Sound Of Music

• 3 1/4" (720 Kb) floppy drive instead of 5 1/2"
• MS DOS compatible file system
• ESEQ (Yamaha's sequencer file system) compatible
• MDR - Midi Data Recorder for sysex storage
• 16 tracks (QX1 had 8) with dedicated mute buttons
• Edit dial for scrolling
• Numeric keypad added

QX3	Panel

But there are also some deteriorations:

• 2 MIDI outputs (QX1 had 8)
• No dedicated TX mode for exchanging TX816 data
• Clock resolution of 96 ppq (QX1 had 384)

Unfortunately the QX3 don't work with patterns. It works linear as a tape recorder.

Yamaha QX3 is together with QX1 maybe the most powerful hardware sequencers built in the golden days of hardware sequencers - the 80s. Compared with the modern software sequencers it's old. But still useful: Instead of drag along with a computer for live performances a hardware sequencer such QX3 is many times to prefer when it is dependable and durable

There are 16 tracks, not confusing with the 16 Midi channels. Any tracks can handle any Midi channel (one Midi-channel/track).

The QX3 can import/export QX1 files and read ESEQ files. It is suitable as MDR (Midi Data Recorder), e.g. to storing sound files (Bulk dump).

The recording memory is 240K and storage of 720K. Maximum 24 000 notes of one single song and maximum 48 000 notes in a chain of songs. A diskette can hold maximum 112 files (max 99 of same kind - songs, chains or MDR).

QX3 is made in the same period as DX7II, and it's easy to see - it reminds of and has a feeling of DX7II.

Key pad	Transport Bar

DATA

• 16 tracks with unlimited polyphony
• 2 assignable MIDI out terminals
• Incoming data can be recorded on a single track, or spit different tracks tracks simultaneous (up to 16 tracks)
• Capacity of 48,000 notes
• Songs can be chained together for successive playback
• 3.5" DS/DD diskette drive
• 2 line 40 character backlit LCD (same as DXII)
• System exclusive bulk dumps
• Resolution to 96 clocks per quarter note
• Multiple time signatures per song
• Files from the QX1 can be loaded via midi
• ESEQ import
• QX1 import/export
• Sync to tape

ON THE REAR

From left to right:

1. MIDI Thru
2. MIDI Out
3. MIDI In x2
4. Tape sync out & in (1/2" tele jack)
5. Foot SW (1/2" tele jack)
6. Click Out (1/2" tele jack)
7. Contrast for display
8. Power Switch

Midi Terminal	Jacks

 

THE DISKETTE DRIVE

QX3 is equipped with a built in floppy drive. In 1987 the format of floppy drives was 3 1/2" DD (720 Kb), and that's what QX3 has. It can be hard to find such diskettes today, but 3 1/2" HD (1.44 Mb) diskettes can be used and formatted as 720 Kb diskettes. The diskette format is compatible with MS DOS. One single diskette can hold 48 000 events. The QX3 has no memory for storing data, everything has to be saved on a diskette. The advantage with hardware sequencers is portability.

 

OPRATION JOBS

All operations are made in one of three modes: Rec/Play, Edit and MDR. There are a number of sub menus, called job on each of the three modes:

1. Export the file in the software sequencer to a SMF on a 720 Kb formatted 3 1/4" diskette
2. Convert the SMF file with the convert program to an ESEQ file
3. Put the diskette in the QX3 and import the ESEQ file

REC/PLAY	EDIT	MDR
Click Click Beat Count in Measure Locate Auto Punch Point Foot Switch Setup Save Setup Load Song Clear Trash Erase Sync Clock Echo Back Output Ch Output Port Receive Ch Receive Event Remote In Remote Out Song Select Midi Monitor Memory Status Disk Status Disk Format Disk Copy Number Of Files File Renaming File Kill E-seq File Load QX1 Data in QX1 Data Out Rel Tempo Record Time Display	Clock/Beat Gate Time Ratio Midi Control Event Display Measure Copy Measure Erase Measure Create Measure Delete Track Mix Track Erase Transpose Note Shift Gate Time Modify Velocity Modify Crescendo Quantize Chord Sort Chord Separate Chord Move Rel Tempo Erase Memory Status File Include Note Extract Ctrl Extract P Bend Extract Prog Extract A Touch Extract Excl Extract Spot Extract	Memory Status Dump Request Chain Pause Interval Time Output Port

 

Options for the jogging wheel and the track buttons	Track Indicators

 

 

 

TEST PROGRAM (UNDOCUMENTED)

There is an undocumented test program for checking the hardware of the QX3. While power on hold the INS-key and N-key (not the character N, but the upper left key). The display will show up 7 options:

1. Dram
2. Lcd
3. Led
4. Switch
5. Encoder
6. Mcs & Acia
7. Fdd
   
   There is also an 8th test program:
   
   - Key test: After finished Led test (#3), hit the RUN-key and the display will tell u what keys you will hit

 

 

THE QX FAMILY

Sequencer	Year	Events	Tracks	MIDI out	Miscellaneous
QX1	1984	80 000	8	8	- Disk drive (5 1/4") - 384 ppq resolution - List price 1984: $2795.00
QX3	1987	48 000	16	2	- Disk drive (3 1/2") - 96 ppq resolution - List price 1987: $1595
QX5	1987	20 000	8	1	- 96 ppq resolution - List price 1987: $595
QX5FD	1988	20 000	8	1	- Disk drive (3 1/2") - 96 ppq resolution
QX7	1985	8 100	2	1	- 96 ppq resolution
QX21	1986	8 100	2	1	- 96 ppq resolution - List price 1986: $295.00 - It's a cheaper model of QX7

 

 

ESEQ

ESEQ is Yamaha's format of sequencing data. ESEQ is used in a number of Yamaha instruments such Disklavier, Clavinova, W7, EX5, EX7, Tyros, PF1000 etc. QX3's format is not ESEQ but it can import ESEQ files.

ESEQ files can be converted to and from the common SMF (Standard Midi File) format with a small utility program in a PC. In this way QX3 can use SMF files and in an easy way with a software sequencer, when for instance the QX3 is used for live performances instead of a computer

 

QX1 MANUAL
From Yamaha Manual Library (http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/english/index.html)

• QX3 Owners Manual

 

 

EDIT PROGRAMS

Giebler File Converter for Yamaha QX3

Freeware:

Dkv Util
Esec2mid Mfc Application

Esecqvcs v.0.8 (DOS)
Mimpiv 4 (DOS)

Some Yamaha hardware sequencers such QY700, MDF2, MDF3 also can handle ESEQ and SMF files.

 

LINKS

• QX3 Review Page
• The sequencer comparison chart
• Yamaha Japan
• Yamaha U.S.