1) I can assign either PLG presets or PLG user voices to any of the four parts in a performance.
2) I can pull voices from all three PLG boards (one per board) in a single performance and all three PLG voices can be played together.
3) If I want to note shift a PLG preset to lower it a couple octaves so I can split the keyboard put it up at the two highest octaves thereby freeing up the middle and lower registers for comping and bass, then I must create a PLG user voice first with the desired note shift.
4) As far as saving my work after creating user performances and any PLG user voices, do I need to save anything to a smart media or USB before powering off? I am thinking that if I am only attaching PLG presets to performances then NO, they are saved in internal memory, but if I create a USER PLG voice maybe I lose them unless I store them externally somewhere..

That all sounds correct. However, custom PLG150-AN, PLG150-VL, and PLG150-DX voices must be restored from a file each time you power on.

The PLG150-series synthesizer boards each have a number of Preset sounds which are always accessible - but also they each have the ability to create custom sounds which must be restored from a file — these sounds can be created using the PLG Board’s own Editors. The synth boards each have a RAM Bank (which is volatile) - this means data must be restored to that Bank each time you cycle the power.

On the Motif ES you can create an AutoLoad file that will automatically restore your custom PLG150-series RAM Bank sounds when you power on your Motif ES. With your three boards you would point the Autoload routine to your storage device — if you have all of your AutoLoad files in one place, the ES will load all of them, one after another.

However, if you are not using the Editors (AN Expert Editor, DX Simulator or VL Expert Editor) then no need to worry about the RAM Banks or AutoLoading data to the PLG Boards.

PLG Preset and PLG User Voices that use data resident on the Boards, are saved with the Motif ES’s All data file (.W7A/.W8A)

Got it....I have used Autoload in the past.... Its just one routine that the ES runs on power and I must follow a specific naming convention for my desired files. Between the manual, my notes your forum posts, I think I have all the instructions needed to set up use this Autoload again.

THANK YOU PHIL