SuperMAX+ UserGuide
SuperMAX+ UserGuide
SuperMAX+ UserGuide
Version 2.00
June 2015
Preliminary
CONTENTS
1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 3
SuperMAX Features ...................................................................................... 3
SuperMAX+ Features .................................................................................... 3
Documentation Disclaimer ............................................................................. 3
Installation...................................................................................................... 4
Manual Conventions ...................................................................................... 4
3: Arpeggiator ....................................................................................................... 8
Selection ........................................................................................................ 8
Editing ............................................................................................................ 8
In Use .......................................................................................................... 11
4: Temperament.................................................................................................. 12
Selection ...................................................................................................... 12
Editing .......................................................................................................... 12
In Use .......................................................................................................... 13
7: Delay ............................................................................................................... 17
SuperMAX Features
SuperMAX+ Features
Documentation Disclaimer
This User Guide was put together from various (brief) manuals found on the 'net
as well as hands-on use and collaboration with other users. There may be errors
or omissions in the manual. Feel free to contact MTG with contributions to make
this manual better.
Installation
You are looking at the wrong document. Please refer to the SuperMAX+
Installation Guide available on the www.musictechnologiesgroup.com website.
Manual Conventions
Regarding the LCD, this manual shows the variable part of the LCD content
using an underline. The DX7 itself is not able to underline more than one
character, but this convention makes it easier to visualize the changing part of
the LCD versus the fixed part.
THIS AREA IS FIXED
AND THIS: CAN CHANGE
This document is broken up into chapters based on the building blocks that
SuperMAX provides such as Arpeggiator, Delay, Stacking, Temperament, etc.
Also, an attempt is made to follow the panel numbering in order where possible.
Inside each chapter the panel buttons for that feature are described. In some
cases there is spillover from one chapter to another due to the nature of
SuperMAX.
It is recommended that you read the manual several times and then the
operation and functional sections will be much clearer. This is a powerful
expansion that many of us are learning about for the first time ever, nearly 30
years after it was released. Compared to other expansion options, it's really fairly
easy to use (once you have a good manual for it, wink wink).
All 16 of the memory banks are now filled with the 2 banks of SuperMAX
"factory" sounds. You can overwrite any or all of these sounds, but make sure to
read the tips later in this document before you begin to do so!
Description
SuperMAX has 512 memory locations (16 banks) and you can store in each
location:
• the sound patch/voice, plus
• all of the parameters of the normal DX7 functions, plus
• the new parameters of SuperMAX functions.
Ignoring the patch/voice elements for the moment, these programmable values
are:
DX7 Functions:
• Mono/Poly
• Pitch Bend (Range and Step)
• Portamento (Mode, Glissando and Time)
• Modulation Wheel (Range and Assignment: Pitch, Amplitude, EG Bias)
• Foot Controller (Range and Assignment: Pitch, Amplitude, EG Bias)
• Breath Controller (Range and Assignment: Pitch, Amplitude, EG Bias)
• Aftertouch Control: (Range and Assignment: Pitch, Amplitude, EG Bias)
SuperMAX Functions:
• Master Volume
• Keyboard Zone Limit Keys (Low and High)
• MIDI Keyboard Zone Limit Keys (Low and High)
• MIDI Channel Out
• Arpeggiator Preset Number
• Delay Time, Volume, Feedback, Pitch Transpose and Hold
• Voice Stack Mode Volumes and Pitches, Coarse and Fine
• Patch Creation/Morphing (Rolling Mode, Sound Creator, Velocity Cross-
switch)
• If the cartridge is in DX-MAX Format all functions not used by DX-MAX are
set to zero (0).
• If it’s in DX7 Format the default values are those in the EDIT BUFFER!
So, if you want to load a memory bank from a cartridge with a DX7
Format, then prepare the EDIT BUFFER with the values you want and
all the 32 memories will be initialized with these values! You have to
do the same for MIDI receive (MIDI transmit only sends the voice
memories). If your loaded voices have unintended arpeggiation, voice
stacking or delays, this is why. One solution is to select/edit a patch first
that is "clean" of delays, stacking, etc. For your convenience, the
Appendix has a patch list for the SuperMAX factory sounds.
For reference, see the full color Panel Layout in the Appendix.
The new functions are accessible by pressing the Function button #13 which is
the PAGE CHANGE function. You can switch alternatively from one page to the
other by pressing Function button #13.
