Yamaha RM1X Realtime MIDI Sequencer And Remixer

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Features a sequencer with a memory capacity of 110,000 notes and an AWM2 Tone Generator.

The incredible Yamaha RM1x is a complete dance-music workstation that is both a real-time performance instrument and a powerful production tool. An intuitive "hands-on" interface makes real-time operation easy for artists with a DJ background, while in-depth sequencing and editing functions make it possible to create the most complex original pattern from scratch.

The RM1x for Performance
The RM1x also features a great-sounding tone generator with an enormous selection of great dance sounds built in. If dance is your style and you want the most powerful performance and production tools right at your fingertips, it doesn't get much better than this: the Yamaha RM1x Sequence Remixer.

RM1x — Your Main Remix Machine
You can instantly switch between 16 "sections" included in each pattern simply by tapping keys on the RM1x's large keyboard and use the real-time controller knobs to bend, twist, and shape your sound on the fly. It's a snap to mute and un-mute tracks during playback. A single RM1x is all you need to keep the dance floor jumping all night long. Furthermore, you can combine the RM1x with other MIDI-compatible music gear for even greater versatility.

The RM1x for Production
If you're into serious music production as well as real-time tweaking, the RM1x gives you everything you need. In addition to a top-quality tone generator with 700 voices, which can be edited to create precisely the sound your grooves require, the RM1x features a fully blown, powerful sequencer that read more lets you create and edit original patterns with total control.

Variety of Record Modes
You can record original material by using a variety of record modes — real-time replace, real-time overdub, punch-in, step, and grid. These modes are designed to work for many different types of musicians. The grid mode provides a programming interface that many artists with a DJ background will already be familiar with. You can edit the recorded material and add effects to polish and refine the final sound.

MIDI Compatible
RM1x is MIDI compatible and includes a full complement of MIDI functions makes it an ideal core device for a sophisticated MIDI dance production system.

Dance Oriented Sounds
An extensive arsenal of 700 outstanding dance-oriented sounds.

Styles, Patterns, and Phrases
An awesome assortment of 50 preset styles, 960 patterns, and 7,726 phrases.

Assignable Control Knobs
8 assignable real-time control knobs, a large LCD display with 4 display knobs, and a large multi-function keyboard.

Style
Each "style" has up to 16 "sections" which can be switched in real time during playback via the RM1x keyboard.

16-Track Sequencer
Powerful 16 track sequencer with 110,000 note memory and 480 clocks/quarter note resolution lets you record original material via the RM1x keyboard or an external MIDI keyboard using a versatile range of record modes: real-time replace, real-time overdub, punch-in, step, and grid.

Sequence Editing Functions
In-depth sequence editing functions make it possible to create and refine complex patterns and musical textures with extraordinary precision.

Edit Voices
Edit and refine the RM1x voices to create sounds that most ideally suit your own music.

Multi-Effect System
A sophisticated multi-effect system can be used to add anything from subtle ambience to wild variations.

Play Effects
Real-time "Play Effects' including harmonize with unison and octave functions, beat stretch, clock shift, gate time, and velocity offset.

Floppy Disk:
Built-in floppy disk drive for convenient, low cost data storage and retrieval.

LCD Display
The RM1x backlit LCD displays panel is undoubtedly the largest and most comprehensive available on a production tool in its class, making operation extraordinarily easy and efficient — and it even has a cool-looking "negative" display mode. Whether you're editing detailed sequence parameters, adjusting track pan or volume, or tweaking effect send levels, the RM1X display and control interface offer unprecedented ease and efficiency.

Knobs and Function Buttons
The 4 knobs and function buttons located immediately below the display directly control corresponding parameters on the display. No need for time-consuming incrementing or decrementing of numbers when you're in the middle of a show or trying to turn a creative brainstorm into real sound — just grab a knob and turn to get the effect you want.

Real-Time Controller Knobs
One of the features that makes the RM1x a great performance tool is its real-time controller knobs that let you tweak the corresponding parameters in real-time during playback. The knobs can be set to sweep filter cutoff frequency, pitch bend, add, and modify effects or control just about any available parameter

Controller Knob Features
Edits you make with the controller knobs can actually be recorded in real-time, or applied to the sequence data later by using the appropriate editing job. You can hear the results as you are recording or editing make it easier than ever to pinpoint the groove you're after. Whether you're editing material originally created on the RM1x or "remixing" MIDI sequence data created on other equipment, the RM1x offers easy intuitive control that can lead to truly inspired creations.

8 Controller Knobs:
You have instant access to multiple parameters, and you can control more than one parameter at the same time. There's also a knob button, which switches between 2 sets of parameters for all 8 knobs. The parameters listed on the panel are the default assignments, but other parameters can be assigned as required. In addition to controlling internal RM1x parameters these knobs as transmit MIDI control change data-ideal for real-time control of other external MIDI instruments and devices.

