Yamaha RX-21 Product Manual

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Summary of RX-21

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    Yamaha authorized product manual digital rhythm programmer.

  • Page 2: Digital Rhythm Programmer

    Yamaha digital rhythm programmer owner’s manual.

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    Introduction congratulations on your purchase of a yamaha rx21 digital rhythm programmer! Your rx21 represents the crystallization of the most sophisticated electronic music technology, combining advanced microcomputer control with a top-quality digital pcm sound storage and reproduction system. Wit...

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    Control panel 2.

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    Connections midi in midi out cassette in/out phones out r midi equipment a wide variety of midi compatible equipment may be used. These are just a few examples. Qx sequencer cx5m music computer dx synthesizer 3.

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    Pa-1 power suppy dc9v~ 12v in power on/off output to sound/monitor system other sources pa or recording mixer multitrack recorder out l cassette "in" or "mic" jack cassette "out" or "ear" jack data cassette recorder 4.

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    Avoid placing the rx21 in locations exposed to direct sunlight or high temperatures, excessively high or low humidity, high dust concentration, or vibration. Be sure to connect the rx21 to an ac power supply that meets the power supply specifications listed on the rear of the unit. Ideally, you shou...

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    Setting up please read the precautions section of this manual before setting up your rx21. The connections diagram which folds out at the front of this manual shows you how to make the simple connections necessary to set up your rx21. Use the pa-1 power supply, or any similar power supply to convert...

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    The instruments the rx21 contains nine superb percussion instrument sounds. Because they are getting to know the digitally recorded, they are indistinguishable from the real thing, and allow you to rx21 instruments create totally authentic drum rhythms. The rx21 instruments can be played in real-tim...

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    Buttons increases or decreases the volume by one, respectively. Holding either button down will cause the numbers to change continuously and rapidly. The total level, once set, remains at the selected value even after turning off the rx21. Press pattern play to exit the total level mode. Total level...

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    When you record a pattern, pressing the accent key to add an accent to a beat (no need to press an instrument key at the same time) will affect all instruments sounding on that beat, according to their individual accent levels. For instruments which are not to be accented, simply set their accent le...

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    Pattern operations pattern selection with the rx21, a "pattern" denotes a one bar (one measure) drum sequence, which repeats when you play it back. The rx21 is capable of storing a total of 100 different patterns in its internal pattern memory. Pattern memories 56 through 99 contain 44 preset patter...

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    The lcd, and the rx21 will switch to the new pattern at the end of the pattern that is presently playing (i.E. At the end of the measure). The lcd will then display only the new pattern number. Pattern change during playback (example: patterns 00 01 24) tempo control the pattern tempo can be adjuste...

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    First, select the pattern number you wish to program (numbers 00 through 55 only: patterns 56 through 99 are permanent preset patterns and cannot be re-programmed, although you can edit the preset patterns to produce new patterns, as we’ll explain in the pattern copy section later in this chapter). ...

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    4. Press beat a third time, to return the rx21 to the real time write mode. You are now ready to program your pattern. Tap the red start button, and you’ll hear the “click track” rhythm accents. If, by mistake, you have selected a preset, there will be no click track. Instead, the lcd will show “pre...

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    Grammed pattern cannot be changed. The quantize rate can only be changed by using the beat exchange function (this is described later in this chapter). Real time write (example: 3/4 time, quantize rate 1/16, on pattern 00) play instrument keys to enter pattern. Use accent key to enter accents, clear...

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    For this initial explanation, we’ll assume that you’ve selected a pattern number that is empty of data. You can now set the length and quantize rate of your pattern. Press the beat button. If, by mistake, you have selected a pre-programmed pattern, the lcd will show the error message "preset ptn are...

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    Here’s a simple example of a rhythm pattern programmed in the step write mode, using a quantize rate of 1/16 (this pattern is the same as the one you entered in the real time mode). It’s shown here in regular music notation, and underneath the part of each instrument is shown in the form of a dot di...

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    Play instrument keys to enter more notes. Use accent key to enter accents, +1/yes key to enter rests, clear key plus in- strument key to clear mistakes. You can now playback your pattern in the usual way, adjusting the tempo as desired. Quantize basically, quantize determines the smallest note-incre...

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    Note: the quantize value is set only when a clear pattern is called and is being set for programming, as described in the real time pattern pro- gramming and step write pattern programming sections. To make step write programming of patterns easier and more rapid, the rx21 features the step write do...

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    The length of the dot display depends on two things: the length of the pattern, and the quantize rate. For example, in a 3/4 time pattern with a quantize rate of 1/12, the empty pattern will be displayed thus: however, the lcd display only accommodates 16 beats, so in the case of a pattern with more...

