Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    Which bugs are you referring to. Lets compare notes. I have been
    using the YRM-501 for about 5 or 6 months and have seen some peculiar
    things (lack the insistance of the bloody thing to make a flat a
    sharp and visa-versa depending on the intial key that you are writting
    in. An A-Sharp is not a B-flat when you are writting music!)
    What else have you seen...
    
    -TomR-

    I know what you mean in regards to the accidentals...I'm not sure
    what the intention was but I think it has to do with entering
    accidentals from the computer keyboard (i.e. NOT music keyboard).
    My biggest gripe is that I don't seem to be able to enter notes
    in the 'poly' mode (when that little triad icon is on) from the
    keyboard.  When I activate the poly mode and press the music keyboard
    note I want, I get a full-sized note icon on the screen, not one
    of those little poly-sized ones.  The only way I seem to be able
    to enter notes in the poly mode is with the mouse, which is not
    my favorite method of note entry.  Now I must admit I never tried
    to play back any poly nots that I tried to enter with the keyboard
    'cause I figured if the weren't displayed right that they would
    not sound right either.
        Do you find this to be true on your system.  Just so you know,
    I have the FD-03 single sided  disk drive ,themouse and the new
    sfg-05 sound unit.
    					-Steve Bulmer (SWS Meriden CT)
    PS ever seen the dual cartridge, 128K version of theCX5M? (CX5M-II)
    

    I have the same setup here. Paul Kent, in England, has one also.
    I'm not sure who else has one. 
    
    You did know the CX5M was discontinued by Yamaha, didn't you? If you
    see anyin a music store - thats all they'll get. The CX5M-II can be 
    purchased in Canada right now (its a 128K CX5-M and I've seen them 
    advertised for about $350.00 US). The CX7M is supposed to be announced 
    at the Winter NAMM show next month. That is a MSX-II type machine (the 
    CX5M and CX5m-II are MSX-I machines). Don't have very much info on 
    the CX7 other than it has disk drives built in and a compatibilty mode 
    to run MSX-I cartridges, and lotsa memory.
    
    -TomR-

    
    I have had a proogram sent to me recently which will allow me to
    access the Midi port from basic. I was toying with the idea of writing
    a CZ editor but can't now get interested in this project. If any
    body is interested I will post it here.
    
    Also the people who supplied my CX5 are in the process of producing
    a 16 track realtime sequencer for this machine for which I am on
    the field test list. First prototype is due in January. If any of
    you guys are interested I could find out export prices. The first
    view I have seen of this software in prototype looked very impressive.
                                                         
    I have never used any of the Yam software cartridges other than
    the Cx voicing program. I think the 501 only allows step time entry.
    Is this correct.
    
    Lastly. Do any of you guys have a manual for the SFG05. If you do
    an you could photocopy it I would really appreciate it as the unit
    I got (via my suppliers sample stock) had no manual with it.
    
    				Happy New Year.
    
    					Paul.

    Hello Paul -
        Nice to see that there are at least a couple of CX5M users around
    here although I get the feeling that it is not extremely popular
    with many of the (dare I say 'serious') COMMUSIC hackers here.
    
        Anyways, you are correct in assuming that the YRM-501 music
    composer can enter notes only as a step-time function.  About the
    best one can do is enter a succession of notes with the same time
    values (i.e. a string of 8th notes for example) from the music keyboard
    fairly quickly.  If you need any changes in successive notes, i.e.
    add a tie, or change note length then that requires additional computer
    keyboard or mouse usage.  I also notice that as you use up memory
    storing performace data, it takes longer and longer for each succesive
    data item to be entered. The editor just gets slower and slower.
    
        Yes, I would be very interested in your MIDI port access program
    and I would be more than happy to copy my SFG-05 manual for you
    in exchange for the program.
    
    				-Happy Forthcoming Year
    				    Steve Bulmer (I prefer the Strongbow!)
    
    

    More CX5M redderick -
    
    	Tom, no I wasn't really sure that the CX5M had been dropped..it
    is definite then?  I don't know if my checkbook can keep up with
    all the new products.  Any estimated price on the CX7?  }^W  (hand
    covering eyes). PS where and when is NAMM show?
    
        To all, I belong to a New York based CX5M users group who put
    out a fairly interesting newletter 3 or 4 times a year.  Their forte
    seems to be a large collection of voices and compositons for the
    CX5M and a generally knowledgeable group of people.  I don't have
    the address here..at......(ahem)  work     BUT if you are interested
    I could post it later when I am working at home.
    				Steve Bulmer 

    I am very talkative now that I have found some other CX5M-ers; Please
    excuse me if I tend to overpouplate this topic!
    
    Another question....
       I would like to add a powerful synth to my CX5M and drum machine
    setup and I always thought that I would just buy a DX7 due to its
    compatability (same company plus the CX editing cartridge, etc).
    
    I am now wondering if the voices in the DX7 would sound too similar
    to some of the CX voices and thus I would lose some of the efficacy
    of buying the DX7.  Or do the addt'l algorithms and operators open
    up a totally new sonic realm? Any opinions?  Also what about perhaps
    just a rack-mount DX7 (ie no keyboard) to be conrolled by the CX
    or some of these FM tone generator modules like this FB-01 I am
    reading about?  I don't want to end up sounding like "Mr Yamaha
    FM synthesis" all the time...I think the CX5 sound gets a little
    thin sometimes.  Perhaps I should look in a completely different
    arena a la Roland or Korg perhaps.
    
