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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

747.0. "Yamaha QX5 Hardware Sequencer" by JAWS::COTE (Hunting the dread moray eel...) Fri Apr 03 1987 15:13

Yamaha recently introduced it's newest sequencer, the QX-5.

This month's issue of AfterTouch, starts the first of a 2 month
series on the beast. I know most of you won't believe this, but
I think this machine warrants some serious consideration for the
home.

First, the important stuff...  $495 list.

My first impression is that this unit will rival the revered MC-500
for functionality. In fact, it may actually be better in some areas.
Not to say that it doesn't have it's drawback. For one, it has NO 
onboard disc drive. All data has to be saved to tape, thus rendering
it all but useless for live performance. But!! If you're into straight
studio work, a 30 second tape dump isn't a major deal. (Yamaha also
just introduced a generic disc drive, if you insist.) I don't know
if it supports the channel extract feature like the MC. This is one
thing I could get ALOT of use from, as I'm forever trying to modify
a part that's been merged. The machine supports 8 tracks, so this
may not be as important...

The QX-5 allows you to arrange songs by the use of macros. Macros are
user defined song components, like a verse, or a chorus. Macros can
be any length. This is the first machine *I've* seen that allows you
to program sequences the same way you program a drum machine. Up to
four macros can be executing at one time. This feature allows you to
use the same bass line on all your verses but vary another instrument
part on the second and third. The biggest advantage I see to this method
is the acres of memory your going to conserve by not cutting and pasting.
I believe memory is in the 20K note area.

The second feature that intrigues me is the micro-editing mode. MC-500
users are well aware of how usefull this is. The QX-5 allows you to
fix bad notes, move events forward and backwards in relation to clock
pulses (apparently 96 PPQ). Velocity info can be changed, but I don't
know if they use the same slope and bias scheme as the Roland. Also
accepted are system exclusive messages, which can be edited byte
by byte.

The machine supports punch in and punch out recording.

The literature states it has a 'cresendo feature' but doesn't go into 
any depth about what that does. I know. It makes it louder. But it doesn't
state what the implementation is. Still, it sounds interesting....

A third feature that looks interesting is 'thinning' data. Thinning is
a process by which data is removed from memory suckers like pitch
bend and aftertouch in order to conserve space.

I'll be spending some time with a QX-5 this weekend, and should be able to 
tell more next week...

Edd
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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747.1Anticipation....EMERLD::DUBEFri Apr 03 1987 20:345
    Edd,
    
    Can't wait to see your review of this machine. I'm VERY interested!
    
    -Dan
747.2sys-ex?SAUTER::SAUTERJohn SauterFri Apr 03 1987 21:102
    Please check to see if it handles system-exclusive.
        John Sauter
747.3At least I did the dbx thing....JAWS::COTEHunting the dread moray eel...Mon Apr 06 1987 12:3512
    I didn't get a chance to play with the QX-5 this weekend.
    
    However, I did find out that...
    
               A.  It does have an 'unmerge' facility.
               B.  It handles sys-ex, and even lets you
                   edit down to the byte level...
    
    I've got this month's AfterTouch with me if anyone wants to
    know more...
    
    Edd
747.4oh boy! ........maybeJON::ROSSwockin' juanTue Apr 07 1987 02:0019
    
    uh huh:
    	
     Can you define macros that can be used to assemble Z80 code?
    
     Does it allow 'Zappa-esque' time signatures?
    
     Every measure? 

     And, of course, how many watts does it draw when making toast?

     nevermind. I want one.
    
    (I read the article too....and cant see >$1100 for Mc500....)
    
    You can always dump/load to/from a cheep computer instead of tape....

    {pant,slobber, drool} Just gotta see one to make sure.
        
747.5Yamara ra raMINDER::KENTTue Apr 07 1987 07:4925
    
    I've had my QX5 for about 4 months now and have to say it meets
    all my unsophisticated requirements. I bought it on a deal from
    my store on the basis I would give it back when their new version
    of the CX5 sequencer was produced. This is now 5 months late and
    I don't think the QX will ever leave my studio.
    
    It sits neatly on top of the KX88 which is an important consideration
    because I can do all my sequencing siotting at the one stool without
    reaching for a keyboard of peering at a monitor. I have found the
    micro-edit facilities really useful expecially for editing patch
    changes through a piece. I have never used up enough memory to require
    the use of the macro's but these are usefull places to store backups
    of a track. It sync's to tape. ALthough I am yet to use this feature.
    It remember's everything you did everytime you turn the machine
    off so I only have to dump to tape when I have completed a sonmg
    and want to store it for posterity. I can also store the sys-ex
    messages from my drum machine. So I can store the drum data and
    the song data on the same file. But this is a sloooow process. About
    4 minutes I guess. But 4 minutes after each song isn't to bad. 
    
    Any questions ?
    
    			Paul.
    
