downloaded songs

[benjie]

hi
i've just got a 307 last week so very new to the piano i've download a song using the build in internet from the yamaha site
but it does not look right when viewed in the score window i would like to learn the song playing just one hand at a time is it possible to convert the song into the same format as the pre set songs in the piano.

thanks ray

[Avi-J]

Hi Ray,

One of the main reasons I have purchased the CVP is precisely to play one hand at a time and then combine both as part of a methodology of learning to play new piano pieces. As soon as I purchased the CVP-209 I had realized what you have and immediately started researching for solutions for making the downloaded midi files compatible with the CVP (e.g. LH, RH, "Follow the Lights", "CueTime" and so on).

Well, the answer to your question is YES.

These are the two steps I usually take in order to accomplish the above:

1. Split the hands. Many piano midi file are sequenced so that both the piano LH & RH are on one single track (and that includes many of Yamaha’s files as well). I have found a software package called MidiNotate that can split the hands quite easily. However, it is not perfect as there are in most cases some borderline notes that the software can only guess as to what staff they belong. So then you'll need to look over the score and shift the notes up or down a staff (easy to do). If the hands were already split then, of course, you don't need to go through this step

2. At that point you'll see the music with the LH & RH on separate tracks but the lights won't work properly yet (at least not on the 209). Here are the steps necessary to make the lights work:
a. Load the "split" file into the CVP
b. if not all 16 channels are taken by additional instruments record into an empty channel, say, #16 for a split second and then stop the recording. (there are ways to make it work even if all the channels are occupied - if you interested I'll be happy to share this with you)
c. Save the file. I usually change its name slightly at that point so I know which version works.

That's pretty much it.

Please let me know whether the 307 "Guide Lights" work prior to going through step two. As I have mentioned, they don't work on the CVP-209 unless the file was originally recorded on the 209 (or perhaps just on any one of CVPs).

I am considering purchasing the CVP-309 as soon as it becomes available in the US because of its piano, as well as other instrument sounds, the natural keys, the sound/speaker system and the various data storage capabilities, among others.

Ray, any sharing of your experience with the 307 would be appreciated and good luck with it. Let me know if I could be of further help.

Regards,
Avi

CVP-209

[Avi-J]

Oh yes, a couple more things that I thought I should mention.

1. Assign channels 1 & 2 to the RH & LH respectively when editing the song in the PC midi software. If other instruments were already assigned to 1 & 2 move them to different channels. Actually, on the CVP, channels could be reassigned/changed through the "Function/Song Setting" feature. For example, if the RH is on channel 3 you can assign it to track 1 and so on. However, it is quite cumbersome, as a view of all of the score is quite helpful in order to figure out on which channels the RH & LH reside - and on the CVP you can only view two staves at a time. In any good midi composing/editing package all of the channels could usually be viewed simultaneously and the piano channels (or, for that matter, any other solo instrument you’d like to play on the keyboard with the “Guide Lights” or accompaniment) could be easily identified and reassigned, as needed.

2. When recording on the CVP: first just hold down the “Record” key and at the same time choose the channel on which you’d like to record (don't forget to choose an “empty” one) by pressing one of the “1-8 Keys” (up or down). To start recording press the "Start/Stop" key and follow immediately by pressing the "Record" key to stop recording (don't actually play anything to record…). We basically, if you will, make the file look like a CVP file by "faking" a quick recording into it.

3. As to the CVP 300 series, I was/am hoping that, in addition to all the goodies I had mentioned earlier, there are also some on-screen easy intuitive midi editing capabilities such as hand splitting, channel assigning and notes editing, among others (at least on the CVP-307-9 models). Or at the least, that if the hands are already split the CVP will recognize the file as compatible thus making the lights and accompaniment work as soon as the file is loaded into the instrument.

Is anyone aware of any such editing features in any one of the CVP 300 series models that could be applied directly to the screen while in the score view? Also whether midi files are compatible with the CVP (300s) without the need to go through all of these manipulations? Thanks!

[Midi Magic]

Hi

The songs found within the CVP have the Piano parts put in, in strict tempo. So all the notes line up in the correct place within the bars. Midi files downloaded, be it from the web or Yamaha, may well have been recorded "Live". Therefore the notes will NOT be in time with the bar lines and indeed will look odd.

You could try loading the files into a midi sequencer program and changing the quantization. This will have the effect of brining the notes into line. However it will at best, sound very mechanical and at worst awlful.

[CountJS]

Regarding Internet Direct Connect: Over the next few months, Yamaha plans to release a ton of content that will be created especially for education and one-finger playing - as well as current hit songs from the 'moment' and new custom styles. Within the next 6 months, your Clav's IDC will be a whole new world...

[wally]

With regard to the 300's direct connect to the internet, is it a direct connect ONLY to Yamaha's software site? Or, can I search the internet for MIDI files?

[CountJS]

Hi Wally,
it will be a Yamaha Only site - for a first glance, check out: http://www.music.yamaha.com

It's best this way due to the fact that Yamaha Global wants to make sure that the MIDI files are at the highest XF quality...