TRAVol. I • No.

8 • September, 1996
®
Presented by the Corporation of America
Editor: Michael G. D’Amore

Special A/D Par ts Issue! Associate Editor: Howard Massey

Production by: On the Right Wavelength
Send correspondence via e-mail
Also: New Web Tools from Yamaha...page 12 to news@ysba.com or
mgdamore@ysba.com or,
Get Online With XG! ................ page 19 via “snail-mail,” to:
XG Xtra
Yamaha Corporation of America
Office of Strategic Business Development
Visit our WorldWide Web site at: P. O. Box 6600
http://www.ysba.com Buena Park, CA 90620
Tel: 714-522-9330
 Spotlight On: XG A/D Par ts
spaceship, while a synthesized sonic for gaming and multimedia
A closeup look at one of background moves with you, developers, since a direct connection
the most powerful and constantly changing ambience as can be made to these A/D inputs
you enter different zones. either from a sound card’s wave
forward-thinking areas output or directly from the audio
of XG All of this—and more—is made outputs of the CD-ROM drive
magine a gaming experience in possible by one of the most powerful playing your application. You can
I which the end user hears custom
dialog that changes aural
and forward-thinking areas of XG:
Its provision for MIDI control over
external A/D (Analog-to-Digital)
then use XG commands to preset
levels, pan positions, and apply
customized effects to dialog,
position with joystick movements—
one moment the villain’s hissing in inputs. This advanced feature is orchestral scoring or any conceivable
your left ear, the next he’s off at a currently implemented in two XG type of audio; in fact, XG even
distance and to your right. Picture a instruments: the SW60XG PC sound enables the user to interact with
multimedia environment in which card and the MU80 external tone audio data in real time. In this
you are playing piano, interactively module. Both provide dual A/D article, we’ll take a close-up look at
accompanying a full orchestra—and inputs, and, thanks to XG, the signal how to get the most out of this
you’re both in the same ambient entering these inputs (called “A/D exciting area of XG, with a particular
environment, on the same stage, parts”) can be controlled and emphasis on the A/D features of the
and in the same concert hall. processed in many of the same ways SW60XG, which is rapidly becoming
Place yourself in a virtual reality in as the MIDI data originating from the gaming connoisseur’s sound card
which you explore a massive within. This has major implications of choice.

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 2

A/D Part Setup However, there are no factory A/D are purposely “locked” in place so
presets utilized by the SW60XG— that data coming from MIDI files
One of the main differences hence, transmitting bank select or cannot inadvertently alter them.
between the SW60XG and MU80 program change messages to its A/D (The MU80 has an equivalent
implementation of A/D inputs is that parts will have no effect. What’s function, called “A/D Lock”;
the SW60XG provides two more, when a user follows the however, this defaults to an off
independent stereo inputs (on prescribed SW60XG installation status.) All of this is fine for karaoke
1/8" mini-phone jacks)—one for procedure (and developers are applications, but for gaming and
mic-level signals and the other for probably best off presuming that multimedia development and
line-level signals (generally used for users have done so), lines are playback, you’ll certainly want to
connection to another sound card’s inserted into the host computer’s have full access to all A/D
wave output or CD-ROM audio AUTOEXEC.BAT file that cause the parameters. This is accomplished
output)—while the MU80 provides a card to reset to a kind of karaoke through the use of two special
single dual-mono input (on a 1/4" mode on power-up (or upon receipt SW60XG device-specific system
stereo phone jack). The gain of the of the XG Reset All system exclusive exclusive commands (a table
MU80 input can be set to mic or line message F0 43 10 4C 00 00 7F 00 F7). summarizing all sysex messages
level with a MIDI system exclusive In this default mode, signal applied discussed in this article is presented
command and is also automatically to both the mic and line inputs is set on page 11 in this issue of XG Xtra).
adjusted when different factory A/D to a fixed volume (equivalent to
presets are called up either manually 64h), panned center, and routed at
from the front panel or via MIDI moderate level (equivalent to 40h) to
bank select and/or program change the onboard reverb effect set to the
messages. “Hall1” type. All of these parameters

