We moved your post to the LEGACY PRODUCT Forum as it was inappropriate in the S90XS/S70XS forum since you don't own one of those and they do not use the FW expansion board at all. We are not certain what your goal is here exactly or what you mean by a LAN cable (?) - you need a FireWire cable (quite a different thing). You must connect the Motif XS to your computer via FireWire (which requires an mLAN16E2 or FW16E expansion board). This maybe stuff you already know - but we can only go based on what you have written thus far. And there is no mention of the correct expansion board.

Let's start with the Driver: Name and version number that you installed.
Here is how to find out if it is installed:

On your Windows 7 Computer: Go to CONTROL PANEL > Find the Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver icon > with your XS connected via a working FW connection double click the icon and launch the Control Panel

There should be 3 Tabs - please report what you see.

Thank you for your Reply. Sorry about the wrong posting. I used an USB adapter for my FireWire cable but it didn't work so I guess I need expansion board for my PC. My goal is to call sounds from Motif XS6 into Cubase 5 and edit them there via Motif XS Editor. I mentioned LAN cable because I was trying to connect the synth with the PC with one and also with an USB cable. So FireWire is the only way to connect, am I right?

I used an USB adapter for my FireWire cable but it didn't work so I guess I need expansion board for my PC.

You would need to get both an FW16E FireWire expansion board for your Motif XS6 and whatever you need to add FireWire capability to your particular PC.

My goal is to call sounds from Motif XS6 into Cubase 5 and edit them there via Motif XS Editor.

You only need to spend money for the expansion board and the FW card for you PC if you want to do multi-track audio recording to your PC via FireWire. Just so you know: the FW16E gives the Motif XS the ability to send audio from the synth to your DAW (Cubase) on as many as 16 audio buses. A Stereo Output plus fourteen assignable buses. This allows for great flexibility when doing music production with your computer-based studio. This is not the only way to work with the Editor or Cubase. You can connect with a USB cable and do all MIDI functions - which means recording/editing MIDI Tracks, working with the Editor, the MediaBay and Sound Browser, Score (notation). The one thing you cannot do via USB is record AUDIO.

But please let me be clear, FW is only one of the options you have to get audio into Cubase.
_ The Motif XS has a built-in Integrated Sampler, which can export audio to Cubase via an ALL data file
_ You can purchase an external Audio Interface and connect the XS to it

I mentioned LAN cable because I was trying to connect the synth with the PC with one and also with an USB cable. So FireWire is the only way to connect, am I right?

No, FireWire is the only way to take advantage of the 16 audio bus outputs and the 6 audio inputs. The FW16E handles both MIDI and AUDIO communication between the XS and the computer. But by no means is it the only option you have.

When you say you want to "call sounds from the Motif XS into Cubase 5" - we are not sure what that means. Does that mean you want to record AUDIO? Or you want to use the Librarian feature where you can access libraries quickly and easily for use.

If you want to record audio - then FW or an external audio interface is necessary.
If you want to use your computer as an archive for all of your Voice libraries - that is easy - all you need is a USB cable.

To be more specific, here it is what I want to do. I recorded a violin song on a Stereo channel and want to make an accompaniment with the sounds of the Motif SX6. I gathered an impressive list with sounds I love but I need to listen and edit them together with the violin track. The accompaniment is very simple and I doubled voices as many are of an exquisite beauty. Right now I have about 10 tracks of it. Once I find the right 'orchestra sounds' I'll record every voice separately as .wav files and mix them together with the fiddle. So I cannot record these voices using an USB cable, were you saying?

Now, tell me,
- do I need to get an extension board for the SX6 as well?
- how can I connect with an USB cable and do all MIDI functions? I already tried to connect the Motif XS6 with Cubase but couldn't establish connection. I believe I tried all Port configuration combinations possible. Where is the MediaBay and Sound Browser? As per Score Notation, I'm familiar with Finale and SmartScore.
- What is an external Audio Interface that I can connect to my XS Editor?
- if I want to use the PC as an archive, is the XS Editor 'calling' (using) the sounds from the .vst Library or from the Motif SX6 itself?

