Hi... I'm looking to find a place, perferably US, that I can buy Yamaha's XG Works from. The Yamaha UK site just runs me in circles. Anyone ? Also, is 3.0 the latest version of this software ? THanks...

Esh

PS: I'd be willing to trade some software for a copy of XGWorks 3.0 if anyone is interested. Email: jimeshleman@hotmail.com

Hello Esh,

You can purchase XGworks from here XG Works 3.0 You will also see tutorials, updates etc (3.05) here, and the like at yamaha websites etc/ XG works updates and tutorial videos

J5

I own both a Yamaha PSR2000 and a PC running Windows XP, and am exploring the possibility of purchasing XG Works 3.0 for music production (PSR2000 & vocals).

I currently own Cakewalk Sonar and am wondering how XG Works' digital audio & midi recording/editing features and overall ease of use, compares with Cakewalk Pro Audio & Sonar.

Does XG Works include an instrument definitions 'patch list' file so you can easily call up any of the PSR2000's keyboard sounds & drumkits directly from XG Works?

Will XG Works allow you to edit midi data while audtioning the changes in REAL time (loop mode)? Unfortunately, 'Cakewalk Pro Audio' and 'Cakewalk Sonar' does NOT support this. On the other hand, 'Emagic Logic' does.

Does XG Works support converting PSR2000 midi files into XG Works audio files (along with the XG Works vocal tracks) and then convert this into an MP3, WAV, Windows Media, and/or Real Media Player file format?

Anyone here have experience with both Cakewalk & XG Works? Are there any avantages to getting XG Works if I already have Cakewalk Sonar? Feedback & advice appreciated.

Still loving the PSR2000,

- Scott

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http://scottyee.com

Scott,

I have XG works but only a very basic Cakewalk sequencer ( Express ). I've demoed Sonar too. There aren't "definition files" for XG works that work in the sameway as they do in Cakewalk, but there are instrument files for the older PSR models plus an update from XG works site that included the newer models. I am not certain whether or not the 2000 has been added. All of the "standard" XG voices patches are recognized. I had not checked for a 2000 update myself, but was using the 740 and 9000 instrument files to call up the panel voices on the 2000 ( They are a virtual match except that the 2000 has a few different voices

Things I like about XG works :

Good midi editing capabilities.

Ability to import and utilize any Yamaha SFF style ( including those properly converted from other manufacturers ). you could step write a song by entering the chords and variations from any style and have it play back in XG works. I no longer have a PSR keyboard, but even though my Motif doesn't read "XG" the style playback from XG works still sounds excellent.

XG edit function. This was very important to me when I had the 740. I was able to edit parameters in an XG midifile that were not available to me on the board including adding and editing an insertion effect for an individual track and editing severl synth paramters. It was less improtant with the 2000 because most of those controls are available on the board itself, but XG edit allows for editing synth parameters in greater detail than the 2000 if it matters.

The midi file importer, which allows you to import any number of midi files and place them at any measure in XG works. ( Great for me for layering and / or adding several mini midifiles of drum and bass patterns made in Jammer Pro )

Things I don't like:

The inability to add / modify custom patch files. I want to ( and still do ) use XG works when working with the PA80 and the Motif, but changing patches is a royal pain because I have to enter the patch and bank data manually in the "list" window. sometimes it's just easier to fire up Cakewalk, change the patches there, and save and reopen the file back in XG works.

The manual is in PDF format and like many other manual's it leaves a bit to be desired. They give a basic written booklet of "how to's", but the booklet is not the manual. The manual is available only as computer PDF document. PDF is fine but it's a pain compared to opening up a book. This is a rather complicated ( but intuitive ) piece of software. I needed to utilize the manual to learn about several of the functions, but instead, more times than not, trial and error was the mode of the day.

Things I really don't care much about:

Limited audio functionality. XG works strength is in it's midi and xg functionality. For audio editing and recording, I use N Track studio and Cool Edit. I have tried Cakewalk and all the other major contenders, but for me N Track shines above all, and is a tremendous value for the price. N track also has a sequencer, but it's strength is audio, just as XG works strength is midi. The two softwares sync perfectly together and with my synths as well.



[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 05-29-2002).]

It seems that XGWorks dont operate under WindowsXP (I tried the demo).

Jupitar5: Thanks for the XG Works links.

Bluezplayer:
Many thanks for your valuable input. The ability of XGWorks to recognize Yamaha SFF styles and Yamaha specific arranger type FF Meta events (chord names , etc) is enough to convince me it will be useful for me, as Cakewalk does NOT support this.

I know asked this question in my original posting above, but does XGWorks allow you to perform midi editing 'on the fly' allowing you to hear your edited changes in 'real' time?

Mogens:
I think there's a brand new XG Works 3.xx updater patch (downloadable?) which updates XG Works 3.0 to work with Windows XP. Can anyone provide details on this?

Anyone here running XG Works on Windows XP yet? Any known issues?

Thanks,

Scott


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http://scottyee.com

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 05-29-2002).]

Yes, XG works allows me to make changes on the fly and it has a loop function which allows me to play around with a section and make changes in real time.

Thanks J5 for the info... I ordered XGworks from zZounds today. And thanks to BP for the XGWorks info. BTW: do you know if XGWorks has an instrument file for the 9000 Pro ?

BTW: I use Sonar 2.0 currently for tweaking my sequences into shape and it does a pretty good job of allowing me to pick sounds for my 9000 Pro (I found an instrument definition file on the web for the PSR9000 that works). It also allows me to set some basic effects parameters. I expect XG Works to allow me to do some deeper XG programming, especially as it relates to EQ and insertion effects, plus use some of the expansion board editors that came with my PLG boards.

If anyone here knows of anything better than XG Works for XG sequencing, I'd like to hear about it...

Scott, you're right - there's an update available for running XGWorks on WindowsXP. Download from http://www.yamaha.co.uk/xg/html/midplug/m_mid10.htm - but just for for XGWorks Version 3.0-3.0x (I tried to update the XGWorks demo, but no luck).

Hey,
Yamaha will be introducing an all new sequencer "very soon" that will employ their new technology "OPT". They were calling it Version 5 at one time, but I think its going to be called something else....we'll see...
OPT technology will allow you to use DX and VST plugins and more(check the yamaha sites about this)....
I like to do all my xg sequencing in XGWorks. Its THE ONLY sequencer which will allow you to access ALL perimeters of XG midi WITHOUT a 3rd party editor(such as xgpad or xgedit). Once Ive finished with all the midi stuff, I open the midi up in Sonar and do all my audio, etc. I dont like the audio aspect of xgworks - sonar is much better at audio!!! Make sure you get the updates (3.05e & patch for XP) again at the Yamaha sites.If you haven't bought it yet, you might want to wait on the new version, last I heard, they expected to release it sometime this summer.

DudeManCentral

[This message has been edited by DMC (edited 05-29-2002).]