StyleMaker (This file generally appears better when printed) See Quick Start Guide for condensed instructions and Appendix for Vista/Windows 7 instructions Colored Text denotes program controls

General Description

This program operates in conjunction with a PC sequencer program to create PSR styles from a midi song file, from midi/style templates (including one for Band In The Box styles), or by editing an existing style file. StyleMaker performs the necessary style-making chores and passes a working file to/from the operator‟s sequencer program that is used to enter/edit/record notes, program changes, effect-pan-tempo, etc., and auditions the result. StyleMaker records commands (such as miscellaneous setup sysex, effects types and markers) that must occur in setup measures or are inconvenient or confusing to enter in a sequencer. It delegates to the sequencer events that can occur within the music section markers and benefit from the sequencer‟s real-time and graphical editing functions. StyleMaker will operate with most sequencers that support markers.

First time setup

Select a sequencer/midi editor and style player program StyleMaker must know which programs to use as the associated sequencer and to play the style from within the program. To make these selections, click the Setup menu item and Browse to the location of the programs. StyleMaker should operate with any sequencer that supports markers. It has been tested with

Cakewalk Sonar 7, Cakewalk Homestudio 8, XG Works and Yamaha‟s MegaEnhancer. This manual refers to operation with Cakewalk Sonar 7, but is generally applicable to other programs. While a style is being created, auditions can best be done in your sequencer. But after the Casm is built and notes are converted, the use of a PSR style playing program is required. The programs MidiPlayer (for both style and midi files) or StylePlayer (for format 1 style files only) are recommended. You can obtain them by clicking the Manual/Help/Check for Updates menu item and selecting Software/StyleManager Series. If desired, you can also enter a default output folder for the program to use. Configure your sound source. The sequencer program will audition files on any instrument or sound card that can play midi files. However, use of XG/panel voices is strongly recommended and these require a PSR (via a midi cable), a Soft Synth with XG capability, or an appropriate sound card for playback. See Appendix H. Consult the Manual or Quick Start Guide StyleMaker can create styles from several sources and facilitate the editing existing styles. These operations typically require several steps. Click the Manual/Help Quick Start Guide menu item for a brief overview and consult the detailed instructions below.

Creating a style from a midi file

Open a file Select the sections to be created Audition and edit the file in the

sequencer Generate a CASM Convert notes to key of CMaj7 Save/play

Open a file Click on the Open button or the File/Open menu item and select a midi or style file.

StyleMaker will only accept midi Type 0 files. Convert a file to Type 0 by loading it into the PSR, and then saving the file to a new filename, or use your sequencer program.

After loading, StyleMaker will display filename, copyright, tempo, time signature, and key (if available). The first two columns the CASM Generator section shows the midi channel number, the first instrument type (e.g. keyboard, strings, etc.) assigned, and the type of voice (GM, Panel and XG; definitions in Appendix I) for all the midi channels containing data. If there is more than one program change in the midi, the total number is displayed in () following the instrument type as an indication that various regions may differ.

By default, when a midi file is loaded with the Open or BBStyle commands, if there is no LSB controller event (common with files following the General Midi standard) , Style Maker will create MSB and LSB events and specify the PSR the panel voice in Bank 112. To load a file with General Midi voice, uncheck “Specify Panel Voices” in the Options menu item and reload the file. Files with any LSB value (even 0) and files with extension other than .mid (e.g. .sty) will be loaded without modification. Select the sections to be created StyleMaker requires a midi with > 35 measures making a style from a midi and >44 for making a style from BIAB song. The midi size display gives you this information. One way to extend it is GoTo your sequencer and copy and paste the rhythm track to the

needed measure or make a “click track” (note on first beat of every measure). Extending the midi by adding one note at measure 45 will not work. Click the Section buttons to create marker events at predetermined locations (see Appendix A). The markets will be used by you in the sequencer to identify the beginning and ending of each section, e.g. “>Main A” and “<Main A”. While a finished style can have 14 sections, it is recommended at new users start out with less until they gain experience. Main A, Intro A, Ending A and Fill In AA are reasonable choices. It may take your computer a couple of seconds to create markers; if necessary, pause between section clicks. Audition and edit the file in the sequencer Click on the GoTo button. This opens your sequencer with the working file StyleMaker.mid. This file is the original midi with the addition of the markers and other commands, and with any invalid commands removed. In the sequencer: Play the midi to determine which midi channels are appropriate for the various accompaniment parts: Sub rhythm, Rhythm, Bass, Chord 1, Chord 2, Pad, Phrase 1 and Phrase 2. It is recommended that you make a note of your assignments and their midi channel number. This information will be needed later to generate the CASM and to make use of the optional chord/scale tone conversion feature described below.

