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I would have to re-read the instructions you are following to know exactly (and I will review them) but right now you are worrying about seeing an icon in Windows and using the WDM function - which I believe will show up when you actually ask it to work within an application. First, though let's make sure your Motif XS is setup properly to send audio via the FW connection and that you are setup to communicate MIDI via that connection, as well.

If your computer is reporting that that the driver is correctly installed then the next step is to get the Control Panel for the driver to recognize a connected Motif XS8.

We do not know what driver you installed (The link you provided contains an error and does not work).

Checklist:
Driver: Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver version 1.6.5. for Windows 7, 64-bit
Software: Yamaha Motif XS Editor Standalone/VST version 1.6.4 for Windows
Software: Motif XS Extension version 1.6.1 for Windows

Please verify the following settings in your Motif XS:
Audio Setup
Press [UTILITY]
Press [F1] GENERAL
Press [SF4] AUTO LOAD

Ensure that the IEEE1394 Driver = FW
If not, change the setting, then press [STORE] to write this preference to your Flash ROM
You will then need to reboot the Motif XS for this setting to take place.

Next, you want to make sure that the MIDI communication is set to "mLAN":
MIDI Setup
Press [UTILITY]
Press [F5] CONTROL
Press [SF2] MIDI
Ensure that the MIDI IN/OUT = mLAN
Press [STORE] to write this preference to your Flash ROM.

Once you have made the IEEE1394 AUTO LOAD setting and fixed it into your UTILITY mode preferences you may find that your worries about the WDM (Windows) may resolve itself. Also once recognized we can review the firmware version of your mLAN16E2 (which should show 1.07 when you open the Control Panel).

You can test whether WDM connectivity is working by attempting to play any audio from your computer (Windows Media Player, CD, YouTube, etc.) - it should playback audio through your Monitor Speakers connected to the Motif XS audio outputs (and/or the headphone output of the XS).

Let us know.

Hey, thanks for the detailed reply! I'm on the road for a few days & will give this a serious going through when I get back and report back. Thanks again.

OK - back at my little studio - where to start...let's see.....

"...right now you are worrying about seeing an icon in Windows and using the WDM function..."

Well, the ultimate goal is to get sound/data into Cubase via Firewire, then out to speakers via the audio interface. I only mention the icon and the WDM because the installation instructions say I should have both at the end of the installation process, and I have neither.

So, might as well try the settings you suggest first in case that does it.

"...[UTILITY] > [F1] GENERAL > [SF4] AUTO LOAD > IEEE1394 Driver = FW..."

On this screen, the IEEE1394 Driver field is set to mLAN, and I cannot change it. Turning the data dial while this field is selected makes no change.

"...Next, you want to make sure that the MIDI communication is set to "mLAN": [UTILITY] > [F5] CONTROL > [SF2] MIDI > MIDI IN/OUT = mLAN"

Yes, already set to that.

Also, I'll note another setting - under Utility > [F2] I/O > mLAN monitor setup is set to "with PC".

OK, so back to the beginning:

"
We do not know what driver you installed (The link you provided contains an error and does not work)."

Strange - when I click on the link in my post, it takes me to the download page entitled "Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver V1.6.5 for Windows (64bit)" that I used. But, ok - for reference, starting at

http://download.yamaha.com/top/?site=usa.yamaha.com&language=en

Under "Please select category and model", select: Music Production Tools > Synthesizers/Workstations > Motif XS8 > Select

Sends me to "List of Assets related to MOTIF XS8"

Sixth item down the list = "Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver V1.6.5 for Windows (64bit)", which points to

http://download.yamaha.com/search/detail/?site=usa.yamaha.com&language=en&category_id1=16244&category_id2=16381&product_id=106377&asset_file_language=EN&asset_id=21027

That page offers me to download the file win_fw_v165x64.zip. That zip archive contains, among other things, setup.exe, and InstallationGuide_en.pdf,which are the files I've used, following the instructions under "Installation (Windows)".

Next,

"
Checklist:
(1) Driver: Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver version 1.6.5. for Windows 7, 64-bit
(2) Software: Yamaha Motif XS Editor Standalone/VST version 1.6.4 for Windows
(3) Software: Motif XS Extension version 1.6.1 for Windows"

As described above, I am trying to install (1).

