Monthly Archives: September 2018

Mobile Music Sequencer mixer

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In recent posts, I mentioned that Yamaha Mobile Music Sequencer (MMS) sends MIDI messages which conform to the XG voice and effects standard. Here’s a few screen shots to illustrate my observation.

The first thing everyone sees is the MMS Phrase Viewer. This is where you assemble phrases into sections. (It’s kind of like the Ableton Live Session View turned on its side.) Each section is a group of phrases which fit together musically and can be triggered together. [Click images to enlarge.] The song shown here is a rough attempt at Dub Reggae.

Each horizontal lane is a musical part. There are eight parts and they correspond to MIDI channels one to eight. Voice Link is enabled, so the voice for each part is determined by the pre-assigned voice for each phrase. MMS sends MIDI Bank Select MSB, Bank Select LSB and Program Change messages for each part. (See the Mobile Music Sequencer Reference page for more details including a list of voices.)

For this song, I used only six voices; that’s why there are two empty lanes. I intend to convert the song to a PSR/Tyros style. Thinking ahead, the parts 1 to 8 correspond to the Rhythm 1, Rhythm 2, Bass, Chord 1, Chord 2, Pad, Phrase 1 and Phrase 2 channels in a PSR/Tyros style. Enough about styles and style conversion for the moment.

When you tap the MIXER button, MMS displays its mixer view. From here, you can control the volume, pan, variation effect send, chorus effect send, and reverb send levels for each part.

These knobs are live. Each knob transmits its corresponding MIDI message as defined in the Yamaha XG architecture. The knobs transmit CC#7 volume, CC#10 pan, CC#94 variation send level, CC#92 chorus send level and CC#91 reverb send level. Thus, MMS does double-duty as a MIDI controller!

Tap the EEFECT button and MMS displays the effect connection view. This view shows the signal routing through the variation, chorus and reverb effect units. These knobs are live, too, and send XG MIDI messages to tweak the internal signal levels. This display is very handy if you’re an XG guy trying to spiff up a song.

The blue boxes with the left and right arrows select the effect algorithm assigned to the unit. (See the MMS Reference for details.) These buttons let you scoot quickly through different effects until you find the effect that strikes your fancy. MMS transmits the XG MIDI message to select the effect and it sends sixteen additional messages to set the effect parameters.

Speaking of effect parameters, tap the VAR button. (Tap CHO or REV.)

MMS displays sliders allowing you to tweeze the effect parameters. The screen shot (above) shows the parameters for the TEMPO DELAY effect algorithm.

Well, there you go. MMS is not only a sequencer, but it doubles as a MIDI controller. If you would like to know more, please read my earlier article Make music with MMS on PSR/TYROS.

Copyright © 2018 Paul J. Drongowski

Getting started with style files

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The question of getting started with the creation and editing of PSR/Tyros/Genos style files arose on the PSR Tutorial Forum. I’m re-posting my reply here.

The best suggestion that I can make is reading Jørgen’s style creation course:

If folks don’t like PDF, there are on-line versions of the same articles:

Honest to goodness, Jørgen has done a super job!

Another excellent resource is “Style Files – Introduction and Details” by Peter Wierzba and Michael Bedesem:

This document and other very useful information are published on Peter’s site:

Anyone who is interested in creating new styles really needs to know what is inside of a style file — not just hand-waving, but to know in enough depth to start editing.

Another alternative is the high-level tool MidiSoft Style Magic:

Even then, a modest amount of background information is needed.

Once someone has the background, I encourage them to read a few existing articles at my site. Parts 2 and 3 of the series:

describe translation of a Standard Midi File to a style. Another potentially useful article is about converting the Yamaha DJX II patterns to styles:

So, there are already quite a few resources available. Jørgen, Michael and Peter have really shown the way!

One more suggestion.

Crack open a style file with a DAW and look inside. First, change the file name extension to “.mid” by renaming the file. Then, open the file in a DAW like Sonar or Cubase. Poke around.

A Yamaha style file consists of “chunks.” A style file must have a MIDI chunk and may contain a CASM chunk and an OTS chunk. The CASM chunk holds the NTR/NTT information that you can see and edit in PSR Style Creator. The OTS chunk holds the OTS information.

