1 Table of Contents

1
Table of Contents
2
Yamaha Montage Editor
- 2.1
  Features
- 2.2
  Setup
- 2.3
  MODX (experimental)
- 2.4
  General Notes
- 2.5
  Synth Notes
  - 2.5.1
    Note-on latched parameters
- 2.6
  Variation Notes
- 2.7
  Proxy Node / Layered Parts
  - 2.7.1
    Automation ports
  - 2.7.2
    Input port
- 2.8
  Keyboard Shortcuts
- 2.9
  Demo Videos

2 Yamaha Montage Editor

This is an editor for the Yamaha Montage 6/7/8 line of synths.

It has been tested with Montage firmware 3.51.0 (the latest as of Nov 4th, 2022).

The editor adds the concept of "part variations" and "variation scenes".
Each patch stores up to 16 Montage performances. Each Montage part gets 16 variations that can be switches on-the-fly.
Part variation and variation scene selections can also be triggered via the synth keyboard and can be recorded back into the Synergy sequencer.

2.1 Features

Part Mixer
- quick-edit all 16 parts on one page
- copy patch / part EQ / part FX settings from other performance part / variation
FM matrix editor with automatic algorithm selection
- multi-edit, cycle, shuffle, randomize operators
- scale operator AEG envelopes (shorten/lengthen)
- operator presets
  - 1..8 operators per preset (8 preset types)
Envelope mixer
- morph between PEG / AEG / FEG preset envelopes
- randomization of preset selections and morph amounts
- persistent EG mixer state (saved per part variation / FM operator / AWM2 element)
FM Sound mixer
- morph between 4 FM-X patches
- can (optionally) morph each operator separately
- can limit morphing to specific parameter groups
- randomization of sound selections and x/y morph positions
- persistent sound mixer state (saved per part variation)
AWM2 element editor
- reads user waveform names from text file (montage_user_waveforms.txt)
Part LFO editor
- utility functions for generating / modifying user LFO waveform
Part Controller Box (mod matrix) editor
Edit part insert effects
Realtime FM sound morphing
- 2 or 4 sound variations (morph X or morph X+Y)
- x/y positions controlled via (internal) RPNs (0..127)
Realtime AEG scaling
- scaling factor controlled via (internal) RPN (0..255)
- configurable scaling exponent (give weight to either short or long envelope times)
- FM sound morphing and AEG scaling can be used simultaneously
15 global banks * 128 patches / performances (A..O)
1 project-specific patch bank (P)
up to 16 parts per performance (AWM2, FM-X or DRUM)
- part layer flag: automatically play neighbouring parts in editor
  - play layered parts from sequencer by sending notes to proxy node automation port A/B
- rearrange parts via drag'n'drop
up to 16 variations per part
- technically up to 16 performances per patch
- utility functions to sync part Level / CtlBox / FX / part EQ / master EQ/FX from Main variation
- variation changes can be sequenced via proxy_layer_[1..16]_prgchg RPN (proxy node automation port A / B)
- select part variation via F-2+C-4..D#5 synth key combo
- part variation changes can be recorded back into sequencer
  - either via synth key combos
  - or by selecting part variations in the editor UI
up to 32 variation scenes
- change all part variations at once (or keep current part variation)
- select variation scene via F#2+C-4..G-6 synth key combo
- variation scene changes can be recorded back into sequencer
  - either via synth key combos
  - or by selecting variation scenes in the editor UI
option to force part outputs to "Main L&R" / "Asgn L&R"
option(s) to remap sliders (and change mapping via synth key combos)
- part volume (F-2+B-3)
- current part assignable knobs 1..8 (E-2+B-3)
- part 1..8 assignable knob 1/2/../8 (E-2+C-3..G-3)
- part 9..16 assignable knob 1/2/../8 (F-2+C-3..G-3)

2.2 Setup

the example project is preconfigured for the Montage (i.e. the editor should work out of the box)

Manual configuration:

activate MONTAGE-1 input and output devices (MONTAGE Port1 on macOS), assign montage device alias and Yamaha Montage / MODX MIDI synth profile
create + activate a MIDI morph scene that forwards Montage MIDI events to the remote_audio virtual MIDI device
- remote_audio events will then be forwarded by the synth editor to the current part(s)
  - synergy_config.tks:pagesysex_auto_devicename setting
- preset scene: Yamaha Montage Editor (Scene ⇒ Tools.. ⇒ Load Scene)
optionally: create Proxy node instance, set Output to montage and automation device A to e.g. play_a
- forwards (sequenced) proxy_layer_[1..16]_prgchg events to the editor
turn off synth Local Control (on synth: Utility ⇒ MIDI I/O ⇒ Local Control)

synth part kbdctl switches should be set to off (or layered sounds may not play correctly)

2.3 MODX (experimental)

To enable MODX support, edit synergy_config_local.tks and change

b_pagesysex_modx = 0;

b_pagesysex_modx = 1;

This will make the synth editor send MODX SysEx model ids (0x07) instead of Montage ids (0x02).

