1. When I recorded, I did have a resulting .wav file on the stick. The recorded performance is there, but it appears to be only (4) measures (I think). I think I am missing a step or I need to alter a setting, but I'm not sure. The recording session on the XF only appeared to stop after I pushed the ENTER button, at which point it appeared to stop. I know I can record to the internal sampler either as a song or pattern and I have set-up options when I do that, but I don''t seem to have the same set-up options when I try to record directly to USB. It would be great to learn the proper procedure for doing that!

The direct to USB drive AUDIO RECORD feature not only records audio from the 16 PARTS of the Motif XF internal tone engine, and the A/D INPUT PART but any audio returning from your favorite DAW software via FW.

So those working with audio tracks, VSTi, etc., in a DAW can route those from their DAW to the Motif XF via the mixer’s FW input.
The result is 16-bit/44.1kHz .WAV file written direct to the USB drive.

On the Motif XF SONG MIXING mode’s mixer:
Press [F1] to view the PART 1-16 channels for the internal tone engine;
Press [F2] AUDIO to view the AD INPUT PART and the FW channel.
The AD INPUT is, of course, a mono/stereo input allowing you to connect line or mic level signals to the Motif XF, the FW channel is one of the three stereo audio returns from your DAW. So this too can be recorded simultaneously to a USB drive connected to the Motif XF’s TO DEVICE Port.

How you use this feature is up to you. You can record yourself simply playing the XF keys, or you can be playing and singing into a microphone. You can setup to playback a Motif XF Song, with you playing along with the tracks.

Basically, you setup exactly what you want to do, in advance of launching the Audio Rec feature.
Set the Song sequence so it’s ready to go… then go to [FILE] > [F4] Audio > make sure a USB stick or drive is connected to the TO DEVICE port > [SF1] Rec

If you are playing back an XF SONG, set the Record Trigger to a Value of 1… this way as soon as level passes “1” the recording will begin.
You arm the Trigger, by press [ENTER] the screen changes from “Standby” to “Waiting”…
_then press [PLAY] on the transport. The level passes “1” recording begins. Screen says “Recording”

The audio recording maxes out at 74 minutes (provided there is room on your drive) It will count down the remaining record time. You stop recording by press [ENTER] again.

Your .wav file will appear on your USB Drive.

2. In Performance Mode I selected FILE, then AUDIO, then REC and there i can set the trigger to "manual" or a value between 1 and 127. I do not see an option for length of recording. Nor do I seem to have the option to select among the 5 different ARP's available in the performance. Is there a method for accessing these options?

You must first record yourself playing the Performance to an XF SONG > then you can playback the Song to the USB Audio Record feature.

In order to have the front panel free to select Arpeggio 1-5, the method to document from Performance Mode is as follows:
From [PERFORM] Mode:
Press [RECORD] to activate “Direct Performance Record”
Select a blank SONG in the XF Sequencer.
You will record yourself playing the Performance for as long as you desire… including full access to your Arp1-5 buttons, etc.

When you are finished, move to SONG mode. Direct Performance Record will have accurately documented your playing, it will have copied the four Parts to the SONG MIXING, reunited the data with the appropriate Parts.

You can playback your entire Performance Recording. Now that it is complete as a Song, you can transfer it to USB drive…
Press [FILE]
Press [F4] AUDIO
Press [SF1] REC - “Standby”
Set the Trigger = “1”
Press [ENTER] to arm the Audio recorder - “Waiting”
Press [PLAY] on the Song Sequencer to transfer your data to USB as Audio.
The data will be recorded as Audio to your connected USB drive. 74 Minutes maximum (depending on room on the drive).

The third question I have is related to how I can best (I know that's relative) use the Motif XF within Cubase as an instrument. I have set it up as an instrument in Cubase and think I have set the audio and MIDI routing correctly, but I'm not sure about that. I know this may not be the place for questions about Cubase, but if someone can help with regard to how I should set-up the XF within Cubase, that would be a big help. I think it is correct to select "All MIDI Inputs" for the input, and then Motif XF as the output. I have tried to use it as an instrument, capturing both Audio and MIDI but for some reason I don't seem to be capturing Arpeggios correctly. I have a seen a video from Yamaha showing a performance recording using one MIDI track. There is also a video floating around about how one can record a Montage performance in Cubase by creating multiple MIDI tracks. Do I need to create both Audio tracks and MIDI tracks? What is a good method for doing this with the Motif XF?

The third question, as you know, is not a “how’s the soup?” question… there are so many different ways to proceed — the ‘best’ way is the one that delivers the data in a format most useful for what you need to accomplish.

