I already own a moxf but it can’t really cope with both things above (unless someone converts the latter to moxf - why don’t the moxf editor manage the same range of file-formats as the XF editor does? Yamaha???).

Clearly, a "how come...?" question. The Motif XF is the top-of-the-line synth. It does more than the others in the line-up, one of these things is read more file Types than the MOXF-series. The MOXF-series can read Motif XF files and it can import specific data from the file.

The MOXF can read a .X3A file (Motif XF All data Library) and extract Voices, Waveforms, Performances, Arpeggios.

For the plg, i’ve heard that the ES of course takes longer to switch plg patches, just like plg-cards running inside any host usually do (i used one in my old S30 before). That same source also claims that the ES will also become slower when switching normal AWM2 patches as well, and this is a bother to me. Is this claim true? Will the ES transform into a slow unit with a plg mounted inside?

I've found that if you avoid MIDI loops the performance of the plug-in boards is fine. Avoid looping MIDI data and you'll avoid sluggish behavior. Talking ES, your talking technology that's more than a decade old, so your mileage will vary.

on a side note: i understand that the sampling option is lacking on the ES rack, compared to the ES keyboard versions (as well as ram, etc) but hardware wise, are they based on the same PCB? Does the ES have the headers for ram and/or SM media on the main board?

The Motif ES and the Motif-Rack ES work differently... There is no Sample RAM expansion option, and there is no USB or SM card storage. Storage is done by system exclusive Bulk Dumps via MIDI.

Hi,

well yes, certainly a how come question 🙂 I totally get that the XF is in fact the better keyboard (better keybed, sampling, etc reflected in the pricing) but i also think it's a shame that the moxf editor does not support the same formats like the XF dito does given that they share the engine. Of course, this has to do with differentiation and marketing pusposes. I have absolutely no problem dealing with old stuff (one have to pry my EX5R out of my dead cold hands.....). On my wishlist would be some kind of "lookup table" that would be able to read and map from older formats (from the motif series) even on the moxf.

thx for the advice regarding midi-loops. That is something i will now be aware of when using plg in the ES.