I am so glad this video came up when I searched on the TX81Z. Even more glad when I saw you still make these today. Even MORE glad when I got to the shop and discovered I could buy a DIY version for half of what an assembled version costs. I love DIY synth electronics! This is absolutely perfect.
How can the waveforms of the tx81z replicated on the Opsix Or Is there any hint what they were supposed to represent like saw or square? W1 sine W5 half sine = Opsix width knob All others = ?
Great product :) Is it possible to control x2 Tx81Z with 1 controller? i.e both synth's share the same midi channel & then use a thru box to connect ? (or if your controller has got an out/thru midi port?) Thanks, Bless!
@@stereoping Thanks for your reply, I had a feeling it would work & great to know i dont need a thru box, i'm in the UK, any dealers of your unit here? Or are you travelling here anytime soon to the UK ? I would like to buy , i know availability is on your website, but UK (no EU now) so postage is much more! This controller I want! :)
I love those chords from 3'22 it reminds me to a chris korda's tune I don't know why. I was re listening to your stuff on bandcamp yesterday. please upload more music or make a soundcloud if you don't have one already
Something is odd at the end of this video. The mix up of sysex and cc is confusing. It is not clear what is going on. What is one to do with the other? Does TX81Z not have cc for its parameters?
The TX81Z does not respond to CC except ModWheel (1), Breath (2) and some more common ones. Parameter changes can only be made by quite complex SysEx commands. The Controller box can translate ordinary CC into these SysEx-commands. This allows remoting the TX81Z's parameters by CC messages - well as far as the TX81Z's midibuffer allows. In the video i've drawn some envelopes in FruityLoops for sending CC#47 into the Controller which translates it into SysEx and sends this SysEx to the Synth for parameter change automation (Release Rate OP1). Then i send cc#15 to automate Operator #1`s waveform. You cannoth automate multiple parameters like mad at the same time of course, there are technical limits - first by the midibus itself introducint note delays and bad timing when beim overwhealmed. Second (and more severe) cause is the TX81Z itself as it does not have the quickest brain and a small midi buffer memory.
Is this all done with a microcontroller and sysex commands? Is this an open source project? Would be curious if its possible to DIY this, do you sell the faceplate stickers alone?
Yes. No, not open-source, it's a commercial product. There are many DIY-Arduino projects for midicontrollers. And yes, the faceplates are available separately
Hey would you know how to change the program presets 1-24 with PC and CC messages? I have a midi controller that I have hooked up to this rack synth and need to crack the code on changing between different presets for my live shows. Thank you!
I dont own the TX81Z anymore but it should regularly react to Program Change messages (CC wont be helpful here). If it does not, you might want to check the midichannels of the 81Z and your controller to be identical and also check the TX81Z setting UTILITY / P.CHANGE / off,com,ind ... page 25 of the manual.
@@stereoping okay this helped me along. I can now change the voices with the controller. The problem now is that when I change the voices it takes me out of Performance mode into single. Any advice here?
@@bashrodriguez3790 Not sure. Page 6 of the manual sais "Incoming progranges can select anything; voices or performanc memories". You might want to take a look into the manual page 26 about the program change table where you can assign Singles and Performances to incoming progchanges.
how is the tz81z hooked up to your software? with midi cables then assignment? is the melody in the piano roll controlling the tx81z? i want to do this with my sy99 but thought you need librarian software. this is really cool
Thanks :-) the cabeling is simple: Midi interface -> Controller -> TX81Z. And of course the piano roll sends the notes through the controller into the tx81z. The controller passes whats coming in and adds his parameter control commands when knobs are moved.
This looks great! Now, who, beyond me, would like to see a similar device for the Yamaha FS1R? :) I know that the FS1R is far more complex, but an option to program the 8 operators + other most important paramters would indeed go a long way.