Pattern and Patch
The Patterns mode provides access to most of the RM1x's performance and recording functions as well as the powerful, convenient Patch function.

Patch Function
The Patch function make it easy to select phrases from the huge selection of 7,726 provided with the RM1x or phrases you've recorded yourself, and "patch" them together to create complete patterns. This ability to mix and match a variety of rhythm, bass, and chordal/melodic phrases lets you create a virtually unlimited range of new patterns quickly and easily.

Pattern Chain
Another feature that is deal for dance-music production, the pattern chain mode, allows preset and/or original patterns to be easily "chained" together for automatic sequential playback.

Groove
The RM1x Grid Groove function makes it possible to adjust the note offset, clock shift, gate offset, and velocity offset of the notes in a specified track via a 1-measure 16th-note grid to create "grooves" that would not be possible with precise sequencer-like programming.

Harmonize Play Effect
The Harmonize feature adds considerable flexibility to the RM1x play effects by allowing unison harmonization to create deliberate out-of-phase effects, octave harmony, and the addition of 2 parallel harmony lines.

Arpeggio
The ability to create simple arpeggios via an easy-to use grid interface adds a greatly to the versatility and depth of the RM1x. In addition to data transmission via MIDI, it can be recorded to internal sequencer.

Effect
Detailed effect editing to add finishing touches to your sound with Yamaha's professional studio-quality reverb, delay, modulation, distortion, and an extensive range of other effects

Voice Edit
This sub mode provides access to in-depth voice editing parameters that you can use to customize voices for your own personal sound. A comprehensive range of envelope generator, LFO, filter, and other parameters make it a breeze to match the RM1x sound to your music.

Setup
The setup sub mode includes a low boost function with a wide 24dB range for ground shaking bass (mind those speakers — low boost is powerful!), knob assignment for the RM1x's real-time control knobs, and individual output channel assignments for the internal tone generator and MIDI transmission.

Job
The job sub mode gives you access to the RM1x's extensive range of pattern, pattern chain, and song jobs. The pattern mode, for example, offers a range of 36 jobs to perform functions such as quantization, transposition, creating crescendos and glides, creating rolls, and much, much more.

Tap/Enter Button
Tap BPM entry lets you define tempos the way you feel them rather than with numbers.

Multi-Function Keyboard and Mode Buttons
This 26-note keyboard makes it possible to program the RM1x without having to connect an external MIDI keyboard. It's even polyphonic (the RM1x has a 64-note polyphony), so you can directly enter chords as well as single notes. The keyboard also acts as an easy-to-use real-time interface for a range of functions including track selection, transposition, numeric data entry, track mute/solo, and section selection.

Black Keys
The "black keys" also perform a range of other functions, such as selecting specific mute track ranges and memorizing a number of track mute setups.

Mute Memory
The mute memory function lets you specify groups of tracks, which can then be instantly muted or un-muted, by pressing a single-key.

Floppy Disk Drive
You can conveniently save and load RM1x data at any time and load SMF (Standard MIDI File) data created on other sequencers or computer-based systems. You can then use the RM1x's editing features and/or real-time control capabilities to "remix" the data to create the groove you require.
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Sequencer
Memory Capacity: 110,000 notes

Timing Resolution: 1/480 quarter-note

Polyphony: Maximum 64 simultaneous notes

Tempo: 25.0-300.0

Recording Methods: Real-time (Replace, Overdub, Punch-in), Step, Grid Step

Sequencer Tracks: 16

Tracks Per Pattern: 16

Preset Patterns: 960 (60 styles x 16 sections)

User Patterns: 800 (50 styles x 16 sections)

Pattern Chains, Songs: 20 songs

Edit: Song Edit, Phrase Edit

Jobs: 36 pattern jobs, 8 pattern chain jobs, 28 song jobs

Split: Slip song, Split pattern

Grooves: Grid Grooves (Note Offset, Clock Shift, Gatetime Offset, Velocity Offset)

Play Effects: Play Effects (Beat Stretch, Clock Shift, Gatetime, Velocity Offset); Harmonize (Unison, Octave, Harmonize 1, Harmonize 2)
MIDI Delay MIDI Delay edit, Feedback edit

Arpeggios Type: (up, Down, Alternate 1, Alternate 2, Random), Sort Hold, Octave Range, Sequence Formats

Sequence Formats: RM1x format, SMF (Format 0)

Tone Generator
Tone Generation AWM2

Polyphony: Maximum 32 simultaneous notes

Multi-Timbral: Maximum 16 timbres (last-note priority with element reserve, DVA)

