W5 & W7
(Updated 08/08/2000)
Almost before XG came on the scene in a big way, Yamaha released a pair of workstations that offered huge amounts of effects processing power - up to 6 FX busses, and full GM capability, coupled with an extensively programmable synth. This page offers sounds and demos for the W series keyboards.
SPECIFICATIONS
It Did Have that Amazing Yamaha Sound
Using AWM2 tone generation, with 8 MB of wave memory, the W's provided you with 384 realistic voices. Each voice is generated by a maximum of four elements with studio quality DSP stereo effect processors with editable parameters. Effects can be assigned to each voice of the total system in any way you like.
Voice Templates Get the Sound You Want Fast
It features a widely varied template type menu so you can edit voice parameters in an exceedingly quick and easy process. Voice editing template type data base includes a selection of 39 amplitude types, 59 various filter settings, 40 pitch envelope settings and 33 different LFO settings. All edited voices can of course be saved for future use and comparison.
Powerful Sequencer
It is equipped with a large 100,000 note memory. 16 tracks can be used to create up to 16 separate songs . It also features a maximum 32-note polyphony. 16 voice multi-timbral synthesizer enables you to have 16 voices on call simultaneously.
Compatible General MIDI and Standard MIDI Format
General MIDI compatible for universal format and data exchange.
Large LCD and Easy-to-Use Interface
It features a large backlit LCD display. The 16 assignable LED buttons on the front panel light up when pressed so that editing any tracks, voices, elements and other parameters is fast and easy. The voice edit display in combination with 16 separate LED enables you to make many types of adjustments immediately. A double dial allows rapid editing operation.
Good one to hunt for on the second hand market!
Demos
Public Domain
Title |
Contents |
Download Format |
Size |
| W5/W7 Editor 1.01 for Mac | 1x Mac file |  .hqx for Mac | 320K |
| W5/W7 Librarian for Win95 | 10x PC files |  .zip for PC | 808K |
| Cakewalk Instrument Definition File | 1x .TXT, 1x .INS files | .zip for PC | 16K |
| Cakewalk Instrument Definition File for Version 2 ROM | 1x .INS file | .zip for PC | 8K |
| Gigmaster voice bank editor for DOS (shareware) | 9x PC files files | .zip for PC | 104K |
| Mixermap for Cubase | 1x .MIX file | .zip for PC | 8K |
Voices
Even more sounds from Yamaha for the W7/W5
Yamaha also has 7 other disks of copyrighted sounds and songs available, which can be purchased online from the Yamaha Virtual Shop. Four of them feature a new voice bank, along with New "elements". Two of the disks feature new voice banks, along with a demo song. The last disk features a new voice bank, along with 2 new demo songs. Please contact your local Yamaha dealer for more info on these disks, or go to the Yamaha Virtual Shop for purchase details.
The disks available are:
- "Top 40"
- "Film Composition"
- "Session Player"
- "Ambient & New Age"
- "Super Synth"
- "Analogue & Vintage"
- "Dancefloor & Tekkno"
Links
David Graham has a large web site covering the W5 and has corresponded with other W5 owners all round the world, sharing experiences and information. He can be e-mailed at davidg59@datasync.com. His web site is at the follwing address:
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