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 3

The first of these messages is Karaoke (in table 2-2) incorrectly gives them as Once the SW60XG A/D parts are
Lock Off: being “F0 43 10 49 10 00 01 00 F7” switched on, they both default to a
and “F0 43 10 49 10 00 00 01 F7” volume setting of 0, which may lead
F0 43 10 49 01 00 01 00 F7* respectively. the uninitiated to mistakenly believe
that they have been disabled rather
This defaults to “off” on power-up than enabled. This is easily corrected
but, if inadvertently switched on Both of these should be transmitted by the subsequent transmission of
(which will happen, for example, if in the setup measure of your XG the A/D Part Volume command:
an end user launches the SW60XG music file approximately 50 msec
EffectGearII utility application), will after the XG System On (F0 43 10 4C F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 0B dd F7
cause erratic A/D part operation 00 00 7E 00 F7) message but before
(such as an inability to access all other system exclusive and In this and all other A/D Part system
Variation effects). controller initialization messages exclusive commands, “p” specifies
(since the A/D Part On or A/D the A/D part number (0h for A/D
The second required setup message is Part Off [F0 43 10 49 01 00 00 00 F7] part 1 and 1h for A/D part 2) and
A/D Part On: message also causes a reset of MIDI “dd” (data) specifies the data range,
controllers). If you’re including MIDI which, for this command, can be
F0 43 10 49 01 00 00 01 F7* music in your application, you any value from 00h to 7Fh.
should also note that turning the
A/D parts on in the SW60XG Finally, you may want to set the pan
* Note that these two messages are requires two elements of polyphony position of either or both of the A/D
presented incorrectly in the SW60XG and therefore reduces the total parts. They will initially both default
MIDI Help documentation (section polyphony to 30 elements instead of to center because the SW60XG
2.1.5.1) as being “DB50XG” System 32. defaults to an “A/D mono” mode
Data parameter changes and that a typo whereby each of the two A/D inputs

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 4

is treated independently. This can be sysex command: Routing A/D Parts to Effects
changed if desired to an “A/D stereo”
mode with the transmission of the F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 0E dd F7 Following transmission of the XG
following sysex command: System On or A/D Part On sysex
The data (“dd”) range of this message messages described above, the send
F0 43 10 4C 11 00 00 01 F7 is 01h to 7Fh, with a value of 01h levels of both A/D parts to all three
panning the signal hard left (L63) onboard effects (reverb, chorus, and
In this mode, A/D part 1 operates in and a value of 7Fh panning the Variation) sensibly defaults to 0.
stereo, with the left input signal signal hard right (R63). The default Like MIDI parts, however, A/D parts
automatically panned hard left and value of 40h places the signal dead can be routed to any or all of the
the right input signal automatically center (C). three onboard effects (or, in the case
panned hard right (here, the pan of the MU80, to any of the four
control operates as a balance control That’s it for initial setup! Now we onboard effects, including
between the two signals). Also, any can begin having fun with the A/D Distortion). To set the send level of
effects (including Variation effects, parts, by routing them to the an A/D part to the reverb effect,
even in Insertion mode—more about onboard effects processors and transmit the following sysex
this shortly) are applied to both dynamically controlling their level, command:
signals simultaneously. pan position, and other variables.
F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 13 dd F7
For maximum control, however, it’s
probably best to leave the A/D parts To set the send level of an A/D part
in their default mono mode. to the chorus effect, transmit the
You can then alter their pan following:
positions independently, if desired,
by transmitting the following F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 12 dd F7