Thomas Jeppesen Thanks for your comment. I am currently working on a much bigger programmer (... encoders, gfx-display ...) for the bigger Yamaha FM Synths (DX7, TX7, TX802, TG77...). FS1R would also be an option, unfortunately they are getting more and more expensive.
stereoping OK - that sounds great. Looking forward to seeing the result. Hopefully it will make the FS1R more accessible and DAW integradable. And yes, the FS1R is becoming more expensive, but wouldn't that also mean that people are ready to invest more in it and include an external controller like the one you are designing?
Whoa, that's really cool. Not only is this really hands-on, but a fixed hardware layout with correct labels will help you learning where things are once and for all. You'd probably end up with far more knobs for an FS1r, but yes ... DO WANT!
Thanks a lot. I'll take the FS1r into account for the big controller for DX7, TX7, TX802 i am working on. The small Synth Controller is not the right hardware for the complicated FM-synths.
Looks fantastic, what a pity that it costs twice the money you need to buy an actual TX81Z. Can you switch settings and use it with other synth or is it exclusively for one specific synth?
one thing i noticed about the tx81z and it's software controllers that are out there, if you changed the operator volume, there was always a big amount of lag involved, i'm thinking because if you change the value, the value changes are clocked and put into some kind of stack or buffer inside the tx81z, and i thought a workaround would be to put some kind of delay in the controller that reduced the rate at which the operator volume level changes are transmitted over midi.
Would this work with a dx21? Can't wait to get this controller for mine and also try it on a kawai k1. Nice music and nice controllers. I wish there was a demo for the k1 though
It will, the Yamaha 4OP Synths (DX100, DX21, 81Z ... even TQ5) are compatible concerning their main parameters. The special features of one which are not available on the other (e.g. different osc-waveforms, pitch envelope, Chorus, Split...) are simply ignored and will not work. Exception in the 4 OP line is the FB01 which has a completely different SysEx editing approach.
@@jingerroot The Controller is kind of indestructable. The technical specs of the MPU talk about at least 100.000 flashings until the EEPROM cells start to get damages. If you load a different edition firmware 10 x per day you might experience problems after 30 years. But no worries, if i'm still alive then i'll get you a new chip for the next 30 years. The firmware flashing itself also is bulletproof, the update-software is separate from the operation firmware. Even de-powering while flashing a firmware does not cause any damage. Just start over jumping into Bootloader mode and dump another upload of the operation firmware.
@@stereoping Haha brilliant!! I hope i can buy mine next month and that you will be alive for a loooooong time too :) If the shop website is still under maintainance i'll email you for the kit and the faceplates
How did your get your Fruity loops controller to controller the synth at 5:01mins (what a kool tune BTW, sounds like something OTT would make), was this through sysex via the Stereoping Synth Controller? Is there a way to do this in Ableton? Thanks
It's the built in ControlChange-to-SysEx-Translator of the Controller. FLStudio sends ordinary ControlChange Automation data (which Ableton also is capable of) into the Controller. The data is translated into SysEx for the TX81Z to respond to. Btw... i also offer a "MidiTools" product for the TX81Z just doing that: translating CC into SysEx for remoting/editing/automating TX81Z parameters
Oooooh man. My tx81 would see alot more use with something like this. Do u have a link? If so, u should think about updating the description. How much do these run? Or are they even still for sale?
hey, this is brilliant. Is it possible to use this unit or a mod with a single TF1 module (which itself prob'ly needs to be modded to be self-sufficent)? A setup like this MIDI keys -> controller -> TF1 -> line out would be ideal.
Thank you. I am not familiar with the TF1. It's a DX7-module for a TX816 rack, right? Ah, the DX7 is 6 OP and got a completely different SysEx implementation, this wont work unfortunately.
@@stereoping yes, that's the one. me being a total noob, please advise (if it's not too much trouble): If I limit myself to loading patches from a software editor (I heard there are a few -- am I correct?), can I simply go MIDI keys > TF1 unit > line out? Here's what I have in mind, a super compact solution (though I still need someone to build it, this listing is from 2010) www.matrixsynth.com/2010/10/yamaha-tf1-module-in-custom-wood-case.html Thanks!
