Owner’s Manual M.D.G., EMI Division, ©Yamaha Corporation 1995 VU37290 601CRIT15.
FCC INFORMATION (U.S.A) 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS UNIT! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved by Yamaha may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product. 2. IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/or another product use only high quality shielded cables. Cable/s supplied with this product MUST be used. Follow all installation instructions.
SPECIAL MESSAGE SECTION (USA) This product utilizes batteries or an external power supply (adapter). DO NOT connect this product to any power supply or adapter other than one described in the manual, on the name plate, or specifically recommended by Yamaha. WARNING: Do not place this product in a position where anyone could walk on, trip over, or roll anything over power or connecting cords of any kind.
Introduction The SU10 Stereo Digital Sampler is a compact, easy-to-use stereo phrase sampler offering high sound quality, a unique ribbon controller, excellent loop capability, and a host of other distinctive editing and performance features. The SU10 is ideal for up-and-coming DJs, “desktop musicians,” and all others interested in experiencing the world of electronic digital sampling. Sampling and playback features ■ Record up to 48 stereo samples within nonvolatile memory.
Special “External” functions ■ Use your SU10 as an effects box for applying a realtime scratch or filter effect to feed-through line input. MIDI support ■ Drive your SU10 from a remote sequencer, keyboard, or computer; or use your SU10 to drive a remote device. ■ Load selected samples to a synthesizer or other remote device using the MIDI sample dump standard. ■ Back up all SU10 data to an external storage device, then reload at any time.
Contents 1 About This Manual␣ ........................ 1 Notations .................................... 1 2 Precautions␣ .................................... 2 3 Basic Concepts␣ .............................. What is the SU10? ...................... Operating Modes ........................ Samples ...................................... How a Sample is Made .......... Banks and Pads .......................... External Modes .......................... Songs .......................................... MIDI ....
9 UTILITY Mode␣ ............................. Introduction ............................. General Procedure ................... Recording Setup [Rec] ............. MIDI Setup [MIDI] ................... MIDI Channel [MIDICh] .... MIDI Device Number [DevNum] .......................... Local Control [Local] .......... Ribbon Number [RbnNum] . Initialize Note Table [NoteTbInit?] ..................... Clear Note Table [NoteTbClr?] ...................... Bulk Dump [Bulk] ................... Receiving [Dump Rcv?] .
1 About This Manual The purpose of this manual is to help you quickly master the operation of your SU10. Although compact, your SU10 offers a surprising array of playback, editing, and utility functions. You may need to refer to this manual fairly often in the beginning, but the concepts and operating principles should soon become clear. Before starting to use your SU10, please be certain to read through the precautions on page 2 for information that will help you avoid data loss and equipment damage.
2 Precautions PLEASE READ ALL PRECAUTIONS BEFORE USING YOUR SU10. 1. NEVER switch power off while the LCD is displaying the Keep PwrOn message. This message indicates that the SU10 is writing to nonvolatile memory. Switching power off at this time may result in loss of all data in the SU10. In some cases this message may last for more than 10 seconds: this does not indicate a problem. 2. Use the correct power adaptor. Use only a Yamaha PA-3B or PA-1B power adaptor.
3 Basic Concepts This chapter presents a very brief overview of basic concepts relevant to understanding and operation of the SU10. What is the SU10? The SU10 combines the functions of a digital stereo phrase sampler with a variety of add-on features that significantly enhance its effectiveness in a performance environment.
Samples The SU10 stores up to 48 samples. A sample is a digital recording of an acoustic waveform (or two waveforms, if stereo), together with playback parameters that determine how the sound is played: the type of loop applied, the direction of playback, the start and end points, and so on. The following conceptual diagram shows how a sample exists within a typical sampler.
Note that the quality of the recording improves as the rate of reading — called the sampling frequency — increases. Although higher sampling frequencies give better quality, they also consume more memory and therefore reduce available recording time. The maximum sampling rate available on the SU10 is 44.1kHz, identical to the rate offered by a conventional CD. Because samples require considerable memory per unit of time, they are generally kept quite short.
External Modes The SU10 also supports two “external” modes that are entirely independent of its sampling capability. These modes are provided primarily for live performance environments, and operate on an analog signal that passes through the SU10 in real time. Songs The SU10 includes a sequencing feature that records and reproduces pad and button sequences. You use this feature to create up to four “songs,” each consisting of a series of pad operations that you have registered into memory.
