MIDI Functions. Yamaha PSR-290, PSR-225

MIDI Functions

The PSR-290 is MIDI-compatible, featuring MIDI IN and MIDI OUT terminals and providing a variety of MIDI-related controls. By using the MIDI functions you can expand your musical possibilities. This section explains what MIDI is, and what it can do, as well as how you can use

MIDI on your PSR-290.

What Is MIDI?

No doubt you have heard the terms “acoustic instrument” and “digital instrument.” In the world today, these are the two main categories of instruments. Let’s consider an acoustic piano and a classical guitar as representative acoustic instruments. They are easy to understand. With the piano, you strike a key, and a hammer inside hits some strings and plays a note. With the guitar, you directly pluck a string and the note sounds. But how does a digital instrument go about playing a note?

Acoustic guitar note production Digital instrument note production

L

Sampling

Note

Tone Generator

(Electronic circuit)

Sampling

Note

R

Playing the keyboard

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Pluck a string and the body resonates the sound.

Based on playing information from the keyboard, a sampling note stored in the tone generator is played through the speakers.

As shown in the illustration above, in an electronic instrument the sampling note

(previously recorded note) stored in the tone generator section (electronic circuit) is played based on information received from the keyboard. So then what is the information from the keyboard that becomes the basis for note production?

For example, let’s say you play a “C” quarter note using the grand piano sound on the PSR-290 keyboard. Unlike an acoustic instrument that puts out a resonated note, the electronic instrument puts out information from the keyboard such as

“with what voice,” “with which key,” “about how strong,” “when was it pressed,” and “when was it released.” Then each piece of information is changed into a number value and sent to the tone generator. Using these numbers as a basis, the tone generator plays the stored sampling note.

● Example of Keyboard Information

Voice number (with what voice)

Note number (with which key)

Note on (when was it pressed) and note off (when was it released)

Velocity (about how strong)

01 (grand piano)

60 (C3)

Timing expressed numerically (quarter note)

20 (strong)

GM System Level 1

“GM System Level 1” is an addition to the MIDI standard which ensures that any GM-compatible music data can be accurately played by any GM-compatible tone generator, regardless of manufacturer. The GM mark is affixed to all software and hardware products that support GM System Level

1. The PSR-290 supports GM System Level 1.

MIDI Functions

MIDI is an acronym that stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, which allows electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other, by sending and receiving compatible Note, Control Change, Program Change and various other types of MIDI data, or messages.

The PSR-290 can control a MIDI device by transmitting note related data and various types of controller data. The PSR-290 can be controlled by the incoming

MIDI messages which automatically determine tone generator mode, select MIDI channels, voices and effects, change parameter values and of course play the voices specified for the various parts.

MIDI messages can be divided into two groups: Channel messages and System messages. Below is an explanation of the various types of MIDI messages which the PSR-290 can receive/transmit.

● Channel Messages

The PSR-290 is an electronic instrument that can handle 16 channels. This is usually expressed as “it can play 16 instruments at the same time.” Channel messages transmit information such as Note ON/OFF, Program Change, for each of the 16 channels.

Message Name

Note ON/OFF

Program Change

Control Change

PSR-290 Operation/Panel Setting

Messages which are generated when the keyboard is played. Each message includes a specific note number which corresponds to the key which is pressed, plus a velocity value based on how hard the key is stuck.

Voice number (along with corresponding bank select MSB/LSB settings, if necessary).

Messages that are used to change some aspect of the sound (modulation, volume, pan, etc.).

● System Messages

This is data that is used in common by the entire MIDI system. System messages include messages like Exclusive Messages that transmit data unique to each instrument manufacturer and Realtime Messages that control the MIDI device.

Message Name PSR-290 Operation/Panel Setting

Exclusive Message Reverb/chorus/DSP settings, etc.

Realtime Messages Start/stop operation

The messages transmitted/received by the PSR-290 are shown in the MIDI Imple-

mentation Chart on page 90.

