I really appreciate these "Mastering MODX" series, very helpful.

When assigning sounds to a PERFORMANCE - each PART could have its own custom arrangement of 8 parameters assigned to its PART Assign Knobs.

Would you please point out, how to assign these knobs? Could not find an explanation in this article.

Thanks, Michael

PART Assignable Knobs get assigned to parameters. These parameters which are modulated by a SOURCE (such as the PART Assignable Knobs). The parameters which are modulated are called DESTINATIONS. Source controls, destination reacts. Within a PART - there are two "levels" of destinations. There are the PART-wide parameters and the element-specific parameters. Element parameters are able to affect only a single element if you want that - may affect all - or something between.

The data list has a list of all of the destinations. The easiest thing to do is to drill down inside a PART and start pressing parameters until the [CONTROL ASSIGN] button lights up. It's located just at the bottom-left corner of the touchscreen (outside the touchscreen). When this button is lit, MODX is telling you the parameter you have selected CAN be assigned to a SOURCE. If you want to assign this, press the [CONTROL ASSIGN] button. First, make sure the [ASSIGN] button is lit (to the left of the assignable knobs). Then spin one of the 4 assignable knobs (possibly change the mode 1-4 or 5-8 first). After spinning the knob, it will associate the destination parameter to an assignable knob. It will also bring you to the same screen you could have started with to more manually assign the source/destination. From here, you would edit the curve and ratio and other parameters such that movement of the assignable knob causes the destination parameter to move as you wish.

Going straight to the manual selection screen is mentioned here:

Point being that when recalling a sound by selecting a PART you can customize what Assign Knobs are available for that PART on an individual basis - it is entirely up to you on each PERFORMANCE. You would base your selection of parameters on what you require from this sound at the time. Rather than hunting through the architecture every time, if you know you want to adjust certain parameters in real time, simply make sure you customize the PART's "Mod/Control" > "Control Assign" screen to serve your needs - within the PERFORMANCE PART.

From this "Mod/Control" -> "Control Assign" screen: If you touch "Source" - you will be given a list of possible sources. You can also touch the "Auto Select" button to make sure it is green (on) then spin any controller, such as an assignable knob, to designate it as the source and also show all destinations for that source controller. There is an area to add destinations "[+]". When you add a destination, you will see a list of possible destinations. This is the complete list for your PART (either AWM2, FM-X, or drum - the lists will be slightly different for each type). This is the alternative way of assigning destinations to sources - by manually assigning each from a list (rather than finding the destination parameter and pressing [CONTROL ASSIGN] )

Very clear and helpful, thanks a lot, Jason.

I really appreciate these "Mastering MODX" series, very helpful.

Thanks, more to come momentarily... specifically on Control Assignment... often there is so much going on in the Factory Presets that it’s hard to grasp how it all comes together. We’ll break it down to bite sized chunks so you can get the logistics and the thought process that goes into making assignments.

So we’ll start with simple tasks that kind of start where MODX leaves the norm... using the Super Knob and this Motion Control thing. First, changing a couple of parameters within a single Part, and then expand out to other areas of Mastering MODX ...

The Motion Control Engine is a Multi-layered beast, best tackled a stage at a time. Initially, you want to assign everything to the Super Knob, but as you get into it you’ll discover what really is useful... and this can vary based on what you want to do musically.

After the basic Control Assign/Super Knob, we’ll tackle some FM-X programming (minus the math), and then we’ll get into deeper levels of creating your own Performances...

Cheers, Bad Mister, I've been following your tutorials for many years, never disappointed. To be honest, I really hated that tiny display of MOX/MOXF. The MODX ist KILLER and the colour touch display really makes a difference when divin' into the depths of sound creation. Looking forward to your next articles, awesome stuff 😀 .

I don't know if I'm doing something wrong but I'm finding navigating through my favourite performances frustrating to say the least!

Here's what I'm doing....

Press the Category button.
Select 'All' for Main and Sub and then select 'Favourites' in the Bank/Favourite option.
Select one of the performances and the press the 'Performance Home' button to play around with the performance or just view how it's made up.

