Yamaha QY series: Difference between revisions

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The '''Yamaha QY''' series is a line of MIDI sequencers with integrated tone generators, or MIDI workstations, made by Yamaha. Most of them are highly portable devices, dubbed "walkstations" in some Yamaha marketing.<ref name=mt-qy10>[http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/yamaha-qy10/2165 Yamaha QY10], Simon Trask, ''Music Technology'', April 1991.]</ref><ref>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-qy70 Yamaha QY70], Martin Russ, ''Sound on Sound'', September 1997.</ref>
The '''Yamaha QY''' series is a line of MIDI sequencers with integrated tone generators, or MIDI workstations, made by Yamaha. Most of them are highly portable devices, dubbed "walkstations" in some Yamaha marketing.<ref name=mt-qy10>[http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/yamaha-qy10/2165 Yamaha QY10], Simon Trask, ''Music Technology'', April 1991.</ref><ref>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-qy70 Yamaha QY70], Martin Russ, ''Sound on Sound'', September 1997.</ref>


The QY series' sequencing generally has a heavy emphasis on "styles" and "patterns" similar to those used for auto-accompaniment on arranger keyboards.
The QY series' sequencing generally has a heavy emphasis on "styles" and "patterns" similar to those used for auto-accompaniment on arranger keyboards.
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=== Portable sequencers ===
=== Portable sequencers ===


* The [[Yamaha QY10]] was the first in the series, released in 1991. It is a portable battery-powered sequencer roughly the same size as a VHS tape, featuring a non-backlit 1×16 character LCD screen, MIDI in and out ports, and 3.5mm stereo line out. It has 8 parts, 32-voice polyphony, 31 melodic instrument sounds and 26 drum/percussion sounds.<ref name=mt-qy10 />
* The [[Yamaha QY10]] was the first in the series, released in 1990.<ref name=innovation-road-qy10>[https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/experience/innovation-road/collection/detail/2023/ QY10 - Display Collection - INNOVATION ROAD - Yamaha Corporation]</ref> It is a portable battery-powered sequencer roughly the same size as a VHS tape,<ref name=innovation-road-qy10 /> featuring a non-backlit 1×16 character LCD screen, MIDI in and out ports, and 3.5mm stereo line out. It has 8 parts, 28-voice polyphony, 31 melodic instrument sounds and 26 drum/percussion sounds.<ref name=mt-qy10 />
* The [[Yamaha QY20]], released in 1993,<ref name=sos-qy22></ref> improved upon the QY10 by introducing a large 128×64 graphic display with an interface similar to the [[Yamaha TG series]], 16-part multitimbrality, 100 preset melodic instrument sounds, and 100 preset drum sounds (across 8 drumkits).<ref>[https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/5/320975/QY20E1.pdf Yamaha QY20 Owner's Manual], page 185.</ref> It is also partially General MIDI-compatible.
* The [[Yamaha QY20]], released in 1992,<ref>[https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/experience/innovation-road/collection/detail/2062/ QY20 - Display Collection - INNOVATION ROAD - Yamaha Corporation]</ref><ref name=sos-qy22></ref> improved upon the QY10 by introducing a large 128×64 graphic display with an interface similar to the [[Yamaha TG300]], 16-part multitimbrality, 100 preset melodic instrument sounds, 100 preset drum sounds (across 8 drumkits),<ref>[https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/5/320975/QY20E1.pdf Yamaha QY20 Owner's Manual], page 185.</ref> and doubling the number of micro-keys (now covering two octaves). It is also partially General MIDI-compatible.
* The [[Yamaha QY8]], released in 1994, is a smaller, cheaper, simplified model with a custom (not graphic or character) LCD and no micro-keyboard. Like the QY20 it features partial GM compatibility.<ref>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-qy8 Yamaha QY8], Martin Russ, ''Sound on Sound'', September 1994.</ref>
* The [[Yamaha QY8]], released in 1994, is a smaller, cheaper, simplified model with a custom (not graphic or character) LCD and no micro-keyboard. Like the QY20 it features partial GM compatibility.<ref>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-qy8 Yamaha QY8], Martin Russ, ''Sound on Sound'', September 1994.</ref>
* The [[Yamaha QY22]] was the first to be fully [[General MIDI]]-compatible, released in 1995, but is otherwise only a minor upgrade over the QY20.<ref name=sos-qy22>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-qy22 Yamaha QY22], Derek Johnson, ''Sound on Sound'', November 1995.</ref>
* The [[Yamaha QY22]] was the first to be fully [[General MIDI]]-compatible, released in 1995, but is otherwise only a minor upgrade over the QY20.<ref name=sos-qy22>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-qy22 Yamaha QY22], Derek Johnson, ''Sound on Sound'', November 1995.</ref>
* The [[Yamaha QY70]] is the first to feature [[Yamaha XG]] support, released in 1997. It has 24-part multitimbrality (8 parts reserved for the pattern track), 519 preset melodic instrument sounds, 20 drumkits, and can be connected to a computer via a [[TO HOST port]].<ref>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-qy70 Yamaha QY70], Martin Russ, ''Sound on Sound'', September 1996.</ref>
* The [[Yamaha QY70]] is the first to feature [[Yamaha XG]] support, released in 1997. It has 24-part multitimbrality (8 parts reserved for the pattern track), 519 preset melodic instrument sounds, 20 drumkits, and can be connected to a computer via a [[TO HOST port]].<ref>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/yamaha-qy70 Yamaha QY70], Martin Russ, ''Sound on Sound'', September 1996.</ref>
* The [[Yamaha QY100]], released in 2001, adds further sounds and effects, plus an audio input for guitar amp simulation and microphone effects.<ref>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/small-beautiful SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL], Nicholas Rowland, ''Sound on Sound'', October 2001.</ref>
* The [[Yamaha QY100]], released in 2000,<ref>[https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/experience/innovation-road/collection/detail/2091/ QY100 - Display Collection - INNOVATION ROAD - Yamaha Corporation]</ref> adds more presets, an audio input for guitar amp simulation and microphone effects,<ref>[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/small-beautiful SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL], Nicholas Rowland, ''Sound on Sound'', October 2001.</ref> a foot switch input, and a SmartMedia card slot.<ref>[https://faq.yamaha.com/usa/s/article/U0001656 Differences Between a QY70 and QY100] (Yamaha FAQ article)</ref>


