After reading the recent discussion over the use of Memory Registrations (pro/con), I decided to start this new thread outlining the different arranger keyboard playing ‘options’ available to us. Though my list specifically addresses the the Yamaha PSR2000, most of these options are also available on other arranger brands/models too.

I’m also interested in hearing about other arranger playing style options available on other keyboard brands/models.

Which of the below arranger playing methods do YOU use and prefer? Is there a 'special' way you like to set up your arranger and organization system for storing/accessing songs/styles?

Registrations:

1) Creating individual registrations for different sections of an entire song and using the registration sequence feature (foot pedal increment) to move thru the registrations as song is performed.

Advantages: Settings (style/voice selection, volume balances, key transpose, tempo changes, vocal harmonizer on/off settings, etc) are stored, eliminating the guesswork & possible error which easily occurs when attempting to make all these changes manually ‘on the fly’. All you need to remember (arranger button pushing wise) is to trigger the foot controler at specified places in the song. This frees you up to add an occasional multipad and/or drum 'fill' to provide spontaneous spice.

Disadvantages: Not much performance flexibility. Somewhat locked into a pre-set song configuration, though you do have the option to over ride and make setting changes on the fly as well. Though Custom Song Registsrations have a performance advantage, it does require some work/time to customize and set up initially. Kind of like an insurance: Time spent preparing registrations before the gig helps to eliminate errors (pressing wrong buttons: lets see, which variation (ABCD) was that again?) on the gig.

2) Creating a registration bank of ‘genre specific’ instrument setups which can be used with any style. This can be combined (mixed/matched) with the OTS voices stored with a given style, offering even more voice selection options.

Advantages: A lot of flexibility as you can use a single reg bank with many different styles. With the Freeze button (on PSR2000’s with the earlier OS), you can even lock a any one of the registrations left voices, and use it with any of the other 7 registrations or 4 OTS button setups. I really like this (bug) feature !

Disadvantages: On PSR2000 OS (main program) 1.00 & 1.10 , because the ‘left voice’ is saved in the ‘style contents’ section of Registration Memory, the style variation section selection (A,B,C, or D) is locked in along with the left voice selection. This can be a problem if say you’re playing a voice registration (which has style variation 3 stored with it) and then you want change instrumentation to voice registration button 4. If button 4 has another variation (say style variation 1), the arranger will jump to variation 1 whether you want it to or not. I believe OS 1.20 corrects this (still waiting for confirmation from others on this). It seems to me that it’s a tradeoff. Version 1.00/1.10 provide the ability to freeze just the left voice while version 1.20 and later allow you to change voice registrations (buttons 1-8) without the style varations changing unexpectantly.

One Touch (OTS):
Loading and playing styles with pre-programmed OTS buttons alone

Advantages: Simplicity out of the box. You can though, create your own customized OTS settings but that means having to load styles from floppy or user memory (limited storage space)

Disadvantages: Limited to pre-programmed selections and voice settings. Also, OTS does not include many important parameter settings (key, harmonizer on/off, etc) which ARE supported in Registration Memory.

Music Finder Database:
Selecting and playing songs using the PSR’s Music Finder database.

Advantages: Great search function. Huge bank of of popular tunes included with the keyboard (though crypticly named to avoid Yamaha from being sued over song rights). You can obtain the real song names though, available for free download from Simon William’s fantastic SVP World site: http://www.svpworld.com/2000world.htm#musicdatabase
You can also easily add/delete songs to the Music Finder using Fabien’s wonderful Music Finder program: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fjm/english/psr2000.htm

Disadvantages: Settings are basically limited to tempo & style selection only.

Playing completely ‘On the Fly’:
Selecting all arranger functions manually

Advantages: ‘On the fly’ playing provides flexibility and a completely spontaneous performance.

Disadvantages: With such so MANY buttons to navigate & select , it can easily become overwhelming and distract you from playing the keyboard itself. High potential for unexpected surprises, like triggering unintended style variation changes etc.

- Scott

Scott...
As mentioned on the other thread, most all my material in the PSR2000 is organized in Alphabetical Banks by song name...with a few folders for special categories: Christmas, Irish, Patriotic, etc.

On my PSR9000 I had a similar system where an individual song would be assigned to one or more registrations within a bank. This system necessitated a code sheet because of the 512 registrations available. So, I had an Excel chart of song titles and codes that helped me access individual songs quickly. The song Wind Beneath My Wings might be listed on my sheet as: Windbeneath 07/2&3 --- tranlating to Bank 7, Registrations 2 and 3.

On the PSR740, I used a similar system, but since only 128 registrations can be accomodated per file on a floppy, I had to create a code sheet for each file.

The systems I used for the PSR9K and 740, while effective,were cumbersome in that I felt like I needed a secretary on stage to take care of the paperwork.

Being able to easily name songs that show on the PSR2K screen has simplified my life considerably. One disk can hold hundreds of registrations...and switching disks is lightning fast--no problem.