This is where it goes wrong for me when I try to go back to the Category list of my Favourites because the only way I know to go back to the list is to press the Category button and this then loses my 'Favourites' option and puts me in the 'folder' where that performance resides.

I'm wanting to scroll through my favourites but finding I'm losing the will to live if I have to keep entering the 'Favourites' option every time I come out of a particular performance.

Those Performances you marked as “Favorite” (yellow star), can be recalled quickly by double clicking the [CATEGORY] button.

Using the “Favorite” Bank
Any Performance can be tagged as a “Favorite”, from the HOME screen tap the Performance Name.
A pop-in menu appears on the left side of the screen, touch the “Favorite” option (green is active).
A yellow star icon will appear in the Performance Name box denoting Favorite. This places this selection in your own private ‘quick access’ Bank.

Any time you wish to view your Favorites, simply double click the [CATEGORY] button from the HOME screen.
Your Favorites Bank will continue to be searchable by the Main and the SubCategory headings within the Favorites Bank.

Example, you’re on the HOME screen and want to recall your Favorite Brass Ensemble.
You double click [CATEGORY] > touch “Brass” > “Ensemble” and you’re looking at your personal selections.

Thanks. Whilst this partially solves my annoyance, it still puts you back at the first page of your favourites every time, so you have to scroll down to the page which you was on before going into the actual performance. But it's a fair bit better than having to re-enter the 'Favourite' criteria again 🙂

Hopefully, it at least restores some of your will to live!
You only have to scroll down if you have more than 16 Favorite Brass Ensembles!

Hopefully, it at least restores some of your will to live!
You only have to scroll down if you have more than 16 Favorite Brass Ensembles!

Thanks, yes it does 🙂

I was going through the Montage Navigation Tips, and a few questions came to mind. https://yamahasynth.com/montage-category/montage-navigation-tips

It said at one point "Remember, the Super Knob can be addressing multiple PARTS while you can have the physical knobs set to control a specific individual PART. This makes for the utmost flexibility while performing."

Is this (only) possible via pressing the "Tone", "EQ/FX", "ARP/MS" & "MULTI" (Pan/Var/Rev) buttons and moving the 8 physical Knobs, while also moving the SuperKnob, or can the physical knobs be "Assigned" to a specific part to change a parameter such as the "Volume" of that specific part, while also using the SuperKnob?

If what you say is NOT limited to moving the physical Knobs while having pressed one of the "Tone", "EQ/FX", "ARP/MS" & "MULTI" buttons, and it is possible to control specific parts' parameters (such as Part 1's volume) via the physical knobs while the "ASSIGN" button is lit up; where/how would this be done/configured?

Also, when in "Quick Edit" for Common or a Part, are those 3 rows of 8 paramaters, just for setting the defaults for when turning physical knobs via pressing the "Tone", "EQ/FX" & "ARP/MS" buttons? Or is this where numerous settings can be adjusted for common or parts?
When in Quick Edit and selecting Part 1, is this THE Place I would go to modify "Tone", such as Resonance for that Part, whereby it will be saved as the default parameters for that part in that performance? (I looked everywhere else, even at the element level and couldn't find where I would adjust certain settings on a Part or Element, such as Resonance, or can Tone parameters be set at the Element level, and this is setting certain Tone parameters at the Part level?

I haven't look at too many Performances' Quick Edit section for Common & Parts, but the ones I have don't have any Resonance or other Tone parameters set there, so I figured maybe that is not where to go (or not the best place to go) for setting such paramaters..!? However maybe my assumption is incorrect and that is the best place to set Tone based parameters and have them saved as defaults for various Parts &/or Common..?

First - below I say Knobs [1]-[8]. This is kind of a Montage thing with 8 physical knobs. Translate this to mean both setting your knob bank (1st bank or second) in order to make the physical knob match the resulting knob #1-#8.

It said at one point "Remember, the Super Knob can be addressing multiple PARTS while you can have the physical knobs set to control a specific individual PART. This makes for the utmost flexibility while performing."

