MX49 MX61 MX88 Reference Manual
Creating a Song with a
computer
5
Tone Generator Block
The Tone Generator block is what actually produces sound in response to the playing information generated by playing
the keyboard and using the controllers. This section explains the AWM2 synthesis system, Voices (which are the basic
sounds of the instrument), and Performances (which are Voice combinations).
AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2)
This instrument is equipped with an AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2)
tone generator block. AWM2 is a synthesis system based on sampled
waves (sound material), and is used in many Yamaha synthesizers. For
extra realism, each AWM2 Voice uses multiple samples of a real instrument’s
waveform. Furthermore, a wide variety of parameters—envelope generator,
filter, modulation, and others—can be applied.
Voices
A program that contains the sonic elements for generating a specific musical instrument sound is referred to as a
“Voice.” Internally, there are two Voice types: Normal Voices and Drum Voices.
Normal Voices
Normal Voices are mainly pitched musical instrument-type sounds that can be played over the entire range of the
keyboard. A Normal Voice consists of combined waves or sound samples.
Drum Voices (Drum Kits)
Drum Voices are mainly percussion/drum sounds that are assigned to individual notes on the keyboard. A collection of
assigned percussion/drum waves is known as a Drum Kit.
NOTE
The default note numbers assigned to the keyboard range from C2 – C6 (MX49)/ C1 – C6 (MX61). In order to play notes outside
the keyboard range (C0 – C2 / C0 – C1), use the OCTAVE [-] button or TRANSPOSE [-] button to change the keyboard pitch.
Internal AWM2
Tone Generator
V
elocity (strength with
which you press the key)
A single
N
ormal
V
oice
C0
C1
C6
Individual drum sounds
(different for each key)
A single Drum
V
oice (Drum Kit)
