Advantages of Registration Files

[rattley]

Hello

I've owned Yamaha arrangers since the early days and stubbornly have mostly saved new and modified styles as styles. I've never understood why one would save styles as a registration. I'm sure I am missing something as I have brought this up on several occasions with the members who favor registrations. 

So please be patient with me and explain what I have missed all these years. I know I am stubborn but I also know I need that wool over my eyes removed!!  Thanks.  -charley

[Al Ram]

Charley
I believe there might be some confusion in terms . . . . Styles are used to accompany a song/melody . . . .

The way I use registrations is to set up a song/melody. The registration saves for me, tempo, key, style, and many other things.   So that when i want to play that particular melody i call up the registration previously saved and it instantly brings up to the keyboard all the saved things, such as the style, tempo, key, multipads, voices, etc.  This for me is particularly good when playing live, because you can play one melody after another one very quickly by just calling the corresponding registration previously saved by me.

Styles are saved as styles and registrations are saved as registrations, they are not the same.    A registration can call up a style but the style remains saved in his original location.  So the registration only points to the style wherever it is saved. 

I realize this is a very basic explanation and i am sure that other members here will provide a more substantial explanation.

But for now, hope this helps.

Have a great day.

[Fred Smith]

I use registrations because they are more powerful than styles/OTS.

Setting up the mic
Changing tempo
Transposition, both initially and throughout the song
Having more than four voice sets
Having the name of the registration be the name of the song
Displaying lyrics
Display the score

The two most important things to me are:
1. Registrations allow me to keep my fingers on the keys. I almost never remove my fingers from the keys, cause when I do I make mistakes.
2. The registration sequencer. The most underused feature on the keyboard, in my opinion.

Cheers,
Fred

[pjd]

Hello

I've owned Yamaha arrangers since the early days and stubbornly have mostly saved new and modified styles as styles. I've never understood why one would save styles as a registration. I'm sure I am missing something as I have brought this up on several occasions with the members who favor registrations. 

So please be patient with me and explain what I have missed all these years. I know I am stubborn but I also know I need that wool over my eyes removed!!  Thanks.  -charley

Hi Charley --

Styles and registrations are two kinds of containers or "bit buckets." Each kind of bucket holds data related to a specific arranger function.

Think of a Style as a type of MIDI file. (It actually is!) It holds all the notes and stuff needed to play an accompaniment.

A registration is another level up. It holds the major keyboard settings (like the voices assigned to RIGHT1, LEFT, etc.) that are need to play a song. One of those major settings is the name of the style to be used when playing the song.

Thus, multiple registrations can refer to (play) the same style! It's a case of "You know my name, look-up my number."

I know this seems terribly abstract, but it's the application of the old adage "everything in its place." 

Hope this helps -- pj

[Amwilburn]

This is my video for Pirates of the Caribbean (medley; I have an older one for the "Skull & Crossbones" theme as well)
https://youtu.be/UOSmEEX-5Ks

Like Fred said, I use them to setup the style, tempo, sounds (left and right hands, voices, fingering, as well as where the split point is. I constantly move it depending on the musical phrase) as well as which parts of the accompaniment are on or off are all from switching registrations (about 40 changes in total). PotC medley I use 4 distinctly different styles, and all 4 style variations of 3 of them (only 2 of ChoirSountrack) . You can't do that with a single style. I also do videos where I sing, not only different instruments with different tempos and styles, but also different vocal harmonies, from none, to 4 part left hand side chord to single harmony dictated by the right hand. You can't control any of that with styles. Which is why it has to be Yamaha for my videos; I *can't* do that type of performance on any other brand (at the moment; but if I *could*, I would upload one of those performances as well)

Bohemian Rhapsody
https://youtu.be/jlS6Hbs6aKA

In the Air Tonight
https://youtu.be/funWbbSZW34

Mark

[mikf]

Charley
The reason you cannot understand how you save styles as a registration is because that is not possible. Styles can only be saved as styles.
Registrations save set-ups. A set-up includes which style was used, and where to find it. But not the actual style.
Mike

[BogdanH]

hi Charley,
As you can see from previous posts, registrations can be quite useful. The question remains: should you start using them (because everyone else does)? The answer depends on your needs and if you don't miss anything in "your way" of playing music... why bother?

For sake of complete information, here's the reason why I don't use registrations...
One of main benefits of registrations is, we can use the same style for more than one song. For example, we have a style "Slow waltz" and we wish to use it for "Wienna waltz" and for "Lara's theme". For use with registrations, we simply set parameters for "Slow waltz" to our liking (i.e. tempo, keyboard split point, etc.) and save registration as "Wienna waltz" (and the same for "Lara's theme"). That way we make a list of songs (song settings actually).

