Yamaha QY8 - Manuals

Contents 1 Contents 1 The QY8: What It Is &What It Can Do ............................ 2 What It Is … ................................. 2What It Can Do … ........................ 4 2 Setting Up: Power &Connections .................................. 5 Power Supply ...............................

2 The QY8: What It Is & 1 What It Can Do What It Is … The QY8 is an easy-to-use music production tool with tone generator,sequencer, and auto-accompaniment (including drum machine)capability all integrated with a user-friendly control interface. In short,i t p r o v i d e s e v e r y t h i n g y...

3 The QY8: What It Is & What It Can Do ■ Accompaniment With the QY8 accompaniments are produced by specifying a sequenceof “styles” and chord changes rather than by recording individual notes( > page 26). The QY8 has 50 preset styles (each with 6 variations) that you can simply select and use...

4 The QY8: What It Is & What It Can Do What It Can Do … Here are a few ideas on how you can use the QY8. There’s no way wecan cover all possibilities, but the ideas presented might help to sparksome new and interesting applications. ■ A Super Practice Tool Create accompaniments that you can prac...

5 Setting Up: 2 Power & Connections Power Supply Your QY8 will run either from an optional AC adaptor or batteries.Follow the instructions below according to the power source you intendto use. ■ Using a Power Adaptor Plug the DC output cable from a Yamaha PA-1B or PA-3 AC Adaptor(available from ...

6 Setting Up: Power & Connections ■ Using Batteries Six 1.5V AA size (SUM-3 or R6P) or equivalent manganese or alkalinebatteries must first be installed in the battery compartment. 1. Open Battery Compartment Cover Open the battery compartment cover — located on the instru-ment’s bottom panel — ...

7 Setting Up: Power & Connections ■ When to Replace the Batteries When the batteries run down and are no longer able to operate theQY8, the sound may become distorted and the following display willappear: When this display appears, replace the batteries with a complete set ofsix new batteries. N...

8 Setting Up: Power & Connections Setting Up Your System What you will connect the QY8 to, and what you will connect to theQY8, will depend entirely on your individual requirements, and itwould be impossible to cover all possibilities here. A few examples areprovided below to help you get starte...

9 Setting Up: Power & Connections 3 DC IN Jack This jack is only used when you are powering the QY8 from an optionalAC adaptor instead of batteries. The DC output cable from an optionalYamaha PA-1B or PA-3 AC Power Adaptor is plugged in here. DETAIL The batteries are automatically disconnected w...

10 Getting to Know the QY8: 3 How the Controls Work The QY8 has fairly simple, consistent control interface that,once understood, makes operation fast and easy, no matterwhat operation you are performing. If you read through thissection carefully you should have no problem accessing andoperating the...

11 Getting to Know the QY8: How the Controls Work 3 Cursor Buttons These 4 buttons move the “cursor” around thedisplay screen, selecting the various parametersthat are available for editing (the selectedparameter or symbol will flash). 4 [ - 1 ] [ - 1 ] [ - 1 ] [ - 1 ] [ - 1 ] and [ + 1 ] [ + 1 ] [ ...

12 Getting to Know the QY8: How the Controls Work 7 Sequencer Buttons The sequencer buttons control playback of the accompaniment andsequencer parts (also real-time recording of the sequencer parts), and allowyou to locate a specific measure and beat within a song. Their layout andfunctions are simi...

13 Getting to Know the QY8: How the Controls Work 8 VOLUME Control The VOLUME control adjusts the volume of the sound delivered via thePHONES/LINE OUT jack. Slide the control toward “MAX.” to increasethe volume or toward “MIN.” to decrease the volume. CAUTION Set the VOLUME control to “MIN.” when co...

14 Getting to Know the QY8: How the Controls Work Play the Demo Now that you’re set up and are basically familiar with the controls, tryplaying the built-in demonstration to hear what the QY8 can do. 1. Select the SONG SELECT Mode Use the cursor buttons to move the cursor to the SONG SELECTpointer (...

15 Getting to Know the QY8: How the Controls Work 3. Start Playback Press the [ ; ;; ;; / ttttt ] button to start playback — the demo will playback repeatedly until stopped. You may need to adjust the VOLUMEcontrol to set a comfortable listening level. IMPORTANT If you attempt to move the cursor whe...

