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Topic starter
Hi,
I'm an aged (64 years young) pianist that has just delved into the wonderful world of synths so that I can participate in my local pub's 'open mic' nights. I've bought the most amazing Yamaha MX61 and am trying to come to terms with all the functions. I've watched a number of the videos on this website many of which are so way above my understanding it's frightening! I am specifically looking for:
- Info on how to change or use the multiple arpeggios - What I would really like to do is 'program' the bass line of 'Billy Jean' as an arpeggio, so that I just play one note and it plays that sequence of notes. Is that possible?
- Info on how to change the drums in a performance, or even add drums to a performance. I've read that the drums are always on channel 10 but aside from that, I haven't been able to work out how to speed them up, slow them down, change the metre, sound etc. Can this be done directly from the keyboard?
I'm hoping that what I have asked can be done through the keyboard as the DAW that I have downloaded is, at the moment, totally incomprehensible to me.
If anyone knows of books or more videos that are aimed at complete beginners for the MX synths, please let me know. I happy and quite excited by the prospect of learning how to use my new toy.
Regards
MCL
Posted : 31/10/2025 6:21 pm
As far as I know, you can't create your own arpeggios. So find a stock arpeggio that works or maybe look into something like SeqTrak or some other external arpeggiator.
There's a tempo button the MX. Tap it 4 or more times to set by tap. I'm sure it can also be used to more directly set the tempo.
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 03/11/2025 9:29 am
Topic starter
Many thanks Jason, that's helpful. Shame about the arpegiator but I will look into an external one.
I've managed to change the tempo now, but on the keyboard, are able to change the pattern of the drums played or do you need the DAW to achieve this?
Regards
MCL
Posted : 04/11/2025 7:43 am
Use the Rhythm Pattern button and these choose. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLIdOh1dwxo Use settings to change the subtitles sto english.
The reference manual, p59) has a section of patterns and how to use them.
https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/0/892960/mx49mx61mx88_en_rm_b0.pdf
Posted : 04/11/2025 4:56 pm
Marc, I was in same state trying to learn as a beginner about a year ago. Things became much much clearer after I bought and hooked up the John Melas software. This allows you to actually see and modify all the various synth parameters easily from your computer. i.e. try out different arpeggios with the click of the mouse, try different combinations of the drum kits and canned drum rhythms And you can save the user voices and performances you create into the computer and reload them into the synth later.
Posted : 28/11/2025 1:28 am
