See this thread: https://www.yamahasynth.com/index.php?option=com_easydiscuss&view=post&id=7545&Itemid=851

As far as Master settings and Performances go then its start from scratch.
I'm in the same boat... Motif XS with years of tweaked custom settings.

Not much sympathy from the Yamaha moderator: "New keyboard, new workflow. Embrace it, you'll enjoy configuring your new setup. Or stay with your old. Your choice :)"

Ouch!!!

Same in this thread - no sympathy: https://yamahasynth.com/index.php?option=com_easydiscuss&view=post&id=5154&Itemid=851#reply-5237

It seems to me that it would make sense for Yamaha to somehow provide upwards compatibility to bring the large Motif community fast forward to the new platform but apparently not. I have manually re-programmed performances from Motif on Montage so got some training that way 🙂

Maybe John Melas will provide a tool for this? (Just speculating)

If you have used more than one version of the Motif in the past, you'll already know that support for transferring performances and sequences has not been supported between older and newer versions. Voices, yes; samples, yes.

No reason to expect Montage to be any different.

Hi Brian,

I often use a hired XF when performing away from home. All my Motif XS settings transfer perfectly.
(I don't use any sequencing so I can't speak to that.)

So yes, I would expect some backward compatability.

Thanks Brian, I was not aware - have only used XF.

David,

XS to XF is a special case because the basic architecture is the same except for the sample RAM/flash.

For Classic -> ES or ES -> XS/XF only voices, waveforms and sample voices may be loaded...no performances or sequences.

Montage is not a Motif, the Performance mode is totally different.

Montage is not a Motif, the Performance mode is totally different.

Brian gets it! Thank you Brian. 🙂

Hi Bad Mister,

Are you saying that it is impossible for a computer program to extract the necessary data from XF settings and convert this into Montage performances?

I will be doing this laborious task manually. I imagine many other Motif users will be forced to do the same. But a computer could not accomplish this?

A user names Jan seems to think this is possible and offers to write such software:
https://yamahasynth.com/index.php?option=com_easydiscuss&view=post&id=5154&Itemid=851#reply-5237

Or perhaps I just don't "get it" ...

Yes, sure you can replicate the Motif's Performances, but takes time and its a pain in the A**

I have been using my XF8 for over 3 years and as I play mostly solo and duo Jazz gigs having performances with drums, bass keys and a pad is a must. I have spent hundreds of hours customizing XF performances and using "Master Mode" (As A Montage Live Set Equivalent) so that I am able to call up what I need almost instantly.

After spending a couple of hours playing a Montage at a local store I don't seem find anything like the performances I could use already on board. With all the talk about why currently XF performances can't be ported over the fact remains if i can't mine into a Montage somehow, I will be unable to play a gig with the new board.

So first off is there any plan/way/method of re-creating my custom performances on a Montage, I don't mean is it theoretically possible how do you actually do it? If I trade in my XF8 to get the Montage then I all I have is a USB stick with the data file of my old XF. I do have the John Melas "XF Performance Editor" would that be of any use in performing the Montage re-programing task?

I really want to upgrade to Montage but absent a practical solution to this problem I am at a standstill. Surely I am not the only one with this issue.

Your response will be greatly appreciated.

Tommy G

Look this way...Yamaha almost finish the DX 7 patches compatibility with a synth created 36 years ago, but they won't make a fully compatible machine with a synth that including all the raw waveforms as the Motif? seriously ?...ahhh new technology ! the illumminatis said , so wtf ?... the FM is doing inside the Montage ? I'll wait, thanks Yamaha....

I have been using my XF8 for over 3 years and as I play mostly solo and duo Jazz gigs having performances with drums, bass keys and a pad is a must. I have spent hundreds of hours customizing XF performances and using "Master Mode" (As A Montage Live Set Equivalent) so that I am able to call up what I need almost instantly.

After spending a couple of hours playing a Montage at a local store I don't seem find anything like the performances I could use already on board. With all the talk about why currently XF performances can't be ported over the fact remains if i can't mine into a Montage somehow, I will be unable to play a gig with the new board.

So first off is there any plan/way/method of re-creating my custom performances on a Montage, I don't mean is it theoretically possible how do you actually do it? If I trade in my XF8 to get the Montage then I all I have is a USB stick with the data file of my old XF. I do have the John Melas "XF Performance Editor" would that be of any use in performing the Montage re-programing task?

I really want to upgrade to Montage but absent a practical solution to this problem I am at a standstill. Surely I am not the only one with this issue.

Your response will be greatly appreciated.

Tommy G

@ Tom

I have been using my XF8 for over 3 years and as I play mostly solo and duo Jazz gigs having performances with drums, bass keys and a pad is a must. I have spent hundreds of hours customizing XF performances and using "Master Mode" (As A Montage Live Set Equivalent) so that I am able to call up what I need almost instantly.

After spending a couple of hours playing a Montage at a local store I don't seem find anything like the performances I could use already on board. With all the talk about why currently XF performances can't be ported over the fact remains if i can't mine into a Montage somehow, I will be unable to play a gig with the new board.

Not having spent hundreds of hours customizing Montage, naturally, you are not familiar with how, or even if, Montage will serve your need. Probably a very similar situation to when you first met the Motif XF... I going to take a guess. Whether or not Montage will be the keyboard for you is your decision. But to base it on it not being able to play the data from your 3 years with XF8, is not a really solid enough reason to opt out. You may (likely will) discover new ways to do things with Montage. That would be a good reason to purchase Montage - something new, something different.. if you need to do exactly the same thing as previous, you should keep the XF... it does exactly what you need, instantly.

So first off is there any plan/way/method of re-creating my custom performances on a Montage, I don't mean is it theoretically possible how do you actually do it? If I trade in my XF8 to get the Montage then I all I have is a USB stick with the data file of my old XF. I do have the John Melas "XF Performance Editor" would that be of any use in performing the Montage re-programing task?

Currently, I have not heard of any plan on making the PERFORMANCES from Motif XF readable by the Montage. Performances are mostly just pointers to locations and offsets applied to stored VOICES. The Montage has no VOICES _ this is the theory that prevents it from just happening automatically. As I mentioned, I went through the process so that I fully understand what someone must go through, but none of that is helpful for you.

@ David: I have much sympathy, David, but I'm here not just to deliver good news, if there is a way, I would find it for you. If not, what would you have me do? (rhetorical)

The Melas PERFORMANCE Editor would be useful as record of what your custom Performances look like, but unfortunately you cannot open the data without having an XF present for the Editor to communicate with. So actually, it is not of any help once you no longer have an XF... because I believe you need to *connect* in order to work with the PERFORMANCE EDITOR... if all you have is a USB stick with your data: The Montage can import only VOICES, ARPEGGIOS and WAVEFORMS.

@ Axel, Sorry this is difficult for you to understand, but if it were a simple thing it would already be happening. It is not. That said, I cannot be sure that some one is not hard at work making some thing that will translate this data. We just had several of our team return from the home office, we'll have to standby for news.