Yamaha REV500 User Manual

DIGITAL REVERBERATOR

Operation Manual
Manuel d’instructions
Bedienungsanleitung
Manual de Operación

M

FCC INFORMATION (U.S.A.)

1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS UNIT!

This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved by

Yamaha may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product.

2. IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/or another product use only high quality shielded cables. Cable/s supplied with this product

MUST be used. Follow all installation instructions. Failure to follow instructions could void your FCC authorization to use this product in the USA.

3. NOTE: This product has been tested and found to comply with the requirements listed in FCC Regulations, Part 15 for Class "B" digital devices.

Compliance with these requirements provides a reasonable level of assurance that your use of this product in a residential environment will not result in

harmful interference with other electronic devices. This equipment generates/uses radio frequencies and, if not installed and used according to the

instructions found in the users manual, may cause interference harmful to the operation of other electronic devices. Compliance with FCC regulations does

not guarantee that interference will not occur in all installations. If this product is found to be the source of interference, which can be determined by turning

the unit "OFF" and "ON", please try to eliminate the problem by using one of the following measures:

Relocate either this product or the device that is being affected by the interference.

Utilize power outlets that are on different branch (circuit breaker of fuse) circuits or install AC line filter/s.

In the case of radio or TV interference, relocate/reorient the antenna. If the antenna lead-in is 300 ohm ribbon lead, change the lead-in to coaxial type cable.

If these corrective measures do not produce satisfactory results, please contact the local retailer authorized to distribute this type of product. If you can not

locate the appropriate retailer, please contact Yamaha Corporation of America, Electronic Service Division, 6600 Orangethorpe Ave, Buena Park, CA

90620

* This applies only to products distributed by YAMAHA CORPORATION OF AMERICA.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR

THE UNITED KINGDOM

Connecting the Plug and Cord

WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED

IMPORTANT: The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance

with the following code:

GREEN-AND-YELLOW : EARTH

BLUE : NEUTRAL

BROWN : LIVE

As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus may not

correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your

plug, proceed as follows:

The wire which is coloured GREEN-AND-YELLOW must be connected

to the terminal in the plug which is marked by the letter E or by the safety

earth symbol or coloured GREEN-AND-YELLOW.

The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal

which is marked with the letter N or coloured BLACK.

The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal

which is marked with the letter L or coloured RED.

* This applies only to products distributed by YAMAHA KEMBLE

MUSIC (U.K.) LTD.

ADVARSEL!

Lithiumbatteri–Eksplosionsfare ved fejlagtig håndtering.
Udskiftning må kun ske med batteri af samme fabrikat og type.
Levér det brugte batteri tilbage til leverandoren.

VARNING

Explosionsfara vid felaktigt batteribyte. Använd samma batterityp
eller en ekvivalent typ som rekommenderas av apparattillverkaren.
Kassera använt batteri enligt fabrikantens instruktion.

VAROITUS

Paristo voi räjähtää, jos se on virheellisesti asennettu. Vaihda
paristo ainoastaan laitevalmistajan suosittelemaan tyyppiin. Hävitä
käytetty paristo valmistajan ohjeiden mukaisesti.

NEDERLAND

• Dit apparaat bevat een lithium batterij voor geheugen back-up.

• Raadpleeg uw leverancier over de verwijdering van de batterij op het

moment dat u het apparaat ann het einde van de levensduur afdankt of

de volgende Yamaha Service Afdeiing:

Yamaha Music Nederland Service Afdeiing

Kanaalweg 18-G, 3526 KL UTRECHT

Tel. [phone]

• Gooi de batterij niet weg, maar lever hem in als KCA.

THE NETHERLANDS

• This apparatus contains a lithium battery for memory back-up.

• For the removal of the battery at the moment of the disposal at the

end of the service life please consult your retailer or Yamaha Service

Center as follows:

Yamaha Music Nederland Service Center

Address: Kanaalweg 18-G, 3526 KL UTRECHT

Tel: [phone]

• Do not throw away the battery. Instead, hand it in as small chemical

waste.

Precautions

WARNING

Installation

• Connect this unit's power cord only to an AC outlet of the
type stated in this Owner's Manual or as marked on the
unit. Failure to do so is a fire and electrical shock
hazard.

• Do not allow water to enter this unit or allow the unit to
become wet. Fire or electrical shock may result.

• Do not place a container with liquid or small metal
objects on top of this unit. Liquid or metal objects inside
this unit are a fire and electrical shock hazard.

