Music Synthesizer Models EX5, EX5R, EX7 Owner's Manual 4th Edition

29
Introductory
Section
Extended Synthesis
Over the years Yamaha has developed a range of industry-leading music synthesis technologies,
each with its individual strengths and advantages. The EX5, EX5R, and EX7 take an
innovative step forward by combining multiple state-of-the-art Yamaha tone generation
technologies in one extraordinarily versatile instrument. When you need the outstanding
sound and programmability of AWM synthesis, it is there. When you need the unmatched
playability and musical response of VL synthesis (EX5 and EX5R only), it is right at your
fingertips. When you want a beefy analog synthesizer voice, you don’t even have to change
keyboards. And when you want the most responsive effects and simulated resonant systems
available, you need look no further.
This is Extended Synthesis: simply the most powerful array of tone generation technologies
ever provided in a single keyboard or tone generator unit.
About the polyphony of each tone generator, see page 45.
AWM Synthesis
AWM, or “Advanced Wave Memory,” is Yamaha’s original system for effectively using sampled
waveforms in synthesizers and tone generators. Although the basis for all AWM voices is a sampled
waveform — a sample of a “real” existing instrument, a classic synthesizer sound, or other
electronically created sounds — the AWM system provides an extensive range of envelope generator,
filter, modulation, and other parameters which can be applied to the basic waveform. Furthermore, up
to four elements, each with its own “wave” and a complete set of editable parameters, can be assigned
to each voice. The strength of AWM synthesis lies not only in its outstanding sound quality (it uses
16-bit, 44.1 kHz samples), but also in its extraordinary ability to “shape” and control the sound of the
samples.
AWM synthesis also allows the creation of “drum voices” in which different drum and percussion
instruments with individual volume, pitch, and timbre parameters can be assigned to individual notes
of the keyboard (from C-2 through G8).
The EX5, EX5R, and EX7 feature a built-in sampling system which is capable of sampling sounds
from external sources (line or microphone) as well as internal voices. Waveforms sampled using this
feature can be used in AWM voices, so your capacity to create totally new AWM voices is truly
unlimited.
■ AWM System Overview
SAMPLE
AWM
WAVE
FILTER AMPLITUDE EFFECT
PEG FEG
LFO
AEG
Basic/E/qx 5/21/98 11:21 AM Page 29