Move the beginning and ending markers to define the notes to be included in each section. The beginning marker must precede the ending marker. The order of the sections does not matter and overlapping sections are valid. Fill Ins are limited to one measure in length; the others may be up to 255 measures. Practically, the lengths must be such that final stylefile size does not exceed the memory limitations of the PSRs (see Appendix B).

To change a marker position in Cakewalk, drag the marker flag next to the marker‟s name in the track display. For large moves, it is often more convenient to edit the marker in the Marker View (double click the marker flag on the tool bar and then double click the marker). To audition a section in Cakewalk,

drag the cursor over the measure numbers between the beginning and end markers, click Set Loop to Selection and Loop On, and then click Play. Edit notes, key signature, program changes, tempo, Effects settings, etc as desired. Key Signature: The key signature must be correct. Many midi files display a key of C when in fact other keys are used. Inspect the note data in the sequencer to determine its key (if you do not already know) and adjust the setting. Note: Cakewalk does not allow entering minor keys. Use the key name (e.g. ”G” for G min) to enter the key in Cakewalk and change the key type manually in the Casm display. Changing Voices: If there are no control and program changes occurring within a section‟s markers, the instrument used for the style part is determined by the control and program changes located in the first measure of the midi ( that is, after the SFF1/SInt marker, but before any other marker such as Main A). If you only have one set of voice changes, make sure they are located here! Cakewalk‟s Track View displays the voice changes that are located in the first measure of the file. Changes in later measures will only display in the List view. You have to look in both places to see all the changes.

Note: Yamaha instruments use the “Normal‟ method of bank select where both the MSB and LSB values are specified. See the voice chart for

your instrument to determine the valid MSB, LSB and program change numbers for your instrument. In Cakewalk, use an Instrument Definition file for your PSR, or calculate the Bank Number by the following formula: Bank # = 128 * MSB value + LSB value. Drum voices always have MSB=127, so their bank numbers start at 16256. Tempos: Adjust in the sequencer. By default, StyleMaker only allows a Style to have one tempo in order to prevent unwanted changes to the basic rhythm. To allow multiple tempo events, click Allow Multiple Tempos under the Options menu item in StyleMaker. Effects: (Note: Users may want to defer djusting effects until they have gained experience in make style files.) To change the PSR default effect settings, you can use the Effects menu item in StyleMaker. To adjust the send amounts from each channel to the different effects, use editing tools in the sequencer. For Cakewalk, this is provided by StyleMaker StudioWare. To install, in Cakewalk, click Open, and select: C: \ Program Files\ StyleMaker\ StyleMaker Effects Mixer.CakewalkStudioWare . See Appendix E & F for an overview on using the Effects in StyleMaker and StyleMaker Effects StudioWare in Cakewalk.

Return to StyleMaker Important! To preserve any changes to markers, etc. made in the sequencer, click the Save button before exiting (or click „Yes‟ to the “save StyMaker?” prompt). To discard any changes, exit without saving. Note: Cubase, does not have a midi save. In this program, export the edited file as a midi Type 0 file to C:StyMaker.mid (please note that the different spelling!) and then exit Cubase. StyleMaker should then open with the file you exported. Note that you do not have to create/edit all sections/parts at once. You can go back and forth as often as you want between StyleMaker and the sequencer. If at any point (say before performing some radical editing maneuver or to keep as a foundation for another style), you wish to save a copy of the working file containing the marker placement and other edits, you can save it in StyleMaker with the File/Save menu item, or by using SaveAs from the sequencer. Generate a CASM The CASM is used to redirect the midi channel data to the accompaniment channels within the PSR, called parts. It also determines how the PSR processes the data in response to chord changes. For simplicity, StyleMaker creates one Format 1 CASM for all sections of a style made from a midi. Factory styles generally have different CASM settings for mains, intros and endings. To make a more complex CASM, use of Casm Editor (http://www.jososoft.dk/yamaha/ ) is recommended.

