Yamaha QY100 Palmtop Music Sequencer
No longer available at zZounds
64-note polyphony. 20 songs + 3 demo songs.
Overview
If you're a guitarist, singer, or other instrumentalist who wants an easy way to create great-sounding accompaniment for practice or performance, the QY100 is for you! If you're an artist who needs a versatile song-writing tool for sequencing and music production, the QY100 is perfect for you, too! The QY100 is compact and battery-powered so you can even pop it into your bag or backpack and create and play anywhere, anytime!
Features
Amp simulator for killer guitar tone and smooth microphone sound
Advanced 8-track accompaniment sequencer with an extensive database of more than 4,000 phrases, 128 preset styles, and 99 chord templates
16-track linear sequencer with a comprehensive set of processing jobs and in-depth editing capability
A superb selection of 547 super-sounding voices and 22 drum kits
Top-quality onboard effects for the internal voices as well as guitar or microphone input
SmartMedia memory card data storage
PC- and Mac-compatible QY Data Filer software
Intuitive, easy-to-use interface
The Amp Simulator Inspiring Sound for Guitarists and Singers
Let's face it, great sound is what inspires performance and motivates you to practice. The QY100's built-in Amp Simulator bring you the characteristics of a range of amplifiers specifically guitar amplifiers and microphone preamplifiers so you have total control over your own sound as well as your backing accompaniment. In addition to great amp sound, the QY100 Amp Simulator includes a range of top-quality… read more effects for use with guitar and microphone.
The guitar setups, for example, feature overdrive/distortion, modulation (chorus, flange, etc.), and reverb. The microphone setups offer delay, modulation and reverb. The QY100 has 18 guitar setups and 5 microphone setups that you can customize to create the perfect sound for your music.
Accompaniment Created in an Instant, or Finely Crafted for Your Music
The QY100 accompaniment tracks and functions make simple to put complete accompaniments together in a matter of minutes. The result is that you spend less time programming and more time creating and playing. Rather than recording individual notes or chords as on the linear "sequencer" tracks described below, accompaniments are produced by specifying a sequence of "patterns" to be played within a specified "style," and an appropriate chord progression.
Preset Styles and Patterns
The QY100 includes 128 preset accompaniment styles covering everything from hard-core through hip-hop to waltzes (check out the style list, below), each with 6 variation "patterns" (intro, A section, B section, A-to-B fill, B-to-A fill, and ending).
Create Your Own Styles and Patterns
The QY100 provides an extensive database of more than 4,000 phrases (drum phrases, bass phrases, keyboard phrases, etc.) that you can combine in the 8-track pattern sequencer to create original style patterns. If you really want to be original you can even record your own phrases from scratch. The QY100 has memory for up to 64 complete original styles each with a complete set of 6 patterns.
Chord Templates
Of course, you can't have accompaniments without chord changes. Once again, the QY100 makes life easy with 99 preset chord progressions that you can simply select and play. These "chord templates" include a wide range of standard progressions some you might recognize from your favorite songs commonly used in a wide range of musical genres, plus some innovative variations.
Recording Original Changes Is Easy, Too
Chord changes are recorded simply by entering the names of the chords at the appropriate times (you can do this via the micro-keyboard simply by pressing the appropriate key). You can specify the bass notes for the chords, as well as syncopated chord timing for maximum versatility in creating accompaniments for any type of music. The entire accompaniment is automatically re-harmonized to match the chords you specify.
16-Track Linear Sequencer for Embellishment or Full-blown Music Production
When you want to create songs linearly, it's time to take advantage of the extraordinary potential provided by the QY100's 16-track sequencer. You can individually assign any of the QY100's 547 normal voices or 22 drum kits to the sequencer tracks and record anything you like via the built-in micro-keyboard or an external MIDI keyboard or any other type of MIDI controller connected to the MIDI IN connector. Whether you use all 16 tracks to create rich musical textures, or just a few tracks for simple arrangements or to add a few details to accompaniments created using the QY100's accompaniment features, the sequencer offers the creative control and expressive power you need to get your musical message across.