The downside is, you should keep track of what styles are used in registrations and you should never move styles to another location or rename them. If you do that, your registration becomes broken.
It is also not recommended to edit (customize) style after it was assigned to registration. For example, you improve "Slow waltz" so it sounds more to your liking for "Wienna waltz" -but that change can now make "Lara's theme" sounding worse.

I personally prefer to have dedicated style for each song. In this case, one style named "Wienna waltz" and another named "Lara's theme", where I can improve (customize) each style anytime later. There's reason for that.. I think one shouldn't use exactly the same style for multiple songs -it sounds boring (for audience).
A single style can have up to 4 variations, where each variation can have up to 3 RH voices and 4 pads.. and for music I play, that's more than enough.
The only thing that I'm missing is, option to store keyboard split point setting in style itself (in my opinion this setting simply belongs there).

So what's my conclusion? Registrations shouldn't be used because we have them -they should be used if we need them.

Bogdan

[DerekA]

If all that you want to do is load up a style with customized parameters (default tempo, voicing, balance, etc) then there is no practical difference between saving a modified style, or a registration. Do it whatever way you want, our arrangers give us options.

There is a difference in terms of file size - a modified style contains everything (all the notes and parts) but a registration contains only a pointer to the original style, and the list of things that you changed.

If you are changing the actual part patterns - then there is no option other than saving the modified style.

[mikf]

Charley
You need to fully understand what a registration is, then it all becomes clear.
A registration is really just another word for a 'saved set up'. You can set up the whole keyboard - usually for a particular song, including the style, tempo, voices, effects, pedals etc etc - and then save it as a registration with a name, usually the name of the song, so a single button re-calls everything. They are quite powerful because you can use a whole bank of registrations for a single song, with set up changing from part to part of the song - eg verse, intro, chorus, 2nd verse, ending .... and so on. So you can produce quite complicated arrangements, that you can recall easily.
But - and this is important - there is really nothing in the registration except what you did and where to find it. There is no style , no voice, just pointers.

Here  is a stupid analogy, but gets the concept across - imagine you have a recipe which not only lists all the ingredients in the dish, but also tells you where to find it ... eg use a pinch of salt.. the salt is in the third drawer down in the second cabinet left of the fridge ... all great provided you are in your kitchen, but useless in someone else's kitchen or if you move the salt because then that is not where the salt will be. The key thing is that there is no salt or anything else in the recipe, just what to use, how much to use and where to find it. Same for a registration. That's great on your own keyboard, but if you move the style or voice, or use a different keyboard where that style or voice either does not exist, or is in a  different place, ... it then likely cannot be found. This is one of the dangers of using other peoples registrations. You would often have to do some work on them the get them to work properly on your keyboard.

If the style and voices are pre-sets, and the registration  is made on the same keyboard, then you are probably ok using other peoples registrations. But not if you then move the salt into a different drawer and dont amend the instructions !!
For this reason commercially made registrations will often be delivered in complete folders which also contain the voices and style so they will still work across different keyboards.

BTW - i should mention 'Playlists' which replaced the MusicFinder on newer keyboard, because I saw another question on a post which showed that some people do not fully understand what they are. Playlists are really just suggested set ups (like registrations) for popular songs that have already been included on the keyboard as a convenience. You can of course also add your own set ups to the Playlist, or modify the suggested ones.
Musicfinder, which existed on earlier keyboards, is essentially a less sophisticated version of the 'Playlist' function, but roughly the same concept. 

Mike

[rattley]

Thanks for all the replies!

I guess I have done nothing "wrong" by not using registrations. I do prefer song specific styles when I tweak, play, and save them. I've also learned that a registration can save so much more than a style file.  Of course that's if you need it.  I certainly now see how an entire set can be played using one registration.  I don't gig.  I'm usually a solo act at home, maybe playing alone or for a few friends or relatives. An occasional impromptu "concert" among a neighborhood BBQ, sampling each others kick-a-poo juice is my favorite venue since I retired.  I've got so much more time now to explore my Genos!  Thanks.  -charley

[mikf]

Absolutely you have done nothing wrong. Song named styles are a good way to go, and even some of the gigging pros might prefer them to registrations, especially in combination with OTS settings. The downside of registrations is that if you use multiple registrations in a bank to cover whole arrangements, you then may need marked up scores to remind where and when to change. And it can also a bit prone to errors like, inadvertently changing pedal or other settings. The great thing is both ways are available. Use what works for you.
Mike

[wolfgang t]

Hello,
To put it bluntly, if I'm playing an entire song with just one style variation and just one unedited preset sound, then I don't need registrations.

If I edit sounds for a title and have to change sounds at lightning speed, then registrations are the best and most flexible means there is. Especially with the additional possibilities of the registration sequences.
Additional advantages:
- The registration sequence can also be switched from the intro to the ending by foot switch, leaving both hands free.
- With the registrations, more than four variations (A-D) can be created by selectively muting tracks of a variation and switching them on in another verse.
- With the registrations, sounds in the accompaniment tracks can be changed in the variations.

