ALPHA ET OMEGA (1995) for Yamaha FB01 Sound Generator and MIDI Keyboard with supplement for Yamaha TX81Z Tone Generator Arthur B. Hunkins "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13 "That all may be one, even as thou, Father, in me and I in thee; that they also may be one in us." John 17:21 GENERAL This work is an alternate version of ALPHA ET OMEGA for Yamaha PSS-480 or PSS-680 synthesizer. These instructions are a SUPPLEMENT to those contained in the file ALPHA.TXT for the PSS synthesizers, and are limited to differences between the two versions. In all respects EXCEPT FOR SETUP, this FB01 realization is essentially the same as that for the PSS synthesizers; please consult ALPHA.TXT for information on performance and overall conception. Whereas the PSS version exists in two variants, this FB01 version exists in EIGHT. Alpha1A (related to Alpha1) and Alpha2A (similar to Alpha2) are new to the FB01, as is a set of four bearing these same names with "+" added (e.g., Alpha1a+). 1a and 2a both incorporate SIX right hand (RH) harmonics rather than five; A5 is the added RH key, and its sound is based on harmonic 13. The "+" series uses DUAL 2-op FM sonorities (rather than the simple 2-op of the others) to elicit subtle beating (by detuning the second pair). Thus these sound a little more animated. Each variant is represented by a "configuration" in the configuration file, ALPHACFG.FB1. Here is the list of major differences between FB01 and PSS versions: 1) while the version for FB01 requires prior downloading of software from a PC compatible computer (with MPU-401 type interface), it does NOT require the computer during performance (no PERF utility is used); 2) only one MIDI cable is necessary; 3) any MIDI keyboard (one required) can control the FB01; 4) it allows for (but does not require) stereo. (The stereo effect is quite limited, however; see below.) SETUP The monitor setup is the same except that both Left and Right Audio Out from the FB01 are connected to the amplifier. If mono sound is desired, Mono mode is selected on the amplifier; otherwise the performance may be realized in stereo. The "stereo" is rudimentary (as are the FB01's capabilities in this area): options are LEFT, CENTER and RIGHT. LH hand keys (C3 and C4) are spatially CENTERED, while RH keys (odd harmonics of C3 starting with #3) alternate between LEFT (3, 7, 11) and RIGHT (5, 9, 13). In variants limited to FIVE RH harmonics--Alpha1(+) and Alpha2(+), harmonic 11 is CENTERED. Any MIDI keyboard, including those velocity sensitive, may be used. It appears that MIDI C3 is the low key on all four and five octave keyboards (including the PSS-480 and 680); so "keys played" will always the same, when counted from the bottom of the keyboard. (Do not be concerned that pitches sounding always represent different octaves, as well as usually different basic notes, from those keys played.) During performance, a MIDI cable is connected from MIDI Out on the keyboard to MIDI In on the FB01. SOFTWARE PREPARATION OF THE FB01 IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE PSS. Also, for the FB01, the downloading described below will probably only need to be done ONCE. If the Memory Power switch on the back of the FB01 has been set to ON, and the internal memory is good (it lasts for five years or so), the FB01 will "remember" the downloaded files indefinitely. First, prepare the FB01 to receive the two files by "unprotecting" it as follows: Press the System Setup key (twice) until Protect ON appears; then press Data Entry -1/No one time (display changes to Protect OFF). Continue by pressing System Setup again (six times) until the original display reappears. Next, connect the MIDI cable between MIDI Out on the MPU-401 style interface to MIDI In on the FB01. Get to the floppy drive directory (a: or b:) that contains this diskette and type MIDIEX . (MIDIEX is a shareware system EXclusive file transfer utility.) Choose T (for Transfer) then type the filename, ALPHACFG.FB1 , then again. (This loads the eight "ConFiGurations.") In a moment, the display "dump/received" should appear; if it doesn't, recheck these steps. Press System Setup once, then Data Entry +1/Yes. The display should now include the name "Alpha." (If it doesn't, press one of the Data Entry keys until it does.) Repeat the transfer process by choosing T again, typing the new filename, ALPHAVB.FB1 then . (This loads the Voice Bank, i.e., the instruments for all variants.) "Dump/received" should again appear. Then press System Setup. The display returns to configuration identifier "Alpha" and the download procedure is complete. Hit ESC to exit from MIDIEX, and you are finished with the computer and interface. The FB01 is now programmed; you have