The TQ5 was an entry level FM Workstation in a keyboardless, sparsely decorated desktop unit. It takes after the smaller line of FM synthesizers like the DX-100, DX-21, DX-11, TX81Z, and FB-01. These featured 4 FM operators per voice, and 8 voices of polyphony. And like the latter three, 8-parts multitimbrality was featured. The TQ5 also had easy "Quick Edit" keys to access some basic parameters for instant tweaks. The TQ5 was capable of many of the good (and the bad) sounds FM synthesizers made.

The TQ5 featured built-in digital effects and an 8-track sequencer (with 8 song capacity) rounding out the "workstation" aspect of this machine. Designed for use as a stand-alone FM workstation or as a MIDI module, the TQ5 was poised to bring high-end FM sounds to entry-level users. Unfortunately it was released at a time when the DX and FM synthesizers were becoming less popular in the market, so the TQ5 tanked. Really low second hand prices help it to retain its original purpose...to provide an FM workstation for entry-level for musicians on a budget.

roy

May 16, 2011 @ 9:17 am

hi i just had my 2 tq5's battery replaced (both dropped dead same day !!!) the actual battery you need is CR2450. respect to the grace jones machine !!!!!

Martin Tarenskeen

October 6, 2010 @ 5:54 pm

If you want to fully explre the power of the TQ5, you MUST get YSEDITOR PLUS, an editor/bankmanager made for the Atari ST. It can run in STeem on Windows too and it fully supports the TQ5.

http://yseditor.atari.org

After that you will see that the TQ5 may be less known, but is in fact a more powerful machine than the TX81Z.

In the 4-op FM Yamaha range it was only beaten by the Yamaha V50.

Dr

August 30, 2010 @ 5:27 pm

About those differencies, i ment synthesis wise. Sequencer, quick edit and effects are allready listed.
What i am after is whether TQ5 have pitch envelope or not?(TX81Z does not have it). Anything more?

Dr

August 30, 2010 @ 5:23 pm

Might be good idea to backup it's sounds with SYSEX librarian/editor at this phase.. and especially right before replacing battery.
I think this machines are so reliable that they are gonna last easily next 20 years too, so at least i would add battery holder instead of trying to sold it to the board like the original battery was.
And even if you would like to do so, soldering battery itself is not a good idea. :D
There should be battery with legs allready in it and those might cost more than normal coins.. . .

Some user who has used both TX81Z and TQ5, i am curious to hear differencies of those?
I've used TX81Z years but not even seen any of this babys.

anon

January 13, 2010 @ 11:30 am

all of yamaha's manuals at:
yamaha.co.jp/manual/english/
(search under "model name")

<654321>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (Required.)

Email Address: (Required, not published.)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

Posting Rules:
Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

I have read and understand the posting rules.