Conference napalm::commusic_v1

681.0. "Yamaha FB01 Voicing Software for CX5M" by CLOVAX::RATASKI (Tom Rataski SWS Akron,Oh.) Wed Feb 04 1987 20:41

    I've finally had some time to play with the Yamaha's FB01 voicing
    software and I thought I would pass on a short review.
    
    Name: YRM-506 FB-01 Voicing Program
    
    Host Computer: Yamaha CX-5M Music computer
    
    Media Supplied: 1 MSX type data cartridge (ROM Cartidge) and a owners
                      manual written in English, French and German.

    
    The first thing that must be done (this standard for all of Yamaha's
    voicing programs) is to make sure the FB-01 is connected to the
    CX-5M and is turned on. The Voicing Software will, when initializing,
    read in all of the ROM voices, all of the configurations parameters,
    and all of the User programed voices stored in the FB-01. This seems
    like it takes forever to happen (It really takes 45 seconds, which
    seems like a long time ifyou only want to make minor configuration
    changes). They do display a small rectangle on the bottom of the
    screen and fill it in with color as the voices and whatever are
    read into memory.
    
    The main page is then displayed. This page contains the menu of
    commands that are legal. They include:
    
    	Dir	For a directory of configurations or voices
    	Sav	For saving a voice to a temporary buffer
    	Rec	For recalling a voice from the temporary buffer
    	Cop	For copying voices or configurations to other locations
    	Swap	For Swaping voices or configuration positions
    	Pri	To print the screen or a configuration
    	Hel	To display the help menu
    	Sel	To select printer type
    	Tra	To go to the transfer menu
    	Con	To go to the configuration menu
    
    There are actually three main Blocks or screen command pages
    
    		The Voice edit Block
    		The Transfer Block    
             	The Configuration Block
                
    The Voice edit block is nearly identical to the FM voicing program.
    It allows you to edit any of the existing (ROM) voices or your own
    creations and store them in a user area to be downloaded to the
    FB-01 or saved to disk or casstte tape. 
    
    The Voice block lets you negotiate arround a graphic display of
    a particular voice with the computer's arrow keys. This is the major
    drawback that I can see with the whole program. They did not
    incorporate the CX-5M's mouse. Not nice!
    
    The transfer block allows you to load, save and verify voices and
    configurations to cassette tape. You can also load, save to the
    RAM cartridge storage which is available for the CX-5M. Of course,
    you can load, save, delete, and get directories from disk. You can
    also load and save configuration files and voicing banks to the
    FB-01.
    
    The configuration block allows you to customize instruments on the
    FB-01. An instrument is a voice or up to 8 voices that comprise
    a configuration slot on the FB-01. You can get a directory of all
    the existing user configurations and select any one for modification.
    This screen show the whole configuration at once so one can see
    exactly how things are set up. You can assign notes to each voice
    (total 8), MIDI channels to each voice, High and low note limits,
    output level, octave number, left/right or both outputs and quite
    abit more to each individual voice.
    
    Final comments....
    
    It works well
    It was not expensive
    It acts like most of the rest of Yamaha's CX-5M software
    I don't like the wait on startup
    They should have incorporated the mouse for control
    
    Not much detail here, but if you don't own a CX-5M much of more
    detail would have been lost on you. 
    
    Any questions please post them.
    
    -TomR-

    
    You still can't get them in the U.K. and Robert Bismuth had no luck
    getting one for me in the states. Where can I get one?
    
    					Paul.

    Paul -  Would you like me to check locally to see if there are
    any copies around and/or expected time for delivery? 
    
    I sure we can work out some arrangment to get you a copy if you
    want to go through the hassle of sending things back and forth over
    the pond.
    
    -TomR-
    

    
    Thanks Tom. I have one of my guys over there in Boston at the moment
    I am hoping he may be able to pick up a copy. Robert Bismuth has
    tried to get me one but had no luck. If my friend doesn't turn one
    up then I will contact you imediately. What sort of voices have
    you been able to create with the software. Have you been able to
    improve on the preset ones.      
    
    I think we should continue this conversation via VAXMAIL to save
    boring the socks off our fellow noters.
    
    				Paul

    A suggestion -
    	If you or a friend has access to CompuServe information network,
    you probably can order it through Music Ally Online at a decent
    price to boot.
    				-Steve Bulmer

Does anybody make a package like this that runs on a Macintosh?

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Note 463.127                        The FB-01                         127 of 145
16514::MOELLER "The future isn't what it used to be." 9 lines  26-JAN-1987 17:57
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    FB01 Editor/Librarian for the MAC
    
             $69
    
    From Beaverton Digital Systems
    PO Box 1626 Beaverton OR 97075
    
    
    - from MacMusic bulletin board system

    There is also a "shareware" FB01 Editor/librarian for the Mac.  Great
    manual.  I've got the manual but not the program.  I could get the
    program from Genie (the big BBS service) for you if you are interested.
    I think he wants $20 for the program, but you get to play with it
    for a while before sending in your money.  Looking at the nice MacWrite
    manual makes me want to buy an FB01!
    
    	Eirikur
    
    

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Note 2148.0                       FB01 Editor.                        No replies
UTROP1::VDBOS                                        12 lines  26-OCT-1989 08:53
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    Hi,
    
    I understand that it is possible to do some voice programming with
    the Yamaha FB01. To be able to do this one need an external MIDI
    device like e.g. an ATARI ST.
    
    Who can help me to find an editor to this.
    
    thanks for your reply
    
    Pete
    

    RE -1
    
    I still have my BEAMTEAM editor/librarian for FB01 running on the
    ATARI ST. If I got it right, you are also running on an ST.
    
    Since I have sold my FB01s, I dont need it any more and would be
    glad to donate it to you for free.
    
    I will be comming down to Utrecht around 16th november and can bring
    it with me, if you would like to have it.
    
    Svein