Is this (only) possible via pressing the "Tone", "EQ/FX", "ARP/MS" & "MULTI" (Pan/Var/Rev) buttons and moving the 8 physical Knobs, while also moving the SuperKnob, or can the physical knobs be "Assigned" to a specific part to change a parameter such as the "Volume" of that specific part, while also using the SuperKnob?

I think you're off the mark of what "physical knobs" denotes in the quoted documentation. Superknob can control multiple PARTs at one time because you can tell Superknob to control many PARTs at once. As in one flick of the superknob will change stuff in many PARTs no matter what mode the instrument is set to. One mode you can set the instrument to arranges the Knobs [1]-[8] as Assignable Knobs for one PART at a time. NOT Tone, EQ/FX, ARP/MS, or the Multi ones. But the [ASSIGN] with the mode as a single PART. If, from the [PERFORMANCE] (HOME) screen you touch the Performance Name at the top - and the [ASSIGN] button is illuminated, then Knobs [1]-[8] will be the common assignable knobs. If you touch one of the PARTs, then that selected PART's assignable knobs will be represented by Knobs [1]-[8]. In this mode, the knobs are all assigned to manual control for one single PART (the selected one) while superknob always addresses, potentially, every PART at once depending on how it's programmed.

If what you say is NOT limited to moving the physical Knobs while having pressed one of the "Tone", "EQ/FX", "ARP/MS" & "MULTI" buttons, and it is possible to control specific parts' parameters (such as Part 1's volume) via the physical knobs while the "ASSIGN" button is lit up; where/how would this be done/configured?

Hope above explains this.

Also, when in "Quick Edit" for Common or a Part, are those 3 rows of 8 paramaters, just for setting the defaults for when turning physical knobs via pressing the "Tone", "EQ/FX" & "ARP/MS" buttons? Or is this where numerous settings can be adjusted for common or parts?

Ok - now we're not talking about assignable knobs. Hope that's known. When using the knobs as Tone or EQ/FX - the [ASSIGN] button will not be lit, so these Knobs [1]-[8] (the physical knobs) will represent not assignable knobs anymore, but their fixed function as dictated by the mode button pressed.

Now, on to your quick edit menu question. These are not defaults. Defaults are dictated by what these are all set to when you [STORE] the Performance. What you have access here is a way to set the knob to an exact number. Instead of turning the knob, when set to say EQ/FX (fixed) mode, you can either spin the knob to arrive at a value - or you can touch the knob on the screen and type in a number. On Montage it's easier to visualize what's going on because it has a ring of LEDs around the knobs to say what the knob is currently set to. This ring on montage will "snap" to the number you entered. Since these knobs are continuous controllers (they have no physical stops) - there's no direction to the knob. You can set the knob's position physically or with software. When you touch the GUI and select a parameter like "cutoff" - it spins that continuous controller to the number you typed. So if you turn the physical knob slightly clockwise or counter clockwise - it starts from the number you typed. This is different than setting a default. None of this changes the default. It does change the current setting in the edit buffer.

When in Quick Edit and selecting Part 1, is this THE Place I would go to modify "Tone", such as Resonance for that Part, whereby it will be saved as the default parameters for that part in that performance? (I looked everywhere else, even at the element level and couldn't find where I would adjust certain settings on a Part or Element, such as Resonance, or can Tone parameters be set at the Element level, and this is setting certain Tone parameters at the Part level?

No - since none of this saves the defaults. It just, as above, sets what these values are. It's not THE place to set these as you can set your Knobs [1]-[8] to [EQ/FX] without entering this screen and turn the knobs. This changes the values the same as using the quick edit screen does. The quick edit screen is just a good way to summarize all the current parameter positions for the fixed function knobs and a way to change the PART or change to common (which has its own set of fixed function "knobs" ). The defaults are set by the values you are using when you [STORE] a Performance. If you spin the fixed-function knobs inadvertently right before you [STORE] a Performance - even without ever looking at the "Quick Edit" menu - your defaults will assume the knob settings you're using.