MIDI Terminals

In order to exchange MIDI data between multiple devices, each device must be connected by a cable.

The MIDI terminals of the PSR-290 are located on the rear panel.

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

Receives MIDI data from another MIDI device.

Transmits the PSR-290’s keyboard information as MIDI data to another MIDI device.

• Special MIDI cables (sold separately) must be used for connecting to MIDI devices. They can be bought at music stores, etc.

• Never use MIDI cables longer than about 15 meters. Cables longer than this can pick up noise which can cause data errors.

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MIDI Functions

Connecting to a Personal Computer

By connecting your PSR-290’s MIDI terminals to a personal computer, you can have access to a wide variety of music software.

●

When using a MIDI interface device installed in the personal computer, connect the MIDI terminals of the personal computer and the PSR-290.

MIDI OUT

MIDI IN

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

PSR-290

Computer

(sequencer software)

●

When using a MIDI interface with a Macintosh series computer, connect the RS-422 terminal of the computer (modem or printer terminal) to the MIDI interface, as shown in the diagram below.

• When using a Macintosh series computer, set the MIDI interface clock setting in the application software to match the setting of the MIDI interface you are using.

For details, refer to the owner’s manual for the software you are using.

RS-422

MIDI Interface

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

PSR-290

Computer

(sequencer software)

●

When connecting to a computer with a USB interface, use the

Yamaha UX16 USB/MIDI Interface. Connect the UX16 and the computer with a standard USB cable, then make the proper MIDI connections between the PSR-290 and the UX16.

Viewing the Notation for MIDI

Channel 1

• The PSR-290 has a special function that lets you view the notes of the MIDI data (channel 1 only) on the display.

Computer

(sequencer software)

USB

UX16

MIDI IN

OUT

IN

MIDI OUT

PSR-290

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MIDI Functions

Local Control

This function lets you enable or disable keyboard control over the PSR-290’s

voices in the Function mode (page 76). This would come in handy, for example,

when recording notes to MIDI sequencer. If you are using the sequencer to play back the voices of the PSR-290, you would want to set this to “off” — in order to avoid getting “double” notes, both from the keyboard and from the sequencer.

Normally, when playing the PSR-290 by itself, this should be set to “on.”

• No sound is output from the

PSR-290 when Local ON/OFF is set to OFF.

Using Initial Setup Send with a Sequencer

The most common use for the Initial Setup Send function is in recording a song on a sequencer that is intended for playback with the PSR-290. Essentially, this takes a “snapshot” of the PSR-290 settings and sends that data to the sequencer.

By recording this “snapshot” at the start of the song (before any actual performance data), you can instantly restore the necessary settings on the PSR-290 in

the Function mode (page 76). Provided there is a pause in the song, you could

also do this in the middle of a song — for example, completely changing the PSR-

290 settings for the next section of the song.

• When the Initial Setup Send operation is completed, the PSR-

290 automatically returns to the previous panel condition.

External Clock

This determines whether the style and song playback functions are controlled by the PortaTone’s internal clock (off) or by MIDI clock data from an external sequencer or computer (on).

This should be set to on when you want to have style or song playback follow the external device (such as a rhythm machine or a sequencer). The default setting is off.

These settings can be made in the Function mode (page 76).

• If External Clock is set to ON, style or song playback will not start unless external clock are received.

Bulk Data Send

This lets you save important PortaTone data and settings to another device (such as a sequencer, computer, or MIDI data filer).

These settings can be made in the Function mode (page 76).

● Bulk Data Receive

Send the Bulk Data from computer or sequencer to the PSR-290.

• Keep in mind that all recorded

Song data and One Touch Setting data operations replace the data.

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MIDI Functions

Keyboard Out

This determines whether Keyboard performance data of the Portatone is transmitted via MIDI OUT or not.

These settings can be made in the Function mode (page 76).

Style Out

This determines whether style data is transmitted via MIDI OUT or not.

These settings can be made in the Function mode (page 76).