When a file is opened in StyleMaker, a CASM table is created in the lower part of the screen

for all midi channels that contain note events. Not all these midi channels will be used in the style, as some will contain melody lines, etc. that are not appropriate for use in accompaniment parts. To create a CASM for your style, locate the midi channels that you used in the sequencer (remember that list?) and assign them to accompaniment parts by clicking on the channel‟s „Part box‟ and selecting the desired choice. To have StyleMaker do this, locate the midi channels that are not required and assign them to the Part “Mute-Lock”. (For midis having only a few channels, most often you can skip the mute-lock step and just do Auto Casm). Then click on the Auto CASM Set button. StyleMaker will make tentative assignments based upon the instrument voice. If the track has an unusual voice (e.g. bagpipes), no voice part will be assigned and you will have to do it manually. You can change these assignments by clicking on a channel‟s „Part box‟, or you can clear all unlocked assignments by clicking on Clear CASM. To clear a Mute-Lock assignment, assign it to another part or to “Un-Mute”. Part assignments can be reviewed in the sequencer by displaying text events. In Cakewalk, this is accomplished by clicking on the File/Info menu item. When a Part is assigned, StyleMaker completes the remainder of the table by using PSR default settings for that part. You can change these values by clicking on the channel‟s CASM parameter and selecting a new value. The LoLimit & HiLimit values (C0 to G10) must be typed in. Many users are intimidated by the CASM; they should not be. In almost every case, the correct settings are determined by the part the channel is assigned to (e.g. Bass), and the standard settings (such as assigned by Auto CASM Set) are adequate. An exception is the Key Type if it‟s minor. This must be entered manually. See Appendix K for more information.

Convert Notes To play properly in a PSR, notes in Main & Fill Sections should observe the following rules: Bass & Phrase parts: only scale tones. In the key of CM7, these are: C, D, E G, A, B. Chord & Pad parts: only chord tones. In the key of CM7, these are: C, E, G, and B. In practice, conforming to these rules means that a 12 note scale is reduced to 4-6 notes and a style may no longer resemble the original midi. (PSRs are often more tolerant than these rules suggest, and you may want to try your style in a PSR before extensive editing to conform to these rules.) The Convert options in StyleMaker automatically transposes data, notated in any key, to the key of C with the chord and scale tone rules required of Main and Fill sections. To do so, there must be a CASM. To perform a conversion click on the▼ area of the Convert Notes button and select the CMajor or the CMajor7th option. For midi files, the CMajor option will convert all channels to the key of CMaj based upon the Key assignment in StyleMaker‟s CASM, and force all notes in Main and Fill sections to observe the required rules (Bass & Phrase: Scale Tones = C,D,E,G,A,B; Chord & Pad: Chord Tones = C,E,G,B). The initial Key assignment is automatically made from the key signature. For style files, if Use Style‟s Casm is selected, the key used in Convert is obtained from the style‟s CASM; otherwise the key in StyleMaker‟s CASM is used. The 7

th note must be included with the chord

notes in Main and Fill sections for 7th chords to

play in a PSR. To perform a conversion that creates the necessary “B”s, click on the CMajor7th. Note: With all conversions operations, but especially Chord/Scale/7

th

Notes, all notes must end before a new style section (as defined by the Markers, Main B, etc) begins. This is easily confirmed and fixed by viewing the midi in Cakewalk‟s piano roll mode. Notes that bridge sections will create “B”s of very long duration.

The default for CMajor7th creates chords that play the major/minor chords as expected and the 7

th by substituting a B for the root (e.g. EGBb

for C7). To always create 7th chords with a root

(C=CEGC, C7=CEGBb), check Convert7th by adding a B under the Options menu item. Regarding playback: In the PSR, a “B” in Main/Fill sections will only play when a 7

th chord

is called for. In a sequencer, however, it will always play and all such chords will sound as 7ths. This can make it difficult to audition a style with “B‟s” with the sequencer‟s “Play” function. There are two solutions to this problem: 1) develop the style without the 7ths to be able to use the sequencer‟s “Play” function for auditioning, and use the CMajor7th function immediately before saving the style, or 2) develop the style with the 7ths included, save the style, and use StylePlayer to audition it. Play and Save the style To play a style you have created, click the▼ area of the Play button and select the file to be played. To audition a style you have made, save it first and then choose Last Style Saved. To audition file you have opened without converting to a style, choose Last File Opened. To open the player without a file, choose Open Player With No File.

Once you have created a CASM, you can save at any time by clicking on the SaveAs button. You may wish to add or edit the style‟s copyright text as appropriate. If there is a copyright, the field‟s length is limited to the original number of characters. If greater length is desired, edit these fields in the sequencer instead.

Creating a style from a template Templates located in the StyleMaker directory allow creation of new stylefiles in several time signatures. Click on Open and select an appropriate template in either midi or style format. You can then proceed in the same manner as in creating a style from a midi or a style, depending upon the template type loaded. The midi templates have a soundless track in channel 16, and the style templates have a click track in channel 9. These tracks can be deleted as soon as all the desired sections have been created.

