Combining more than 2 voices on CVP207

[pwcrowther]

Is it possible to combine more than two voices on the CVP207. Currently I use the Layer to use the sounds of two, but is there a way of using more?

Peter.

[Howard]

Peter,

As far as I know the layer will only work with two voices, although there are a couple of other options.

Firstly, you can record the first two voices using the built in sequencer and then play another two voices whilst the original is playing back. By assigning different midi tracks to different voices you can create more layers depending on what you want to do.

Secondly, using an external sequencer (I use XG Works) you can achieve an even greater level of control over the number of tracks, voices and the overall mix.

Hope this helps.

Howard

[ClavinovaGuy]

You can also copy one track to another, and assign a different voice to the newly-copied track. For example, let's say you record using Layer to tracks 1 and 2. You can then go into the Song Creator, select the Mix function, choose track 1 as Source (both Sources), and track 3 as Destination. This will copy track 1 to track 3. Once the track has been copied, you can assign a different voice to track 3 in the Mixing Console, and adjust any other parameters.

[pwcrowther]

Thanks, those are both useful suggestions for using when recording a track (I'll give them a try).

Are there any ways of combining more than two for use when just playing? Perhaps saving a main voice and layer as one new voice, then playing that with another layer.

Peter.

[ClavinovaGuy]

I'm not aware of any way to play more than two voices simultaneously. Depending on what you're playing, and which voices you use, you could quickly run out of polyphony.

[lasershow2000]

Some voices already have two "layers" in them. For example, Piano&Str, Harpsi&Str, Oct.Piano1, Oct.Piano2, Orch.Brass, Orch.Flute, Orch.Fl.Br., and Orch.Oboe

I realize this restricts you to Yamaha's relatively limited number of two-in-one voice combinations. It also does not allow you to set the relative balance between the two voices. But by using a two-in-one voice as Main, and another voice as Layer, you can play "live" with three sounds.

[Pilot]

You can layer as many voices as midi channels using the Multipart sysex (see the midi data format in the manual). So you can layer 16 voices on top of the two you can layer at the keyboard. The only problem is running out of polyphony. I regularly layer six or seven voices on my PSR740 (can't afford a CVP207). You'll need XGworks or something similar (XGEdit will also work). As an example of layered voices, try the following attachment. It's a midi file with just sysex. Load it into your favourite sequencer and fire it down to the keyboard.

Bryan

[Midi Magic]

What should it do? It does nothing on my 209.

[Pilot]

It sends a bunch of sysex to the keyboard. This is standard XG multipart sysex (and some other stuff) and should layer 6 voices, creating a full church organ. Which sequencer are you using? I use XGworks for stuff like this as it transmits sysex without a murmur. PowerTracks also works. Cakewalk wasn't quite so obliging. Don't use MidiOx as it doesn't understand .mid files too well so I've attached a .syx version which MidiOx will like. Don't use XGworks for the .syx file as it requires an 18 byte Yamaha header for .syx files. I can post the header if you're interested.

Bryan

[Midi Magic]

Hi

So does this mean it will play a Full blown Organ from the keyboard, or having sent the sysex via midi, do I then have to send the data via midi as well?

I sent the sysex to the 209 and played the keyboard put it still played the piano.

[Pilot]

Unlike the PSRs, the CVP209 will not receive sysex messages unless it's told. You need to go to the MIDI setup page, select System and set the CVP to receive sysex. I don't know if the CVP will remember this when it's switched off - the manual is a bit vague on the subject.

Bryan

[dancaputi]

Bryan,

The CVP will most certainly receive sysex messages by default. Try using phrases like "I think" or "perhaps" if you're really just guessing why it wouldn't work ;). It would appear to me (see how I phrase that) that the PSR pipes the keyboard keys through the XG system as if it was incoming midi thus allowing the multipart channel assignments to layer over the main part. The CVP will do this if you load toccata.mid into the CVP's onboard sequencer. You can play the layered organ sound whilst in the Digital Recording/Song Creator screen but ONLY when the SysEx or Chan 1-16 tab is selected. The instant you exit the Song Creator, the main part (keyboard) is restored to the last active panel setting.

- Dan C.

[Midi Magic]

Thanks Dan

I'll try that.
Yes I agree, it is dangerous to say things like "It will not to this, or that" when one dosn't really know for sure.

[Midi Magic]

Hi Dan

Yes it does exactly what you say, not a lot of good to us though.

So far, no problems with the program. Looking forward to the next one.

[Pilot]

I think, perhaps, that it appears to me I have been a little dogmatic for which I apologise. I have played a CVP207 and it operated much like a PSR9000 so I made the assumption that it would be similar. I do have the manuals for the CVP209 and it seemed to me that you wouldn't receive sysex unless you enabled it from the menu. See what I mean about the manual being vague.
Some of the manuals are not truthful. The PSR740 manual states that there is one variation DSP which can only be used for styles plus three insertion DSPs and one for Vocal Harmony only. The Effects tables state that you can only use two DSPs. In fact you can use all five DSPs for insertion and the system DSP for variation as well. The CVP209 manual says you can use all 5 DSPs for the CVP209 but also says only three for the PSR2000 which is also not true. Says the same about the CVP207 - I wonder how many DSPs it really has.

Dan, you're probably right about the PSR keyboard. The 740 is essentially an MU80/100 with a keyboard attached which acts a bit like a midi controller. Again I assumed that the CVP was like other Yamaha keyboards but it appears they did things a little differently. You live and learn. I was going to volunteer to do the instrument definitions for XGworks for the CVP2xx, having done them for several other instruments, but having been proved to be of low stature maybe I'll go and stand in the corner instead.

Bryan