MODX support is experimental and untested. Since the SysEx documentation for both synths is mostly identical, it should work, though.

2.4 General Notes

ui: FloatParam widgets: hold RMB + move mouse to change value, click LMB (while still holding RMB) for undo
- move mouse horizontally for fine adjustments, and vertically for coarse ones
ui: FloatParam widgets: inc/dec values via mousewheel
ui: ComboBox widgets:
- click RMB to preview selection without closing the ComboBoxPopup (e.g. AWM2 waveform, "< COPY >" comboboxes)
- click MMB to switch between preview and page scroll mode (mouse wheel)
- type chars to filter entries (RETURN jumps to next search result)
ui: ComboField widets: LMB hold-click or cursor left/right starts text edit mode (e.g. patch / variation names)
the UI tooltips often contain additional documentation
switching part types requires bulk dumps (takes ~1.5 sec)
performance settings (EQ/FX/..) are only updated when part 1 variation is changed
param changes and variations are sent as param diffs (fast)
- up to 8 params per replay tick when replay is running
- up to 64 params when replay is stopped
Patch + FM Matrix tabs: part button double-click (un-)solos part
FM Common / FM Matrix / 1..8 / Part Mixer tabs: RMB click opens EG Mixer dialog
Part Mixer: L: label-button click (un-)mutes part
Part Mixer: part label-button mouse wheel selects previous / next part variation
Part Mixer: part label-button RMB click opens context menu
Part Mixer: enabling Fav only checkbox limits < COPY > options and FM Sound Mixer patch options to star-rated part variations
FM Sound Mixer: skips "Init" patches when randomizing part variation selections
Element/Op 1..8 param forms: hold LALT to multi-edit param

2.5 Synth Notes

the FM parts are mostly identical to the Yamaha FS1R except that
- the FS1R has additional 8 unvoiced ops per part
- the FS1R has formant op waves

The FM matrix editor is shared between the FS1R and Montage synth editors.
The four "part copy" comboboxes (at the bottom) are only active in FS1R mode. In the Montage editor there's a separate tab for that and the comboboxes will simply indicate the currently edited part (in groups of four). The part level and note shift widgets are active in both editors.

2.5.1 Note-on latched parameters

One very useful feature of the synth is that many parameters are read only at note-on, i.e. changing those parameters will not affect currently playing voices.
These parameters include (but are not limited to):

Part Common:
- micro tuning
- eq3
FM-X:
- pan rand
- pan alt
- key on delay
- filter type
- filter gain
- algorithm
- eg settings (common FEG/PEG)
AWM2:
- waveform
- coarse
- fine
- pan
- pan rand
- pan alt
- filter type
- filter gain
- eq type
- eq Q
- eq1 freq
- eq1 gain
- eq2 freq
- eq2 gain
- LFO(2) settings (except for "speed")
- eg settings

By using part variations it is therefore possible to simultaneously play many different sounds on a single part
(i.e. play note, select variation that modifies e.g. Op attack level or AWM2 waveform, play next note, ..).

2.6 Variation Notes

What a variation is supposed to be used for:

(minor) sound patch changes
- e.g. Op Levels, EGs, element waveform selection, ..
part EQ changes
- especially the per-voice EQ3
part level / pan / effect send changes
minor (insert-)FX param changes
assignable knob value changes
part level AEG / FEG / Filter changes ("Quick" / "Easy Edit" controls)

What a variation cannot / should not do (when used for realtime updates):

change part type
change AWM2 element on/off switches
change insert FX types
change MSeq / Arp setup
change Superknob settings
change (Montage) scene setup
change audio setup
change Master EQ/Reverb/Variation/Effect setup

The more settings a part variation modifies, the longer it takes to send the required SysEx param updates to the synth.
Param updates are limited to 8 per replay tick (while replaying is running) to avoid choking the MIDI bus.

