CAKEWALK by Bandlab question

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi :

Would like to know if it is possible to enter chords and Yamaha styles in Cakewalk by Bandlab.

If so, are the instructions well explained in the manual ?

Thank so much for your feedback.

Best regards, JH

[Normanfernandez]

Hi Jeff,
For Styles I'll have to say NO, even if it were possible you might have to do a lot of editing. ( Although it's midi, but the midi file is designed to work on the keyboard, CASM being one of the Key function )

Chords -- What are you looking to do?
Send midi messages back to the keyboard ?
Or use VSTI?

Norman.

[ckobu]

Style can be entered into the Cakewalk and can be processed without any problem but MixMaster should be used as a bridge.

https://youtu.be/PM3htJysPmQ?t=267

[Normanfernandez]

Style can be entered into the Cakewalk and can be processed without any problem but MixMaster should be used as a bridge.

https://youtu.be/PM3htJysPmQ?t=267

Wouldn't that be a lot of hassle?
You can't simulate a keyboard experience right?

[ckobu]

Jeff asked

Hi :

Would like to know if it is possible to enter chords and Yamaha styles in Cakewalk by Bandlab.

We'll find out exactly what he meant. 

If he meant the principle of operation of the Chord Sequencer, then the answer is negative.
But if you record directly from the keyboard to the Cakewalk the effect will be the same.

https://youtu.be/vjqUzC4DqnI

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi Guys :

Many thanks for your great and very fast answer(s).
Very, very much appreciated.


For many years I am an XGWorks user but the modern Yamaha styles are no longer usable for my good old favourite midi editing programme.
Converting SFF2 to SFF1 is a serious problem.
Most modern ( guitar ) styles ( SFF2 ) e.g. sound very bad in XGW, even after conversion ( from SFF2 to SFF1 ).

XGW was the best midi editing prog for Yamaha styles and voices.
Chord and Styles Input was ( SFF1 *.sty only ! ) one of XGW's great features. 

I had hoped Cakewalk by Bandlab could do that particular job too but ... apparently my wish is a dream.
Input of chords and Yamaha styles is not possible, I guess.

IMHO there is no other DAW available that can do that job or ... am I wrong ?

Once again, I am very grateful for all your comments and help.

Best wishes, Jeff             

[ckobu]

Hi Jeff,

You're right, working with XGWorks was great. XGWorks has a style base in it and it works great. Unfortunately, the new SFF 2 protocol is somewhat different and now lacks compatibility.

You can try the Peter Wierzba program, with it you can create SONG by typing chords and inserting a rhythm with SX or Genos. You will get a MIDI file which you later edit in Cakewalk.

http://www.wierzba.homepage.t-online.de/producer/producermain.htm

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[Jeff Hollande]

I have tried that prog several times but I feel sorry to tell you it is not my cup of tea.😏

I am not familiar with the latest Cubase versions though.

I have been told the " new " Cubase versions can do the input
of all chords and modern SFF2 styles.
WISHFUL THINKING maybe ?

If the newest Cubase CAN do the " input jobs  " then I am ready to order Cubase immediately.
Today Cakewalk by BandLab is my audio DAW but I will go to Cubase if it can do the input jobs.

Best regards, Jeff

[ckobu]

My experiences with the Producer are the same. I think the author still needs to work on it.
As far as I know, Cubase has nothing new that would be compatible with Yamaha Style. Admittedly, there is an plug in that is not available to ordinary users and that can obviously do everything as far as the Yamaha Style is concerned. Only Yamaha associates can have that.

[Jeff Hollande]

Since Cubase ( Steinberg  ) is 100% owned by Yamaha since 2002, I should not be surprised Cubase can do the job but who am I ?

Cheers, Jeff

[Normanfernandez]

Since Cubase ( Steinberg  ) is 100% owned by Yamaha since 2002, I should not be surprised Cubase can do the job but who am I ?

Cheers, Jeff

Is it suprising but Steinberg doesn't have a customer support also)

Your keyboard shows up on Cubase as a midi device ( Along with many keyboards yamaha has listed )

I still haven't found my balance yet.

[Jeff Hollande]

https://www.psrtutorial.com/forum/index.php?topic=55681.0

CAKEWALK by BandLab
Wished these 4 video's were in English.
Translation would be the only option, I guess.


Today I joined the Cakewalk BandLab Forum and asked them if they can update this prog by adding extra features :  entering chords and Yamaha styles.
I do not expect miracles at all.
IMHO it will not be possible but ... one never knows. 

BTW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBGCZY7byys
Is this video useful ?




Best regards, JH

[pwi1000]

Hi Jeff, hi ckobu,

I am Peter Wierzba and took over the development support for Producer.

In the discussion above you said that you are not satisfied with the function of Producer, but without giving any hint what you are missing, what's wrong, what's unclear or whatever.
I can not improve the program when I do not know what users expect.

So can you please provide some more details on what you want to to, what the program does not as you expect, any errors happening,...

Best regards,
Peter

[Jeff Hollande]

Hello Peter  :

Thank you very much for your comments.
I would like to reply as follows.

Producer would absolutely be my today's favourite midi DAW if all functions and applications could be done in the computer and not in a Yamaha arranger keyboard only.

IMHO this personal wish might be probably not possible
or ... am I wrong ?

Best regards, JH

[pwi1000]

Hi Jeff,

Producer itself is not a DAW. It can be used together with a DAW (e.g. XGWorks).
Producer can be used to create midi files based on Yamaha styles.
All the editing stuff can be done on the computer.
The Yamaha keyboard is used just like an external sound generator. It is controlled via the midi connection, actively plays the style and creates the sound.

The result of Producer is a special midi file (step record file) created on the computer.
Only the final last step, called "expanding the step record file", has to be done on the keyboard, after all editing stuff has been completed before.

Best regards,
Peter

[Jeff Hollande]

WOW that is very good news,  Peter. 👍

I did not know Producer can be used together with XGW and editing can be done in a computer and not in the keyboard.

Complete new information for me ... I was not aware of these important changes, features and functions.
Sorry for my lack of knowledge. 🙄

It looks like Producer has been modified a lot though. 😃

Plse be so kind to let me know where I can download the latest Producer version + manual.

I am very interested in knowing how Producer and XGW can
" work " together.
Your help, feedback and input would highly be appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.

Best wishes, JH

[pwi1000]

Hi Jeff,

you can get Producer here:

http://www.wierzba.homepage.t-online.de/producer/producermain.htm

When you are in Producer you can start your sequencer (e.g. XGW) by clicking on the "Sequencer" icon or via the menu Tools \ Sequencer.
Then Producer will create an intermediate midi file and starts XGW, which will automatically load this file.
Then you can edit this midi file (e.g. adding a melody) in XGW. You can also play this midi file within XGW.
If done, save the midi file in XGW and close XGW. You will then automatically return to Producer and can continue your work.

Note: You have to call XGW from within Producer as explaind above. Do not edit the original midi file with XGW, as this will loose important data.

To configure the path of your sequencer use the "Setup" entry from the menu.

Hope this helps,
Peter

[Jeff Hollande]

Many, many thanks Peter. 🤓
You made my day ! 🤩

I am going to download P and follow your instructions stricktly.

I will keep you posted by sharing my experiences, questions and/or comments.

Cross my fingers.

Hope P will bring me a lot of fun. 😃

Enjoy your weekend !
Bye for now, JH