The Yamaha RS7000 Music Production Studio represented in its time a groundbreaking approach to electronic music production, being the first groovebox to successfully integrate a sampler, synthesizer and sequencer with comprehensive real-time control in a single unit. Released in 2001, this console-style instrument was designed to provide everything needed for modern music production in one portable, compact device.

Design and Interface

The RS7000 features an impressively equipped control surface with extensive hands-on controls. A 64 x 240 backlit LCD display works in conjunction with labeled menu-selection buttons and a system of four soft knobs with accompanying buttons for navigation. Each menu button includes screened dots indicating the number of display pages accessible, enhancing workflow efficiency. The front panel includes conventional sequencer transport controls, 26 rectangular keys arranged like a two-octave keyboard (E-F) for various tasks including note input, track selection, muting, and soloing, plus two touch-sensitive trigger pads ideal for drum programming.

Real-Time Control Philosophy

The RS7000 excels in hands-on sound manipulation, featuring dedicated knobs for LFO, Filter, Amplitude/Filter/Pitch envelopes, Portamento, and Pitch-bend parameters. Four mixer knobs provide quick access to track volume and effects sends. Three additional knobs control innovative Sequence Play Effects, while Master Effects also feature dedicated knobs for instant parameter adjustment. This extensive real-time controllability makes the RS7000 particularly powerful for live performance, remixing, and spontaneous creative exploration.

Sequencer Architecture

The 16-track sequencer operates in two complementary modes. Pattern mode allows music creation in chunks, organizing patterns as "Styles" containing 16 sub-patterns (A-P) each. Individual tracks within patterns can have different lengths, automatically looping until longer tracks complete. Song mode provides linear 16-track recording suited to long-form composition. Pattern chains can be converted into Songs, offering the best of both approaches. The sequencer offers comprehensive recording options including step-time and real-time recording, with true step and grid options, overdub and replace modes, and flexible input quantizing.

Every recorded Pattern track automatically becomes a Phrase, available to any other Pattern. The RS7000 includes 5,980 preset dance-oriented Phrases across 16 categories, including individual drum elements, bass lines, synth sequences, and guitar phrases. Users can create up to 256 custom Phrases per Style.

Scene Memory System

The Scene facility captures complex setup changes for automation. Two Scene types are available: one recording nearly all knob positions plus mutes, and another recording only mutes. Scenes can be recalled manually or via a special sequencer track, though storage is limited to five of each type per Pattern or Song.

Sound Generation

The AWM2-based synthesis engine provides 1,054 preset voices organized into banks including General MIDI, Synth Bass & Lead, Synth Pad, Synth FX, Band Instruments, Classical Instruments, Ethnic sounds, and Percussion SFX, plus 63 preset drum kits. The system offers 62-note polyphony and 16-part multitimbral operation. Voices are built from one or two elements, with editing features including a six-characteristic resonant filter, separate ADSR envelope generators for Amplitude, Pitch, and Filter, and a multi-waveform LFO with five standard waveforms plus a user-programmable option with graphic display.

Voice customization requires editing existing presets rather than building from scratch, and there are no dedicated user voice memories. Modified voices must be saved with Patterns or Songs to external storage, as the RS7000 lacks non-volatile RAM for voice storage.

Integrated Sampling

The phrase sampler is seamlessly integrated, offering 16-bit mono/stereo recording at multiple sample rates via analog inputs and optional digital input. Base RAM is 4MB, expandable to 64MB via two SIMM slots (though expansion disables the base 4MB). The sampler imports WAV, AIFF, Yamaha A-series, and SU700 samples from SCSI media or SmartMedia cards.

Sample slots are divided into Local (128 slots, tied to specific sequencer tracks) and Common (128 slots, freely usable by any Pattern or Song). Samples can be recorded directly into memory slots or linked to sequencer tracks with automatic MIDI event creation.

Editing capabilities include trim, loop, normalize, time-stretch with original pitch preservation, pitch-shift with original length, reverse, frequency conversion, fade in/out, Loop Remix, and the innovative Slice feature. Slice automatically cuts samples into equal segments, assigns each to a MIDI key, and places corresponding MIDI events on a sequence track, allowing loops to respond to tempo changes without manual adjustment. Loop Remix dices and reassembles samples with creative manipulation, working on both audio and MIDI data.

Effects Processing

The effects architecture includes three send processors: Reverb (12 types including halls, rooms, stages, plate, tunnel, and canyon), Delay/Chorus (25 effects including chorus, symphonic, flange, phase, and various delays), and Variation (100 effects encompassing all previous categories plus rotary speaker, amp simulation, compression, distortion, and unusual processes like digital turntable and talking modulator).

Eight global Master Effects (Slice, Lo-Fi, V-Distortion, Ring Mod, Multi Comp, Control Delay, Dynamic Filter, and Isolation) provide serious sound manipulation, permanently patched into the output with simple on/off switching and four adjustable parameters each. A four-band Master EQ and five types of track EQ complete the processing options.

