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Yamaha Genos, control panel and keyboard

Photo : Solomon203 — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

MIDI files for Yamaha Genos

The Genos reads standard MIDI files: our whole catalogue works on it. What remains is choosing the right format, knowing where to put the file, and setting the three parameters that make the difference in practice.

1. Which format to choose

We offer the same arrangement in several standards. On a Genos, they are not equal.

The best choice
MIDI XG
Yamaha's extension of General MIDI: more voices, finer sound settings. It is the house standard.
Always works
MIDI GM-0 · GM-1
The safe choice. GM-1 is multitrack — one instrument per track — so it is easier to rework.
Works
MIDI GM2
A shared evolution of General MIDI, richer than the original GM.
The notes play
MIDI GS
Roland's standard. The Genos plays the notes, but the sound settings specific to GS are not interpreted.
In practice: take the XG version when it exists, the GM version otherwise. Both appear on each title's page.

2. Loading a file onto the Genos

STEP 1
Copy the .mid file onto a USB stick from your computer.
STEP 2
Plug it into the USB TO DEVICE socket.
STEP 3
Open the song selector and choose the USB stick.
STEP 4
Select the file and start playback.

The Genos reads Standard MIDI Files of type 0 as well as type 1. Our files come in one or the other depending on the format chosen — both load the same way.

3. The three settings that change everything

Tempo

A MIDI file is not a recording: slowing down or speeding up degrades nothing. That is what makes it a working tool, not just a playback file.

Key

Transposition applies to the whole piece without altering the sound. Essential to fit a title to a voice.

The volume of each part

Each MIDI channel matches a part of the arrangement. Mute the melody to sing over it, lower the drums, isolate the bass: everything is set independently.

This is where the multitrack format earns its place: one instrument per track, separated and named, instead of everything bundled together.

4. Lyrics on screen

Some of our files carry the lyrics, synchronised syllable by syllable. They appear on keyboards able to read them. When that is the case, the title's page shows “Karaoke — lyrics included”.

About half our catalogue is concerned. The information comes either from the publisher or from our own analysis of the file.

5. Frequently asked questions

Which MIDI format should I choose for a Genos?

The XG version if it exists, the GM version otherwise. XG is Yamaha's extension of General MIDI: the Genos draws voices and settings from it that plain GM does not carry. GM works in every case.

What is the difference between GM and XG on a Yamaha?

GM (General MIDI) defines 128 instruments recognised by every device, whatever the brand. XG is Yamaha's own extension: it adds voices, variations and finer effect settings. On a Genos, an XG file sounds closer to the original intent.

Does a GS file work on a Genos?

The notes play, yes. But GS is Roland's standard: the sound settings specific to it are not interpreted by a Yamaha. The piece plays, it simply does not sound as intended. Prefer the XG or GM version.

Do the lyrics appear on screen?

When they are written into the MIDI file, yes: they are synchronised syllable by syllable and appear on keyboards able to read them. The title's page then shows “Karaoke — lyrics included”. About half our catalogue is concerned.

My song is not in the catalogue?

We transcribe it for you, by ear, whatever the style. You get a multitrack MIDI file of the same quality as the catalogue, made specially for you. No artificial intelligence involved.

Find your title

75,000 songs in the catalogue, in MIDI, XG, GS, GM2, MP3 and PDF sheet music. And if yours is not there, we transcribe it by ear.

Browse the catalogue Request a transcription

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