• Do not place heavy objects, including this unit, on top of
the power cord. A damaged power cord is a fire and
electrical shock hazard. In particular, be careful not to
place heavy objects on a power cord covered by a
carpet.

Operation

• Do not scratch, bend, twist, pull, or heat the power cord.
A damaged power cord is a fire and electrical shock
hazard.

• Do not remove the unit's cover. You could receive an
electrical shock. If you think internal inspection,
maintenance, or repair is necessary, contact your
dealer.

• Do not modify the unit. Doing so is a fire and electrical
shock hazard.

• If lightning begins to occur, turn off the power switch of
the unit as soon as possible, and unplug the power
cable plug from the electrical outlet.

• If there is a possibility of lightning, do not touch the
power cable plug if it is still connected. Doing so may be
an electrical shock hazard.

In case an abnormality occurs during operation

• If the power cord is damaged (i.e., cut or a bare wire is
exposed), ask your dealer for a replacement. Using the
unit with a damaged power cord is a fire and electrical
shock hazard.

• Should this unit be dropped or the cabinet be damaged,
turn the power switch off, remove the power plug from
the AC outlet, and contact your dealer. If you continue
using the unit without heeding this instruction, fire or
electrical shock may result.

• If you notice any abnormality, such as smoke, odor, or
noise, or if a foreign object or liquid gets inside the unit,
turn it off immediately. Remove the power cord from the
AC outlet. Consult your dealer for repair. Using the unit
in this condition is a fire and electrical shock hazard.

CAUTION

Installation

• Keep this unit away from the following locations:

- Locations exposed to oil splashes or steam, such as
near cooking stoves, humidifiers, etc.

- Unstable surfaces, such as a wobbly table or slope.

- Locations exposed to excessive heat, such as inside
a car with all the windows closed, or places that
receive direct sunlight.

- Locations subject to excessive humidity or dust
accumulation.

• Hold the power cord plug when disconnecting it from an
AC outlet. Never pull the cord. A damaged power cord is
a potential fire and electrical shock hazard.

• Do not touch the power plug with wet hands. Doing so is
a potential electrical shock hazard.

Operation

• Turn off all musical instruments, audio equipment, and
speakers when connecting to this unit. Use the correct
connecting cables and connect as specified.

• If you know you will not use this unit for a long period of
time, such as when going on vacation, remove the
power plug from the AC outlet. Leaving it connected is a
potential fire hazard.

Maintenance

• To prevent electrical shock when cleaning the unit,
remove the power plug from the AC outlet.

• The inside of the unit should be cleaned periodically.
Dust accumulation inside the unit may cause
malfunction and is a potential fire hazard. Consult your
dealer for information about cleaning.

PRECAUTIONS FOR OPERATION

- FOR CORRECT OPERATION -

Interference with other electronic devices

• The digital circuits of this unit may induce a slight noise
into nearby radios and TVs. If noise occurs, relocate the
affected equipment.

Backup battery

• The REV500 has a long-life lithium battery that
maintains the contents of the user memory even when
the REV500 is off. Under normal use, the battery should
last several years. However, Yamaha strongly
recommends that you have the battery replaced by a
qualified Yamaha service center every five years, to
prevent the accidental loss of valuable data.

• Should the battery’s voltage fall below a certain level, the
message “LOW BATTERY” will appear in the LCD when
you turn the REV500 on. If this happens, it means that
contents of your REV500’s user memory have been lost.
Have the backup battery replaced immediately.

• Prompt and regular replacement of the back-up battery
is necessary to prevent the loss of important data. In
addition, if possible, you should use the MIDI bulk dump
function (see page 17) regularly to store backup copies
of your REV500’s data in a MIDI sequencer other MIDI
device. This will allow you to recover your data should
the back-up battery run down sooner than you think.

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of a Yamaha REV500 Digital Reverberator! The REV500 is a high-quality,

inexpensive, and easy-to-use digital reverberator, suitable for home recording or smaller sound reinforcement

applications.

A true stereo processor with two inputs and two outputs, the REV500 offers high-quality stereo reverb, either

alone or in combination with a variety of other effects. The 20-bit A/D and D/A converters feature a 44.1 kHz

sampling rate, for superb sound quality and wide frequency response. The REV500 comes complete with 100

preset programs that take excellent advantage of this high-performance hardware, plus room for 100 more

programs that you can edit for yourself.

The REV500 is also flexible and simple to use. It lets you use either 1/4" phone or XLR connectors for both

input and output, and gives you the option of +4 dB input and output levels. Four rotary controls allow quick

and easy editing of the basic program parameters. And MIDI IN and OUT terminals allow remote program

selection, remote data storage, and realtime control of program parameters using MIDI messages.

