Convert MIDI Files to WAV Files with Yamaha XG MIDI Player
How to Download and Use Yamaha XG MIDI Player
If you are looking for a way to play, edit, and record MIDI files on your computer, you might want to consider downloading Yamaha XG MIDI Player. This is a free software that allows you to use the sounds and features of the Yamaha XG format, which is an extension of the General MIDI standard. In this article, we will explain what Yamaha XG MIDI Player is, why you should download it, how to download it, how to install and configure it, and how to load and play MIDI files with it.
download yamaha xg midi player
What is Yamaha XG MIDI Player?
Yamaha XG MIDI Player is a software that emulates the Yamaha XG sound modules and software synths, which are devices that can generate sounds from MIDI data. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol that allows different electronic musical instruments, computers, and other devices to communicate and exchange musical information. A MIDI file is a file that contains such information, such as notes, timing, velocity, pitch bend, modulation, etc. However, a MIDI file does not contain any actual sound, but only instructions on how to play the sound. Therefore, you need a device or a software that can interpret these instructions and produce the sound. This is where Yamaha XG MIDI Player comes in.
Yamaha XG format and features
Yamaha XG is a format that was developed by Yamaha in 1994 as an enhancement of the General MIDI (GM) standard. GM was created to ensure compatibility between different MIDI devices and software, by defining a set of 128 sounds (called voices or patches), 16 channels (each corresponding to a different instrument), and some fixed controller assignments. However, GM was limited in its expressiveness and variety of sounds. Yamaha XG expanded the GM concept by increasing the number of voices (up to 779), channels (up to 32), effects (up to 22 types), drum kits (up to 30), and synth parameters (such as filter cutoff, resonance, envelope, LFO, etc.). Yamaha XG also introduced some new features, such as polyphonic aftertouch, micro tuning, voice editing, performance mode (which allows you to layer up to four voices on one channel), and system exclusive messages (which allow you to send custom commands to the device or software).
Yamaha XG sound modules and software synths
Yamaha produced several hardware devices that supported the Yamaha XG format, such as keyboards, rack modules, sound cards, chips, etc. Some of the most popular ones were the MU series (MU10, MU50, MU80, MU90R), the DB50XG daughterboard (which could be attached to some Sound Blaster cards), the SW60XG PCI card, and the SW1000XG PCI card. These devices could be connected to a computer or another MIDI device via a MIDI cable or a USB cable, and could play back any MIDI file using the Yamaha XG sounds and features.
However, hardware devices are not always convenient or affordable for everyone. That's why Yamaha also developed some software synths that emulated the Yamaha XG sound modules on a computer. The most famous one was the S-YXG50 software synth, which was licensed to over 50 million computers worldwide. The S-YXG50 software synth could be installed on a Windows PC and could be used as a standalone application or as a VST plugin in a digital audio workstation (DAW). The S-YXG50 software synth had the same sound quality and features as the MU50 hardware module, and could also load custom voice banks and drum kits. The S-YXG50 software synth was discontinued in 2003, but it can still be found online and used on modern computers with some tweaks and patches.
Another software synth that emulated the Yamaha XG sound modules was the XG Player, which was developed by a Japanese programmer named Katsuhiro Oguri. The XG Player was a freeware application that could be downloaded from his website. The XG Player had a simple and intuitive interface, and could play back any MIDI file using the Yamaha XG sounds and features. The XG Player also had some extra functions, such as voice editing, performance mode, MIDI recording, MIDI to WAV conversion, etc. The XG Player was updated until 2010, but it can still be used on modern computers with some compatibility settings.
Why Download Yamaha XG MIDI Player?
Now that you know what Yamaha XG MIDI Player is, you might wonder why you should download it. There are many reasons why Yamaha XG MIDI Player is a great software for playing, editing, and recording MIDI files. Here are some of them:
Benefits of using Yamaha XG MIDI Player
Yamaha XG MIDI Player is free. You don't have to pay anything to download and use it.