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 5

In both cases, the data (“dd”) range The routing to the onboard Variation the following “Variation Part” sysex
is 00h to 7Fh, equivalent to decimal effect is a little different in that this command:
send levels from 0 to 127. Also bear effect can be used in either an
in mind that the return level of both “Insertion” (INS) or in a “System” F0 43 10 4C 02 01 5B dd F7
the reverb and chorus effects default (SYS) configuration. As described in
to a value of 40h (64 decimal); if you the “Spotlight On XG Effects” Here, the data value (“dd”) should be
wish to raise or lower this, use the feature article in XG Xtra #2, in the set to 40h for A/D part 1, or to 41h
following sysex commands: default “Insertion” configuration, for A/D part 2.
the Variation effect is applied at
F0 43 10 4C 02 01 0C dd F7 unity gain (that is, with no level There are two advantages to using
(to set reverb return level) attenuation or boost) to one single the Variation effect in the default
F0 43 10 4C 02 01 2C dd F7 user-specified part instead of using a Insertion configuration. One is that
(to set chorus return level) send and return for routing from you don’t have to worry about send
multiple parts. In this configuration, or return levels; they are
In addition, both returns default to a the Variation effect can be applied to automatically set to optimum.
center (40h) pan position; this too any one of the MIDI parts or to This is useful when applying an
can be changed with sysex either of the A/D parts. (Note: If the effect such as 2-band or 3-band EQ,
commands, as follows: SW60XG is set to “A/D stereo” mode where you’ll simply want maximum
as described in the previous section, signal-to-noise ratio without any
F0 43 10 4C 02 01 0D dd F7 the Variation effect can be inserted need to alter the amount of effect
(to set reverb pan position) into both A/D parts, in stereo.) being added. Another advantage, as
F0 43 10 4C 02 01 2D dd F7 To insert the selected Variation effect we’ll see in the section below, is that
(to set chorus pan position) into one of the A/D parts, transmit Insert configuration allows the use of

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 6

a MIDI controller for realtime As with the reverb and chorus uneffected) level of the A/D parts
change of a designated effects effects, the data (“dd”) range is 00h using the following sysex command:
parameter (usually wet-dry mix or to 7Fh, equivalent to a decimal send
oscillator speed)—even when the level from 0 to 127. As with the F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 11 dd F7
effect is being inserted into an A/D reverb and chorus effects, the return
part. level of the Variation effect The data range for this command
(in System mode) defaults to a value (which is ignored when the
The disadvantage to using the of 40h (64 decimal); if desired, this Variation effect is in its default
Insertion configuration is that the can be raised or lowered with the “Insertion” configuration) is 00h to
Variation effect can only be applied following command: 7Fh.
to one part. If you want to be able to
apply the Variation effect to multiple F0 43 10 4C 02 01 56 dd F7 As detailed in the “Spotlight On XG
parts (or if you simply want control Effects” article in XG Xtra #2, sysex
over the Variation send and return Like reverb and chorus, the Variation commands can also be used to
levels), set the Variation Connection return defaults to a center (40h) pan not only select from among the
parameter to “System” mode, using position; if desired, this can be 11 reverb types, 11 chorus types, or
the following sysex command: changed with the following 44 Variation types provided by the
command: SW60XG but can actually alter
F0 43 10 4C 02 01 5A 01 F7 parameters within the selected type
F0 43 10 4C 02 01 57 dd F7 in order to create custom effects.
At this point, you can set the All of these commands, along with
A/D part Variation send level by Another advantage to using the all the other commands described in
transmitting the following: Variation effect in a “System” this article, can be easily embedded
configuration is that you can into short MIDI “setup” files which
F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 14 dd F7 independently set the Dry (that is, can be silently and unobtrusively

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 7

transmitted to the SW60XG during 01h (on), so these messages will not can also be inserted; this has the
the process of loading in your need to be transmitted unless you effect of turning MIDI channel
gaming or multimedia application. have a specific reason for disabling reception for the A/D part off.
reception. Note that the “Rcv Because 7Fh is the default value, the
Control Change” message disables “Rcv Channel” command must
Realtime Control of A/D Parts reception of all controllers, including always be transmitted to enable
Volume (cc #7), Pan (cc #10), and realtime control over an A/D part’s
Realtime control over A/D parts is Expression (cc #11). level and pan position. If your game
accomplished with the use of the XG or multimedia application uses
commands “A/D Rcv Control In fact, the only thing you need to digital audio files only, this can be
Change,” “A/D Rcv Volume,” “A/D do in order to enable realtime set to any MIDI channel; however, if
Rcv Pan,” and “A/D Rcv Expression”: control over an A/D part’s level and you are also using MIDI voices, we
pan position is to set the MIDI recommend you use an otherwise
F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 33 dd F7 channel that the part will use for unused MIDI channel for this
(Rcv Control Change) reception of controller messages. purpose so that control changes
F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 39 dd F7 This is accomplished with the don’t have an inadvertent affect on
(Rcv Volume) following “A/D Rcv Channel” sysex MIDI data as well.
F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 3A dd F7 command:
(Rcv Pan) Once the “Rcv Channel” command
F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 3B dd F7 F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 04 dd F7 is transmitted, you can use any
(Rcv Expression) assignable software faders or a
The data (“dd”) range of this hardware MIDI controller box to
In all four cases, the data (“dd”) command is 00h to 0Fh, issue a stream of continuous control
range is 00h (off) or 01h (on), and in corresponding to MIDI channels change messages. Volume (cc #7)
all four cases the default value is 1 - 16. However, a data value of 7Fh will, as might be expected, alter the