DAWs ignore the Yamaha chunks, so if you change the MIDI file, it won’t have the original CASM and/or OTS chunks. That’s where Jørgen’s style split/splice tool comes into play. The tool splits a style file into MIDI and non-MIDI parts. After editing, the tool splices the MIDI and non-MIDI parts back together again to make a complete style file.

If someone gets this far, they can move mountains. 🙂

Copyright © 2018 Paul J. Drongowski

MMS: Pack voices and drum kits

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I’ve been mining the Yamaha Mobile Music Sequencer (MMS) patterns. Yamaha themselves mined these patterns from the old “Mini Mo” mm6/mm8 keyboards. The mm6 and mm8 are a somewhat unique hybrid of a Yamaha arranger and cut-down Motif MO synth.

I plan to post several PSR-compatible styles based on the MMS patterns. In the meantime, I drew up a list of the additional voices and drum kits in the add-on packs. The lists include the corresponding MSB bank select, LSB bank select and program change values. If Yamaha demonstrates any continuing interest in MMS (by releasing an update!), I will add this information to my existing Mobile Music Sequencer Reference page.

MMS sends all sorts of MIDI messages and can be used to control an XG-compatible sound engine, including reverb, chorus and variation effects. (See the Reference page.) MMS can export a Standard MIDI File (SMF) with a voice selection message for each track. Only certain targets are supported: Tyros 5, Motif XF, Motif XS, MOXF, MOX, and MX. I use the Tyros 5 setting to target Genos and the PSR-S950.

I have to say, the results sound quite good when played back on either Genos© or the PSR-S950. The hardware sound engines are far superior to the software engine in MMS. Still, one shouldn’t pass MMS by.

MMS Drum Kits

Program Change values are shown in two ways: starting from zero and starting from one. Raw MIDI messages number voices starting from zero. Sequencers and other software sometime number program change values starting from one. Check your DAW’s manual!

MMS Kit            Hex         PC# 0:127   PC# 1:128
-----------------  --------    ---------   ---------
Standard Kit       7F 00 00    127 0  0    127 0  1
Gate Drum Kit      7F 00 10    127 0 16    127 0 17    Electronic Pack
Analog T8 Kit      7F 00 19    127 0 25    127 0 26
Analog T9 Kit      7F 00 1A    127 0 26    127 0 27
Dance Kit          7F 00 1B    127 0 27    127 0 28
New Pop Kit        7F 00 1C    127 0 28    127 0 29    Dance Pop Pack
Trance Power Kit   7F 00 1D    127 0 29    127 0 30    Dance Pop Pack
Elct.Dub Kit 1     7F 00 1E    127 0 30    127 0 31    Electronic Pack
Elct.Dub Kit 2     7F 00 1F    127 0 31    127 0 32    Dance Pop Pack
Brush Kit          7F 00 28    127 0 40    127 0 40
Break Kit          7F 00 53    127 0 83    127 0 84
Hip Hop Kit 1      7F 00 54    127 0 84    127 0 85
Hip Hop Kit 2      7F 00 55    127 0 85    127 0 86    Hip Hop Pack
Hip Hop Kit 3      7F 00 56    127 0 86    127 0 87    Hip Hop Pack
R&B Kit 1          7F 00 57    127 0 87    127 0 88    R&B Pack
R&B Kit 2          7F 00 58    127 0 88    127 0 89    R&B Pack
Dubstep Kit        7F 00 59    127 0 89    127 0 90    Electronic Pack

SFX Kit            3F 20 00     63 0  0     63 0  1
Percussion Kit     3F 20 01     63 0  1     63 0  2
Epic FX            3F 20 02     63 0  2     63 0  3    Electronic Pack
Short FX           3F 20 03     63 0  3     63 0  4    Electronic Pack
Trance FX Menu     3F 20 04     63 0  4     63 0  5    Dance Pop Pack

