----- Original Message -----
From: DJ Rock 2000 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 2:29 AM
Subject: OT: SU700 Sampler questions...
> I think there's a few people one this list who own an SU700, so I was
> wondering if one of you could answer a few questions for me. I've heard
> pretty mixed reviews concerning the SU700, but I've read through its
manual
> and I think it might be able to do what I want. However, the manual was
> almost totally lacking in details concerning the SU700's MIDI
> implimentation. If I bought an SU700, I'd be using an RM1x and Roland
MV-30
> to trigger samples in the SU700, so I'm not too concerned about the
SU700's
> internal sequencer.
>
I can understand this as a possible avenue. But, IMO, the value of the
SU700 over say a std sampler lies in its "workstation" approach to making
sample-based music. Granted the sequencer is not very powerful, but when
used *as intended* it gets the job done and track creation time drops
dramatically. This, for me, is the value of the SU700.
As a sequencer running its internal voice resources the SU700 looks like
this:
8 tracks of auto-looping samples (similar in concept to recycle, but
without MIDI)
16 tracks of independent looping MIDI triggers. Good for making loops
from single samples, and for altering the relative timing of sample loops
(i.e moving a snare loop from 2,4 to 1,3
16 tracks of "linear" sequencing.
This is pretty flexible, and darn hard to replicate in any single hardware
sequencer without some usability compromises. But it gets better.
Overlayed on all of this is a 40 track "control" sequencer that records each
and every parameter change recorded over the course of a song. So the
looping "composed tracks" can have evolving builds and changing filter
sweeps, for example. Volume and pan can be "automixed". So can effect
sends. LFO speeds... Again, while it is possible to do all of this with an
ensemble of other sequencers it is not as straight forward *for doing it
with sample-based compositions*.
Something to consider about the SU700...
> First off, I'm assuming that the SU700 only responds to one MIDI channel
at
> a time. Is this correct? Is the channel selectable?
>
You can assign *only* one sample/pad to each midi channel - there is no way
to select a given sample based on note value. So an SU700 can only respond
to 16 triggers, one per midi channel.
> From reading the SU700's manual, it appears you can use Note-On/Off
messages
> to play any of the 40 samples contained within a song. Is this correct?
Do
> all the samples trigger the same over MIDI regardless of if they're
assigned
> to a Loop Track, Composed Loop Track, or Free Track?
>
Yes, but within the restriction mentioned above.
> According to the manual, the SU700 can recieve Control Messages. Using
> MIDI, is it possible to control multiple track paramaters simultaneously,
> i.e., controlling Cutoff, Resonance, Volume, and Effect Send all at the
same
> time? Or can you only control the setting which the SU700's knobs are
> currently set to control?
>
You can control all parameters at the same time.
> How smoothly does the SU700 change effects when switching scenes?
>
Not very. Scene changes that alter effects settings can take a while to
settle out. Yamaha recommends the switching during a place in the mix where
the change/delay is not noticed.
> I realize this is a lot of questions, but if someone could answer them for
> me, I'd be really gratefull. Later.
Contact me directly if you want to discuss in further detail, or we can just
do it as an open discussion.
Douglas
drk
www.delora.com/music