only to select which of the eight variants you wish to perform. This is done with the two Data Entry keys. The various "configurations" are indicated by the bracketed numbers 1 through 8 in the display, followed by their names. For performance, be sure to transfer the computer's MIDI Out connection to MIDI Out on your keyboard. (Keyboard MIDI Out must be connected to FB01 MIDI In.) One item must be verified on the keyboard: its MIDI Transmit Channel must be set to 1. Probably it already is, but check the keyboard (and documentation, if necessary) anyway. (If, when you perform ALPHA, no sound is heard from the FB01, a wrong transmit channel is likely the problem.) There may, in addition, be other items on your keyboard that need to be set in order for it to ACT AS A CONTROLLER. For example, Yamaha 4-op FM synthesizers require a MIDI On/Off setting to be ON. Check your keyboard documentation. PERFORMANCE--Specifics Very few aspects of actual performance differ from the PSS. The added RH harmonic (key A5) in Alpha1a(+) and Alpha2a(+) is treated just like the other harmonics (of course, it is the HIGHEST). Note that it is somewhat more challenging musically and technically to keep track of SIX sonorities/keys with five fingers. At times you may wish to "bar" C5 and D5 with the thumb. Otherwise, the two small differences are: 1) the entry of C4 in the LH, though accompanied by the same RH sonority as in the PSS version, is no longer a problem, as it fades in here rather than suddenly attacking (as with PSS); 2) at the beginning, rather than fading in from zero, preset C3 to the same soft level reached by C4 at the end of the piece just prior to its release. Allow the sonority its natural slow attack, then increase the volume to the prevailing "soft side of moderate." The ending remains as in the PSS version. SUPPLEMENT FOR YAMAHA TX81Z TONE GENERATOR ALPHA ET OMEGA may also be performed on the Yamaha TX81Z Tone Generator and a MIDI keyboard. All aspects of TX81Z realization are identical to the FB01 except for specifics of programming (i.e., downloading of "Configuration,"--here called "Performance," and "Voice Bank" files). Simply substitute the four paragraphs below for paragraphs 4-7 of SETUP. First, prepare the TX81Z to receive the two files by "unprotecting" it as follows: Press PLAY/PERFORM until it displays PLAY SINGLE (it may already do so); then press UTILITY. Press the PARAMETER keys until Mem Protect:on appears, then press the DEC button one time (the display changes to Mem Protect:off). Continue by pressing PLAY/PERFORM again. Next, connect the MIDI cable between MIDI Out on the MPU-401 style interface to MIDI In on the TX81Z. Get to the floppy drive directory (a: or b:) that contains this diskette and type MIDIEX . Choose T then type the filename, ALPHAPRF.TX , then again. (This loads the eight "Performances.") In a moment, the display "Midi Received" should appear; if it doesn't, recheck these steps. Press PLAY/PERFORM once; the display should now include the name "Alpha." (If it doesn't, press one of the Data Entry keys until it does.) Repeat the transfer process by choosing T again, typing the new filename, ALPHAVB.TX , then . "Midi Received" should again appear. Then press PLAY/PERFORM twice to return to performance identifier "Alpha" and the download procedure is complete. Hit EXC to exit from MIDIEX, and you are finished with the computer and interface. The TX81Z is now programmed; you have only to select which of the eight variants you wish to perform. This is done with the two Data Entry keys. The various "performances" are indicated by the numbers PF01 through PF08 in the display, followed by their names. REGARDING VELOCITY SENSITIVE KEYBOARDS Yamaha FB01 and TX81Z tone generators are both capable of having their individual operator output levels controlled by keyboard velocity. ALPHA ET OMEGA allows for velocity control of MODULATION operators; this means that the complexity or diffusion of a sonority is based on how hard the key is struck. When a key is hit forcefully, its sonority "blossoms," while a key pressed gently will result in a sound containing little more than the harmonic itself. This is particularly true of the Alpha1 variants, which have a more constrained sonority to begin with (especially on the TX81Z, where a soft attack results in a very pure tone). LOUDNESS (amplitude of carrier operators) is not effected, only "tone color." (Also uneffected is loudness ENVELOPE, i.e., attack/"blossom" time.) Finally, please note that ONLY RH SONORITIES (harmonic #3 and higher) are velocity sensitive; the two LH keys (C3 and "C4") are not. The performer is encouraged to experiment with RH velocity as a way of further varying the overall harmonic spectrum.