MMS Dance pack voices

Voice              Hex         PC# 0:127   PC# 1:128
-----------------  --------    ---------   ---------
Brite Trance Arp   3F 00 2A    63 0  42    63 0  43
Cosmeter           3F 00 63    63 0  99    63 0 100
Dancy Hook         3F 00 23    63 0  35    63 0  36
Fat Dance Chordz   3F 00 24    63 0  36    63 0  37
Fix Start Seq      3F 00 29    63 0  41    63 0  42
Raw Square 5th     3F 00 26    63 0  38    63 0  39
Sawtooth Lead 3    3F 00 7E    63 0 126    63 0 127
Landing Pad        3F 00 73    63 0 115    63 0 116
Mystery Sine       3F 00 78    63 0 120    63 0 121
Rebirth '70        3F 00 7B    63 0 123    63 0 124
Sand Pad           3F 00 74    63 0 116    63 0 117
Brite Dance Bass   3F 00 21    63 0  33    63 0  34
Fat Trance Bass    3F 00 22    63 0  34    63 0  35
Lately             3F 00 54    63 0  84    63 0  85

MMS Electronic pack voices

Voice              Hex         PC# 0:127   PC# 1:128
-----------------  --------    ---------   ---------
Big Lead           3F 00 64    63 0 100    63 0 101
Snap Seq           3F 00 75    63 0 117    63 0 118
Sync Phat 1        3F 00 28    63 0  40    63 0  41
Sync Phat 2        3F 00 35    63 0  53    63 0  54
Wobble Phase       3F 00 2B    63 0  43    63 0  44
Back Pad           3F 00 72    63 0 114    63 0 115
Landscape          3F 00 7A    63 0 122    63 0 123
Vapor              35 00 6D    63 0 109    63 0 110
Synth Bass         3F 00 58    63 0  88    63 0  89
Wazoo              3F 00 55    63 0  85    63 0  86
Wobble Bass        3F 00 20    63 0  32    63 0  33
Hard Saw Brass     3F 00 5E    63 0  94    63 0  95
Ober Horns         3F 00 5A    63 0  90    63 0  91
Timeless           3F 00 5D    63 0  93    63 0  94

MMS Hip Hop voices

Voice              Hex         PC# 0:127   PC# 1:128
-----------------  --------    ---------   ---------
Growl Tekk         3F 00 36    63 0  54    63 0  55
Soft RnB           3F 00 69    63 0 105    63 0 106
Square Lead 2      3F 00 6A    63 0 106    63 0 107
Goblins            3F 00 7C    63 0 124    63 0 125
Light Pad          3F 00 6E    63 0 110    63 0 111
Chuggin' Guitar    3F 00 42    63 0  66    63 0  67
Jazz Organ 2       3F 00 41    63 0  65    63 0  66
P.Mod Bass         3F 00 57    63 0  87    63 0  88
Lots O'Brass       3F 00 45    63 0  69    63 0  70

MMS R&B pack voices

Voice              Hex         PC# 0:127   PC# 1:128
-----------------  --------    ---------   ---------
Mini Three         3F 00 60    63 0  96    63 0  97
Simple Oct         3F 00 62    63 0  98    63 0  99
Sine Comp          3F 00 77    63 0 119    63 0 120
Square Lead 3      3F 00 7D    63 0 125    63 0 126
Analog 2           3F 00 38    63 0  56    63 0  57
Twist              3F 00 79    63 0 121    63 0 122
Oct Fuzz           3F 00 43    63 0  67    63 0  68
Mellow Piano       3F 00 40    63 0  64    63 0  65
Ice Bells          3F 00 46    63 0  70    63 0  71
Dark Bass          3F 00 50    63 0  80    63 0  81
Kick Bass          3F 00 56    63 0  86    63 0  87

Copyright © 2018 Paul J. Drongowski

Yamaha MODX Version 1.10 Update

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Yamaha just posted the MODX Data List, Reference Manual, Supplementary Manual, and Synthesizer Parameter Manual. You’ll find them in the Yamaha manual library or linked from the MODX page on your regional Yamaha site.

The Supplementary Manual describes the new functions added with the MODX Version 1.10 update. Quoting the manual:

Yamaha has upgraded the MODX firmware, adding the following new functions. This manual describes additions and changes with respect to the Reference Manual that came with your instrument.

