Yamaha VL70-m

as easy as a preset module
nice display indeed

I am sorry Maverick but
have you compared side by side VL 70 with vl 7
they both are monophonic but after you played VL 7 ,vl 70 sounds like plastic toy!!
I give an "8" just because at the moment is the only synth that can remind us what this technology can do , baut just a pale remind...
YAMAHA! IT'S A SHAME .Why did you stopped production of real machine just because people were not yet ready to understand it? the cheaper vl 7 together with the 2.0 system ROM and the almost 1500 sounds "created" by fantastic users that pulled out from this killer machine terrific sounds!!!
this technology is the most expressive one ever created and it's really a shame that is represented from cheap product like vl-70 and PLG150-VL.
for this it'd deserve a 6!!

7 for the sounds
8 for the expressiveness
read above

average

do not know
but I give one because when I needed yamaha to get my upgrade VL 7 and VL 1-m from 1.0 to 2.0 . they told that ..is ..over
what ? over!!!!
you created a new terrific OS for your best synth than ever..and the ROM are over!!!?

Thanks ebay , for fixing this problem

just a disappointing machine to me.
but I can aunderstand that who have never tried real virtual acoustic technology will be enthusiastic

This little module was clearly designed for live performance, and for this purpose couldn't be easier to use. There is, however, a MIDI loop problem that surfaces if you try to use it with a sequencer via a computer MIDI interface (the unit re-transmits data received through the MIDI out). You can get round this if you have a multi-port interface with only the VL70-m on one port - but it could give you a headache if you need to use it in a MIDI thru chain.

Manual is typically Yamaha - very clear, informative and easy to use.

I find the factory presets fine (more on this later).

The unit allows you to edit effects, filter settings and assign MIDI controllers to physical modelling parameters. Anything further (e.g. editing the physical modelling algorithms) must be done from an external computer-based editor.

This is a monophonic physical modelling instrument - a cheaper cut-down version of Yamaha's VL1 and VL7 keyboard instruments. The compromises made in the VL70-m are that there is only one sound generator (VL1 used two generators in parallel for richer and more complex sounds), and the quality of the onboard effects which are basic GM-style (the VL1 had very good 32-bit effects processors).

There are no expansion capabilities (apart from the third-party Patchman Music VL-TURBO chip, which I don't have but sounds fantastic from the online demos).

It can respond to a huge variety of MIDI controllers, which can be assigned to a range of physical modelling parameters. Really needs a breath controller or a Yamaha WX MIDI wind instrument to use it properly.

My biggest disappoingment is the lack of proper editing software to get at the physical modelling algorithms. The Expert Editor that enables you to do this is Mac only, and doesn't work on OSX. I have a PC, so that doesn't help me - the only PC editor supplied by Yamaha is a very basic Visual Editor, which really doesn't give you much flexibility. There is a third-party PC based Expert Editor available, but this is very hard to use, presenting the 1000+ physical modelling parameters as a series of text input boxes... not for the faint-hearted.

This sounds like nothing else! I use it with a Yamaha WX5 wind controller, primarily for exotic flute and sax sounds, both of which it handles beautifully. You have to spend some time with each of the sounds a learn to play them. This is a real instrument remember, not a collection of samples - the expression is up to you, it's not put in by someone else like in samples.

Yamaha used a single meta-model for this unit, upon which all the instrument models are built. In my opinion, it's the wind instrument models which come out best. It's so good that in a mix, you'd be hard pressed to tell a VL70-m played well from a WX controller from the real instrument.

However, I'm not so convinced by the string models, none of which I would use on a track. I haven't explored the conventional synth models - I have conventional synths for that!

Bottom line, buy it for incredibly expressive and realistic wind instrument sounds. You must have at least a breath controller for your keyboard, ideally a Yamaha WX series wind controller, or this unit won't deliver for you.

Never had any problems with it. It appears to be solidly built - I would gig with it.

Never dealt with them

This instrument (along with the VL1) is unique, sounds wonderful and I love everything about it (apart from the lack of a decent PC editor).

I use it in a small project studio for a variety of music, from ambient/New Age through to classical. It's a great way of adding musical wind lead lines that really sing through a mix.