I haven't look at too many Performances' Quick Edit section for Common & Parts, but the ones I have don't have any Resonance or other Tone parameters set there, so I figured maybe that is not where to go (or not the best place to go) for setting such paramaters..!? However maybe my assumption is incorrect and that is the best place to set Tone based parameters and have them saved as defaults for various Parts &/or Common..?

Maybe looking at this through the lens of a more correct interpretation of what the screen means will help. Yes, you can use this screen. You can just about as easily use the knobs themselves while the correct fixed function button is lit [ARP/MS], [TONE], etc.

Just understand the 4 knobs you have (which have two banks - so 8 virtual knobs) can assume any of the following personalities:

1) [TONE] (fixed function - direct drive of the various tone settings)
2) [EQ/FX] (fixed function - direct drive of the various eq/fx settings)
3) [ARP/MS] (fixed function - direct ... continue pattern)
4) [MULTI] as Pan (fixed function ...)
5) [MULTI] as Variation (fixed function ...)
6) [MULTI] as Reverb (fixed function ...)
7) [ASSIGN] as you program (programmable aka assignable function - set primarily in the Mod/Control -> Control Assign menu)
Assignable knobs - when the [ASSIGN] button is lit - can represent either "Common" or one of the PARTs 1-16. Even the other fixed modes ( 1) - 3) above) can have be set to either "Common" or one of the PARTs 1-16. Switching between common and parts 1-16 mode can be done in the same manner described previously - from home touch the Performance name for common or one of the PARTs to set the knobs to a given PART. The 3 [MULTI] mode buttons are always representing PARTs. They work a little different. Each knob is assigned to a different PART. So these do not change as you select different PARTs. They are already setup to address multiple PARTs.

That's:

1) = knobs have 16+1 personalities (common + 16 PARTs)
2) = 16 + 1
3) = 16 + 1
4) = 1 personality
5) = 1
6) = 1
7) = 16 + 1

= (16+1) * 4 + 1 * 3 = 71 personalities. Then MODX has 4 knobs meaning these set of 4 have two of their own personalities (bank 1: knob 1-4 or bank 2: knob 5-8) - so that doubles the amount of "personalities"

= 71 * 2 = 142

... so the 4 knobs on MODX can be displaying/modifying one out of 142 different sets of 4 pieces of information. Depending on the mode of the various buttons (TONE through ASIGN), Knob bank switch (1-4 or 5-8), and selected PARTs (common or 1-16).

from the [PERFORMANCE] (HOME) screen you touch the Performance Name at the top - and the [ASSIGN] button is illuminated, then Knobs [1]-[8] will be the common assignable knobs. If you touch one of the PARTs, then that selected PART's assignable knobs will be represented by Knobs [1]-[8]

I do understand that when touching one of the PARTs, then that PART's asgn knobs are represented by the physical knobs.

What I am mainly focused on is what/how I am setting the knobs and superknob for, so that once I save the performance and use it live, and I select that Performance. I am not going to be editing the performance and will basically be as if I am at the Performance (HOME) screen as if I touched the Performance Name at the top. At least I think that is what the knobs and superknob work like when a performance is first selected and not in edit mode. And the ASSIGN button is lit up representing the Common Asgn Knob settings.

When playing live, I plan to never go into a performance edit mode, especially not select a specific part view.
If I understand correctly, when just selecting a performance and using the physical knobs (without going into the performance/edit mode), if I turn any of the physical knobs, it will look to the Common/Audio destinations, and never the PART asgn knob destinations directly (indirectly yes, if PART asgn knob were set as destinations for one of the Asgn Knobs in the Common/Audio area)..!?

If I wanted to control PART 1 on physical knob 1, PART 2 on physical knob 2, etc., then I would need to set the Asgn Knob 1 in the Common/Audio area to line up with the destination of PART 1 asgn knob 1, and so on...but when a new Performance is just selected, I am dealing with basically the Common/Audio Asgn Knobs and their set destinations, correct!?