Editing or creating a style from an existing style StyleMaker offers a convenient way to edit an existing style while preserving the CASM, to add new sections to an existing style, or to create a new style from an older one. StyleMaker processes style files in much the same manner as it does midi files. Important exceptions are: Since there are no notes between sections, it does not create beginning and ending markers for existing sections. The markers are preserved as they were in the original file; i.e. the end of one section is delineated by the beginning of the next section. New sections are created with beginning and ending markers. Since the file already consists of sections, new sections will overlap existing sections. When a style is loaded, you may use the CASM that is built into the style, edit the style‟s Casm in CASM Editor (http://www.jososoft.dk/yamaha/) or create a CASM in StyleMaker. When no new sections have been added, just click the Use Style’s Casm button. When new sections have been created, use of CASM Editor is the preferred method.

When the Convert function is selected, the original CASM is used to determine the key for each part and translate it to CMaj or CMaj7.

Unlike midi files that are in one key, style files often use different keys for various part sections. This makes the style sound discordant when played in a sequencer. Solutions include playing the tracks one at a time, using the Convert option, or saving the style using the original CASM and auditioning it with StylePlayer.

Creating a Style from a Band in the Box style StyleMaker can create PSR styles from Band in the Box (BB) styles. To do this you must have the BB program and follow this sequence of operations: (developed with BB Version 11). In the Band in a Box program: 1) Start BB and enable the two bar lead in must be enabled in BB. If in doubt, restore the factory settings with Opt/Return to Factory Settings. Open a BB template song located in C:\Program Files\ StyleMaker. The BB songs generally have the form Type of Intro_Variations_Muted Instrument. For instance, Pop_ABab_(-g).SG3 creates a midi with a Pop Intro and uses BB‟s “A” variation in Main A, “B” Variation in Main B, a version of “A” with the guitar part muted in Main C, and a muted version of “B” in Main D. This variation scheme used by this song is best for creating styles for two variation PSRs. Likewise, Pop_aAbB_(-g).SG3 creates a style with the reduced instrument versions immediately preceding the full variations. Pop_AABB.SG3 has Variation A for Main A&B, Variation B for Main C&D. To provide variety between the Main sections, it is recommended that one or more part voices be varied. The PopAABB_Solo.SG3 includes a solo track. The solo used can be selected in BB.

Jazz songs are similar and have Jazz Intros. All songs create four variation PSR styles with four breaks plus three intros and three endings. Note: BB defaults to recording midi with part volumes set to “90”. This will result in a style that is louder than normal. You can lower BB‟s default volume in Opt./Midi Channels, Options and then clicking Save. Alternatively, you can adjust the individual volumes later in your sequencer. 2) Select a BB style with the STY style picker button, note the suggested tempo, and click OK to load the style. Say “No” if requested to change durations. When the style has loaded, change the tempo to the value that was suggested by the style picker display. If desired, click Intro then Regenerate to change the intro chords. To change the reduced instrument assignments ( e.g. if a style does not have a part that is being muted, the a and A variations will sound the same), right click on the Rest designations to specify the parts you want to hear or load a song with the desired part muted. To add or change a Solo, click on the Soloist button. 3) Save the song as a midi by clicking on the .MID button, selecting Midi type 0, and providing a unique filename. (Note: BB earlier than Version 11 only made Midi Type 1 files; these must be converted to Type 0 before loading into StyleMaker).

Then in StyleMaker: 1) Start StyleMaker and click on the BBStyle button. This creates the PSR style, generating the part assignments for the CASM using the instruments detected in the midi. If any channel does not have PSR part assigned, that means StyleMaker could not recognize the voice or was not sure which part (Bass, Phrase 1, etc) it should be assigned to. In these cases, you will have to make the assignment manually (by clicking in the Part column and making a selection). Typical assignments would be channel 2=Bass, Channel 3(usually keyboard) =Chord 1, Channel 6 (usually guitar) =Chord 2, Channel 7= Pad if strings or sustained instrument, Phrase 1 otherwise. When all channels have a part assigned, the style can be saved using the SaveAs

button. BB midis use General Midi instrument voices. StyleMaker changes these to PSR Bank 112 panel voices. To specify General Midi (LSB=0) voices, uncheck “Specify Panel Voices” in the Options menu item before opening a midi. StyleMaker defaults to making four measure sequences for Main A-D. To make eight measure sequences (perhaps with some extra fills or flourishes), click the Options menu item and click the “Use 8 Measures”. Changing either the panel voice or measure settings in the Options menu are remembered by the program. You can edit StyleMaker „songs‟ or make your own. See Appendix J for details.

