Is the Vintage Keys sound library that is available at Yamaha MusicSoft compatible with Montage?

It will depend on which version you get. The answer is Yes, if you get the MOXF, Motif XS or Motif XF version of the data file. In general, the MONTAGE can convert files for these products. (There are a few promotional Library banks that have data that does not convert), but no issues with Vintage Keys at all.

"Vintage Keys" is a Voice Library by DCP (David Polich - long time master programmer who has programmed factory Presets for many of the world's most popular synthesizers, including the Motif, MONTAGE)

On a personal note those sounds, in VintageKeys, along with several other DCP libraries occupy one my eight Library slots (I assembled 5 sets of 128 DCP sounds into my MONTAGE User Bank and then I created a .X7L file with the DCP Libraries, which I then installed to my MONTAGE) - I find them a useful permanent reference bank whenever I need just the right sound when tracking. So many classic sounds are nailed! They are all available whenever I need them - I simply go to Category Search and outline what I'm looking for...

If you have a favorite Library Bank from a previous instrument - you can assemble them and have your MONTAGE convert them. Then you can use them as great starting points for building your own custom versions - with all of the new features, effects and Motion Control options now available. Modernizing and MONTAGifying the classic data!

May I ask you which Motif libraries from DCP you have successfully loaded into Montage? I have bought some for MOXF (X6_ format) and have lot of problems with tuning of samples:

DCP Complete Orchestra (from 256 sounds 75 have problem)
DCP Orchestral Strings (banks A to D are the same as previous pack, from 64 sounds 41 have problem, from 16 sounds in bank E 8 have problem)
DCP Brass (banks A to D are the same like E to H in Complete Orchestra, from 128 sounds 50 have problem, bank E is the same like bank E in Complete Orchestra USER4, all 16 sounds are OK)
DCP Majestic Pipes (2 sounds from 64 have very small problem)
DCP Renaissance/Folk Instruments (12 sounds from 64 have problem)

Also these libraries I bought have problems:
Bolder Sounds Crystal Voices (22 sounds from 64 have problem)
DSF Symphonic Strings (no sounds at all, only names are to see after loading)
DSF World Xpedition (no sounds at all, only names are to see after loading)

So there’s a lot of problems, and both DSF packs even don’t work at all. I have the latest version of OS, and I’m not aware of any mistake in Montage setting I could do. Only two packs from 10 I have purchased are without problems (one of them is Montage native).

I have bought all this in good trust that it will work in Montage, and this trust was based on the information about the compatibility available from Yamaha. But unfortunately they are not compatible. This fact was not written in detailed info about sound packs - just few days ago after my complain it appeared there at least in some of them.

Another problem I see now after checking all packs and their contents - Orchestral Strings and Brass packs contain the same sounds included in Complete Orchestra pack. Because the lists of contents are missing in detailed info about packs, there’s no chance to compare what’s inside and decide properly what to buy.
In the hope there’s something more I bought all three libraries, which was quite disappointing - now I have doubled sound sets, and what more - almost unusable because these focused packs have the same problems as Complete Orchestra pack. If I would have this information, I wouldn’t buy these two sets.

I have contacted Mr. Polich who informed me that he knows well about this incompatibility and will work on native Montage version. Why he didn't stop selling them at YamahaMusicSoft without warning to all potential Montage owners is out of my grasp.

At least he forwarded my mail to YamahaMusicSoft, they try to help and sent me X3_ versions, but the result was the same...

Daniel Forro

I have a MO8 and want to upgrade to the MODX, its time. I use the vintage keys library extensively on the MO8. Would a possible course of action be: 1. Purchase the Vintage Keys for a MOXF. 2. load it onto a USB drive. 3. Plug it into the MODX 4. Find the load and convert menu, or maybe someone knows that procedure? Of course this all assumes the MODX will convert like the Montage? Thanks.

Great article "Migrating MOXF to MODX Architecture" by the way.

Relating to this thread however, I want to understand that as long as I get a compatible (MOXF) Vintage Keys Library, I can directly convert them into a MODX, i.e. without the need for a MOXF keyboard as part of the process, correct?

Also, when you say "assemble" that means save what you like from a (MOFX) onto a USB, right?

Trying not to assume, thanks.

I don't know what compatibility issues the Vintage Keys library has or does not have. But in the general case, there are situations where owning a MOXF won't help you bridge the compatibility gap.

If samples are encoded in formats MODX doesn't support (LPC, WXC, or use of 8-bit data width) then having a MOXF won't help. Having the latest file format for Motif XF or MOXF won't help either. The encoding doesn't get touched when it passes through a MOXF and repackaged. And latest XF format files can have incompatible encodings.

The only way to fix this kind of problem is either to have the content provider issue updates that use different encoding for the samples used in Waveforms or to use a compatible keyboard (such as MOXF) and sample the MOXF to create new samples using something like SampleRobot or some other more painful method.

There are no tools I am aware of that are provided to customers to convert these files to something more compatible. This would present a problem with Yamaha's position on intellectual property, copy protection, etc.

Let me restate - I don't know that the Vintage Keys library has this problem or not.

Relating to this thread however, I want to understand that as long as I get a compatible (MOXF) Vintage Keys Library, I can directly convert them into a MODX, i.e. without the need for a MOXF keyboard as part of the process, correct?

The MOXF or Motif XF DCP Vintage Keys Library will load just fine into the MODX and/or MONTAGE.

I have stated here, the Vintage Keys Library, along with several other of Dave Polich Libraries have found a permanent home in my MONTAGE. The 128 Programs of “Vintage Keys” does not use any custom samples, they make use of the 6,347 resident Waveform built into the MODX/MONTAGE Wave ROM.

Dave has done a brilliant job in recreating the feel and timbre of each instrument, many times nailing it as it was used on certain signature songs... this makes it an invaluable resource library. Having several Oberheim Waveform in the synthesizer Wave ROM is one thing, but what Dave has done is fashion the specific timbre and spirit of the Oberheim on say, Prince’s “1999”, or Van Halen’s “Jump”. Sure there are lots of classic instrument waveforms in the ROM, Dave captures the feel and timbre of the instrument as used on certain classic recordings.

This, as I’m sure you are aware, make it such a great resource. Since there are no Lo-Fi or low resolution samples used, it loads just fine. You can ignore any worries raised in the previous post — he obviously doesn’t own it. No tools are necessary to convert the MOXF version of “DCP Vintage Keys”...

Dave has said he’s working on updating some of the Libraries (after all the MODX/MONTAGE over so much more in the way of processing power and nuance...