How to sync tempo between cubase and Yamaha arranger keyboard

Hi
Hi I use the yamaha PSR SX 900 to create my songs and then import it into the cubase elements 12 to create audio files for each track . Some of my songs have the tempo slow down in an ending or change of tempo in the middle of the song. For ex the main song runs at tempo 72 but drops in a phased manner to end the song at probably 45 .

When I import the file I also set the tempo to 72 in cubase which is the tempo for the song. What settings do I need to do on cubase for it to align with the tempo of the song created in yamaha - Is there a way for me to turn off the tempo on cubase and let it only follow the tempo from the yamaha ?

You could try to export your tempo from the PSR as a MIDI file. That ought to include the tempo changes. Import that file into Cubase. Only then start to record audio.

Hi,

In the Setup of PSR SX900, set the Sync to Slave.

In Cubase Transport > Project Synchronization Setup set Sources to Internal. In the Destinations > MIDI Clock Destination, enable PSR SX900 MIDI Port and enable all the options in the MIDI Clock Preferences section.

Similar thread is here.

Yes that’s what I do - I save the file from the yamaha on USB and import into cubase . I then start to record audio after that . Not sure what I am missing on the set up side .

Hi Martin - If the 900 is the slave wouldn’t the tempo on cubase override the tempo of song on the yamaha ? am I missing something ?

Hi,

Can’t you export the audio directly on PSR SX900?

If your goal is to get the audio from your MIDI data track by track and you will do all the follwoing tasks in Cubase, you don’t need to really sync the devices. You can just play the MIDI data from Cubase, use the PSR SX900 as a sound module and record the audio to Cubase.

When you need a sync is, if you would trigger some arpeggiators or time-based/dependent function on PSR SX900.

Hey Martin - I did the above . The issue I am having is cubase by default starts at 120. I then bring the tempo down to 72 which is the main tempo of the song . But for some reason cubase then overrides the tempo of the song to keep it static at 72 and ignores the song slow down . Is there anyway I can have cubase read the midi file based on the tempo changes I recorded in Yamaha or anyway to put the tempo off on cubase ?



Placing some screenshots for reference here

Hi,

If you import a MIDI File in Cubase, let it create an empty project. In this case, the Tempo track will be imported too. So you will get all your tempo changes written in the MIDI File.

If you want to import the MIDI File to an existing project, disable the Ignore Master Track Events on Merge option in the Preferences > MIDI > MIDI File > Import Options, please. Then, again, you will get all your tempo changes written in the MIDI File, and the tempo of the existing project will become overwritten.

1 Like

Hi,

Btw, you don’t have to enable the MIDI Timecode Destination option here.

Thank you. I finally got it done . It works. Appreciate your inputs.

Hi Martin

While I solved the tempo issue I had a new one crop up today . After I import the midi song in cubase - when I am rending it to audio file - mid way through the song the track suddenly switches voices to a piano … what setting may I be missing here ? When I play the song its from the DAW and Yamaha as a slave its completely fine. The issue only comes up when I am converting to midi to audio ? Appreciate your inputs

As a first reaction, I would say that there is a more or less hidden Program Change message in your imported MIDI file.

Does the Elements version has the List Editor ? I think that’s the best tool to check this out.

Its a bit weird . I recorded this same midi file to audio prior the only issue then was it was not detecting the song tempo changes . Once I changed the preferences disable the Ignore Master Track Events on Merge the tempo changes started getting detected but now the issue is it suddenly picks up a different voice mid way through a track . I don’t believe this is one of a program change

Hi,

I agree with cubic13.

Btw, why do you import the MIDI file to already existing project? Why you don’t let Cubase to create a new one?