Converting a style to use MegaVoices with Mega Enhancer MegaEnhancer cannot be used directly with styles because it destroys the Casm, OTS and MF sections. To avoid this, start StyleMaker and use the Setup menu item to select Mega Enhancer as your sequencer. By default, StyleMaker includes an XG System On command that, in Mega Enhancer, allows only voices that have megavoice versions (e.g. CleanGuitar > Mega CleanGuitar) to be converted. Unchecking Options/Include XG System On will allow Mega Enhancer to first translate voices to their GM/XG versions (e.g. SolidGuitar-000118027 > CleanGuitar-000000027) and then to the megavoice version. This results in more megavoices, but does not use the same instruments as the files author. Load the style into StyleMaker, then Go Sequencer to start Mega Enhancer, click Convert, say Yes to Save but change the file name to C:StyMaker.mid, Exit Mega Enhancer to return to StyleMaker, select "Use Styles Casm" and then click SaveStyle and select a new stylename. This style will have the megavoices and all the other style sections included.

Improving your styles sound Styles made from midis and Band In The Box templates can be improved by passing them through MidiPlayer:

Select your Instrument to configure voices.

Use AutoVolumeSet and DrumMix to set typical style volumes

Use AutoPan set to pan the instruments.

Use Effects to adjust reverb.

Appendix A) Approximate location of added style section markers (measures) Section Beginning Ending Main A 9 11 Main B 12 14 Main C 15 17 Main D 18 20 Intro A 2 3 Intro B 4 6 Intro C 7 8 Ending A 21 22 Ending B 23 24 Ending C 25 26 Fill In AA 27 28 Fill In BB 29 30 Fill In CC 31 32 Fill In DD 33 34

StyleMaker may not be able to place the markers accurately if the file is sparsely populated. If it looks like only one marker is present, they are on top of one another in the display. Move either to reveal the other. The above markers should always be placed no earlier than measure 2; measure 1 is reserved for setup markers. B) Style Size Considerations Factory styles typically have the following lengths: Main sections --- 2-4 measures Fill in section ---Limited to 1 measure Intro sections ---1-8+ measures Ending sections ---1-8 measures C) Valid Midi Events in StyleMaker

Note On, Note Off

Program Change

Pitch Bend

Control Change Numbers: 0, 1, 6, 7,10,11, 32, 71, 74, 91, 93, 94

Copyright, Style/Track Name, Instrument Name, Marker, Key Signature, Tempo, Time Signature

XG Parameter Change Effect 1

XG Parameter Change Drum Setup: Pitch Coarse & Fine, Level, Pan, Send to Reverb- Chorus- Variation, Filter Cutoff & Resonance, EG Attack and Decay Rates

StyleMaker automatically records commands (such as effects and markers) that must occur in setup measures, or events that are inconvenient or confusing to enter in a sequencer. It delegates to the sequencer those events such as note-on/off, program change, pan, volume, and effect sends that can occur within the section markers and benefit from the sequencer‟s real-time and graphical editing functions. D) PSR Parts Part names refer to midi channel assignments within the PSR (i.e. SubRhythm =9, Rhythm=10, Bass=11, Chord 1 =12, Chord 2= 13, Pad =14, Phrase 1 = 15 and Phrase 2 =16). The characteristics of playback for the non-rhythm channels are determined by the CASM parameters, not the part name. A midi channel containing say, pad events, can be assigned to any Bass, Chord, Pad or Phrase Part. When making such assignments, remember to modify the default CASM parameters such as NTT and Retrigger to settings more appropriate to the events in that channel. Midi channels using the same instrument can be assigned to the same PSR Part without problem. For instance, chord riffs, recorded on several midi channels, can all be assigned to Phrase 1 and they will be merged during accompaniment playback. E) Effects The PSRs include three independent effect processors that are available to style parts: Reverb, Chorus and Variation, which has two options, System and Insertion. The XG defaults (established by an XG On sysex command, automatically included by StyleMaker) are Reverb: Hall 1, Chorus: Chorus 1, Variation: System-Delay LCR.