16 Getting to Know the QY8: How the Controls Work 5. Exit Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select a song number other than “00” to exit from the demo mode. Play the Initial Song Data Songs 1 through 15 initially contain a variety of accompaniments andchord progressions in a range of musical styles. ...

17 The Basics: The Elements 4 That Make Up a Song A QY8 “SONG” consists of two main sections: 1: An accompaniment created using pre-programmed“styles”. You specify chord changes and repeats asrequired. 2: Four “parts” (similar to sequencer tracks) on which youcan record melody lines, counter lines, ...

18 The Basics: The Elements That Make Up a Song Styles Styles are pre-programmed basic accompaniment patterns which includetwo chord parts, a bass part, and a rhythm part. The QY8 has 50 basicstyles, each with six “sections” — an introduction, main pattern A(usually a good choice for the “verse” of ...

19 The Basics: The Elements That Make Up a Song 3. Select a Style Move the cursor down to the style name and use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select a style (it is also possible to select a style while thecursor is positioned at the STYLE pointer). DETAIL • Normally the currently set tempo is retain...

20 The Basics: The Elements That Make Up a Song Abbreviation Section F B A A fill-in leading from section “B” to “A”. One meas-ure long. Will always go to main section “A” whenfinished. E n d Ending. 2 … 4 measures long. Playback stops whenthe ending section finishes unless a different sectionis ent...

21 The Basics: The Elements That Make Up a Song HINT If you move the cursor to the TEMPO parameter you can use the[ - 1 ] [ - 1 ] [ - 1 ] [ - 1 ] [ - 1 ] and [ + 1 ] [ + 1 ] [ + 1 ] [ + 1 ] [ + 1 ] buttons to set the playback tempo to anywhere from 30 to 250 beats per minute. The 1 MEASURE pointer w...

22 The Basics: The Elements That Make Up a Song 3. Set the Volume Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to set the volume as required (you can do this while the cursor is located at the STYLE pointer or atthe VOLUME parameter). The volume range is from 0 to 127. Asetting of “0” produces no sound, while “127...

24 The Basics: The Elements That Make Up a Song ■ Try Out the QY8 Chords 1. Play a Style Select a style and start playback as described in the precedingsection. 2. Select the Chord Entry Mode Move the cursor to the CHORD pointer ( ▲ ) to select the chord entry mode. 3. Select a Chord Root Move the c...

26 Creating an 5 Accompaniment Creating a complete accompaniment that can be used onits own, or as the basis for a complete song, is a simpleprocess: specify the appropriate style/section changes,chord changes, and repeats. 1. Select a Song Number 1-1. Position the cursor at the SONG SELECT pointer ...

27 Creating an Accompaniment 2. Enter the Styles 2-1. Move the cursor to the STYLE pointer ( ▲ ) to select the style entry mode. 2-2. Use the [ h h h h h ] and [ j j j j j ] buttons to locate the measure at which you want to enter the first style change, as indicated by the MEASUREnumber. DETAIL Onl...

28 Creating an Accompaniment M B å = Main section “B”. F AB = A fill-in leading from section “A” to “B”. F BA = A fill-in leading from section “B” to “A”. End = Ending. 2-4. Press [ENTER] to enter the selected style/section at the current location. A dot will appear on the 1 MEASURE bar to indicatet...

29 Creating an Accompaniment HINT In addition to deleting mistakes as described above, you can usethe [UNDO] button to undo the last operation performed — i.e. a mistaken style entry. 3. Enter the Chord Changes 3-1. Move the cursor to the CHORD pointer ( ▲ ) to select the chord entry mode. 3-2. Use ...

31 Creating an Accompaniment Deleting Chord Changes To delete a chord change, move the cursor to the dot on the 1MEASURE bar corresponding to the change you want to delete,then press the [ENTER] button. An alternative method is to use the [ h h h h h ] and [ j j j j j ] buttons to locate the chord t...

33 Creating an Accompaniment 4-4. Press [ENTER] to enter the selected end mark or repeat at the current measure. A dot will appear on the 1 MEASURE bar toindicate that an end mark or repeat has been entered at thatlocation. 4-5. Repeat steps 4-2 through 4-4 until all required repeats have been enter...

