SX600 Midi files. What can I do with them?

[RalphB]

Hi'
On the basis that the "the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask", I'm looking for some basic pointers.
I have an SX600 and starting from scratch in terms of keyboard playing but I'm reasonably OK with software.
Having said that, I'm studying hard to work out the world of Yamaha music software so my question is really in the title.

Can I manipulate/convert a Midi file to a Style file?
If not, I have my answer.

If yes, what software to use?

Or am I trying to equate oranges and apples?

Whatever you guys fire back at me I'll be learning something which can only be good.

[Toril S]

Hello If you are starting from scratch with keyboard playing I would not start with Converting MIDI files. Listen to all the styles you have on the keyboard. Find a style that you like, maybe a song comes to mind when you hear it. Now select a voice you like. Then try to play the melody along with the style. Find out what chords you need to use to make the song sound rignt. Do you read music? In that case use a lead sheet. If not, listen to the song you want to learn on for instance Spotify, and then play along until you know it.

[Fred Smith]

I've played the piano for 60 years, and Yamaha keyboards for 20. I still haven't got into manipulating style files. Too complicated for me, and I don't have any problem with technology.

As Toril said, I'd start with styles. It's a lot easier to find a file that fits the song you want to play.

Cheers,
Fred

[aprilla]

There are a few softwares you can use to make styles from a midi file so the answer isn't 'no'....  it takes some learning to make really good styles, but it's not too hard to just "make a style"....  Try Midi2Style from http://www.jososoft.dk/yamaha/software/software.htm, and there's another program I'd like to mention but can't think of its name at the moment. No doubt someone will list them later. Anyway, there are options if you want to learn and to try it out. Have fun

[mikf]

Making good styles is an art form that requires more than just the technical knowledge of how to manipulate the style creation , whether internal, externa softwarel or a combination. It also requires real musical knowledge of arranging, maybe the most complex thing in music, and my guess is well beyond your capability at this stage. Most people new to keyboard playing never get to this level, some learn how to competently edit existing styles to customize them, but it takes a lot of expertise to fully create them, and honestly best left to a very select few.
I am echoing the advice you have already had here, but don't make make the mistake of treating this like a computer and learning software tricks. It's a musical instrument. Learn to play it.

Mike
PS - Ralph I lived just outside Bathgate for several years. Used to play piano on a Saturday night in the West Port Tavern. This was in the 1960s.

[aprilla]

RalphB you will find some more info on making styles from midi files here
https://www.psrtutorial.com/forum/index.php?topic=46552.0 and an old list of softwares to use here http://www.synthzone.com/midiaccomp.htm though I'd guess many of them don't exist any longer.
There used to be a lot of great info here on this subject, such a pity it's all lost.

I've only just returned to my PSR after a break of too many years, but back then I was playing with style making, mostly from midis. I did learn a lot but also came to realise while I'm pretty technical I'm not going to make the most sought after styles, even I didn't want them usually (sigh) .... but I did have some fun and learned a lot from so many generous people. You might find you have a talent for it - I hope so!

[MaurizioRoma]

Ciao,

Sottoscrivo in pieno i consigli che ti hanno fornito gli amici che ti hanno risposto... ho la tua stessa tastiera e sono al tuo stesso livello nella pratica come esecutore, ma dissento parzialmente dal timore verso la creazione di styles personali. Mi sono trovato nella tua medesima situazione ma essendo cocciuto e anche parecchio, ho acquistato Style magic YA per una cinquantina di Euro e sono in grado di creare style e song style di una certa qualità... Tutto sta a "capire" la logica di funzionamento. Certo ci sono brani troppo ostici e atipici che non potranno mai essere l'origine per uno style ne tanto meno per un song style.

Quindi, scegliti per iniziare un brano semplice, 4/4 magari già in DO (C per gli anglosassoni). Un POP lineare dove sia facile individuare la parte iniziale (Intro), due o tre parti per i MAIN con presenza di voci (strumenti) in modo crescente, due o tre "rullate" di batteria per i FILL IN e un paio di blocchi finali per gli Ending.

Intro e Ending lasciali come sono mentre i Main portali rigorosamente in CMaj e fai qualche prova... La pratica e le delusioni non mancheranno. P.S. Tieni i volumi bassi altrimenti quando poi userai lo style sulla SX 600 saranno troppo alti... 

Buon lavoro e tanta, ma tanta, ostinazione.

Ciao.
Hello,

I fully subscribe to the advice given by friends who answered you ... I have the same keyboard as you and I am on the same level in practice as a performer, but I partially disagree with the fear of creating personal styles. I found myself in the same situation as you but being stubborn and also quite a lot, I bought Style magic YA for about fifty Euros and I am able to create styles and song styles of a certain quality ... It all depends on "understanding" the logic of operation. Of course there are songs that are too difficult and atypical that can never be the origin for a style, much less for a song style.

So, choose to start a simple piece, 4/4 maybe already in C (C for Anglo-Saxons). A linear POP where it is easy to identify the initial part (Intro), two or three parts for the MAIN with the presence of voices (instruments) in an increasing way, two or three "rolls" of drums for the FILL INs and a couple of final blocks for Ending.

Intro and Ending leave them as they are while the Main port them strictly in CMaj and do some tests ... Practice and disappointments will not fail. P.S. Keep the volumes low otherwise when you use the style on the SX 600 they will be too high ... If you need help email me.
Good work and a lot, but a lot, obstinacy.

Hello.
Translation: Ed B

[mikf]

This is an English forum, please post in English.
Mike