Other selections may be made in StyleMaker‟s Effects Window (Effects menu item). Essential Effects, included on all XG devices, and indicated by a “*” are recommended when the style is to be used with a broad range of instruments. The numbers in square brackets following the effect name correspond to the decimal values of the MSB-LSB in the effect‟s Effect Type List, and can be used to identify effects independently from titles that may vary between instruments. Effect selections are made once for an entire style and are placed by StyleMaker in the setup sections. All but the Insertion Effect accept signal from all channels. The contribution from each channel to the effect is determined by the channel‟s Send Level for that effect. Send levels are controller events (91, 93, 94 for Reverb, Chorus, System) that can be located anywhere in a style and thus can vary between style sections. The Send Level for each channel for each desired effect is set in the sequencer. In Cakewalk, use the StyleMaker Effects Mixer StudioWare to select effects, and adjust send and channel volume levels. To open the mixer within Cakewalk, click on Open, and select the file StyleMaker Effects Mixer.CakewalkStudioWare in the StyleMaker installation folder (e.g. C:/StyleMaker). The contribution from each effect to the final mix is determined by the effect‟s output return level. The XG defaults for returns are unity gain (output=input) and it is often adequate and more convenient to leave these and only adjust the individual Send Levels. Other values may be selected in the Effects window. While Reverb/Chorus/System effects most frequently operate in parallel with their contributions determined by the channel send and the effect return settings, it is possible to operate them in series, with some portion of one feeding another. Settings for System Send to Reverb, System Send to Chorus, and the Chorus Send to Reverb control this behavior and are located in the Effects Window. Note that Send levels are linear controls with a minimum (0) = no effect and a maximum (127) = all effect. Effect returns are non-linear with minimum (0) = no output, midscale (64) = output

equal to input and maximum (127) = 6dB increase over input levels. Insertion Effects operate only on a single part and do not have send or return levels. More limited in variety and flexibility, insertion effects are used primarily as a quick way of adding an effect to one part. To use Insertion Effects, click Insertion as the Variation Effect type, select the desired effect and click on an Insertion Part to apply it to. Insertion Effects are not available in the StyleMaker Effects Mixer StudioWare. G) StyleMaker Effects Mixer Using the StyleMaker Effects Mixer in Cakewalk: To open the mixer, click Open and select the file StyleMaker Effects Mixer.CakewalkStudioWare in the StyleMaker installation directory (e.g. C:/StyleMaker). Choose the effects for Reverb, Chorus and System by clicking the button over the desired selection. Essential Effects buttons are colored green. Effect selections must be made once for the entire style and must be located in the setup sections. To do this, click Rewind in the Track Window and then click the Snapshot button at the top left of the mixer panel. Adjust the rotary Send controls for each channel, and each effect, to set the amount of signal going to the effect. The Mute/Solo buttons at the bottom of the panel are convenient for auditioning the effect selection and send levels. (Note that the effect selections are stored on channel 1, so be careful in muting this channel). The Volume sliders may be used to balance the level of the combined wet + dry mix relative to other channels. Effect Send/Volume Controller events can be located anywhere in a style file and can be Snapshot along with the effect selections at the beginning of the file. Alternatively, they may be located at the beginning of sections or altered in real time as the style is auditioned. To prevent including effect selections that are illegal beyond the beginning of the file, select the effect „Bypass‟ for each event type before the snapshot or recording. Bypass suppresses the recording of any effect selection, whereas „NoEffect‟ turns off the effects processor.

The StudioWare is not protected so you can modify it if desired.

H) Sound Source Considerations Styles played through a sound card offering the standard General Midi (GM) voices will not sound like what you will hear when the style is loaded on a PSR or used with another XG sound source! Since the purpose of StyleMaker is to accurately create PSR style files, how the style plays is an important consideration. I) Instrument Voices If StyleMaker cannot identify the voice as likely being GM, Panel or XG, it displays the three parameters in the instrument column. Frequently, these voices will not sound properly (if at all) on most PSRs, and they should be changed in the sequencer. Make sure that Sub Rhythm or Rhythm parts specify a Yamaha drum kit. This requires MSB =127. In Sonar, the MSB and LSB define the bank number in the track view according to the formula: Bank Number = MSB*128 + LSB. E.g. Yamaha Standard Drum kit (MSB: 127, LSB 0): bank=16256, program change: 0

J) Template Songs for BB

StyleMaker „songs‟ are templates that place portions of the BB midi in locations where StyleMaker can find them. Since BB includes a two bar lead in (which StyleMaker uses to reserve space for setup events), the locations as seen in BB and a sequencer are offset by two measures.