34 Creating an Accompaniment 5-2. Press [ g g g g g ] to make sure you start at the first measure of the song, then press [ ; ;; ;; / ttttt ] to start playback. If you’ve entered an end mark or ending section, playback will stop automatically. Otherwise,press the [ ; ;; ;; / ttttt ] to stop playback...

35 Creating an Accompaniment 17 00000 3. Select a Character Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the first character for the song name. The available characters are listed below: (Space) !"#$%&'()*+,-.0123456789:;<=>?@ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[¯]^_£a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p ...

36 Programming the 6 Sequencer Parts Once you’ve created an accompaniment, you might liketo add a melody line and other parts that will finish offyour composition. Melody lines and other musicalelements can be recorded using the QY8’s four “parts”,as described below. It’s also possible to use only t...

37 Programming the Sequencer Parts 3. Assign a Voice to the Selected Part With the cursor either at the PART pointer or the voice name, usethe [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the voice you want to use for the selected part. DETAIL • You can also set the volume of the selected part by moving the curs...

38 Programming the Sequencer Parts DETAIL • The key signature set for any one part applies to all other parts as well. • If you have already created an accompaniment as described in the preceding section, the key signature you select should natu-rally be appropriate for your accompaniment. • If you ...

39 Programming the Sequencer Parts 6. Enter the Required Notes and Rests A number of parameters are used to define each note you enter(described below). When you’ve set all the required parameters foryour next note, press [ENTER] to actually enter the note (or rest). The 1 MEASURE pointer will advan...

40 Programming the Sequencer Parts Pitch To specify the pitch of the next note to be entered, move thecursor to the pitch symbols on the display score (the dot on thescore will flash), use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the pitch you want to enter, then press [ENTER] to actually enter the selec...

41 Programming the Sequencer Parts Sharp. Raises the pitch of the note by a semitone. Natural. Returns a sharped or flatted note to its normal pitch. Flat. Lowers the pitch of the note by a semitone. DETAIL An “accidental” is a sharp or flat that is not specified by the keysignature of the song. Acc...

42 Programming the Sequencer Parts HINT The length of rests can be extended in the same way as notes —the amount the rest is extended is determined by the currentlyselected note length (see Note Length, above). Chords To enter more than one note on the same beat in order to produceintervals or chord...

43 Programming the Sequencer Parts Deleting Notes To delete a note, move the cursor to the dot on the 1 MEASUREbar corresponding to the note you want to delete, then press the [ENTER] button. An alternative method is to move the cursor to the appropriate pitch symbol on the display and press [ENTER]...

44 Programming the Sequencer Parts 1. Select a Part Move the cursor to the pointer ( ▲ ) of the part you intend to record. 2. Engage the Real Time Record Mode Press [ENTER] while holding the cursor up button to engage the real time record mode. The following display will appear: DETAIL You can exit ...

45 Programming the Sequencer Parts MUSICAL NOTE Always use a quantize value that is at least as short as theshortest notes in the part to be quantized. If you set the quantizevalue to 8th notes but actually record 16th notes, for example,some of the 16th notes will be aligned with the 8th note beats...

46 Programming the Sequencer Parts 6. Start Recording Press the [ ; ;; ;; / ttttt ] button to begin recording. The metronome will sound and you’ll be given a two-measure count-in prior to the first measure actuallyrecorded. The count-in is also indicated by negative numbers below thequantize paramet...

47 The Option Functions 7 The QY8 provides a range of “option” functions thatperform a variety of important tasks. Most of thesefunctions apply to the currenty selected song, so be surethat the appropriate song is selected before calling andexecuting the option functions. DETAIL Only the Mute and Ke...

48 The Option Functions 1234 0 BR Accompaniment chord 2 part Accompaniment chord 1 part Parts 1 through 4 Accompaniment rhythm part Accompaniment bass part 3. Use the cursor buttons to select the part you want to mute: “1” …“4” are sequencer parts 1 through 4; “CI” and “CII” are accompa-niment chord...

