Yamaha SU10 User Manual (English)

Questions and Answers:

C
Courtney DiazAug 21, 2025
What to do if Yamaha Recording Equipment sound is distorted?
- L
  Lisa TorresAug 21, 2025
  If the sound from your Yamaha Recording Equipment is distorted: * Lower the digital volume by pressing [–1] if the replay volume is exceeding the clip level. Note that reducing the level with the volume slider will not correct this problem. * If the volume exceeded the clip level at the time of recording, refer to page 33. * If using resonance during FILTER play, try reducing the resonance level. * If the batteries are low, replace them or connect a PA-3B or PA-1B power adaptor.
B
Brian GonzalezAug 23, 2025
How to increase recording time on Yamaha SU10 Recording Equipment?
- S
  Samuel DavisAug 23, 2025
  To increase the available recording time on your Yamaha Recording Equipment: * Reduce the sampling grade. (Refer to page 33 of the manual.) * Set the Pitch lower. (Refer to page 34 of the manual.) * Use mono recording instead of stereo. (Refer to page 34 of the manual.) * Compact all pads. (Refer to page 52 of the manual.) * Delete one or more pads. (Refer to page 53 or 64 of the manual.)
S
sherrymejiaAug 26, 2025
Why can't I play samples together on Yamaha Recording Equipment?
- N
  nathan45Aug 26, 2025
  If your Yamaha Recording Equipment won’t play samples together: * The polyphony may be too low. Using HI grade or SCALE, SCRATCH, FILTER, or other special play features reduces polyphony. Remember that a stereo sample counts as two sounds. See page 26 for more information. * Check the samples’ alternate-group settings. Samples in the same group cannot play together. See page 44 for details.
K
Katherine AnthonyAug 28, 2025
How to fix Yamaha SU10 when it cannot record?
- B
  Brian MedinaAug 28, 2025
  If you cannot record on your Yamaha Recording Equipment: * Ensure that the LINE IN or MIC INPUT is connected correctly. * Verify that you have selected the correct input source. The selected source (displayed on the LCD) must match the actual source (microphone or line). If necessary, go to RECORDING or UTILITY mode and change the Input recording parameter (see page 34 or 56).
C
Cassidy MooreAug 30, 2025
What to do if Yamaha Recording Equipment SU10 cannot drive an external device?
- J
  James Brown MDAug 30, 2025
  If your Yamaha Recording Equipment SU10 cannot drive or be driven by an external device: * Check that the MIDI channel setting on the SU10 and the external device match. (See page 56 for details.) * Check the MIDI Note Number settings: * If you have cleared the Note Table, all note number settings have been deleted. You must reassign note numbers to enable pads to drive and be driven. (See pages 45, 57). * Check that note number assignments correspond to notes assignments on the external device. * Remember that note numbers are different during SCALE play. (See page 20)
J
jessicafosterSep 1, 2025
Why Yamaha SU10 Recording Equipment recording begins too soon?
- L
  Lisa AyersSep 2, 2025
  If recording on your Yamaha Recording Equipment begins too soon or too late, the Recording Trigger (RecTrg) setting may be inappropriate. Check and adjust it as necessary. RecTrg is a recording parameter and can be set from either REC or UTIL mode. See page 34 or 56 for more information.
A
ana80Sep 4, 2025
Why MIDI input does not drive Yamaha Recording Equipment SU10 sound as expected?
- V
  Veronica ShermanSep 4, 2025
  If the MIDI input isn't driving the Yamaha Recording Equipment SU10 sound as expected: * Check the sounding-mode (SdMode) settings for each sample. (See page 43.) * Check the MIDI Note Number settings.
S
scott30Sep 6, 2025
What does 'Change Grd!' message mean on Yamaha Recording Equipment?
- M
  Michael TaylorSep 6, 2025
  If the 'Change Grd!' message appears on your Yamaha Recording Equipment, it means certain play features are unavailable while the sampling grade is set to HI or STD. Correct this by going to the Rec utility and changing the Grade setting accordingly. See page 26 for more details.
K
Kimberly BondSep 8, 2025
How to recover demos on Yamaha Recording Equipment?
- A
  Andrea AtkinsonSep 8, 2025
  If you cannot play demos on your Yamaha Recording Equipment, you may have erased them. Unless you stored them to an external device via MIDI dump, they are gone forever. However, you can easily create your own samples and songs.
D
Danny BallardSep 12, 2025
What to do if Yamaha Recording Equipment cannot receive bulk dump?
- J
  John RamseySep 12, 2025
  If your Yamaha Recording Equipment cannot receive a bulk dump: * Check the MIDI Device No. setting (the DevNum parameter in the MIDI utility). See page 56 for details. * If the LCD displays the message Wrong Data!, there is a problem with the data at the sending side. Bulk receive is impossible in this case.