When using the knobs as Tone or EQ/FX - the [ASSIGN] button will not be lit, so these Knobs [1]-[8] (the physical knobs) will represent not assignable knobs anymore, but their fixed function as dictated by the mode button pressed.
Defaults are dictated by what these are all set to when you [STORE] the Performance

The defaults are set by the values you are using when you [STORE] a Performance. If you spin the fixed-function knobs inadvertently right before you [STORE] a Performance - even without ever looking at the "Quick Edit" menu - your defaults will assume the knob settings you're using.

Does this mean that what you set the Quick Edit values at, is basically just setting these defaults for that Performance of what they will be at if I were to click on the "Tone" or "EQ/FX" or "ARP/MS" buttons. And none of the Quick Edit settings will be applied to the saved setting unless I click on one of those 3 buttons!?

Is it true that "If I were never to select one of those buttons while playing a Performance", then none of those parameters would be affected, nor would any sound/part in the performance, and it would be as if they are not even set (the Performance just runs as if they are all set to default)..!?

1) [TONE] (fixed function - direct drive of the various tone settings)

I'm not sure what that means. If I select TONE during playing a Performance, does it revert to factory default or to what I last save it at in Quick Edit?

7) [ASSIGN] as you program (programmable aka assignable function - set primarily in the Mod/Control -> Control Assign menu)
Assignable knobs - when the [ASSIGN] button

So if I just choose a Perfromance (NOT in edit mode & not select on of the PARTs), any physical knobs I turn will turn the Common/Audio configured Asgn Knobs or destinations, NOT any specific PART assigned knobs directly (unless they are destinations of the Common/Audio configured Asgn Knobs)..!?

= (16+1) * 4 + 1 * 3 = 71 personalities

Maybe it's just a Montage vs MODX thing, but I don't get the math (except for the (16+1)) when it comes to the number of knob personalities...!?

Somehow I can't wrap my head around the MODX when I have the Montage...

What I am mainly focused on is what/how I am setting the knobs and superknob for, so that once I save the performance and use it live, and I select that Performance. I am not going to be editing the performance and will basically be as if I am at the Performance (HOME) screen as if I touched the Performance Name at the top. At least I think that is what the knobs and superknob work like when a performance is first selected and not in edit mode. And the ASSIGN button is lit up representing the Common Asgn Knob settings.

When playing live, I plan to never go into a performance edit mode, especially not select a specific part view.

You don't have to be in edit mode for a PART to be selected. You can be in the [PERFORMANCE] (HOME) screen and still select a PART. Particularly on Montage where you have buttons which makes this easier to do, in my opinion. However, it is correct that when you press the [PERFORMANCE] (HOME) button, or when you first recall a Performance by Live Set or Category Search (for example) - the Common/Audio assignable knobs will, by default, be selected assuming the [ASSIGN] button is illuminated. None of what I've covered suggests going into edit mode. Everything to switch knob personalities can be handled within the HOME screen.

If I understand correctly, when just selecting a performance and using the physical knobs (without going into the performance/edit mode), if I turn any of the physical knobs, it will look to the Common/Audio destinations, and never the PART asgn knob destinations directly (indirectly yes, if PART asgn knob were set as destinations for one of the Asgn Knobs in the Common/Audio area)..!?

No, if you select a PART - while in the HOME screen - what you will see is a white bold box surrounding the PART you selected. On Montage, you'd see the bank of buttons on the far right side (the grid for Number A [1]-[16]) illuminate to show which PART is selected. Either, on Montage, touching the PART select buttons in this grid - or touching the touchscreen to select a PART (but not going in to edit) is a way to select the PART. MODX has additional touch-screen controls, since they do not have the physical buttons, where they can press on the touchscreen to select a PART without the popup "Edit, Properties, etc" showing up.

If I wanted to control PART 1 on physical knob 1, PART 2 on physical knob 2, etc., then I would need to set the Asgn Knob 1 in the Common/Audio area to line up with the destination of PART 1 asgn knob 1, and so on...but when a new Performance is just selected, I am dealing with basically the Common/Audio Asgn Knobs and their set destinations, correct!?