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    You can use the dot display function to examine any pattern, whether programmed in real time or step write. This is a good way to learn what rhythms look like when displayed visually–you’ll find that even complex rhythms quantized at 1/32 look really simple on the dot display. Beat exchange once a p...

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    Important: if you switch from a higher quantize rate to a lower one, only the notes occuring on the new beats will remain-all other notes will be cleared. For example, if you have programmed a part at a quantize rate of 1/32, the beat exchange function will switch the quantize rate to 1/16, and all ...

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    You can set the level of the rx21’s click track (rhythm guide during real time re- cording) before or during recording. Simply press the level key twice, then the beat key. You can now set the click track level using the -1/no and +1/yes keys. The available click level range is 00–31. 00 turns off t...

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    First, press the clear button from the pattern select mode (in this case, the pattern number selected is of no importance). When the “clear ptn pp ?” display appears, simultaneously press the clear and pattern play buttons. The lcd will switch to “clear all ptns ?”. If you decide you don’t want to c...

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    Instrument clear (example: clear hh closed from pattern 00) pattern copy the rx21 allows you to copy any pattern from one pattern number to another pattern number. This is particularly handy when you want to add more instruments or rhythm lines, or otherwise alter an existing pattern, and still keep...

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    Pattern copy (example: copy pattern 79 to pattern 00) 25.

  • Page 28: Song Operations

    Song operations in the rx21 the term "song" refers to a number of patterns connected together to form the complete rhythm track for a musical piece-for example, intro pattern, verse pattern, chorus pattern, fills, ending, etc. When used in a song, the individual patterns are referred to as “parts” o...

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    On”. If you now press start the song that is already selected will play. If you press repeat, the rx21 will revert to the select song mode, and you can select another song. The repeat function will now apply to playback of any song programmed into the rx21. During repeat playback, you can of course ...

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    Or hold-down-for-continuous- movement actions. Also, pressing the song write key while in this mode sends you back to the beginning of the song instantly. At any point in the song you can replace a part simply by entering a new pattern number. Let’s create a simple song consisting of four different ...

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    While in the edit mode, the insert function permits new patterns to be inserted the lnsert function anywhere in the song, between already-programmed parts. Let’s take our song example, in which we’ve already programmed parts 1 through 4, and add a new part between parts 2 and 3, leaving us with a to...

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    While in the edit mode, the delete function can be used to clear parts from a song the delete function program. For example, in the insert function described above, we inserted a new pattern into part 3. To delete this part, we simply locate part 3 using the -1/no or +1/yes key, and press delete. Th...

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    Still in the editing mode, you can now use the -1/no and +1/yes keys and locate the repeats, which are displayed just before the corresponding part (in the case of begin repeat signs) or just after (in the case of end repeat signs) and once located, you can delete repeats in the same way as parts (s...

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    Having located the repeat sign, press delete, and the lcd will show "delete repeat ?”, then press +1/yes to delete, or -1/no to cancel the delete function. Delete repeat (example: delete begin repeat at pattern 2) note: if you delete a begin repeat sign, the corresponding end repeat sign will be ine...

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    All songs in memory (songs 0–3) may be cleared simultaneously if desired. This is a "hidden function" in the sense that it cannot be accessed directly-in order to prevent accidental clearing of the entire song memory contents. First, press the clear button from the song select mode (in this case, th...

  • Page 36: Cassette Operations

    Cassette operations although the rx21 has a considerable amount of internal storage capacity, a cassette interface has been provided to facilitate storage on a standard cassette tape of an unlimited number of your original patterns and songs. The rx21 cassette save and load operations let you save (...

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    The cassette button. The lcd will read "save break” or "verify break”, depending on which function you have interrupted. The rx21 will stop for about 2 seconds, then you can return to the cassette mode by pressing cassette again. The verify function can be accessed directly, without going through th...

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    Load data from cassette 36.

  • Page 39: Midi Functions

    Midi functions the rx21 features midi (musical instrument digital interface) in and out terminals on the rear panel (see the connections diagram for details). This means that your rx21 can control or be controlled by other midi in- struments, so that it functions as part of a state-of-the-art digita...

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    In this example, which in effect has the same sound potential as the previous one, the rx21 controls the qx7 which in turn controls a tx7. It outputs stop and start signals, and the midi clock signal, which will control the tempo of the qx7, which has its clock set to external. 3. Key number recepti...

