Product Review: A Beginner's Look at Style Files

As a beginning piano player I didn’t really understand all the options of Style Files until I tried some of them on the Tyros 2. To try them out I downloaded two Style Files specifically designed for the Tyros 2’s sound set: the “Dance 6” single style and the “Blues & Soul” bundle disk then began experimenting with the different sounds they created.

Dance 6 caught my attention with the blend of voices used in Variation B. Soft Mini and Bright Ober (Right 1 +2) together creates an appealing contrast to the left voice (Strings) that mixes well with the Dance beat.

(The above sample requires the Quicktime Plugin to play. If you can't see an audio player you can download Quicktime for free here.)

The Blues & Soul bundle disk contains 8 style files, each with a different set of beats and voices. With the Moore Blues style I really discovered the fun of the style files. By combining the Matrix and Jazz Organ 1 voices from Main Variation A, I discovered a hypnotic voice that produces a bizarrely fascinating sound.

(The above sample requires the Quicktime Plugin to play. If you can't see an audio player you can download Quicktime for free here.)

The mix of sounds used in the Blues Rock style gives a truly authentic Blues sound. The combination of Blues Guitar and Growl Sax that can be selected from Variation D produces a sweet harmony that sounds great with the accompaniment.

(The above sample requires the Quicktime Plugin to play. If you can't see an audio player you can download Quicktime for free here.)

I ended my experiment by playing with Barry Disco – a funky sound that was fun to play with, but it left me with one qualm—that the Tyros 2 does not have Mr. White’s deep baritone as a voice option.

-Jeff the Intern

Products Reviewed:

Dance 6 - Midi Spot Tyros Single Style

Blues & Soul - Midi Spot Tyros 2 Style Disk

Stumbleupon | Digg This | del.icio.us
yamahamusicsoft.com • Digital Music Notebook • Internet Direct Connection