Way back when somebody brought up the point that you can't change styles thru sysex. I'm not sure if this has been addressed on the newer PSRs (Steve, are you listening?). Anyways, here's a work around I came up with. You can set aside 2 or 3 registrations in a bank that just have the style information saved; no voices, tempo, transpose, etc.. Then you could set footswitch to flip thru only these registrations.

Michael,

Yes, I listening. Someone please tell me why would you want to change styles via sysex?
BTW, try using the Freeze function instead of creating unique registrations.

------------------
Steve Deming
Assistant Manager
Customer Support Dept.
Pro Audio & Combo Division
Yamaha Corporation of America
YCASupport@yamaha.com
714.522.9000

I think what Michael's is asking here is whether it's possible (yet) on any Yamaha arranger kb to select a different auto accompaniment style via a midi foot pedal controller (like the Yamaha MFC10) which is programable to send midi SysEX messages. The answer is: NO.

If Yamaha ever decides to add SysEx support (assigning a unique 'system exclusive' message) to each one of its internal styles, it would then be possible to select/change styles via a programable multi foot pedal midi controller like the MFC10.

One thing I'd like to see on a future Yamaha arranger keyboard is adding 'SysEX support' (assigning a SyEX message) to each of the 4 multipads which would then allow you to trigger any one of them from the MFC10.

Because Yamaha arrangers only include 2 (PSR2100) or 3 (Tyros) dedicated (non midi type) single foot switches, it's not possible to assign/trigger all 4 multipads from footswitchs. If SysEX support is added to each of the 4 multipads, then you could program/trigger them from any 4 assigned pedals on the MFC10. The ability to spontaneously trigger the multipads (4) from remote footpedals would further add to the realism of arranger keyboard performance. Steve Deming: I hope you'll consider passing this request on to Yamaha Japan's R&D dept. Thanks, - Scott

PS: The list of all SysEX supported features on Yamaha arrangers can be found in the associated 'Data List' manual which comes with your Yamaha arranger KB. This begins on page 56 for the Tyros in its 'Data List' manual.

Steve, the freeze trick is a pretty good idea. But I already use the freeze for other functions.
Now how's this for an idea:
If creating an individual sysex message for each style is impractical, why can't they use regular controller messages? Actually, that would be even better as there are a lot of midi controllers that can't send sysex.

While we are on the subject, if they could make the tempo controlled via a CC message, it would make a lot more sence than the current sysex implementaion.

Thanks for listening,
Michael

Hi Michael: Your idea sounds really interesting, but aren't the number of undefined assignable 'controler messages' pretty limited, and not nearly enough to cover the number of internal styles in the PSR keyboard? I admittedly don't have a complete understanding of the way assignable midi control change (CC) messeges work, so I'm really intrigued about the possibility & advantages of Yamaha assigning 'midi controler messages' vs 'SysEx' messages, to call up internal keyboard styles. - Scott

There are 127 possibble continuous controller (CC) messages. Only a fraction are used (to the best of my knowledge). Each CC has 127 (maybe 128) possible values. So you would only need to dedicate 2 or 3. I think they can afford that.
As for the tempo idea, I take it back. Being that there are only 127 possible values per CC, and there is double that amount in tempo values, it's not really possible unless you limit the controll to every other BPM (eg. 128, 130, 132, etc.).

By the way, I don't claim to be a thorough guru, and it's possible that I may be wrong about my understanding of CC messages.

That disclaimer stated, I think I'm right :-)

One more thing: I noticed in the midi implmentation, there are sysex messages to select styles in song mode. So apparently it's not so impractical to implement-it's sort of already there. All they have to do is allow you to control it in real time.

-Michael