About Midi - Yamaha DB50XG Owner's Manual

About MIDI

What is MIDI?
MIDI is an acronym that stands for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface, which allows electronic musical instru-
ments to "communicate" with each other, by sending and
MIDI Messages Received by the DB50XG
The DB50XG is controlled by various types of incoming
MIDI messages which automatically determine play mode,
select MIDI channels, Voices and effects, change param-
eter values, and of course play the Voices specified for the
various Parts—complete with all the subtle nuances and
powerful dynamics of expression that the composer origi-
nally intended. Below is an explanation of the various types
of MIDI messages which the DB50XG can receive.
Key On/Key Off
Key On/Key Off messages, also called Note messages, tell
the DB50XG which notes to play, the Velocity value (de-
pending on how hard the keys are struck) at which to play
them, and how long to play them—i.e., when to start (On)
and stop (Off) playing each note.
Control Change
Control Change messages let you select a Voice bank, con-
trol volume, panning, modulation, portamento time, bright-
ness and various other controller parameters, through spe-
cific Control Change numbers which correspond to each
of the various parameters.
Program Change
Program Change messages tell the DB50XG which Voice
to select for each Part. You can insert Program Change
Decimal - Hexadecimal Conversion Chart
Many MIDI messages listed in the MIDI Data Format section, beginning on page 7, are expressed in hexadeci-
mal numbers. The chart below lists the corresponding decimal number for each hexadecimal number. (Hexa-
decimal numbers may include the letter "H" as a suffix.)
Dec Hex
0
00
1 01
2 02
3 03
4
04
5
05
06
6
7
07
8 08
9 09
10
0A
11 0B
12 0C
13
0D
14 0E
15
0F
6
Dec Hex Dec Hex
16 10 32 20
17 11 21
33
18 12
34 22
19 13 35 23
20 14 24
36
21 15
37 25
38
22 16 26
27
23 17 39
24 18 40 28
41 29
25 19
2A
26 1A 42
27 1B 43 2B
44 2C
28 1C
29 1D 45 2D
30 1E
46 2E
31 1F
47 2F
receiving compatible Note, Control Change, Program
Change and various other types of MIDI data, or messages.
messages at any desired location in a song. Combining Bank
Select numbers let you select various Voices from the hun-
dreds of Voices available in the DB50XG.
Pitch Bend
Pitch Bend messages are continuous controller messages
that allow the pitch of designated notes to be raised or low-
ered by a specified amount over a specified duration.
Channel Aftertouch
Channel Aftertouch is a pressure sensing function which
lets you control various functions by how hard you press
the keys, over the entire channel.
Polyphonic Aftertouch
Polyphonic Aftertouch is a pressure sensing function which
lets you control various functions by how hard you press
the keys, for each individual key.
System Exclusive
System Exclusive messages control various functions of
the DB50XG, including master volume and master tuning,
play mode (XG or TG300B), effect type and various other
parameters specifically related to the DB50XG.
Dec Hex Dec Hex
48 30 64
40
65
49 31 41
42
50 32 66
51 33 67 43
68 44
52 34
45
53 35 69
70
54 36 46
71 47
55 37
72 48
56 38
73 49
57 39
58 3A 4A
74
59 3B 75 4B
3C 76
60 4C
61 77
3D 4D
62 78 4E
3E
79
63 3F 4F
Dec Hex Dec Hex
80
50 96 60
81
51
97 61
82
98
52 62
83
53 99 63
84 54 100
64
101
85 65
55
86 56 66
102
87 57 67
103
58
88 104 68
59 69
89 105
90 5A 106
6A
107
91 5B 6B
108
92 5C 6C
109
93 5D
6D
110
94 5E 6E
111 6F
95 5F
Dec Hex
112
70
113
71
72
114
115 73
74
116
75
117
76
118
119 77
120 78
121
79
122
7A
123 7B
124
7C
125 7D
7E
126
127 7F