like the floppy drive, LCD Display, and Unresponsive Knobs although they checked out just fine when I tested the EX5 in the store. I wasn’t trying to give him any crap, but rather just sincerely let him know that the EX5 had been in the store for over a year and that I’d have to likely put some and money into maintenance.
( Us Synth enthusiasts know this anyway so this probably shouldn’t be news to him. I always expect to put extra money in with synths after purchasing. The owner kind of felt bad I think and knocked the price down considerably as you can see. So instead of walking out with a $750 synth, I only had to pay $375. Of course my fingers are crossed that after replacing the battery, everything will be fine.
I’m not sure how to upgrade the ROM and quite frankly my testing kind of proved that I may not need it. I read on another forum some of the changes for each upgrade and thought anything above v1.06 should be sufficient for my purposes. However, if anyone does know how to get a hold of a current ROM chip, please email me. I’d greatly appreciate the consideration. I understand the floppy drives are easy to replace should mine go bad and as I mentioned I have an A3000 with an SCSI board if needed. Probably the only other option I might need is the flash ram, but honestly, that’s becoming a very expensive option and I already don’t really want to put more money into the EX5 until I can really get a grip on what it can do. In any event, I hope my story proves interesting for some people here.
The Yamaha EX5 is a great synth and I’m excited to have finally picked this one up after seeing it for over a year in the shop. There’s just something about the EX5 that urged me to buy it now. One things for sure!! This is absolutely the heaviest synthesizer I have ever lugged up three flights of stairs!