SYNTH GUIDE Content Introduction 2 Part 1) Synthesizers and Workstations 3 Part 2) 10 years of MOTIF - from „Classic“ to „XF“ 7 Part 3) MOTIF Basics 14 Part 4) MOTIF sound architecture and controls 20 Part 5) MOTIF control section 25 Part 6) The Voice-Mode 30 Part 7) Expanded Articulation and Mega Voices 35 Part 8) The Performance Mode 41 Part 9) The Song Mode 46 The Authors 50
INT ROD UCTI ON The Synth Guide is a workshop series that introduces the basic concepts of synthesizers and workstations with special reference to the Yamaha MOTIF series. A special feature of the MOTIF series is the continuity in the sound architecture and operation. So if you have once understood the device‘s concept you can apply this knowledge on the following models.
Part 1: sYntHesIzers anD wOrkstatIOns For the past 20 years, Yamaha releases free Quick Guides to their respective new synthesizers, tone generators, and workstations. For several years, the Quick Guides are integral parts of the Music Production Guides (until August 2010 „MOTIF News Guide“).
The Minimoog was one of the most popular and successful models of synth history The first synthesizers were monophonic at fixed levels. However, today, every hybrid „The sound engine of the CS80 based on only, meaning they could always produce is possible. There are units with a combi- the analog subtractive synthesis, its 16 os- nation of sound generation to operation in cillators could generate two independent only one tone at a time. They were also built modularily.
Now, a sample - in contrast to an used to create extremely complex sounds pre-produced audio or MIDI data. oscillator - can already include all possible with - to express it traditionally - up to 128 modulations and effects etc. So a machi- A workstation‘s sequencer can record mul- oscillators. I‘m not sure if Mr. Moog has da- tiple tracks, extensively edit the recorded red to have this vision at his time.
Th e s o un d m od ule As already indicated, the diversity of the electronic musical instruments currently on This term is mostly used for the keyboardless versions of a synthesizer, sampler, or even a workstation. Only the development of the MIDI protocol, including its interface, made it possible to „outsource“ the tone the market rarely allows an unambiguous classification. In some contexts, for example the term „keyboard“ alone means the arranger or entertainer keyboard.
PArt 2: 10 YeArs oF motiF From the „ClAssiC“ to the „xF“ In this episode we will discuss the • 61 / 76 / 88 keys history of the MOTIF series, which • 62 notes of polyphony celebrates its 10th anniversary.
For storing user data (Voices, Performan- the MOTIF. The Pattern mode offers the ces, Songs, Patterns, Samples, Arpeggios) same options as the Song mode. There are the MOTIF Classic uses SmartMedia cards, 16 Tracks available, which are assigned which were available in capacities from with Voices or Sample Voices. 8 to 64 MB. Compared to the floppy dri- In addition up to 16 Sections (A - P) can ves of earlier devices these were impressive be formed, which together make up a Style. memory sizes.
L oad i ng MOTI F Therefore the only way is to save the The MOTIF XS was published in 2007 and Cla ssic files into MOTIF Classic Song as a Standard MIDI file again offered many new features and nu- (File type „SMF“) and then load it into the merous detail improvements over the MO- the MOTIF ES MOTIF Classic Voices can be loaded into MOTIF ES from the file type „AllVoice“ or „Voice“, using a SmartMedia card, a USB device or the Voice Editor.
So there is a high degree of compatibility MOTIF ES can then be easily loaded into In addition to the doubling of the Wave- between the ES and the XS. the MOTIF XS. ROM the optional expansion with Flash- However, the following restrictions have to Since the Wave-ROM of the MOTIF XS dif- ROM boards for samples is the outstanding be considered: fers considerably from that of the MOTIF innovation of the MOTIF XF.
L oad i ng MOTI F ES • „pattern“ (single Patterns from „all“ and MOTIF XS files or „all pattern“ file from the i nto the MOTIF XF MOTIF ES) The MOTIF XF is fully compatible with the • „all waveform“ (all User Waveforms MOTIF XS. and samples from the MOTIF ES, All file types can be loaded. W7W) The only limitation is for files that contain • „waveform“ (single User Waveforms samples totaling more than 128MB.
There are also Insert Effects 1 and 2 avail Sometimes Voices can also be exchanged able for up to four Parts in the Multi mode, „across generations“. Voices of the MOTIF while on the MOTIF Classic they were only Classic for example can be loaded into available for one Part. And a new 3-band the MOTIF-RACK ES Voice Editor and then Part EQ was added in the RACK version. transferred to the MOTIF-RACK ES.
MOTIF ES and MO6 / MO8 are largely compatible. Voices can be shared with the • Level Meter - Switchable between A/D input and Mix keyboards and are thus mainly focused on the piano playing. file type „AllVoice“ or with the editors.