A Choice of Modes for Maximum Recording Versatility
The sequencer tracks can be recorded in real time using the "replace" or "overdub" recording mode. In the "replace" mode anything you record will replace (overwrite) any material that was previously on the same section of the track being recorded. The "overdub" mode, on the other hand, lets you add new material to a previously recorded track without erasing the previous data. This lets you build up a track bit by bit without having to play the entire part all at once. Another option is the "step" record mode in which you can enter notes one at a time to create extremely fast or complex passages that would be difficult to record in real time. The "step" mode is also useful for adding finishing touches to tracks recorded in real time. Finally, there's a "multi" record mode in which all 16 sequencer tracks can be recorded simultaneously a great feature for transferring MIDI data to the QY100 from another sequencer.
Comprehensive "Jobs" and In-Depth Editing
We're not kidding when we say that the QY100 sequencer offers total creative control. All of the features you'd expect in a full-blown sequencer are there plus a few extras. The "jobs" available for processing sequencer tracks include everything from must-haves such as quantization, to innovative functions like automatic crescendos and chord sorting. And if you need to work on individual notes or events, the edit mode makes every detail available for precise adjustment.
A Superior Selection of Voices and Drum Kits with Editing Capability
The QY100's built-in tone generator is a high-performance sound module in its own right, with an expanded wave memory that has made it possible to dramatically improve the quality of all voices, and the drums in particular. It offers a range of 547 voices in a complete range of instrument categories (sound effects included), as well as 22 drum and percussion kits. The tone generator section is fully GM and XG compatible so you can actually use it as an independent sound module driven from an external sequencer or computer-based MIDI music system. There's even a range of editing controls for the voices and drum kits so you can customize the sounds to ideally complement your music.
Onboard Effects
Yamaha is famous for the quality of its reverb and other effects, and the QY100 is no exception. The built-in effect system provides top-quality reverb, chorus, and variation effects (including modulation and distortion) that you can use to refine and polish your sound. Each sequencer track has individual send controls for the reverb, chorus, and variation effect stages, so you can apply effects separately to each track as required.
SmartMedia Storage
Settings, sequences, and patterns can be saved to and loaded from standard memory cards for convenient, high-volume storage and portability. Memory cards are also a great way to back up important data so it can't be accidentally erased or lost
QY100 Data Filer Software Included
If you have a personal computer PC or Macintosh you can use the supplied QY100 DATA FILER software to transfer QY100 data to and from your computer for convenient management and storage.
Battery or AC Power
Inspiration can strike anywhere, and at any time. The QY100 will always be ready: use an AC adapter indoors, or create with battery power outdoors or on the road. 6 AA alkaline batteries will keep the QY100 running for about 3 hours of continuous use.
*Memory card access may not be possible when the batteries begin to run low. read less
Features
Amp simulator for killer guitar tone and smooth microphone sound
Advanced 8-track accompaniment sequencer with an extensive database of more than 4,000 phrases, 128 preset styles, and 99 chord templates
16-track linear sequencer with a comprehensive set of processing jobs and in-depth editing capability
A superb selection of 547 super-sounding voices and 22 drum kits
Top-quality onboard effects for the internal voices as well as guitar or microphone input
SmartMedia memory card data storage
PC- and Mac-compatible QY Data Filer software
Intuitive, easy-to-use interface
The Amp Simulator Inspiring Sound for Guitarists and Singers
Let's face it, great sound is what inspires performance and motivates you to practice. The QY100's built-in Amp Simulator bring you the characteristics of a range of amplifiers specifically guitar amplifiers and microphone preamplifiers so you have total control over your own sound as well as your backing accompaniment. In addition to great amp sound, the QY100 Amp Simulator includes a range of top-quality… read more effects for use with guitar and microphone.
The guitar setups, for example, feature overdrive/distortion, modulation (chorus, flange, etc.), and reverb. The microphone setups offer delay, modulation and reverb. The QY100 has 18 guitar setups and 5 microphone setups that you can customize to create the perfect sound for your music.
Accompaniment Created in an Instant, or Finely Crafted for Your Music
The QY100 accompaniment tracks and functions make simple to put complete accompaniments together in a matter of minutes. The result is that you spend less time programming and more time creating and playing. Rather than recording individual notes or chords as on the linear "sequencer" tracks described below, accompaniments are produced by specifying a sequence of "patterns" to be played within a specified "style," and an appropriate chord progression.