, are they the same? I always thought that sounds from hardware units such synthesizers are richer and more beautiful than the ones produced by software

Okay, sorry, I must have missed something. You are already using Cubase? Is that right? And you have already recorded an acoustic violin in stereo... So we presume you have an audio interface. For us to have a conversation about what you should do or purchase or not purchase, it would be great to have a full idea about what you already have.
🙂

If you have, indeed, recorded a Stereo Track to Cubase, you can connect the Motif XS to the stereo input on your audio interface - this way you all you need to do is connect the LEFT/RIGHT output to the Stereo input on your audio interface.

Nothing additional to buy. You can use the USB connection between the Motif XS6 and your computer for MIDI (and MIDI data only)... audio will travel from the main LEFT/RIGHT Outputs to the stereo input on your (yet unidentified, although we are assuming you have one) Audio Interface.

- do I need to get an extension board for the SX6 as well?

Let us know what you have. We cannot answer what you need without knowing what you have. There are other ways to get audio from the XS to your computer - nothing you have said thus far convinces us you need 16 audio buses - sounds like for what you need to do, you don't need to necessarily go that far (elaborate).

- how can I connect with an USB cable and do all MIDI functions? I already tried to connect the Motif XS6 with Cubase but couldn't establish connection. I believe I tried all Port configuration combinations possible.

There is one correct configuration of ports. You need to download and install USB-MIDI Driver for you operating system.
We can link you to an article that will help:

Where is the MediaBay and Sound Browser?

In Cubase. This is Cubase's data base of all media on your computer: Includes Cubase Projects, .MID File, Audio Loops, .WAV Files, Videos, Motif XS Voices, etc., etc., etc. On the Cubase Too Bar click on MEDIA

As per Score Notation, I'm familiar with Finale and SmartScore.

A musician's Score feature is built-in to Cubase. I refer to it as "musician's Score" because you can QUANTIZE how it looks without changing how you played it. This makes it musician friendly - you don't need to study 6 months to learn it, and you don't have to sacrifice "feel" for a chart someone wants to read... Oh, yeah, and its built-in to Cubase.

- What is an external Audio Interface that I can connect to my XS Editor?

If you recorded a stereo Track to Cubase - you must have used an audio interface. Basically it is responsible for getting AUDIO into and back out of your computer. It is situated between the instrument or microphone and the Computer. It takes in audio via standard signal cables or XLR cable and sends the digital audio signal to the computer via USB or FW. It also receives audio via that same USB or FW connection FROM the computer and it has OUTPUTS that can feed your monitor speakers.

If we are taking you at your word or maybe we are assuming facts not in evidence - but an AUDIO INTERFACE is necessary to RECORD audio into Cubase. Not it is our assumption that you RECORDED this into Cubase, if you recorded it elsewhere and simply imported to Cubase - then please let us know.

Examples of Audio Interfaces are:
Steinberg UR22, UR44, UR28M, UR824 (usb)
Yamaha AudioGram3, AudioGram6 (usb)
Yamaha FW16E (firewire)

Yamaha makes audio interface from about $100 until you run out of money (our high-end digital consoles are also technically speaking, audio interfaces, as well).

- if I want to use the PC as an archive, is the XS Editor 'calling' (using) the sounds from the .vst Library or from the Motif SX6 itself?

Sound is always coming from (is produced by) the hardware Motif XS6 - the "V" in VST is VIRTUAL. Virtual Studio Technology allows external synthesizers to route *audio* back to the DAW in the same fashion as software synthesizers that are entirely generated on the computer itself. Yamaha Motif XS Hardware is necessary to sound like a Yamaha Motif XS. You can STORE your XS Voice Libraries on your computer... the data is simply moved via MIDI as a BULK DUMP... it takes about 2-3 seconds to transfer a Voice or Mix from the computer to the XS hardware's Edit Buffer. Both individual VOICES and entire MIXING setups can be archived in the SOUND BROWSER. Currently, if you are like most Motif XS users, you have one or more (likely you have 6 or 10) USB sticks with different libraries and All data files mixed in different combinations... Or you have one big drive (you hope never crashes or fails) and you search through literally dozens of files looking for Voices etc.