I need all of these possibilities when arranging styles that are based on the title and are close to the original. However, I don't work on Peset styles, I listen to each instrument and play it track by track. There are currently over 470 complete videos on my YouTube channel, where you can clearly see the working method.
https://www.youtube.com/@Styles-24/videos

Greetings, Wolfgang

[NativeAngels]

Registrations can be used to build a library of your favourite sound combinations, which could then be used as an ots with or as well as (on the fly).

You could build a library of registrations for a particular genre of music not a particular song, gives you a bit more freedom.

[Divemaster]

Hi Charley

From another user who found the whole subject of Registrations about as easy to understand as getting a Masters in some alien language.

Those who understand Registrations find it easy. Those who don't are, frankly, terrified of it! Yes, really...I've only recently found out that those 8 strange buttons actually light up! And members who DO understand them are so generous with trying to explain it......But it doesn't sink in...It's the combination of taking on board Files, Buttons, Memory, Banks, Freeze..............no enough...it's just too much to take in.

So...Can I maybe, point you to Joe Waters very understandable subject of "Understanding Registrations" which is found under the LESSONS ...and then"PLAYING" tab on the main site homepage.

https://psrtutorial.com/lessons/playing/regist/index.html

It IS a confusing subject, but by reading Joe's very easy to follow instructions, and reading it a bit at a time whilst making your own notes at the keyboard, the light bulb WILL come on, and you'll start to use your keyboard to full advantage. I am still working my way through it, and believe me, it's very good. Just take it at your own pace is my advice.It leads onto Fred Smiths in depth lessons which are invaluable.

I know that I have found it very very useful in understanding much more about Registrations.

Hope that helps you.........and Thanks to Joe and Fred.

Keith

[Mark]

Hi, I also use registrations - one registration bank per song; my use case is to prepare songs and record playing live for youtube
Here are my reasons:
- It's very easy to memorize the voices in the registration. I keep usually: right voices + split points along with associated insert effects, a left voice. The style itself: namely a style part (intro, variation, etc), turning off/on style tracks. Not all of this can be stored in OTS (for example, you cannot activate, say Intro, when pressing the OTS button). Especially when the song progresses it's very convenient to see which registration cell is associated with what part of a song (chorus, verse, bridge, etc). It's also impossible to achieve with OTS.
- We have 8 cells in the bank (10 on Genos) and only 4 OTS
- Sometimes It's convenient to move from one style to another in the same song. Again, impossible to achieve in OTS because its physically a part of the style file and cannot cross reference other style files
- Registration sequence - I use this feature a lot because sometimes my hands are too busy to push registration buttons.
- With Registration, I can activate multi pads - something that I use a lot. While you can store the associated multi-pad bank in the OTS, you can't actually activate it AFAIK.

Additional reasons (mention them, although I personally don't use those):
- Unify the Registration banks into playlists. OTS has nothing to do with that, it's all about the registrations. I don't use this feature because I usually record one specific song, but for gigging musicians that wish to maintain their repertoire in playlists this can come in handy
- Associate Chord Looper with registrations, I don't use Chord Looper because I play everything by myself including chord progressions, but this can be totally valid way of using registrations.
- Save The Transposed Key in the Registration cell. I don't use it because I try to learn to play in different keys. Again, this is impossible to store the transposition value in OTS (and frankly for a reason).
Just my 5 cents, hope this helps

[travlin-easy]

I never had a problem learning how to utilize registrations or create them - just a data base that is easily modified. For an on stage performer, the are a must, followed by the Music Finder Directory, which I used a lot because of it's ease of access and rapid selection capability. Using both features allowed me to transition seamlessly from one song to the next, thereby keeping the dance floors filled and the ability to hold the audience.

It's not rocket science, guys and gals, just common sense.

All the best,

Gary

[keyplayer]

Charley
You need to fully understand what a registration is, then it all becomes clear.
A registration is really just another word for a 'saved set up'. You can set up the whole keyboard - usually for a particular song, including the style, tempo, voices, effects, pedals etc etc - and then save it as a registration with a name, usually the name of the song, so a single button re-calls everything. They are quite powerful because you can use a whole bank of registrations for a single song, with set up changing from part to part of the song - eg verse, intro, chorus, 2nd verse, ending .... and so on. So you can produce quite complicated arrangements, that you can recall easily.
But - and this is important - there is really nothing in the registration except what you did and where to find it. There is no style , no voice, just pointers.

