Types Of Midi Information; Matching Midi Channels; What Is Multi-Timbre - Yamaha PortaSound PSS-590 Owner's Manual

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i Note: Remember NOT to make a couple of MIDI OUT to
MIDI IN connection between the PortaSound and a MIDI
instrument (For both units to act Master and Slave
simultaneously). In this case, if you play on the MIDI
instrument, a Looped MIDI connection will be caused.
| d. Types of MIDI Information
The kinds of information (commands) exchanged are many,
but here we will try to explain some of them:
Even when you press a key with one finger, information like
Note number (which pitch), Note on/off (when struck),
Velocity (how fastly and strongly played), will be
Transmitted. Not only these, but Program Changes (of
Voice Selections), Control Changes (of Effects), can also
be Transmitted. These kinds of information are called
J Qe: Messages". In order for these types of
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rmation to be communicated, you must select the same
MIDI Channel number (from 1 to 16) on both the
Transmitter (Master) and Receivers (Slaves) among the
| MIDI-connected instruments. There is another kind of
| information called "System Messages", which you need
{ when you have a rhythm machine or sequencer
| synchronized to play together.
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| Any MIDI information is rapidly transmitted/received in
digital signals comprised of just two numerals 0 and 1.
e. Matching MIDI Channels
MIDI instruments/devices can exchange information only
when using corresponding MIDI Channels, this is a basic
rule to remember. For example consider how T.V.
channels work; when you want to see a movie, you must
select a certain Channel which is broadcasting the movie in
MIDI Channels, when the Receiver is turned to the same
MIDI Channel of the information, you can have it play as the
received information. The following example shows a
sequencer (or computer) Transmitting MIDI performance
information for several parts on corresponding MIDI
Channels. Each Receiver's MIDI Channel has been
prepared so as to receive the specified performance
information and independently plays out with a different
sound and melody.
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» e: to watch it. In basically the same way, one MIDI cable
d | carry different kinds of MIDI performance information on
Ch. 1 Sax Part
Ch. 2 Piano Part
Ch. 3 Bass Part
Ch. 4 Rhythm Part
Sequencer
MIDI THRU
BOX
Sax Sound Piano Sound Bass Sound Rhythm Sound
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"MIDI THRU BOX" is a device used to distribute the same MIDI data as
input to its MIDI IN Terminal so that the Master can send the data to
multiple Slaves simultaneously.
Note: If a certain MIDI instrument can receive MIDI
performance information on Multiple Channels and play out
several parts' sounds at a time, this MIDI instrument has
Multi-Timbre mode. And so the PSS-590 does.
f. What is Multi-Timbre?
Here we will give the little explanation about the Multi-
Timbre. As the illustration on the previous page "e.
Matching MIDI Channels", if you have a Master device
which can control multiple Slave instruments on respective
Channels (ex. Sequencer) and several Slave instruments,
you will have them make an automatic ensemble and will
be a MIDI beneficiary. However, imagine if you wish to
reproduce a philharmonic orchestration, besides a solo,
combo, or quartet.... Simply talking, it will be required as
many Slave instruments as the parts or members in the
orchestra. This is no easy way of musical enjoyment.
Generally, Multi-Timbre is an easy and economical way to
carry out multiple MIDI performances simultaneously. In
this case, a single Multi-Timbral Sound module will accept
the MIDI messages on multiple Channels and reproduce
the multiple performances. The Sound Module of your
PortaSound is provided with this function. The following
diagram will help you understand the Multi-Timbre:
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