Michael Trigoboff wrote:

Is there a way to grab just the favorites settings from an "all" file?

I cleaned up IIAF (got rid of duplicate waveforms, did a few other things), and would now like to transfer the favorites settings from a different "all" file into this new setup.

We are unclear on what you are referring to when you say "favorite settings" - UTILITY settings?, PERFORMANCE settings?, VOICE settings?

Also I guess it would depend on how you "cleaned up" your data. If you cleaned up so thoroughly that you eliminated your "favorite settings", you may or may not be able to recover them. What does "cleaned up" mean beyond getting rid of duplicate waveforms?

Sorry for the lack of clarity on my part.

I'm talking about how a particular Voice or Performance can be specified as a “favorite.”

I “cleaned up” IIAF by removing duplicate waveforms and restoring a missing Performance that exists in the factory settings but is a blank slot in the IIAF download. I also got rid of the vocal waveform in the USR bank (YTS_05.wav).

What I’m hoping I can do now is somehow transfer my Voice/Performance “favorite” settings to my new “cleaned up” IIAF, where “somehow” means something easier than writing them down and re-entering them by hand.

I looked into where the "favorite" settings might be stored in an 'All' file. This is complicated by the fact that, for instance, preset Voices can be designated as favorites.

I'm kind of stumped here. Hoping for something better than doing it by hand…

Yes, Preset Voices that are marked as Favorites are written to the File. I don't see how the User Favorites could possibly be transferred given the transient nature/location of User Voices. Besides you have created new User Voices by loading a new Library.

In theory, Preset Favorites can be restored from an ALL data file by the Yamaha Motif XF Editor.
Open the FILE using the Editor
Use the BULK > DATA SYNC
Set the dialog box so you are Transmitting just Preset Favorites to your current internal.

I say in theory, because I've never had call to restore just my Favorites, and have not done this myself. Not even quite sure how you can lose track of your Favorites... But anyway open the .X3A File withe the Editor and try Bulking just the Favorites to your XF.

If you are trying to move the User Voice Favorites from one File to another, sorry, I'm not sure where that information is kept, or how it could be retrieved.

Let us know.

If you have to write it down, perhaps it's not such a Favorite 🙂

Not even quite sure how you can lose track of your Favorites...

For the last month I've been figuring out how to manage my life on the XF in an organized and competent way.

Previously, when I wanted to set up a new Voice or Performance, I would hunt around until I found something I really didn't like and use that slot for the new thing I wanted to create. This left my stuff scattered around the XF in a random way that was hard to keep track of. That little motif2text printing app I created was my first attempt to try to stay on top of things.

Recently, taking advantage of my current level of knowledge, I decided to start from scratch with a factory reset, load IIAF into USR2 - USR4 and FL1, clean it all up (remove duplicate waveforms, restore missing Performance, etc), and save this as an "All" file which I could use whenever I wanted to start a new project. This all went well, except that it does not include my Favorites.

I didn't actually lose track of my Favorites, I have them in the many "All" backup files I've created, typically a couple of times per week (decades of work as a software developer has made me paranoid like you wouldn't believe about losing my work - I not only back things up, I make sure that my backups are stored in a separate building, far away from my house).

I was just hoping there would be an easy way to extract my Favorites from the latest backup file and apply them to my new project starter file.

I will try the XF Editor technique you described.

And, thanks again…

I see now the "bigger picture" of what you are doing. I have not delved into messing with the file structure - although I tip my hat to you (and all others) who can delve into file structure and then write an app to print out stuff... very cool!

What I do is much more on the surface - I'm a practical, take-the-easiest-route-to-the-goal kind of person. Once I discovered that any VOICE that I really liked and decide I would like to have access to (like as a "Favorite"), I could SAVE as VST PRESET in Cubase. This allows me to find it, easily, whenever I needed it. And the kicker is: you have access to it whether or not it is actually currently loaded in the internal Motif XF.

Because I have organized my FLASH BOARDS with only Waveform data I actually believe I will, at some point, use... I can keep all my VOICE data (Favorites) available for recall, whether or not they are loaded into the XF at the time.

Here's what I mean: My Motif XF has two Flash Boards... I picked the Waveform data I like from a half dozen different Libraries; the IIAF Library, the pianos from the CP1 and Ultimate Piano Collection library, the Chick Corea Mark V Rhodes, etc., etc. etc. When I need a Voice from any of these various Libraries all I need to do is recall it from the Cubase SOUND BROWSER.

This workflow works for those working with in the DAW/computer-based environment. If you are gigging then you need to limit yourself to the Favorite Category on-board the XF itself. But if you working with Cubase - the Sound Browser is the best tool in the toolkit for organizing your personal "favorites". They are not called Favorites but you choose what goes in the SOUND BROWSER so they can be "your favorites".

The SOUND BROWSER is automatically populated with every Preset Voice and Drum Kit when you install the Editor. You select what ever else goes into the SOUND BROWSER. This makes available every Voice you deem 'special' - easily found by Category, SubCategory and your own ranking system, if you so desire... it just makes the most sense.

I've already posted several articles on getting into and using the Cubase SOUND BROWSER for storing individual Voices, entire libraries, and even for creating a new DEFAULT MIX - I think if you are working in the computer-based environment, you will find it much more compelling than what you are are trying to do (moving Favorites from one file to another file)... Since the SOUND BROWSER will keep any and all of your VOICES organized - it's a no-brainer.

My suggestion:
Learn to "SAVE AS VST PRESET"... Anytime you create a new Voice, a new tweak or find a USER VOICE that you want to mark as FAVORITE... simply SAVE AS VST PRESET.

Then no matter when you need that particular VOICE you can recall it. The SOUND BROWSER will bulk the data directly to your XF's Voice Edit Buffer - where you can audition it, and then STORE it to an internal location. It does not matter if it uses the FLASH BOARD - the Voice data will be bulked in about 2-3 seconds from your computer to the XF. The VOICE data (of course) "knows" where to find the WAVEFORM data so there is no waiting for anything to load, no FILEs to search through for different VOICES. It is too smooth for school...

Once you move it to the current EDIT BUFFER you can STORE it the internal USER BANK and use it your Project. Rather than searching through various USB sticks for individual Files and then searching the individual Files for a single VOICE - you can have all those VOICES you deem as your personal Favs, available a few clicks away! I think you will find it compelling (again, if you are working in computer).

Adding VOICE Libraries to Cubase as VST Presets

I just tried what you suggested with the XF Editor data sync.

Here's what it looked like right before I clicked Start:

The progress bar went right across, no problem, but I didn't end up with any Preset Favorites on my XF.

Was there some other setting that I missed somehow?

I got the same thing! The Manual clearly states that this should transmit/receive the Favorites-related setting of the Preset Voice(s). I will have to make inquiries. But as I mentioned I don't use this function much, after discovering the Sound Browser - I find it a superior way to manage my oft used Voices and I'm not limited by the internal USER locations. Again, every Voice I own is just a click away. I must have accumulated a dozen small USB sticks, I have installed every Voice I think I might ever use in the Sound Browser, so they are all one quick click away.

Sound Browser is ideal for storing your Favorites... It bulks the data (literally 2 seconds) to the XF Edit Buffer... Where you can quickly STORE whenever you need it for a Project.