Here  is a stupid analogy, but gets the concept across - imagine you have a recipe which not only lists all the ingredients in the dish, but also tells you where to find it ... eg use a pinch of salt.. the salt is in the third drawer down in the second cabinet left of the fridge ... all great provided you are in your kitchen, but useless in someone else's kitchen or if you move the salt because then that is not where the salt will be. The key thing is that there is no salt or anything else in the recipe, just what to use, how much to use and where to find it. Same for a registration. That's great on your own keyboard, but if you move the style or voice, or use a different keyboard where that style or voice either does not exist, or is in a  different place, ... it then likely cannot be found. This is one of the dangers of using other peoples registrations. You would often have to do some work on them the get them to work properly on your keyboard.

If the style and voices are pre-sets, and the registration  is made on the same keyboard, then you are probably ok using other peoples registrations. But not if you then move the salt into a different drawer and dont amend the instructions !!
For this reason commercially made registrations will often be delivered in complete folders which also contain the voices and style so they will still work across different keyboards.


Mike

Mike, what a brilliant way to explain how registrations work! I use registrations all the time, yep don't move ingredients around!
Pam

[richkeys]

The downside is, you should keep track of what styles are used in registrations and you should never move styles to another location or rename them. If you do that, your registration becomes broken.
It is also not recommended to edit (customize) style after it was assigned to registration.

Bogdan,
I am currently (new SX900 user) in the process of organizing a bunch of Styles I saved into my User area. I am organizing them into several genre folders, but some of the Styles may be loose and sorted into folders later on.

I was reading your comment here and was wondering, are you saying later on, if I refine my organization, moving a few Styles to different folders, renaming folders etc that I will have broken links with the Registrations I create? And if that is sure to happen, can a broken registration link be easily fixed? The SX will not find the moved styles at all? Same question with making style edits after it was assigned to registration. I am getting the impression that style folder organizing needs to be a one-shot permanent decision and re-organizing styles and folders is not recommended at all? By the way, all my style organizing will be in the User section, not on the USB stick.

Thanks

Rich

[Amwilburn]

Bogdan,
I am currently (new SX900 user) in the process of organizing a bunch of Styles I saved into my User area. I am organizing them into several genre folders, but some of the Styles may be loose and sorted into folders later on.

I was reading your comment here and was wondering, are you saying later on, if I refine my organization, moving a few Styles to different folders, renaming folders etc that I will have broken links with the Registrations I create? And if that is sure to happen, can a broken registration link be easily fixed? The SX will not find the moved styles at all? Same question with making style edits after it was assigned to registration. I am getting the impression that style folder organizing needs to be a one-shot permanent decision and re-organizing styles and folders is not recommended at all? By the way, all my style organizing will be in the User section, not on the USB stick.

Thanks

Rich

Correct, all links will be broken, and need to be re-registered to their correct location. I think Murray Best's registration manager can let you change the links in a registration. Or you can re-memorize them in the new locations.

https://psrtutorial.com/util/best.html

[richkeys]

Or you can re-memorize them in the new locations.

https://psrtutorial.com/util/best.html

OK. So if they are broken I can just load in the style again from the new location and re-save the registration. I'm not at the point yet of experiencing this, but it helps to know of these problems in advance.

Rich

[Oldden]

Be nice if Yamaha reorganised how registrations work and there was an option in the menus to relocate where everything is now located and repair all. Nor a lot of chance I suppose.

[Fred Smith]

Be nice if Yamaha reorganised how registrations work and there was an option in the menus to relocate where everything is now located and repair all. Nor a lot of chance I suppose.

Until then, just leave styles where they are. That's a simple solution which will always work.

Cheers,
Fred

[rattley]

Hello

Finally!  A reason for me to want to use registrations.  I've always believed that with some styles less is more. I've turned parts on or off while playing live. This guys method looks smoother.  I'll give it a try. Best wishes.  -charley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-oXtoU4wcw

[wolfgang t]

Hello everyone,

There are so many benefits to using registrations along with a registration sequence. Many have already been mentioned above.

We create title-related styles and offer them together with the registrations. In principle, the entire song can be switched from the intro to the ending using a foot switch. Another advantage is that more than 4 variations (A-D) can be created by switching tracks off and on as needed. We use this in a lot of songs.
Of course, all sounds are edited, which is also saved in the registrations.
With a registration you can also quickly change the sound from Right 1-3 if you uncheck "Style" when saving the registration.
With the registration sequence, registration banks can be linked together even for more complex songs.

Two examples of well-known songs:
Apache - The Shadows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdw0anlb0Mg

Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV9fujubv_U

[Graham UK]

rattley. I'm on the same page as you.
When I had my Tyros's I always adjusted styles and OTS's and saved as user for years and styles don't have be locked in one place as they have to do when using RGTs.

Now I have DGX670 I can still edit a style but DGX unfortunately won't save changes to OTS's meaning I now have to use RGT's.