JUST BOUGHT A DGX-670 - I HAVE A QUESTION

[Don B.]

All I can say about the DGX-670 is WOW!!! I have been using a pair of Casio X5000's for years and there simply is no comparison. The DGX-670 sounds better, feels better and everything on it seems to work (unlike the Casios).

My question:
Is there any way to designate or use one of the external pedals as an expression pedal? If not is there anyone that has a patch for this?

Thanks in advance and everyone have a great week out there.

 

[Biggles]

Welcome.

With any Yamaha there are multiple Manuals.

Look at page 75 of the Reference Manual.

 

[Don B.]

I had read this section of the Reference Manual before and found no mention of designating a pedal to be an expression pedal. I went back now and reread this section and still no mention of an expression pedal.

 

[Don B.]

There are two MIDI message channels for expression but I am not using a midi controller with this keyboard.

 

[Gourockian]

The DGX-670 Owner's Manual refers to various Yamaha pedals that can be plugged into the AUX PEDAL socket but unfortunately, they are all sustain pedals. There does not seem to be any provision for an expression or volume pedal whatsoever. Usually, where there is a socket for an expression pedal, there would normally be a separate one for sustain. The only other socket shown is for the optional 3-pedal unit which again does not provide expression control.

 

[papasmurph]

Provided you have a pedal unit / stand: Check Reference - Controller page - Modulation

 

[Gourockian]

Provided you have a pedal unit / stand: Check Reference - Controller page - Modulation

I had looked at that section before posting my reply earlier. Page 14 of the Reference Manual shows how to pre-set the volume level of the Modulation Effect, such as vibrato, not the volume of the actual voice or voices, by using the UP/Down buttons.

Pages 76-78 detail the Assignable Functions for each pedal but Expression or Volume control is not listed. Although there may be some reasonable organ voices available in the DGX-670, it is not what could be called an organist's keyboard.

 

[papasmurph]

Ah OK, I misunderstood what it controlled.

Maybe you can find something on Assignable Pedal Functions. The only thing I found there was Soft for two volume levels.

 

[Gourockian]

Ah OK, I misunderstood what it controlled.

Maybe you can find something on Assignable Pedal Functions. The only thing I found there was Soft for two volume levels.

Yes, that's referring to the left pedal which can function like the Soft pedal on an accoustic piano. That's why it states, "This is effective only for certain appropriate Voices" (like piano). It is no use for controlling organs or strings, etc.

 

[Don B.]

I thank everyone for their time and effort for their replies. I have come to the conclusion that I simply purchased the wrong Yamaha keyboard for what I want to play. I needed an 88 key keyboard for an upcoming performance of during which I will play Malaquena. Right now I have layered two string voices with a piano voice for the left part of a registration. This combination sounds good together and is well suited for Malaguena however there are numerous expression changes as well as changes in tempo during this piece.

This is a problem of my own creation. I looked at all the voices, accompaniments, rhythms, etc. and never thought that there would be no facility for an expression pedal. Silly me. Yes, the DGX-670 is a stage piano but it has so much more capabilities that it seems a shame that this one small feature isn't present. I am thinking that my best bet is to sell the 670 and find something that is better suited to my needs. Unfortunately, I haven't won any lotteries so buying the big NORD is not a possibility.

Everybody enjoy the rest of the Mardi Gras season and thanks again.

 

[ascrept]

If you have a DGX-670 upright, that unit does have 3 pedals. I suspect what you have is a portable unit with one sustain pedal. It's a matter of what you have and dealing with it. I owned the DGX-660 and when I purchased the 670, all of my expectations were exceeded. I don't believe that Yamaha is going to make and changes this upcoming year, but IMO, if they eventually do, I'd like to have them integrate better sounding speakers and more output jacks. They could also improve on recording abilities and layering. Even if that requires a higher price, I'd be all in. I think for the under $1K price, this is DGX-670 is a deal and keyboard unlike others.

 

[Gourockian]

If you have a DGX-670 upright, that unit does have 3 pedals.

Unfortunately, the 3-pedal unit does not have Expression or Volume capabilities, which is what the Don B. requires.