Hey everyone! Here is my first tech question about the PSR740...

Before I ask my question, I want to tell you how everything has been going. Of course, I have dreamed about having a keyboard like the PSR740 for a VERY long time! Before I received the keyboard and the entire studio setup, I would research and look at keyboards on the internet almost everyday, dreaming about having one - but now that, by the miracle of God, I finally have one of the best keyboards in the world, I have been exploring all of its awesome features!!!

One of the most important things to me when making music, other than the sound quality, is being able to actually compose it and save it onto a floppy. The PSR740's 16 track sequencer is a dream to me - that is one of the most imporant features of the keyboard. Finally, I get the chance to actually 'write' my music and save it - now, I do not have to worry about memorizing my music. Instead, I can just back it up onto a floppy without anymore worries!!! What a wonderful opportunity! It is so convienent!

And the sound on the PSR740 is so real...that is the best way to describe the sound quality. It sounds REAL! The grand piano is absolutely breathtaking and when I play the strings, it feels like as if I have an entire orchestra right at my fingertips! Plus, the violin, cello, and other strings sounds are simply superb...and, with this, there are guitars, drum kits, brass with the amazing sweet trumpet, and other awesome sounds like tubular bells and even synth pads!!! And I am sure I left out many other sounds offered by the PSR740, after all, there are 700 of them! The PSR740 has the best sound ever and I thank God everytime I play my new PSR740 - it is just a miracle!

Anyway, I'll go ahead and ask my tech question. I have a lot more I want to tell you guys, so I'll save it for later!

So, here is my question:

I have recorded a song on the PSR740 that I want you all to hear! However, I do not want to give it to you in MIDI format since MIDI does not garuntee the same sound quality over different kinds of devices. For instance, the sound quality of MIDI depends on the sound card of the listener, the type of keyboard they have, etc. So, I want my music in WAV or MP3 format so the sound quality will be garunteed to stay the same when playing from different sound sources.

How do I connect my PSR740 to my family's computer, which does have a soundcard (ESS SOLO-1 AudioDrive), and then convert the MIDI to WAV? I have seen many people with their music in MP3 format and I really would love to have my music in MP3 format so that everyone can be garunteed the same sound quality, no matter what kind of computer they are listening to it from.

So, that is my first tech question! This place is absolutely wonderful, not only have the wonderful people here given me my dreams, but they are here to help with other questions - and they expect nothing in return! You guys, including YAMAHA of course, are amazing, thanks everyone for everything that you have done for my family and me and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

See you all around and enjoy your day,
Ryan

[This message has been edited by ComposerRyan (edited 03-25-2002).]

Hi Ryan,
I can`t help with your question, just wanted to know if you are having any problems saving your settings to "Registration Memory" Best of luck, with your KB I`m sure Uncle Dave or some of the other`s that have done what you want will help.
Sorry I can`t.
jedi

Hi Ryan,
Just connect the 740 line-outs (L+R) to the line-inputs of your computer system.
Most computers have 1 or more stereo mini-jack (3.6mm) inputs. (Perhaps you need a special cable : 2 mono (6,3mm) jacks to 1 mini (stereo) jack)
Almost every soundcard comes with a 'wave-editor' that is able to record.

I prefer Sonic Foundry's Soundforge5.0 but there are many others like Wavelab (Steinberg) or CoolEdit.
Most of the current wave-editors have a 'save as' option and can save in the MP3 format. (Most compact and good quality)

So, after connecting the PSR, adjusting the optimum volume level, start the computer's recording mode and then start the midi-sequencer of the PSR.
When the song has ended stop the 'recording' and save the file as MP3.
MP3 files have sizes between 3 and 5 Mbytes.
I hope this answers your question ?

Roel

I don't have time to go into detail, but you don't actually "convert" midi to audio. (Some expensive programs can do that, but that's a topic for another day)
You will have to "record" the audio from the keyboard outs directly INTO the pc through the "line input".
Power Tracks Pro should be able to do what you want, but that's on the lap top only, right? Maybe you can download a free program that records audio and converts wav to mp3 or wma.
Sorry to be so vague, but I'm on my way out the door. Good luck !

Ryan,
The only thing you need is a stereo cable connection between your keyboard and the family pc!
The ess audio probably has a mini din stereo line in.
So stereo output psr to stereo line in audiocard.

activate the line in thru the mixer of the ess audio card on the pc!
to avoid extra noise, deactivate all the other inputs in the stereo mixer.

Activate any wave recording software ,
normalise the volume (-1db) to the maximum..
play and start record your wave file and don't forget to name it when you are done.

After that encode the wave file to mp3.

(in case uou need an encoder.. mail me ..)

take care,

Fred

Now is that a4 size or not..

hehehehhehe we were almost all together



[This message has been edited by freddynl (edited 03-25-2002).]

Ryan,
I use a program called Total Recorder to input my songs. You can download a trial version from High Criteria. If you like it you must register it, but it is really inexpensive, I think $8 or $9.
I use Mpeg Suite to convert the WAV file created by High Criteria. Mpeg Suite is totally free (search for it), and, while there are many other programs that will do what you want, I haven't found any that do what I want to do any better, especially at the price.
I also have Power Tracks Pro that will do all this, but it is more complicated and costs $30. It is a full-fledged sequencer and does a lot for the money, but if you're just looking to upload the songs and convert to MP3, the other works just as well.
Good luck, and keep asking those questions!
DonM

[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 03-25-2002).]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses! I really appreciate it!

From what you guys explained, it sounds relatively simple...but where can I find a "stereo cable"?

If anyone knows a reliable place that sells sterio cables, please feel free to let me know! I would really love to get my music into MP3 so that you guys can here it!

Also, I'll be sure to look at those programs that you all talked about. Hopefully, I can somehow 'copy' PowerTracks Pro from the laptop to the family computer, but I'm not sure if that will work. PowerTracks Pro is an awesome program! You can see the notation and the notes on a keyboard diagram being played as the song progresses - plus, there are many more features for editing, etc! I am so thankful for that laptop, it is a nessecary addition to the home studio and it is very useful: I get to back up my music from the PSR740 on the laptop, watch the notation and even print out my music if I had a connection to a printer (which the laptop does have a connection to a printer!), and edit mistakes from my recordings on the PSR740! It is truly a dream studio!!!

Anyway, thank you so much for all the help! Again, you guys are wonderful - thank you for the detailed explanations, they really helped! I cannot believe that I am getting this opportunity - I realize how fortunate I am and I am so excited and cannot wait for you to hear my music!

By the way, Jedi, I have not encountered any problems with the registrations settings. Of course, I have only had the keyboard for only a week! So, I'll let you know if I encounter any problems.

Again, thank you all for everything that you have done! See you around on the forums everybody!
Ryan

Radio Shack has all kinds. You will most likely need RCA stereo on the "keyboard end" and stereo miniplug on the "computer end". At least that's what my sound card takes.
DonM

Thanks Don for the help! I really do appreciate that!

I'll be sure to let you know when we get that stereo cable...hopefully it all works out okay.

But, anyway, thanks again for the help Don! See you around and enjoy your day,
Ryan