747.6Song position pointer???JON::ROSSwockin' juanTue Apr 07 1987 12:599
    
    It does sound good.....
    
    what deficiencies,nits, or kludges have you noticed? Can
    you say something about your 'recording technique' with
    the beast....
    
    ron
    
747.7And my RX21 fits nicely on top!!!!DARTS::COTE1110 1101 1101Tue Apr 07 1987 13:349
    One caveat. The QX is *hardware* based. You live with any bugs
    and weirdisms. The MC is *software* based, allowing you at least
    a shot at getting things fixed...
    
    But still, 600 beans for a disc drive?
    
    You realize this calls for an in-depth comparison.....
    
    Edd
747.8CQ CQ CQMINDER::KENTTue Apr 07 1987 14:4119
    
           re -2
    
    In terms of my usage of the QX (without wanting to sound smart).
    I turn in on press the record, play a bit turn it off, and press the
    play and it plays. It really is simple. I have found no KLUGES as
    yet. It does implement song position pointers and it even has a
    delay built into the start to allow other slower devices to catch
    up. Unfortunately this delay. (up to 999 msecs. Is that a second
    ?), is not slow enough for the DDD-1 once we get past about measure
    78. Can anyone think why this should be ? This isn't to much of
    a problem as the delay required can be handled manually.
                                        
    I have no problems with the machine at yet. I thought about the
    disc drive but decided that unless I was going to play live, in
    which case the Yamaha drive would be to slow, I wouldn't need it.
    
    
    				Paul
747.9ok, pass the macro...JON::ROSSwockin' juanTue Apr 07 1987 22:4922
    macros macros! you gotta start using them.
    
    they are like reusable sections of music. You actually put a
    "hey_go_play_Macro_n" on the track instead of the whole section.
    result: save lotsa memory! Say you have ABACAB (original,no?)
    make each section a macro. Insead of copying the repeating sections
    entirely event for event on to the track WHERE they repeat, thus
    using up valuable memory, the "go to macro_n" flag takes up well,
    lots less, eh? 
    
    So for you ELP fans trying ABCABDABEFFAGACCAHBCDEFFAGACCAHAIJK....
    kinda tunes (you *are* out there arent you?) well, you have a chance
    to fit it in.....
    
    q: Tape save takes 4 mins. Does tape load?

    q: Does it save/load via system exclusive too? 
    
    q: Anyone heard a better price than $495? where?
    
    ron
         
747.10GIBSON::DICKENSDistributed System ManglementThu Apr 09 1987 17:451
    H?
747.11Macro 4/4MINDER::KENTFri Apr 10 1987 13:189
    
    The tape load takes about the same time as the save. The deciding
    factor being the resollution of the tape I guess. The only reason
    I haven't used the Macros yet is that I haven't found it nescessary.
    I have used all the other features and can't find any problems.
    Even some of the ones mentioned in Keyboard are non-problems once
    you know the machine.
    
    					Paul.f
747.12questionLOLITA::DIORIOThu Apr 23 1987 13:032
    How does the QX-5 compare to the Korg SQD-1?
    
747.13No ComparisonDRUMS::FEHSKENSThu Apr 23 1987 13:275
    I have heard nothing but good things about the QX-5, and nothing
    but bad things about the SQD-1.
    
    len (who loves his MC500).
    
747.14 there goes my tax refundJON::ROSSwockin' juanThu Apr 23 1987 15:1811
    
    	Took the plunge. 
    
    	Ordered a QX5..........$430 shipping included.
    
    	{pant,slobber,drool}
    
    	Plan to hear good things bout it.
    
        ron
    
747.15One born every minute...JAWS::COTEFishheads. Eat them up, yum!!Thu Apr 23 1987 15:327
    HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!       It worked!!!!
    
    April fool, wackin' juan!!! The QX5 is crap-ola!!!!
    
    ;^)
    
    Edd (l'jealousmente el largo tempo!!)
747.16 we talkin' bro. pass my tutuJON::ROSSwockin' juanThu Apr 23 1987 23:067
    
    	eh? Yo hey el dorito de la diablo y mucho caliente de cabasa, gringo.

    	ronaldo ( Largemente de bulge des shorts toute suite)

        
    	    
747.17let's you and him fight...16514::MOELLERwe be jammin'/you be illin' Thu Apr 23 1987 23:133
    Ron: you call Edd a "muhado".
    
    Edd: you call Ron a "fituzo".
747.18What Channel Are You Guys On?DRUMS::FEHSKENSFri Apr 24 1987 14:365
    Just which manufacturer code do all these system exclusive messages
    belong to?
    
    len.
    
747.19oops.....JON::ROSSwockin' juanFri Apr 24 1987 16:278
    
    Oh gee. I forgot to apply for a manufacturer's ID Midi code byte
    for the new business...
    
    Hey, anyone know how and howmuch it costs or who you have to know...
    
	ron
        
747.20ECADSR::SHERMANHow much help you think Ah need?Fri Apr 24 1987 20:476
    Why not just choose any number above 4B?  That's as high as they
    go as of Jan. 1, 1987, and besides, *you* aren't going to sell enough
    stuff to create a problem, anyway, are you? ;-)
    
    Steve