Peter wrote:

In pattern mode when I edit the pattern, it seems the only way to change the patch is to edit the PC event using the numbers.
Is there a way to change the patch / voice using the category search in stead of know the msb / lsb and patch?????
tia

No, not exactly. We as humans find it easier to search for instruments by Category Search; the Sequencer being a computer, of sorts, does this with locator numbers called the Bank Select (MSB/LSB) and Program Change.

What Yamaha has done is allow you to “lookup” the sound using Category Search, then when you find that Voice you want, it displays for you the MSB/LSB and PC*. You then can enter the appropriate numbers into the Event list.

So this is a two step operation. when in [SONG] Mode... (see below, why you don’t put Program Changes in PATTERN mode).
you can access the MIDI data recorded to the Tracks
When you additionally press [MIXING]... you can access the Synth tone generator and select sounds.
You would begin from [SONG] mode finding the appropriate place to insert the locator (MSB-LSB-PC) Numbers.

If for example, you wanted to change the Voice assigned to Part 3 at Measure 33 (the Bridge)... you would stop the Sequencer near this location... and select Track [3]
Press [MIXING] to work with the synthesizer
Press [F2] VOICE
This screen show you your 16 Parts (instruments) when you press a Track Select button 1-16 or move the cursor to highlight a Part, 1-16, the name of the assigned Voice appears across the top, and the MSB and LSB Numbers appear in a column for that Part. The VOICE Number appears, as well.

*the Voice Number is one number off from the Program Change... this happens because the list of Voices is 1-128, but ask a computer to count and it begins with zero (0). The computer counts 0-127 for Program Change Numbers. So although the numbers for the Full Concert Grand are MSB 63, LSB 0 and Voice number 1... when you go to enter this data to the Sequencer you can subtract 1 from the Voice Number to get the Program Change.

Press [SONG]
Press [EDIT]
You will enter edit on the corresponding Track (use the Track Select 1-16 as necessary)
Press [F5] INSERT
Move the cursor down to the lower portion of the screen and use the Data Dial to Select “Program Change” as “EVENT TYPE”

The format of the event is xxx-yyy-zzz
for MSB-LSB-PC

063-000-000 the first eight characters of the name will appear next to your entry.

When attempting to insert a Program Change event always place it during a silence. Do not attempt to have a Program Change occur simultaneously with sound. Place the event several clock ticks prior to any note data, and well after any held notes. If you need the piano to play on the downbeat of Measure 33... Insert the event at the end of Measure 32, Beat 4, Clock 450 (for example). There are 480 clocks per quarter note... so 30 Clock ticks is like a 64th note... so 450 clocks is a 64th note before the downbeat, plenty of time...
Press [F6] SET

Why you may not want to put PROGRAM CHANGE events in a Pattern
They cycle. Therefore there is going to be an event every time it comes around. Logically, Program Changes are written to a “linear” structure. If you have a 4 Measure Section A, and you want it to repeat four times to create... 16. AAAA
But at Measure 9 you want to change sounds.

Since Section A is only 4 measures, where do you put your Program Change?

However, if you want to change instruments, where Section A is electric piano and Section B is acoustic piano, that you can do... but it is not handled by Inserting MSB-LSB-PC events... We need something faster... because you do not want to put a Program Change event and Note-on events on the same clock pulse. And with cycling looping Patterns, this would quickly be a nightmare. So Yamaha has a solution... you do so by rewriting the individual “Phrase Header”. I’ll explain...

Each recording you do while in Pattern Mode is placed in a numbered User Phrase, 001-256. Each has fixed Length in Measures, etc. This data, along with the Voice you selected, the Volume you have it set at, the Pan location, and the Insert Effect Switch status gets written into what is called the “Phrase Header”. This data is recalled whenever you recall a Section. You write this data AUTOMATICALLY, when you setup to record the Pattern Phrase.

You can review the information in this Phrase Header, as follows.
Say you want to change the instrument in Part 3, SECTION B
From [PATTERN] mode
Press [3] to select Track 3
Press [RECORD] to enter Record Standby
Press [F2] VOICE

The information shown on this screen is what is written into this Phrase header...
and YES, if you move the cursor to highlight the Voice, you can immediately press [CATEGORY SEARCH], search and find a Voice and update the Phrase Header for this particular Phrase.
Press [STOP] to register your change. Very important to press STOP... while in Record Standby, the MOXF documents your settings and keeps that data along with each numbered user phrase. Each User Phase can have its own unique set of settings

Hope that helps.

Brilliant answer Phil. I need to print it out and stick in in the manual.

The reason I ended up with the issue was a midi import went wrong ended up in the pattern - who'd have thought? No wonder I went mad looking for it in the Songs. 🙂
(read twice - execute once)

The timeing thing did raise it's head by way of a very slight delay in the loop. Very disconcerting!

I suspected a header of some sort - good to know the facts.

My other project is building a voice from scratch using just a saw and approaching it like I would the old Juno-6.
VCO (DCO), PEG, FEG and AEG, LFO etc
Just to learn what happens in the engine room. Mostly using the Editor.
It seems a real shame that such a tiny tiny number of musos really get the juice out of this synth after all the work that goes into it.
I'm still loving it after two years

Thanks.
Cheers!
🙂