Preset Styles and Patterns
The QY100 includes 128 preset accompaniment styles covering everything from hard-core through hip-hop to waltzes (check out the style list, below), each with 6 variation "patterns" (intro, A section, B section, A-to-B fill, B-to-A fill, and ending).
Create Your Own Styles and Patterns
The QY100 provides an extensive database of more than 4,000 phrases (drum phrases, bass phrases, keyboard phrases, etc.) that you can combine in the 8-track pattern sequencer to create original style patterns. If you really want to be original you can even record your own phrases from scratch. The QY100 has memory for up to 64 complete original styles each with a complete set of 6 patterns.
Chord Templates
Of course, you can't have accompaniments without chord changes. Once again, the QY100 makes life easy with 99 preset chord progressions that you can simply select and play. These "chord templates" include a wide range of standard progressions some you might recognize from your favorite songs commonly used in a wide range of musical genres, plus some innovative variations.
Recording Original Changes Is Easy, Too
Chord changes are recorded simply by entering the names of the chords at the appropriate times (you can do this via the micro-keyboard simply by pressing the appropriate key). You can specify the bass notes for the chords, as well as syncopated chord timing for maximum versatility in creating accompaniments for any type of music. The entire accompaniment is automatically re-harmonized to match the chords you specify.
16-Track Linear Sequencer for Embellishment or Full-blown Music Production
When you want to create songs linearly, it's time to take advantage of the extraordinary potential provided by the QY100's 16-track sequencer. You can individually assign any of the QY100's 547 normal voices or 22 drum kits to the sequencer tracks and record anything you like via the built-in micro-keyboard or an external MIDI keyboard or any other type of MIDI controller connected to the MIDI IN connector. Whether you use all 16 tracks to create rich musical textures, or just a few tracks for simple arrangements or to add a few details to accompaniments created using the QY100's accompaniment features, the sequencer offers the creative control and expressive power you need to get your musical message across.
A Choice of Modes for Maximum Recording Versatility
The sequencer tracks can be recorded in real time using the "replace" or "overdub" recording mode. In the "replace" mode anything you record will replace (overwrite) any material that was previously on the same section of the track being recorded. The "overdub" mode, on the other hand, lets you add new material to a previously recorded track without erasing the previous data. This lets you build up a track bit by bit without having to play the entire part all at once. Another option is the "step" record mode in which you can enter notes one at a time to create extremely fast or complex passages that would be difficult to record in real time. The "step" mode is also useful for adding finishing touches to tracks recorded in real time. Finally, there's a "multi" record mode in which all 16 sequencer tracks can be recorded simultaneously a great feature for transferring MIDI data to the QY100 from another sequencer.
Comprehensive "Jobs" and In-Depth Editing
We're not kidding when we say that the QY100 sequencer offers total creative control. All of the features you'd expect in a full-blown sequencer are there plus a few extras. The "jobs" available for processing sequencer tracks include everything from must-haves such as quantization, to innovative functions like automatic crescendos and chord sorting. And if you need to work on individual notes or events, the edit mode makes every detail available for precise adjustment.
A Superior Selection of Voices and Drum Kits with Editing Capability
The QY100's built-in tone generator is a high-performance sound module in its own right, with an expanded wave memory that has made it possible to dramatically improve the quality of all voices, and the drums in particular. It offers a range of 547 voices in a complete range of instrument categories (sound effects included), as well as 22 drum and percussion kits. The tone generator section is fully GM and XG compatible so you can actually use it as an independent sound module driven from an external sequencer or computer-based MIDI music system. There's even a range of editing controls for the voices and drum kits so you can customize the sounds to ideally complement your music.
Onboard Effects
Yamaha is famous for the quality of its reverb and other effects, and the QY100 is no exception. The built-in effect system provides top-quality reverb, chorus, and variation effects (including modulation and distortion) that you can use to refine and polish your sound. Each sequencer track has individual send controls for the reverb, chorus, and variation effect stages, so you can apply effects separately to each track as required.