  • A new function has been added that allows you to selectively enable (or disable) recording of Arpeggio data, when recording
    MIDI songs.
  • You can now set a Center Note in the Edit Waveform display.
  • You can now set a key for assignment when loading WAV files or AIFF files as waveforms.
  • You can now select the Assignable Knob for Common Parts, by pressing the [PART SELECT MUTE/SOLO] in the dialog
    displayed when selecting the Part parameter and pressing the [CONTROL ASSIGN] button.
  • The Panel Lock function has been added to prevent inadvertent operations during your performance.

The ability to assign a key to a WAV or AIFF waveform as it loads partially mitigates the hassle of triggering a backing track or other “sample” when playing. It requires the waveform to be loaded into expansion memory, however.

Both the Montage and MODX are a behind their competitors when it comes to playing a WAV/AIFF or MP3 from USB drive. Yes, you can do it, but it requires several steps. Yamaha need to extend the Live Set concept to remember both a Performance and a USB WAV/AIFF path name in a Live Set button. The button memory should also remember the audio level and AUTO-start status. This feature would be great for live play as a single or as a small combo with a backing track. In this way, one button press can bring up a patch and start a backing track from a USB flash drive — no menu diving.

Hey, hey, have fun today!

Copyright © 2018 Paul J. Drongowski (except manual quotation)

MODX aftermath

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After a veritable explosion of Yamaha MODX information on the Web, there isn’t too much new to say! One useful tidbit is MODX availability. Yamaha expect MODX to be available at retailers around September 27. Another tidbit is to download the MODX version 1.10 updater from the Yamaha support site, if you need it.

Folks shouldn’t forget the John Melas Montage/MODX tool set. Amidst all of the hoopla, John quietly released an updated tool set with MODX support. This is good news since it provides a MODX librarian, performance editor, Live Set editor and waveform editor — available separately or bundled. (Please see his Web site for details.)

I watched a little bit of the MODX launch live stream — enough to be duly impressed by DOMi. What a player! Her demo made a good background while I pulled together another donation to LIVING COMPUTERS: museum + labs. One take-away — it’s a long reach to the MODX8 PB/MOD wheels. The engineers needed the extra depth to accommodate the weighted keyboard action. Folks interested in the 88-key model should take this into account.

On Saturday, I spent an hour or so watching demo videos. For my purposes, the video by Blake Angelos (Yamaha) for Guitar Center is the best. He showed how to pull together an orchestral layer with Super Knob control. This is information that I can use. Thanks, Blake! Yamaha have really kept him running with the MODX launch.

Even though emphasis is on EDM and other pop — which pays the bills at Yamaha — there are very fine orchestral instruments hiding in plain sight on the Montage and MODX. In this regard, the Montage/MODX and Genos™ share sonic DNA by way of the underlying waveforms (AKA “the samples”). The separate product lines employ the waveforms in different ways (Extended Articulation versus Super Articulation), but the sound quality is amazing overall. Having worked with Genos over several months, it’s like an orchestral VST in a box, completed with scripted, articulated voices. Quite pleased.

I have such regard for the Montage acoustic instruments that I very seriously considered buying a Montage for my church gig. I passed mainly due to the weight and schlep factor. The MODX6 is a slender 14.6 pounds, a bit less than the MOX6 that I now transport and play. The MODX is a contender.

While evaluating Montage, I listed the new waveforms added to Motif XF and the new waveforms added to Montage. I was trying to decide if it made sense to upgrade to Motif XF on close-out or to go for Montage. [I decided to wait.] I’ll be using these tables, again, to compare MODX versus MOX because the MODX has the same waveforms and performances (voices) as Montage. Frankly, I don’t think there’s much question about “if”, so much as “when” to upgrade from MOX.

These are highly technical instruments. As a user, the Genos user interface (UI) is similar enough to the Tyros/PSR UI that I didn’t much too trouble making the transition from S950 to Genos. The transition from MOX to MODX is going to be a much bigger task, especially since I want to take advantage of scenes and macro control (AKA “the Super Knob”). Fortunately, the MODX UI is essentially the same as the Montage v2.5 UI and Yamaha have provided a fair number of “Mastering MODX” videos and resources on Day 1.