Performance Features

The arpeggiator offers up, down, random, and two up/down variations over up to four octaves with hold control and note sorting options. Grid Groove provides sophisticated "feel alteration" for both sequencer and sample data. Sequence Play Effects include MIDI delay, Beat stretch, Clock shift, Swing, and Velocity/Note offset for real-time creative variation without altering sequence data.

Connectivity and Storage

Connections include stereo jack inputs with effects access, stereo jack outputs, headphone socket, footswitch socket, SCSI-2 connector for external storage devices, MIDI In and two MIDI Outs, and a SmartMedia card slot (8MB card included). The optional AIEB2 expansion board adds six assignable jack outputs plus optical/coaxial S/PDIF I/O. The SCSI port supports hard disks, MO drives, ZIP drives, and CD-ROM drives for convenient sample and data management.

MIDI Implementation

The RS7000 features comprehensive MIDI capabilities. Eighteen knobs control 31 onboard parameters and can transmit any MIDI Controller data. Most parameters respond to SysEx and can transmit changes. The unit functions as a 16-part multitimbral synth module, syncs to MIDI Clock or MTC, supports MMC, operates as MIDI clock master, and allows sequencer tracks to address external MIDI gear. The Tiny Wave Editor software (included) enables detailed sample editing on Mac or PC via SCSI connection.

Workflow Considerations

The RS7000 excels at rapid track creation, with users often producing complete tracks in 10 minutes or less. The extensive preset Phrase library, combined with real-time control over voice parameters, Master Effects, Sequence Play Effects, MIDI Effects, and Grid Groove, transforms simple material into complex, interesting compositions with minimal effort.

However, certain limitations exist. Not all front-panel knob movements are recorded internally—Sequence Play Effect knob movements can be captured via Scene memories, but Master Effect knobs (which transmit SysEx) cannot be recorded to Patterns or Songs, requiring external recording to preserve spontaneous mixing sessions. Pattern chains created via edit lists may experience timing anomalies at changeover points, though converting chains to Songs resolves this issue.

The RS7000 appeals to multiple user levels: beginners can create professional-sounding tracks using preset Phrases and voices with minimal original input, while sophisticated users find sufficient depth in the sequencing, synthesis, and sampling capabilities. The instrument's comprehensive feature set suits dance music production particularly well but remains versatile enough for electronic musicians, songwriters, and various other genres.

Technical Specifications

Notable Features

• Grid Groove "feel alteration" system (works with samples and tone-generator data)
• Real-time Loop Remix
• Can be used as standalone 16-part multitimbral synth module
• Suitable for live performance with real-time Pattern switching
• Phrase-based composition workflow
• Integration allows sampling from internal mix
• Expandable architecture (RAM, I/O, storage)

Sound Engine

Synthesis Type: AWM2 subtractive synthesis

Polyphony & Multitimbrality:

• 62-note polyphonic
• 16-part multitimbral

Voices:

• 1,054 preset voices total
• Voice based on one or two elements
• Two-element voices use double the polyphony

Voice Categories:

• General MIDI bank
• Synth Bass & Lead 1 & 2
• Synth Pad
• Synth FX 1 & 2
• Synth Material
• Band Instrument
• Classical Instrument & Wind
• Ethnic & Percussion
• SFX 1 & 2
• 63 preset drum kits

Synthesis Parameters:

• Six-characteristic resonant filter
• Separate ADSR envelope generators for Amplitude, Pitch, and Filter
• Portamento control
• Multi-waveform LFO with 5 waveforms plus user-programmable option
• LFO assignable to modulate each or all three envelope generators

Voice Memory:

• No dedicated user voice memories
• Modified voices saved with Pattern/Song to external storage
• No non-volatile RAM for voice storage

Sampler

Audio Specifications:

• 16-bit resolution
• Mono/stereo recording

Sample Rates:

• Analog inputs: 44.1, 22.05, 11.025, 5.5 kHz
• Digital input: 48, 44.1, 32 kHz

Memory:

• 4MB RAM standard (disabled when full 64MB installed)
• Expandable to 64MB via two SIMM slots
• Maximum sample size: 64MB stereo, 32MB mono
• Maximum sample duration: 380 seconds at 44.1kHz

Sample Slots:

• 128 Local sample slots (tied to specific tracks)
• 128 Common sample slots (freely usable)

Supported Formats:

• Imports: WAV, AIFF, Yamaha A-series, SU700 samples
• Can extract native samples from RS7000 Pattern/Song files

Editing Functions:

• Trim
• Loop
• Normalize
• Time-stretch (maintains original pitch)
• Pitch-shift (maintains original length)
• Reverse
• Frequency-convert (halves sample frequency)
• Fade in/out
• Loop Remix (dice and reassemble with creative manipulation)
• Slice (automatic sample segmentation with MIDI key mapping)

Sample Sources:

• Analog inputs (line-level or microphone)
• Optional digital input
• Internal mix (sample from RS7000's own output)
• SCSI media
• SmartMedia cards

Sequencer

General:

• 16 tracks
• 259,000-note capacity
• 480 ppqn resolution
• Tempo range: 1-300 BPM
• Time signatures: 1/16 to 8/4
• Input and post quantizing (32nd-note to quarter-note including triplets)
• Imports/exports Standard MIDI Files
• Imports RM1x files