To get the most out of your REV500 Digital Reverberator, please read this manual thoroughly and keep it on

hand for future reference.

Contents

Controls ........................................................... 1

Front Panel .................................................................... 1

Rear Panel .....................................................................2

Installation and Connections ........................................ 2

Using the REV500 ........................................... 3

Selecting Programs .......................................................3

Testing Programs ..........................................................3

Automatic Demonstration ............................................ 3

REV500 Preset Program List ....................................... 4

Editing Programs ............................................8

Editing Basic Parameters.............................................. 8

Changing the Effect Level ............................................ 9

Realtime Parameter Control ......................................... 9

Editing Internal Parameters ..........................................9

Changing a Program’s Title ......................................... 9

Internal Parameter List ............................................... 10

Saving Edited Programs ............................................. 13

System Functions .........................................14

Selecting an Input Mode............................................. 14

Selecting an Output Mode ..........................................14

Setting the Footswitch Function ................................. 14

Adjusting the Audition Function ................................ 15

Changing the Initial Title Display .............................. 15

Initializing the REV500’s User Memory ................... 15

Using MIDI Functions ...................................16

Selecting a MIDI Channel ..........................................16

Using the MIDI OUT Function ..................................16

Editing the MIDI Program Change Map .................... 16

Storing Data with MIDI Bulk Dumps ........................17

Appendix ........................................................ 18

Guide to Utility Mode Functions ............................... 18

Specifications .............................................................. 19

Dimensions ................................................................. 20

MIDI Data Format ............................................... Add-1

MIDI Implementation Chart ................................ Add-3

Program Data Sheet ............................................. Add-4

Controls

Front Panel

1 2 4 63 7 958

1 INPUT LEVEL control and meter

The INPUT LEVEL control sets the input level for both

the right and left input channels. It is accompanied by a

stereo LED meter that shows the levels of the signals

received by the REV500 after A/D conversion. Lighting

of the red CLIP LEDs thus indicates clipping of the

digital signal. You should adjust the control so that the

CLIP LEDs do not light.

2 PROGRAM keys

These keys let you choose the program that the REV500

will use to process the input sound.

The TYPE key selects the type of effect program to be

used: HALL, ROOM, PLATE, or SPECIAL. The current

program type selection is displayed in the upper left

corner of the LCD.

The PRESET/USER key selects between the PRESET

and USER program memory areas. The currently

selected memory area is displayed under the program

number in the LCD. It is possible to change the

parameters of a preset program, but the edited program

must be stored as a user program.

The NUMBER keys are used to select different programs

within the chosen program type and memory area. The

number and title of the currently selected program are

displayed in the top row of the LCD.

4 PARAMETER EDIT controls

These controls let you edit the basic parameters of the

selected program.

The PRE DELAY control sets the amount of time that

will elapse before the onset of early reflections. It also

functions as a cursor control, which you can turn to

select the parameter or character to be modified when

using the REV500’s utility functions.

The REV TIME control sets the amount of time needed

for the reverberation to decay. It also functions as a data

entry control, which you can turn to change the values of

selected items when using the REV500’s utility

functions.

The HI-RATIO control sets the reverb time for the high-

frequency components of the reverb, as a proportion of

the overall reverb time set using the REV TIME control.

The ER LEVEL control sets the level of the early

reflection component of the reverb. It is also used, in

combination with the EFF LEVEL key, to adjust the

overall effect output level.

5 EFF LEVEL key and LED

This key lets you use the ER LEVEL control to set the

overall effect output level. When the LED above this key

is lit, the ER LEVEL control will adjust the effect level

instead of the early reflection level.

3 LCD

This LCD normally displays information about the

currently selected program. It also displays graphic

information about basic parameters being edited, as well

as a variety of other messages related to the REV500’s

utility functions.

6 STORE key

This key is used to store modified programs, and to

execute MIDI bulk dumps.

1

7 AUDITION key

8 UTILITY key and LED

This key causes the REV500’s internal tone generator to

play a sound, allowing you to check the effect of the

currently selected program. A utility function (see page

15) allows you to select one of two sounds for this key to

play, and to set the REV500 to play this sound once or

repeatedly when the AUDITION key is pressed.

Rear Panel

0A B C

0 FOOT SW connector

This 1/4" phone jack allows you to connect a Yamaha

FC5 footswitch, for hands-free remote control of your

REV500. You can use the FC5 footswitch either to mute

the REV500’s effect output, or to advance the current

program selection.

