Not directly. The MZ2000 has a direct conversion feature for Technics and Roland styles, but not Yamaha's. It can still be done however. The MZ also has a midi file to style conversion feature built in. Yamaha styles are basically midifiles that have additonal sysex info and are then saved in .sty (SFF) format. These .sty files must be converted back to .mid files before it can be done. .Sty files will open up as midi sequences in a few software sequencers, most notably Yamaha Xg works and maybe the better versions of Cakewalk? . I have XG works, so I would simply mark the places where the data changed ( went from one vaeriation or fill ..etc to the next ) and save the whole thing as a standard midi file. ( It's been too long so I can't remember if it was SMF 0 or 1, but the manual will tell you.

I know there are plenty of freeware programs for the PSR at Simon Williams SVP world site, and I am guessing that there is one that will allow you to change .sty files to .mid files ( or at least play .sty files as in real time which can be simultaneously recorded into a software sequencer. You might need also to download Hubis loopback device or Midi Thruway to allow for multiple midi paths in order to do this ( freeware )though.


The bottom line is, it's a lot more work than a simple conversion, but it's doable. Because I had XG works and a ton of Yamaha styles, the conversion was a bit easier. Once the new "SMF" is introduced into the MZ, you'll be able to slice it up by sections of up to 16 ? bars and save the pieces as new style elements for the MZ. You could also slice up your favorite midifiles in this way and make patterns out of them. There are other good pieces of softawre that will help you make your own patterns that can be saved as midifiles. Midibrainz and Pump beta are very basic freeware programs, but can do the job. Also, unlike making Yamaha styles, no need to worry about converting to Cmaj7. The MZ does it for you no matter what key the midifile is in. Be forewarned though, most converted styles are going to need some tweaking afterwards to get them to sound good.

Cheers and Good Luck,

Korg AJ