I was talking to Scott Yee over the phone, and he mentioned a feature of the PSR2000 that I didn't realize existed.

The PSR2000 has two footpedal inputs As of now, I've been using one for sustain and the other to activate the keyboard harmony feature (not vocal harmony) because the harmony button is so far from the keys.

I didn't know until talking to Scott that you can configure a footpedal to activate a drum fill with whatever MAIN style control button you are currently using. I have been lifting up my left or right hand and pressing the style control button to get the fill, but sometimes my fingers are too busy to do this.

So what do I do if I want all three functions? Do I hook up one of those bulky pedal boards like the MFC2000 or whatever the model is? You know the midi controllers with seven pedals and a volume pedal. I don't think so. They're too heavy and I would either not use half of the pedals or I would be too busy figuring which one to use to connect with the audience.

I found a programmable midi controller from MIDI Solutions for $99: http://www.computersandmusic.com/xcgi/SoftCart.exe/store1/midisolutions/footswitch.html?E+mystore1 (I list the place that has the best price). You plug a footpedal in and you plug the controller into your midi input. It is easily programmed to relay a sysex message to your keyboard. I figure you can find a way to stick both the controller and the footpedal together on a piece of plywood.

This is a way you can get that extra function in without spending a ton and without having to purchase an entire pedal board.

I'm mulling whether to get this, but I'll wait to find out if anyone has any better ideas ... besides buying a Tyros.

Beakybird

Beaky, I am not sure that controller will do what you want, ie., trigger a Fill. That function is not mentioned on the features listed.

A simpler way is setting up one of the foot pedals to trigger a Fill, use the other foot pedal for your "Harmony" and to get a sustain effect, (I assume you are using the sustain with the Grand Piano voice), just turn on the 'Sustain' button up at the top under "Voice Effect". Although it is sort of a pseudo-quasi sustain effect, it does at least provide some sustain functionality.

To get a more thorough and optimal sustain effect is to use the foot switch of course. And using both the foot pedal AND the Sustain button for sustain produces an even better sustain effect imo. But that's beside the point.

If you can "endure" just using the 'Sustain Button' as I mentioned, then great. If you can't and need a permanent, ie., "better" solution, try the midi controller and if it works, great, if not; if they have a 30 day return guarantee, just return it for a refund.

I am also waiting for an Arranger that will have 3 foot switch inputs like the Tyros has, but one that will also have built-in speakers. With Summer NAMM just a couple months away I am hoping there will be a new Arranger or two that will have both of those features plus the other features on my wish list. There are too many to list at the moment but someday my ship WILL arrive. And for all it's worth, I hope Yamaha is the one it arrives on . Yammy is the best when it comes to being able to accumulate all those fantastic Styles from the Net. Literally thousands upon thousands and ten thousands upon ten thousands. Or as DonM would say, "A whole heap of them". Just teasing Don! Any way Beaky, I hope you find a workable solution.

Best regards to all,
Mike

Get it right--it's a "whole mess of 'em".
DonM

Hi Beakybird Larry,

Interesting that you brought this topic up because, being a 3 pedaled footswitch player (on the Tyros) myself (left pedal : fill to self; center pedal: vocal hamony on/off, right pedal: sustain), have explored the possibility of adding a 3rd pedal assignment on the PSR2000. Here are my findings:

Unfortunately, the PSR2000 does not support midi (sysex) for the 'fill to self' feature (PSR2000 data list manual: pages 44-48 does not show support for 'fill to self' ), so the 'fill to self' can only be triggered via dedicated footswitch jacks (1 or 2) .

In light of this, another possibility might be to assign 'vocal harmony on/off' to the Midi Solutions Footswitch Box (midi sysex) and assign 'sustain' & 'fill to self' to the dedicated PSR2000 footswitches. I've discovered that triggering vocal harmony requires two different sysex messages:

Vocal harmony 'ON': F0 43 10 4C 04 00 0C 40 F7
Vocal harmony 'OFF': F0 43 10 4C 04 00 0C 7F F7

The key question now is: will the Midi Solutions Footswitch unit not only trigger the ON sysex message (turning vocal harmony on) but then allow you to turn it OFF, by automatically triggering the 2nd sysex message, the 'next' time you activate its associated footswitch. The Midi Solutions Footswitch unit must allow you to program both above sysex messages to it, and then have each one alternately sent to the PSR2000 , each time the foot switch is activated. I'd be curious to hear if the Midi Solutions Footswitch box supports this or not.

Scott

Yes, of course, Scott. I was actually thinking of assigning sustain to the midi pedal. So for $100 plus shipping you can expand the pedal capabilities of your PSR2000. Is it worth it? I'm thinking about it. I think I will place an order in the next few days.

Beakybird

Hi Larry:

As I'm sure you know, a Midi control change message is different than a Sysex message. Sustain is not supported via Sysex, but instead, via midi control change 64 message, so if you're able to program the Midi Solutions Foot Controler Box to send out midi control change message 64 (sustain) to your PSR2000, then this will work great as you could then assign the dedicated PSR2000 footcontrolers 1 & 2 to vocal harmony & fill to self.

To me, utilizing the 'fill to self' function can turn an average performance into a terrific one. When I play, I keep 'auto fill' turned on so that whenever a variation button is selected, it's preceded by a fill (as is customaryily played by live drummers). In addition, I like to occasionally add fills every 4 bars (no hard rule though). Utilizing 'fill to self' adds 'live' drum fill spontaneous energy & realism which isn't there with auto accomp drums alone, and well worth the $100 investment (if required) on the PSR2000 to achieve this. I'm anxious to hear how the Midi Solutions midi Footswitch box works out for you. - Scott

Hi Beakybird, All,
my name is David and I live in Göteborg, Sweden. I have resently joined this forum and I have a PSR-2100 on order. This will be my first post.