A MIDI terminals

The REV500 sends and receives MIDI data via these

connectors.

B OUTPUT connectors and output level switch

This key lets you access the REV500’s utility functions,

which include MIDI settings and system-related

functions. The LED above this key will light when a

utility function is being used. See page 18 for a summary

of the functions that can be accessed using this key.

9 POWER switch

This switch turns the REV500 on and off.

C INPUT connectors and input level switch

These are balanced input jacks that receive the analog

signal from your mixer, multitrack recorder, or other

audio equipment. A pair of XLR connectors and a pair of

1/4" phone jacks are provided. If the sound source to be

processed is monophonic, insert the plug in the left (L)

connector only. Also, be sure to set the REV500 to use

mono input (refer to page 14). The input level switch

selects either –10 dB or +4 dB as the nominal input level.

Do not connect jacks to both the XLR and 1/4" phone

INPUT connectors, as doing so may adversely affect the

performance of the REV500.

These are balanced output jacks that output the analog

return signal from the REV500 to your mixer, multitrack

recorder, or other audio equipment. A pair of XLR

connectors and a pair of 1/4" phone jacks are provided. If

you desire monophonic output, insert the plug in the left

(L) connector only. The output level switch selects either

–10 dB or +4 dB as the nominal output level.

Installation and Connections

Before attempting to use your REV500, make sure that you have carefully read and understood the

precautions inside the front cover of this manual.

Mount the REV500 in a rack, or place it in a location where it is safe and stable. Make sure that the POWER

switch is off before making any connections. Plug in the power cord, and connect the REV500’s input and

output connectors to your mixer, multitrack recorder, or other audio equipment using appropriate cables.

Press the POWER switch to turn the REV500 on.

2

Using the REV500

Selecting Programs

Program type

Program number

Program title

Program memory

You can use the PROGRAM keys to select a desired

program, as described below. (Note that the following steps

do not have to be performed in the order listed.)

1. Select a program type.

Use the PROGRAM TYPE key to select a program type.

The REV500 has four program types: HALL, ROOM,

PLATE, and SPECIAL. Each program type contains 25

programs, as described in the REV500 Preset Program

List on pages 4 through 7.

The current program type selection is displayed in the

upper left corner of the LCD.

Effect type

Testing Programs

AUDITION key

You can use the REV500’s handy audition function to check

the effect produced by a program when it’s inconvenient to

run your actual sound source through the REV500. Just press

the AUDITION key in the upper right corner of the front

panel. The REV500’s internal tone generator will produce a

tone that lets you hear how the program you’ve selected

affects the output sound.

You can select one of two sample tones—either a snare drum

or a rim shot—using the DEMO TONE TRIG utility

function described on page 15. This function also lets you

determine whether pressing the AUDITION key will cause

the tone to sound once or repeatedly.

If you set the audition function to play repeatedly, you can

stop it by pressing the AUDITION key a second time.

2. Select a program memory.

Press the PRESET/USER key to switch between the

preset and user program memory areas. When you first

use the REV500, you will find that both memory areas

contain the same selection of programs. The contents of

the USER memory will gradually change as you edit

programs and store the results, as explained in the

following chapter.

The currently selected memory area is displayed under

the program number in the LCD.

3. Select a program number.

Use the PROGRAM NUMBER keys to choose one of the

programs in the program type and memory are you have

selected. You can press these keys once to increase or

decrease the current program number selection by one, or

hold them down to scan through the programs.

The number and title of the current program are

displayed in the top row of the LCD.

Automatic Demonstration

The REV500 has a demonstration mode that lets you hear

samples of some typical effect settings. To select

demonstration mode, hold down the UTILITY key and press

AUDITION.

Important: If you select the demonstration mode while

editing a program, the program will be reset

and any changes you have made will be lost. Be

sure to save important program data before

selecting the demonstration mode. (Refer to

page 13 for instructions on how to store a

program.)

The effect type of the current program is also displayed

in the upper right corner of the LCD. (Refer to pages 10

through 13 for details regarding effect types.)