49 The Option Functions Key Change Transposes the accompaniment and parts up or down by the specifiednumber of semitones. Minus (–) values transpose down while plus (+)values transpose up. The maximum key change range is from –12(down one octave) to +12 (up one octave). 1. With the cursor at the OPT...

50 The Option Functions Erase Measure Erases all data from the specified measure or range of measures in thespecified part. An erase operation leaves the specified measures intactbut blank. 1. With the cursor at the OPTION pointer use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select “ErsMeas” on the display. 2. ...

51 The Option Functions 5. Move the cursor across to the end measure parameter and use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the last measure in the range you want to erase (this should be the same as the top measure if youonly want to erase one measure). 6. Press [ENTER] to erase the specified measur...

52 The Option Functions DelMeas Top measure End measure 3. Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the top measure in the range you want to delete. 4. Move the cursor across to the end measure parameter and use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the last measure in the range you want to delete (thi...

53 The Option Functions Create Measure Creates a specified number of blank measures having the specified timesignature for all tracks. The created measures are inserted at a specifiedmeasure number, and all subsequent measures are moved forward tomake room. 1. With the cursor at the OPTION pointer u...

54 The Option Functions 5. Move the cursor across to the number of measures parameter anduse the [-1] and [+1] buttons to specify the number of measures you want to create (1 … 99). 6. Press [ENTER] to create the specified measures. “Completed” will appear briefly on the display and the Create Measu...

55 The Option Functions Cpyfrom P1 Top measure End measure Source part 3. Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the part from which you want to copy data: “P1” … “P4” are parts 1 through 4; “CHD” isthe accompaniment chord track, “ALL” is all accompaniment andsequencer parts. 4. Move the cursor dow...

56 The Option Functions 7. Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the part to which you want to copy the specified “copy-from” data: “P1” … “P4” are parts 1through 4. DETAIL The copy-to part parameter will automatically be selected if “ALL”or “CHD” was selected for the copy-from parameter. 8. Move ...

57 The Option Functions MUSICAL NOTE The Copy Measure job makes it easy to use phrases or evencomplete sections (an entire chorus, for example) in more thanone place in a song. You can copy a phrase played by one voice,and have it repeated by a different voice later in the song. Youcan always edit t...

59 The Option Functions Transpose Individually transposes the specified range of measures within thespecified part up or down by the specified number of semitones. Minus(–) values transpose down while plus (+) values transpose up. Themaximum transpose range is from –12 (down one octave) to +12 (upon...

60 The Option Functions 5. Move the cursor down to the top measure parameter and use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the first measure in the range you want to transpose. 6. Move the cursor across to the end measure parameter and use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the last measure in the ra...

61 The Option Functions ClrSong 06 0 Song number 3. Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the number of the song to be cleared. 4. Press [ENTER] to clear the specified song. “Completed” will appear briefly on the display and the Clear Song function willautomatically be exited when the specified so...

62 The Option Functions 2. With the cursor at the OPTION pointer use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select “DataOut” on the display. 3. Press [ENTER] to call the Data Out parameters (the currently selected song number will be automatically selected). 4. Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select the numb...

63 The Option Functions ■ Reception of Song Data If the cursor is located at the SONG SELECT pointer, a blank song isselected, and no other operation is currently in progress (recording, forexample) the QY8 will automatically receive bulk song data transmittedfrom the MDF2 (or another QY8). To recei...

64 The Option Functions 3. Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select “GM” for General MIDI voice assignments, or “Nml” for the standard QY8 voiceassignments. 4. Move the cursor back to the OPTION pointer to exit. Undo/Redo On/Off The QY8 Undo/Redo function requires a significant amount ofmemory when u...

65 The Option Functions 2. Move the cursor down to the On/Off parameter. 3. Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to turn the Undo/Redo function on or off as required. 4. Exit by either pressing [ENTER] while holding the up cursor button, or by pressing the left or right cursor button. Udo/Rdo ON On/off

66 The QY8 As a Tone 8 Generator/ABC Expander In addition to being played from its internal sequencer, the QY8can be controlled from an external keyboard, sequencer, ormusic computer. As a Tone generator Module Used as a tone generator module, the QY8 allows 8 different voices to beplayed via differ...

