Conference napalm::commusic_v1

80.0. "Yamaha CX5M Computer" by LATOUR::MCARLETON () Sun Apr 14 1985 02:22

From KEYBOARD magazine April 1985

KEYBOARD REPORT - YAMAHA CX5M MUSIC COMPUTER - DOMINIC MILANO

The line between computers and musical instruments has gone a few shades deeper
into the gray with the introduction of Yamaha's CX5M music computer. This little
wonder machine is not just an 8-bit MSX computer, it's got half a DX9 voice
generator packed away inside its little body.
	MSX computers (so called because they use MicroSoft's MSX operating
system) have been popular in Japan for a year and a half now, but their recent
Stateside introduction has been met with a resounding yawn, since 8-bit 
computers are all but history what with the anticipation of all the 16- and
32-bit mega-memory computers due out shortly. This is all the better for 
Yamaha, since they've elected to position their CX5M exclusively in music
stores, hoping to bypass the potential bloodbath facing other MSX computers
targeted for the Macy's market.
	The Programs. Yamaha is currently offering four software cartridges for
their computer: the YRM-101 FM Music Composer, the YRM-102 FM Voicing Program,
the YRM-103 DX7 Voicing program, and the YRM-104 FM Macro Music program. More
software is planned for release in the near future. Each cartridge operates much
like a home video game cartridge: You plug it into the computer and than turn
the computer on. The program contained in the cartridge then automatically boots
and is ready to be used.
	The FM Music Composer is a hobbyist-oriented music composition program
that allows you to load songs into the computer and play them back. All note
information is entered from the computer keyboard usually one voice at a time.
The music is simultaneously displayed on the monitor in standard music notation,
so there are no secret codes to be learned. If you've purchased an 
MSX-compatible printer, the music you load into the machine can be printed out.
	Entering notes from the QWERTY keyboard is a little cumbersome, since
notes and time values are selected by moving separate cursors around on the
screen.  Once you familiarize yourself with the system, it's fairly easy to 
get around on. It's unfortunate that you can't enter notes by playing in real
time on one of the two optional music keyboards or from some external MIDI
keyboard.  However, you can do a whole lot of things you wouldn't expect
from such a seemingly simple sequencer/composition program.  For example,
you can program in accelerandos and ritardandos, instant tempo changes,
and dynamics. Each voice can be assigned to a different MIDI channel and MIDI
channels can be changed within a voice at any given time.  If you're just using
the internal FM tome generator, each voice can be assigned to one of the 46
internal preset sounds, which include things like trumpet, funky electric bass,
flute, strings, snare drum, and electric piano.  You can change a few of the
parameters of the presets with the Music Composer program, including LFO rate,
the level of pitch modulation, the sensitivity to pitch modulation (which
can be set independently for each voice), the LFO waveform, and the sensitivity
to amplitude modulation (again, this can be different for each voice). All
of the internal voices sound like a DX9, since the tone generator is virtually
identical to the of the DX9.
	In addition, the Music Composer program allows you to address the FM
tone generators over MIDI, so the CX5M can be used as a multi-timbral expander
module.
	The FM Voicing Program permits you to change the internal sounds of the
tone tone generator, which consists of four DX-type operators per voice,
configured in eight algorithms (different arrangements of modulators and
carriers).  All editing is done form a single screen, and changes appear on
screen in real time. If you're not all the familiar with FM digital synthesis,
don't expect this program to magically make things clearer to you. It's just
as likely to add to the confusion, despite the fact that envelope values are
shown as bar graph displays for each operator.  Still, you can alter the factory
sounds and store them on cassette, and even print out a hard copy of the
settings, as well as print out a hard copy of the list of programs you've got.
Surprisingly, you can't access the voices over MIDI with this program.
	The DX7 Voicing Program is used to voice a DX7 that's MIDIed to the
computer.  What's handy about this program is that all the DX's main operator
functions are displayed on a single screen, and you can access various window
displays to see things like LFO/pitch envelope parameters and the performance
functions; i.e., modulation and pitch wheel settings, portamento, foot controls,
and after-touch settings.  Envelopes and keyboard scaling data can be displayed
numerically or graphically and any changes make in the settings, either from
the computer of directly on the DX itself, are displayed in real time. You can
print out hard copies of the voice data.
	Interestingly, the computer will hold 48 programs, while the DX7's 
memory only has 32, so you can have an additional 16 programs active for your
DX when using this CX5M program.  The software also enables you to store
programs for the DX on cassette tape, a function not available on the DX7
itself.
	The FM Macro Music cartridge is designed to allow you to write your own
MSX Basic programs for the CX5M, utilizing all the functions of the computer
if so desired.  Example programs are included in the instruction booklet that's
provided with the cartridge, and an MSX Basic reference manual that details the
MSX programming language is supplied with the computer.  This cartridge is
definitely designed for the die-hard do-it-yourselfer.
	The computer itself features a couple of music functions that can be
accessed with no additional software and used with one of the two optional
keyboards.  These include 46 preset FM voices, six preset rhythms (!), and
automatic bass and chordal accompaniments.  The chordal accompaniment works 
much like the auto-chords on one of Yamaha's portable keyboards in that
holding down a minor second will produce seventh chords, a major second
combined with a minor third produces minor seventh chords.  You can also use
the computer to store sequences played on one of the optional keyboards with
no additional software.  The unit has a 2,000-note capacity.
	Conclusions.  As computers go, the CM5X is no doubt too limited to be
taken seriously by hardcore computer hackers.  Its strength is as a synthesizer
expander module, considering that what you get is an eight-voice multi-timbral
FM tone generator along with the functions of a computer, all for $469.00
(software and monitor not included).  The only serious oversight we noticed was
the fact that the FM Voicing Program doesn't allow access to the voices over
MIDI.  What this means is that in order to do any remotely serious work with
the machine as an expander, you need to buy both the FM Voicing Program and
the Music Composer cartridge.  And the Music Composer cartridge is a little
too hobbyist-oriented to be of real interest to serious players, on the other
hand, will prove useful to those who feel lost at sea when faced with the DX's
numerous functions and single incremental control.  The fact that it gives you
an extra 16 voices and the ability to off-load programs to cassette is a
definite plus. 