PSR Section

Location in BB

4 bars in sequencer

8 Bar in sequencer

Intro A 1-4 3-6*

(3:01:000 to 6:04:119)

3-6

Intro B 5-8 8-10 8-10

Intro C 1-8 3-10 3-10

Main A 9-12 11-14 11-18

Fill In AA

16 18 18

Main B 17-20 19-22 19-26

Fill In BB

24 26 26

Main C 25-28 27-31 27-35

Fill In 32 34 34

CC

Main D 33-36 35-38 35-42

Fill In DD

40 42 42

Ending A

41-42 43-44 43-44

Ending B

40-42 42-44 42-44

Ending C

39-42 41-44 4144

K) Casm Settings

The Casm is a section of the style that makes various assignments to each of the midi channels so that they will operate properly as PSR accompaniment channels. The Casm is organized into sections where each style section has the sub records for each midi track used See the following structure with the possible values indicated. Style sections: Main A, IntroC, etc (several can be defined at once) Sub record 1 Midi source track:1 to 16 (the channel numbers on the left of the Casm display) PSR destination track (Parts): Chord1, SubRhythm, Rhythm, Bass Chord1 & 2, Phrase 1& 2 Source Key: C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, B Key Type : min, maj,maj7, etc Chord Mute: Maj Maj6 Maj7 M7#11 (9) M7(9) 6(9), etc (chords that trigger the track) Note Transposition Rule (NTR): Root transposed, Root fixed (keep note inversion or minimize root movement) Note Transposition Table (NTT): Chord, Bass, Melody, Melodic Minor, Harmonic Minor, Bypass (suitability) High Key: C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, B (higher roots are shifted -1 octave) Note LoLimit: C0 to G10 (Factory style use E2 for bass; C0 for most others) Note High Limit: C0 to G10 Retrigger Rule: Retrigger, Retrigger to root, specific note (action when note bridges chords) Track Name: Hot guitar (could be anything; blank in StyleMaker‟s Casm) Editable in PSR: No isYamaha‟s default setting; StyleMaker‟s is yes Notes allowed: C C# D Eb E F F# G G# A Bb B (StyleMaker allows all)

Sub Record 2, etc

Thus for each group of style sections, there can be up to 16 sub records. If each style section was separate, there could be 16X14 =244 records. In complex styles, there can be several source tracks for a destination track. One source track might be configured via Chord Mute to be triggered by major chords, while another would be triggered by minor chord, 7

th chords, etc.

StyleMaker can use either the Casm that is in the file itself (for style files) or create one for use in making style files from a midi or where added tracks make the internal Casm of a style file invalid. For simplicity, the Casm created by StyleMaker covers all style sections and is generally adequate for beginning stylemakers. Since each destination track must have at least one source track, that leaves 8 additional tracks for use with ChordMute or note allowed definitions. Auto Casm Set assigns Parts based upon the type of instrument defined for that track, and other Casm values, except Source Key and Key Type, based upon the Part designation. The Source Key is obtained from the key signature and, since it is used by StyleMaker‟s Convert function, it must be set before this facility is used. If Convert is used, the Key Type will be set automatically. Otherwise all Key Types other than major must be entered manually. Some additional information on the interaction of HiKey and LoLimit: Chords with roots higher than HighKey will be shifted down an octave, unless limited by LoLimit. For example, if the style is programmed to play a chord in the second octave, with LoLimit C0, and HighKey is D#, then chords C, C#, D,D# will play in the second octave and chords E and higher in the first octave. If LoLimit is set to something in the second octave (Yamaha uses E2), then all notes will be forced to be higher than LoLimit even when HighKey would specify they be lower. If you encounter situations where some of your chords are playing an octave below where the midi notes would indicate, then it is likely due to the combination of the HighKey/LoLimit settings. You can remedy the problem by either increasing the HighKey setting or making LoLimit in the lowest octave where you want the instrument to play.

The best way to learn about Casm settings is to view existing styles. To view an internal Casm, use either SyleDump or CasmEdit. StyleMaker does not support editing of an internal Casm. The program Casm Editor is recommended. For a detailed description of Style Files and the Casm, see: http://www.wierzba.homepage.t-online.de/stylefiles.htm

L) There does not seem to be enough room in the toolbar for all the buttons. Your computer may be set to use a larger-than-normal font. For XP: Right click an empty area of the Desktop and select Properties/Appearance. Check Font size and change it to Normal. For Vista: There are two font settings: size and DPI. It is not clear which setting(s) cause this problem. See instructions on the web sites: http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/raps/docs/Windows_Vista_-

_Personalise_the_Display.pdf , http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...0c41d1033.mspx http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/30176856/font-size-in-vista.aspx . One user has reported that switching from Windows Aero mode to Windows Classic fixes the problem with no other adjustments. See also:

If you set the DPI higher than 96, and you are running Windows Aero (the premium visual experience of Windows Vista), the text and other items on the screen might appear blurry in some programs that are not designed for high–DPI display in this version of Windows. You can avoid this issue by using Windows XP–style DPI scaling for these programs.