Preset Voices: 654 normal voices, 46 drum-kit voices (excl. GM normal voices and GM drum-kit voices)

Effects: 11 Reverb types, 11 Chorus types, 43 Variations

Digital Low Boost: +24db/50hz-2.0khz

General
Display: 64 x 240-dot backlit graphic LCD (adjustable contrast)

Connectors: Phones, Output x 2 (L/Mono, R), Foot Switch, DC IN, MIDI IN, MIDI OUT

Disk Storage: 3.5 in. 2DD/2HD floppy disk drive

Dimensions (W x D x H): 420 x 282 x 98 mm

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (154 ratings)
Submitted December 2, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com

"I'm loving this unit, used price or no, the machine is still fabulous, if ya get into it, the tweaks are well worth owning an RM"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I have supplemented and hooked other equipment up using this unit, but this main unit is my second recording gear, so i would definitely look for another RM1x for All the reasons listed above in my review. The only other unit id replace it with, or use instead is a computer DAW. Everything else hooks up with this unit with a small mixer, but if i didnt use a mixer, id just get a whole, expensive hdd enabled DAW. It even hooks up to my computer using the mixer, so i have a DAW+ and for way less money! Way less. I like the most the ability to fine tune my recordings, the clear sounds, the ability to change sounds and patterns, record to machine then to real time control, those i like the most about this unit. Least like? The innocuosly written manual, reminds me of: Fact, it does this, Fact this can happen... The Power User Manual led me on to much of the nitty gritty of the internals and how to quickly access this unit's potentials.

Sound
If one were to tweak, the sounds are as complex or as distinct as ya want. Seems everybody knocks the sounds, especially the drums. I hook up to a sampler, but just a recording to a 2 or 4 track analog unit, the sounds are everything ya want, and more, you can fiddle with real-time controlling as DJ and if ya spend time with this unit, it will deliver anything ya want. Find out some sites for new sounds too, something i want to experience. No limit there. With a new chip, I have yet to get, I think this read more blows away by far for used price, any sequencer out there, ya have to get used to it...

Features
USB woulda been better, but, MIDI and left right and mono output, you can interface to computer very easily with a 35 dollar interface, where on computer one can tweak final mastering etc. The real time controls are super. Ive printed out for free (my cost paper and ink) the manuals and even scored on a Power User manual and have resorted to third party manuals and books from professional sound engineers, to make this product shine. The ability to program, ive not yet experienced, (slow and steady work here) but that ability makes the product stronger, and Very well worth under 200 dollars for a used equipment, the adjustment knobs up tempo w/use of shift key is super, and can be used quickly. I use both digital and analog recording, so there is a great boon. There are a few sites to upgrade sounds from. This is a workable tool, knowing how to use the tool for music makes a lot of difference. Using a mixer (dig. or even analog) is something that makes this unit shine even further for performance.

Ease of Use
Super quick controls, and as deep (programming) as ya want. Right from packaging, this unit performs. The main manual is lengthy, but good for quick start up and function, to in depth, however, there are additional Power User manuals that allow one to get tips on making this so simple, one doesnt have to be a computer programmer to start any project, though the lcd screen has to be kinda used like a magnifying glass, ya kinda scroll where ya need to be, but if you have time to spend like at home getting used to the inputting, great! Super quick to get up n go!

Quality
One has a hard time to destroy this unit, was made very tough and durable. Suweet unit.

Value
If a person were to buy brand new, the newer DAWs would be a thing to look at, but for a sequencer, and/or a unit for DJ or live studio, or recording artist, this is a super product, i highly recommend this, is an integral part of my lil studio. Product's abilities will make this unit last and last.

Manufacturer Support
As an interested party to order a second chip, I'm honestly not too worried about upgrading, as the instructions are well documented, but one should really have a suitable repair tech help with the install, but even if ya dont have much upgrade experience, seems simple enough. If ya have tech experience with any kind of computer products, thatll help even better.

The Wow Factor
For performance, ease of use, and learning curve (just do it) and then later, look at the fine manuals i described earlier, this is glossy in my book, id replace mine, if i ever had to... When i show a relative or friend this units' mechanical abilities, sound capabilities, the looks, and feel, + the real time change knobs, not to mention the programming, and disk storage, and memory capabilities, they are all very oggled at my RM1x. Several of my personal friends want one. This unit is my second instrument of choice and usage for recording music. That says a lot, and i havent even yet hooked up my keyboard sampler unit and digital drums to it yet, have recorded 2 and 4 track analog cassette and some to computer through my lil mixer, so the thing keeps me going for capability and function. This unit is also Very portable for gigs or live or recording studios, or even for consistant background music for anything you can imagine...

Musical Background:
Aspiring Recording Hobbyist

Musical Style:
Likes it all
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