Yamaha MU5

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Yamaha MU5
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W × H × D (mm) 188 × 33 × 104[1]
Rack units (Not a rack module, fits in 1U)
Weight 340g (without batteries)[1]
Type GM sound module
Keyboard 25 micro-keys (not velocity sensitive)
Manufacturer Yamaha
Release date 1994[2]
Standards General MIDI
Parts 16[1]
Max polyphony 28[1]
Normal presets 128[3]
Drum presets 8[4]
Effects None[5]
Yamaha MU15

The Yamaha MU5 is a portable General MIDI sound module introduced by Yamaha in 1994.[2] It was the first portable module in the Yamaha MU series, featuring a similar form-factor and micro-keys (for note input) to the Yamaha QY series, but without any sequencing functions.[2] It was designed with computer use in mind,[2] and has a TO HOST port for connecting to a computer via serial, like the rest of the MU series.

The sounds[5] and tone generation technology seem to be similar to the Yamaha TG100, but it lacks the C/M mode, RX or Disk Orchestra Collection presets, and it does not feature the TG100's deep editing of tones. Unlike all other MU series devices, the MU5 does not support Yamaha XG, and it uses the older Yamaha "AWM" tone generation technology rather than "AWM2", meaning there are no built-in effects and no low-pass filter available.

Like many other General MIDI 1 devices, it features 8 drumkits[4] based on the Roland GS drumkits (though not by that name), rather than just the standard GM1 drumkit.

The Yamaha MU15, released in 1998, maintains the same "concept" as the MU5, while adding Yamaha XG support.[6]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Yamaha MU5 Owner's Manual, page 46.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 MU5 - Display Collection - INNOVATION ROAD - Yamaha Corporation
  3. Yamaha MU5 Owner's Manual, pages add-2 and add-3.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Yamaha MU5 Owner's Manual, pages add-4 and add-5.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Yamaha MU5, Derek Johnson, Sound on Sound, June 1995.
  6. MU15 - Display Collection - INNOVATION ROAD - Yamaha Corporation

External links

See also

  • Yamaha MU10 (portable XG sound module without controls or a screen)
  • Yamaha QY22 (similar portable GM device, but with a sequencer)