Conference napalm::commusic_v1

RE < Note 811.0 by REGENT::SCHMIEDER >

> I have heard that Yamaha has rereleased the PF(S?) 70 and PF(S?) 80 using DX 
> voicings.  

	When you say DX voicing, I assume you mean FM synthesis.  It's been my
impression that the PF's have always used some generation of FM synthesis.  Sure
you're not getting a sales pitch?

	Dan

RE: .1

No sales pitch, the info comes from an ad in Sweet Potato.

So, now I know it's the one I heard.  Only diff is they made it MIDI 
compatible not too long ago.

Oh well, the note is still open to discussion of Yamaha keyboards.

	I'd rank Sweet Potato right up there with the Nat'l Inquirer for
accuracy.

    The pf-70 and pf-80 are just MIDIed versions of the pf-10 and pf-15
    Electronic Pianos (76 and 88 key, respectively).  I've got the 80 (and
    am *still* waiting for the TX81Z...sigh.  It's mail order for me in the
    future). 
    
    Some features:
    
    As far as I know, all the patches are FM (sounds like it).
    
    Weighted action, velocity sensitive.
    
    *NO* aftertouch or mod/pitch controllers.
    
    10 internal patches (16-note polyphony):
      � 3 pianos (progressively brighter in tone).
      � 4 electric pianos (yes, it's got the Rhodes).
      � Harpsichord
      � Vibes
      � Clavichord (If this is what they really sound like, I don't
                    want one...nothing like an anolog synth's Clav patch)
    
    Assignable to each patch are:
      � Tremelo (depth and speed controllable)
      � Stereo Chorus
      � Touch sensitivity (amount or OFF (i.e. default for harpsichord))
      � Relative volume (for balancing with other patches)
      � Soft Pedal sensitivity
    
    
    All input is done through 10 buttons (1-10) which act differently
    dependent on state.  There is a 3-position switch which changes
    the mode from patch selection to F1 to F2, where F1 is the per-patch
    function selection and F2 are the MIDI-control functions.  These
    same buttons are used for data entry.  All menus and values are
    silk-screened on the panel.
    
    
    MIDI:
    
    Each of the ten patch selection buttons can be assigned a MIDI-out
    program change value, so as a controller, you can only have one-button
    access to ten external patches that you pre-programmed.  When the
    mode is F2, you can choose the program select function and enter
    two digits to send a patch change directly.  In either case, the
    value is limited to the range 1-99!  (Why, I don't know, but doesn't
    the MIDI spec specify 1-127?  This bothers me.)  So, 3 buttons to
    change to a random external patch.  This unit makes no provisions
    for editing of external patches (big surprise, huh?).
    
    The keyboard can be split, so that upper and lower sections send
    on separate arbitrary MIDI channels.  When in split mode, the current
    internal patch can be assigned to upper, lower, both or neither.
    (The unit is *not* bi-timbral, however, so you can't get more than
    one internal voice, i.e. no piano-lower, vibes-upper ability.)
    
    It receives MIDI on any input channel, as well as having an OMNI
    mode.  The internal voices respond to velocity, pitch-bend (I believe,
    I haven't tried this) and patch change messages.
                                                         
    I bought LaSalle's demo for $1175 (cash, bundled with the TX for
    $425).
    
    (Oh yes, it has internal stereo speakers and amp (a la Casio), so
    you could take it to the beach and plug it into your car's
    lighter-to-110/5V converter. ;-)  You don't *really* want to think
    about this, as it outweighs the KX-88.)
                                                        
    I can't wait to use it with the TX...
    
    Richard
    
           

    MIDI specifies patches 0 to 127 (may be numbered 1 to 128 depending
    on your equipment) but few sound modules go that high.  The DX7,
    for example, is limited to 1 to 64.
        John Sauter