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 8

level of the A/D part in real time; in gaming applications. As to your liking, you can assign any
Pan (cc #10) will alter its pan mentioned earlier in this article, this controller number from 0 to 95,
position in real time (unlike MIDI is the ability to use an “Adjustable using the following sysex command:
data, even during sustained sounds); Controller” (AC) to alter a single
and Expression (cc #11) will change preselected Variation effects F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 59 dd F7
the level between 0 and the parameter (which for most Variation
currently set Volume (you can think effects types is either wet-dry mix or, Here, the data (“dd”) value can range
of Expression as being a “fine in the case of periodic effects such as from 00h to 5Fh.
control,” used to set crescendoes and tremolo or auto-pan, oscillator
diminuendoes in real time). If you speed). Actually, XG provides for two The only other parameter that needs
have a utility that allows incoming Adjustable Controllers, labeled to be set is the AC1 Variation
joystick data to be remapped to MIDI “AC1” and “AC2,” but since AC2 Control Depth, accomplished with
control changes, you can give the simply duplicates the effect of the following sysex command:
end user the ability to directly AC1 in current XG instruments
control the level or pan position of such as the SW60XG and MU80 F0 43 10 4C 02 01 5F dd F7
audio being played back, or you can (though it can be set to a different
have these changes interactively controller number), we’ll talk only The data (“dd”) value for this
correspond to onscreen cursor about AC1 here. command can range from 00h to
movements. 7Fh, with a value of 00h setting the
For both A/D parts, the default depth to -63 (creating an inverse
As if this isn’t exciting enough, XG controller number assigned to AC1 is change, so that increasing the
also permits one more realtime 16, which is MIDI General Purpose controller value to maximum
control that is particularly effective Controller 1. However, if this is not decreases the parameter value to
minimum) and a value of 7Fh sets
the depth to +63 (creating a normal

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 9

change, so that increasing the Turn A/D Part On commands in 6. Select “Hall1” as the Variation
controller value to maximum order to activate both A/D parts. Effect type by transmitting the
increases the parameter value to following sysex command:
maximum). The default value of 40h 2. Transmit an A/D Part Volume
(0 in decimal) gives AC1 no depth, command in order to set the volume F0 43 10 4C 02 01 40 01 00 F7
so it will have no effect. This is the of A/D part 1 to maximum.
reason why this AC1 Variation 7. Use assignable software faders or a
Control Depth message has to be 3. Transmit an A/D Rcv Channel hardware MIDI controller box to
transmitted prior to using this command in order to set the receive issue a stream of cc #16 messages on
feature. channel to MIDI channel 1. MIDI channel 1 while audio signal
plays through A/D part 1. As the
The following tutorial shows how 4. Transmit an AC1 Depth sysex controller data values increase, you’ll
AC1 control can be used very effec- command that sets AC1 depth to hear the signal get wetter and wetter,
tively to alter the aural perspective— maximum. making the sound appear more and
particularly useful in interactive more distant. As the controller data
games or multimedia applications. 5. Bearing in mind that the SW60XG values decrease, the signal gets drier
All A/D sysex commands given here defaults to an Insertion Variation and drier, making it appear closer.
have been described earlier in this configuration (the only condition
article and are also included in the under which AC1 can be used for
reference table on the next page. realtime effect parameter change), Linked to user joystick movements
issue a Variation Part command that or using other interactive
sets A/D part 1 as the Insertion part techniques, this is an excellent way
1. Begin by issuing an XG System On (dd = 40h). to link changes in visual perspective
message, followed 50 msec later with the aural perspective, thus
by Karoake Lock Off and lending a new level of virtual reality

