Using a Midi controller with PSR-S keyboards

[daleSP]

My research indicates that it is much easier to use a Midi controller with the Tyros or Genos keyboard since they have support for Midi messages affecting the keyboard functions (e.g., start/stop, changing variations, fills etc). These keyboards have a "Midi Control" option in the Midi menu which basically translates Midi messages into keyboard actions.

Unfortunately, the PSR-S keyboards do not have this "Midi Control" option which makes it difficult to send Midi messages such as Control Change(CC) messages to affect these keyboard actions.

Any members successful in using a Midi controller (e.g., FCB1010 pedal controller etc.) with a PSR-S (not Tyros nor Genos) type of keyboard ? If so, what is the controller used for and what kind of Midi messages are used ?

Thanks

[voodoo]

Hi Dale,

yes, you are right. The PSR keyboards do not have a function to translate midi messages (Note-on or Control-change) to internal keyboard action. So you cannot use the Yamaha MFC10 oder Behringer FCB1010 this way.

However, the Yamaha MFC10 can be programmed to send Yamaha Sy*** commands for section control. So you can use the MFC10 to change variations etc.

Uli

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[daleSP]

Hi Uli .... Thanks for the information and confirmation.

Looks like I will have to put some sort of a Midi translator capability between my FCB1010 and my SX900 to generate the appropriate Sy*** messages needed by the keyboard.

It seems a shame that in 2019/2020 that this "Midi Control" option (of the Tyros and Genos keyboards) is still missing from the PSR S keyboards, especially the SX900 - given the wealth of other differentiation features between theses 2 lines of keyboards, I.e, PSR S vs Tyros/Genos.

I can only hope that Yamaha will see fit to bring this capability to the SX900 keyboards via a firmware update although I cannot hold my breath that long   

[voodoo]

It seems a shame that in 2019/2020 that this "Midi Control" option (of the Tyros and Genos keyboards) is still missing from the PSR S keyboards, especially the SX900 - given the wealth of other differentiation features between theses 2 lines of keyboards, I.e, PSR S vs Tyros/Genos.

I completely agree. Manufacturers like Yamaha or Sony (for dlsr cameras) often make artificial software limitations to smaller models just for price politics. This is really annoying. Other Brands like Korg or Canon usually give even the smaller models the complete software possibilities.

Uli

[Tyros5Mad]

This very annoying for me especially since my Midi Maker software uses midi control as well as sy*** messages. Midi control is so much simpler. You can control registrations so that packs enormous power into a single command since registrations can save so many keyboard.settings. It is also strange that the later PSRs do not have external control support because the PSR 9000 and 9000 pro supported an MFC10 controller.

Using sy*** commands is clumsy. I know that selecting a style can be done via sy*** as long as you know the style number. Yamaha does not supply this info.

Start/Stop  and Vocal harmony on off can be also be controlled via sy***. These are at least common messages.

Start = F0 43 60 7A
Stop = F0 43 60 7D

VH On = F0 43 10 4C 04 00 0C 40
VH Off = F0 43 10 4C 04 00 0C 7F

And that's about all. You cannot send sy*** commands to select registrations or multipads as far as I know so these have to be done manually.

Richard

[daleSP]

Hi Richard ...

Sy*** can be used to select registrations in the Genos and the SX keyboards.

I believe that selecting registrations in older keyboards was done using some form of MSB/LSB/PC mechanism.

I don't know if sy*** can be used to select multi-pads. It's not something I have investigated.

Here is some info on how to select registrations using sy*** ... https://zubersoft.com/mobilesheets/forum/showthread.php?tid=4327

[Tyros5Mad]

I should add that you can use sy*** messages to select sections - variations, fills, intros and endings. You can also send chord info via sy*** messages. Midi Maker uses sy*** messages to control these features so these should work on all keyboards.

However there are lots more that can be selected via an external controller, if supported (Tyros/Genos).

Regards,
Richard

[joner77778899]

Just found!
Is there  way of using the LH hold on a sx900 using a M Audio 61 midi board.
I'm using a midi cable and USB for power from the 900.
I got most left hand functions working on the maudio but not the LH hold.
Thanks

[overover]

Just found!
Is there  way of using the LH hold on a sx900 using a M Audio 61 midi board.
I'm using a midi cable and USB for power from the 900.
I got most left hand functions working on the maudio but not the LH hold.
Thanks

Hi joner,

You are probably controlling the SX900's Left part directly with the M-Audio. In this case, to my knowledge, LEFT HOLD is not available.

To use the LEFT HOLD function, you would need to use/create a User MIDI template where the MIDI channel used in connection with the M-Audio (e.g. Receive > Port 1 / Channel 1) is routed to the Part "Keyboard". The external keyboard then behaves exactly like the SX900's internal keyboard (including split points) and you should be able to use the LEFT HOLD function.


Hope this helps!

Best regards,
Chris

[Lazarselva]

Can we control style fill in sx900 using midi control?

[overover]

Can we control style fill in sx900 using midi control?

Hi Lazarselva,

Unfortunately there is no "External Controller" tab in the SX900 MIDI Settings (like on Genos models). The "MFC10 method" (external MIDI control via Note On commands), already known from Tyros models, is therefore not available on the SX900.

However, the Style Sections can be controlled via external Sy*** commands (e.g. from a MIDI controller that can send Sy*** or from a computer or tablet with a suitable program/app).

You can find the corresponding Sy*** in the section "System Exclusive Messages (Style) > Section Control" on page 116 in the SX900 Data List.

If you don't have the Data List manual yet, you can download it here:
>>> https://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/keyboards/arranger_workstations/psr-sx900/downloads.html


Hope this helps!

Best regards,
Chris

[Lazarselva]

I have midi controller, Which software i can send midi messages to pc then pc to keyboard?