Controls, Connectors, and LCD 4 Top Panel 2 1 SAMPLING UNIT HOLD 4 EXIT 0 C SONG 1 A D SONG 2 1 REV SCRATCH SHIFT REC SONG 3 2 TOP BWD STOP 5 6 7 SONG 4 3 8 5 FWD 9 ENTER UTILITY EDIT 4 PLAY –1 SCALE FILTER CROSS FADER BANK B E 7 8 PITCH 9 10 F 6 EXTERNAL SCRATCH EXTERNAL FILTER 11 12 +1 G H 3 1 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) You refer to the LCD for all information about current operating status, and during interactive input of all editing and utility paramete
If [SHIFT] is OFF: The pad starts or stops replay of the corresponding sample, or selects the sample for recording or editing. If [SHIFT] is ON: • SONG1,…,4 • EDIT • UTILITY • SCALE, FILTER, CROSSFADER • PITCH • EXTERNAL SCRATCH, EXTERNAL FILTER Selects a song for creation or replay. Sets the SU10 into EDIT mode. Sets the SU10 into UTILITY mode. Sets playback function to SCALE, FILTER, or CROSSFADER. Enables ribbon to control the pitch. Selects EXTERNAL SCRATCH or EXTERNAL FILTER play.
A [REV] (Reverse switch) Use to play samples in reverse. To operate, hold down [REV] and press the appropriate pad. B [SHIFT] Shifts the pad function. Leave shift off if using the pad to select a sample for replay or recording. Hold [SHIFT] down when using a pad to select a song or change the mode. C [EXIT] Press this button to return to normal PLAY mode from EDIT mode, UTILITY mode, ribbon-scratch play, or other special playback feature.
Rear Panel LINE OUTPUT MIDI INPUT OUT IN MIC INPUT DC IN POWER ON OFF 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 LINE OUTPUT miniphone jack Outputs a stereo analog signal to powered speakers or other playback device. 2 LINE INPUT miniphone jack Inputs an analog stereo signal from an external device such as a CD player. 3 MIDI IN/OUT Standard MIDI connectors. You use these connectors to link your SU10 to other MIDI devices. 4 MIC INPUT miniphone jack Accepts input from a dynamic or powered condenser-type microphone.
Right Side MIN VOLUME 1 MAX PHONES 2 1 VOLUME slider Adjusts the output volume to the PHONES and LINE OUTPUT connectors. 2 Headphone jack Stereo miniphone jack; connects to stereo headphones. Screen Display The LCD consists of various compartments, each displaying a different type of information.
1 Current sampling grade 2 Current operating mode PLAY = Sample/song playback EDIT = Sample edit UTIL = Utility setup 3 Loop mode of currently selected pad 4 Indicates whether the selected sample is STEREO or MONO.
5 Supplying Power and Connecting Up Supplying Power Your SU10 can run through an AC/DC adaptor or on batteries. If you connect up both at the same time, the SU10 will run from the adaptor. Using the adaptor Please be sure to use a Yamaha PA-3B or PA-1B adaptor only. Use of a different adaptor type may result in electric shock or device damage. To connect: First connect the DC end of the adaptor to the power connector on the SU10, then plug the other end of the cable into an AC power socket.
When to Replace Batteries When batteries begin to go low, the SU10 disables EDIT, RECORD, and UTILITY modes first. If you attempt to switch from PLAY mode into one of these other modes at this time, the SU10 displays the Battry Low! message briefly and remains in PLAY mode. If you are already working in EDIT, RECORD, or UTILITY mode, the SU10 displays Battry Low!, then displays the Keep PwrOn message while registering any new data, then changes to PLAY mode.
To control SU10 playback from an external keyboard: Powered speakers MIDI OUT MIDI IN LINE OUT SAMPLING UNIT MIDI keyboard (CBX-K1, etc.) SU10 To back up all SU10 data to an external data filer (bulk dump): MIDI OUT MIDI IN SAMPLING UNIT SU10 MIDI Data Filer (MDF2, etc.
