Yamaha QX5-FD

Digital sequence recorder

Yamaha QX5-FD sequencer midi floppy
Buy one (0 on sale)

1988 (July)
Initially sold for ¥89,800

The QX5-FD is an 8 track MIDI sequencer with extensive editing functions and a built-in 3.5" floppy disk drive.

Essentially it's a QX5 with a floppy disk drive and a very comfortable rotary dial (the one also found on the QX3) in a bigger shell. Same exact quirks and features.

Features

  • Tracks & Macros: 8 tracks and 32 macros give you great versatility in your composing and arranging. Tracks can be given a one-character label to help you remember the contents.
  • Memory Capacity: you can record approximately 20,000 notes (15,000 when recording velocity data). Recording controller data (Aftertouch, etc.) will also use memory.
  • Disk Drive: song data can be saved to and loaded from the built-in 3.5" floppy disk, wither as an entire song, as individual tracks, or just the setup used in a song.
  • Data Entry Dial: the front panel dial can be used for speedy entry of data, position, or settings.
  • Relative Tempo: tempo changes can be inserted at any point.
  • 3 Position Memories: three measure positions can be stored and jumped to at the touch of a switch.
  • Locate: recording and playback can be set to automatically begin from a certain measure.
  • Punch In/Out Recording: you can set recording to begin and end at specified measures.
  • Step Recording: a MIDI keyboard and the QX5FD panel switches can be used to enter complex phrases note by note.
  • Unlimited Editing: recorded data can be edited by track, measure or event.
  • MIDI re-channelizing: each incoming and outgoing channel of MIDI messages can be independently reassigned to a different channel.
  • Tape Sync: an FSK tape sync signal can be recorded on tape to synchronize the QX5FD with a multitrack recorder.
  • Backlit LCD: the two-line 16-character LCD is backlit for easy visibility even in dim lighting.
QX5-FD on After Touch
QX5-FD on After Touch
Another shot from After Touch
Another shot from After Touch

Technical
specifications

Memory capacity

Internal: 20,000 notes (15,000 notes with velocity)

Maximum simultaneous notes

32

Disk drives

3.5 inches floppy disk drive

Connection terminals and interfaces

Click OUT
Foot switch
Tape sync IN, Tape sync OUT
MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, MIDI THRU

Dimensions and weight

350w x 300h x 75d (mm) / 13-3/4" x 11-3/4" x 3"
3Kg / 6lb. 10oz.