Song Out

This determines whether Song data is transmitted via MIDI OUT or not.

These settings can be made in the Function mode (page 76).

• For the Song #001, data is not transmitted.

MIDI LSB Receive Cancel

Determines whether the LSB data of Bank Select is received or not. Press and hold the lowest key and turn on the power to change the setting (LSB is ignored).

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To restore MIDI LSB Receive Cancel to normal (LSB is recognized), turn on the power again normally.

MIDI Functions

Loading a Song into PSR-290’s Flash Memory

The PSR-290’s internal flash memory enables you to save song data transmitted from a connected personal computer. You can play or practice Flash songs (saved in flash memory) in the same way as preset songs.

To transmit song data from a personal computer to the PSR-290, you first need to install the “Song

Filer” application to your computer.

Song data that can be saved in flash memory:

• The number of songs: max. 99 songs (Song #101–#199)

• Available memory: 352 KB

• Data format: SMF format 0

■ Installing Song Filer • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

You can download the “Song Filer” application from the following Yamaha PK

CLUB website. Make sure that your computer has an Internet connection.

Yamaha PK CLUB (Portable Keyboard Home Page) http://www.yamahaPKclub.com/

• Visit the Yamaha PK CLUB website for more information on the latest version of Song Filer (version 2.0.0 or higher) and how to install it.

System requirements for Song Filer:

[Windows]

CPU: Pentium/100MHz or faster

Available Memory: 8MB or more

Free space in Hard Disk: 2MB or more

Display: 800 x 600, 256 colors or more

[Macintosh]

OS:

CPU:

Mac OS 7.5 or upper

Power PC or upper

Available Memory: 8MB or more

Free space in Hard Disk: 2MB or more

Display: 800 x 600, 256 colors or more

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MIDI Functions

■

Song Filer • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

After you install Song Filer and connect the PSR-290 to the computer, you can use the two functions described below.

●

Transmit Files

You can transmit song files from your computer to your PSR-290’s Flash

Memory.

• Refer to page 68 for information

on connecting the PSR-290 to a computer.

• You cannot use the Song Filer’s

“Receive Files” function with the

PSR-290.

• For more information on using

Song Filer, refer to the PDF manual included in the Song Filer application.

Transmit

Computer

PSR-290

●

Manage Files on Flash Memory

You can delete and rename files in your PSR-290’s Flash Memory from your computer.

• Never attempt to turn the power off while transmitting song data. Doing so will not only result in failure to save the data, but also make the internal flash memory unstable. It may also clear all the data residing in the flash memory when turning the power on and off.

• Saved data in the instrument may be lost due to malfunction or incorrect operation. Retain important data to your computer or floppy disk.

Delete Rename abcd.mid

abcd.mid

efgh.mid

Selecting a right & left hand guide track

You can select a track in the Function mode (page 76) to guide your right and left hand fingering during the Lesson

(page 63).

This function is available only when you select a flash memory song (SMF format 0).

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MIDI Functions

PC Mode

The PC Mode lets you instantly reconfigure the MIDI control settings for use with a computer or MIDI device.

● Default settings

LOCAL ON/OFF

EXTERNAL CLOCK

KEYBOARD OUT

STYLE OUT

SONG OUT

PC mode is on

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

PC mode is off

ON

OFF

■ To turn the PC mode on or off:

Press the [PC] button and then press the appropriate [+]/[-] button. This switches between the PC Mode on/off settings.

PC Mode

on

■ To store the PC mode parameters:

1

Change the PC mode parameters.

Change the desired MIDI parameters in the Function mode.

The following PC Mode parameters can be stored to memory.

LOCAL ON/OFF

EXTERNAL

KEYBOARD

STYLE OUT

SONG OUT

2

Store the parameters to the PC memory.

Press and hold the [PC] button until “WRITING!” appears in the LCD.

WRITING!

• No sound is output from the

PSR-290 when Local ON/OFF is set to OFF.

• If External Clock is set to ON, style or song playback will not start unless external clock are received.

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