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 10

to your application and providing
XG A/D Part System Exclusive Commands
the end user with a more complete
sensory experience. All made Description Sysex Data ("dd") Range

possible only by XG—clearly, XG Reset All F0 43 10 4C 00 00 7F 00 F7

SW60XG Karaoke Lock Off F0 43 10 49 01 00 01 00 F7
the winning format for the SW60XG A/D Part On F0 43 10 49 01 00 00 01 F7
forward-thinking developer! SW60XG A/D Part Off F0 43 10 49 01 00 00 00 F7
XG System On F0 43 10 4C 00 00 7E 00 F7
A/D Part Volume F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 0B dd F7 00 - 7F
“A/D Stereo” Mode F0 43 10 4C 11 00 00 01 F7
A/D Part Pan F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 0E dd F7 00 - 7F*
Special thanks to Gary Gregson for A/D Part Reverb Send Level F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 13 dd F7 00 - 7F
A/D Part Chorus Send Level F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 12 dd F7 00 - 7F
his input in preparing this article. Reverb Return Level F0 43 10 4C 02 01 0C dd F7 00 - 7F
All XG system exclusive messages Chorus Return Level F0 43 10 4C 02 01 2C dd F7 00 - 7F
Reverb Pan F0 43 10 4C 02 01 0D dd F7 00 - 7F*
(including all those detailed in this Chorus Pan F0 43 10 4C 02 01 2D dd F7 00 - 7F*
article) can be automatically generated A/D Variation Part F0 43 10 4C 02 01 5B dd F7 40 = A/D part 1
41 = A/D part 2
and saved to a mergable standard MIDI Set Variation to “System” Mode F0 43 10 4C 02 01 5A 01 F7
file with the use of Gary’s excellent A/D Part Variation Send Level F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 14 dd F7 00 - 7F
Variation Return Level F0 43 10 4C 02 01 56 dd F7 00 - 7F
XG Edit shareware application, which Variation Pan F0 43 10 4C 02 01 57 dd F7 00 - 7F*
A/D Part Dry Level F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 11 dd F7 00 - 7F
runs under Windows 95. Be sure to A/D Part Rcv Control Change F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 33 dd F7 00 (off) - 01 (on)
visit Gary’s Web home page at A/D Part Rcv Volume F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 39 dd F7 00 (off) - 01 (on)
A/D Part Rcv Pan F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 3A dd F7 00 (off) - 01 (on)
http://www.cybertheque.fr/galerie/GGregson A/D Part Rcv Expression F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 3B dd F7 00 (off) - 01 (on)
and, if you’re a registered developer, be A/D Part Rcv Channel F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 04 dd F7 00 - 0F, 7F (off)
A/D Part AC1 Controller Number F0 43 10 4C 10 0p 59 dd F7 00 - 5F
sure to download the special developer’s AC1 Variation Control Depth F0 43 10 4C 02 01 5F dd F7 00 - 7F**
version of XG Edit from our Web site at Note: p = A/D part number (p = 0 for A/D part 1; p = 1 for A/D part 2)
http://www.ysba.com/members/softform.html
* 00 = L63; 40 = C; 7F = R63
** 00 = -63; 40 = 0; 7F = +63

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 11

 The Power of Sound in Cyberspace
New Web Tools From Yamaha:
Soft-Synthesizer, MIDPLUG, and MIDI Control Xtra
he Internet is arguably the most changed with Yamaha’s recent as well as founding an entire cottage
T important phenomenon to
come along in the entire
release of three exciting new prod-
ucts: YSS100GM Soft-Synthesizer™;
industry of “clip music.” The
advantages of MIDI over digital
history of human communications. MIDPLUG (a Netscape Navigator 2.0x audio are well-known, the most
And it is the WorldWide Web that plug-in); and MIDI Control Xtra. important of which is greatly
provides the potential for actually reduced file size. A three-minute
revolutionizing the way that we MIDI, of course, has been a widely segment of music which might well
communicate, enabling, as it does, used communications standard for result in a 30 megabyte digital audio
the free interchange of multimedia computers and electronic musical file (taking hours to download over a
elements such as text, graphics (both devices (such as sound cards) for high-speed modem connection) can
still and animated), video, and more than a decade. Since the easily be encapsulated in a MIDI file
digital audio. Until now, however, advent of General MIDI and XG, it of 100k or less, since it is only the
there has been one significant has also been the medium that has performance data, and not the
element missing from the allowed musicians to collaborate and sound itself, that is stored. Other
WorldWide Web: MIDI. All this has exchange ideas over long distances, advantages of MIDI data include the

