Yamaha PSR-270, Portatone manual Channel Messages, System Messages, Midi Terminals

MIDI FUNCTIONS

MIDI is an acronym that stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, which allows electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other, by sending and receiving compatible Note, Control Change, Program Change and various other types of MIDI data, or messages.

The PSR-270 can control a MIDI device by transmitting note related data and various types of control- ler data. The PSR-270 can be controlled by the incoming MIDI messages which automatically deter- mine tone generator mode, select MIDI channels, voices and effects, change parameter values and of course play the voices specified for the various parts.

MIDI messages can be divided into two groups: Channel messages and System messages. Below is an explanation of the various types of MIDI messages which the PSR-270 can receive/transmit.

●Channel Messages

The PSR-270 is an electronic instrument that can handle 16 channels. This is usually expressed as “it can play 16 instruments at the same time.” Channel messages transmit information such as Note ON/ OFF, Program Change, for each of the 16 channels.

Message Name	PSR-270 Operation/Panel Setting
Note ON/OFF	Messages which are generated when the keyboard is played.
	Each message includes a specific note number which corre-
	sponds to the key which is pressed, plus a velocity value based
	on how hard the key is stuck.
Program Change	Voice number (along with corresponding bank select MSB/LSB
	settings, if necessary).
Control Change	Messages that are used to change some aspect of the sound
	(modulation, volume, pan, etc.).

●System Messages

This is data that is used in common by the entire MIDI system. System messages include messages like Exclusive Messages that transmit data unique to each instrument manufacturer and Realtime Mes- sages that control the MIDI device.

Message Name	PSR-270 Operation/Panel Setting
Exclusive Message	Reverb/chorus/DSP settings, etc.
Realtime Messages	Clock setting
	Start/stop operation

The messages transmitted/received by the PSR-270 are shown in the MIDI Implementation Chart on page 114.

MIDI Terminals

In order to exchange MIDI data between multiple devices, each device must be connected by a cable.

The MIDI terminals of the PSR-270 are located on the rear

panel.IN MIDI OUT

MIDI IN ........... Receives MIDI data from another MIDI device.

MIDI OUT .......Transmits the PSR-270’s keyboard information as

MIDI data to another MIDI device.

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•Special MIDI cables (sold sepa- rately) must be used for connecting to MIDI devices. They can be bought at music stores, etc.

•Never use MIDI cables longer than about 15 meters. Cables longer than this can pick up noise which can cause data errors.

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