If it was lost or stolen I'd buy it again immediately.

The interface is pretty decent actuallly.

I like the small size and the WX connector which powers my Yamaha WX5. No more batteries in the WX5!!!!!!!

I thought I loved the factory sounds- then I got the Patchman Music Turbo VL upgrade chip for it. Sheeesh. The Turbo chip makes this thing UN-FREEKIN-BELIEVABLE! I mean, it sounds incredible! Listen to the Turbo demos at the Patchman site...

http://www.patchmanmusic.com/turbovl.html

With the Turbo chip, VL70m and my WX5 I can sound like anything. I'm getting more and more gigs because of this incredible system. I can sound like any wind instrument. I bought my rig from Patchman and I can recommend them since they actually specialize in wind controllers. They have a package system that includes a preinstalled Turbo chip in the VL70-m.

Great. No problems so far.

Haven't used it but Yamaha has always been good in the past.

Awesome piece of gear. There is no better breath controlled synth on the market.

Bit of a learning curve to this one, but very much worth the effort. The breath control input is a nice touch - that was you don't have to limit yourself to a controller that does breath control. I haven't fired up the editing program yet (free download from Yamaha), which you really need to design new sounds, but sound tweaking isn't too tough with the front panel. Not a stellar interface, but not bad.

monophonic, no keys. Effects are the usual DSP. It accepts all kinds of midi control, just gotta find the right controller to send them. Might be time to de-mothball the KX-88 - using a pawn shop DX-11 for now.

Sounds are phenomenal. Just amazing. Even the presets are really really good. It is the most expressive thing I have ever played. I'm doing keyboard/breath control, can't speak to what it's like with a WX controller. And if I weren't doing breath or wind control, I don't think there's much I'd like, at least not in the presets.

No problems yet.

No issues yet. Yamaha's been good to me over the years.

I'd buy this again in a heartbeat if it were lost. In fact, I might buy a second so I can have the stock sounds and the Patchman mod.

There is NOTHING like this out there, except the old discontinued Yam modeling synths. The sounds are incredible, the performability is incredible.

For $500ish US, how could you go wrong?

Very easy to use with a wind controller or breath controller. The presets are rather weak but there are professional sounds for sale at Patchman Music (www.patchmanmusic.com):
http://www.patchmanmusic.com/yamahaVL70m.html

They also just released a pretty amazing TURBO VL upgrade chip for it that replaces all the presets with way better sounds.

It has only 1 note poliphony but that isn't an issue since this is a lead solo synth anyways.

Amazingly expressive especially with quality 3rd party sounds.

The VL70m is definitly built well. I haven't had any trouble with mine ever.

Not great. But this is nothing out of the ordinary.

9.5

simple to use, good GUI , typical of Yamaha gears.

Effects are clean, nice. Big LCD, many inputs.

the String instruments, Ohhhhhhhh!!! some of the sounds are not as good as PCMs, but, in terms of expressiveness, it Rules. Very nice and unique! quality DACs and outputs

seems OK

N/A

I would definitely get another if lost. There's nothing like it, except the Ultra (still) expensive VL1, VL7, VL1M. I was planning to get VL70M for Sax, as I like to play Kenny G stuff. I set my keyboard performace to SOLO, and it plays easily with VL70M. if not, lots of squeech

I have owned the VL70-m for four years. Don't judge the module by the
presets, because they suck! However,with just a little bit of tinkering,they can be made to sound magnificent! I only use the front
panel to make edits, so I can't comment on the patch editor, but the
editing isn't hard, and the manual is understandable.

Polyphony is limited to 1 note,but that is not a drawback.The effects
are 18 bit stereo,and sound good.The unit excells with the WX series
wind controllers. It does not sound as well with a keyboard controller
Standard midi ports are included.

Once the instruments are tweaked,they sound very realistic.Most people
probably could not tell the difference between the VL70-m and the real instrument on a CD.--particulary if a WX wind controller was being utilized. The VL70-m works for any type of music.

No problem in 4 years. I have one in my studio rack, and one for gigs.
I would rate it 10 for reliability.

