PLEASE HELP! MIDI issues.

[kkiddle]

Alright, so let me start off by saying that I understand the basics of midi. I know it's not audio and that not all midi instruments will play GM the same. But what I'm having trouble with is getting my Yamaha YPT-310 (or PSR-E313 in some places) to read the data correctly. I'm working with Cubase 5, fyi =)
SO what I did to have a better chance of getting it to translate (because I only have limited knowledge) is: I bought a midi file off of Yamaha that was compatible to my keyboard; I didn't want the voice so I deleted that channel and exported it. I loaded it up onto my keyboard and all was well. Everything worked fine that I could hear and now, months later, I took that file and saved it as a different name. I deleted just the data in the channels in key editor and added my own keys. In theory, it was a brilliant idea, except, now everything translates as just piano. The bass MIGHT translate, but it's so subtle, I can't actually tell. I've tried to find answers with MSB and LSB and all that good stuff, but NOTHING is working. PLEASE HELP!

I was also thinking that maybe it had to do with my export options right before I export the file? But I can't find any "correct" export settings on the web...

If I can, I'd like to attach screenshots to show you guys exactly what I'm working with here. (Make sure to remove the spaces):

http ://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/kkiddle/1-2.png
http ://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/kkiddle/Picture1-1.png
http ://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/kkiddle/Picture2.png
http ://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/kkiddle/Picture3.png
http ://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t163/kkiddle/Picture4.png

Oh and here's the link to my keyboard's manual: http ://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/emi/english/port/psre313_en_om.pdf

I know I'm doing something wrong so please don't hold back if you think it's important. I'm not a complete newbie, but I don't get the advanced stuff yet; unfortunately I learn by doing haha. Thank you for any responses.

 

[Guitargodgt]

Dude, I literally have 6 midi devices attached (including a m audio keystation 88 pro, and yes I know how to get all the sliders and knobs to work) to cubase at the moment and I have no fucking clue what the problem is here or what you are trying to do.

 

[kkiddle]

Okay. I'm trying to save a midi file to load onto my yamaha keyboard. So that when I go to Songs on my keyboard (see manual above), I can play it. But when I go to play it (from my keyboard, not Cubase, it sounds fine in Cubase,) everything is PIANO! (instead of being bass, guitar, drums and piano).
So I'm trying to save a midi file with the appropriate settings to translate right so that when I play it, my keyboard understands that one part is guitar, the other is drums...ect...instead of ALL PIANO. I've tried everything a noob with a book can do. And I'm stuck.
Do you get what I'm trying to do?

 

[Mo Facta]

MIDI files do not save patch information. They are only note, expression and control data.

Did you use the Musicsoft Downloader to install the file you bought? Was it an .smf file? or .mid file?

Your keyboard only seems to be compatible with .smf files.

In any case, you have done a lot of deleting and modification to the original file you downloaded so I'm not surprised you are having issues. This confuses me, to say the least (the bolded bits):

I bought a midi file off of Yamaha that was compatible to my keyboard; I didn't want the voice so I deleted that channel and exported it. I loaded it up onto my keyboard and all was well. Everything worked fine that I could hear and now, months later, I took that file and saved it as a different name. I deleted just the data in the channels in key editor and added my own keys.

It seems to me if you delete the voice from a .smf file it's no surprise you only get piano now because that is the default voice on your keyboard.

In any case, if you have already recorded the MIDI data in Cubase, why are you attempting to play the sounds off of your keyboard? It does not seem to house a sequencer, only Songs and Styles, which are played back via the .smf format. I'm not sure if Cubase supports .smf files.

Also, I would be willing to bet that the sounds within Cubase are better sounding than your Yamaha, which looks to me like a low-end product.

If I were you I would just use the keyboard as a MIDI controller and do all of your sequencing in Cubase. It is a much more powerful music creation tool.

Cheers

 

[kkiddle]

thanks for responding! The file I bought was .mid. I bought it under this website:

http ://www .yamahamusicsoft.com/en/instrument/Keyboard/YPT-310?currency=USD

(I don't know if you can see it but you have to first select your instrument, so you can only buy files that are compatible.)
and here is the file I bought:

http: //www .yamahamusicsoft.com/en/instrument/Keyboard/YPT-310/category/MIDI+Files/product/1171961?currency=USD

The "voice" was just another instrument, saxophone, I think. I deleted it and it played the other voices, or instruments, fine on my keyboard.

I'm attempting to play them off of my keyboard because they are portable. I busk a lot and want the luxury of a full band when I'm just by myself, and I can do that with the song I bought. Which is why I don't understand why my file doesn't work. I even used the customized MSB/LSB that my keyboard gave me. In order to use Cubase with my keyboard, I'd need my computer...which can't come with me.

Actually, even though my keyboard is pretty low end, it sounds amazing. Even better than anything Cubase has. I've had people hear me from a distance, come up to me, and are shocked when they see a keyboard instead of a grand piano. It's odd, but a lucky find, I guess.

I'll do some research on .smf files and see what I can find. Even though the file I bought was .mid. Again, I learn by doing, so I'll see how that goes haha.

Thanks again.

 

[kkiddle]

Well, I FINALLY got it to work. I can't use Cubase, just had to switch to a different DAW for this purpose. Thanks both of you for your answers, you REALLY helped me.
Kari