Style Conversion

[mezzoman]

Hello everyone! 
I've done three test conversions of Roland BK-9 factory styles with Style Works (latest version). I watched some Youtube videos demonstrating these styles, and after the conversion I realized that with a bit of re-editing I could get pretty good results. It would be no harder than what I did with the Thomann styles, so I gave it a try. I liked the end result, so I've uploaded it for you guys to try. The styles are in SFF1, in two versions. The first one is the post-conversion version (Basic), the second one is the post-editing version (Final).
Here is the link:

(Update: September 20.
I deleted the file, and started converting styles.)

What do you think?

[Gunnar Jonny]

Thank you!
I've downloaded the file, and will try it during the weekend. I have BK-9 as well, so it's posible to compare.
That said, it's not nessesary to get it 'soundalike' the BK as long as you manage to make it sound and work OK at the keyboard and for the purpose it's ment to be used. 

[Amwilburn]

Awesome! Thanks so much, Mezzo,

I'll compare them to the BK9 (from memory)

Mark

[Graham UK]

mezzoman51. Recently played these Roland styles on my DGX670 and they are good and have been well balanced.
Interested in the Ballads if they become available...Appreciated.

[mezzoman]

Graham UK: Thank you for the positive feedback. 
Yes, there are ballads too, I have the full style collection, and even the missing styles from the BK-7m, and also from the BK-5.
If I get more good feedback on the trial styles, I think I'll do the rest, too.

[Amwilburn]

Well, of course they don't sound quite like the originals, as Yamaha no longer has drum kits that sound like the Roland ones (although the backing is spot on; the 1st one (70's Groove) has been programmed a bit louder than the Yamaha standard, but 80's pop basic fits right in.)

If wonder if you select the GS drums as the kit, would you even have to remap the drums? Great job, and although not the same as the BK backing units due to the wildly different drum samples, the styles still sound great (esp when using the newer Revo kits)

Mark

[mezzoman]

Mark: Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. 
I know neither style will sound like on a Roland keyboard, Yamaha doesn't have the right voices and drum kits.
Still (sure because of the GM standard), there are many matches in the instruments of the two manufacturers.
The drum kits are very different, the Roland has a lot more drum sounds within one drum kit, which makes it difficult to convert.
Unfortunately, this cannot be set, the StyleWorks does not allow it. All I can do is that after conversion, considering Youtube demos,
I try to edit the style to make it look a bit like the original. I have no other ideas.

[BogdanH]

...All I can do is that after conversion, considering Youtube demos, I try to edit the style to make it look a bit like the original...

.. and so I come to conclusion (again): it doesn't make much sense trying to convert A-brand style to B-brand style -it's just too much work and rarely sounds as intended. Ok, maybe if there's a unique style that I just "must have" or for learning purpose.

Just thinking aloud here,
Bogdan

[Amwilburn]

.. and so I come to conclusion (again): it doesn't make much sense trying to convert A-brand style to B-brand style -it's just too much work and rarely sounds as intended. Ok, maybe if there's a unique style that I just "must have" or for learning purpose.

Just thinking aloud here,
Bogdan

It's not a complete waste; no Yamaha doesn't have any kits on board that will make the styles sound like they originally did on Roland, and it's been a while since I've played with a BK unit (10 years or so) but I still remember the first style was perfect for Sinatra's "My Way" and yes, I'd love to have that for Yamaha. Plus even though it doesn't sound exactly the same, it's still a pretty decent sounding style*

*until you listen to the poor acoustic guitar programming (Roland never went into "Megavoice(" tech (yes, Korg did!) so to this day, the newest Roland arrangers like the EX50 and the FPE50, contain some *great* styles (even with only 2 main variations), but whenever they put acoustic guitar in, especially strummed... you understand why Yamaha and Korg use megavoice (DNC on Korg, even with the same highest notes being different down stroke/ upstrokes)

But Roland has some great "Standard and Oldies", rock, Hip hop and modern dance beats

If anybody knew how to grab the styles off the 2 aformentioned boards, I would do it and send to Mezzo to get some new Yamaha beats!

Mark

[BogdanH]

hi Mark,
I'm not familiar with Roland keyboards (except knowing they have good reputation among pro players). But yes, as I said, if there's a "must have" style, then no effort is too big 
It's interesting that you mentioned Roland EX50... Did you know that this keyboard is actually made by chinese Medeli and Roland just rebranded it? (see Youtube review) -just thought I mention that 

Bogdan

[Amwilburn]

No I didn't know that; I often have to take what that guy says with a grain of salt, especially since: when medeli sells to other brands, they usually repaint, they don't change the molds or anything. THey've sold Alesis kits that were Medeli (but they were identical to the original model number). I could *not* find any equivalent model. However, the drum samples on the EX50 sound like Yamaha (PSR3000 era) drums, not Roland ones, so there is some probably truth there, since the Medeli AKX10 also sounds a bit like a PSR3000 (from the demos).

We used to carry Medeli, so I would've been able to verify one way or the other, but alas not anymore. Interestingly, the drums and instrument sounds on the FPe50 sound like Roland, but the same beat on the EX50 does *not*. So ironically, if we can get the styles off the ex50, they'll require less massaging...

[BogdanH]

Yes, I'm sometimes sceptic on his claims too.. but there's a proof at the end of the video. I assume Roland "bough" that keyboard from Medeli for exclusive use. I mean, that's ok.. except it makes keyboard more expensive (brand effect). On the other hand, it also means Medeli is not some "china crap" company... well, things change.

[mezzoman]

But Roland has some great "Standard and Oldies", rock, Hip hop and modern dance beats
If anybody knew how to grab the styles off the 2 aformentioned boards, I would do it and send to Mezzo to get some new Yamaha beats!

Thank you Mark, I actually think so too. 
There are a lot of styles of Roland that I'd really like to hear on a Yamaha. I wasn't happy with the old conversions, so I thought I'd do it myself.
And I don't feel like a waste of time because what I'm doing can be useful to other forum members. For example, the Thomann styles.
They didn't sound like the real Yamaha styles, but they had two advantages over Roland. The drum kits were almost identical to Yamaha's,
and they had MegaVoice-like sounds. The Roland lacks these, it's definitely a negative, but due to realistic and sophisticated programming,
I think it's worth the time.

[Patrick]

Hi Mezzo, i tried your styles on the SX900; they're very good and i like the drums; so it's a very good plus for us to have new styles on the KB. I've added OTS from the SX900 on the styles and it's perfect; thanks again for the nices styles and all your work; all the best Patrick 

[mezzoman]

Hi Patrick, thank you for your feedback, it's good to know that someone else likes what I do. 
Yes, since Yamaha took a break for PSR/Genos, there have been no quality new styles since then.
Therefore, I try to make the most of these converted styles. The way these styles are now sounded was just a trial setup, in the later ones,
I plan to say, they will sound a lot more serious. All the best to you too. Mezzo

[mezzoman]

Well, I have good news. 
After long trials and tests, the final versions of the first styles were created.
I deleted the trial styles, they are no longer needed. I will soon make the new styles available to everyone.
Sincerely, Mezzo.