I'd like to share some links that I have come across in the last few weeks about midi foot controllers:
http://www.avantgart.com/kittyhawk/midi_gear/midi_foot-controller.html http://www.nobels.com/en/index.htm http://www.virtualmonkey.net/ds1b.htm

I have not had the time to check them out in detail, but there are some information on the sites and email addresses if you want more information. Please let us know how it works out.

With best regards,
/David

This device is beginning to look like a hassle. It looks like you need to have the keyboard's midi out plugged into the controller's midi in plus the controller's midi out plugged into the keyboard's midi in plus a footswitch plugged into the controller. Too many wires. I found someone in Ireland who sells kits to build a midi sustain pedal. I'm negotiating with him about him building me one. It runs on a 9 volt battery.

Beakybird

Larry: I don't believe it's as complicated as you think, because you only need to connect the keyboard's 'midi out' to the controler box's 'midi in' ONCE, when initially programming & storing midi control change #64 (sustain) into the box.

After this one time setup, the sustain (controler #64) command is stored permanently in the box, so the only thing you need to do is connect a foot pedal to the controler box and the box to the PSR2000's midi in. Seems real simple to me. I would think that both the short midi cable connecting between the foot pedal and control box, and another cable going out of the 'midi out' of the control box could be left permanently attached, so all you need to do during gig setup is plug ONE midi cable (the cable going out of the foot controler box) into the 'midi in' on the PSR2000 and you'd be ready to go.

The more IMPORTANT question imho is whether the Midi Solutions Foot Controler box recognizes & stores standard midi control change messages like sustain (64) and not just SysEx. I would expect it should as midi control changes are universally standard across the board. I do though recommend contacting the manufacter to confirm this first though.



Interesting, does the Midi Solutions Footswitch Controler require a 9 volt battery as well? I still think the Midi Solutions box may be the easier route to take if it recognizes and stores midi control change 64.

Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 05-13-2003).]

Here is a reply to an email I sent inquiring about a midi sustain pedal. Using this with a PSR2000, one can dedicate the other pedal inputs to other functions:

tscarff@eircom.net
To: Lhl2468@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)


Hi Larry,
Yes that was an old page that I should have removed. However I can produce a finished Sustain Pedal Unit in an enclosure containing an on/off switch, MIDI DIN connector, power ON LED and 1/4 inch Jack socket for $65.00 including shipping.

I hope this is suitable.

Regards, Tom.

Beakybird

The midisolutions.com website gives the impression that the unit doesn't work without power, and that the unit gets power through the midi input.

I'd rather use a unit with a 9 volt battery that's $45 cheaper after shipping.

Beakybird

Beaky: ahhhh. Now I realize why the Midi Solutions unit needs that midi in cable from the PSR2000. and with the significant price difference as well, it soundslike the midi sustain unit is the best choice. Looking forward to hearing your feedback and report when you receive it. - Scott

I am sending a money order for $65 to this fellow in Ireland who makes the midi sustain pedal. He informed me that it is 4 1/2" x
2 1/2" X 1 1/4". It runs on a 9 volt battery. You need to plug in a footswitch and to plug the unit into the midi input of your keyboard. This will free up the pedal I use for sustain for another purpose: namely to trigger fills.

Beakybird

First of all, I'm thrilled to hear that you're wanting to dedicate a footswitch to triggering fills. I GUARANTEE, that by assigning 'fill to self' to a footswitch that it will make your performance sound both MORE exciting (LIVE) and Professional, because by freeing up BOTH hands to dedicate exclusively to actually PLAYING the 'entire' keyboard, you'll be able to then add tasty drum fills at just the right spots in the song ANYTIME you wish. This would be physically IMPOSSIBLE to achieve any other way, that's unless you're an Octopus with more than two hands.

If BOTH the 'midi sustain pedal' & 'HDM Flash Memory Hard Drive' deliver as promised, this will solve the long standing complaints I've had with the PSR2000 and encourage me to take my PSR2000 out for small gigs again.

Successfuly adding 3 pedal & HD support will make the PSR2000 (as well as the new PSR2100) an even MORE attractive budget concious alternative ($1,200 street price: INCLUDING both midi sustain & HDM Flash drive) vs Tyros ($2,400 street price) than it already is.

Ok, I know some of you may be asking now if I think the Tyros is worth the difference in price vs the PSR2000, especially in light of the prospects of the HDM drive & midi sustain add on features. For me, the Tyros is worth the cost difference because coming from a background as a pro keyboardist, I need & appreciate the studier keyboard build and more responsive action. In addition, instant access to 1000's of styles-songs stored on the Tyros HD as well as PC support for Tyros HD 2 way file transfer & management, sound editings, etc, is another great Tyros feature that the PSR2000 doesn't include. The full color LCD tilt screen and improved navigation, and larger buttons (lighted) are much better on the Tyros as well. The 'mega voices' (on the Tyros) are certainly impressive, but not mandatory as the PSR2000's sounds are impressive enough in their own right. For those willing to accept the spongier PSR2000 keyboard action & flimsy key contruction, and who also have to have built in speakers, than the PSR2100/2000 is a smart choice. I myself love having both the Tyros & PSR2000 at my peforming disposal. Lately I've been taking the Tyros to all my gigs, taking along (on the small gigs) the Motion Sound KP100S (+ possibly the Tyros subwoofer box if added bass omph is desired), and adding the EV SxA100's for the larger events, utilizing the KP100S as a personal stage monitor.

Larry (Beaky), I'm anxious to hear your feedback after you've finally received and had a chance to test out both the HDM hard drive & midi pedal on your PSR2000.

Scott