pax-eterna Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I am thinking of buying one of these and adding it to my PX-5S. But as it would be on a second tier, accessing the variation buttons while playing left hand basslines and right hand keys could be problematic haha! Although not so much if I am actually playing the MZX by itslef as they are closer. So the question is, can the variation buttons be controlled via MIDI commands, and if so, can these be assigned to PC messages? (as that is all that is transmitted by the PX-5 Stage Setting buttons. Alternatively could the variation buttons be contolled by a footswitch (viz Behringer FCB 1010)? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 You should think about this more. For one, if you are looking to preprogram an arrangement, that is done on the MZ itself. You can use the midi recorder to program an entire song with intro's, chords, all variations and fill ins to the ending. If you wanna reach the buttons to do it live on a two tier setup, that's very doable since the accompaniment buttons are on the bottom row. With 4 variation buttons that double as 4 fill in buttons, I'm not even sure how a pedal control would be helpful. Also, the PX-5S does not have progroammable buttons. So even if it were possible to do midi remote control of this, it's not a good approach in my opinion. The buttons on the MZX are really the best way. Or preprogram the arrangement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pax-eterna Posted January 21, 2017 Author Share Posted January 21, 2017 Yeah I hear what you are saying there Brad. But if I want pre-programmed I'll just use BIAB Real Tracks No I am looking for totally live. Now afaik the PX 5S buttons actually transmit a program change message when activated, so if a variaton button on the MZ can accept MIDI in, AND the message can be a PC instead of just a CC, then we are in business. In regard to manually using the buttons - well you try singing, playing left hand basslines right hand keys and trying to quickly jump your hand up to a second tier 'board to tap the button at exactly the right time...could be problematic. Although it may be that the MZ was really only designed for home use, (viz yamaha PSR series) with no alternate usage envisaged, in which case it would (probably) be the only 'board,ergo - none of the above matters haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfahrner Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 A quick search of the MZ MIDI specification doesn't find any mention of the rhythm variation and ending buttons, so it doesn't look like MIDI control of the functions is possible... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pax-eterna Posted January 21, 2017 Author Share Posted January 21, 2017 yeah I did the same thing dfahrner - however sometimes things do work even though not in the manual (check a few Roland keyboards hahaha!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pax-eterna Posted January 21, 2017 Author Share Posted January 21, 2017 Seems like I'd be better off looking at say a Korg micro arranger ...'cept the small keys would be a pain haha! Although the pads on the mzx DO intrigue me and pique the "gear lust" hahaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I would use backing tracks if you know what songs you are going to play and won't be straying away from a predetermined set list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pax-eterna Posted January 21, 2017 Author Share Posted January 21, 2017 Thanks Brad. I already use backing tracks, and it is for this reason I am looking for something a bit more live and dynamically variable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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