Yamaha Vl70m User Manual

							7Virtual Acoustic Synthesis
Controllers (also envelopes)
Instrument Modifiers
Sound out
The VL70-m  Model
The overall VL70-m model or “algorithm” consists of three main blocks:
the instrument, controllers, and modifiers. In schematic form these blocks
are arranged as follows: 
						

							8Virtual Acoustic Synthesis

 NOTES
• The sound thus
produced is amplified
and sustained by the
body of the instrument.
• The pitch of the sound
is determined by the
length of the air
column or string, and
the timbre is a complex
product of the driving
source (reed, lip, air,
string), the shape of
the resonant cavity, the
materials from which
the instrument is made,
etc.
One of the remarkable features of the VL70-m’s Virtual Acoustic Synthesis
system is that just about any driver can be used with any type of pipe or string.
Drivers Pipes/String
The key block in this algorithm is the instrument, since it is here that the
fundamental tone or “timbre” of the sound is defined. The instrument model
consists primarily of a driver — the reed/mouthpiece, lip/mouthpiece, or bow/
string system — and a resonant system corresponding to the tube and air
column or string.
The Instrument
In all these instruments pressure applied
here (the driving point) causes vibration
which results in sound.
String
vibration Air vibrationLip
vibration Reed
vibration 
						

							9Virtual Acoustic Synthesis
The Controllers
The input to an acoustic wind instrument comes from the player’s lungs, tra-
chea, oral cavity, and lips. In a string instrument it comes from the player’s arm
movement, transmitted to the string via a bow. These elements actually form an
important part of the sound generating system and, in the VL70-m model, are
included in the controllers block. The player also influences the sound of the
instrument by playing the keys, tone holes, or frets, and this aspect of control
constitutes another part of the controllers block. These and other control param-
eters provided by the VL70-m are listed in the illustration below.
In essence, the controller parameters determine how the instrument “plays”. All
of these parameters can be assigned to any external controller that can be used
with the VL70-m: breath controller, foot controller, modulation wheel, etc. The
pressure parameter, for example, will normally be assigned to a breath controller
so the player can control the dynamics of the instrument by varying the breath
pressure applied to the controller — a natural, instinctive way to play wind-
instrument voices. At the same time the growl and throat parameters might also
be assigned to the breath controller in order to achieve life-like response and
effects.
Pitch
Changes the length of
the air column or
string, and thereby the
pitch of the sound.
Damping & Absorption
Simulate the effects of
air friction in the pipe
or on the string, and of
high-frequency losses
at the end of the pipe
or string. Embouchure
The tightness of the
lips against the reed
or against each other,
or the force of the
bow against the
string.
Tonguing
Simulates the half-
tonguing technique
used by saxophone
players by changing
the “slit” of the reed.
Scream
Drives the entire system
into chaotic oscillation,
creating effects that can
only be achieved with
physical modelling
technology.Throat
Controls the characteris-
tics of the “player’s”
throat or bowing arm.
Pressure
The amount of breath
pressure applied to the
reed or mouthpiece, or
bow velocity applied to
the string.
Growl
A periodic pressure (bow
velocity) modulation
which produces the
“growl” effect often
heard in wind instru-
ments. 
						

							10
The Modifiers
Virtual Acoustic Synthesis
The modifiers block consists of 4 sections as shown in the diagram. Although
these may appear to be simple effects, they are actually intimately related to the
VL70-m’s sound-producing model and have a significant effect on the sound
(the VL70-m has a separate effects stage with reverb, chorus, variation, and
distortion effects — see page 86).
 Harmonic Enhancer
The Harmonic Enhancer determines the
harmonic structure of the sound to the
extent that it can produce radical timbral
variations within an instrument “family”
(e.g. saxes). The harmonic enhancer param-
eters can be accessed via the Yamaha VL70-
m Expert Editor software (page 25).
 Dynamic Filter
This section is similar to the dynamic filters
found in many conventional synthesizers,
with high-pass, bandpass, band elimination,
and low-pass modes. Some filter parameters
are available via the VL70-m controls, but
detailed editing of parameters such as the
filter type requires the Yamaha VL70-m
Expert Editor software (page 25)
 Frequency Equalizer
This is a 5-band parametric equalizer with frequency, Q (bandwidth), and level
control. The equalizer also has pre-EQ high- and low-pass filters as well as key
scaling capability for precise response control throughout the instrument’s
range. Although only simplified treble and bass parameters are available via the
VL70-m controls, the full range of equalizer parameters can be accessed via the
Yamaha VL70-m Expert Editor software (page 25).
 Resonator
The Resonator uses simulated “resonator” pipes or strings and delays to produce
a “woody” resonance effect — although it has little or no effect on some voices.
The resonator parameters can be accessed via the Yamaha VL70-m Expert
Editor software (page 25).
Frequency
EqualizerDynamic
Filter Harmonic
Enhancer
Resonator 
						