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 12

ability to change the level or them until or unless you buy a audio synthesis. Instead of using
panning of individual sounds, replacement card. But all that samples stored in a sound card’s
change tempo, transpose to a changed drastically at last year’s ROM, the YSS100GM stores 1MB of
different key, or even substitute fall Comdex show, with Yamaha’s high-quality General MIDI
different sounds altogether—all “on announcement of the YSS100GM wavetable samples (128 voices plus a
the fly,” while the music is playing Soft-Synthesizer™. drum kit) directly in your PC’s RAM.
back. This allows for a much greater This means that, not only is the
degree of interactivity than fixed Designed for Pentium computer YSS100GM more affordable than
digital audio files, which cannot be systems (75 MHz or higher) running dedicated sound-synthesis hardware,
changed at all during playback. Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, the it can be effortlessly updated as
YSS100GM is a completely software- technology changes.
Of course, to hear a MIDI file, you based wavetable synthesizer that
need a MIDI-controllable sound uses only the DAC on your sound The Soft-Synthesizer player software
source. Most usually, this is in the card. It provides an inexpensive, features an easy-to-understand
form of a computer sound card, software-based alternative to tradi- graphic control panel, as shown
which provides wavesamples stored tional hardware-based wavetable below.
in ROM and a digital-to-analog
converter (DAC) which enables the
samples to be heard over
conventional loudspeakers. The
problem with many sound cards,
however, is that the quality of the
samples often leaves a lot to be
desired. Worse yet, because they are
stored in ROM, you’re stuck with

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 13

The power on-off switch in the upper rates to be altered for more efficient allotted to the application and to the
left-hand corner is used to use of the CPU (lower rates) or YSS100GM.
activate/deactivate the system, and extended high frequency
the minimize button immediately performance (higher rates). The So how does this relate to the Web?
below it enables the Soft-Synthesizer “Set” button brings up a dialog that Having completed the compilation
to remain active (even continuing to allows the MIDI playback to be of the Soft-Synthesizer sound set and
play tunes, if you desire!) while other optionally directed to any external design of the YSS100GM GUI,
applications are running. The Song source (via the Windows MIDI Yamaha’s engineers next set out to
button opens a dialog box that Mapper or other drivers installed in conquer the problem of real-time
allows any type 0 or type 1 Standard your system), and, last but not least, streaming of MIDI data over the
MIDI File to be loaded (song lists can the volume slider on the far right WorldWide Web. The result of their
also be created), and familiar enables overall signal level to be efforts is MIDPLUG, a Netscape
play/pause/stop buttons are located adjusted. Navigator 2.0x plug-in. Beta versions
under the center “LCD”-like display, of MIDPLUG for Windows 95,
which shows the name of the Also included is onboard digital Windows 3.x and Power Mac
currently selected song and its tempo signal processing for professional- systems are available from the YSBA
(the up-down buttons to the right of quality MIDI-controlled effects (such Web site free of charge—click here to
the “LCD” are used for changing as reverb, echo, and chorus) that download them.
tempo). Rewind and fast-forward complement the music being played
buttons under the tempo indicator back. Fully GM and XG-compatible, Once installed, an expanded version
enable you to skip backward or the YSS100GM Soft-Synthesizer will of Soft-Synthesizer (containing all
forward through your song list, and faithfully reproduce MIDI sounds 360 base-level XG voices and 11
clicking on the words “Soft included in any GM or XG drum kits—including two SFX kits—
Synthesizer” brings up a secondary application, with performance plus onboard reverb) is automatical-
control panel that enables sample determined by the CPU resources ly loaded and activated whenever a

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 14

Web server downloads a MIDI file match the style of your home page. Or like this:
(type 0 or type 1 SMF) using the Depending upon the design style
following settings: chosen, the largest MIDPLUG
control panel looks like this:
MIME TYPE = audio/midi or
audio/x-midi
action = binary The smallest size (which provides no
suffix = .mid onscreen buttons) simply looks like
type = midi this:

When you open a page which or like this:

contains a MIDI file, the MIDI file
specified by the server will be
transmitted and played back.
Even in pages which do not Note that, regardless of size and
specifically support MIDPLUG, any design chosen, the overall
MIDI file which is attached in the appearance of the control panel will
form of "xxx.mid" will cause improve if the host computer is
MIDPLUG to automatically be The middle-sized MIDPLUG control capable of displaying 16-bit color or
started up to play the file. panel appears like this: better.