Yamaha XG MIDI Player is easy to use. You don't need any special skills or knowledge to operate it. You just need to install it, load a MIDI file, and press play.
Yamaha XG MIDI Player is versatile. You can use it for various purposes, such as listening to music, composing music, arranging music, remixing music, learning music, teaching music, etc.
Yamaha XG MIDI Player is compatible. You can use it with any MIDI file, regardless of its format or origin. You can also use it with any DAW or other software that supports MIDI input or output.
Yamaha XG MIDI Player is customizable. You can adjust the sound and the performance of the software according to your preferences and needs. You can also load your own voice banks and drum kits to create your own sounds.
Examples of music created with Yamaha XG MIDI Player
Yamaha XG MIDI Player is not only a tool for playing MIDI files, but also a tool for creating music. Many musicians and composers have used Yamaha XG MIDI Player to produce amazing music in various genres and styles. Here are some examples of music created with Yamaha XG MIDI Player:
Title
Artist
Genre
Description
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Medley
Koji Kondo
Video game music
A medley of themes from the classic Nintendo game, arranged for Yamaha XG by the original composer.
The Final Countdown
Europe
Rock
A cover of the famous rock anthem by the Swedish band, performed with Yamaha XG sounds by an anonymous musician.
Canon in D
Johann Pachelbel
Classical
A rendition of the popular baroque piece by the German composer, played with Yamaha XG sounds by an anonymous musician.
Moonlight Sonata
Ludwig van Beethoven
Classical
A version of the famous piano sonata by the German composer, played with Yamaha XG sounds by an anonymous musician.
Dancing Queen
ABBA
Pop
A remake of the hit song by the Swedish pop group, made with Yamaha XG sounds by an anonymous musician.
As you can see, Yamaha XG MIDI Player can produce a wide range of sounds and styles, from classical to rock, from video game to pop. You can also create your own music with Yamaha XG MIDI Player, using your creativity and imagination.
How to Download Yamaha XG MIDI Player?
Now that you know why you should download Yamaha XG MIDI Player, you might wonder how to download it. There are several sources and links for downloading Yamaha XG MIDI Player, depending on which version and platform you want to use. Here are some of them:
Requirements and compatibility
Before you download Yamaha XG MIDI Player, you should check the requirements and compatibility of the software with your computer and operating system. Here are some general guidelines:
Yamaha XG MIDI Player is compatible with Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. However, some versions may require some tweaks and patches to work properly on newer systems.
Yamaha XG MIDI Player requires a sound card or a chip that supports DirectSound or WaveOut. You can also use a virtual sound card or a virtual cable to route the sound to another software or device.
Yamaha XG MIDI Player requires at least 16 MB of RAM and 10 MB of hard disk space. However, more memory and space may be needed for better performance and quality.
Yamaha XG MIDI Player requires a MIDI keyboard or a controller to input MIDI data. You can also use a virtual keyboard or a mouse to play the notes.
Sources and links for downloading Yamaha XG MIDI Player
There are two main versions of Yamaha XG MIDI Player that you can download: the S-YXG50 software synth and the XG Player application. Here are some sources and links for downloading them:
The S-YXG50 software synth can be downloaded from this website, which also provides some patches and instructions for installing and using it on modern systems.
The XG Player application can be downloaded from this website, which is the official website of the developer. You can also find some voice banks and drum kits to load on the software.
You can also find some other versions and variants of Yamaha XG MIDI Player on the internet, such as the S-YXG100 software synth, the S-YXG70 software synth, the YAMAHA SoftSynthesizer S-YXG50 WDM driver, the YAMAHA SoftSynthesizer S-YXG50 VSTi plugin, etc. However, these versions may not be as stable or compatible as the ones mentioned above.
How to Install and Configure Yamaha XG MIDI Player?
