CS2x Layer Manager

(I programmed CS2X Layer Manager as a Windows 95/98 shareware application in 2000 to address Multi-timbral difficulties with the Yamaha CS2x synthesizer. I am now offering it as a free download. I can still run this app in Windows 7 using "Compatibility Mode" (your mileage may vary). I make no guarantees and I can offer no support. It is what it is. Use or don't use at your own risk!)

 

Introduction

 

Download CS2x Layer Manager Version 1.2.1 (2.6mb zipped)

 

Registration Code: H212Q01N2791628656

 

High-Level Walkthru with screen captures

 

Tutorial with screen captures

 

Disclaimer

 

Click to join CS2X

Click to join CS2X

I'm sorry I can't offer any support for this application, but if you find that this app has changed your life in a significant way (and you insist) you may donate to the cause through PayPal: bentleyousley at gmail.com

 

Introduction

The CS2x is a wonderful machine. I love mine. In order to create a keyboard that packed this much power into an entry-level synth., Yamaha had to make some compromises. One of the most disappointing things I discovered about the CS2x after my purchase was the fact that only one performance could be used at a time. Surely this couldn’t be correct , I thought. But after reading and researching, the best I could come up with for trying to squeeze more than one performance at a time from the keyboard was to assign the material voices (the samples that are the sound source for the Layers (up to four of which make up a Performance)) to a group of the 12 remaining XG channels.( XG is a Yamaha standard that is an extension of General Midi. XG voices use a different set of parameters than performances and can be much less complex in timbre than a Performance or a Layer .) This was, to say the least, unsatisfying (not to mention difficult). No one likes using arcane system-exclusive commands to make music. The CS2x Silverbook offered some examples for using the material voices and even included midifiles for importing into various sequencers, but this too seemed to me like much more work than should be required. I found myself tweeking voices much more than actually creating music. So instead of cursing the darkness I decided to light a candle. Thus, the CS2x Layer Manager was born.

The CS2x Layer Manager was designed to provide an easy method for creating and storing multi-timbral configurations in performance mode for use with a sequencing program. The ideas represented by this program were developed as a result of listening to complaints about the difficulty involved in using the material voices to emulate performances when doing song production. If you own a CS2x (or are considering purchasing one) you should check out the CS2x forum at: egroups.com/cs2x. There are a lot of knowledgeable people there and we would be pleased for you to join us.

What this program is:

This program allows simple drag and drop manipulation of CS2x Performance Layers in order to allow the construction of Multi-Parts that closely match the timbre of Performances.

What this program isn’t:

This program is not a plug-in application for any sequencer. This program can not be used at the same time as a sequencer. This program is designed to be used as a stand-alone application to create a useful multi-timbral setup of voices that can be easily loaded into a sequencer after the Layer Manager is exited.

 

This program is not a performance editor. Yamaha already makes a terrific performance editor for the CS2x called ‘Tune Em Up’.