ParT 3: MOTIF basIcs In this episode we will discuss some basic A sample-based tone generation is extre- terms which play an important role in the mely versatile compared to other sound MOTIF series. Anyone who would like to se- synthesis and has therefore prevailed itself riously work with his instrument should be in the range of current synthesizers and aware of them. workstations. S a mp les and W ave- It is basically possible with sampling to imitate any instrument.
A simple mapping of Waveform consisting A mapping for this scheme would mean The sampled Waveforms are stored as a of several Keybanks (= individual samples) that each sample has to be transpo- Preset Waves in the MOTIF‘s Wave-ROM.
There are two types of Voices: Now that COMMON EDIT is active, press Now to get an overview you should select Normal Voices are mainly musically play the number button 1 to select Element 1 for a sound category of your interest and then able sounds. They can be played across the processing. step through the Wave numbers within the entire keyboard in the usual tone scales. Normal Voices consist of one or more „Elements“. With Elements several sounds can be layered in a Voice.
Whether you like to start from the scratch to have a horn section layered behind the A good knowledge of the memory contents with an initialized Performance, take a pre- piano. of your instrument is always very helpful, so set Performance as a template, or simply But the horn section should not respond you are able to create new variants from adjust a preset Performance to meet your to the sustain pedal. And it should be pro- appropriate templates, if necessary.
Below the Pattern there‘s a smaller unit - made the experience that this Pattern - as After pressing the EDIT key and SF3 (la- the Phrase. A Pattern can consist of up to described above - is repeated in a loop un- belled with „Song>“ in the display), select til you press the STOP button. a free song storage location and press 16 Tracks, each containing a Phrase. The length can be between 1 and 256 bars.
Multi is initially an acronym that in terms of There is a further application scenario for modern music equipment describes the po- the Mixings apart from working with Patterns tential of a tone generator to be able to play and Songs: The live performance on stage. multiple sounds simultaneously.
PART 4:MOTIF SOUND ARCHITECTURE AND CONTROLS cepts of the MOTIF series described in the Please take a look at the diagram in which last episode. the different sound layers of the MOTIF are shown. T he s tr u ct u re of The basic sound of the MOTIF is called a the MOTIF Voice. You will find it much easier to operate the A Voice consists of up to eight Elements. MOTIF when you have an understanding of Each Element has a Waveform (a Preset or its basic structure.
Songs and Patterns can use up to 16 nor- The Bank buttons are used to select the The following sections show how to use the mal Parts, which can be set in the Mixing Voice Banks (PRE1 to USER DR) and the Number buttons in each mode and what to Mode. Each Part can be assigned to an individual MIDI channel, but several parts can also be assigned to the same MIDI Performance Banks (USER1 to USER3 or USER4).
P e r f or man c e Pl ay Mo de Mas te r P lay Mo de S o ng Mixi ng / Patte r n M i x ing In this mode, the PROGRAM button is In the Master Play mode the PROGRAM In the Song and Pattern Mixing mode, activated by default, so the Bank / Group / button is active by default. the TRACK button is turned on by default, Number buttons are used to select the Since there is only one Master Bank, the Performances. Bank selection is fixed to USER1.
FILE With this button, the entire file management is in reach. In connection with USB memory EDIT N av igatio n an d data e nt ry Depending on the selected Play mode One „block“ on the control panel to the left (Voice, Performance, Multi/Mixing/Song, the cursor buttons to navigate within the Master) this button calls up the correspon- display can be found: [◄▼▲►] devices, volatile or non-volatile RAM, and ding Edit mode.
example to control the transport functions SE QUE N CER TR AN S P ORT directly from the keyboard. However it is Found again only on the models MOTIF necessary to correctly set up the DAW, in XS/XF and MOX with built-in sequencers - some cases to install additional software. these buttons are largely self-explanatory, simply On the MOTIF XS/XF there is a central [ARPEGGIO ON/OFF] button to control the Arpeggiator. The MOX features an EDIT] button the control of the sequencer.
Part 5: motif CONTROL SECTION As announced this episode is all about the Normally, this data will be sent to the controller block. second major unit of a synthesizer - the This includes the keyboard, pitch bend and tone generator. However, a single para- modulation wheel, the ribbon controller, meter setting in the UTILITY section called and the knobs and sliders.
The described separation of keyboard and The Preset Voices give many examples of Again a small example: Just by his ang- tone generator offers innumerable options meaningful assignments, the creativity of le offset to the wheels by 90° the pan to integrate other sound modules or a the user, however, is set few limits. computer with appropriate software. position of a Voice or of individual Elements In contrast to the pitch bend wheel the modulation wheel has no return spring.