I have not installed (2) or (3) yet, because the install instructions for the Extension say "Before installing, you will need to properly install the driver software to use MOTIF XS Extension. Make sure to install ... the Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver software when connecting the MOTIF XS to your computer via an IEEE1394 cable.", and the instructions for the VST Editor say "To operate your Yamaha hardware from your computer via a USB cable or an IEEE1394 cable, you’ll need to install the USB-MIDI driver software or Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver software."

So I figured I should complete (1) before moving on to (2) and (3).

I have uninstalled the FW driver, and re-installed, scrupulously following the instructions - same result. It reports the driver was installed correctly. Then, per the instructions, I turn on the Motif, which the instructions say should automatically start initial setup of the driver - I see nothing happen other than the Motif starting.

Then I move on to the next step, "Confirming the installation", which says to go to "Control Panel > Hardware & Sound > Device Manager" where I should "confirm that the name of the device compatible with the Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver, “Yamaha Steinberg FW Bus,” “Yamaha Steinberg FW WDM Audio” and “Yamaha Steinberg FW WDM MIDI” are listed.". But I find only “Yamaha Steinberg FW Bus” there. I do find an entry for YSFW Driver under ControlPanel > Hardware & Sound, which opens the driver control panel, but it has only tabs for General and About - no Motif tab. I note that the driver control panel icon is missing from the Task Bar, and place it there myself.

Just to double check:
computer = Windows 7, 64-bit
Motif OS updated to 1.60.1 (verified under Utility > [Utility + ^ + F1])
Firewire cable is connected to the computer and to the "mLAN 1" port on the back of the Motif.

So I wonder if "mLAN 2" would be any different. After all, there's "IEEE1394 S400" printed to the right of the mLAN logo, nearest the #2 output - maybe it only applies to that one output? So I uninstall the driver again, shut everything down, and start again. This time, the driver control panel icon appears in the Task Bar without my help, and under Device Manager > Sound, Video & Game Controllers, now there's “Yamaha Steinberg FW Bus”, and "Yamaha mLAN16E2", which would be "the device compatible with the Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver" referred to in the instructions. Progress!

But - the driver control panel still has only General and About tabs, and I still get no sound when I play a Song stored on the Motif, or play a voice, whether computer sound output is routed through the audio interface or its own internal speaker.

So I start Cubase 7.5. It pops up a message "New Audio drivers Found - Please select the sudio driver for the audio hardware that you want to use with Cubase", and it offers me three options: (1) ASIO Fireface USB, (2) Generic Low Latency ASIO Driver, (3) Yamaha Steinberg FW ASIO. Item (3) is already checked, so I hit OK. But then it says "The audio driver could not be loaded. Please make sure your audio hardware is connected correctly to your computer."

Oh, despair!

I hope my attempt at providing complete informatio has not made this too long to wade through, and will really appreciate any suggestions to move forward.

Thanks.

"...[UTILITY] > [F1] GENERAL > [SF4] AUTO LOAD > IEEE1394 Driver = FW..."

On this screen, the IEEE1394 Driver field is set to mLAN, and I cannot change it. Turning the data dial while this field is selected makes no change.

You could have stopped right here - without this setting you cannot proceed with the rest. You installed the proper driver for your computer. Great.
The "IEEE1394 Driver = FW" setting allows your instrument to use that driver. If you cannot change it from "mLAN" to "FW" you have old firmware in your Motif XS. You should download the IEEE1394 Firmware Updater for Windows.

Updating the IEEE1394 Firmware to V1.07 lets you perform data communication via the Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver between the computer and MOTIF XS series to which the mLAN16E2 has already been installed. This also allows you to add the MOTIF XS series to your music creation system established via connection between the computer and other devices compatible with Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver.

The MOTIF XS8 is equipped with two mLAN connectors equivalent to the mLAN16E2 by default.
The operations above will add the setting “FW” for the IEEE1394 parameter in the Utility mode on the MOTIF XS series instrument. Selecting “FW” makes the Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver available. After selecting “FW,” make sure to store the Utility settings by pressing the [STORE] button then restart the MOTIF XS series instrument to enable this setting.

Once you have downloaded this IEEE1394 Firmware Updater - read the "for Motif XS users_en.PDF" which will instruct you on how to use the Updater utility.

Really appreciate you sticking with me on this.

Yes, that IEEE1394 driver - I did see in the driver installation instructions where it said "Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver requires ... IEEE1394 Firmware V1.07 or later". But I could not find any way, on the Motif, to check the version. So I went to the download page for Motif XS8 and saw that the latest update date for this firmware version was 2009. My Motif's start-up screen says "copyright 2007 - 2011", so it must have been produced in 2011 (and it's three years old), so with no way to verify for sure, I thought it safe to assume it would have the 1.07 IEEE firmware from 2009.