• Page 1 is the normal DX7 function list plus "Memory Bank Select" on
Function button #12
• Page 2 is the "SuperMAX new functions" list
There is no unique LCD message for this operation. Each Function Page
remembers your last position (your last button press on that page). This button is
active for both Page 1 and Page 2 so that you can toggle back and forth.
The function assigned to previously unused button #12 (Page 1 only!) is now
Memory Bank Select. Pressing Function, then 12 brings up this screen.
FUNCTION CONTROL
Memory Bank=16
You can then select which bank is active using the Data Slider or + / - buttons.
The next patch you select will come from the memory bank you choose. When
you return to play mode (say, by pressing INT and/or a patch number), this
function remains active so you can continues to change banks with minimal
button pressing. Please also see the caveat below.
A convenient way to select banks from your now expanded memory is to leave
the most recently selected MEMORY BANK button "live" in Function mode.
When you return to "play" mode the data entry control remains active on the
memory bank parameter thus making easy to access all 512 voices.
CAVEAT: Keep in mind that this is the same for any function button. That means
for example: if the most recently selected Function is (Page 2) SUPERMAX
CONTROL KEY CONTROL (also on button #12) you could disconnect the
keyboard (LOCAL OFF) without knowing the reason but on the other hand it can
be very useful with other functions. For example: if the most recently selected
function is TEMPERAMENT (button #14), you can change the keyboard
temperament in "play" mode.
Version Check
You can check the version of your SuperMAX+ by pressing the brown
FUNCTION key and while holding it down press and hold 16 and 32. You should
see a version message such as:
MAXsystems v2.00
On DX7's with different ROMs installed you will get different results. With stock
Yamaha ROMs you will be prompted to enter Test Mode.
Each of your SuperMAX patches will reference one of the thirty-two arpeggiators
stored in the SuperMAX memory. It's essential you leave at least one of these 32
arpeggiators "off" so that patches that don't utilize arpeggiation can reference
that particular arpeggiator.
There are other buttons that associate the Arpeggiators with specific patches.
That information is covered later. This section deals only with how a specific
arpeggiator should operate.
Selection
When designing your arpeggiation "styles", the first thing to do is select which of
the 32 arpeggiator slots you are working with.
Arpeggiator #
Using the Data Slider or + / - buttons, choose one of the arpeggiators 1 through
32 for editing. Once selected, the remaining buttons in this family, Button 2
through Button 10 are used to set the parameters for each arpeggiator.
If the patch you are using already has an arpeggiator assigned, it's number will
automatically be copied to this screen when you press this button. This allows a
moderately easy way to go from patch to patch and see which arpeggiator is
selected for it.
Editing
BUTTON 2: Edit Arpeggiator Mode/Direction
Set the selected arpeggiator's direction. You can also turn off the arpeggiator
here.
Arpeggiator #
MODE=OFF
Arpeggiator #
LATCH=OFF
Arpeggiator #
VELOCITY=PLAYED
Arpeggiator #
NUMBER OF EXT= 0
Arpeggiator #
EXT MODE=REPEAT
Arpeggiator #
INTERVAL=12
BUTTON 8: EDIT Arpeggiator Low Limit Key and High Limit Key
Arpeggiator #
LIMIT KEY L=C ‐2
Arpeggiator #
LIMIT KEY H=G 8
Select the keyboard zone for the arpeggiator. Press Button 8 to set the lower
key, then press Button 8 again to set the higher key. The value is chosen using
the Data Slider or the + / - buttons.
Arpeggiator #
GATE TIME=1/2
The choices for GATE TIME are 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16. This allows the EG to
transition through it's envelope.
Arpeggiator #
TEMPO= 80
The range for the TEMPO setting is 40 through 240 BPM and additional values
for MIDI Clock IN are MIDI/4, MIDI/2, MIDIx1, MIDIx2, MIDIx4.
In Use
When using the arpeggiator, the first decision you need to make is whether one
arpeggiator is used for the entire DX7 or whether each patch can select it's own
arpeggiator.
SupMAX Control
ARPEGGIATOR=RAM
With Arpeggiator Control set to =RAM (Patch Memory), each patch has its own
arpeggiator. In this case the patch establishes the arpeggiator it wants to use
with patch parameter Func #21 (see below).
With Arpeggiator Control set to =1, all the patches use Arpeggiator #1. This
mode enables you to listen to your various presets either without an arpeggiator,
or with a common arpeggiator. You may choose to have preset 1 turned off if
you do not wish to use an arpeggiator while auditioning sounds.
