Yamaha's Software Synthesizer to Take Advantage of MMX Technology
January 16, 1997
Yamaha Corporation's new S-YXG50C(TM) software
wavetable synthesizer, which combines the full functionality of Yamaha's XG(TM) synthesizer
technology with Intel's powerful new MMX technology, was announced today by Yamaha Systems
Technology Inc. of San Jose, California.
"This combination will allow users to experience a high quality XG synthesizer, yet have enough
processor power to simultaneously perform additional advanced multimedia tasks," said Tim
Lavelle, Yamaha Audio Product Manager.
The S-YXG50C can be used with any audio CODEC, including Yamaha's. The product bundle will
include Yamaha's "MIDI Studio" application with several MIDI files plus MIDPLUG(TM), Yamaha's
Netscape Navigator plug-in that provides music playback capability from Web sites with MIDI
scores.
Such high quality software synthesis is not possible in machines without MMX technology.
Standard microprocessors are not optimized for digital signal processing (DSP), so a
software-based synthesizer can monopolize over 70 percent of a processor's bandwidth to play the
music.
In addition to the features of a standard software wavetable synthesizer, such as 16-bit audio and
32-note polyphony, Intel's MMX technology also enables the features that set S-YXG50C apart,
such as the additional digital filters and effects and the ability to play back at a CD quality 44.1
KHz sampling rate.
Some of the benefits to users and developers using the S-YXG50C include:
1) Three independent effects channels -- reverb, chorus, and distortion, which
can simultaneously have different settings;
2) Scalable architecture to enable users to choose when to use the range of
features for the most effective balance of music performance and processor
utilization; and
3) The lowest latency running under Windows, which is guaranteed by
Yamaha's S-YXG50C using the Microsoft WIN32 Driver Model.
"We are excited that Yamaha has designed its new S-YXG50C software synthesizer for Intel's
MMX technology," said R. Victor Varney, Director of Marketing for Intel's MMX technology. "The
high quality XG MIDI music this new synthesizer delivers is truly remarkable and an example of
how PCs based on Pentium processors with MMX technology will provide consumers with a far
richer experience from their multimedia software. "
Yamaha plans to bundle the S-YXG50C in selected MMX-enabled PC systems beginning in the first
quarter of 1997. Currently, no plans for retail distribution have been disclosed.
Yamaha Systems Technology Inc. was founded to manufacture and market integrated circuits,
board level products and complete systems to OEMs and distributors. The product line includes
multimedia audio, graphics and communications products, as well as custom and semicustom
ASICs, and CD recorder products. For more information, visit their web site at www.yamaha.com. | 