M an y controllers, Cutoff (Filter) is assigned to the ribbon many options controller (set ribbon mode to „hold“) and Perhaps the described variety may seem confusing at first. For example you might ask yourself: „Why do I need to be able to assign pitch bend to two wheels, one ribbon controller and aftertouch?“ To be able concerning make the a good controller decision assignment you must first have to know the context the reverb cloud to the modulation wheel.
values, ie the le- CONTROL is set to ON. The knob vels of the Voice‘s movements are effective for the Part that is Elements, are dis- selected via one of the number buttons played with the red 1 - 4. This can be monitored very nicely in triangle. the display, where different values appear In the second pic- with the selection of one of the four Parts. ture the sliders are A global control of all four Parts is still adjusted possible if COMMON EDIT is pressed.
C ontrol S li ders in the In addition, the stored knob settings of a parameters: A mp Mixing mo de Voice are not copied when the Voice is used E nvelope and EQ Since the MOTIF XS has eight sliders, the A word about some of the parameters in selection of the Parts is much easier than Normally, the knobs are more suitable for the control section. on the MOTIF ES.
ParT 6: The Voice-moDe Normal Voices are pitched musical instrument sounds, synth sounds and sound effects. They can be played across the entire keyboard and in the usual tone scales and keys. Normal Voices consist of one or more „Elements“ (see „Element“). Drum Voices contain drum and percussion sounds, each assigned to individual keys on the keyboard. A Drum Voice is also known as drum kit. An Element is the most basic unit of a Normal Voice.
the Preset Banks. These Banks are therefore Voice Pla y an d best suited for your own creations or Voice Ed it dis plays optional Voice Banks. After entering the Voice mode, the Voice In addition to the Normal Voices the MOTIF Play display is active. XF features 64 Preset Drum Voices and 8 Here the following functions are available: User Drum Voices.
By the way: The Favorite list can also be F1- ENTER - YES - EXIT). This Job results in Voice used in the Song and Pattern mode for an „Initialized Voice“. – A n Overview In an „Initialized Voice“ only the first As described above, from within the Voice selecting Voices - if CATEGORY SEARCH was activated previously. Element (EL1) is active, ie set to „ON“. The Voice Ed it – F irs t step s Common Ed i t mode the EDIT button calls up the Common other Elements are all set to „OFF“.
(Common). The parameter set of Common velocity range here. The assignment to the Insert LFO is very extensive. You can also program Effect - as described above for the Effect Block - your own LFO Waves. In addition, however, can also be set here. there is also a less complex LFO available for each Element of the Voice. And you can assign LFO parameters to controllers to create very effective and useful Voice modulations. The high-quality Effects play a central role in the MOTIF.
sampling. Each Mega Voice consists of multiple multi-samples or Elements which heavily use velocity switches and key splits. The Mega Voices accommodate different playing styles and noises of the sampled instruments such as dead notes, hammer-on effects, ghost notes and strummings. On the MOTIF XS the Mega Voices focus to acoustic guitars, electric guitars and basses. The Mega Voice technology was first implemented in the Yamaha Tyros.
Voices and realism. It simulates playing techniques that are often used on acoustic instruments, but were difficult to implement in electronic keyboards - up till now. So far, the „Expanded Articulation“ feature is available in the following Yamaha synths: • MOTIF XF • MOTIF XF • MOTIF-RACK XS • S90 XS • MOX6 / MOX8 With the Expanded Articulation Mode („XA Mode“), the specific playing styles of instruments are imitated.
The following steps will repeat for all examples discussed in this from that of an actual acoustic instrument. The Legato function more workshop - they are used to analyse the XA Control applications of accurately reproduces a legato effect by allowing specific Elements the Voices: to be sounded when playing legato and other Elements to be played • Select VOICE mode • Select the Voice given in the example normally.
For the „key off sound“ special Samples have been integrated into the Wave-ROM, containing only the release sound of an instrument. Use the SOLOor MUTE function to isolate the „key-off sound“. Turn off any Elements except for one the KeyOff is assigned to. Example: Pre1-023 (B07) R&B Soft Element 5 = key off sound For the Key Off sound the Waveform „EP Key Off“ is used. In addition Element 1 is used. This is set to „normal“ and therefore played with each note.
