Vintage Synth Explorer

Yamaha • QY700 Sequencer

The QY700 is a high-end Sequencer Workstation released in the mid to late '90's. It's an all-in-one sequencer with a built-in synthesizer, effects, MIDI and tons of memory! The QY700 makes an excellent alternative to computer-based MIDI studios; the QY700 has the power to be the heart of your MIDI studio. Of course such boxes as the Yamaha RS-7000 have come along since the introduction of the QY700 that add more features and capabilities. But the QY700 is nostalgic and still powerful enough to hold up to today's standards!

At it's core, it is a programmable MIDI sequencer. It can store up to 110,000 notes, 48 Tracks (32 Linear, 16 Pattern) and 20 Songs. A built-in 3.5 inch disk drive provides external storage. The sequencer has 64 notes of polyphony which is usually more than enough. The sequencer allows recording in Step, Punch-In, and Realtime with overdubbing features. The tempo can range from 5 to 300 bpm and the Conductor Track is very flexible. Thankfully a fairly large 320 x 240 backlit LCD screen makes entry and editing very easy to see and use.

In addition to controlling your synths via MIDI, the QY700 has it's own Yamaha synth engine inside. Using AWM2 - Advanced Wave Memory - as well as Yamaha's XG format and good old General MIDI sounds, the QY700 has an ample selection of quality digital sounds ready to use! You get nearly 4,000 drums, bass, guitar, and synth sounds. There's even a library of Phrases like intro, fill and ending patterns that you can use. These phrases are highly tweakable and can be made all your own. There's also Chord memory and plenty of built-in effects to use on the internal sounds as well. The QY700 even has a pseudo 2-octave keyboard and assignable mini Pitch/Mod wheels, and programmable foot switches for start, stop, fill, etc. Additional MIDI I/O's and outputs would have been nice, but it's still a capable and musical sequencer.

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clement

Posted 317 days ago

you have to press OCT- and OCT+ (the right ones) at the same time to display the memory left
i just learnt that today !
:)

rich lipson

Posted 321 days ago

I bought the 700 when it first came out- almost list price and I'm still using it. It's great! Right now i also have a tyros and I mix sequences from one to the other just like a dj. The sound of the 700 is bright and upfront, sometimes better than my tyros. I always hoped they would build the sequencer into a keyboard. The big screen is the best. If you don't have the manual you're in trouble. great unit.

Andy

Posted 342 days ago

How can i see the memory omy QY 700 yamaha, only this is my problem pls help me becouse i used it in my work..

Andy

Posted 342 days ago

Im just asking, why evrerytime i loaded song or midi its appear "MEMORY FULL while i will clear all midi ing song name, last time i use it its not like that,,how can i do,, i dont know how to configurate the memory of yamaha..????

Miro

Posted 411 days ago

I have QY70 little brother of QY700 sequencer. I have it long time and in essential QY70 and QY700 are the same.Incredible.
I am working with software sequencers (DAW) and none of these are nothing compared with QY sequencer.
I would like to have this old machine although it is "old", in the same mment that is very modern and "evergreen".

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