Right - when Knobs [1]-[8] are [ASSIGN]'able knobs, you must be in Common/Audio mode (no PART selected) if you wish for each knob to be able to "reach" multiple PARTs. When you select any PART - this limits the knobs to addressing only the PART selected. Remember that superknob is "kind of" your 9th assignable knob. One that can be assigned to any PART's destination and superknob will not change what it is assigned to no matter what mode the rest of the knobs are in. So you could only assign Superknob move a PART you do not have currently selected - so the Knobs [1]-[8] are, for example, targeting PART 1 Assign 1-8 while superknob is tied to PART 6 Assign 1. There's lots of flexibility if you understand the fundamentals.

... pivoting

Does this mean that what you set the Quick Edit values at, is basically just setting these defaults for that Performance of what they will be at if I were to click on the "Tone" or "EQ/FX" or "ARP/MS" buttons. And none of the Quick Edit settings will be applied to the saved setting unless I click on one of those 3 buttons!?

You said defaults again. I think that's the wrong way to look at it. Quick Edit can change the actual value of the knob. To me, a default is a setting. A parameter. A controller that has a position represented by a number I do not see as a "default". When you change the number in quick edit - the knob is turned - right when you press "OK" to the value you entered. It's not changing a default which says "next time I load this performance, I want the value I put in here to be the default - and no matter how I change this knob, whatever I type now will be the default". These values instantly change the real position of the knob. They're not offsets. They're not defaults. They're a quick way to change the actual knob to turn to a specific value. If you study how scenes work - you'll see how this is NOT direct. These are more like what I would consider "defaults" or "parameters". When you change a value within the scene setup - the knobs/settings/etc. do not "snap" to the value you enter in the scene. You're setting a command for the future. ... if I press this button, I want the value to "default" to XYZ. The quick edit area is not like this.

Is it true that "If I were never to select one of those buttons while playing a Performance", then none of those parameters would be affected, nor would any sound/part in the performance, and it would be as if they are not even set (the Performance just runs as if they are all set to default)..!?

If you are still referring to when the Knobs [1]-[8] are fixed function (like tone, fx/eq, etc) - then those parameters would not change unless there's something else automatically changing offsets associated with them such as superknob automation or motion sequence. Since use of "default" has been loose - keep in mind that when you recall a Performance there are two values associated with all parameters that have a destination in the control matrix. They have a programmed value and an offset value. When you recall the Performance, not all offsets are set to "0" because you can have your curve setup such that the left-hand side of a uni-polar curve, for example - this is "input = 0" can have a non-zero output value. The output is the offset. This makes more sense (input and output) if you look at user curves. So I would say the "default" value is a combination of the programmed value plus the offset for these. Most examples you see use a standard curve (uni-polar) which always has the offset outputting 0 when the input is set to 0 -- and most controllers reset to 0 - so there is sometimes an assumption that recalling performances results in offsets that are 0. This is not always the case - when you use different curves.

You quoted me ... "1) [TONE] (fixed function - direct drive of the various tone settings)"
Then:

I'm not sure what that means. If I select TONE during playing a Performance, does it revert to factory default or to what I last save it at in Quick Edit?

This section I was outlining the different personalities (modes) the Knob [1]-[8] can assume. I detailed if they were fixed function or not. It was a summary and lead into the math that was later confusing - but these different modes were how I arrived at the number of modes the bank of knobs you have can assume.

Again, quick edit is not a saving thing. You're looking at it wrong. BOTH quick edit and the [TONE], for example, section knobs address the exact same thing. They BOTH can, equally as well, set the current value for those parameters. For PARTs 1-16 these are direct driven. Not offsets. Both the knob version of [TONE} settings and the quick edit menu of these same [TONE] settings are tied to the hip and are no different. Just that quick edit is a virtual version of the knob on your screen. Having a Montage you can see that the knob is turned for you when you change the quick edit value - because it's the SAME as the knob. It's not a "setting" that is somehow different from the fixed function knob. It's really just another place to turn the knob.

So if I just choose a Perfromance (NOT in edit mode & not select on of the PARTs), any physical knobs I turn will turn the Common/Audio configured Asgn Knobs or destinations, NOT any specific PART assigned knobs directly (unless they are destinations of the Common/Audio configured Asgn Knobs)..!?

