Using Your PSR-2100/1100 with Other Devices
159
PSR-2100/1100
The “controller” and “tone generator” in the illustration
above are equivalent to the piano in our acoustic
example. Here, the player’s performance on the keyboard
is captured as MIDI song data (see illustration below). In
order to record the audio performance on an acoustic
piano, special recording equipment is needed. However,
since the PSR-2100/1100 features a built-in
sequencer
that lets you record performance data, this recording
equipment is unnecessary. Instead, your digital instrument
— the PSR-2100/1100 — allows you to both record and
play back the data.
However, we also need a sound source to produce the
audio, which eventually comes from your speakers. The
tone generator
of the PSR-2100/1100 fills this function.
The recorded performance is reproduced by the
sequencer, playing back the song data, using a tone
generator capable of accurately producing various
instrument sounds — including that of a piano. Looked at
in another way, the relation of the sequencer and the tone
generator is similar to that of the pianist and the piano —
one plays the other. Since digital instruments handle
playback data and the actual sounds independently, we
can hear our piano performance played by another
instrument, such as guitar or violin.
Finally, we’ll take a look at the actual data that gets
recorded and that serves as the basis for playing the
sounds. For example, let’s say you play a “C” quarter note
using the grand piano sound on the PSR-2100/1100
keyboard. Unlike an acoustic instrument that puts out a
resonated note, the electronic instrument puts out
information from the keyboard such as “with what voice,”
“with which key,” “about how strong,” “when was it
pressed” and “when was it released.” Then each piece of
information is changed into a number value and sent to
the tone generator. Using these numbers as a basis, the
tone generator plays the stored sampled note.
■
Example Keyboard Data
Panel operations on the PSR-2100/1100, such as playing
the keyboard and selecting voices, are processed and
stored as MIDI data. The auto accompaniment styles and
songs also consist of MIDI data.
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-2100/1100 can control a MIDI device by
transmitting note related data and various types of
controller data.The PSR-2100/1100 can be controlled by
incoming MIDI messages which automatically determine
the 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.
■
Channel Messages
The PSR-2100/1100 is an electronic instrument that can
handle 16 channels (or 32 channels, when using the USB
terminal). 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.
Tone generator
Sequencer
Keyboard performance
(MIDI data)
Even though it is a single musical instrument, the PSR-2100/1100
can be thought of as containing several electronic components: a
controller, a tone generator, and a sequencer.
Voice number (with what voice)
01 (grand piano)
Note number (with which key)
60 (C3)
Note on (when was it pressed)
and
note off (when was it released)
Timing expressed numerically
(quarter note)
Velocity (about how strong)
120 (strong)
Message Name
PSR-2100/1100 Operation/Panel Setting
Note ON/OFF
Messages which are generated when the
keyboard is played. Each message includes
a specific note number which corresponds
to the key which is pressed, plus a velocity
value based on how hard the key is played.
Program Change
Voice selecting (control change bank select
MSB/LSB setting)
Control Change
Volume, panpot (Mixing Console), etc.
MIDI data has the following advantages over audio data:
• The amount of data is much less, letting you easily store MIDI
songs to floppy disk.
• The data can be effectively and easily edited, even to the point of
changing voices and transforming the data.
The performance data of all songs and styles is handled as MIDI
data.
Summary of Contents for Portatone PSR-1100
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