I would like to be able to control the Virtual Instruments from the Motif so I need MIDI = Firewire. Now I also want to be able to layer or switch to a Tyros voice.while playing/recording but if MIDI=Firewire I thought that would not work. However it appears that one Firewire MIDI port returns the MIDI sent from the Motif to the IMac back to the Motif MIDI Out.Am I correct in that assumption? Do I have to do anything to make that happen?

Yes. When the Motif XF is set so MIDI IN/OUT = FW, the 5-pin jacks become a MIDI interface for your external synthesizer (Tyros 3). When you play on the Tyros 3, its MIDI data will pass through the Motif XF and on to the computer via FW as (the "Motif XF MIDI In" ) and anything you route from the computer software on the PORT = "Motif XF MIDI Out" will pass through the Motif XF and arrive at your Tyros 3 (because it will be connected to the 5-pin MIDI OUT jack on the XF back panel).

So although the Motif XF sends its MIDI information to and receives MIDI information from the computer via FW; the PORT is identified as the "Motif XF Main", the external device communicates to and from the computer on the PORT identified as "Motif XF MIDI In/Out". And because you could work with LOCAL CONTROL = OFF on both keyboards, you can easily route the data so either keyboard can act as the "master" and either keyboard can act as the "slave". All of that routing is done on the computer with SOFTWARE (and this is very important as you don't mention any specific software... however, it is very important. Computers are not built to do music - remember it is the software and the proper drivers that allow the computer to do anything!!!) So when you ask do you need something to make this happen? Yes, Software. A DAW software like Cubase AI, for example, can re-route MIDI signal for you.

And because you have very unique attributes in the XF and in the Tyros 3 you might at times opt to work one or both with Local Control On - it will really depend on what you are attempting to do at the time. Arpeggios can be triggered either by the keys of the XF or IN via MIDI. However, you may run into a situation that things like SPLIT POINTS (or regions you setup, my not apply via MIDI) - I can think of some scenarios where you will want to have LOCAL CONTROL = ON ... particularly when controlling the content (be it STYLES of your Tyros 3 or the multiple ARPEGGIATORS of the XF). Your mileage will vary depending on what you are doing at the time.

Also I believe that in this scenario I have to disconnect the Motif keyboard from it's sound block if not the returning MIDI from the IMAC will sound the voice again. Am I correct here?

If by this you are referring to LOCAL CONTROL = OFF, then yes. You will work with LOCAL CONTROL = OFF on both the Motif XF and the Tyros, this way you can determine which keyboard is triggering what sound engine by how you setup the routing. In your typical DAW, the currently active TRACK (or TRACKS) would determine what keyboards are acting as the Controller and which tone engine (be it hardware or a VSTi) is responsible for responding.

If, for example, the MIDI IN on a Track was set to come from the Motif XF and the MIDI OUT of that track was set to "Motif XF Main" then playing the keys of the Motif XF would trigger the Motif XF tone engine. The MIDI channel setting of the track would determine which of the 16 PARTS of the Motif XF would respond.

If, in another example, the MIDI IN on a Track was set to come Motif XF and the MIDI OUT of that track was set to "Motif XF MIDI OUT" then playing the keys of the Motif XF would trigger the Tyros 3 Tone engine. The MIDI Channel setting of the track would determine which of the 16 PARTS of the Tyros 3 would respond.

In another scenario, you could setup so that both the MIDI IN of the Motif XF and the Tyros 3 was available ("In ALL INPUTS" ), then playing the keys of either keyboard would trigger whatever you set as the MIDI OUT - this could be the Motif XF, the Tyros 3 or any VSTi that you might happen to launch.

We, again, do not know what "Software" you intend to use. Since you say you don't record to the computer (but to some external device) DAW software may not be the "Software" you have in mind. You should definitely know that what you intend to use is capable of what you envision doing. DAW software is probably going to be optimized for RECORDING - you are wishing to setup a "live" performing situation - so you may wish to have some sophisticated method of creating ZONES and regions. Your Motif XF has extensive ability in this area (with its eight Zone Master mode).

Bad Mister:

Thank you for the detailed response. It was very helpful. I know I am somewhat of an anomaly in that I do not Sequence or doing anything by Tracks. I play and record directly to a two track (stereo) digital recorder. I select Performance Arp Variations and Tyros voices as I play. So a Sequencer such as Cubase is not required and so I plan to use VI software in Standalone Mode. As for which software I plan to use:

East West Hollywood Strings, Hollywood Brass.
Synthogy Ivory Pianos
Garritan Instant Orchestra and others

All would be used standalone and not as a plug in to a Sequencer.

Since I play everything from the Motif and want that to be the Master I believe i can leave the Tyros local control = On. MDI Out on the Tyros is not connected to the Motif MIDI In.

So does it then come down to setting a parameter in the VI standalone software to send MIDI out to the Motif and once it does that same MIDI will be present at the Motif MIDI OUT and the Tyros? Or do I set the MIDI direction in the Firewire Driver Software? i guess that's where my question still remains as it looks like the scenario I want will work.

So does it then come down to setting a parameter in the VI standalone software to send MIDI out to the Motif and once it does that same MIDI will be present at the Motif MIDI OUT and the Tyros? Or do I set the MIDI direction in the Firewire Driver Software?

There are no settings for MIDI direction in the FW Driver. It simply facilitates MIDI and AUDIO to and from the computer. Directing it to where you need it to go is function of the SOFTWARE that you are going to use.

The ASIO "Driver" is different from "Software". Sorry I don't know the standalone capabilities of the software items you mentioned. That is where you need to do your research. It will be critical for your routing needs.

Thanks Again. I will check with those vendors.