Vintage Synth Explorer

Yamaha • W-5 / W-7

The Yamaha W-5 and W-7 synths are powerful workstations utilizing Yamaha's own AWM2 tone generation, coupled with an excellent GM set and a powerful set of onboard features including a 16-track fully featured sequencer. The W-5 model is only slightly different from the W-7 in that it has a full 76-note semi-weighted keyboard and the W-7 has a typical 61-note keyboard, both of which respond to initial-touch (velocity) and aftertouch.

The AWM2 tone generation system provides 8 MB of wave memory with 384 realistic voices to choose from. Each voice is composed of 4 elements for added realism and depth. Editing is made simple with Voice Templates - choose from preset amplitude types (39), filter settings (59), pitch envelope settings (40) and LFO settings (33) to quickly punch up and edit various voice parameters. This eliminates the need to get deep into tedious editing of your sounds from scratch, but the option to get deep into editing is also there. A large backlit LCD display facilitates easy visual programming. There's also a double dial which allows for quick access parameter tweaking.

Also onboard are studio quality DSP effects. They can be assigned to individual voices or they can be used as a global effect over the whole system. There are 3 Insertion Effects and 3 System Effects available. With a ton of tried and true effects processors to its name, you can expect these Yamaha effects to be of superb quality and there are enough processors in the W-5 / W-7 to provide you with all the sweetening you need!

A powerful sequencer is onboard to provide you with the creative flexibility to create entire songs and performances right from the synth itself, with no need for any other gear! The sequencer has a 100,000 note capacity. It is a 16-track sequencer and its memory can hold up to 16 different songs. There is only 32 notes of polyphony, but it should be enough for most arrangements and performances. Sequences, voices and songs can be stored to an external disk and as standard MIDI files for archiving. Yamaha released a "Version 2" upgrade for all models made before 1996 which added more voice banks (P2 and P3). The W-series has since been replaced by Yamaha's new EX-5 and EX-7 synthesizer workstations.

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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.

 

Rob Bradley

Posted 2 days ago

I have one for sale for $400. I bought this keyboard new - I still have the original manual for it. It's been used at my church for the last 3 years or so. It's a great keyboard and in good shape. I use the piano, electric piano, organ, string, and pad sounds all the time. I also use it as a midi controller for my mac/mainstage setup. I no longer use it as a sequencer - the disk drive quit working. I tried to replace it, but couldn't find a source. All the buttons, controllers, keys, etc. work.

I have a hard/road case available if you'd like to purchase this also. Make me an offer.

Contact me if you need any further information. http://sites.google.com/site/bhamcommute r2/

ahmed

Posted 12 days ago

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Trammells

Posted 43 days ago

I got a nice used w7 on ebay about 5mos ago. I've used it as a controller, for sequencing and controlling multiple synths, and for composing. The main limitations that I've run into are 1) for recording, there's no copy/paste function so you have to perform or program every single thing. 2) you can't record a section on the fly without stopping and recording, so no improve sequencing, 3) no longer updated, and only plays AWM files, so you're stuck with early 90s sounds and the drums are general midi. However, you can microedit every individual key and voice from the samples they play to the envelopes, to the effects, midi signals, loudness, etc - pretty much limitless editing capabilities, plus you can combine basic patches to make incredibly lush patches of your own ...really a very versatile instrument if you read the manual and spend time understanding the instrument.

Jo

Posted 97 days ago

This synth does not have portamento.

Chris Atkins

Posted 132 days ago

I am looking for a video to teach me how to record and program the drums and keyboard on my Yamaha W5. My email is heartimpact@netscape.net

Thanks
Chris

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