XGlite Voices

[waltonnz]

This is surely showing my ignorance, but I'm a first time keyboard user. I've just bought a PSRE413 and found all these extra voices called XGlite voices. What are they and why are they separated from the other voices? I presume there is something special about them as I see they are mentioned separately in the specifications for keyboards. I've been all over the Internet trying to find an answer without success. Could some kind person please give a simple answer as to what they are.

 

[ypelletier]

XGLite is a limited version of XG, which is Yamaha's extension to the General Midi (GM) standard.

GM offers 128 voices, XG offers over 600 voices, and my keyboard has 360 XG lite voices. In addition, XG offers more effects than GM.

As I understand it, if you save some music as a MIDI file and use only GM voices, the file should sound similar if you play it back with any other MIDI device (maybe not identical, but the trumpet melody will still sound has a trumpet, etc.).

If you use XGlite voices in your MIDI file, it will sound similar if you play it back with any other XGlite MIDI device.

If you use other voices in a MIDI file (not GM, nor XGLite), it could sound very different if you play the file through another keyboard (the trumpet melody could be played with a banjo voice, maybe).

I'm still a newbie: more knowledgeable people are invited to correct me...

 

[waltonnz]

Thank you ypelletier for your response to my question. It's clearer now.