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    Application example: 2 rx21’s. In this example, the left hand rx21 sends midi data to the right hand rx21, as described later in this chapter. Whichever way you wish to send data, the con- nections should be made as shown. Clock modes the rx21 offers two clock modes (also known as sync modes or sync...

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    The following parameters must be set, in order to carry out the various midi control midi parameters operations that we’ve just discussed. 1. Receive channel (1 through 76) midi information is transmitted on 16 channels, and for key number reception, the rx21 must be set to the same midi channel as ...

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    A key number transmitted by any midi synthesizer, sequencer or music computer will activate any rx21 instrument. For example, you can manually “play” the rx21 "drum kit” on a midi keyboard: you could also program a series of key numbers into your computer or sequencer (like programming in a "melody"...

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    Transmitting midi data the rx21 can function as part of a tape sync setup, where digital impulses recorded tape sync with the on tape can be used to control midi instruments for a total auto-play system. In rx21. The example illustrated, the tape sync signal is recorded on track 1 of a four-track ca...

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    Programming reference guide total level (example: reducing total level from 63 to 50) instrument operations instrument level (example: increase tom 1 level from 15 to 22) accent level (example: increase tom 1 accent level from 5 to 15) 43.

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    Selecting patterns (example: patterns 00, 01, 24) pattern operatlons pattern change during playback (example: patterns 00 01 24) tempo function (example: change tempo from 120 to 140 during playback of pattern 00) real time write (example: 3/4 time, quantize rate 1/16, on pattern 00) 44.

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    Play instrument keys to enter pattern. Use accent key to enter accents, clear key plus instrument key to clear mistakes. Step write (example: 4/4 time, quantize rate 16, on pattern 00) play instrument keys to enter more notes. Use accent key to enter accents, +1/yes key to enter rests, clear key plu...

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    Beat exchange (example: on pattern 00) setting ciick level (example: reducing level from 31 to 20, while recording on pattern 00) 46.

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    Pattern clear (single) (example: clear pattern 00) pattern clear (all patterns, except presets) instrument clear (example: clear hh closed from pattern 00) pattern copy (example: copy pattern 79 to pattern 00) 47.

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    Song playback (example: playback of song 2) song operations repeat playback of song (example: repeat playback of song 0) 48.

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    Song editing (example: song 0, patterns 22,5,79,4) insert (example: insert pattern 59 between parts 2 and 3) delete (example: delete part 3) 49.

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    Entering repeats (example: repeat parts 2 and 5, 3 times) delete repeat (example: delete begin repeat at pattern 2) song clear (single) (example: clear song 0) 50

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    Song clear (all songs) save data to cassette and verify cassette operations start recorder in record mode start cassette recorder in playback mode load data from cassette 51.

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    Clock mode selection midi functions to return to internal clock: midi receive channel setting (example: set to channel 2) key number reception transmitting midi data 52.

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    Error messages no machine is unlimited, and from time to time the rx21’s lcd may present you with an error message indicating that something has gone wrong, or that you have made an operating error. These error messages are as follows: cause: change battery!! Solution: no battery!!! Cause: solution:...

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    Song memory full! Cause: solution: cause: already entered! Solution: verify error! Cause: solution: load error! Cause: solution: cause: midi data error! Solution: you tried to write a song when the song memory was full (for example, all 512 available parts had been used in three songs, and you tried...

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    Specifications sound source rom: 256 kbit wave romx2 no. Of voices: 9 memory capacity no. Of patterns: 100 (00-55 programmable, 56-99 preset) no. Of songs: 4 maximum no. Of parts within songs: 512 controllers buttons tempo, level, accent, sd, tom1, tom2, tom3, bd, hh open, hh closed, cym, claps, sta...

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    Block diagram 56.

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    [ d i g i t a l rhythm programmer ] model rx21 midi i m p l e m e n t a t i o n c h a r t v e r s i o n : 1 . Ø f u n c t i o n . . . T r a n s m i t t e d r e c o g n i z e d remarks b a s i c d e f a u l t x 1 – 16 memorized c h a n n e l c h a n g e d x 1 – 16 mode d e f a u l t x 3 m e s s a g e...

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    Fcc information (usa) while the following statements are provided to comply with fcc regulations in the united states, the corrective measures listed below are applicable worldwide. This series of yamaha professional music equipment uses frequencies that appear in the radio frequency range and if in...

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    Since 1887 yamaha nippon gakki co., ltd. Hamamatsu, japan omd-136 85 11 10.0 cr printed in japan.

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    Yamaha rx21 om yamaha corporation of america 6600 orangethorpe avenue, p.O. Box 6600, buena park, ca 90622-6600 r x 2 1 o m 9/10/98 29645 recyclab!E recycled.