The Yamaha EMP700 was a stereo multi-effect processor designed to provide high-quality effects for both recording and performing applications. As a true stereo unit with two inputs and two outputs, it was particularly well-suited for use with stereo keyboards and other sources on stage or in the studio. The processor incorporated a fresh range of effects that benefited from Yamaha’s latest signal-processing technology at the time.
These effects included compression and limiting, equalisation, reverb, early reflections, delay, enhancer, distortion, overdrive, panning, pitch shift, wah, phaser, and a full complement of modulation effects. A key aspect of the Yamaha EMP700’s design was its ability to use two effects simultaneously, connected either in serial or parallel, allowing users to tailor the signal chain according to the specific sound required. Additional features that contributed to its versatility included external RAM card data storage, assignable function keys, and MIDI program selection and parameter control capabilities.
The unit offered 90 ready-to-use preset effect programs, created to cover a wide variety of recording and performing needs. These presets allowed users to benefit from the processor’s sound quality without extensive programming. The presets were noted for the warmth and depth of the reverb, the texture of the pitch change, and the animation of the modulation effects. When the presets did not meet specific requirements, the Yamaha EMP700 permitted in-depth editing of any program.
Users could also start with a special “Initial Data” program to build a new effect from the ground up. Effect parameters, which numbered more than 20 for some effects, offered extensive control for fine-tuning the sound. Editing was facilitated by a set of four function keys located below a backlit 16-character, 2-line display, which allowed for easy parameter selection and programming.
All effect programs in the Yamaha EMP700 were based on 29 fundamental effects, divided into two groups: Dynamic (DYN) and Reverb (REV). The Dynamic group included the Stereo Compressor/Limiter, Stereo Parametric EQ, Stereo Enhancer, Stereo Wah, Phaser, Overdrive, Compressor/Distortion/EQ, and Compressor/Graphic EQ.
The Reverb group comprised Chorus, Flanger, Symphonic, Round Pan, Hyper Modulation Delay, Triple Pitch Change, Stereo Pitch Change, Reverb, Gate Reverb, Early Reflections, After Delay, Mono Delay, Stereo Modulation Delay, Multi Tap Delay, Reverb + Delay, Stereo Pitch Change + Reverb, Stereo Pitch Change – Reverb, Symphonic + Reverb, Flanger – Reverb, Delay + Early Reflections, and Delay + Chorus.
An effect program could be created using any one effect from either group, or by combining one effect from each group. For instance, a user could combine Stereo Parametric EQ with Reverb to equalise the sound and add reverb simultaneously.
The configuration of the DYN and REV group effects was flexible, allowing them to be connected in series or parallel. In a series connection, the DYN effect could be placed first with the REV effect last, or the order could be reversed with the REV effect first and the DYN effect last. The parallel configuration allowed two effects to operate independently without one affecting the other. Generally, the DYN to REV sequence was the most frequently used, as compression typically benefited the following effects by providing a smoother input signal, while reverb and delay effects were usually applied to the entire sound.
However, exceptions existed; for example, applying equalisation to a chorus effect required the reverse series configuration (REV to DYN) because chorus was in the REV group and EQ was in the DYN group. The parallel configuration was useful for combining independent effects, such as a stationary wah sound from the DYN group with a panned dry sound from the REV group.
For data storage, the Yamaha EMP700 provided two options for saving original effect programs: 50 internal USER memory locations or 50 memory locations on an external RAM data card. Optional Yamaha MCD32 or MCD64 RAM cards plugged into the MEMORY CARD slot on the unit. When a card was loaded, its memory could be accessed and used in the same manner as the internal user memory. This external storage capability allowed for unlimited capacity in creating an effect program library, enabling users to organise their data and cards in any way that suited their needs. Card storage also enhanced the portability of effect programs.
The Yamaha EMP700 featured four assignable function keys below the LCD panel, which allowed for direct one-touch recall of frequently used programs. While programs could be selected using the data entry keys and the RECALL key, the function keys offered a faster method for accessing specific presets, user programs, or card memory programs. This feature was particularly useful for live performance where quick access to specific sounds was necessary.
For integration with MIDI-based music systems, the Yamaha EMP700 offered broad external control capabilities. Any memory location could be directly selected from a remote MIDI device, such as a keyboard or MIDI foot controller. Additionally, it was possible to directly control two different effect parameters simultaneously in real time via MIDI controllers. For example, a user could control the modulation speed of the Stereo Wah effect and the reverb time of the Reverb effect in real time while playing.
The unit included a rear-panel TAP TEMPO/BYPASS jack for an optional footswitch. When TAP TEMPO operation was selected via a utility mode function, the delay time of any effect with single or stereo delay parameters could be set via the footswitch. By tapping the footswitch twice at the appropriate interval, the time between taps set the time between delays, allowing users to match the delay time to the tempo of the music. When BYPASS operation was selected, the footswitch performed the same function as the front-panel BYPASS key, alternately bypassing and engaging the selected effect.
The Yamaha EMP700 included a title edit function for entering original effect titles and a large 7-segment LED memory number display. It featured MIDI bulk dump and receive capability, switchable -20/+4 dB input and output levels, and independent left- and right-channel input level controls. LED signal and clip indicators were also provided to monitor the input signal.
Features
- Title edit function for entry of original effect titles.
- Large 7-segment LED memory number display.
- MIDI bulk dump and receive capability.
- Switchable -20/+4 dB input and output levels.
- Independent left- and right-channel input level controls.
- LED signal and clip indicators.