SmartMedia Storage
Settings, sequences, and patterns can be saved to and loaded from standard memory cards for convenient, high-volume storage and portability. Memory cards are also a great way to back up important data so it can't be accidentally erased or lost
QY100 Data Filer Software Included
If you have a personal computer PC or Macintosh you can use the supplied QY100 DATA FILER software to transfer QY100 data to and from your computer for convenient management and storage.
Battery or AC Power
Inspiration can strike anywhere, and at any time. The QY100 will always be ready: use an AC adapter indoors, or create with battery power outdoors or on the road. 6 AA alkaline batteries will keep the QY100 running for about 3 hours of continuous use.
*Memory card access may not be possible when the batteries begin to run low. read less
Specs
Data capacity: approximately 32,000 notes
Note resolution: 480 clocks per quarter note
Tempo: 25-300
Polyphony: 64 notes
Modes: Song mode (Song, Song Voice, Song Effect) Pattern mode (Pattern, Pattern Voice, Pattern Effect)
Record modes: Real-time replace; Real-time overdub, Step, Multi
Tracks Song: 16 sequencer tracks, pattern track (Pt), chord track (Cd), tempo track (Tm) Pattern: 8 pattern phrase tracks
Songs: 20 songs + 3 demo songs
Patterns: 768 preset patterns (128 preset styles x 6 sections), 384 user patterns (64 user styles x 6 sections)
Sections: Intro, Main A, Main B, Fill AB, Fill BA, Ending
Phrases: 4,285 preset phrases, 48 user phrases per user style
Chord types: 26 types (including "non-ABC" type )
Chord templates: 99 preset chord templates, 1 user chord progression per song, Swing, Drum table remapping, Start/Stop, Section change
Play Effect: Swing, Drum table re-mapping
Foot switch functions: Start/Stop, Section change
Type AWM2 tone generator
Maximum Polyphony: 32 notes
Multi-timbral capability: 24 timbres (last note priority with element reserve, DVA)
Preset voices: 547 normal voices, 22 drum voices
Effects: 3 blocks (Reverb, Chorus, Variation)
Reverb: 11 types
Chorus: 11 types
Variation 43: types
Amp Simulator Setups: 23 setups (18 Guitar Setups and 5 Microphone Setups)
Blocks Preamp Block (for Guitar) or Delay Block (for microphone), Chorus Block, Reverb Block
Foot switch functions: Block On/Off
Save: All/SONG/STYLE/SMF(Format 0)/SMF+XG(Format0)
Load: ALL/SONG/STYLE/SMF(Format 0)/SMF+XG(Format 0)
Display: 128 x 64 dots graphic LCD
Line Out/Phones: stereo mini jack x 1
Guitar/Mic Input: standard monaural jack x 1
MIDI to Host: IN x 1, OUT x 1
Foot SW: standard jack x 1
Card slot: 3.3 V SmartMedia memory cards
DC IN: for PA-3B
Dimensions (W x D x H): 238 x 118 x 48 mm (9-3/8 x 4-5/8 x 1-7/8 in.)