Yamaha SU10 Specifications

General

Polyphony	8 voices
Sampling Rate	32 kHz
Sampling Resolution	16-bit
MIDI	In, Out
Display	LCD
Power	6 x AA batteries or AC adapter
Type	Sampler
Outputs	Line Out, Headphones
Effects	Filter
Weight	450 g (without batteries)
Inputs	Line In

Summary

About This Manual

Notations

Explains document conventions, button labeling, and icons used.

Precautions

Basic Concepts

What is the SU10?

Provides a concise overview of the SU10's features and purpose.

Operating Modes

Details the four main operating modes: PLAY, REC, EDIT, and UTIL.

Samples

Explains what samples are and how they are stored in the SU10.

How a Sample is Made

Describes the process of converting analog signals into digital samples.

Banks and Pads

Explains the organization of samples into banks and pads.

External Modes

Introduces modes independent of sampling for live performance effects.

Songs

Describes the song sequencing feature for arranging sample playback.

MIDI

Covers MIDI capabilities for data transfer and remote control.

Controls, Connectors, and LCD

Top Panel

Details the layout and function of the SU10's top panel controls and display.

Rear Panel

Describes the connectors and switches located on the rear of the unit.

Right Side

Covers controls and jacks on the right side of the SU10.

Screen Display

Explains the various sections and indicators of the SU10's LCD screen.

Supplying Power and Connecting Up

Supplying Power

Explains how to power the SU10 using an AC adaptor or batteries.

Batteries

Instructions for inserting and replacing batteries in the SU10.

Connecting Up the SU10

Illustrates typical audio and MIDI connection setups for the SU10.

Playback

Preparation

Steps required before playing samples or songs, including connections and mode selection.

Basic Sample Playback

How to replay individual samples by selecting banks and pads.

Special Play Features I

Introduces features like HOLD for continuous or extended sample playback.

REVERSE

How to play samples backwards for a reversed sound effect.

SCALE

Enables playing a sample at multiple pitches using the pads.

Special Features II: Ribbon Controller

Details the distinctive ribbon controller and its applications.

Pitch Play

Using the ribbon controller to dynamically change sample pitch.

Filter Play

Using the ribbon to dynamically control filter cutoff frequency.

Scratchpad

Simulating DJ scratch effects using the ribbon controller.

Crossfade

Mixing sample playback with realtime audio input using the ribbon.

Recording Samples, and Creating Songs

Sample Recording Overview

Outlines the steps involved in recording new samples onto the SU10.

Entering REC Mode and Selecting the Pad

How to enter recording mode and choose a destination pad for a sample.

Setting the Recording Parameters

Explains how to adjust parameters like Gain, Grade, and Format before recording.

Creating Songs

Describes the process of recording sequences of pad and button actions into songs.

Creating Effective Songs

Provides tips and precautions for designing better song performances.

Editing

Introduction

Introduces the various ways to edit samples for playback control.

Editing Functions

Lists the available parameter-setting and operation-based editing functions.

Basic Procedure

Outlines the general steps for entering EDIT mode and selecting a sample to edit.

LOOP MODE [LpMode]

Sets the playback direction and loop method for samples.

SOUNDING MODE [SdMode]

Determines how samples are triggered and whether they loop.

PAD VOLUME [PadVol]

Adjusts the relative volume of individual samples.

ALTERNATE GROUP [AltGrp]

Assigns samples to groups that prevent them from playing simultaneously.

MIDI NOTE NUMBER [Note#]

Selects the MIDI note number assigned to a pad for external control.

START POINT [StPnt]

Sets the playback start point for a sample.

LOOP POINT [LpPnt]

Sets the start point of the loop segment within a sample.

END POINT [EdPnt]

Sets the playback end point for a sample.

COPY [CopyTo ?]

Function to copy sample content to another pad.

MOVE [MoveTo ?]

Function to move sample content to a different pad.

SPLIT [SpltTo ?]

Divides a sample into two parts on different pads.

COMPACT [Compct ?]

Removes leading/trailing data to free memory, cannot be undone.

