Quick MIDI recording in Sonar Professional

[Rick D.]

Hi Guys,

Been a few years since I had my computer connected to a keyboard and never to my Genos. I was wondering if there is a quick way to record a performance live on the Genos and have Sonar record it on the correct individual tracks, or do I have to do it track by track?

Thanks for your help,

Rick D.

[GeirH]

Hi,

I'm not too familiar with arrangers like the Genos, but as far as I know, there is no way to send multiple channels of audio from the Genos to your computer. Therefore, in order to record each keyboard part simultaneously to individual tracks in Sonar, you have to record them as MIDI tracks.

First off, if you haven't already, install the Yamaha USB-MIDI driver on your computer. Connect the USB cable between your Genos' To Host port and an unused USB port on your computer (please make a direct connection; USB hubs will usually cause problems), and then power on your Genos. You should get a confirmation sound from the computer when the Genos is recognized.

Now start Sonar, and make sure that all the Genos' MIDI input and output ports ("Digital Workstation") are recognized and activated in Sonar's Preferences -> MIDI -> Devices menu.

You may also want to download and unzip an instrument definition file for the Genos. In Sonar's Preferences -> Instruments menu, you can import (define) this file and select it for all the listed Genos channels. This will allow Sonar to display the selected voice for each track, and is also convenient if you want to change the voice settings later.

In Sonar, starting with a blank project, you would now add 16 MIDI tracks. Make sure each track uses the Genos ("Digital Workstation 1") as its MIDI input device, and then set each track to separate (1-16) channels. Arm all the tracks for recording, click the Record button, and away you go!

There are plenty more details to get into, of course, such as how to synchronize Sonar to the Genos' tempo/MIDI clock. There's also the MIDI settings on the Genos itself (such as those related to style playback output, etc.), where I won't be of much help. I would recommend using the search function on this forum for more information on that. The Cakewalk forum and the Yamaha Musicians forum may have more info, so search there as well. Also check out Casper's video (English captions are available) to get you rolling.

- H -

[overover]

Hi Guys,

Been a few years since I had my computer connected to a keyboard and never to my Genos. I was wondering if there is a quick way to record a performance live on the Genos and have Sonar record it on the correct individual tracks, or do I have to do it track by track? ...

Hi Rick,

In my opinion, the best method is to first make a MIDI recording directly on the Genos (the easiest way is with MIDI Quick Recording). You then copy this MIDI file onto a USB stick, connect it to the computer and import the MIDI file into the DAW program you are using, e.g. Cakewalk/Sonar/Cubase etc.

If you only get one track in the DAW, you then have to "split it into MIDI channels". (This function is called differently depending on the DAW.)

The advantage of the method just described is that you automatically have all the MIDI initialization data you need (e.g. Control Change, Program Change, System Exclusive Messages) in the DAW. The song will therefore sound exactly the same in the DAW via the Genos connected via USB-MIDI as it does when played directly on the Genos.

On the Genos, I recommend using one of the preset MIDI templates "All Parts" or "KBD & Style". The difference is that with "All Parts" each activated Right Part (R1, R2, R3) is sent separately on its own channel, with "KBD & Style" the "UPPER" keyboard area (= R1+R2+R3 Parts) is always sent on channel 1 and the "LOWER" keyboard area (= Left Part) on channel 2.

In the DAW, you set the "Digital Workstation 1" or "Digital Keyboard 1" port of the USB-MIDI driver as the MIDI output port for all 16 MIDI channels. This will address the 16 SONG parts of the Genos, just like when playing a MIDI file internally directly on the Genos.

For the sake of completeness: If "Digital Workstation 2" or "Digital Keyboard 2" is used, the DAW will address the Genos KEYBOARD parts directly. This is normally NOT desired. In addition, the sound produced will usually be different when the MIDI is later played as usual via the SONG parts of the Genos.

Regarding the Yamaha USB-MIDI Driver:
It is important that the keyboard, in your case the Genos1, is connected to the computer via a USB cable BEFORE starting the driver installation, otherwise the installation cannot be completed. Please note that the current USB-MIDI Driver (V3.1.4) is available as a 32-bit and 64-bit version. For current Windows (10/11) systems, please use the 64-bit version.
>> https://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/keyboards/arranger_workstations/genos/downloads.html

For the sake of completeness: Some models, such as the Genos2, require the "Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver" (which has Audio and MIDI functionality). This driver must be installed BEFORE the keyboard is connected to the computer via a USB cable.


Hope this helps!

Best regards,
Chris