Copyright © 2018 Paul J. Drongowski

Yamaha MODX announcement

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I’m going to update this page as information rolls out.

The Yamaha MODX Owner’s Manual is now available in the Yamaha manual library. No Data List PDF (yet). Once we have the Data List, we’ll be able to do a better comparison of effect types versus the Montage. Yamaha added a number of effect algorithms through updates and, of course, we’re hoping that the MODX will have the same arsenal.

After taking a quick side-by-side pass through the MODX Owner’s Manual, it’s clear that the MODX has much of the on-screen Montage user interface. The MODX and Montage code base is now the same and this should help Yamaha to swat bugs on both platforms and to reduce internal software development costs.

New to the MODX user interface are Rhythm Patterns. Quoting the MODX Owner’s Manual:

The [Rhythm Pattern] button provides a simple way to add a rhythm part to the current Performance. By combining rhythm patterns and the Envelope Follower, you can modify the patterns even further.

Use this button to call up the Rhythm Pattern display. You select the Rhythm Pattern you want to use, and then press [PERFORMANCE (HOME)] button or [EXIT] button to set the selection.

Seems to be a way to get a beat going quickly and is an enhancement of the existing arpeggio mechanism. [Click image to enlarge.]

Rest assured. There is a performance recorder/sequencer which is the (nearly) the same as Montage (MODX: 128 songs, Montage: 64 songs). Lack of a full sequencer (a la Motif/MOX) will disappoint some. I intend to keep my MOX6 and trusty QY-70.

The on-screen Live Set operation is identical to Montage. As noted before, the MODX drops the extensive bank of front panel buttons on the Montage. The Montage’s physical buttons mirrored the operation of the Live Set on-screen buttons, etc. I’ll have to try switching patches on-the-fly using the touch screen alone to determine if this is an acceptable compromise for me. I rely on quick changes when I play and I don’t always know in advance what voice I’ll be using. I’m an improvisational orchestrator.

Also as noted earlier, there are four sliders instead of eight. Front panel buttons select between part group 1 to 4 and group 5 to 8 in order to control part volume via the sliders. Again, some operational compromises due to cost saving as there are fewer direct access controls on the MODX. The MODX also has fewer SHIFT functions due to the elimination of the Montage’s front panel button matrix.

On-line retailers are beginning to offer the MODX on pre-order. Yamaha is going to sell a lot of these!

USA pricing table:

MODX6 MODX7 MODX8
MSRP (list) $1,649 USD $1,899 USD $2,399 USD
MAP (street) $1,299 USD $1,499 USD $1,899 USD
Weight 14.6 pounds 16.3 pounds 30.4 pounds

Yamaha MODX vs. Montage table:

Feature MODX Montage
Display 7″ WVGA color TFT 7″ WVGA color TFT
AWM2 poly 128 128
FM-X poly 64 128
SSS 4 parts 8 parts
Faders 4 8
Encoders 4 8
Buttons 4 8
Ribbon No Yes
USB audio in 4 channels (2 stereo) 6 channels (3 stereo)
USB audio out 10 channels (5 stereo) 16 channels
Sampling frequency 44.1kHz Up to 192kHz
ADC inputs 2 2
Dual insert effects 12 parts+A/D 16 parts+A/D
Waveforms 6,347 6,347
Waveform ROM 5.67GB 5.67GB
Flash ROM 1.00GB 1.75GB
User Performances 640 640
Library Performances 5,120 5,120
Scenes 8 per Perf
Arpeggios 10,239 10,000+
Simultaneous Arps 8 8
Perf Rec Songs 128 64
MIDI IN,OUT IN,OUT,THRU
Output Unbalanced Balanced
Keyboard Synth FSX
Aftertouch No Yes
Weight 61-key 14.6 pounds 33.1 pounds

Copyright © 2018 Paul J. Drongowski

Yamaha MODX audio demos

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The folks at AudioFanzine.com have posted 40 audio snippets demonstrating the new Yamaha MODX synthesizer. Merci beaucoup, AudioFanzine.com!