The Sound Browser inside of Cubase lets you organize all of your Motif XS Voices and Mixing setups so that you never have to search but in the one place. Each Voice is automatically placed in the Category and Sub Category according to how it is in the XS, and you can RANK can group them in FOLDERS to your liking. It is simply an almost unlimited storage place that communicates with your Motif XS (Hardware) via USB-MIDI (or FW-MIDI)

The violin part is an imported .wav at 96KHZ/24bit. I have Windows 7 64x, 2 CPU 4300 1.80 GHz, 4 GB of RAM and an RME Fireface UC sound card. Then, I installed the Yamaha USB-MIDI Driver (x64) (WDM) V3.1.3 and left the Default In/Out configuration. I checked Thru ON/OFF button and made the same configuration like In/Out Default (like a diagonal from upper left to lower right corner) I am able to Send All Note ON and hear the Voice from Motif XS6

In order to use the USB connection on my PC for MIDI I tried to install the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver but could not install it properly and this is more strange than not being to connect the Motif XS6 with Cubase via FW cable. After trying randomly different port configurations in the XS Editor, I came to one where I can hear the voices from the Motif XS6 but could not change them from the Motif XS Editor. I was using Asio Fireface USB or Asio DirectX Full Duplex Driver in Cubase 5 to connect. In Cubase I wanted to connect through Yamaha Steinberg USB ASIO the error says: "Device cannot be opened." Then, I checked in the Control Panel, saw Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver Logo but when I clicked on its Panel, I could not see the Device name, only the only the Buffer Size. Also, Input si Output Latency have no values either. Well, I installed consecutively V. 162, 186 and 190. Am I missing something? I also uninstalled Yamaha USB-MIDI Driver (WDM) thinking that it might create some conflicts with the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver but put it back. Because of this I can't set the MOTIF XS VST Editor properly like I cannot see " Motif XS6 ' in the VSTi Setup. Then, when I start the Auto Sync with the Ports indicated by the manual, the error says: "Firmware Version Error"

I also tried to connect changing the MIDI In/Out: usb and MIDI in the Utility of the Motif. [F5] [SF2] but only with the ' usb ' selected I can play the Voice from the Motif but of course, I cannot change it in the Editor in Cubase.

- Bottom line: I still cannot connect. Where can I find the correct driver or what am I doing wrong?
- Otherwise, there is no way to connect the Motif SX6 with XS Editor via a LAN connection?

- You said at some point that there is one correct configuration of ports. Did you mean there is only one? Did you refer to MIDI ports
- which configuration I should use in the Motif Utility, usb or MIDI? I assume these last two questions will be solved once I found the correct USB Driver

In order to use the USB connection on my PC for MIDI I tried to install the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver but could not install it properly and this is more strange than not being to connect the Motif XS6 with Cubase via FW cable.

We can stop you right here. If you are using a Motif XS6 then it does not, and cannot use the driver you attempted to install (which is for the MOX, MOXF and MX which communicate audio via USB). The Motif XS and Motifs in general, do not communicate audio via the the USB "To Host" port... never did.

The driver you want is specifically a Yamaha Driver - USB-MIDI Driver v3.1.3 This is a MIDI only driver designed for the products like the Motif-series.

USB-MIDI Driver version 3.1.3 for Windows 64-bit 08/26/2013

If you wish to communicate audio to your computer, you need to get a separate audio interface... connect your Motif XS via its analog outputs, or SPDIF out.
The other option is the FW16E FireWire (16in/6out audio + MIDI) interface.

- Otherwise, there is no way to connect the Motif SX6 with XS Editor via a LAN connection?

You can connect the Motif XS6 to use the EDITOR using either USB or FW.

If you opt to use FW, then a single FireWire connection takes care of both MIDI and audio bi-directionally - using the Yamaha Steinberg FW ASIO Driver
If you opt to connect your Motif XS6 to your computer via USB, then you will need the USB-MIDI Driver V3.1.3 for Windows 64-bit, and you will need a separate audio interface and driver for getting audio routing.