6 Playback This chapter takes you through the various sample and song play procedures, and explains the use of the special “external” performance functions. Note that replay of samples and songs is affected by each sample’s edit settings — in particular, by the sounding mode and the loop settings. For information about edit settings, refer to Chapter 8. This chapter assumes that you have not made any changes to your SU10’s factory settings, and that the demo samples and song are still in place.
5. Press [-1] or [+1] to set the digital volume to an appropriate value. This setting determines the level at which the signal reproduces internally. You generally want to set the level to just below the clipping level, as described in the box below. ABOUT CLIPPING Setting the digital volume too high may cause clipping, resulting in distorted sound. Clipping may also occur when you play many pads together, or when you change filter values during FILTER or EXTERNAL FILTER playback.
2. Hold down [PAD 3] briefly to play sample A3, then release the button to stop the sound. Try this several times. If necessary, adjust the volume using the slider, the [-1] or [+1] button, or the volume controls on your external speakers or amp. ▼ You will notice that the sample plays continuously while the button is held, then stops when the button is released.
HOLD SONG 1 1 3. Now try playing some other samples along with the held sample. You can play from the same bank, or you can switch to some other bank. ▼ Remember that there is a limit to the number of samples you can play at one time. When you attempt to play too many samples, the SU10 will always force off non-held samples before it forces off held samples. 4. To shut off the held pad, press the pad again, or else press [HOLD] again. REVERSE Hold down [REV] and press a pad.
2. If necessary, press [BANK] to change the bank. Then press the pad corresponding to the sample you want to play. A staircase-like icon appears in front of the Vol indication at the lower left of the LCD. ▼ If you attempt to select an empty pad, the LCD returns a Pad Empty message; you can then change the selection by pressing [BANK], a pad, or [-1] [+1]. 3. Now try pressing the various pads.
Special Features II: Ribbon Controller The SU10’s ribbon controller is probably its most distinctive feature. You can use the ribbon to control pitch, filter, or crossfade during replay of samples and songs. You can also use it to play a special “scratchpad” during sample play. Finally, you use the ribbon as an effect controller for the SU10’s special “external” modes. (For information about external modes, see pages 29 to 30.) Pitch Play 1. Be sure that the SU10 is in PLAY mode. 2. Press [SHIFT]+[PITCH].
Filter Play This feature applies a filter to samples and songs, with the ribbon providing dynamic control of the filter cutoff frequency. You select the filter type and resonance directly from within the filter-play function: the SU10 will remember the settings when you terminate filter play, then restore them when you return. The selected settings apply to all samples and songs. Selecting filter play 1. With the SU10 in PLAY mode, press [SHIFT]+[FILTER].
Viewing/Changing the filter and resonance settings 1. Set the SU10 to filter-play operation as described above, then press [SHIFT]+[EDIT]. The LCD indicates the currently selected filter type. 2. If you wish to change the filter type, press [-1] or [+1] as necessary. Available types are LPF, BPF, and HPF. (See the FILTER SETTINGS box on the next page.) 3. If you wish to view or change the resonance setting, press [>] to move to the resonance-select function. The LCD indicates the current resonance.
FILTER SETTINGS You can select from three filter types and three resonance values. The filter types are LPF (low-pass filter), BPF (band-pass filter), and HPF (high-pass filter). LPF: Removes frequencies above the cutoff value. BPF: Removes frequencies outside the cutoff range. HPF: Removes frequencies below the cutoff value. The resonance setting determines the amount of emphasis applied in the area around the cutoff frequency.
Current ribbon value SCRATCH indicator SCRATCH symbol 2. Now try running your finger over the ribbon to scratch out the section. The scratchpad does not operate on the entire source sample (unless it is very short), but only on a small section, or “window.” You can adjust the position of the window by pressing buttons as follows. [SCRATCH]+[FWD]: Moves the window slightly toward the end of the sample. [SCRATCH]+[BWD]: Moves the window slightly back toward the beginning of the sample.
2. You can now change the mix dynamically by touching or rubbing your finger over the ribbon. Try this now while playing back some samples or a song. Notice that the LCD displays the ribbon value in real time. 3. To return to normal PLAY mode, press [EXIT]. The CROSSFADE feature is not available if the sampling grade is set to HI. About Polyphony The maximum number of monaural samples that a device can play at any one time is referred to as its polyphony.