That's sort of right. You didn't say if the [ASSIGN] button was lit or not. It's possible to recall a Performance that does not have [ASSIGN] lit - so you'd have to press the [ASSIGN] button first before the above would be true. But other than that nit-pick, correct.

[qupte]= (16+1) * 4 + 1 * 3 = 71 personalities

Maybe it's just a Montage vs MODX thing, but I don't get the math (except for the (16+1)) when it comes to the number of knob personalities...!?

The only difference with MODX is that there are 4 knobs and not 8. So you have a set of buttons that change the knobs to bank them so you can access all 8 knobs that Montage has. So that doubles the amount of personalities their 4 knobs can have vs. your 8.

There are 4 sets modes, each mode with a different set of parameters or meanings (TONE, EQ/FX, ARP/MS, or Assignable) that can, at any given time, while in one of those 4 modes - point to any one of (16+1) PARTs (either common or the individual 1-16). So that's (16+1) * 4.

Then there's 3 sets of modes for the knobs that do not change depending on the PART selection - so this is the "1 * 3" business.

Your 8 knobs can be set to:

First (16 +1) - modes of the 8 knobs
Common/Audio Assignable Knob 1-8
PART 1 Assignable Knob 1-8
...
PART 16 Assignable Knob 1-8

or Second (16 +1)
Common/Audio TONE Knobs 1-8
PART 1 TONE Knobs 1-8
...
PART 16 TONE Knobs 1-8

or Third (16 + 1)
Common/Audio EQ/FX Knobs 1-8
PART 1 ... you see the pattern
...
PART 16

or Fourth (16 + 1)
Common/Audio EQ/FX Knobs 1-8
PART 1 ...
...
PART 16

Then there are 3 more modes of these Knobs [1]-[8]

MULTI Pan 1-8
MULTI Reverb 1-8
MULTI Variation 1-8

Note: when I got to Multi, I sort of simplified it. Multi CAN access all 16 PARTs. There's a way to select either PARTs 1-8 or PARTs 9-16 which Multi looks at - so technically the math should be "2 * 3" for the mult knobs bringing the total up to 74 personalities.

And just to try to drive home this - by some specific examples:

Your keyboard could have knobs 1-8 represent PART 2 Assignable Knobs 1-8 (this is one of the 74 personalities your physical Knobs [1]-[8] can assume)
... then press some buttons to switch around the mode of your keyboard
Now your keyboard has knobs 1-8 represent PART 4's TONE Knobs 1-8 (... and another one of the 74 personalities)
... then press some buttons
Now your keyboard has knobs 1-8 represent MULTI Parts 9-16 Reverb Send (... and another personality for these knobs - we've gone through 3, there are 71 more possibilities)

The math of this isn't really all that important. Just that there are lots of different modes these knobs can be set to - and so do not assume your physical knobs are set to do what you want them to do. Learn what the lights do giving you feedback for which of the 74 possibilities your knobs are set to. Learn how to use the buttons or touch screen to set the mode to absolutely the one out of 74 you want. Know which mode Performances will be set to when you recall them. It's not always the same. Look at the Preset "CFX Shrine". Knobs [1]-[8], unlike many Performances, are not set to Assignable. The [ASSIGN] button is OFF when you recall this Performance. Instead, the [TONE] button is illuminated so Knobs [1]-[8] are, when you recall "CFX Shrine" set to the fixed function [TONE] knobs targeting Common/Audio (not an individual PART). ... with fixed function [TONE] - knob [1] is always Cutoff -- and down the line matching the text on your keyboard above these knobs and in the same row as the [TONE] button.

Also, a footnote - it would be much better for you to start your own threads on the Montage area if you want responses that do not reference MODX. Even though the two keyboards are highly related - there are lots of differences in the GUI and control surface (buttons, LEDS, etc) which is why there are two groups. As confused as you are about MODX differences - think about the MODX readers who have to sort through many Montage specifics mentioned here because you are requesting support for your Montage usage.

The general themes are applicable to both instruments - but the specifics of which buttons exist, knobs, etc are very different.