=== Desktop sequencers ===
=== Desktop sequencers ===
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== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
== See also ==
* [[Yamaha MU5]] (portable sound module with similar form factor and micro-keys to the QY series, but without a sequencer)
* [[Yamaha MU15]] (ditto)

Latest revision as of 19:14, 28 September 2024

The Yamaha QY series is a line of MIDI sequencers with integrated tone generators, or MIDI workstations, made by Yamaha. Most of them are highly portable devices, dubbed "walkstations" in some Yamaha marketing.[1][2]

The QY series' sequencing generally has a heavy emphasis on "styles" and "patterns" similar to those used for auto-accompaniment on arranger keyboards.

Notable models

Portable sequencers

  • The Yamaha QY10 was the first in the series, released in 1990.[3] It is a portable battery-powered sequencer roughly the same size as a VHS tape,[3] featuring a non-backlit 1×16 character LCD screen, MIDI in and out ports, and 3.5mm stereo line out. It has 8 parts, 28-voice polyphony, 31 melodic instrument sounds and 26 drum/percussion sounds.[1]
  • The Yamaha QY20, released in 1992,[4][5] improved upon the QY10 by introducing a large 128×64 graphic display with an interface similar to the Yamaha TG300, 16-part multitimbrality, 100 preset melodic instrument sounds, 100 preset drum sounds (across 8 drumkits),[6] and doubling the number of micro-keys (now covering two octaves). It is also partially General MIDI-compatible.
  • The Yamaha QY8, released in 1994, is a smaller, cheaper, simplified model with a custom (not graphic or character) LCD and no micro-keyboard. Like the QY20 it features partial GM compatibility.[7]
  • The Yamaha QY22 was the first to be fully General MIDI-compatible, released in 1995, but is otherwise only a minor upgrade over the QY20.[5]
  • The Yamaha QY70 is the first to feature Yamaha XG support, released in 1997. It has 24-part multitimbrality (8 parts reserved for the pattern track), 519 preset melodic instrument sounds, 20 drumkits, and can be connected to a computer via a TO HOST port.[8]
  • The Yamaha QY100, released in 2000,[9] adds more presets, an audio input for guitar amp simulation and microphone effects,[10] a foot switch input, and a SmartMedia card slot.[11]

Desktop sequencers

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Yamaha QY10, Simon Trask, Music Technology, April 1991.
  2. ↑ Yamaha QY70, Martin Russ, Sound on Sound, September 1997.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 QY10 - Display Collection - INNOVATION ROAD - Yamaha Corporation
  4. ↑ QY20 - Display Collection - INNOVATION ROAD - Yamaha Corporation
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Yamaha QY22, Derek Johnson, Sound on Sound, November 1995.
  6. ↑ Yamaha QY20 Owner's Manual, page 185.
  7. ↑ Yamaha QY8, Martin Russ, Sound on Sound, September 1994.
  8. ↑ Yamaha QY70, Martin Russ, Sound on Sound, September 1996.
  9. ↑ QY100 - Display Collection - INNOVATION ROAD - Yamaha Corporation
  10. ↑ SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL, Nicholas Rowland, Sound on Sound, October 2001.
  11. ↑ Differences Between a QY70 and QY100 (Yamaha FAQ article)

See also

  • Yamaha MU5 (portable sound module with similar form factor and micro-keys to the QY series, but without a sequencer)
  • Yamaha MU15 (ditto)
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