Hi Donny,
Here is a nice write up from Joe H on the PSR Forum in case you missed it
Hi Paul,
Now that I have had my S970 setup for awhile (since December) and have learned a bit from experimenting with the Arpeggiator and LIVE CONTROL, I can say with confidence that the arps and patterns you posted using your Chronos can be reproduced on the S970... but NOT nearly as easy... simply because it is an arranger keyboard and not a "performance" keyboard. By this I mean Yamaha does not given us all the Panel controls or access to certain MIDI parameters typically found on performance keyboards like the Chronos, Motif, and Montage. As I stated above, we have to do things differently. The arpeggios (and thousands of MIDI Loops available for download and purchase) can be used in style Parts and Multi Pads. And thankfully, we now have a live arpeggiator for the R1/R2 Voices
I am re-posting here from another recent thread, what I have learned with some added comments:
LIVE CONTROL and Arpeggiator Features
LIVE CONTROL:
1. Several parameters can make a big difference in how the arpeggios play. Among the most useful are: Filter-Cutoff, Gate Time, Unit Multiply, and Arp Note Velocity.
2. Some Voices will require modification using VOICE SET (create a User Voice). Adjustments of Attack, Release, and Filter will allow many Voices to play well with an arpeggio that will not work with the Preset Voice default settings. (I have created variations of the same Voice to play differently with different arps)
3. LIVE CONTROL settings, IE; knob assignments and data values cannot be saved in registrations. Yamaha Japan says this is not possible
4. LIVE CONTOL (saved) 1-8 knob assignments can be changed real-time if you have the LIVE CONTROL screen open
5. One of the knob assignments (R1/R2 Balance) will allow you to Morph between R1 and R2 (use the same Voice with different arps)
The arpeggiator:
1. A lot of variation in playback can be accomplished by the number of keys held down and by changing your fingering as the arpeggio plays.
2. Adjusting Gate Time (note length) to Tempo will allow arps to work with different genre of musical styles. EI; shorter Gate Time at faster Tempos and longer Gate Times at slower Tempos.
3. "Play the arp" by lifting up and pressing again on the keys at certain intervals in time with Tempo can create significant variations of the arp playback
4. Real-time adjustments of Filter Cut-Off Frequency, Gate Time (note length), and Note Velocity can create many interesting variations of arp playback (depending on the particular Voice)
5. R1 or R2... or both are selectable to play the arps. R1 can be set to play the arp while R2 plays a sustained note of the same or different Voice (string or synth pad Voice).
6. The arp Volume can be set to match the Voice level without the arp playing (important), so when you turn the Arp On and Off the Voice level remains the same.
7. The Arp Type can be saved in registrations
8. Arp Types can be changed on-the-fly real-time with the Arp Type screen open. This tehnique allows for greater variety when play the arp in a lead line. The Arp Menu will remember the last arp selected in each arp catagory, so that a single press of the button will allow real-time changes in the arp type. This can also be better accomplished saving the Arp Type in a registration.
9. It is easy to alternate between the LIVE CONTROL screen and Arp screen while playing. Start with the Arp screen open, then press the Assign Button to open the LIVE CONTROL screen. To go back to the Arp screen, press the EXIT button. To enter the LIVE CONTROL screen again press the Assign Button.
Joe H
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