Pattern Mode:

• 64 Styles, 16 sections each
• 256-bar maximum Pattern length
• 5,980 preset Phrases in 16 categories
• 256 User Phrases per Style
• 20 Pattern chains
• Real-time and list Pattern chain modes
• Convert Pattern chain to Song

Song Mode:

• Linear 16-track recording
• 20 Song locations
• Tempo track
• Scene/Mute track (records mutes and Scene changes)

Recording Modes:

• Step-time recording (true step and grid options)
• Real-time recording (overdub and replace options)
• Flexible input quantizing

Editing Features:

• Velocity modification
• Gate-time modification
• Crescendo/decrescendo
• Roll creator
• Chord sort/Chord separate
• Shift clock (moves track in time to change feel)
• Event-list editing
• Copy, paste, erase, move, and extract functions
• Post-quantizing
• Playback groove facilities
• Transposition
• Velocity/gate time control
• Chord manipulation tools

Playback Effects (Sequence Play Effects):

• MIDI delay
• Beat stretch (expands or compresses MIDI data)
• Clock shift
• Swing
• Velocity offset
• Note offset

Scene Memory:

• 5 knob position + mute Scenes per Pattern/Song
• 5 mute-only Scenes per Pattern/Song

Arpeggiator

Types:

• Up
• Down
• Random
• Up/Down (2 variations)

Parameters:

• Range: Up to 4 octaves
• Hold control
• Note sorting: Absolute pitch order or played sequence

Features:

• Arpeggiated phrases recordable to sequencer
• Can be edited after recording
• Transmittable to external gear via MIDI

Effects

DSP Effect System:

• Three send effects plus one Master effect simultaneously
• Four-band Master EQ
• Five types of track EQ

Reverb Processor (12 types):

• 2 Halls
• 3 Rooms
• 2 Stages
• Plate
• Tunnel
• Canyon
• Additional types

Delay/Chorus Processor (25 types):

• Chorus
• Symphonic
• Flange
• Phase
• Various delays
• Additional modulation effects

Variation Processor (100 effects):

• All Reverb and Delay/Chorus effects
• Rotary speaker
• Amp simulation
• Multi-compressor
• Distortion
• Digital turntable
• Talking modulator
• Two-way and three-way combination effects

Master Effects (8 types):

• Slice
• Lo-Fi
• V-Distortion
• Ring Mod
• Multi Comp
• Control Delay
• Dynamic Filter
• Isolation
• Four adjustable parameters per effect

MIDI Implementation

General:

• Comprehensive MIDI specification
• Functions as 16-part multitimbral synth module
• MMC compatible
• Can be MIDI clock master

Control:

• 18 knobs control 31 onboard parameters
• Knobs can transmit any MIDI Controller data
• Most parameters respond to SysEx
• Parameters can transmit changes via SysEx

Synchronization:

• Sync to MIDI Clock or MTC
• Sequencer/arpeggiator sync capability

Routing:

• Sequence tracks can address external MIDI gear
• MIDI In port
• Two MIDI Out ports

Connectivity

Audio:

• Stereo jack inputs (with effects access)
• Stereo jack outputs
• Headphone socket

Control:

• Footswitch socket

Data:

• SCSI-2 connector (supports hard disk, MO, ZIP, CD-ROM drives)
• SmartMedia card slot (8MB card included)

MIDI:

• MIDI In
• 2x MIDI Out

Power:

• AC mains power connector

Expansion:

• AIEB2 option slot (adds 6 assignable jack outputs plus optical/coaxial S/PDIF I/O)

Physical Interface

Display:

• 64 x 240 backlit LCD

Controls:

• Menu-selection buttons with function indicators
• 4 soft knobs with accompanying buttons
• Conventional sequencer transport controls
• Dedicated knobs for LFO, Filter, Envelopes, Portamento, Pitch-bend
• 4 mixer knobs (volume and effects sends)
• 3 Sequence Play Effect knobs
• Master Effect parameter knobs
• 26 rectangular keys (2 octaves, E-F layout)
• 2 touch-sensitive trigger pads

Key Functions:

• Note input
• Track selection
• Track muting
• Track soloing
• Pattern section switching
• Step sequencing (grid mode)

Software & Compatibility

Included Software:

• Tiny Wave Editor (Mac/PC, requires SCSI connection)

File Compatibility:

• Standard MIDI Files (import/export)
• RM1x files (import)
• RM1x Patterns (can load)

Storage & Memory

Internal Storage:

• No non-volatile RAM
• All data requires external save to retain on power-down

External Storage:

• SmartMedia cards
• SCSI devices (hard disk, MO, ZIP, CD-ROM)
• Auto-load capability for samples and complete sets

Data Types:

• Patterns
• Songs
• Phrases
• Samples
• Voice data
• Complete sets (Song, synth voice, and sample data)

Power

• AC mains powered

Dimensions&Weight

• Console-style desktop form factor
• 17-5/16 in. x 14-5/16 in. x 5-1/4 in.
• Weight: 7 kg (15.43 lbs)