The Yamaha MU-series is a line of sound module

Sound module

A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a keyboard, for example. Sound modules have to be "played" using an externally connected device...

s built by Yamaha. All sound modules except MU5 support Yamaha XG. The sound modules were commonly used when computers had slower processors. The computer could send MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface

MIDI is an industry-standard protocol, first defined in 1982 by Gordon Hall, that enables electronic musical instruments , computers and other electronic equipment to communicate and synchronize with each other...

 commands to the sound module, acting as an external sound generation device. Later MU sound modules feature A/D inputs that allow direct input from microphones and guitars.

List of MU-series sound modules

Model	Year	Standards	Parts Part (music) 1) A part is a strand or melody of music played by an individual instrument or voice within a larger work. Parts may be referred to as an outer part or an inner part . Part-writing is the composition of parts in consideration of harmony and counterpoint...	Voices	Tones	Drumsets	Notes	References
Yamaha MU5	1994	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...	16	28	128	8	General MIDI voices only, no effects. Plastic case (7" x 4" x 1.5" (19 x 10 x 3.5 cm) with LCD display. To-Host serial RS232 38.4K baud input as well as MIDI. RS232 from the PC to the MU5 using the to-host cable is retransmitted as MIDI by the MU5. MIDI into the MU5 is converted to RS232 38.4Kbaud and sent out the to-host cable to the PC.
Yamaha MU10	1996	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	16	32	676	21	A beige plastic case (7" x 4" x 1.5" (19 x 10 x 3.5 cm) with -no- LCD display. Two AD input channels for guitar or microphone. Effects can be applied to the AD input channels. 12VDC (2.1mm, center pin positive jack) at @200 mA power. Headphone audio output. To-host cable and MIDI input. Users have to design and build their own microcontroller-based MIDI controllers with potentiometers in order to select and adjust the effects available in the MU10.
Yamaha MU15	1998	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	16	32	676	21	Similar to the MU5, but with XG support.
Yamaha MU50	1995	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	16	32	737	22	MU50 is the scaled-down version of the first XG module MU80. General MIDI, XG and supplemental voices. Effects included. AD input for guitar or microphone, but effects can NOT be applied to the AD input signal. Box metal chassis with backlit LCD display.
Yamaha MU80	1994	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	32	64	729	21	The first XG capable device. Effects included. AD input for guitar or microphone. Effects can be applied to the AD input signal. Box metal chassis with backlit LCD display.
Yamaha MU90	1996	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	32	64	779	30	An upgrade of MU80 featuring more instruments and drumsets.
Yamaha MU90R	1996	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	32	64	779	30	The Full-Rack Unit Version of MU90
Yamaha MU90B	1996	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	32	64	779	30
Yamaha MU100	1997	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	32	64	1267	46
Yamaha MU100R	1997	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	32	64	1267	46	The Full Rack Mount Version of MU100
Yamaha MU100B	1998	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	32	64	1267	46
Yamaha MU128	1998	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG	64	128	1342	47	Two AD inputs for guitar or microphone. Effects can be applied to the AD input signal. Box metal chassis with backlit LCD display. Expandable capabilities with expansion via up to 3 Yamaha PLG expansion cards.
Yamaha MU500		GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG GM2	64	64	1396	58	LED segment display for showing midi activity only. USB/Serial Port/MIDI connectors. Optical output. Has the MU1000/2000 soundmap, but omits some effects and does not have A/D inputs, PLG expansion board slots, or upgradable firmware.
Yamaha MU1000	1999	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG GM2	64	128	1396	58	Stripped down Version of MU2000. Lacks the built-in Sampler and Sequencer on the MU2000. No SmartMedia SmartMedia SmartMedia is a flash memory card standard owned by Toshiba, with capacities ranging from 2 MB to 128 MB. SmartMedia memory cards are no longer manufactured.- History :...  slot.
Yamaha MU1000EX	1999	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  GS Roland GS Roland GS, or just GS, sometimes expanded as General Standard or General Sound, is an extension of General MIDI specification. It requires that all GS-compatible equipment must meet a certain set of features and it documents interpretations of some MIDI commands and bytes sequences, thus defining...  XG GM2	64	128	1396	58	Firmware upgrade for the MU1000, adds full Roland GS Support and new effects.
Yamaha MU2000	1999	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  XG GM2	64	128	1396	58	Two AD inputs for guitar or microphone. Effects can be applied to the AD input signal. Box metal chassis with backlit LCD display. Optical digital output, USB and SmartMedia card slot. Built in sampler and sequencer. Includes optical out port (unlike previous MU-series modules), which is also carried over to the MU1000 and MU500.
Yamaha MU2000EX	1999	GM General MIDI General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...  GS Roland GS Roland GS, or just GS, sometimes expanded as General Standard or General Sound, is an extension of General MIDI specification. It requires that all GS-compatible equipment must meet a certain set of features and it documents interpretations of some MIDI commands and bytes sequences, thus defining...  XG GM2	64	128	1396	58	Firmware upgrade for the MU2000, adds full Roland GS Support and new effects.

External links

• Yamaha Manual Library
• Sealed's Deep Synthesis Page - MU10 Related Models