N/A

I have 2 VL70-m's A WX-11, and a WX-5 I love the way it sounds, and the ease of playing it.Being a former trumpet player who had to play
keyboards to work, It's like playing a horn again!--only playing all the horns!

easy to just plug n' play, easy connections, menu can be tricky for first timers, but once you get the hang of it you'll be flying

polyphony is 1!!!! get over it... this thing is a virtual instrument emulator, intended to be used with a wind controller, and typical wind instruments can only play 1 note, so as a sax player, i don't find it a problem.

it has full use of the usual XG effects (chorus, reverb e.t.c.) only thing i'd be wanting is a line input for the effects alone, but the yamaha MU128 has that, so i'll probably get one.

The Editing software available from yamaha really brings it to life... anything you want.. it'll do.

most sounds are GREAT, all the sythesque voices sound fantasic, some of the real instruments leave a bit to be desired... saxes are dodgy, clarinet + oboe are respectable... trumpet is ... um... fun...

i wouldn't even consider using this without the yamaha wx5 wind controller... it's absolutly fantastic,.. every little whim and squeek i'd play on a sax is perfectly reproduced.

Not a problem here. i've used it at heaps of gigs, never died...

great... no problems...

If this was stolen, I wouldn't think twice about getting another one, it's absolutly fantastic, couldn't live without it...

The layout of the module is fairly intuitive. As far as editing capabilities, you can't create new models without the software. I've found a few presets that I'm very happy with, and the only editing I've had to do is to route the controllers - very easy to do.

The obvious feature of the VL70-m is the fact that you're dealing with physically modeled synthesis. The result of this is that you can play the same note again and again, and it'll sound different each time. To me, this is the difference between a sterile sound and one which is organic in nature. The presets have made creative use of the parameters, such as assigning emboshure control to the pitch bend. Some of these experiments work better than others - I would advise that you shouldn't be afraid to disable certain parameters if they're getting on your nerves. The monophonic nature of the instrument seldom bothers me, though it would be nice to have two voices on sounds such as guitars and clavinets.

This is by far the most expressive all-digital instrument I've ever played, which is the reason I purchased it. If you're looking for synth sounds, you may be disappointed - they're rather thin. The instrument is really geared toward solo orchestral voices, and it certainly excells. Though I dislike the saxes, they are definitely better than anything else you'll find. I recommend the jazz flute (you get a great biting sound on high notes) and the q-clav.

I've had mine for about 2 1/2 years, used it about 5 nights a week, and never had a problem.

I use the VL70-m in a rack as part of my keyboard rig, and it's certainly a one-trick pony for me. I might use it 3 or 4 times at most on a gig. That being said, I get cute girls coming up to the stage every time I use it, wanting to know what my breath controller is, which is second only to people asking how I can play and smoke a cigarette at the same time. I really only use a few sounds on the instrument, all flutes. Though the VL70-m has developed into more of a gimmick for me than the quest for expression, the musicians in the audience and on stage are always enamored with it's liveliness. If you're looking to add a module to your rig that contrasts the digital realm, I strongly recommend this piece.

If you just want to plug in to Midi In and play presets, no problem. However, it has a screwy Midi implementation that causes Midi loops if you hook up the Midi Out to a standard sequencer setup. (CC pass-through can't be disabled!) This was a real disapointment, because it also precludes two-way comunication for editing patches (at least in the setup I use). However, the presets are good and there's lots of CC control.

See above.

The sounds are impressive. They have most of the texture and constant motion that real instruments have-no static waveforms. The emulations aren't always accurate, though; sometimes rompler is better. The synth leads and basses are excellent, and worth the price of admission.

No problem in about two years.

I hoped to be able to edit patches; big disapointment. However, I still end up using a bass, guitar or synth patch from this unit on almost every track.

There is a lot of things in this little box but they are arranged nicely; many pages to go throught though. U better use the free Yamaha software editor for this box before U get upset with pages & little buttons. The manual is very clear, a nice tradition of Yamaha.

It's specially designed for generating reed/bow & analog kinds of sound; combining the elements of reeds & strings to make new sound is its highlight.
It's not expandable but it has a lot for U to create new sound, I strongly recommand U also buy the breath control or the WX controller if U play reeds.
The on board FX is quite O.K too.