Mistake.

Little did I know the way to check the firmware version is to run the updater. Turns out, it was 1.01.

The update has been done successfully and without a hitch, thank you.

I then went to "...[UTILITY] > [F1] GENERAL > [SF4] AUTO LOAD > IEEE1394 Driver", and found the FW option available. Set it, stored it, restarted the Motif.

Then I uninstalled the YSFW driver, re-installed it, went through the start-up sequence. Miracle - I have the Motif tab on the driver control panel. Also everything that was greyed out on the general tab is now accessible. And I have all four entries in Control Panel > Hardware & Sound > Device Manager the instructions say I should. So, in theory, the Motif and the computer are talking. Excellent - thank you.

But of course there always has to be something - I still have no sound.

When I start Cubase, and hit any note in voice mode, a level meter bounces, showing it's receiving input. So some sort of signal is being sent. But no sound out.

To cut the software out of the chain so I know it's not some software signal routing issue, should I not be able to just play the Motif through the computer/audio interface without Cubase?

Review of where are are in settings:

Motif OS = 1.60
IEEE1395 Firmware version - 1.07
Yamaha Steinberg FW Driver version 1.6.5. for Windows 7, 64-bit successfully instaled
[UTILITY] > [F1] GENERAL > [SF4] AUTO LOAD > IEEE1394 Driver = FW
[UTILITY] > [F5] CONTROL > [SF2] MIDI > MIDI IN/OUT = mLAN
Utility > [F2] I/O > mLAN monitor setup = "with PC"

Wait a minute - that checklist - do I need the Extensions and XS Editor SA to get any sound out? I'll try installing them next, now that the driver's in, and see.......

Well, both the Extensions and the Editor installed just fine. I can open the Editor and it communicates with the Motif.

Now instead of just one main level meter bouncing in Cubase, the L and R meters bounce too when I strike a note. But no sound. My setup is:

Motif connected to computer via firewire
Computer connected to Audio Interface via USB

When I play a CD in the computer, the sound comes out the main monitors, via the audio interface.

I'll keep hunting, but any further advice will improve at least one human's quality of life immensely at this point.

Thanks.

Getting sound is always a separate operation from setting up your drivers and updating your firmware. So you now have your Motif XS8 properly communicating with your computer via FW. This means it is replacing the soundcard of your computer. The Motif XS is, literally, your computer's soundcard. Audio will arrive at the Main Left and Right Outputs (and the headphone output).

Make sure you are connected to a great pair of Monitor Speakers or sound system... You should anticipate that sound will be coming from the XS outputs, not your computers sound system.

Settings for routing audio to your speakers can be troubleshot as follows:
Press [UTILITY]
Press [F1] GENERAL
Press [SF1] PLAY
Make sure Tone Generator VOLUME = 127
This volume is the overall output of your XS.

While connected to Cubase open an EMPTY Cubase Project, go to DEVICES > VST INSTRUMENT > External > Motif XS VST

You will be asked to create a MIDI Track for this VSTi ... Do so. This first track will be assigned to send its MIDI Out to the "Motif XS VST MIDI In" and will be set to CH (channel) 1. For each Multi-timbral Part of your XS you will create a new MIDI Track - they will be assigned sequentially to the next higher Channel, while assigned Out to the Motif XS VST. As long as the VST Editor is ONLINE you are in 1:1 communication with your hardware Motif XS.

In the lower left corner of the Editor set the Monitor function to "with PC"

You should be able to hear audio when you play the Motif XS - as long as you are in touch with the MIDI Track (that is, it is selected) the key presses and control messages from your hardware XS will travel to Cubase and be "thru'd" to the XS on the MIDI channel of the current Track.

If however, you are recording Audio Tracks, your setup would be slightly different. Recording audio directly can be accomplished, however, you need to operate with LOCAL CONTROL = ON. This way the XS key presses and controls trigger the internal XS tone generator directly. Your Monitor setting in the EDITOR VST would be "with PC (Direct Monitor)".

Let us know - exactly what you intend to do, it is not clear from your previous post.

I understand that the Motif can be a great soundcard. But I already have an audio interface. If it matters to the discussion, it's an RME Fireface UFX. And of course my great pair of monitor speakers is connected to it. So, whether in audio or midi mode, I'd like to hear the sound through my audio interface. Here's my intended setup in the attached image.