@@mentalitydesignvideo i am not an expert on the TF1 but on the pictures it looks like it's an integrated module and does not need the frame to function. So i think it should work...dont forget about the power supply.
***** Not really EVERY, just what i thought to be the 48 most important ones. There are many missing like Level Scaling, Rate Scaling, EG bias sens, AmplitudeMod Enable, Key Velo Sens, Pitchbend range, Breath Control Pitch amount and and...
***** Thanks. D50 ... ah well, it's a big djungle of parameters. I had one but even with the roland programmer i didn't have that much fun with it. Complex machine with several routing possibilies of the 4 blocks. I fear i won't dare thinking about making a programmer for it. But i am currently working on a big programmer for the - guess - TX7 (and DX7, TX802...). Maybe you want to trade it back?
Haha, well, I got it at a great price, I figure the tx7 continues to sell for next to nothing, while the d50 sells for a lot more, turning into a classic. I'll pick up a tx7 in the future.
Steve Riou Sure, new firmwares can be flashed at any time. I'll take a look on the multitimbral thing of the TX81 asap and see what i can implement into the controller. Thanks for having me pointed to the multitimbral-issue.
+stereoping any update on the mutlitimbral addition? actual being able to edit individual voices while in the multitimbral performance mode would be ideal
sorry for the delay ... the 81Z has just one voice edit buffer. means it can only change one voice, dont know if this even works when it is in performance mode. The Microwave e.g. has 8 edit buffers, that's why it's possible to edit multiple voices in multimode at once without loosing them. Don't know if it makes that much sense to support the performance parameters... maybe DETUNE, NOTESHIFT and LEVEL might make sense.
@@stereoping thanks so much. As I wrote to you last night, I came across your website that confirmed my question but thanks for getting back. I might buy the kit if I’m feeling brave enough! I have a DX100 too. Will you ever be doing one for a dx7 or sy77? Now there’s a powerful synth that needs a controller. Many thanks
@@theoriginaldanalogue You are welcome 🙂 For the DX family i planned one but canceled the project at 80% finishing state. You might know the last 10% of a project are the worst and most time consuming. I simply lost faith and motivation sorting all these midibytes for all the FM family members. For the SY77 ... surely not. It's always a matter of personal taste about synthesizers but the SY77 (even the 99 which i used for many years) always appeared quite disappointing to me. And so many parameters ... plus AWM section ... i think software is the better choice here.
@@stereoping fair enough. Yes I totally get your point. It’s the 80/20 thing where 80% of your energy goes into the last 20%. Well, if you find the motivation to finish it, there’s a real market out there for it as the menu diving is tedious - even with real experience, the dx7 isn’t exactly tactile - but what a great synth. As for the SY, yes that’s like the DX but on steroids. Very tedious to work with. But, I’ve actually heard some incredible things coming out of them. But you need a masters degree to get the best from it. Literally! When I was at university, there was this guy who was working with FM synthesis for his masters degree and what he got out of an SY77 was mind blowing!
palmerico house It's a custom mapping of the very special SysEx- commands, the TX81z wants to see on it's midi in. Check the 81Z's Midi impementation chart for details. You can do that with any midicontroller which supports SysEx handling. But most probably it will overwhelm the tiny midibuffer of the TX resulting in "Midi Buffer Full". The 81Z refuses then to execute any further parameter changes, till you press one of the buttons on the TX-front. The Synth Controller has special mechanisms to send these commands in a speed the TX81Z can handle without midi buffer overflow.
So can I automate these knobs cc values from my DAW ? It would be nice to know how crazy I can get before causing the TX to crash. Thanks and awesome product.
Thanks :-) ... you can automate the TX's parameters using CC changes which will be sent into and translated by the Synth Controller into SysEx-commands. It's not that the controller sends CC itself. The CC need to be created by the DAW/Sequencer/keyboard or - well - a third party midicontroller ;)
Hi hello! i wanted to ask you on the website but i could not find a "contact" tab, i just got a YS200 and i have read that it is identical to the TX-81Z, could i do the same as you do with this editor but for my ys200 ? thank you in advance very awesome products!