Keep it short !!
Check it out !!
Try the sax. & the mini moog kind of presets.

I put it in water while the power is on and...
Just joking.
Should be O.K if take care of it.

Never deal with them but they have many things on their web include the free editor.

I would buy it again. I am a composer/guitarist mainly into smooth jazz. The VL70-m gives me very realistic reeds & totally wild syn. lead. I play it directly with my guitar syn. controller or use it for sequencing.
The user is the guy who can bring the best out of it & I am sure it is one of the best syn. ever made.

Because this is a very deep synth with parameters unseen in a sampled based module, it was always going to be difficult to use..
the large screen helps though...it took me little time to figure out the basics....but to do more advanced editing...I must confess
that I never quite got that far....there are free PC and Mac editors available on the Yamaha website...there are 2 versions...
one is basic and the other is more advanced...the advanced one is only available for the Mac...(maybe there's a PC version now..I don't know)
I found the PC editor to be fun and easy to use....

Features are limited, because it was intended as only a specialist instrument..without offence to one of the reviewers below,
this intrument was never design to be your do-it-all module like the Roland JV1010...and it is totally unfair to say that this synth
has a PC soundcard like quality...when I brought the VL-70m home and played it for the first time, my folks thought I had
bought a new flute and cello...it is THAT GOOD...perhaps that particular reviewer was looking for piano sounds or something similar...
which it doesn't have..but what it has it does with realism that nothing else even come close...NOTHING.....if a general purpose instrument is what
you're looking for, don't buy this...but if it's wonderful sounds that you want...this is the best $500 you can ever spend...
I bought mine in early '97, just a couple of months since its release....I've always wanted a VL-1...but at $4000, who can
afford it?? Definitely get the breath controller to with this instrument if you cannot play one of the WX-series wind controllers..
It's only 1-note monophonic...I guess we could wish for 2...but then again, the only thing that gives you that is the VL-1 at $3500 extra...
As a sound source and tool of inspiration, there's no better synth...buy it and you will NEVER regret it...

'Nuff said...
the most realistic acoustic wind/stringed instruments you'll ever hear....and super expressive if you can play the WX-series
wind controllers....it will add analog warmth to you digital recordings...

I think there was ever only one occassion when my V-70m froze...I don't know how I got it to do that...but it never happened again..

N/A

I will buy this instrument again...the only other instrument that I have ever played which I would buy again is the Korg Wavestation..
I had also played with the Korg Prophecy...it has character like the VL-70m...but does totally different sounds..
Honestly, buy it, and fall in love with it...I am sure 99.99% of the VL-70m owners already have...
I suppose if I have the Prophecy (or Z1) + the new Triton, in addition to my VL-70m and Wavestation..I would need no other musical
instruments and have no regrets in life...I love my VL-70m and will marry it...

I use the module with either the standard sounds or sounds loaded from
web. It is hard to edit, but editing is not my interest. The manual is
good. You can transpose the instrument very easily, which is important
for sax/clarinet players.

It is a monophonic synth. The build in effects are chorus and reverb.
They are OK. This synth has midi in-out-through. It has a special
connecter for the WX5 WX7 and WX11. I play it with the WX11 and
believe me : This is the ideal synth for this controller. If you play
a wind controller..... This is the synth for you.

This is where the strength of this synth kicks in. I play it with the
wind controller and it does not feel like I'm playing an electronic
instrument. I can really add feel to the music and the synth's response.
I use mainly sax-type,clarinet and muted trumpet sounds.
Forget sounding like the original instrument. (it is not a sampler),
but think about creating the feel of those instruments. You'll have a
blast.

It hasn't faile me yet... I play it every day. Can finally practise
my scales in the evening on a real instrument.

Haven't dealt with them.

I would buy it again immediatly. I'm not playing in bands anymore.
I became a family man. I can't play the sax at home very often.
I had my WX11 for a long time, but did not use it with the WT11.
The Vl70-m changed all that. I can keep practising improving and enjoy
playing music.