To begin with, it would be nice if I were just able to play something through my main monitors, without regard to recording. I do have a pair of speakers connected to the Motif as well, and, yes, if I wet it to "with PC(Direct Monitor)" (or, of course, local mode), I still get sound out of them. But I'd really like to hear it through my mains - if it's possible. If not, just let me know and I'll stop asking for the impossible!

Now, the reason I imagined the setup like this is that I read that the Firewire transmits both MIDI and digital-audio data. I know I could connect the analog output of the Motif to an analog input of my audio interface - but, D-A out of the Motif just to do A-D into the audio interface and then D-A back out to the monitors seems silly, and lossy. Better to take digital from the Motif directly and D-A out to monitors. Or, when recording, same thing, better to take the raw digital from the Motif than D-A out then A-D back in. No?

And thanks again, really.

If not, just let me know and I'll stop asking for the impossible!

Your setup will not work as envisioned from your attached diagram (at least not for simultaneous recording - through both interfaces). A Windows computer (in 2014) can only have one audio interface at a time. You will need to pick which one you use for each recording task. Computer-based recording allows great flexibility when it comes to incoming sources. If a computer was actually designed to be a dedicated audio recorder, you could/would imagine it might have more ways to connect to it simultaneously. But part of the workflow on your computer will involve at least two record setups - one for each interface. You will have to switch Drivers (which essentially switches audio interfaces) and you will have to switch the leads to your speakers... the device currently acting as the audio interface needs to feed the speaker system. Your thinking is spot on correct about recording each thing at its best.

How you would proceed:
You can use Cubase's ability to switch ASIO Drivers without having to reboot (we'll assume your other audio interface can handle the "hot swap", no reason it shouldn't) - simply use the Motif XS as your audio interface (soundcard) when recording AUDIO tracks from the Motif XS, then switch drivers to whatever ASIO driver your RME requires to run when you want to record/mix data through it.

DEVICES > DEVICE SETUP... > VST AUDIO SYSTEM

In the development of mLAN and the new YSFW driver, Yamaha developed the ability to "hot swap" or change drivers without having to shut down. This was critical in audio networking systems. This feature survives therefore, switching drivers is not only feasible but built-into the design concept/workflow. A single project may have multiple audio sources and require multiple types of connectivity. This is why the Steinberg and Yamaha audio system allows for switching between devices without any extraordinary hoopla. As long as they are ASIO standard you can use this feature to freely select the best device for what you want to do.

The other solution would be to buy a Macintosh computer - and build your own AGGREGATE AUDIO Device that would include the 16 audio Inputs from the XS and 30 audio Inputs from your RME... Macintosh OS allows multiple devices to act as audio interfaces simultaneously (if that is what is required). The device connected to the speakers acts as the device that determines how you monitor. If you have the RME connected to the speakers then the analog connection between the XS and the RME would be for monitoring purposes only. You would record audio directly to the computer via the XS's own FW (in a separate operation).

This Workflow is viable:
It is really apart of the system design, overall, that different audio interfaces might be used in the course of a project. Committing to one or another is not necessary when you recognize/realize that you can swap audio interfaces for specific purposes. For example, you certainly can maximize your use of the audio engine of your Motif XS when you elect to render audio tracks to your DAW via the XS's own FW connectivity (of that there is no doubt). The very flexible audio routing situation in the XS would be very difficult to match any other way. Being able to take advantage of the powerful VCM Effects built-in to the XS engine while generating your music parts is a compelling reason to use the FW routing scenario. If you then decide you want to use a boutique audio interface in support of a condenser mic (or whatever), to record your other instruments and personnel... that is not unusual, not at all.

Misconceptions
Some people think that because the XS can be a "standalone" recording studio, it has to be used alone. To the contrary, you do not have to use it as your only recording/interfacing option. Nor was it designed to exclude outside devices, precisely the opposite; the design is to make it a flexible contributor in larger projects, but if you do not have any external devices, you can do it all alone with the XS itself. That's the right thing to do, design-wise. With a Win PC you have swap drivers, in the Mac you can construct the inputs and outputs from multiple drivers (for simultaneous situations). One is not better than the other, it depends on what you need to do.

Tips:
You will want to always be cognizant of your project's overall sample rate and resolution so you don't make more hoops to jump through than necessary when you go to complete the total project.