DELETE [Delete ?]

Removes a sample entirely from memory.

UTILITY Mode

Introduction

Introduces the UTILITY mode for system settings and MIDI operations.

General Procedure

Explains how to enter and navigate the UTILITY menu and its sub-utilities.

Recording Setup [Rec]

Allows pre-setting recording parameters like Grade, Pitch, and Input Source.

MIDI Setup [MIDI]

Configures MIDI channel, device number, and other MIDI-related settings.

MIDI Channel [MIDICH]

Sets the MIDI channel for communication.

MIDI Device Number [DevNum]

Sets the SU10's device number for system exclusive messages.

Local Control [Local]

Selects whether the SU10 pads control SU10 playback or are controlled externally.

Ribbon Number [RbnNum]

Assigns a controller number to the ribbon for external control.

Initialize Note Table [NoteTbInit?]

Reinitializes MIDI note-number assignments for pads.

Clear Note Table [NoteTbClr?]

Deletes all MIDI note-number assignments.

Bulk Dump [Bulk]

Utility for backing up SU10 data to or loading from an external device.

Sending [Dump Send?]

Sends a bulk dump of SU10 data to an external device.

Interval [Intrvl]

Assigns the packet interval for bulk-dump transmissions.

Sample Dump

Dumps individual samples in MIDI Sample Dump Standard format.

Song Deletion [Song]

Allows deletion of selected songs from memory.

Lock [Lock]

Protects banks or songs from accidental editing or deletion.

Initialize [Init]

Resets the system by deleting all data or resetting parameters to defaults.

Error and Warning Messages

Warning messages

Lists and explains common warning messages encountered during operation.

MIDI Errors

Describes potential errors related to MIDI communication and data transfer.

Memory-Related Errors

Explains issues arising from problems with the SU10's internal memory.

Specifications

Main Specifications

Provides an overview of the SU10's key features and capabilities.

Display

Describes the SU10's custom LCD screen.

Panel

Lists the physical controls and components on the SU10's panel.

Connectors

Details the types and functions of all input and output connectors.

Output level

Specifies the output signal levels for LINE OUT and PHONES.

Input level

Specifies the input signal levels for LINE and MIC.

Power

Details the power sources, including AC adaptor and batteries.

Dimensions

Specifies the physical size of the SU10 unit.

Weight

States the weight of the SU10 unit.

Included accessories

Lists the items included with the SU10, such as the manual and CDs.

Related product manuals

Yamaha SU10 User Manual

Table of Contents

Questions and Answers:

Yamaha SU10 Specifications

Summary

About This Manual

Notations

Precautions

Basic Concepts

What is the SU10?

Operating Modes

Samples

How a Sample is Made

Banks and Pads

External Modes

Songs

MIDI

Controls, Connectors, and LCD

Top Panel

Rear Panel

Right Side

Screen Display

Supplying Power and Connecting Up

Supplying Power

Batteries

Connecting Up the SU10

Playback

Preparation

Basic Sample Playback

Special Play Features I

REVERSE

SCALE

Special Features II: Ribbon Controller

Pitch Play

Filter Play

Scratchpad

Crossfade

Recording Samples, and Creating Songs

Sample Recording Overview

Entering REC Mode and Selecting the Pad

Setting the Recording Parameters

Creating Songs

Creating Effective Songs

Editing

Introduction

Editing Functions

Basic Procedure

LOOP MODE [LpMode]

SOUNDING MODE [SdMode]

PAD VOLUME [PadVol]

ALTERNATE GROUP [AltGrp]

MIDI NOTE NUMBER [Note#]

START POINT [StPnt]

LOOP POINT [LpPnt]

END POINT [EdPnt]

COPY [CopyTo ?]

MOVE [MoveTo ?]

SPLIT [SpltTo ?]

COMPACT [Compct ?]

DELETE [Delete ?]

UTILITY Mode

Introduction

General Procedure

Recording Setup [Rec]

MIDI Setup [MIDI]

MIDI Channel [MIDICH]

MIDI Device Number [DevNum]

Local Control [Local]

Ribbon Number [RbnNum]

Initialize Note Table [NoteTbInit?]

Clear Note Table [NoteTbClr?]

Bulk Dump [Bulk]

Sending [Dump Send?]

Interval [Intrvl]

Sample Dump

Song Deletion [Song]

Lock [Lock]

Initialize [Init]

Error and Warning Messages

Warning messages