The Yamaha PTX8 is a digital sample-based percussion tone generator built by Yamaha, in late 1986. It was included in the Yamaha D8 electronic drum kit.

Features The Yamaha PTX8 Percussion Tone Generator is an 8-instrument multi-timbral tone generator, that can be played from D8 percussion pads (PSD8, PTT8, PBD8) or via MIDI.

External control Unlike the Yamaha PMC1 Percussion Control Module, the PTX8 is both a tone generator and trigger module. The PTX8 includes eight 1/4 TS input jacks for connecting the Yamaha EPS-D8 drum pads. The PTX8 is not compatible with later SYSTEM 1 drum pads (PTT1 or PBD1) which used XLR cables.

Voice Synthesis The PTX8 includes 12 bit companded PCM wave memory synthesis type. The production of sound is organized into waveforms, voices, kits, and chains as follows:

Includes 26 internal preset waveforms (additional waveforms can be imported from ROM cartridges) which can be edited to create Voices. Up to 64 different voices can be stored in internal memory and a RAM 4 cartridge. Each of the 8 independent tone generators can play one of the 64 internal Voices (RAM 4 Voices must be imported before using them). These voices receive their own Pitch, Bend, Attack/Decay, Volume, Reverse, and wave loop settings (Panning is not adjustable). 32 "Kit" memories stores a combination of settings for the 8 tone generators. 32 more drum kits can be stored on RAM4 data cartridge. Up to 10 kit memories can be programmed in a "Chain" and stepped through using a footswitch or pad.

Audio output The PTX8 has mixed stereo L/R outputs and 8 individual outputs (one per Tone Generator). When none of the individual outputs are being used, tone generators are panned across the stereo output. Tone generators 3 & 4 are panned left, 1, 2, 7, & 8 are panned center; 5 & 6 are panned right. When an individual output is connected, its signal is removed from the stereo mix.

Midi The Yamaha PTX8 transmits and receives MIDI messages. Includes MIDI IN / OUT / THRU terminals on the back of the unit. Responds to not on/off and program change. Internal memory can be requested and transmitted via SYSEX.

Sound library The voices for the PTX8 were available on 3.5" disks created for the DX7 II FD.

Waveform ROM cartridges These waveform ROM cartridges can be used with both the Yamaha RX-5 Digital Rhythm Programmer and the PTX8 Percussion Tome Generator .

Yamaha WRC01 - RX5 ROM Yamaha WRC02 - Jazz/Fusion Yamaha WRC03 - Heavy Metal Yamaha WRC04 - Effect

Yamaha WRC01 - RX5 ROM The WRC01 waveform cartridge, incorporates 28 voices including drum, percussion, and sound effects. The "RX5 ROM' cartridge was shipped with the Yamaha RX5 Digital Rhythm Programmer. +Yamaha WRC01 VOICES1. SD 315. TIMPANI2. BD 316. GLASS CRASH3. CONGA H MUTE17. GUN4. CONGA H OPEN18. FM PERC 15. CONGA L19. FM PERC 26. BONGO H20. FM PERC 37. BONGO L21. E BASS H8. TIMBALE H22. E BASS L9. TIMBALE L23. DX ORCHESTRA10. AGOGO H24. DX MARIMBA11. AGOGO L25. DX CLAVINET12. CUICA26. HEY13. CASTANET27. WAO14. WHISTLE28 Ooo

Yamaha WRC02 - Jazz/Fusion The WRC02 incorporates 25 voices used in jazz or fusion music. +Yamaha WRC02 VOICES1. JAZZ BD 115. JAZZ TOM 12. JAZZ BD 216. JAZZ TOM 23. FUSION BD 117. JAZZ TOM 34. FUSION BD 218. FUSION TOM 15. ELECTRIC BD19. FUSION TOM 26. JAZZ SD 120. FUSION TOM 37. JAZZ SD 221. OPEN HH8. PICCOLO SD22. CLOSED HH9. FUSION SD23. PEDAL HH10. ELECTRIC SD24. COWBELL11. FLAT RIDE CY25. FINGER BASS12. CY BRUSH HIT13. GUITAR DOWN14. GUITAR UP

Yamaha WRC03 - heavy metal The WRC03 incorporates 15 voices used in heavy metal music. +Yamaha WRC03 VOICES1. HEAVY BD 115. GUITAR 5TH2. HEAVY BD 23. HEAVY BD 34. HEAVY SD 15. HEAVY SD 26. HEAVY SD 37. HEAVY SD 48. MALLET CRASH9. HEAVY TOM 110. HEAVY TOM 211. HEAVY TOM 312. HEAVY TOM 413. PICKED BASS14. GUITAR SINGLE

Yamaha WRC04 - effect The WRC04 incorporates 19 voices used for "effective" sound. Because of the cartridge name it was thought to contain sound effects, instead of the processed drum sounds within. +Yamaha WRC04 VOICES1. PROCESS BD 115. PROCESS ROTO2. PROCESS BD 216. HYBRID TOM3. PROCESS BD 317. SPLASH CYM4. PROCESS SD 118. DOOR SLAM5. PROCESS SD 219. SYNTH BASS6. PROCESS SD 37. PROCESS SD 48. PROCESS SD 59. PROCESS SD 610. PROCESS TOM 111. PROCESS TOM 212. PROCESS TOM 313. FM TOM14. FM SD

Notable users/endorsers

Bobby Blotzer (Ratt) Peter Erskine

References

Owner's manual

PTX8 Percussion tone Generator: Owner's Manual (eng, fr, ger)

Further reading

Alex Grahm. Electronic Drumfax. self-published. 2019. . "Electronic Percussion". AFTERTOUCH. No. 25. Yamaha International Corp. October 1987. p. 12. OCLC 20286405 "Yamaha D8". Modern Drummer. Vol. 13, No. 4. Modern Drummer Publications, Inc. April 1989. p. 44. ISSN 0194-4533. OCLC 946899618. "Theme and Variations: The NAMM Report". Music Technology. Vol. 2, Num. 5. Music Technology Ltd. March 1988. p. 85. ISSN 0896-2480. OCLC 16461726.

External links

Yamaha Black Boxes | Yamaha PTX8 Percussion tone generator