Yamaha P-140 as MIDI controller for XV-88?

14 May 2008, 00:29

Hi there -

I don't know a damn thing about midi.

I just know I love my XV-88's patches, but can't stand it's lousy keybed.

So I use my Yamaha P-140 as a controller. But . . .

Something's off. It plays quieter than the XV-88 when they're linked. And it sounds just kind of . . . less than it should.

Am I using the wrong keyboard? Any ideas?

Re: Yamaha P-140 as MIDI controller for XV-88?

20 Sep 2008, 10:36

I suspect that the problem is with different velocity levels provided by YAMAHA and ROLAND keys. Velocity levels transmitted through MIDI from ROLAND keys would be in range 0-127. Velocity levels transmitted through MIDI from YAMAHA keys would be somewhere in range 0-110.
It means no matter how hard would you hit YAMAHA key it will transmit only 105 or 110 value, and almost never 127.

I bumped in this issue few years back with other YAMAHA controller and ROLAND sound module. I guess this range difference is still there.

It's quite easy to verify that. Just record something in any sequencer and analyse the note velocity values on recorded track.

Try a controller

25 Sep 2008, 09:11

my suggestion is sell the P-140 and buy a roland controller
or if you like p-140 action.. buy the Yamaha CP33 which has the same keybed but wold give you good velocity switching rather than the P140 home piano