17
Basics Section
Quick Guide
Refer
ence
Appendix
Overview of the S08
Controller
This block consists of the keyboard, Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels and so on (page 37). The keyboard itself
doesn’t generate sounds, but instead sends note, velocity and other information to the S08’s tone generator section
for the notes you play. The controllers also send non-note performance data. Information from the keyboard and
controllers can be transmitted to other external MIDI devices through the MIDI OUT connector.
Tone Generator
This block plays back sounds according to information received from the keyboard and controllers. The following
example illustrates the path taken by the signal from an Element in the Voice Mode.
About the Tone Generator (AWM2) & Waveform (Wave)
The tone generator of the S08 utilizes the sophisticated AWM2 system.
AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2) is a synthesis system based on the use of sampled waveforms, 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 envelope generator, filter, modulation, and other parameters can be
applied to the basic waveform.
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AWM2 is not just limited to conventional pitched instruments (Normal Voices), but also produces various drum and percussion
instruments (Drum Voices). For details about Normal and Drum Voices, see page 22.
Maximum Polyphony
The maximum polyphony of the S08 is 64 notes. However, the actual note polyphony will vary depending on the
number of Elements in the Voice. To calculate the actual polyphony, divide the total polyphony of 64 by the number
of Elements in the Voice. For instance, if a Voice consists of two Elements, the maximum note polyphony for the
Voice is 32.
Effects
The effects can be used to change or enhance the sound of a Multi or Voice.
These include the effects of the Reverb section (17 types) for adding ambient after-tones to the sound, the Chorus
section (17 types) that add animation and depth, and the Variation section (54 types) which features a wealth of
additional effects.
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For more details about the effects, see page 46.
Card Drive/Sequencer
The Card Drive block lets you save data or load data to/from the Memory Card (page 53).
The sequencer block can be used to play back Standard MIDI Files held on Memory Card (page 51).
Tone Generator
To Effects Units
AMP
(Amplitude)
FILTER
PITCH
OSC
(Oscillator)
Outputs the waveform of each Element.
Each Voice consists of up to four Elements.
Changes the tonal quality of each
Element output from the PITCH section.
Controls the pitch of each Element
output from the OSC section.
Controls the output level (amplitude) of
each Element output from the FILTER
section. The signls are then sent at this
level to the Effects Unit.