Playing a Song Your SU10 can memorize and replay up to four songs. Each song is an arbitrary sample playback sequence that you have recorded into memory. The LCD always indicates the number of the currently selected song. When playing a song, you can choose to have the song play once only, or else repeat indefinitely until stopped. You can start song playback from any position within the song, interrupt the playback at any time, then resume from the interrupt point or from any other point.
3. Press [STOP] to interrupt the playback. 4. Press [PLAY] to resume playback from the point of interruption. 5. Press [STOP] to interrupt playback again. 6. Now try moving to different song locations. Press [FWD/>>] to move forward through the song, [BWD/<<] to move back, or [TOP] to jump back to the top of the song. (These operations are available only while song playback is stopped.) The LCD meter always shows the current location in the song. You can begin playing from any position by pressing [PLAY].
External Performance Modes The external performance modes are an added feature that allow you to apply a dynamic filter or a DJ-like scratch effect to a realtime signal as it feeds through the SU10. Please keep in mind that these modes are not sampling modes, and have nothing to do with samples and songs as described above. Before trying the following procedures, connect a CD player or other playback device to the LINE IN jack. Or if you like, you can use these effects with microphone input instead.
External Filter This mode applies filtering to realtime input as it feeds through the SU10. You use pads 1 to 4 to select or change the filter type, and pads 7 to 9 to select or change the resonance. You use the ribbon to dynamically change the filter cutoff frequency. Procedure 1. Press [SHIFT]+[EXTERNAL FILTER]. The screen displays four special indicators: external-mode indicator, filter-type indicator, resonance indicator, and graphic image of the current filter effect.
7 Recording Samples, and Creating Songs This chapter explains how to record samples and how to create songs. (Explanation of song creation begins on page 35.) Sample Recording Overview To record a sample, you must (1) connect up the input source, (2) enter REC mode and select the destination pad, (3) set the recording parameters, (4) start the recording, and (5) stop the recording. Each of these steps will be described in turn.
2. To select, press [BANK] to choose the desired bank, then press the appropriate pad or press [+1] or [–1] as necessary. When you are sure that you have selected the correct pad, press [ENTER]. The LCD displays the Gain parameter setting. The GAIN indication on the third line of the LCD indicates the input level. ▼ If the bank you have selected is locked, the LCD displays the Locked Bank! message, then automatically returns you to PLAY mode. (For instructions about how to unlock a bank, see page 64.
RECORDING PARAMETERS Gain: Sets the gain applied to the input signal. Press [–1] or [+1] to adjust the gain setting while inputting a signal similar to the signal you plan to record. (You may first need to change the setting of the Input parameter to match your input source; see explanation below.) You can set the gain to any value between 1 to 16; in general, you want to set the gain as high as you can without causing clipping. If the setting is too high, a ∗ mark appears to the right of Gain.
Pitch: You can use this setting to add an offset to the system’s pitch; the available range is -20% to 10%, settable in 1% increments. The setting applies to all samples and songs, and controls the pitch during both recording and playback. The adjustment is exactly analogous to applying a slight change to the rotation speed of an analog tape recorder; the pitch change applies both to tracks being recorded and to tracks being played back.
Starting/Stopping the Recording To start recording, press [PLAY]. If the recording trigger (RecTrg) is set to “manual,” the SU10 starts recording immediately; otherwise it displays the Waiting message and waits for the input level to reach the trigger level. During recording, the LCD displays the word Recording, and the meter decrements to indicate the remaining recordable time. You can end recording at any time manually, or else continue to record until you run out of memory.
Procedure 1. Check that the SU10 is in PLAY mode, then press [REC] to enter RECORDING mode. The LCD appears as follows. 2. Hold down [SHIFT] and press the pad corresponding to the song you want to record ([SONG 1] to [SONG 4]). The LCD will then ask for confirmation, and the meter will indicate the remaining free song memory. ▼ If you wish to change to a different song, hold [SHIFT] and press the appropriate pad. If you wish to cancel and return to PLAY mode, press [EXIT]. 3.
Creating Effective Songs Planning ahead will help you create more effective songs and avoid unanticipated problems. Note the following general precautions. ■ Do not include samples that you intend to edit or delete later. The sound of the song will change if you edit or delete any of the samples that it uses. ■ If you plan to accompany the song with normal pad play or MIDI-controlled pad play: • Remember that polyphony is limited. Don’t overload the song with simultaneous sounds.
