Yoshimi is an

open-source Open source is source code that is made freely available for possible modification and redistribution. Products include permission to use the source code, design documents, or content of the product. The open-source model is a decentralized sof ...

software synthesizer A software synthesizer or softsynth is a computer program that generates digital audio, usually for music. Computer software that can create sounds or music is not new, but advances in processing speed now allow softsynths to accomplish the sam ...

for

Linux Linux ( or ) is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged as a Linux distribution, which ...

. It contains three synthesis engines, using

additive Additive may refer to: Mathematics * Additive function, a function in number theory * Additive map, a function that preserves the addition operation * Additive set-functionn see Sigma additivity * Additive category, a preadditive category with f ...

, subtractive and wavetable synthesis (AddSynth, SubSynth, and PADSynth, respectively). Any single

patch Patch or Patches may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * Patch Johnson, a fictional character from ''Days of Our Lives'' * Patch (''My Little Pony''), a toy * "Patches" (Dickey Lee song), 1962 * "Patches" (Chairmen of the Board song) ...

can use one or all. A kit mode allows a patch to have up to 16 of engine sets to support multi-layered sounds/drum kits. A complete setup or instance can contain anywhere from one to sixty-four patches. All signal generation is done by synthesis, without importing external samples. Yoshimi also has extensive FX capabilities, which can be applied at all levels, ranging from one synth engine to an entire setup. It is also

microtonal Microtonal music or microtonality is the use in music of microtones—intervals smaller than a semitone, also called "microintervals". It may also be extended to include any music using intervals not found in the customary Western tuning of tw ...

, and allows for custom scales to be defined. It was originally based on the 2.4.0 version of

ZynAddSubFX ZynAddSubFX (also now called Zyn-Fusion) is a free and open-source software synthesizer for Linux, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. As of version 3, the completely new user interface is being released under proprietary terms with an open-source-ev ...

. While full compatibility with ZynAddSubFX voice patches has been maintained, control and the user interface have deliberately diverged considerably.

Sound generation

Yoshimi combines several different methods of audio synthesis in order to create sounds:

additive synthesis Additive synthesis is a sound synthesis technique that creates timbre by adding sine waves together. The timbre of musical instruments can be considered in the light of Fourier series, Fourier theory to consist of multiple harmonic or inharmoni ...

by the ADDsynth engine,

subtractive synthesis Subtractive synthesis is a method of sound synthesis in which partials of an audio signal (often one rich in harmonics) are attenuated by a filter to alter the timbre of the sound. While subtractive synthesis can be applied to any source audio si ...

by the SUBsynth engine, and an algorithm original to Nasca Octavian Paul used to generate wavetables in the PADsynth engine. PADsynth wavetables can also be exported for use in sample players.

MIDI control

For both JACK and ALSA there is a single input port (although several sources can attach to it at the same time). At startup, Yoshimi can be instructed to choose between the two, and automatically look for a specific source and connect to it. If for some reason JACK or ALSA is not available it will try to connect to the other source. If neither can be found it will still run, giving one the chance to investigate the problem. There are three classes of multipatch configurations available, 16, 32, and 64 patches. When the 32-patch configuration is enabled one can choose pairs (between the two sets of 16) for realtime control changes (called vector control), and when 64-patch configuration is enabled one can do this in two dimensions, between four sets of patches.

Command Line

As of version 1.3.6, it has been possible to configure numerous features when launched from a terminal window, for example, system settings and bank lists, among others. Since version 1.5.9, it has been possible to edit the instrument patches themselves. With version 1.5.10, there is almost complete access.

Audio Out

When using ALSA for Audio, one stereo pair is available, but when using JACK, one can have one stereo pair plus one pair per active patch, up to 64. As with MIDI, Yoshimi can be instructed to choose between JACK and ALSA. Also, when running with ALSA it is possible for it to look for a specific sound card.

Functionality

Yoshimi can run as an LV2 plugin and is frequently tested on the most common hosts. In stand-alone mode it is also possible to run multiple instances, each with their independent sources and destinations, but sharing essential resources. Yoshimi also supports vector control via a MIDI two axis joystick, allowing up to four parts to be sounded together with varying mixes, panning etc. all determined in real-time by the joystick position. This can be configured over MIDI, by the command line or (since version 1.4.0) via the graphical interface. A useful development was the ability to swap active channels in order to get an instant sound change while retaining the fading notes of the previous sound. This was developed further in version 1.5.1 as 'Solo' accessed from the mixer panel. A major development was the implementation of MIDI-learn whereby you can 'teach' Yoshimi to link specific actions to any valid continuous controller. As of version 1.5.1, this includes learning

aftertouch Keyboard expression is the ability of a keyboard instrument, keyboard musical instrument to change tone or other qualities of the sound in response to velocity, pressure or other variations in how the performer depresses the keys of the musical k ...

and NRPNs. There is a Yoshimi-only file format (.xiy) that is a super-set of the standard type (.xiz). Users can save to either or both formats. The new format includes all the standard settings, but also all elements of 'Controllers' as these have been found to make a dramatic difference to the final sound. Their settings can be quite critical. Since version 2.0, all windows can be resized independently and their previous sizes and positions are stored. LFOs in the synth engines can now be in sync with the MIDI timecode. Version 2.1.0 expands on this with MIDI sync added to all effects where it is relevant, such as Echo delay time. Version 2.1.2 further refines the code, gives better relability for older MIDI- learn files and adds more details to the user guide. Version 2.2.0 has a major revision of the PadSynth engine giving more control and far better responsiveness.

Information

As well as a dedicated Yoshimi directory in 'doc' with much background information and The Short Yoshimi Guide as ODF, there is a Yoshimi User Guide directly accessible from the 'Yoshimi' drop-down menu. This is a lightweight HTML document but retains a link to the Advanced Reference Manual PDF. The latter is extremely comprehensive and currently runs to approximately 290 pages.

Support

Support is available from developers and users on the new Yoshimi email list.

References

External links

Yoshimi home page
Free audio software Free software programmed in C++ Software synthesizers for Linux Open source software synthesizers 2009 software Software that uses FLTK Audiovisual introductions in 2009