@@stereoping thank you so much, is there any way to test myself with CC or something? i see the shop is closed until january i will most definetly be getting this if it works, i love the EASY edit panel on the ys200 (you can do no wrong) but i would reall like access to the individual env..thank you!
@@trashcan9001 The YS wont respond to CC expect the common ones like e.g. volume (#7) pan (#10). Wikipedia sais "The YS/TQ is nearly fully compatible - aside from lacking portamento - with voices and sysex for the earlier DX11, DX21, DX27, DX100, and TX81Z." So it should work. If you order from inside EU you can return the Controller for full money refund if you are not satisfied.
@@stereoping awesome! thank so much for you reply.. i am very interested in the controller, i live in spain so it should be quick i am checking all the amazing compatibility of the controller with the faceplates in case i find another digital one for cheap here thank you again! :)
Let me start by saying what you're doing is amazing. If you made one of these for the dx reface I'd buy it instantly. I've always wanted to explore fm synth but get turned off by the lack of accessibility. Thank you for what you do.
Thanks a lot for your kind and motivating comment :-) At the time i am still working in the big programmer for Matrix, Microwave and MKS-80 but it's nearly finished. Among others, i'll finally start with the developement of an FM Programmer supporting the Yamaha-family from FB01 through DX7 up to TX802. I'll also get a reface and a volca FM then to check them out. It's not easy to find the right tradeoff for the product design between price and featureset but we'll see. And it will take months til i can show up with sth.
+Houz'Mon/Orchid Records please have a look into my shop under stereoping-shop dot com . You're as well welcome to email me directly for questions :-)
How much? I have BCR 2000, but I don't really understand TX81Z architecture well enough to know what to MIDI map, would be easier just to buy one of these boxes...
225 EUR plus shipping. And - sorry - you have to build it yourself, it's a kit. Working on certifications to offer it as out of the box product. The BCR2000-solution is much cheaper but will ennoy you for the TX81 to show 'midi buffer full' cause it is not and can not be bandwith optimized for the TX81Z. It send to much data to often. The BCR also won't offer translation of Midi CC into SysEx
***** As answered above it does not edit ALL the parameters, would have needed much more knobs. Building the kit is quite easy, no free cables, all pots and jacks sit on the pcb, english building instructions with detailed pix can be downloaded on my page. I hope to have the certificatiton for out of the box product somewhere around June (Europe only first, US will take even more efforts - and money ... sigh)
stereoping So does this only send SysEx? Because I've set up my BCR2000 to control some SysEx parameters , but I think the TX81Z is also receiving CC controls for volume and I'm not sure if I have knobs routed to multiple things, or if the BCR is sending out CC data that needs to be filtered. I'm basically using the BCR and an editor for it to teach myself about SysEx so I can understand it better, but it's a little more confusing that I thought.
I see that there are a range of these Controllers & I was interested in the Tetra one, they also come in kit form although I feel that they are overpriced as a small single dedicated controller. Now if you could buy a programmable one of these with the ability to have some patch memories and overlay plates for use with different Gear then I`d defo be interested. or example I`d like to make one do the hidden functions of my Moog Minitaur, extra Tetra Control, Plugiator control ( Cremeware based DSP Synth ) & MicroMonsta Control
It also works with DX100 and DX11. Please check the manual addendum i offer on my page for details www.stereoping.com/synth-controller-downloads/?lang=en
Ich mag das Konzept. Erinnert mich an meine Kawai K5000R Macro Control Box. Gibt es eine Wunschliste welcher Synth als nächstes implementiert wird? Ich hätte da noch ein paar heiße Kandidaten die man damit massiv aufwerten könnte, wie z.B. E-Mu Morpheus, Yamaha VL-1/7 oder Yamaha FS1R ;-)
Danke :-) ... womöglich fallen mir noch ein paar Editions ein, aber irgendwie muss es ja auch Sinn machen, Morpheus, Ultraprotheus, FS1R, JV1080 ... die haben so viele Parameter, ich denke da müsste eine umfangreichere Hardware mit viel mehr Knoppches ran damit das Spass macht.
