When a function is introduced for Port 2 you can be sure you will hear about it here!

Understood, is there another way besides this forum to be heard about adding this feature. Based on you statement that function may or may not be a DAW remote. Just hoping that as Montage owners could have some type influence in YAMAHA decision if there is to be in regard to a possible added feature or function.

In the mean-time, most DAWs support remote controls using non-dedicated transport controls like mapping keys (notes) to certain functions.

Other lines of communication:

1) http://usa.yamaha.com/support/contact/
2) Social media:
a) Retailer reviews (wherever you purchased your synth, leaving a review)
b) Facebook/Twitter and all the others - long list of possible avenues for feedback

I can say that when you look at terms like "yet" or other hints that something may be coming - generally Yamaha has been doing a reasonable job of updating features in Montage.

Unlike some other requests - this one has garnered a fairly wide audience in the request department. So it's very likely that the message has already been delivered and influence has already been accomplished.

I hope your right Jason

Well with My imagination opening port 2 as a remote opens the doors to better DAW integration particularly with Cubase where as The predecessors to the Montage included like the Motif VST3 Editors various DAW templates also may include better zoning or better zoning controls , better control of the faders and rotary knobs. Voice editors, Performance editors, Stand Alone Editors. Integration with iOS Devices.

It seems YAMAHA had a plan all along for them to reserve MIDI port 2 (un-utilize) being that they wanted people to learn of the Montage new robust features first, plus to see if there is a demand for DAW integration via remote plus the bells and whistles that go along with it.

They calling the Montage a Flagship Synth, the Motif was also a Flagship Synth the with exception the Montage to me was or is maimed because they did not implement the feature or function (remote) the Motif had but of course there must be a method to Yamaha madness to develop the Montage in stages or progressions based on consumers needs or wants. They might in use it for a full feature with Sampling or both Sampling and remote. Who Knows.

FYI - 3rd party support has, in the past, employed transport controls for creative use. The Motif version of Karma is one example - and you can read Stephen Kay's feedback about the limitations of Montage (including lack of transport controls) which makes "porting" Karma to Montage a non-starter.

Remote control settings on XF:

Rewind To Beginning, Rewind (or fast/slow rewind for one DAW) (or shift+rewind = set position to start or depending), Fast Forward (or fast/slow forward for one DAW) (or shift+fast forward = set position to end), stop, play, record, data dial and DEC/NO INC/YES buttons for moving the current position of song playback, and ... well, there's 9 pages to go through:

http://download.yamaha.com/api/asset/file/?language=ja&site=jp.yamaha.com&asset_id=17534

Pages 145-153.

... there's slightly different docs depending on the DAW software used.

The task of getting transport controls to work on Montage was made a bit more difficult by Montage removing some buttons in order to streamline the interface. Therefore, now there are not the same buttons available to just "port" over the previous solution. They may be working out how to either get multiple keys pressed to represent one button - or leverage the touchscreen. Leveraging the touchscreen takes a little more work since they have have to "build" the GUI templates and go through a few more steps.

Not sure I really want to get creative with Port 2 - since I value continuity, legacy, etc. I wouldn't want to tear down something just to build something new even if it's great. I'd rather extend functionality rather than replace.

If I had an imaginary Port 4 I could do anything with, I'd want it to be able to transfer data for

a) Upgrades using USB cable connected to laptop instead of USB stick. The reason would be there would be some software that would use imaginary port 4 to see my Montage isn't updated to the latest version and could Auto update if that's what policy I set - or prompted - or manual. And in all cases (manual, prompted, automatic) - the PC based software (upgrade utility) would make a backup of my Montage saving an X7A file. PreFWUpdate_20170327_2333.X7A (2333 = 24 hr time, HHMM). The backup would save on my PC and transfer between Montage and the PC would be over the USB 2.0 cable on the imaginary port.

b) New free software would allow for me to sample using a USB/firewire/PCI attached sound card (including Montage as a soundcard) and would allow for me to generate Montage-custom waveforms which would use imaginary Port 4 to feed waveforms back to Montage and store as user waveforms. Or could be transferred back to Montage as single user performances (with waveforms included) without having to do any shuffling - at least from a user perspective. Maybe behind the scenes there is shuffling, but it appears transparent in usage. Imaginary port 4 could also be used to transfer user waveforms from user performances or libraries (user generated) so I could one-at-time edit a user-area performance or library-stored performance

c) Imaginary port 4 would allow for computer editing of user curves, microtunings, user arps, etc. For arps, the free software on the computer which allows for this would allow to use the newer Montage arp types such as the "Z" series fixed, yet progressive ARPs - and other types.

... I could go on, but basically imaginary port 4 would be something magical that realizes my personal wishlist. Not sure that's going to get very far.