Facts you need to consider with your current PC:
1 _ When using your RME as your one audio interface you will only be able to connect the XS to it via the XS's analog outputs (Main L/R and Assignable L/R). Because the RME will be using its own driver, the XS will not send audio to the computer via FW during this time. (MIDI will work as always).
2 _ When using the XS as your audio interface you have options to route the XS PARTS and its A/D INPUT PART to any of the 16 digital audio buses directly to the computer. In this case connect the monitors to the XS outputs. You can monitor the RME if you make an analog connection to the XS's A/D Inputs. In this setup the RME would not send audio to the computer via USB.
3 _ In all likelihood, you would be using the XS to create your basic music tracks and you could easily create/render the audio via the XS's FW... then, once completed, play them back through your RME audio interface (ensuring you connect your speaker to the device that is acting as the audio interface)... or vice versa... If you have started the session with the RME, and wish to add audio tracks from the XS, simply switch the other way...

From your diagram seems you are plugging microphones into the RME - which might mean you are overdubbing vocals or guitars, etc. In such a situation then recording your music tracks as audio via the XS first, and then overdubbing audio through the RME would work just fine as a general workflow.

So if you are not into buying a new computer, then your options would include the above suggestion: where you create your audio tracks to Cubase via the Motif XS's FW connection (using the YSFW ASIO driver), switch Drivers and then use your RME to continue with overdubbing, etc. Once you have recorded tracks to Cubase and they are audio - either audio interface will be able to play them back without issue. Therefore, unless you are in a situation where you need to access both interfaces simultaneously for recording audio, this is a very viable way to work with your current computer. Make sense?

The analog audio connection between the XS and the RME (when the RME is acting as your audio interface) would be for "monitoring" purposes only. You would not use that analog signal for recording audio. You would "track" the XS audio to Cubase via the XS's pristine FW connection (when the XS was acting as your audio interface). The thing to understand that cannot happen (on a PC) is simultaneously using two audio interfaces. With Windows a 'hot swap' mid project would be apart of your workflow... if you get my meaning. In modern multi-track recording, often the backing music is done separately from vocals and other overdubs.

If you do not have a set of monitors for each audio interface then you could simply monitor the XS via headphones when using it to build your music tracks. It all depends on your personal workflow.

Hope that helps. Thanks for the question, you are not the only one with this situation, and is an important consideration. The ability to "hot swap" drivers mid-project, without the need to close the software down becomes a huge feature!

That was such a thought provoking post I had to think about it for a couple days before replying. In the meantime I've also done some more reading of the manual, and fiddled with the Motif and Cubase.

The two-interface model is a very interesting one. On the Motif, I have been very impressed with (a) the quality of the individual sounds; (b) the ease and speed with which I can go from idea to multi-track first version thanks to the sequencer; and (c) the reproduction by the sound engine of complex, multi-layered pieces. Never a drop-out, never a system-related wave interference generated, never memory or processor or any other technical hitches to deal with. Just production and reproduction. So I can easily see the value of doing everything that's to be done on the Motif, on the Motif, before moving to a DAW to add the rest. Rather than a complication, as one might be tempted to see it at frst, it may actually help workflow just because initial production on the Motif is so smooth.

But this is a whole other, much larger topic, for another thread. (Which I will start in a couple of days if you're interested in adding more on this topic to the forum.) For the moment, my Motif IS talking to the computer, and vice-versa, thanks to your help.

Summary of lessons learned in this thread for the reference of future readers:

To get your Motif XS8 talking to your computer via Firewire:

1. Make sure Motif's OS is updated to latest version (1.60 at time of writing). You can check it's current OS version by [utility] > [utility + ^(cursor up) + [F1] simultaneously]

2. When the Firewire driver install manual says you need the latest version of IEEE1394 firmware, it really means it. And just becuase your Motif was produced or purchased later than the date of the latest update does not guarantee you have it on your Motif. So make sure the Motif's mLAN IEEE1394 firmware is the latest version (1.07 at time of writing). There is no way to check it on the Motif - you have to get the latest update, connect your computer to the Motif via Firewire (mLAN), and start the update on your computer - it will get the firmware version from the Motif.

3. Make several settings on the Motif:
[UTILITY] > [F1] GENERAL > [SF4] AUTO LOAD > IEEE1394 Driver = FW
[UTILITY] > [F5] CONTROL > [SF2] MIDI > MIDI IN/OUT = mLAN

NOW install the latest Firewire driver following the install instructions.

Thanks again.