I broke the alphabet into 5 subcategories and made a folder for each so I can zip to the next file without having to go thru numerous pages on the screen. Most often, during the final verse of a song, I will decide what I want to play next, punch up the bank. When the song is finished, all that needs to be done is hit the registration button...and I am off an running in the next tune.

There are a few other minor, mind-bending components I use...but I have found the PSR2000 the easiest of all keyboards I have ever owned to quickly navigate thru all the options with absolute minimum downtime between songs.

Eddie

HI: Scott
I use method #1 I have all I can do to remember to push
the right button at the right time using this method
Most of the time I have 1 reg.# for 1 song then I change variation's
of the style & voice's on the fly (R1-R3).
I have tried using the OTS but I find that they must be
saved with the style on the 9000 PRO because when you set the OTS
for a song, save it to reg. memory, every time that style is used you get the same OTS settings. Myself I would
rather have it saved in the reg. memory so you could use the same style for as many song's as you want
and have different OTS for every song. OH well !!!! I don't use
the OTS much because of this.
Have a good day.
Enjoying the 9000 PRO
Denny

Scott:
My use of the 6500 is probably not like most of those on this forum. I use my board primarily to generate backing tracks in a recording setup, not solo live performance. My biggest concern (aside from quick editing features) is getting the bass track right---e.g., pedal tones, chromatic phrases, passing chords, etc. Hence, I use the pianist mode a lot. I don't recall ever using the one-finger mode. I often will mute the bass part in arranger styles, then overdub this part on a separate track. Auto tracking is still slow to me, especially if a measure has 4 chords moving at a pretty good tempo. I don't worry about full keyboard performance setups for song playlists, since I work on one tune at a time. I'd like to see future upgrades of arranger keyboards offer more of a "workstation" environment for multitrack audio recording. One big plus would be individual outputs for each rhythm part.

My primary use is more like J Larry's. Eventually not only do bass tracks sometimes get replaced, but often drums and other instruments too. The arrangements do give me an excellent starting point so that I can get a feel for what I want a piece of music to do for me, but more often than not, some if not all of the backing tracks eventually get replaced for the final versions.
I've set up my PA80 for live performance too though. I strictly focused on using the reg memories ( Programs in PA80 speak ) and the multipads ( which can also be programmed to perform pedal functions ). I mainly use the reg memories to recall voice and effects setups. Mainly the styles are setup the way I like ( I use the rewrite function to the styles to change the voicings and have replaced some of the internal factory styles that I'll never use with my own user styles..love that capability . The PA80 is the closest hybrid of an arranger workstation that I've tried of the boards that are available right now.


Korg AJ

[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 02-27-2002).]

Scott, My preferred setup is as follows: My Roland G1000 is programed to recognize chords triggered by the left side of my split in the intelligent mode. This keymode as well as the rest of the important parameters[transpose,EQ. Effects, controllers etc] are saved as a Performance[simular to your registrations, but allows me more flexible lock outs for Tones ,Tempo, Style,Keyboard mode,Transpose,after touch settings and velocity settings, etc],..All links from Sequence play are turned off[no surprise tone changes].This main Performance is programed with Controller settings as my "color" tones that are brought in using an EV-5 pedal[this sound is added to my primary righthand tone[s].For example my primary tone is piano and my color tone organ with a slider control for rotor speed and another for "dirt", a button is on board to turn the rotor off. I have a button programmed to toggle between bass and auto accompliment[arranger]. Another button to "Hold" the arranger triggered on the left hand.On a Zip disk I have stored about a thousand styles, any are avaible to play on the downbeat of the next measure[absolutely the best system to date to accomplish this style change]. On the same Zip disk are a thousand Standard Midi Files with Lyrics, ready to play at a touch of a button[selection, and also allows me to search for my next song,style or sequence. ] I can switch back and forth from Seq play and Realtime/arranger play. My realtime setup is retained even during sequence play[less the drum/arranger]All the realtime parts and controllers are still available..Maybe You can get an idea why this is the best keyboard for my needs. I also use the Digitech workstation vocalist. This is set up to read the harmony track [5] for sequences and any of the realtime parts[As I choose from the G1000]. I have found this to be the best overall setup for me. The vocalist sits on the G1000..Fran

Fran
A very good set up. When I went on the quest for the perfect keyboard the G1000 was my primary target. Would have bought it to, but the sales guys at one of the biggest brick and mortar chains (rhymes with Cars) could not answer some very basic questions and didn't want to take the time to get the manual out.

Eddie

All in all, I am satisfied with the PSR2000

Hi Scottyee,
Just recently I have adopted the following for gigs. (9000PRO)
1. I have established a number of music database (MDBs)files to support the different types of functions I do.
2. I use the MDBs to fully configue each song to the "limit" of the MDB funtion.
3. I name each song as to what it is. Where necessary I chain some of the MDB entries together (just as in the standard MDB)
4. When I am planning a performance I copy from the MDB to the registry the particular song and further adjust the register for the lower level components like controller assignment etc. If the song requires chaining various registers together then so be it - I usually control the chain's progress by the foot controller. The nice thing about copying a song from the MDB to the register is that its name comes across, to become the name of the register.
During performance I usually go exclusively via calling the registrations.
5. After the performance "clean up" is very simple. I just wipe the registration banks that were used during the performance.
The software set-up and operation on the 9000PRO is not perfect, but I have found that by using the combo of MDB and registers, it reduces the hassels of getting the right set-up for performance to a satisfactory level where I can then "relax" and let the creative juices flow.
Jon.