       I am confused; but better confused than $1500 poorer and sorry!
    Thanks for any input!   -Steve Bulmer
    

    re .7
    
    Steve, my advise would be to go find a synth (or module) that uses
    a different technology.
    
    I've got 3, (FM, analog and sampling) and would be lost without
    any one of them. FM is clean. Analog is fat. Sampling is...
    
    Although you loose the ability to use the CX on most of the gear
    the textures you can create are great!!!!!
    
    Edd
    

    
    	Oh gee!  Could I have a (hard) copy of that BASIC program?
    
    	I want to write an eartraining program but lack the patience
    and/or intelligence to attempt to do that from scratch.  I assume
    that it would get me started in talking to my TX?
    
    						Thanks, Karl

    
    re.-1 and 6
    
    I will try to remember to post the Basic Midi access program here
    on Monday and would really appreciate a copy of the SFg manual.
    How can you get it to me? Yes it will output to any midi machine.
    
    RE adding a synth to the CX5. I also always intended adding a DX7
    to my collection however the prohibitive price always meant that
    something more important came up before I managed to save enough
    money. What I did add was a CZ1000 and have never regretted it the
    sounds are different and more "Synthy" than the CX5 and the 2
    complement each other well. I have also plaed with a Juno which
    was great and might well follow Edd's example and try to find a
    MKS-30. But my recommendation would be for a CZ101 inxterms of "Bang
    for Buck"
                                                                     
    			Paul.
    

    Hi Paul,
       I sent out a SFG-05 manual via DEC interoffice (paper) mail on
    Tuesday (1/6) to Mailstop MCO.  Please let me know ifit arrives
    safely (or at all!). I'd be curious to see how long it actually
    takes to get to you.  Looking forward to the MIDI port access program.
    			-Steve B
    

    
    
    I came in monday all geared to put this program in however I haven't
    been able to get access to this conference since then. I will post
    it as sson as I get a spare moment.
    
    			Paul.

    
    re; MIDI port-access program  - Goody, am anxiously waiting.	
    
    					- Karl

    
    
    Received one SFG05 manual today. Thanks Steve much apreciated.
    
    I did post the Midi access program but in another Cx5 topic way
    back. Did anybody use it? Was it successfull ? 
    
    Lastly I have 2 coming opportunities to get a copy of the CX5-FB01
    voicing ROM in the next couple of weeks. One possibility is a noter
    visiting the U.K. and the other is one of my colleagues visiting
    Boston. 
    
    Can somebody give me the exact option number for this software and the 
    likely buying price in the States.
           
    Thanks again			
    
    				Paul.
    

    Paul -
    The Yamaha part number for the FB01 voicing software is YRM-506.
    The current LIST price is $60.00 US, but many places discount. I
    have not paid more than $48.00 US (20% discount) for any Yamaha
    software cartidges.
    
    -TomR-
    

    
    Could I also have some hints as to where to get this in the Boston
    area. My colleague say's he is staying in the "centre" of Bosotn.
    Which are the music stores to look out for? 
    
                                    Paul.
    
    P.S. I am still hoping that Mr Bismuth will be able to get the software
    to me before then. Yamaha say that they have no plans to distribute
    this software in the U.K. I am confused. 
                                            
    

    
    
    
    Unfortunately, as Paul now knows, I didn't find a single copy of
    the voicing software in the Boston or southern NH area. In fact,
    all the sales lizards I spoke with claimed that every copy they
    had on order was sold to either current FB01 owners or those who
    had one on order.
    
    Too bad.
    
    While in the UK I did pick up some local glossy mags and noted that
    Yamaha had announced the CX5M-II 128K. I haven't seen anything on
    this here in the US. Did I miss something?
    
    From the ad it seemed that this model had more memory, better MIDI
    support hardware and the same sound generation equip. as the FB01.
    Can anyone confirm any of this, perhaps even give a review of it?
    
    Seen any over there Paul? (The rag I saw it in was "Music Technology"
    which appeared reasonably good - unlike Keyboard, they actually
    gave products BAD reviews when they deserved it and had articles
    written by other-than-the-Keyboard-old-boring-hacks. Interesting
    to see some european opinions and techniques for a change ...)
    
    Robert
    
    

    
    The CX5M II, as discussed elsewhere, is just a bigger CX5 with an
    extra port and the SFG05 tone module. The Sgf05 is the reason for
    the better Midi applications and is available as an upgrade for
    current CX5's. All you get with the new machine is more memory and
    the extra port. I haven't as yet found a need for either. I do think
    the FB uses the same tone generation chip as the SFG but then I
    think that Yam are using this chip on all there 4 op synths.
    
    				Paul

    I have the opportunity to get one of these for a reasonable amount, 
    The deal includes the 39 note keyboard, a built in sequencer, a package
    called: Sony Studio G7, a couple of other sequencer/composers, some
    home office stuff etc... (who cares about office anyway?)
    
    Does anyone know what the Studio G7 is? As I understand it this is
    essentailly a DX-7 plus computer right?
    
    Are any of the sequencer packages for these good?
    
    for info on any and all questions, thanks in advance
    
    dave

    
    
    Dave...
    
    I can't really see why anyone would want a CX5 these days. It was just
    about obsolete when I bought mine about 5 years ago.
    
    It is in fact an FB01 in a computer. This is the only machine I have
    found which is directly voice compatible with the FB01. It does not
    have a built in sequencer but may come with a Sequencer cartridge. I
    gave mine away !.
    
    				Paul.