MIDI-Songs
What is a “MIDI-File”?
MIDI-Songs are songs programmed for your instrument based on original chart titles. Compared to an audio .mp3 file, a MIDI-File is characterized by maximum flexibility because MIDI itself does not sound, but controls your instrument. So you can change the tempo, transpose, assign your favorite sounds to tracks or completely remix the MIDI-Song. With the help of MIDI-Files and their control tracks, you can have notes and chords shown in the display or even control a vocal harmonizer (automatic generation of polyphonic choral singing).
How is a MIDI-Song structured?
MusicSoftEurope MIDI-Songs – consist of 16 tracks on the maximum of 16 possible MIDI channels. There is also a master track with global control data.
- Channel 01: Vocal or instrument main melody
- Channel 02: Chor or second melody voice
- Channel 03: Bass
- Channel 09: Drums, percussion
- Channel 10: Main drums
- Channel 15: Simplified score of channel 1 & important melodies
- Channel 16: Vocal Harmony track
In which order is MIDI data sent to the keyboard tone generator?
1. System exclusive data (e.g. General MIDI on, Yamaha XG on, reverb type)
2. Channel-specific mix data (including volume, panorama, program change commands)
3. Count-in
4. As a rule, the first notes follow from bar 3 after the count-in.
Notes and lyrics display
What is SysEx and XF-Data?
Notation display and lyrics display are programmed with the help of so-called system-exclusive data and meta data. Meta data is no MIDI data and are therefore not transmitted using the MIDI protocol. In 1999, Yamaha introduced a number of its own meta-events under the name “XF”. XF stands for “extended MIDI-File”. SysEx (system exclusive data) enable experienced MIDI programmers to control and change almost every single parameter of an instrument (e.g. reverb times, equalizer settings and even color notation)
What are marker and cue points?
Position information is inserted into the MIDI-Song with markers and cue points. As so-called “song position markers”, these can locate song positions (e.g. verse, chorus, outro) so the musician can immediately access them during playback.
What is the difference between Text and Lyrics XF Events
With XF Meta-Text Events, text can be inserted that does not necessarily have to be displayed during playback, e.g. copyright information. Lyrics can be used so that they can be shown on the intrument’s display.
What are XF chord events ? (Chords or harmony)
With this type of XF events, chords (e.g. C#7 or Emin11) are set at any time position of the MIDI-File. When playing, these chords are then shown on the instrument’s display.
Abbreviations for some file formats:
| .mid | A standard MIDI file. This file can be played back as a song on your keyboard or further processed in sequencer software such as Cubase, Logic or others. |
| .mid0 | More detailed description of a MIDI-File format. Type0 means that all notes and events with their channel information are saved in a region. Simpler keyboards use this format. However, it is quite confusing if you want to edit it further. In terms of sound, however, it makes no difference. |
| .mid1 | More detailed description of a MIDI-File format. Type1 means that the notes and events with their channel information can be saved in individual regions. It is clearer if you want to edit it further. In terms of sound, however, it makes no difference |
| .sty | Style file that can be played on your Yamaha instrument. In principle, this is a MIDI-File with special additional information, controlled by the left hand for automatic accompaniment. |
| .pad | Multipad file that can be played on your Yamaha instrument. In principle this is a MIDI-File with special additional information. |
| .reg | Registration Bank File that you can use on your keyboard. As .reg there are also older file types e.g. PSR 9000. |
| .ppi | Pack Installation File, a sound expansion file that can be easily installed on your keyboard (e.g. Tyros 5, SX series, Genos). |
| .cpf | An encrypted sound expansion file that can be installed on your keyboard using the Yamaha Expansion Manager program. To do this, you need your Instrument ID. |
| .ppf | An Expansion-Pack-File that you can load into the Yamaha Expansion Manager |
| .zip | A compressed file that uses less storage space |
| .pad | MIDI multi pad |
| .pd2 | AudioLink Multi Pad |
| .prs | Pro Style (accompanying rhythm that can be harmonized in advance) |
| .sst | Session Style (Style plays chord progressions independently) |
| .fps | Free play style without rhythmic elements |
| .aus | Audio style |
| .n27 | Instrument Info File |
| license_id.n25 | License key (Tyros 3/4) |
| instrument_id.n26 | Instrument ID (Tyros 3/4 |
| .yep | Voice & Style Expansion Pack |