							11Virtual Acoustic Synthesis
There’s More …
In this brief introduction to VL70-m basics we’ve only looked at the central
physical model which is the key the VL70-m’s unprecedented sound and
musical performance. There’s actually much more to it. There’s also an exten-
sive range of other functions and features that are similar to those you may be
familiar with from conventional synthesizers. There are, for example, program-
mable envelopes that can be applied to most of the controllers in addition to
real-time player control. And, of course, there’s a comprehensive selection of
utility functions that give the VL70-m maximum versatility and convenience.
Now that you understand the basics, dive in and find out what the VL70-m can
really do. 
						

							12The Controls & Connectors
The Controls & Connectors
The following brief descriptions of the VL70-m controls and connectors
should help you to understand the overall logic of the interface.
Front Panel
q[POWER/VOL] Control
Press to turn power ON or OFF. Rotate to adjust
overall output volume (clockwise to increase the
volume).
wBreath Controller Jack
An optional Yamaha BC3, BC2 or BC1 Breath
Controller can be plugged in here.
➲ page 17
eWX IN Jack
Allows direct connection of a Yamaha WX-
series Wind MIDI Controller such as the WX11
or WX7, without the need for a WT11 or BT7
wind controller interface.
➲ page 18
rPHONES Jack
Accepts a standard pair of stereo headphones
(stereo mini phone plug) for headphone monitor-
ing of the VL70-m sound without the need for
external amplification equipment. The volume of
the headphone sound is adjusted via the
[POWER/VOL] control.
tDisplay
This large backlit liquid crystal display panel
shows all parameters and prompts necessary for
easy, efficient operation and programming of the
VL70-m. The display contrast can be adjusted as
described on page 99.
➲ page 31
y[PLAY] Button
Press this button to select the VL70-m PLAY
mode in which voices can be selected and
played. If the PLAY mode is already selected,pressing the [PLAY] button causes the currently
selected voice to sound — a convenient test
feature.
➲ page 31
u[EDIT] Button
Activates the VL70-m EDIT mode in which
voices can be edited to create new sounds.
➲ page 46
i[UTIL] Button
Selects the VL70-m UTILITY mode. The
UTILITY mode includes a range of important
utility functions that affect operation of the
VL70-m: SYSTEM SETUP, DUMP OUT,
INITIALIZE, and DEMO SONG.
➲ page 97
o[EFFECT] Button
Selects the VL70-m EFFECT mode in which the
built-in reverb, chorus, variation, and distortion
effects can be assigned and edited as required.
➲ page 88
!0[MODE] Button
Accesses the VL70-m sound module mode
selection function.
➲ page 29
!1[BREATH] Button
Selects the BREATH SETTING which includes
parameters that determine how the VL70-m
responds to control from a breath controller,
WX-series Wind MIDI Controller, or similar
device.
➲ page 95 
						

							13
!2[MIDI/WX] Button
Pressing this button alternately selects the VL70-
m MIDI and WX control modes (when the rear-
panel HOST SELECT switch is set to Mac, PC-
1, PC-2).
➲ page 18
!3[ENTER] Button
The [ENTER] button is used to engage sub-
modes, confirm input, and execute certain
operations. Double-clicking this button (i.e.
press the button twice in rapid succession)
provides access to the SHOW CONTROL and
SHOW EXCLUSIVE (page 103) modes.
➲ page 24
!4[EXIT] Button
This button is used to exit from sub-modes and
cancel certain operations. No matter where you
are in the VL70-m display structure, pressing the
[EXIT] button (a number of times if necessary)
will eventually return you to the PLAY mode.
➲ page 24
!5PART [-] and [+] Buttons
When the VL-XG sound module mode is se-
lected (page 28) these buttons select the part to
be played. Either button can be pressed briefly
for single stepping in the specified direction, or
held for continuous scrolling. In either the VL-XG or VOICE sound module mode (page 27)
pressing both buttons simultaneously switches in
and out of the PLAY mode sub-control mode
(pages 34 and 40).
When the EDIT mode is selected the PART
buttons can be used to switch between param-
eters without having to return to the EDIT mode
menu.
➲ page 36
!6SELECT [] Buttons
These buttons are used to select sub-modes or
parameters. In some cases the selection will be
made from a menu displays, and in others the
SELECT buttons will actually switch display
pages.
➲ page 31
!7VALUE [-] and [+] Buttons
Used to select voices and edit parameter values.
Either button can be pressed briefly for single
stepping in the specified direction, or held for
continuous scrolling. They also have a large-step
function which allows you to skip ahead or
backward in larger increments when selecting
voices or editing numeric parameters: press
either the [-] or [+] button while holding the
other button.
➲ page 31
The Controls & Connectors
PHONESWX IN BREATH
POWER/VOL
PUSH ON/OFFPART MIDI BANK/PGM# VOL EXP PAN REV CHO VAR KEY
BC/WX
VELOCITY
TOUCH EG
VOICE
VL-XG
PLAY EDIT
UTIL
EFFECT
BREATHMODEMIDI/
WX
ENTER
EXITPART
SELECT
VALUE
ALLVIRTUAL ACOUSTIC TONE GENERATOR
qt
!5
!6
!7
!2 !3 !4
wy u i o !0 !1e
r 
						

