Several years ago I owned a Yamaha EL90. This was (and still is) a fabulous instrument, however, one of the problems I had with it was that it didn’t save the performance data as MIDI files. I searched the internet for a way to convert the .evt file that the electone generates and found this page. A good starting point I thought, but there were bugs in the code, and there was only a dos version of the convertor.
A few weeks after I found this code I had corrected the code and created a version that ran under Windows. You can download the software here: evt2mid. You are free to distribute this software, so long as no changes are made to it. No warranty of any kind is either implied or offered.
So there you have it…. a utility for converting a .evt into a midi file.
I tried to compile the source code yesterday, but for some reason it failed. One day I’ll look into this, and if I get it to compile I’ll release it. Otherwise this remains under wraps for now.
If you like (and use) this software, and feel the urge, you are welcome to send me a donation via paypal. Don’t feel you have to though.
heya jus wondering, can the midi be converted w/ like nice sounds? cuz i converted pieces recorded in piano but it’s now in flutes..
Comment by Mel — August 15, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Hi Mel
I’m afraid this software does not do anything to convert voices. I originally wrote the software so that I could print out the music, and not to be played back on a MIDI instrument
Brew
Comment by Brew — August 15, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Hey Brew,
great soft!! but i have second file together with evt—–boo.. it is the ritme..
i have yamaha el-60 orgen. is it possoble also ritm file convert too?
regards Dimitri
Nederland
Comment by Dimitri — January 28, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
I am excited to see your software and its update.
I have been playing Electone since 1985. Sold them for 20 years. Was finalist in Dallas, Tx. Electone competition. Have played Electone for church since mid ’80’s.
I have degree in music composition. Presently working on 3 CD’s worth of meditation music, utilizing ELX1 and 2 Yamaha Motif Rack sound modules.
I am seeking a way to edit my Electone files before making a final recording. Do you have software that would allow me to do that type of work.
Much of my music (original pieces) are improvisations. Played without definite meter or rhythm. I want to capture the good parts of the session and edit the bad notes ( there always seems to be THAT note).
Any ideas? Software that will allow me to import my ELX1 files and playback via software.
Really appreciate your program you have already offered.
Best regards,
Don Lewis
Comment by Don Lewis — June 9, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
Hi Don
Thanks for the comment.
I would record from your ELX1 directly into your PC, however if you already have the recordings on floppy disk then you can use evt2mid to convert the files to a format that most sequencers can read. Once you have done that you’ll be able to correct any wrong notes and reply the music back via your ELX1 and Motif rack setup.
Joe
Comment by Joe Brewer — June 10, 2010 @ 4:39 pm
Hey Guys,
When I convert using evt2mid and play it back to my HX (using Medis Player Classic) the rego buttons (1-16) don’t change. Is this normal?
Regards Rob.
Comment by Robert — September 11, 2010 @ 3:05 am
Hi Robert
I intentionally filtered out the program change messages as I only wanted to print the sheet music and not play it back to the electone.
Thanks for the comment.
Joe
Comment by Joe Brewer — September 11, 2010 @ 6:23 am
Joe,
Thanks to you and your software I have completed my 1st CD. There were 3 songs that I had to modify via computer before using the original tracks. I was able to accomplish that because of the evt2mid program.
It would be nice to have the midi file make the program changes stored on the original recording. What type of donation would motivate you to modify your software so it would do that?
Just wondering. I know, it seems like we always want more. But you seem to be the only person that has done this research.
I realize that my best approach would have been to use the computer vs. the MDR…. but they were recorded long before I had my present music studio arrangement. I now have a new imac 24″ right behind the organ console. Very handy! But I have well over 200 compositions / improvisations that really need your software or an updated form. So there is definitely interest on my part to see an altered version.
Thanks again for your previous efforts. Here’s to encourage the next phase!
Best regards,
Don Lewis
Comment by Don Lewis — September 13, 2010 @ 3:33 pm
Joe,
A couple of questions.
It appears that the ‘Rego change’ in a Yamaha (*.evt) file is used as a ‘instrument patch’ in a GM midi (*.mid) file.??
How does the MDR store Midi data, or what convertion is done so that the (evt) file is recognised by an instrument?
Thanks
Regards Robert
Comment by Robert — September 14, 2010 @ 4:56 am
Hi Don
Congratulations on completing your first CD.
Unfortunately it’s been well over 5 years since I wrote my evt2mid software and I’m well out of practise programming in C++ which is what I used, so I think it would take too long to make any updates. It may be worth your while downloading the original program which I think is still available here: http://serge.pigot.free.fr/electone.htm – I believe that does not strip out the program change messages.
Let me know how you get on.
Joe
Comment by Joe Brewer — September 14, 2010 @ 5:54 pm
Hi Robert
The registration changes are stored as midi program change messages in the evt file. The evt file format is loosely based on a standard midi file format, so it’s not difficult to convert it. The file format is still propriatory though, and will still only be recognised by Yamaha Electones.
Joe
Comment by Joe Brewer — September 14, 2010 @ 6:02 pm