3

REV500 Preset Program List

HALL5ROOM

No. Title Effect Type*

1 Large Hall 1 REVERB

2 Large Hall 2

3 Empty Hall REVERB

4 Big Slap Hall REVERB

5 Arena REVERB

6 New Hall REVERB

7 Wonder Hall REVERB

8 Dark Hall REVERB

9 Church 1 REVERB

10 Church 2

11 Medium Hall 1 REVERB

12 Medium Hall 2

13 Concert Hall REVERB

14 Small Hall 1 REVERB

15 Small Hall 2

16 Gothic Hall REV+CHO

17 Ballade Voc 1 REVERB

18 Ballade Voc 2

19 Rev for Pads REV➔FLG

20 Ensemble Rev REV➔FLG

21 Chorus Reverb REV➔CHO

22 Slapped Echo ECHO➔REV

23 Flutter Hall REV➔GATE

24 Kick Gate REV➔GATE

25 Snare Gate REV➔GATE

Description

Standard hall-type reverbs that simulate large halls with good acoustics. May be

used with any instrument. “Large Hall 1” is bright; “Large Hall 2” is slightly darker.

A reverb that simulates the feel of a large hall with no audience.

A bright reverb with breadth, thanks to slightly emphasized early reflec-

tions.

A reverb with the low-range characteristics of an arena-sized concert space.

A bright reverb with a punch.

A light, bright hall reverb. Good with percussion.

A rather dark hall reverb. Recommended for use with songs in minor keys.

Reverbs that simulate the acoustics of high-vaulted cathedrals. “Church 1”

is dark; “Church 2” is brighter, with more reflections.

Standard medium-sized hall reverbs. “Medium Hall 1” is bright, with many

reflections; “Medium Hall 2” is dark and dense.

A hall-type reverb with natural-sounding acoustics.

Reverbs that simulate acoustically ideal small halls. “Small Hall 1” is

bright and live-sounding; “Small Hall 2” is somewhat darker.

A hall reverb with a growling chorus attack. Good for vocals and solo

instruments.

Longish hall reverbs for use with slow vocals. “Ballad Voc 1” is bright

and dense; “Ballad Voc 2” is dark and slightly less dense.

A long reverb with flanged high ranges, for a spacy sound. Good with pad-

type synths.

A short reverb with a warm flanger sound. Good for strings and organs.

A hall reverb with chorus added for extra thickness. Good with pianos and

pad-type synths.

A reverb that captures the feel of an analog delay or tape echo. Good with

vocals or solos.

A gated hall reverb with a long pre-delay.

A gated hall reverb, intended for use with bass drums.

A gated hall reverb, intended for use with snare drums.

* Refer to pages 10 through 13 for details regarding effect types.

4

No. Title Effect Type*

1 Large Room 1 REVERB

2 Large Room 2 REVERB

3 Live Gate Room REVERB

4 Live Room 1 REVERB

5 Live Room 2

6 Bath Room REVERB

7 Medium Room REVERB

8 Garage REV➔GATE

9 Ring Studio REVERB

10 Empty Store REVERB

11 Add to Dry Mix REVERB

12 Heavy Bottom REVERB

13 Bright Room 1 REVERB

14 Bright Room 2 REVERB

15 Small Room REVERB

16 Tiny Gate Room REVERB

17 Wood Room REVERB

18 Compact Room REV➔DFILT

19 Soft Space REV+CHO

20 Room Ambience REVERB

21 Echo Vocal

22 Tunnel 1 REVERB

23 Tunnel 2

24 Opera REVERB

25 Cathedral

Description

A reverb that simulates a large room with hard walls, for a slightly quirky

thick sound.

A large room reverb, slightly drier than “Large Room 1.”

A room reverb with a very live nonlinear sound. Good with drums and

guitars.

Reverbs that simulate the sound of a room with live acoustics. Use “Live Room 1” to

simulate greater distance from the sound source, or “Live Room 2” for front-row seats.

A simulation of the reverb in a tile-walled bathroom.

A live-sounding reverb with the feel of a medium-sized recording studio.

A reverb that simulates the sound of a garage performance.

The nonlinear reverb sound of a small studio with emphatic high-range

acoustics.

A reverb simulating a room with nothing in it.

A room reverb that can add live sound to a dry two-channel mix source.

A room reverb with an emphasized low range, for a powerful sound.

A bright room reverb with extra early reflections.

A room reverb that sounds smaller, but more dense, than “Bright Room 1.”

A standard small room simulation.

A somewhat dead nonlinear small room simulation.

A small room simulation, dark and dead.

A very small room, simulated with short reverb and a dynamic filter.

A short reverb with chorus. Adds a soft ambiance to drums, solos, and

vocals.

Slightly coarse echo room simulations. Good for vocals and solo instru-

ments.

Reverbs that simulate the acoustics inside a long tunnel. “Tunnel 2” is

darker than “Tunnel 1.”

Reverbs that simulate large rooms with marble walls. “Opera” is bright,

whereas “Cathedral” is dark.

* Refer to pages 10 through 13 for details regarding effect types.