SupMAX Function
ARPEGGIATOR= 1
You can choose any of the 32 preset arpeggiators for each sound (if Func #11 =
RAM). Function #21 sets the arpeggiator number for the active patch. If you don't
want arpeggiation, select an arpeggiator that has it's MODE setting set to OFF.
NOTE: The notes generated by the Arpeggiator can be sent out over MIDI.
Please see Func #19 and Func #20 to enable this feature.
There are four temperament in the SuperMAX. Whichever one you select is "live"
for both use and editing.
Selection
BUTTON 14: Temperament Select
Temperament #
95.00 B 5
The information on the second line is informational only. You need to use a
different button (below) to edit it. The second line shows the tuning for the last
key played and the key number itself. The information is live so you can play
different keys to see the tuning.
Editing
BUTTON 15: Edit Temperament Coarse Pitch
Temperament #
COAR= 95.00 B 5
Play a key to adjust the pitch for. You will see the key number on the right hand
side of the bottom line. Then use the Data Slider to set the coarse pitch (whole
part) from 0 to 127.
Temperament #
COAR= 95.00 B 5
Play a key to adjust the pitch for. You will see the key number on the right hand
side of the bottom line. Then use the Data Slider to set the fine pitch (cents or
fractional part) from 0 to 99.
See the "In Use" section of the Arpeggiator chapter for more information about
this item.
This function establishes whether the keyboard is turned on or off and whether
the active region is set globally or per-patch.
SupMAX Control
KEY CONT=RAM
There are several new SuperMAX parameters that can be saved with each
patch. These include volume, keyboard zones, MIDI channel out and which
arpeggiator the patch is assigned to use.
See the previous chapter as well because the keyboard zone and arpeggiator
number can be overridden by a global value.
SupMAX Function
MASTER VOLUME= 7
The overall volume for the patch can be set to a value from 0 to 7. This allows
you to trim the patch volume levels for the appropriate impact when playing live
or switching from patch to patch.
BUTTON 18: Set Patch Keyboard Zone, Limit Key Low and High
SupMAX Function
LIMIT KEY L=C ‐2
SupMAX Function
LIMIT KEY H=G 8
This function specifies the zone or region of the keyboard that will control the
DX7 by setting a Low Limit Key and a High Limit Key. The next button, Func #18,
then expands on how the zoning is utilized.
Press Button 18 to set the lower key, then press Button 18 again to set the higher
key. The value is chosen using the Data Slider or the + / - buttons.
SupMAX Function
MIDI KEY OUT=ALL
This section determines how the zoning specified in Func #18 is used (which key
data is sent out over MIDI). This allows you to use part of the keyboard for local
sound generation and part of it for MIDI control of another synthesizer.
DX7 SuperMAX+ Page 15 of 30 User Guide
© 2015 MusicTechnologiesGroup.com & MAXsystems
The choices for MIDI KEY OUT are:
• MID = The middle portion of the keyboard higher than LIMIT KEY L and
lower than LIMIT KEY H is active.
• LEF = The keyboard zone to the left (below) LIMIT KEY L is active.
• RIG = The keyboard zone to the right (above) LIMIT KEY H is active.
• L+R = The keyboard zones below LIMIT KEY L and above LIMIT KEY H
are active.
• ALL = The entire keyboard is active. The zones set by LIMIT KEY L and
H are ignored.
• DEL = Only note information from the DELAY will be transmitted.
• ARP = Only note information from the ARPEGGIATOR will be sent.
SupMAX Function
MIDI CH OUT= 1
The MIDI note data transmitted (as defined in the previous sections) will be sent
out on the MIDI Channel specified here. The range is 1 to 16.
See the "In Use" section of the Arpeggiator chapter for more information about
this item.
SupMAX Function
DELAY TIME= 80
SupMAX Function
DELAY VOLUME= 0
The Delay Volume can be set from 0 to 3. When the Delay Volume is set to
zero, this feature is off.
SupMAX Function
DELAY FDBACK= 0
The Delay Feedback range can be set from 0 to 15. Don't forget that the DX7 is
only 16-note polyphonic and that the delay uses up polyphony. However, the
feedback is very effective and it's rare to need a lot of feedback
SupMAX Function
DELAY P.T.= 0.08
SupMAX Function
DELAY P.T.= 0.08
SupMAX Function
DELAY HOLD= OFF
The Delay Hold can be turned ON or OFF. You can clear the notes and start over
by pressing the "Yes/+1" button.