Some programs display better using Windows XP style of DPI scaling.

Open Personalization by clicking the Start

button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Personalization.

In the left pane, click Adjust font size (DPI). If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

In the DPI Scaling dialog box, click Custom DPI.

Select the Use Windows XP style DPI scaling check box, and then click OK. David Flack found this to be successful: Change Windows fonts You can change the font in any part of Windows (for example, menus). Changing a Windows font does not change your program fonts. To do so:

Click Advanced.

In the Item list, click the part of Windows where you want to change the font. For example, if you want to change the menu font, click Menu in the list.

In the Font list, click the font you want to use.

In the Size list, click the font size that you want.

In the Color list, click the font color you want.

Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each part of Windows where you want to change the font, its size, and its color, and then click OK.

If anyone has any more information on the screen problem, please email the author.

M) Some styles report errors loading into StyleMaker or the sequencer. Try loading the style into your instrument. If it accepts it, go to StyleCreator/Assembly tab and Save the file to a new filename. Often this corrects whatever is wrong.

N) StyleMaker does not run under Vista or Win 7

Install the program as an administrator by right-clicking the installer file and select “Run as Administrator”. Answer “yes” to the warning message. If installed, use Windows Explorer, navigate to the C:\ Program Files (x86)\StyleMaker folder and

Right click the program and select Properties.

Under the compatibility tab, select “Run this program as an administrator”.

Click Apply and OK.

User's Agreement By installing this software, the user signifies agreement with the following: The author, Michael P. Bedesem, copyrights this software with all rights reserved. The author retains all title and intellectual property rights. No warranty is made regarding the suitability of this software for any application, or that operation will be uninterrupted, or error free. The author is not responsible for problems that result from installing or operating this software, and shall in no case be liable for special, incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages arising howsoever. The user agrees not to make changes or modifications to the software and not to decompile, disassemble, or otherwise reverse engineer the software. The software is provided free for private, non-commercial use. The user agrees not to sell this software or bundle it with other software for commercial enterprise, without the express written consent of the author. The software may be distributed to other users as provided above as long as all components, including this agreement, are included. The user is responsible for using this software legally and in accordance with any copyrights that may pertain to third party style files.

This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the author and the user, and may be modified only by written agreement between the parties.

Communication & Support Any questions, comments, suggestions for modifications or improvements, or problem reports would be most welcome. Please forward these to the author at mpb@sover.net.

Acknowledgements StyleMaker is one of several programs in the StyleManager Series that is intended to give users the ability to work around common annoyances or operating discrepancies between instruments. StyleMaker was created to simplify the creation of PSR styles using a sequencer program, and make this process accessible to a wider range of users. Simon Williams and Bob Gelman were among the many to point out the need for a simple and inexpensive program to facilitate style creation from midis. The design of the StyleMaker Effects Mixer is based upon an XG effect panel developed by Nick Wilson, UTC, UK. Shawn (sendshawn@yahoo.com) has spent countless patient hours testing StyleMaker and, along with a very challenging midi file, uncovering some of its errant behavior. His work has been most appreciated and has advanced the quality of this project. Claude Veziau has successfully given the program its most demanding test- making styles that others give high acclaim. In addition, he has suggested the addition of several new features including: a direct link to StylePlayer (he was not alone here), a default directory, the inclusion of recently accessed file in the file menu and implementation of the chord mute CASM setting. Shawn was the first to encourage the development of the Convert/Chord/Scale/7thNotes function and Michael Graver was very helpful in testing it.

Claude Veziau has contributed the ideas for how to obtain more variety including several intros and endings from a BB midi. Frank Hand and Didier Jolibois were very instrumental in testing the StyleFromBB function and showed that it can make some very high quality styles. Frank, in particular, deserves special credit for the weeks he spent helping me track down address problems with the voicing, markers, conversions and timing issues, as well as suggesting additional features. Thank you Frank! Mike Kelly discovered some difficulties in the convert routine when dealing with Fills and Intros/endings. This was corrected in 2.7.4/2.7.5. Thank you, Mike. Jin Hird encountered some problems trying to process short files. Version 2.8.9 was created to address these issues. Michael P. Bedesem 5/15/2009 Version 3.1.X