Whew!
I set up the first rhythm pattern I want to use - say hello to the room, and push GO! After that - it's all a blur. Seems to happen on auto pilot.
The one thing I do consistantly is pick the next BEAT required, and NOT the song. I decide what pulse the room needs and then accociate a tune with that style. If I think in "tune order", I tend to get repettitive. The last word of one song becomes the first word of the next .... you get the idea. Or maybe I play 3 or 4 "Moon" songs in a row with NO regard to genre or tempo .... it's all about the "theme". That's a bad habit, so I try to stay away from too much planning. No set lists, no song lists, no books - just raw energy, confident bravado and lots of "hard knock" experience!
A "seat of yer pants" approach, for sure.

Hi Scott,

- say hello to the room, and push GO! (Quoted UD)

Yeah, that was what we do when gigging too, but I can assure you that
about most all panelmemories and registrations was in use regulary.
Could not live without it, because "special" setup and styles for each
song where in use, and I found it about impossible not to use those
buttons as long as we never used the sequenser, only "live" playing.

After a while I got lazy, and started to use the controltrack to record
all changes as fill, pan-mem etc. during practice, and when playing the
songs, it was just to turn it off, and continue manually changes if
there was a need to add the lenght or make room for spontaneous playing.
The use of controltrack I found very relaxing, because then I could
concentrate on the playing instead of pushing buttons and footswitches,
and also it was far more easy to keep the eyecontact with the guests we
where playing for
If you have'nt used this method using your KN, you should give it a try.
Is this possible on a Yamaha?
GJ

Hi Dave,
To read me you wouldn't think that I am a bit of a fly by the seat. Well I am - except I like to make sure that I've got my belt and braces handy - Oh, and parachute as well
Jon

All good things.......if you don't mind the extra baggage! I hike with a "light" pack !
(and sometimes, I PAY the price too!)

I use the User Program feature a lot on my VA-7. Since I'm not very good yet on creating my own specific styles for certain songs, and no one seems to have them for sale for the specific songs, I combine a lot and store it in a slot. When I want to play a song, I touch the program and everything is done. I just need to keep track of which voices I use along the song. And I can use up to 8 variations per style. This entire thing goes well most of the time.

The only problem is, that the navigation of the VA-7 is quite irritating to use when something is going wrong. I always defended that a bit, but now I'm with you who did not like it. I hope the navigation on the follow-up version is much better with tons of buttons.

Sander

Scottyee:
Regarding registrations, here's the way I see it. Picture a scenario, Frank Sinatra in Vegas on stage, ready to "belt" his opening number. A full house is eagerly waiting for his first vocal note. Oh, but WAIT!, he ain't quite ready yet! he still has to tell the band what instruments he is going to use for the song, then of course he's got to tell every musician how loud each instrument is going to sound and, let's not forget when to come in and how fast?....hmmm...the croud seem to be getting impatient....Frank is getting upset because one of the members of the band didn't quite understand his instructions.. oh sh..t! the poor musician is fired on the spot! Frank is mad! ..it's so quiet, you can hear a pin drop!...a few coughs are heard in the crowd in fact, they've started to leave and now they are boooing Frankie, o0h NOoo!.
Of course, this never happened in real life,(that we know of) it's all but a bad dream. Well, my dear friends, I've had this bad dream many times thinking of being on stage w/o "my" Registrations . It's no different than the picture I just painted; unless you are there to improvise or play jazz; my energy for performing comes from having the confidence that the "Band" knows what the "heck" they are doing before I can show the audience what I can do. I have enough to worry about with my own playing and singing without having to worry about anything else. (UncleDave, do you still like me? are we still "on" for lunch?)
In regard to the method; is also rather simple. At home I spend enough time setting up each song with its own style, key, tempo, OTS, volume, balance, MPs, octave, etc..I probably spend anywhere from 1/2hr to 1hr. on each number before I am satisfied (I coudn't(would not)do it on stage) then I save it as an individual registration with the name of the song, (I only use one registration for each song since I use the MFC10 and OTSs for plenty of variations and changes within each song), this way I get 8 different songs to each bank for a total of 512 different songs(plenty, don't you think?) and when I run out of space in the flashrom I can go to the hard disk on my 9000pro (sorry PSR2000 owners)for an "infinite" amount of registrations. Simple huh!
love you all,
Mario

Mario...
I am with you all the way to saving the regs onboard. Why not just load to floppy. Its just as fast..you can have more registrations per song and you are not limited to 512.

Eddie

[This message has been edited by Bsharp (edited 03-04-2002).]