There are up to three additional voices, or copies of the patch, available in this
mode. How many of the three are "turned up" determines the stacking
arrangement. So you don't need to concern yourself with selecting a stacking
scenario, only how many volumes to set non-zero.
The three additional voices are called "2", "3" and "4". You access each in a
circular fashion by pressing the same function button over and over again. In this
case it is Func #27.
Voice Stack Mode
VOLUME 2= 0
Voice Stack Mode
VOLUME 3= 0
Voice Stack Mode
VOLUME 4= 0
Voice Stack Mode
COARSE 2=‐12.00
Voice Stack Mode
COARSE 3=‐ 5.00
Voice Stack Mode
COARSE 4= 7.00
Voice Stack Mode
FINE 2=‐12.00
Voice Stack Mode
FINE 3=‐ 5.00
Voice Stack Mode
FINE 4= 7.00
Here you can set the fine pitch for each of the three additional voices in cents
from .00 to .99.
The Sound Creator can also be used to reveal sounds that exist between 2 user-
selectable sounds. In this way, limitless new sounds can be created without
extensive FM programming knowledge. The resulting sound can be saved in any
of the 32 memories in each bank.
Rolling Mode
Sound Creator
Velocity XSwitch
By using the Data Slider or +/- buttons you can select the mode you wish to
employ. All three options are shown above.
Once you have selected Rolling Mode, you must then set the controller that
causes the patch to switch/morph.
Rolling Mode
CONT=OFF
• OFF = Disabled.
• WHEEL = Use the Modulation Wheel to change from the primary sound
to the others selected in Func #32 (below).
• P.BEND = The primary sound is available with the Pitch Bend Wheel in
it's central position. Sound 2 when bend is up and sound 3 when bend is
down.
Once you have selected Sound Creator, you must then set the controller that
causes the patch to vary.
Sound Creator
CONT=OFF
• OFF = Disabled.
• WHEEL = Start with the primary sound and move to the second sound
chosen in Func #32 (below) by morphing through 126 possible sound
combinations that exist between them using the Modulation Wheel.
• P.BEND = Similar to WHEEL control. Morph to the 2nd sound by moving
the Pitch Bend Wheel up; to the 3rd sound when bend is down.
• RANDOM = A sample/hold chooses any of the values between two
selected sounds.
Once you have selected Velocity Cross-switch, you must then set the controller
velocity that causes the patch to vary.
Velocity XSwitch
CONT=OFF
The range of values for CONT is OFF and 1 to 7. This sets the touch sensitivity
value to change from the primary sound to the other ones.
Once you have selected Rolling Mode, you must choose the patches that it
utilizes. Repeated pressing on Func #32 gives you access to Patch 2, Patch 3
and Patch 4.
PATCH 3= 1
PATCH 4= 1
Once the patch in question is visible (2, 3 or 4) then the patch value on the right
can be adjusted in the range of 1 to 32.
Once you have selected Sound Creator, you must choose the patches that it
utilizes. Repeated pressing on Func #32 gives you access to Patch 2, Patch 3
and Patch 4.
Sound Creator
PATCH 2= 1
PATCH 3= 1
PATCH 4= 1
Once the patch in question is visible (2, 3 or 4) then the patch value on the right
can be adjusted in the range of 1 to 32. The number of patches available for
setting up depends on the controller chosen in the previous step CONT=.
Once you have selected Velocity Cross-switch, you must choose the other
patches that it utilizes.
Velocity XSwitch
PATCH 2= 1
PATCH 3= 1
PATCH 4= 1
2. Arpeggiator, Delay and Stack Mode are inactive in MONO MODE though
Rolling Mode, Sound Creator and Velocity XSwitch can be used.
4. You can SAVE a complete bank of 32 sounds and functions on any RAM
cartridge in either DX7 format, DX-MAX format or SuperMAX format.