XA-C ontrol „ all A F off“, „A F 1 on“, „AF 2 on“ („A ssignable Functions“) The „Assignable Functions“(AF) allow you to switch between different sounds to reproduce the playing on an acoustic instrument. Acoustic instruments have their own unique characteristics — even specific, unique sounds that are produced only at certain times in a performance. These include the flutter tonguing on a flute or playing high harmonics on an acoustic guitar.
switched off. The Elements 3, 4, 5, and 6 are activated Example: Pre2-081 (F01) Dynamic Clean AF1&2 ASSIGNABLE FUNCTION 2 = The Element 1 („Accordion“) is Element 1 = All AF off switched off. The Element 2 („Tango Accordion“) is activated Element 2 = All AF off Element 4 = AF 1 on Element 5 = AF 2 on ASSIGNABLE FUNCTION 1 = The Elements 1 and 2 are switched off. The Element 4 („Clean Mute“) is added ASSIGNABLE FUNCTION 2 = The Elements 1 and 2 are switched off.
Use the sub function buttons SF1 - SF5 to select from five Arpeggios assigned to the Voice. You can also set other Arpeggios from the Voice Edit mode (Common / F3 ARP). The Mega Voice Arpeggios can be found in the Categories „GtMG“ (guitar) and „BaMG“ (bass). So much for the special functions in the Voice mode. In the next episode we will take a closer look at the Performance mode of the MOTIF. EUROPE.YAMAHA.
Ho w did the Per fo r ma nce mode got its name? In the MOTIF Music Production Guide 02-2012 the basic concepts have already been explained. The Performance mode was also discussed in that part. According to a great internet portal, the term „Performance“ has many explanations. Our particular application is probably pretty close to the artistic performance, without that we necessarily have to involve artistic standards.
So you d o n ot l o se tr ack The display - here of the MOTIF XF as an example - gives comprehensive information about the structure and thus the possibilities of the currently selected Performance. The overview The title above the respective parameter string is of crucial importance. It indicates whether the knobs affect all (COMMON) or just individual Parts (1-4) of the Performance. So far this reference is only set by the parameters that are associated to the buttons mentioned above.
A s moot h t r ansi t io n... Per fo r ma nce E di t mo de ... to the Performance Edit mode takes place through the function The Performance Common Edit mode is exhausted with the effect buttons F1-6. While still in the Play mode you can use the button settings. All other parameters are related to a Part. By pressing the [F2] to get an overview of how the Parts are distributed over the [EDIT] button you can switch from Common Edit to Part Edit and keyboard.
Here are four examples with standard combinations: Per fo r ma nce C re ato r (1) „Rhodes-Strings“: The electric piano is to be played the left The S70/S90 XS introduced the Performance Creator, which hand and held sustained with the pedal, but not the strings. was also adopted in the MOX.
without invoking the Edit mode. Simply enable [PERFORMANCE CONTROL], select Part 2 using [PART SELECT] and press the button left of the top row of the „ASSIGNABLE KNOBS“ until the LED for „TONE 3“ is lit. As soon as you move the first Knob for „VOLUME“, the display automatically switches to the appropriate display. Per fo r m No w! At this point it is time to close once again and spend time making music with the instrument. We hope to have brought you closer to the Performance mode.
Mode explained how to create a Song from a Pattern Chain. It might help you to re-read this part. In the course we will be building on that concept. To get started, here‘s a short summary of that said paragraph: A Song can contain up to 16 Tracks. These are available in parallel, just like in current sequencer programs (DAW) or earlier multi-track tape machines.
Q uiet pl ea se : We ‘re recording ! Suppose you want to capture a musical idea which requires a couple of Tracks, but does not fit into a Pattern scheme. And you want it as quickly as possible, without long preparations. For this purpose, the Song mode is ideal. After its activation and, if necessary, the selection of a free Song, hit the Record button. Here you will find all the important settings at a glance. already be quantised in the recording process.
to the Tracks 1-8 or 9-16, depending on which Track is enabled via the [TRACK] button. The full extent of the Mixing can be entered with the [MIXING] button. Here, you can conveniently select sounds and adjust effects, edit and set the panorama position of a Track. It is even possible to enter the Voice Edit mode, where you have access to all parameters of a Voice. If at this point you like to adjust a Voice for the needs of that special Song only, you can store it as a so-called Mixing Voice.
The five assigned Arpeggios ARP1 - ARP5 can be used within the Song mode in several ways: S ongs in t h e S70/90 XS The procedures described above can be basically performed in • In the Mixing Edit mode (ARP1 – ARP5) the MOTIF XS/XF and in the MOX/MOXF. There are only small • In the Song Record mode – [F2] (Arpeggio) (ARP1 – ARP5) deviations between the MOTIF and MOX series, which are merely • In the Song Play mode (Scene 1 – Scene 5) due to the different user interface.
SUMMARY This ninth part of the Yamaha Synth Guide completes this series. We hope that we have succeeded to cover the most important With an instrument of the MOTIF family you have a versatile features with the Yamaha Synth Guide. We were trying to keep a workstation with almost limitless potential for creativity at your balance between a manageable scope and detail. Soon all nine hands.