Keyboard: Optional. YK-01 3 1/2-octave,F-to-C mini-keyboard or YK-10 4-octave,
	C-to-C full size keyboard.
CPU: Z80A.
Memory:32K ROM, 32K RAM, 16K VRAM, expandable with optional memory cartridge
	and/or cassette.
Interfacing & Accessory Ports:MIDI in and out.  Will accept two game-type
	joystick inputs, printer, 5-pin video monitor output, stereo audio
	outputs, music keyboard input.
Features:Built-in-8-voice FM voice generator that is multi-timbarally
	addressable, compatible with other MSX-type computer software,
	displays 16 colors simultaneously, can connect to a TV set or
	video monitor.
Dimensions: 16 5/8" x 2 5/8" x 8 1/8", 6 lbs 6 oz.
List Price: CX5M, $469.00; YK-01 keyboard, $100.00;
	YK-10 keyboard, $200.00; software, $50.00 per program cartridge.
Contact: Yamaha, Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622.

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I took a look at one of these beasts at Nashua's Daddy's Junky Music Store.
Would someone else like to go take a look and answer a question for me (which I
now have from reading .0): 

    Can you or can you not use an external DX-7 to control the CX5M?

I think the answer is no.  I tried (without any cartridge plugged in) and it
didn't work.  I would be slightly interested in this piece of hardware, but if
you can't control it from an external DX, no thanks. Since the rack mount DXs
are beginning to appear, I think I'll hold my money and go that way instead. 

Notice I didn't say anything about the software.  I intend on writing my own,
so their software (good or bad) would not influence whether I bought their
computer.  This is an uncommon situation, I understand, but I want expanded
voicing capabilities, not software.  An 8-voice polyphonic FM generator for
$469 sounded like a pretty good deal. Then there are the rack add-on modules
for $550 (according to some documentation I read NOT from the manufacturer)... 

-jim

If you want to see one in action, Daddy's in Nashua has them in stock.
I was there yesterday (patriot's day) but was dissapointed because the guy
who actually knows how to run it was not in and the one behind the counter
couldn't even boot  it up. He offered to let me look over the docs but I
had to leave since I had my three-year-old with me and she is not into
synthesisers yet. I will probably get one just to fool with when I have some
spare change, but:

1) Does anyone know who carries MSX (Z80) software and peripherals in the
area? I would like to do some WP or at least text editing too. And comm.

2) Does anyone know a good place to pick up the MIDI spec. (I think there
was a note on this a while back, true?)

You can get a MIDI spec from the International MIDI Association.  I don't
have their address on the top of my head, but I suspect it's in this notes
file somewhere.  They also have a newsletter that describes current MIDI
products and services, and gives tutorials.
    John Sauter