After you download Yamaha XG MIDI Player, you need to install and configure it on your computer. The installation and configuration process may vary depending on which version and platform you use, but here are some general steps and tips:
Installation steps and tips
Run the installer file that you downloaded (usually an .exe or a .zip file) and follow the instructions on the screen.
Select the destination folder where you want to install the software (usually C:\Program Files\Yamaha\XGPlayer or C:\Program Files\Yamaha\S-YXG50).
Select the components that you want to install (usually the main application, the voice bank, the drum kit, etc.).
Select the options that you want to enable (usually the startup menu shortcut, the desktop shortcut, etc.).
Wait for the installation to finish and click Finish.
Some tips for installing Yamaha XG MIDI Player are:
If you are using Windows Vista or later, you may need to run the installer file as an administrator (right-click on the file and select Run as administrator).
If you are using Windows XP or later, you may need to enable compatibility mode for the installer file (right-click on the file, select Properties, go to Compatibility tab, check Run this program in compatibility mode for:, and select Windows 95 or Windows 98).
If you are using Windows 10, you may need to disable driver signature enforcement before installing the software (press F8 during booting, select Troubleshoot, select Advanced options, select Startup Settings, press Restart, press F7 when prompted).
Configuration options and settings
After you install Yamaha XG MIDI Player, you need to configure it according to your preferences and needs. You can access the configuration options and settings by opening the software and clicking on the Menu button (the three horizontal lines on the top left corner of the window). Here are some of the configuration options and settings that you can adjust:
Sound: You can select the sound output device, the sample rate, the buffer size, the volume, the balance, and the mute option.
MIDI: You can select the MIDI input device, the MIDI output device, the MIDI channel, the MIDI mode, the MIDI clock, and the MIDI sync option.
Effect: You can select the effect type, the effect level, the effect parameter, and the effect bypass option.
Reverb: You can select the reverb type, the reverb level, the reverb time, and the reverb bypass option.
Chorus: You can select the chorus type, the chorus level, the chorus rate, and the chorus bypass option.
Variation: You can select the variation type, the variation level, the variation parameter, and the variation bypass option.
Insertion: You can select the insertion type, the insertion level, the insertion parameter, and the insertion bypass option.
Equalizer: You can adjust the gain of each frequency band (low, mid-low, mid-high, high) and the equalizer bypass option.
Part: You can select the part number (from 1 to 16), the voice number (from 1 to 779), the voice name, the voice category, the voice bank (from 1 to 4), and the voice edit option.
Drum: You can select the drum part number (from 9 to 16), the drum kit number (from 1 to 30), the drum kit name, and the drum edit option.
Performance: You can select the performance mode (on or off), the performance number (from 1 to 128), and the performance edit option.
System: You can select the system mode (XG or GM), the system exclusive message (on or off), and the system reset option.
Some tips for configuring Yamaha XG MIDI Player are:
If you are not sure what each option or setting does, you can hover your mouse over it and a tooltip will appear with a brief explanation.
If you want to restore the default values of each option or setting, you can click on the Reset button (the circular arrow on the top right corner of the window).
If you want to save your current configuration as a preset, you can click on the Save button (the floppy disk on the top right corner of the window) and choose a name and a location for the preset file.
If you want to load a previously saved preset, you can click on the Load button (the folder on the top right corner of the window) and browse for the preset file.
How to Load and Play MIDI Files with Yamaha XG MIDI Player?
After you install and configure Yamaha XG MIDI Player, you can start loading and playing MIDI files with it. You can use any MIDI file that you have on your computer or that you download from the internet. Here are some steps and tips for loading and playing MIDI files with Yamaha XG MIDI Player:
Opening and adding MIDI files to the playlist
Open Yamaha XG MIDI Player by double-clicking on the shortcut on your desktop or in your start menu.
Click on the File button (the folder on the top left corner of the window) and select Open.
Browse for the MIDI file that you want to open and click Open. The MIDI file will be added to the playlist on the left side of the window.