It should. For optimal midi-signal integrity I'd connect them over a midi-splitter/midi-thru (one input, multiple parallel outputs). But it might also work well just to simply daisy-chain them. Not sure if the 81Z got a real hardware thru?
Dado Simic I know what you mean, hoping for your understanding. Well, i run my business of germany, worlds most regulation, taxes, bureaucracy and all kinds of (more or less legal) associations wanting their piece of the cake. There's not that much left over for me after i got all of them paid for simply letting me do my work.
Hi Stereoping! If I go to your shop, nothing comes up on the page and I can't go any further - but I found on another forum the correct address is stereoping-shop.com/Midi-Controller/Synth-Controller So I'm not sure if your shop address is having issues or whether it is my Firefox that is causing it - but I found the page in the end.
There is a navigationbar with a button labeled 'Midi Controller' ... i guess you overlooked that? Well, I think i should change that to make things easier, sorry.
Yeah I totally overlooked it. Sorry. I thought it was the heading for the page. Found it now! Will pick up one of these soon. Looking forward to having a mess around with it!
Wait a minute.. If I have a several synths that this controller supports, can I load synth profiles or something enabling me to take turns using this controller for each of my synths, or are we expected to buy separate controllers for each synth we own?
The hardware does not allow to hold multiple 'editions'/firmwares at the same time. But you can of course dump any firmware into it one by one to use with with each synth i supply editions for.
***** Danke Dir :-) najaaa, genial ist noch ein bischen was anderes, ich würde es ordentliche Arbeit nennen. Bin übrigens schon am 'grossen' dran, der wird ein deutliches Stück cooler werden.
+Matt Hillier ...agreed, but ... you won't beleive how much laws and regulations want to be fulfilled until you're officially allowed to sell a product without the risk of running into serious trouble. Second: raising a business with cash takes it's time. Would be easier if i'd have a startup with 500.000 EUR investors capital ;-) I am working on both and kindly ask for your patience. You're welcomed to email me directly, i always got some assembled prototypes left.
ah , yeah i had not thought of this , its like this everywhere now....i will mail you for sure , great thing , totally transforms the power of stuff like the tx81z...
FL Studio. Or did you mean how the TX81Z get's it's Midi notes? The Controller carefully merges incoming Midi with the para changes. Everything is forwarded through the Controller's MIDI OUT to the Yamaha.
The EVS1 has a quite complex structure, 4 ENVs with time/level, different synthesize-algos ... i started to try but rejected the project quite quickly. To much work for the perspective of selling a handful units. In addition the result would have come out quite confusing.
@@bandenoire You should use midiquest -- I tried it recently and it works really well but you have to have 2 midi inputs or a midi thru box to audition the changes on a keyboard. I just started to get into it but moved house and temporarily lost the PSU. I was getting some really good results -- theres loads of different synthesis types and realtime control. Just make sure 'memory protect' is off when you start changing things
FM programming was always fiddly. With a simple dot matrix display and a few parameter buttons most people didn't bother. This interface would have sold in its thousands in the 1980s and 1990s.
+Marco Poulos Hi Marco, hava a look into my shop on stereoping-shop dot com .. I am also looking for international distributors at the moment. It'll soon be available fully assembled.
+Marcel Videla Hi Marcel, thanks for your interest :-) You simply can order it in my shop which is linked from my page. You're of course welcome to email me directly for questions or details
550,00 $US is outrageous for an item that is based on a cheap AVR microcontroller and some peripheral chips. It basically sends sys exclusive parameter messages and not even all of them. See the manual for midi sys exclusive parameter messages the TX81Z recognizes.
@@stereoping Great! That's a welcome alternative. I'm pondering what I'm going to do, selling my two TX81Z units and buy KORG's Opsix or purchase your diy kit.