							14
!8DC IN Connector
The DC output cable from the Yamaha PA-3B
AC Power Adaptor supplied with the VL70-m is
plugged in here.
➲ page 15
!9OUTPUT L/MONO and R Jacks
These are the main stereo outputs from the
VL70-m. Be sure to connect both outputs to the
appropriate channels of a stereo sound system in
order to appreciate the full quality of the VL70-
m sound and effects. The L/MONO jack can be
used alone when connecting to a mono sound
system (e.g. a musical instrument amplifier).
➲ page 22
@0MIDI IN, OUT and THRU Connectors
The MIDI IN connector receives the data from
an external sequencer or other MIDI device
which is to control or transmit data to the VL70-
m. The MIDI THRU connector simply re-
transmits the data received at the MIDI IN
connector, allowing convenient chaining of
MIDI devices. The MIDI OUT connector
transmits data corresponding to VL70-m Breath
Controller operation, or bulk data when one of
the MIDI data transmission functions are acti-
vated. The MIDI OUT connector can also be
used to “echo” (re-transmit) data received via
the MIDI IN or TO HOST connectors.
➲ page 16
@1TO HOST Connector & HOST SELECT Switch
This jack and selector switch allow direct
connection to a personal computer for sequenc-
ing and other music applications — without the
need for a separate MIDI interface.
➲ page 20
The Controls & Connectors
Rear Panel
MIDI
THRU OUT INMIDI Mac
PC-2 PC-1 HOST SELECT
TO  HOST DC  IN
SER   NO.
R L/MONOOUTPUT
!8!9@1@0 
						

							15Setting Up
Setting Up
Power Supply
Your VL70-m comes supplied with a Yamaha PA-3B AC adaptor. Plug the
DC output cable from the AC adaptor into the DC IN jack on the rear panel,
then plug the adaptor into a convenient wall AC power socket. It is also a good
idea to clip the adaptor’s DC cable into the cable clip on the VL70-m rear panel
to minimize the possibility of accidentally unplugging the cable during opera-
tion.

 CAUTION
• Do not attempt to use an AC adaptor other than the supplied unit or an appropriate
replacement provided by your Yamaha dealer to power the VL70-m. The use of an
incompatible adaptor may cause irreparable damage to the VL70-m, and might pose a
serious shock hazard!
• Be sure to unplug the AC adaptor from the AC mains socket when the VL70-m is not in
use.
DC-IN
PA-3B
MIDI Mac
PC-2 PC-1 HOST SELECT
TO  HOST DC  IN
SER   NO.R L/MONOOUTPUT
AC power socket 
						

							16Setting Up
MIDI Connections
The VL70-m can be used with virtually any type of MIDI controller: key-
board, wind controller, sequencer, etc. To ensure reliable error-free transfer
of MIDI data always use high-quality MIDI cables obtained from your Yamaha
dealer or music equipment store. Also avoid MIDI cables that are longer than
about 15 meters, since cables longer than this can pick up noise which can
cause data errors.
The VL70-m MIDI receive channel and device number parameters are available
via the PLAY mode display and PLAY mode sub-control display (pages 32 and
34). Make sure these parameters are set to match the corresponding settings of
the MIDI controller used with the VL70-m.
The played note and velocity values.
Modulation wheel, breath controller, foot controller, sustain, and
other controller data.
Keyboard aftertouch pressure (channel aftertouch only).
Pitch bend wheel position.
Voice numbers and bank select messages.
Voice and system data transmitted in the form of “bulk dumps.”
 The VL70-m receives the following MIDI data:

 NOTES
•IMPORTANT!: The rear-panel HOST SELECT switch must be set to “MIDI” when the VL70-
m is 
not connected to a computer via the TO HOST connector.
• For detailed MIDI specifications refer to the “MIDI Data Format” on page 26 of the List
Book.
• When using the VL70-m with other MIDI equipment, it is a good idea to refer to the
MIDI specifications (implementation chart, MIDI data format) of the equipment used to
ensure compatibility.Note
Control Change
Aftertouch
Pitch Bend
Program Change
& Bank Select
System Exclusive