While the replay is running, variation changes filter out the following data groups (see MontagePerformance.tks for details):

G_SYSTEM
G_SEQSETUP
G_MICROTUNE
G_NAME
G_MSEQ
G_ARP
G_SUPERKNOB
G_KNOBNAME
G_SCENE
G_AUDIO
G_AUDITION
G_MEQ
G_MFX
G_TEMPO

When not used for realtime updates, variations can still be useful for storing alternative performance setups, i.e. before deciding what works best for a particular project.

many patch parameters can be modulated via the synth's mod matrix (Controller Box). This takes up less MIDI bandwidth, plus the mod matrix can be used on top of variation changes.

2.7 Proxy Node / Layered Parts

Proxy nodes connect the Synergy sequencer and MIDI router to built-in synth editor instances.
The proxy node Output device (and its assigned MIDI synth profile) determines which synth the node targets.

2.7.1 Automation ports

Like all sequencer nodes in Synergy, a proxy node has two automation ports (A + B).

In case of the Montage editor, the automation ports are used to

receive "Proxy: Program Change" RPN (registered parameter number) events to select variation scenes
receive "Proxy: Layer [1..16] PrgChg" RPN events to select part [1..16] variations
receive CCs, transform them (e.g. map sliders to assignable knobs) and forward them to the synth
receive other performance controllers like channel aftertouch and pitchbend, and layer / forward them to the synth
receive note ons+offs and layer / forward them to the synth

Since the Montage has no assignable MIDI receive channels per part, it is recommended to send all MIDI data through a proxy node so that the synth editor can replicate the MIDI events to layered parts.

In order to layer a part with the previous part, enable the layer toggle button below a part button on the editor "Patch" tab.

2.7.2 Input port

The input port can receive the following MIDI messages (channels 1..16 map to Montage parts 1..16):

RPN#1000 : Realtime AEG scaling (0..255 ⇒ -9..9)
RPN#1001 : Realtime FM sound morphing position X (0..127 ⇒ 0..1) (variations 1+2)
RPN#1001 : Realtime FM sound morphing position Y (0..127 ⇒ 0..1) (variations 1+2+3+4)

2.8 Keyboard Shortcuts

Key Sequence	Description
lctrl - 1..9	select part 1..8
lctrl - lshift - 1..9	select part 9..16
lctrl - s	send patch manually
lctrl - lshift - s	send patch manually (clear MIDI cache + invalidate replay state)
lctrl - e	query / receive performance
lctrl - lshift - e	query / receive performance to clipboard
lalt - e	query / receive part
lctrl - f	show FM sound mixer
lctrl - g	show EG mixer
lctrl - c	copy patch to clipboard
lctrl - lshift - c	copy variation to clipboard
lctrl - v	paste patch from clipboard
lctrl - lshift - v	paste variation from clipboard
lshift - c	copy op or element to clipboard (1..8 tab) OR copy PFX (Patch tab) OR copy CTL (Part CTL tab)
lshift - v	paste op or element from clipboard (1..8 tab) OR paste PFX (Patch tab) OR paste CTL (Part CTL tab)
lshift - x	swap op or element with clipboard
lalt - c	copy part to clipboard
lalt - v	paste part from clipboard
lalt - x	swap part with clipboard
lalt - LEFT	move part left
lalt - RIGHT	move part right
lctrl - n	init patch
lctrl - TAB	toggle part solo
q	select op or element 1
w	select op or element 2
e	select op or element 3
r	select op or element 4
t	select op or element 5
y	select op or element 6
u	select op or element 7
i	select op or element 8
lshift - 1	toggle mute op 1
lshift - 2	toggle mute op 2
lshift - 3	toggle mute op 3
lshift - 4	toggle mute op 4
lshift - 5	toggle mute op 5
lshift - 6	toggle mute op 6
lshift - 7	toggle mute op 7
lshift - 8	toggle mute op 8
1	select tab "Patch" (or 'a')
2	select tab "Part Mix"
3	select tab "FM Common"
4	select tab "FM Matrix" (or 'k')
5	select tab "Part LFO"
6	select tab "Insert FX"
7	select tab "Part CTL"
lalt - r	reset part quick edit controls
lctrl - r	reset performance quick edit controls
HOME	select next patch
lshift - HOME	select next part variation
END	select previous patch
lshift - END	select previous part variation
PAGEUP	select next part
PAGEDOWN	select previous part

Keyboard Shortcuts

2.9 Demo Videos

Document created in 4ms on 23-Dec-2024 13:53:53

Document:	Synergy MIDI Tracker - Yamaha Montage Editor
Author:	bsp
Date:	30-Nov-2024