That said, you can use the EDITOR VST without the audio routing (the editor will simply report that you are not routing AUDIO via the VSTi) that is all. This does not prevent you from using the Editor VST and utilizing its advanced integration with Cubase. You can still take advantage of all the Sound Browser and organizational functions that the Editor afford you. And of course, the ability to Edit and create customized sounds based on the Project you are working on.

The AUDIO portion of the VST routing is all about an additional feature. Something you get in addition to all the Editor offers!!. This special VST Instrument routing specifically allows you re-route the XS audio signal back through Cubase so that you can process it within the program (as you would any internal VSTi). The big draw to soft-ware synthesizers is the "ease of use" and processing in-the-box (they exist on the same computer that is running the DAW, so routing is a no-brainer) and because they exist on the computer, it is possible to route the signal from the VSTi through other VST Effects, before sending the audio to a "virtual audio lane" where you can monitor what it will sound like when you finally RENDER (audio mixdown) the Waveform as audio.

The VST Routing scenario that the Editor VST offers is that instead of the XS tone engine sending audio directly to the audio output (as it always does), it disconnects that path and sends the audio back to the DAW where you can treat exactly like any soft synth, including processing the audio with VST Effects, using the FREEZE function and, of course, you render the waveform via EXPORT AUDIO MIXDOWN. (being external the export will take place in real time.)

But that is if you want or need to do audio, as well. That is not a prerequisite for using the Editor. While it can be used for routing audio (whether via the FW16E or via an external audio interface), the Editor easily can be used without using any of the audio routing capability.

But at no time can the Motif XS ever use the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver (it simply is not a device that uses this driver, period). And it should not be listed on the official website page for the Motif XS...

If your goal is to record audio from the Motif XS to Cubase, you will need to figure a way to get audio into your computer (audio interface). How are you connected currently. In other words, are you still using the speakers that came with your computer?

Hi again. I uninstall the V1.8.6, the last among 3 I tried, performed a Registry Repair and installed V1.8.3 that someone said that 98% of people are using. I found it in a package called Tools for CI2. No success. I'm looking forward to hear your suggestions

I'm talking about the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver

I'm talking about the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver

The Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver is for the MOX, MOXF, MX49/61 not, repeat NOT for the Motif XS6.

In the VST Connections in Cubase 5, External Instruments I couldn't see the Motif XS Editor in the Studio Manager left pane. Looking for a solution, I came across people who had at that time the same problem but they were talking about Studio Manager x32 which couldn't see the Motif Editor x64. I installed Studio Manager 64x but couldn't see it either, even in the Standalone one. I checked then my Cubase 5 version and found out that is 32bit. Then I uninstalled Motif XS Editor x64, the Extensions for 64x and the Studio Manager x64 and after that, I noticed that my XS6 was not connected. I restarted but the same problem, no Motif XS6 detected. I uninstalled everything from Steinberg except Cubase 5 and re-installed the MIDI-USB driver you recommended. Found Hardware Wizard still cannot detect my Motif SX6.

Please tell me first how can I fix this and then, after I install USB-MIDI Driver version 3.1.3 for Windows 64-bit 08/26/2013, which Studio Manager, Motif XS Editor and Extensions for the Editor should I install?

I also went first to http://www.studioconnections.org/ but it's not functioning.

Here is what information is missing: The "Studio Manager" is a host application that works only for the Motif XS Editor software version 1.4.0 and earlier - When the Motif XS Editor Standalone/VST version 1.6.0 was released it can no longer be seen by the Studio Manager. Studio Manager was from that point forward unnecessary and incompatible.

If you require or desire to use your XS Editor with the old Studio Manager host application, then you will want to find a version of the Motif XS Editor that can utilize that protocol - this is why version 1.4.0 is still found on the official Yamaha download site. When 1.6.0 was released - a big deal (well as big a deal as we can make) was made about the elimination of the necessity for having two different downloadable items: the Studio Manager version and a separate version for those who wanted to run it as VSTi.

When v1.6.0 came out - a single download installed both the VST version (which can only be launched in a VST3 compatible DAW software host) and it installed one that could be launched as a stand alone application. But to the user downloading it was just a single item. Progress!