Pretty much sounds like a Montage! Strings, horns, brass, organ — I can’t hear much difference from the Montage.

I love the woodwind demo. Nicely played with a contemporary cinematic flair. Très bon!

Having spent a lot of time with Genos™, I feel that the Montage — and now Yamaha MODX — electric pianos have more guts. I can’t wait to dive into the programming of these voices and hope to beef up the Genos EPs. Ditto the B3 organ and clavs.

Owning both a Yamaha synth and a Yamaha arranger has proven to be a good practical strategy for voice and style development. I can explore voice programming on the synth and then translate the same programming (modulo limitations in Yamaha Expansion Manager) to the Genos. It works in the reverse direction, too. Some of the arranger programming is inspirational and I can translate it back to the synth. Always steal from the best!

If you’re considering an upgrade from MOX or MOXF, you should check out my analysis of the new waveforms in Montage. The Yamaha MODX has the same factory waveforms as the Montage and this analysis should help you to decide. Whether it’s Yamaha, Roland, Korg, etc., the waveforms are the basis for current and future sounds.

Copyright © 2018 Paul J. Drongowski

Yamaha MODX: A few more details

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A few more pre-announcement details are coming out about the new Yamaha MODX synthesizer. Official prices will be announced tomorrow.

MODX6 MODX7 MODX8
Price 1,399€ 1,599€ 1,799€
Weight 6.6kg 7.4kg 13.8kg

For ‘mercans, that’s:

MODX6 MODX7 MODX8
MSRP (list) $1,649 USD $1,899 USD $2,399 USD
MAP (street) $1,299 USD $1,499 USD $1,899 USD
Weight 14.6 pounds 16.3 pounds 30.4 pounds

The current MOXF6 and MOXF8 weigh 15.6 pounds and 32.8 pounds, respectively. Nice to see a weight reduction.

The current MSRPs for the MOXF6 and MOXF8 are $1,499 and $1,999. So, we’re probably lookin’ at a slight price increase. At least we won’t have to purchase add-on flash memory boards.

Speaking of which, the Yamaha flash expansion boards are now totally dead end. If you’re negotiating for a MOXF, be sure to get your retailer to kick in a flash expansion board or two. Just sayin’.

The MODX Owner’s Manual is now available in the Yamaha manual library. Check your regional site.

Roland Drops a Keytar

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I’m sure you’ve seen it elsewhere by now…

Special thanks to the chap who posted this image on Gearslutz!

9 pounds, eh? I’m still trying to get rid of my Les Paul copy. Too old for this… 🙂

I did have a chance to check the Roland Juno DS line. Nice mid-range product and can operate on batteries. I’m full up on Roland, so I’ll be passing it by. If you’re looking for a mid-range ‘board, give it a listen. The DS is respectable.

Yamaha MODX pictures

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There are some very nice pictures of the new Yamaha MODX on AudioFanzine.com. Good close-ups of the front panel and screen.

Here’s a few additional thoughts to go along with my earlier comments about the Yamaha MODX.

Yamaha have moved the pitch bend wheel, modulation wheel and assignable buttons to the upper left. The MOX/MOXF places these controls just to the left of the keybed. Some users, including me, are not happy with the MODX placement. I use the assignable buttons quite a bit, especially for fast, one button changes to a patch. By fast, I mean très fast. My left hand holds down bass and taking my left hand off the keyboard creates a big sonic hole. Not happy.

I’m glad, as usual, to see transpose on the front panel. You never know when your singer is going to call for a last-second key change. Yeah, I know that I should be able to do that with head and hands… There’s enough stress at the gig already.

The pictures at Audio Fanzine remind me of the Montage Live Set feature. A Live Set is a group of sixteen performances arranged as a 4-by-4 grid of on-screen buttons. The buttons are big enough to poke while playing. I may not have to select a new patch via scene buttons as I originally thought. I guess we’re going to find out how big the buttons really are and how accurate I am as a poker.

By the way, if you want further insight into my thinking, check out my MOX6 Retrospective.

Copyright © 2018 Paul J. Drongowski