MIDPLUG’s simple and compact

interface is available in three screen
sizes (150 x 40, 100 x 30, or 40 x 35
pixels) and in two types of design to

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 15

The HTML (Client) syntax for •When "PANEL=0" (the default •When "REPEAT=FALSE", playback
MIDPLUG is as follows: setting), the control panel will does not loop.
appear with the light color scheme.
<EMBED SRC="XXXXX.MID" The MIDPLUG buttons have much
WIDTH=150 HEIGHT=40 PANEL=0 • When "PANEL=1", the control the same functionality as in the
AUTOSTART=TRUE REPEAT=TRUE> panel will appear with the dark color YSS100GM Soft-Synthesizer:
scheme. (Note: The 40 x 35 pixel
Various settings for the control panel control panel provides only one
can be specified as follows. color scheme, and the same panel
will appear regardless of whether
•"WIDTH=150 HEIGHT=40" will "PANEL=" is set to 0 or 1.)
display the largest (150 x 40 pixel)
control panel. •When "AUTOSTART=TRUE" (the
default setting), playback starts
•"WIDTH=100 HEIGHT=30" will automatically when the page is
display the medium-sized (100 x 30 opened
pixel) control panel. 1: Playback - Click this button to
•When "AUTOSTART=FALSE", begin playback of the MIDI file.
•"WIDTH=40 HEIGHT=35" will playback will not start automatically During playback, the button will
display the smallest (40 x 35 pixel) when the page is opened. remain pressed in, and the button
control panel. indicator will light green.
•When "REPEAT=TRUE" (the If the EMBED option is
•When "HEIGHT=0", the control default setting), playback loops "AUTOSTART=TRUE", the button
panel will not show and the control continuously until the Stop button will be pressed automatically.
functions are not available. is pressed.

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 16

2: Pause - Click this button to pause 6: Display - Shows the name of the hardware-based sound card or
playback of the song. If you click the MIDI file being played back. Up to 8 external GM or XG tone generator.
pause button once again or click the characters plus a 3-character suffix Finally, the “Information”
playback button, the song resumes (usually “.MID”) can be displayed. option provides a direct link
from where it was paused. to Yamaha’s MIDPLUG URL at
Right-clicking anywhere on the http://www.yamaha.co.jp:80/english/xg/
3: Stop - Click this button to stop MIDPLUG control panel (or, on FAQs about MIDPLUG can be found
playback and return to the Power Mac systems, clicking on the at http://www.ysba.com/midplug_faq.html
beginning of the song. words “Yamaha MIDPLUG”) causes
a pop-up menu to appear which Last but not least in this triumvirate
4: Volume up - The volume increases duplicates the functionality of the is MIDI Control Xtra, a software
each time you click this button. front panel buttons and adds the synthesizer “Xtra” for Macromedia
While the volume is being increased, ability to transpose the file being Director 5.0 (Windows 95 version).
the button indicator will light green. played back (by ±12 semitones) and This exciting product adds
When the maximum volume is to increase or decrease the tempo. commands to Lingo (the proprietary
reached, the button indicator Both the transpose and tempo programming language used by
disappears. functions include a handy “reset” Director) that enable MIDI file
option so you can easily return to playback (without MIDI Control
5: Volume down - The volume the original settings. The pop-up Xtra, Lingo only has the capability to
decreases each time you click this menu also provides an option for play back digital audio files).
button. While the volume is being routing the MIDI data stream to Like MIDPLUG, MIDI Control Xtra
decreased, the button indicator will either the Windows MIDI Mapper incorporates Yamaha's Soft-
light green. When the minimum vol- (in Wintel systems) or the Apple Synthesizer technology for high
ume is reached, the button indicator MIDI Manager (if installed in Power quality wavetable sound without the
disappears. Mac systems) for playback via a need for expensive hardware-based