If you still require Studio Manager (and there are many who are using it in a studio environment for other Yamaha products 01V96, 02R, DM-mixers etc) you still can download and install version 1.4.0. Doing so will allow you to continue to use the Studio Manager software and it will find the Motif XS Editor v1.4.0 as it always has. You simply no longer update your Editor version... stay with 1.4.0

If you do not need to run Studio Manager and can use the new version (1.6.x and later) - you will find that you can take advantage of the newly added features from the Editor.

We don't have enough information on what you are doing to make a recommendation for you on this, but you should determine if you actually really need to run the "Studio Manager" any longer. I ask because the Studio Manager was developed for those with larger 'modular' systems with digital consoles, several synthesizers and modules, even MIDI effect processors. The Studio Manager was able to handle (simultaneously) bulk dumps from as many MIDI devices as you would have in your studio. The whole concept was based on those who build and construct HARDWARE based studios - and it could quickly and easily handle bulk requests and storage, per Project, for all of your hardware. So that when you opened a Project, all your hardware would be restored to just how you had it (things people go used to with using software synths and processors). Total Recall for all external hardware in your studio!

Hardware after all is just dedicated software - so Yamaha developed a method for all external devices (mixers, keyboards, modules, effector, etc.) that you might be connecting to your computer software-based studio - a method so you can manage all the settings for every devices external to the computer. Overkill, perhaps, if all you are connecting is a single Motif XS. This is why the new "Standalone/VST" single download version was developed.

What you need:
The mix-up between 32-bit and 64-bit versions and all is really just a matter of matching what you need for your computer.
You need the USB-MIDI Driver - that is the one that will allow the Motif XS to communicate MIDI with your computer
You need the Extensions (this is a set of code written by Yamaha that is installed into Cubase that allows it to recognize the Motif XS and its many MIDI and audio ports by their correct names, it also installs the Remote Control surface communication protocols, installs some templates, etc.)

Because you are running an older version of Cubase and this technology thing is a river, constantly in motion... you will need to remain diligent about updates. It is not always going to be a "good thing" for you to have the latest version. Everyone always thinks that having the "latest version" will solve all the problems. No. This is not always true. Here is a case in point where, if you require (for the reasons I've outlined) to still use the STUDIO MANAGER host application then you must remain with and consider Motif XS Editor v1.4.0 as the LAST update you will make for that software.

If you no longer need STUDIO MANAGER for other gear, then by all means update to the latest Motif XS Editor Standalone/VST and forget completely about STUDIO MANAGER to run the Editor.

You mention you are using the link to the EXTERNAL INSTRUMENTS function - frankly I would have to get an old copy of Cubase 5 and see how that works with latest version of Editor. If you remain with Cubase 5 - be careful for notices as things become Non-compliant (usually there is a warning with each update designed for those running older versions of the software, at some point you will need to NOT update).

Let us know. We can see exactly why you were having issues and you are not that far from solution. Yes, this is a bit complex - but the only reason it is, is because technology is a river in constant motion. Solving the issue of having to use Studio Manager when your studio is managing a single keyboard always seemed like an "extra step" by most Motif XS/XF users... so they "fixed it". Progress!

Let us know.

Very useful information about the older versions. I wouldn't know without you telling me. The main reason I want to work with the SX Editor is that it has a lot of Parameters to change in one place. In case I add another Hardware device, it will be easier to control them from one place.

I installed USB-MIDI Driver version 3.1.2.3, Motif XS Extensions V1.5.1, XS Editor 1.4.0 and the Studio Manager V2.3.1. It's not working. Studio Manager cannot see the SX Editor. Then,
Motif XS Extensions V1.5.1, XS Editor Standalone V1.6.4, and the Studio Manager V2.3.1. It's not working in standalone. Then,
Motif XS Extensions V1.6.1, XS Editor V1.6.4 and the Studio Manager V2.3.1. Not working either in Standalone.

Always the error: " Firmware Version Error "
Is it the Motif XS6?! Should I run the Firmware updater V160 for my XS6 synth? Or,

should I download a Trial Cubase 5 64bit from Steinberg, which seems very complicated for some reason.