I tell you I'd swear it sounds as if it is Yamaha Sales people are
writing the reviews here at this site. This single "tone" monophonic
sound generator is a real diappointment. It is easy to use but then so
is a kazoo! Most of the sounds (especially sax) have that horrible
FAKE cheap pc sound card quality.

1 note Polyphony is a major blunder by this company. Don't they think that maybe
someone considered using a computer to interface with this thing? GEEZE!
How STUPID ARE THEY to think that giving a sax player the chance to play
a new instrument (such as lead guitar) would not inspire him to want to hear
HARMONY! you know..CHORDS! I am pissed! The wx-5 and Vl-70 are FAR from the
perfect match! Well maybe the match made in hell...

This module is not worth the money in any way shape or form.Such initial
potential! What a real let down. I WANT 64 VOICES PLEASE! Don't waste your
time on this one. Wait for their heads to pull out someday and come out with
this same unit but with something that can be used as composition tool as
well as a performance module. There are a few and I say few decent sounds in
this module but come on...there are thousands of sounds in a roland JV-1010
for $499...and you can even add addtional sounds with cards. What was YAMAHA
thinking?

I plan on taking it back. Very Very Very disappointed!

The presets all sound great. Absolutely awesome reeds and winds. As close to 'real' as you will get, especially when there is a Wind Controller or Breath Controller in use. Patch editors are available free on the web and give you access to parameters not available for editing on the unit itself. The manuel is pretty good as manuels go, but doesn't help to be an effective editor. Designing new sounds from scratch is pretty complicated, but it is very easy to create 'new' acoustic timbres using the Visual Editor. There are some good 3rd Party sounds available.

The polyphony is limited to a single voice, but this module is designed to be a solo voice. It can breathe new life into an otherwise flat all-midi mix. The built-in effects sound good and are easy to manipulate from the front panel. The VL70-m is midi capable, although it is a little quirky in a sequencing situation. All expression characteristics, which you will find on no other synths (other that VL series), are midi assignable. This is where the true strength of the VL70-m lies...being able to control tounging, reed pressure, breath noise and much more to create the true-to-life character you would expect from a real acoustic instrument. The controls you might typically use would be: mod wheel, pitch bend (not always for bending pitch in the traditional way), foot pedal and Breath Controller. Of course, if you play EWI or WX controllers, the VL70-m is the instrument for you.

This, in my opinion, is the most real sounding synth available. Forget all the flat-sounding sax patches on ANY other synth. The VL70-m excels in sounds that would be idea for jazz and new age musical stlyes. It reacts very expressively to velocity and aftertouch. The Breath Controller has adjustments for sensitivity. The VL70-m aslo has some very cool vintage synth sounds. It's very cool to use breath pressure to control a low pass filter opening! The VL70-m is simple fun, fun, fun to play.

I have had the VL70-m a short time, and it hasn't left my studio, so I cannot attest to its reliability or durability. It is a compact, 1/2 rack size (very portable) and has custon gig bag you can get for it. My impression of the VL70-m is that it was really designed for live perfoming.

I had some problems getting the VL70-m to work with my sequencer/interface. There was a midi feedback loop when I tried to record using the BC. That's because the BC sends Breath control data out the Midi Out and causes a loop when it comes back into the controller keyboard. I was able to get to a VL product specialist who work with me (via email) over a 3-day period (!!!) to resolve the problem.

I would definately buy this again. The VL70-m is hard to find in stock, so it has to be ordered and that took several weeks. I shyed away from the additional cost of the BC-3, so when I decided to get that (VL70-m is simply no fun without it), I had to wait another 3 weeks. I would recommend buying the BC-3 with the VL70-m. Frankly, I don't know why it doesn't come shipped with one, it's that important. I guess they figure mostly Wind Controller users are going to buy the VL70-m. I just couldn't pass it up for the price, having previously had an opportunity to play and hear the VL-1 keyboard, which was MUCH more expensive and much less expansive. I could only wish it was a little easier to midi implement. It seems the developer really overlooked its value to the small midi studio musician, not adept at playing a Wind Controller. As I said, put a VL70-m track on top of a completed midi track and it's like you hired a real sax/flute/trumpet player to your session! I defy the uninformed listener to detect there isn't a real player on the recording.