You ask about setting up Motif XF “as an instrument in Cubase” — instrument in small letters or are you referring to setting the Motif XF as a Cubase Instrument (capital letters) changes the meaning of the question entirely.

There are INSTRUMENT Tracks in Cubase, which differ from MIDI Tracks in Cubase.
So before we delve into this any further what do you mean…? And what do you wish to accomplish (for your ‘best’ way)?

INSTRUMENTs are single entities - treating the Motif XF as one instrument.
MIDI Tracks are for multi-timbral, multi MIDI-Channeled devices where the XF might be doing 16 instruments, simultaneously.

The workflow you choose will depend on your ultimate goal: that is, what you are trying to accomplish.
It is not always necessary to record separate MIDI Tracks where you are using XF for multiple sounds simultaneously.

You may hate MIDI editing, and would rather redo (re-record) a track than sit there tweaking events, etc.
Some people live for this, for others it’s torture. I don’t judge (lol).

You might setup so each pass when recording and overdubbing is using the XF as a separate entity… like Les Paul (father of multi-tracking) he simply used his guitar (as a full instrument) for each pass. Straight Audio recording…

Since FW and the 16-audio bus outputs are available, you might combine workflows into one where you record MIDI data (to an Instrument Track) and then render audio tracks before proceeding to the next Track. (Best of both worlds). If you render audio from each pass (overdub) you can keep the MIDI data in folder, muted, and playback the rendered audio… this frees up your entire XF (Instrument) for the next pass. Meanwhile, if later you discover there is something you need to fix, you can trash the temporary audio track, unmute the MIDI data, fix or repair the data, then render new audio.

Extra Credit:
There are weekly Club Cubase ”Live Stream” Sessions, and Club Cubase “Hangouts” ... on YouTube with the great Greg Ondo… you can ask questions about Cubase, general workflow ideas, etc. concerning the software. Of course, the version of Cubase you have will impact the functions available to you… in general Cubase Pro is the serious Music Production tool — if you have 16 audio bus outputs via FW Cubase Pro is the ideal most flexible version.

Thanks as always Bad Mister. Your knowledge regarding the Yamaha products you represent never ceases to amaze me. I hope the Yamaha folks know what they have in you!

On the Motif XF SONG MIXING mode’s mixer...

I had a feeling I needed to go to one of the SONG modes, and now I know to go to SONG MIXING. Of course the Yamaha Engineers thought about this and of course there is a logic to it. Can't wait to try it! I had a musical idea in my head and I wanted to get it down quickly to send to someone, so I thought I would record directly to USB. But I know now that I wasn't properly set-up for it. I suppose it would have been just as easy to record my performance to a SONG, and quite possibly preferable. Then I can transfer to USB or could even IMPORT that SONG into Cubase. And it's so easy to work (play?) directly on the Motif XF.

You must first record yourself playing the Performance to an XF SONG > then you can playback the Song to the USB Audio Record feature.

OK, so that makes sense to me. I don't think it can get much more straightforward than that. Record to SONG, then transfer to USB. The entire performance is captured, including any performance modulation, changes in Arpeggios, etc. And then I can enjoy hearing the song I just created while playing it back and simultaneously recording it to USB! Great.

The third question, as you know, is not a “how’s the soup?” question… there are so many different ways to proceed

Speaking of soup, I knew I was asking a nearly impossible question and I know it's hard to answer. Sorry if the question is too vague and far-reaching. I probably need to think more carefully about exactly what I want to achieve whilst recording my Motif XF into Cubase. I'm sure the tact that there is no easy answer is a very good thing, as it means there are many possibilities. So as a start, I'll give you a couple of scenarios that come to mind. Let's say I want to record a performance along with any arpeggios associated with it. Do I need to set-up both a MIDI track and AUDIO track in order to capture the complete performance? Or do I want to consider using an INSTRUMENT track? Or let's say I want to use one my Motif XF's Chick Corea Mark V voices in one of my Cubase sessions. If I only want to capture audio, would I create an AUDIO track? If I want the option to edit MIDI events, should it then be a MIDI track or an INSTRUMENT track? I know that this forum is really not the place for Cubase questions, so I will very seriously consider joining Club Cubase to ask Greg Ondo questions that are specific to Cubase. But if you have some quick suggestions or general guidelines for different ways I can use my Motif XF, I would be happy to know what I can do and then I can do further research. In general, I would say I'm not too interested in spending hours upon hours editing MIDI notes in Cubase, but I could see that being useful for editing drum events, for example. I am happy to read my product manuals, but sometimes it's hard to know where to look. It would be fair to say that I still have much to learn about Cubase. By the way, 'm using Cubase 10 Pro.

Best Regards,