67 The QY8 As a Tone Generator/ABC Expander 2. Select PART 1 Move the cursor to the PART 1 pointer ( ▲ ). 3. Select a Voice & Play Use the [-1] and [+1] buttons to select different voices and try playing them via your keyboard or controller. Note that when you select the“41Drums” voice different...

68 The QY8 As a Tone Generator/ABC Expander ■ ABC Zone This utility function sets the range of notes in which chords played on anexternal MIDI keyboard will be recognized by the QY8 ABC system. 1. Select the Chord Entry Mode Move the cursor to the CHORD pointer ( ▲ ) to select the chord entry mode. ...

69 The QY8 As a Tone Generator/ABC Expander 5. Exit Move the cursor up to the CHORD pointer and press [ENTER] or one of the cursor buttons to return to the normal chord entry mode. 6. Play Chords played within the specified ABC range will be recognized by theABC system and the accompaniment chord wi...

70 Appendix Total Reset Procedure The following procedure can be used to reset ALL QY8 parameters totheir initial default settings, and clear ALL songs you have made. IMPORTANT Be sure to save data you want to keep to a MIDI data storagedevice such as the Yamaha MDF2 MIDI Data Filer before carryingo...

71 Appendix Voice List & Polyphony Information The QY8 has 28-note “polyphony.” This simply means that it can produce amaximum of 28 notes at the same time. If the maximum polyphony is exceeded— this includes all notes on the accompaniment and melody tracks — some ofthe notes will be truncated a...

72 Appendix Drum Set (Voice Number 41) Note No. Note Voice Name GM N 24 C0 25 C 0 Brush Swish 25 26 D0 Brush Roll 26 27 D 0 Brush Slap 27 28 E0 29 F0 30 F 0 31 G0 32 G 0 Stick 32 33 A0 34 A 0 35 B0 Bass Drum Soft 35 36 C1 Bass Drum Hard 36 37 C 1 Side Stick 37 38 D1 Snare Drum 1 38 39 D 1 Hand Clap ...

73 Appendix Style List Number Category Name LCD Time Signature Tempo Song Number 01 Dance & Funk Disco Disco 4/4 120 01 02 Euro Beat Euro 4/4 136 — 03 House House 4/4 118 — 04 Dance Shuffle Dance 4/4 108 02 05 Funk Shuffle Funk 4/4 100 — 06 Soul Ballad SolBl 4/4 90 — 07 Rock1 Piano Ballad PnoBl ...

74 Appendix Troubleshooting If something doesn’t seem to be working right, please check thefollowing points before assuming that your QY8 is faulty. Causes If you are using an AC adaptor, is the adaptor properly plugged into both theAC outlet and the QY8? See page 5. If you are using batteries, is a...

75 Appendix Display Data Which may Not Be the Same as When Entered Pitch Accidentals ( , ) may change according to the selected key signature. If, for example, D is entered in a key signature, it will be changed to C . Note A slur will be displayed where tenuto was entered. Length Note lengths enter...

76 Appendix Error Messages Errors do occur from time to time, and when they do the QY8 will usuallydisplay a message that indicates what type of problem has occurred so you canrectify it and return to normal operation as quickly as possible. Battery Err The battery voltage is too low for proper oper...

77 Appendix Specifications [Sequencer] Songs 1~20, Demo × 1 Song Play Start/Stop, Top, Forward, Rewind; Parameters; Song Name, Tempo,Measure, 1MEASURE Sequence Tracks Part1~4 (Parameters: Key Signature, Time Signature, Pitch, NoteLength, Volume, Chord, Phrasing, Accidentals, Rests) Accompaniment Tra...

78 Appendix MIDI Data Format [Tone Generator Section] (1) RECEIVE FLOW NOTE OFF 8nH MIDI NOTE ON/OFF 9nH IN HOLD 1 BnH,40H PROGRAM CHANGE CnH PITCH BEND CHANGE EnH ACTIVE SENSING FEH (2) RECEIVE DATA (2-1) CHANNEL VOICE MESSAGES * Rception is always “omni on” in the record mode. (2-1-1) NOTE OFF STA...

82 Appendix Index [–1] / [+1] buttons .......................................................... 11 ; ;; ;; / ttttt button .................................................................. 12 g g g g g button ...................................................................... 12 h h h h h / j j ...