CVP-20x MIDI capabilities & style composition

[prich2]

I'm thinking about purchasing either a CVP-208 or CVP-210 and am doing some research on their capabilities, having played one in a music store. What I'd like to know is

:A: Can you split the keyboard so that the left-hand side will output on one MIDI channel, and the right-hand side on a different MIDI channel and therefore trigger different sounds from external MIDI sound sources ?

:B: Is it possible to create your own styles - if someone could briefly explain the process for doing this, and how/whether you can exchange them via the Internet, I'd be grateful.

:C: I've also heard rumours that you can use the mic/line input to trigger the Clavinova's sounds - Is this true, and if so how well does it work in practice (how accurate is the tracking, etc.) ?

[Howard]

To answer a couple of your questions.

1. As far as I am aware the keyboard acts as a MIDI controller for just one channel at a time. The split point only affects the internal voices. Just for interest, how had you envisaged using this kind of feature if it was available - they may be a workaround for what you are trying to achieve.

2. You can create your own styles both with the Clavinova and with a PC. There is a dedicated area within the Digital Studio area of the Clavinova where you can build styles from scratch. There are also PC based programmes to produce styles and you can also use XG Works (Yamahas PC based sequencer) to make your own styles. There are thousands of styles that you can download via the internet. An excellent place to start is www.psrtutorial.com. There is a huge range of resources relating to the Clavinova/PSR range of instruments. PSR styles work equally well on the Clavinova.

3. Not had much experience with a microphone as I dont (cant!) sing. I have had a play about though and the microphone does seem to work well for sing alongs etc. I'm sure there will be others on these forums that will be able to further advise you.

[prich2]

Howard,
Thanks for your reply. To give you an example, I may want to get the left-hand side of the keyboard to play a bass sound on another MIDI source, and get the right-hand side to play a sax sound on a different MIDI source, therefore a different channel. Obviously, if the keyboard as a whole only transmits MIDI information out on one channel at a time, it will only be able to trigger one of those sounds. Obviously, you can split the Clavinova's keyboard and control the volume of each part, but I can't see a way of only transmitting MIDI data out to another sound source unless the Clavinova's MIDI setup can recognise that split.
I''d be interested if you can come up with a workaround for this !

[Midi Magic]

Hi

Can you split the keyboard so that the left-hand side will output on one MIDI channel, and the right-hand side on a different MIDI channel and therefore trigger different sounds from external MIDI sound sources ?


Yes it will. In normal use the right hand is channel 1 and the left hand below the split point is channel 2.

[Ian J. Evans]

You might like to connect to the following website and link to their forum pages:

www.pgmusic.com

This is the website of a Canadian music software company that produces an accompaniment program called Band in a Box and a sequencer program called Power Tracks Audio Pro.

Both of these programs are in use internationally and are very reasonably priced.

If you get on the forum there will be someone who could answer your question about the suitablility of the programs for your purpose as it is a very active forum and the musicians are most knowledgeable. It costs nothing to ask.

I have both programs but am not fully conversant enough to give you an expert answer.

I just received my 209 on Sunday and do not have it connected to the computer yet, still wading through the manual...<GRIN>

Ian