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 17

wavetable sound cards or external
MIDI tone generators. MIDI Control
Xtra allows the audio portion
of Director animation
prepared for online transmission
(using Macromedia’s ShockWave
files
Coming in the next
technology) to be played in real time
via MIDI, as opposed to having
to tediously download large AIFF
issue of XG Xtra!
or WAV files. To find out more
about MIDI Control Xtra and
other Director Xtras, visit
Macromedia’s Web site at
http://www.macromedia.com/soft
ware/xtras/director/index.html. Report from IMA Expo ‘96
Yamaha’s YSS100GM Soft-
Synthesizer, MIDPLUG, and MIDI
Control Xtra—three important tools
plus XG tips, tricks, and
which significantly expand the
sonic potential of the Internet. techniques galore!
For more information on these and
other exciting new Yamaha
products, visit our Web site at
http://www.ysba.com.

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 18

 Get Online With
XG!
is rapidly becoming an the Microsoft Network (MSN) sites, you can also communicate
XG important
information
part of
services
can access our site by
“go to: Yamaha XG”.
typing directly with Yamaha’s team of
XG Evangelists and get your
everywhere. Registered XG technical questions answered
developers have enjoyed Internet Aimed primarily at XG end users quickly and effortlessly. If you’re a
support for some time, but Yamaha and hobbyists, each of these sites member of AOL, CompuServe, or
is now also making it possible for contains a wealth of XG MSN, you owe it to yourself to check
end users to join the XG revolution information, including download- out these exciting sites
too. America Online subscribers can able software (such as XG product
access our dedicated XG site by brochures, beta copies of editor Registered developers of XG
typing the keyword “YamahaXG” or software and device drivers, and a hardware and software have
by entering the Music & Sound treasure chest of XG MIDI files), and their own meeting place at
Forum. CompuServe devotees can message board or chat site areas http://www.ysba.com—the Yamaha
find us by typing “go: Yamaha” where users can freely exchange Strategic Business Alliance web site.
or via the MIDI Vendor A Forum. information about their XG projects If you haven’t signed up yet—or if
And those of you who connect to and experiences. Through these you have but you haven’t visited us

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 19

there lately—you’re in for a pleasant exciting new MIDPlug, a Netscape
surprise. The site has been greatly Navigator plug-in that enables
XG publications available
expanded recently, with loads of new realtime playback of streaming from Yamaha
features, including: MIDI data through a built-in
software synthesizer (see page 12 in • XG Interactive Online Help
• Constantly updated XG this issue of XG Xtra for more • An Introduction to XG
informational files in Acrobat information). Other goodies include
Portable Document Format (pdf), a software synthesizer Xtra for • XG Guidebook
including back issues of XG Xtra, the Macromedia Director 5.0 (Windows • XG Music Production Recommendations
full XG Specification, the XG 95 version—see page 12) and • XG Specifications
Guidebook, XG Music Data developers tools such as a shareware
Production Recommendations, and XG editor and beta versions of an • XG Voice List and Drum Map
technical details about other areas of XG file viewer and checker. • XG Xtra issues #1 - #7
interest, including Yamaha’s mLAN
proposal for integrating music data • A series of new Yamaha Worldwide All available online (www.ysba.com) or
in hard copy direct from Yamaha:
streams (both MIDI and digital Links that provide URLs to relevant
audio) into a 1394 serial bus. sites throughout the Web, including Send requests via e-mail to:
news@ysba.com
UseNet newsgroups, gaming and
or, via “snail-mail,” to:
• Extensive information about all of music sites, and FTP areas. XG Xtra
Yamaha’s exciting new XG and CD-R Yamaha Corporation of America
products. All this in addition to the FAQs, press Office of Strategic Business Development
releases, and other vital data that has P. O. Box 6600
• A comprehensive library of XG made the YSBA site one of the most Buena Park, CA 90620
software, available for immediate important surfing stops on the Net. Tel: 714-522-9330
downloading. Included is Yamaha’s We hope you’ll visit us soon! Fax: 714-228-3913

XG Xtra Vol. I Number 8 Page 20