First Bank A D S + Second Bank A D S +
1 Caligula Y Y 1 Roundabout Y Y R
2 Prokofiev Y Y C 2 BottleBell Y Y Y C
3 StackSynth Y C 3 5th Synth. Y Y C
4 BrassFatty Y Y C 4 JazRokArpg Y Y Y R
5 Univers 0 Y Y Y C 5 T. Riley Y Y Y C
6 H. Berlioz Y Y 6 P. Glass Y Y Y V
7 Mussorgsky Y 7 Murder Y
8 T.Rundgren Y C 8 *maracas Y
9 Orchid Y Y 9 JP8‐PWM Y Y
10 Beverley Y Y Y C 10 Fripp Y C
11 Balian Y Y 11 K.Crimson Y Y
12 12StrGuit. Y Y 12 Drummy Y Y Y R
13 12 Stg Gtr Y Y 13 Debussy Y Y
14 GothicBell Y Y 14 G.Mahler Y Y C
15 Gregorian‐ Y 15 Beethoven Y Y
16 RadioChoir Y Y C 16 StarTrek‐‐ Y Y
17 AfriTumbaW Y Y Y 17 Wah‐Choir Y Y
18 Runny‐Pno Y 18 DancinFlut Y Y
19 Arpg Piano Y Y 19 SnareDrum Y
20 ErikSatie Y Y 20 SpookChord Y Y
21 PianoChord Y 21 Zol.Kodaly Y Y
22 Chorus‐Pno Y 22 Dark Age Y Y
23 HiStackPno Y 23 Mohamed Y V
24 RuneChopNo Y 24 <Pluk>Echo Y Y
25 Falk Y 25 PercuRotat R
26 Peking Y C 26 SpaceyEcho Y C
27 Berlin Y 27 Bel.Bartok Y Y
28 B52s Organ Y Y C 28 Rimsky‐Kor Y Y C
29 Buxtehude Y 29 Hindemith Y Y Y
30 Necromance Y C 30 B. Martinu Y Y Y C
31 Tub. Space Y Y C 31 New York
32 Burning… Y Y 32 Chromosome Y Y C
A = Utilizes arpeggiator. Factory patches with no Arp are actually using Arp #1 or Arp
#6. These two Arpeggiators are turned OFF by default in the Factory settings.
D = Utilizes delay (delay volume is non-zero).
S = Utilizes stacking (one or more stack voice volumes are non-zero).
+ = Patches feature Rolling Mode, Sound Creator or Velocity XSwitch.
Bank 2, Patch 31 "New York" is the only factory patch "free" of any additional effects.
See the following two pages for the DX7 panel layout showing from top to bottom
for each button:
The first three items above are more-or-less standard DX7 features, the last one
is for the new SuperMAX feature set.
Keep these two manual pages handy as you read through the manual or use
your upgraded DX7.
Page 28 of 30
ARPEGGIATOR EDIT
OSCILLATOR EG KEYBOARD LEVEL SCAL-
EDIT/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
COMPARE
MODE / FREQ FREQ DETUNE RATE LEVEL BREAK CURVE
SYNC COARSE FINE POINT
BUTTON 17 G 18 H 19 I 20 J 21 K 22 L 23 M 24 N
Page 1: RANGE PITCH AMPLITUDE EG BIAS RANGE PITCH AMPLITUDE EG BIAS
DX7
DX7 SuperMAX+
FUNCTION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MODULATION WHEEL FOOT CONTROL
Page 2: MASTER KEY LIMIT MIDI KEY MIDI CH ARP TIME VOLUME FEEDBACK
SuperMAX+ VOLUME L/H ZONE OUT NUMBER
FUNCTION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------
SUPERMAX+ PATCH PARAMETER DELAY
User Guide
LFO MOD SENSITIVITY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------- EDIT/
COMPARE
WAVE SPEED DELAY PMD AMD SYNC PITCH AMPLITUDE
9 9 10 0 11 A 12 B 13 C 14 D 15 E 16 F BUTTON
Page 29 of 30
SUPERMAX+ CONTROL TEMPERAMENT EDIT
ING OPERATOR PITCH EG
----------------- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- EDIT/
COMPARE
DEPTH KYBD RATE OUTPUT KEY VEL. RATE LEVEL KEY VOICE
SCALING LEVEL SENS. TRANSPOSE NAME
25 O 26 P 27 Q 28 R 29 S 30 T 31 U 32 V BUTTON
RANGE PITCH AMPLITUDE BIAS RANGE PITCH AMPLITUDE EG BIAS Page 1:
DX7
DX7 SuperMAX+
FUNCTION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BREATH CONTROL AFTERTOUCH
FB PITCH HOLD VOLUMES PITCHES PITCHES SELECT CONTROL PATCHES Page 2:
TRANSP. COARSE FINE TYPE SuperMAX+
FUNCTION
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------
STACK PATCH CREATION / MORPHING
NOTES: