Yamaha Psr Sx700 Registration Memory

The Yamaha PSR-SX700 is a powerful arranger workstation, offering a vast array of features for performing, composing, and arranging music. Among its key functionalities is the Registration Memory, a feature that allows users to save and recall panel settings quickly and efficiently. This article provides a detailed explanation of Registration Memory on the PSR-SX700, covering its purpose, structure, saving process, recall process, and practical applications.

Understanding Registration Memory

Registration Memory on the PSR-SX700 serves as a snapshot of the instrument's current settings. It essentially captures the state of various parameters, including but not limited to voice selections (right and left hand), Style settings (including tempo, volume, and variations), Mixer settings, DSP effects, and other configurable options. The primary function is to enable the musician to instantly switch between different sound configurations during live performance or recording sessions. This eliminates the need for manually adjusting multiple settings each time a new song section or musical passage requires a different sound.

Structure of a Registration

A single Registration on the PSR-SX700 comprises multiple banks. Think of each bank as a "preset" within that Registration. Each Registration can hold up to 8 banks. These banks are numerically labelled from 1 to 8. When you save a set of panel settings, you save them into one of these 8 banks. This allows you to sequentially progress through the banks during a performance.

Example: Imagine you are playing a song with an intro, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro. You could create a Registration for that song and assign a different bank to each of these song sections. Bank 1 might contain the settings for the intro (e.g., a soft pad sound with a slow tempo), Bank 2 for the verse (e.g., a piano sound with a driving drum beat), and so on. During performance, you simply press the corresponding Registration Memory buttons to seamlessly switch between these sections.

Saving to Registration Memory

The process of saving settings to Registration Memory involves several steps. Follow the procedure below to store your desired panel settings:

1. Configure the Panel: First, adjust the PSR-SX700's panel to achieve the desired sound configuration. This includes selecting voices for the Right 1, Right 2, and Left parts, choosing a suitable Style, adjusting the tempo, setting the volumes of different parts in the Mixer, and applying appropriate DSP effects. Experiment until you are satisfied with the overall sound.
2. Engage Memory: Press the "Memory" button located in the Registration Memory section of the keyboard. This activates the memory function, preparing the instrument to store the current panel settings.
3. Select a Bank: Choose one of the eight Registration Memory buttons (numbered 1 to 8) that corresponds to the bank where you want to save the settings. Press and hold the desired number button until you see an indication on the display confirming that the settings have been saved. This indication usually involves a brief flash or message on the screen.
4. Repeat: Repeat steps 1-3 for each of the remaining banks you want to populate within that Registration.

It is crucial to remember that newly saved settings will overwrite any previously stored data in the selected bank. Therefore, always ensure that you are saving to the correct bank to avoid accidentally deleting important configurations.

Recalling from Registration Memory

Once you have saved settings to Registration Memory, recalling them is straightforward:

1. Select the Registration: The PSR-SX700 can store many Registrations, grouped into banks. Ensure you have the correct Registration selected. The instrument may default to a particular Registration bank upon startup.
2. Press the Bank Button: Simply press the Registration Memory button corresponding to the bank you wish to recall (numbered 1 to 8). The instrument will instantly load the saved settings associated with that bank. The panel will reconfigure itself to match the parameters stored in the selected bank.

Registration Sequence

The PSR-SX700 offers a "Registration Sequence" function. This feature allows you to sequentially advance through the banks of a Registration by simply pressing either the "+" or "-" button in the Registration Memory section. Enabling Registration Sequence can streamline live performances, allowing you to move seamlessly through the different sections of a song without having to manually select each bank.

Example: If you have programmed Bank 1 for the Intro, Bank 2 for the Verse, Bank 3 for the Chorus, and Bank 4 for the Bridge, you could enable Registration Sequence and simply press the "+" button after each section to move to the next.

Saving Registrations to USB

Beyond the internal Registration Memory, the PSR-SX700 provides the capability to save Registrations to a USB drive. This functionality is essential for backing up your settings and transferring them between instruments.

Saving to USB

1. Insert USB Drive: Insert a compatible USB drive into the USB TO DEVICE port on the PSR-SX700.
2. Access Registration Save Menu: Navigate to the Registration Memory save menu. This is usually located within the Function menu or a dedicated utility screen. Consult your instrument's Owner's Manual for the exact location.
3. Select Destination: Choose the USB drive as the destination for saving the Registration.
4. Name the Registration: Assign a descriptive name to the Registration file. This will help you easily identify it later.
5. Save: Initiate the save process. The instrument will create a file on the USB drive containing all the data associated with the current Registration.

Loading from USB

To load a Registration from a USB drive, follow these steps:

1. Insert USB Drive: Ensure the USB drive containing the Registration file is inserted into the USB TO DEVICE port.
2. Access Registration Load Menu: Navigate to the Registration Memory load menu.
3. Select Source: Choose the USB drive as the source for loading the Registration.
4. Select File: Browse the USB drive and select the Registration file you wish to load.
5. Load: Initiate the load process. The instrument will load the data from the USB file into its internal Registration Memory.

Practical Advice and Insights

• Organization is Key: Develop a systematic approach to naming and organizing your Registrations. Use descriptive names that reflect the songs or musical styles they are intended for.
• Backup Regularly: Back up your Registrations to a USB drive on a regular basis to protect against data loss due to accidental deletion or instrument malfunction.
• Experiment and Refine: Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings and refine your Registrations over time. As you gain experience, you will discover new ways to optimize your sounds and improve your workflow.
• Use Foot Pedals: Consider using foot pedals to control Registration Memory selection during live performance. This frees up your hands to focus on playing. You can assign foot pedals to switch between banks, activate Registration Sequence, or perform other useful functions.
• Consider the Environment: Always test your Registration settings in the actual performance environment. The acoustics of a room can significantly affect how your sounds are perceived. Make adjustments as needed to ensure optimal sound quality.
• Document your settings: Keep a written record of the settings you save in each registration. This can be particularly helpful if you need to recreate a particular sound configuration in the future. Include style names, tempos, mixer settings and voice selections.

By mastering the Registration Memory feature on the Yamaha PSR-SX700, musicians can significantly enhance their performance capabilities, streamline their workflow, and unlock new creative possibilities.