You can repeat steps 2 and 3 to add more MIDI files to the playlist. You can also drag and drop MIDI files from your file explorer to the playlist.
You can rearrange, remove, or clear the MIDI files in the playlist by using the buttons on the bottom of the playlist.
Some tips for opening and adding MIDI files to the playlist are:
If you want to open a folder that contains multiple MIDI files, you can click on the File button and select Open Folder. All the MIDI files in that folder will be added to the playlist.
If you want to open a ZIP file that contains multiple MIDI files, you can click on the File button and select Open ZIP. All the MIDI files in that ZIP file will be extracted and added to the playlist.
If you want to open a URL that links to a MIDI file, you can click on the File button and select Open URL. The MIDI file will be downloaded and added to the playlist.
Playback controls and features
To play a MIDI file in the playlist, you can double-click on it or select it and press Enter. The playback will start from the beginning of the file.
To pause or resume the playback, you can press Space or click on the Play/Pause button (the triangle or the two vertical lines on the bottom of the window).
To stop the playback, you can press Esc or click on the Stop button (the square on the bottom of the window). The playback will stop and return to the beginning of the file.
To skip to the next or previous MIDI file in the playlist, you can press Page Down or Page Up, or click on the Next or Previous button (the double triangle on the bottom of the window).
To fast forward or rewind the playback, you can press Right or Left, or drag the slider on the bottom of the window.
To adjust the tempo (speed) of the playback, you can press Up or Down, or use the Tempo knob on the top right corner of the window. You can also type a specific value in the Tempo box.
To adjust the transpose (pitch) of the playback, you can press + or -, or use the Transpose knob on the top right corner of the window. You can also type a specific value in the Transpose box.
To mute or solo a specific MIDI channel, you can click on the Mute or Solo button on the right side of each channel name. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+1 to Ctrl+16 for muting and Alt+1 to Alt+16 for soloing.
To change the voice (sound) of a specific MIDI channel, you can click on the Voice button on the right side of each channel name. A pop-up window will appear where you can select a voice from a list or a category. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts F1 to F16 for selecting a voice.
To edit the voice (sound) of a specific MIDI channel, you can click on the Edit button on the right side of each channel name. A pop-up window will appear where you can adjust various parameters of the voice, such as volume, pan, filter, envelope, LFO, etc.
Some tips for using the playback controls and features are:
If you want to loop a MIDI file or a section of a MIDI file, you can click on the Loop button (the circular arrow on the bottom of the window) and select Loop File or Loop Section. You can also use the keyboard shortcut L for looping.
If you want to shuffle or repeat the MIDI files in the playlist, you can click on the Shuffle or Repeat button (the two arrows on the bottom of the window) and select Shuffle On or Repeat On. You can also use the keyboard shortcut S for shuffling and R for repeating.
If you want to view the lyrics or the chords of a MIDI file, you can click on the Lyrics or Chords button (the musical note or the guitar on the bottom of the window). A pop-up window will appear where you can see the lyrics or the chords synchronized with the playback. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Y for lyrics and C for chords.
If you want to view the MIDI data of a MIDI file, you can click on the MIDI Data button (the grid on the bottom of the window). A pop-up window will appear where you can see the MIDI events (such as note on, note off, controller change, program change, etc.) of each channel in a table format. You can also use the keyboard shortcut D for MIDI data.
Recording and saving MIDI files as WAV files
One of the coolest features of Yamaha XG MIDI Player is that you can record and save your MIDI files as WAV files. This means that you can convert your MIDI files into audio files that can be played on any device or software that supports WAV format. You can also edit, mix, and master your WAV files using any DAW or audio editor of your choice. Here are some steps and tips for recording and saving MIDI files as WAV files with Yamaha XG MIDI Player:
Open Yamaha XG MIDI Player and load a MIDI file that you want to record and save as a WAV file.
Click on the Record button (the red circle on the bottom of the wi