Weight (without batteries): 750 g (1 lbs., 10 oz)
Note resolution: 480 clocks per quarter note
Tempo: 25-300
Polyphony: 64 notes
Modes: Song mode (Song, Song Voice, Song Effect) Pattern mode (Pattern, Pattern Voice, Pattern Effect)
Record modes: Real-time replace; Real-time overdub, Step, Multi
Tracks Song: 16 sequencer tracks, pattern track (Pt), chord track (Cd), tempo track (Tm) Pattern: 8 pattern phrase tracks
Songs: 20 songs + 3 demo songs
Patterns: 768 preset patterns (128 preset styles x 6 sections), 384 user patterns (64 user styles x 6 sections)
Sections: Intro, Main A, Main B, Fill AB, Fill BA, Ending
Phrases: 4,285 preset phrases, 48 user phrases per user style
Chord types: 26 types (including "non-ABC" type )
Chord templates: 99 preset chord templates, 1 user chord progression per song, Swing, Drum table remapping, Start/Stop, Section change
Play Effect: Swing, Drum table re-mapping
Foot switch functions: Start/Stop, Section change
Type AWM2 tone generator
Maximum Polyphony: 32 notes
Multi-timbral capability: 24 timbres (last note priority with element reserve, DVA)
Preset voices: 547 normal voices, 22 drum voices
Effects: 3 blocks (Reverb, Chorus, Variation)
Reverb: 11 types
Chorus: 11 types
Variation 43: types
Amp Simulator Setups: 23 setups (18 Guitar Setups and 5 Microphone Setups)
Blocks Preamp Block (for Guitar) or Delay Block (for microphone), Chorus Block, Reverb Block
Foot switch functions: Block On/Off
Save: All/SONG/STYLE/SMF(Format 0)/SMF+XG(Format0)
Load: ALL/SONG/STYLE/SMF(Format 0)/SMF+XG(Format 0)
Display: 128 x 64 dots graphic LCD
Line Out/Phones: stereo mini jack x 1
Guitar/Mic Input: standard monaural jack x 1
MIDI to Host: IN x 1, OUT x 1
Foot SW: standard jack x 1
Card slot: 3.3 V SmartMedia memory cards
DC IN: for PA-3B
Dimensions (W x D x H): 238 x 118 x 48 mm (9-3/8 x 4-5/8 x 1-7/8 in.)
Weight (without batteries): 750 g (1 lbs., 10 oz)
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(136 ratings)
Submitted May 2, 2009 by a customer from hotmail.co.uk
"You will not be disappointed !"
I need to team it up with some sort of recording device but I hope to have this areound for a long time.
Sound
Believe it or not I use this to compose classical-ish music. I am disabled and find computers a pain. This is so handy and easy to use. Sounds can be altered via "voice effect". With that and a lot of DSP you can get a very reasonable piano sound. The "warm strings" are quite beautiful. Oboe is a problem...but it always is.French Horn 2 is really good and Slow Violin is..almost there ! Like most of these gizmos it is a question of finding the voices you most like and using them only. Mellow Choir is amazingly good and Orchestra 2 in short bursts is very convincing !
Features
It could do with more Chinese instruments. A Northumberland bagpipe and some more orchestral stuff such as legato orchestra, better flute and better nylon string guitar, woodwind section and a bit of an improvement on the brass instruments would be welcome. It is not possible to record from the microphone into it...but otherwise this is a quite incredible machine !
Ease of Use
I found it a lot easier to use than a computer. If you switch it off you don't have to save anything - you can get immediately back to where you were when you switch on again. No waiting for Windows to groan into action !
Quality
It is fine - I often drop it - it keeps playing !
Value… read more
Worth every farthing.
Manufacturer Support
Support is ok in the UK by phone.
The Wow Factor
It is what it can do in such a small box - incredible !
Musical Background:
Amateur Composer
Musical Style:
Classical and Weird read less
Sound
Believe it or not I use this to compose classical-ish music. I am disabled and find computers a pain. This is so handy and easy to use. Sounds can be altered via "voice effect". With that and a lot of DSP you can get a very reasonable piano sound. The "warm strings" are quite beautiful. Oboe is a problem...but it always is.French Horn 2 is really good and Slow Violin is..almost there ! Like most of these gizmos it is a question of finding the voices you most like and using them only. Mellow Choir is amazingly good and Orchestra 2 in short bursts is very convincing !
Features
It could do with more Chinese instruments. A Northumberland bagpipe and some more orchestral stuff such as legato orchestra, better flute and better nylon string guitar, woodwind section and a bit of an improvement on the brass instruments would be welcome. It is not possible to record from the microphone into it...but otherwise this is a quite incredible machine !
Ease of Use
I found it a lot easier to use than a computer. If you switch it off you don't have to save anything - you can get immediately back to where you were when you switch on again. No waiting for Windows to groan into action !
Quality
It is fine - I often drop it - it keeps playing !
Value… read more
Worth every farthing.
Manufacturer Support
Support is ok in the UK by phone.
The Wow Factor
It is what it can do in such a small box - incredible !
Musical Background:
Amateur Composer
Musical Style:
Classical and Weird read less
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