Yamaha RX-17, Authorized Product Manual

The RX17 is fully compatible with all MIDI equipment. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital

Interface) is the technology that allows digital musical instruments to control each other.
MIDI signals (data) are sent from one MIDI instrument to another, so that one instrument

can “play” another instrument, or so that instruments such as sequencers and drum
machines can be kept in perfect synchronization. You can even use MIDI to synchronize
the RX17 to a tape recording.

NOTE: 

MIDI data can be sent on any of 16 MIDI Channels. The RX17 MUST be set to

the same MIDI Channel(s) as the other MIDI device(s) to which it is connected. See 5.3
SET RECEIVE CHANNEL and 5.4 TRANSMIT CHANNEL ASSIGN.

The RX17 can utilize MIDI in the following ways:

An external MIDI device such as a Yamaha QX5 or QX21 Digital Sequence Recorder
can be used to start and stop playback and control the tempo of the RX17 (see 6.5.1,
MIDI CLOCK IN).
The RX17 can be used to start and stop playback and control the tempo of an external
MIDI device such as a QX5 (see 6.5.2 MIDI CLOCK OUT).
The RX17’s instruments can be “played” by an external MIDI device such as a DX21,
DX27, DX100 or DX7 Digital Programmable Algorithm Synthesizer (see 6.5.3 MIDI
NOTE RECEIVE).

The RX17 can “play” other MIDI units such as a DX21 or any X-series synthesizer,

by sending MIDI Note information (see 6.5.4 MIDI NOTE TRANSMIT).
You can send the entire Pattern and Song memory from one RX17 to another RX17,
or to a Yamaha MDF MIDI Data Filer (see 5.6 RECEIVE BULK and 5.7 TRANSMIT
BULK).
The RX17 can function as part of a Tape Sync setup, where a special digital signal
recorded on tape is used to synchronize MIDI instruments (see 6.5.5 TAPE SYNC).

NOTE: 

All MIDI data set using Functions 5.1 thru 5.5, and 5.8 will be retained by the

RX17 even if the power is turned off.

MIDI Mode Functions are numbered 5.1 thru 5.8 in this chapter.

5.0.1 ENTERING THE MIDI MODE

All MIDI operations are preceded by pressing MIDI to enter the MIDI Mode. The LCD
will show

The Function numbers allow you to select the MIDI Mode’s eight Functions. This is done

by using the

o r

keys to move the cursor to the appropriate Function number. The

LCD will then display the selected Function. You can also move the cursor by holding

JOB 

and pressing the Numeric Key corresponding to the Function number. If you press

only 

JOB, 

the cursor will move to Function 1.

To exit the MIDI Mode, press any other Mode key.

5.1 SYNC

This Function allows you to set the RX17’s synchronization to either of two modes:

INTERNAL. This is the normal RX17 mode. Pattern play and write, and Song play is

synchronized to the RX17’s internal clock, and tempo is adjusted using the RX17’s own
Tempo functions. This mode is also used when the RX17 is controlling other MIDI devices
using MIDI signals transmitted from its MIDI OUT connector.

MIDI. This mode is used when the RX17 is synchronized to the MIDI clock in an external
MIDI sequencer or music computer. MIDI signals are received via the RX17’s MIDI IN
connector. A Pattern or Song is selected on the RX17, and all PLAY, STOP, CONTINUE
and TEMPO operations are controlled by the external device. The MIDI sync mode is
also used when using the RX17 as part of a Tape Sync setup (see 6.5.5).

1. Press 

MIDI 

The flashing cursor will indicate Function 1.

2. To set the Sync, press 

+1 YES 

to select MIDI, or 

–1 NO 

to select INTERNAL. The

LCD will show the selected Sync Mode.

5.2 MIDI CHANNEL MESSAGE

This function must be turned ON to allow the RX17 to receive or transmit MIDI Note data

(see 6.5.3 MIDI NOTE RECEIVE and 6.5.4 MIDI NOTE TRANSMIT).

1. Press 

MIDI 

then select Function 2.

2. Press 

+1 YES 

to turn the Channel Message Function ON, or 

–1 NO 

to turn the

Channel Message Function OFF.

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