We would need more information to answer definitively. What type of laptop? What type of 'simple' USB.

I have a Motif XF running on a new MacBookPro - by adding the appropriate adapters. The Motif XF FW16E starts as a 6-pin FW port - when Macs stopped having FW ports and went to Thunderbolt, I got a 6-pin to 9-pin FW cable and now that the Macs have Thunderbolt3 (USB-C) two adapters are added.

If you have a Macintosh computer you would need a FW Cable that is 6-pin (Motif XF) to 9-pin; an Apple adapter that Thunderbolt-to-FireWire and finally a Thunderbolt to USB3 adapter. And yes it absolutely works.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD464LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter?fnode=8b&fs=f%3Dadapter%26fh%3D4595%252B45b0
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

Thanks for getting back so fast.

I have an acer aspire v5 laptop. 6gb ram, i5, 64bit. windows 8.1.
I dont know what information is relevant so im providing all of it.

The usb port is that flat rectangular type that most laptops have to connect to your printer, keyboard etc.

Hope that helps.

Dave

There is no path (that I know of) from FireWire to a Windows computer that has only old style USB. You would need, minimum, a PCMCIA card slot that supported a FireWire card. If your computer has no way to support FW, there maybe no hope. Check with the computer manufacturer IEEE1394 is the protocol for FireWire. Usually desktop computers have card slots... and some laptops

Oy.
Okay.
Maybe time for a new desktop...

Or since the heyday of FireWire goes the way of SCSI, it might be time to for a ‘new Motif XF’ (maybe you’ve heard... a MONTAGE is like harnessing the power of eight Motif XF’s simultaneously...) it comes with the complete XF sound set built-in plus, and a 32-bus Audio Output with 6 return via USB.

To Bad Mister -

This might be the best place to add an excerpt of a question I posted a couple of days ago on the Motifator / MotifXF subforum...

It's been awhile (embarassed to say 2012!) since I had the opportunity to 'play' with my MotifXF8. But I've now got the time to get back to it.
While at the time I had it connected to a MacBook Pro via the FW16E, I would much prefer to run Windows.
I don't want to get into any Windows-vs-Mac debate. I simply am much more accustomed to using Windows.

I figure I have three options:
- run Windows on the old MacBook Pro
- acquire a new WIndows-based laptop and figure out a way to connect the FW16E to it (Thunderbolt-to-Firewire?)
- abandon the FW16E altogether and just use an external audio interface

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

As you stretch hardware-software to almost a decade, the connectivity is bound to have changed enough to make things less than ideal. The latest computer working with older external hardware with a driver not tested on the operating system you're running.

On a new MacBookPro you can adapt USB-C to Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt to FW... and while it looks strange, it works without issue.
On a new Windows computer your first task is to get FW connected. New Windows Desktop computers come with an awesome array of connectivity. I have not personally tested any substitute to a FW card in an expansion slot. I will need to inquire.

I can tell you that running Windows on a Mac is not a recommended option. I attempted this for a while (dual boot Mac) - the Mac side ran better as a Mac, the Mac trying to be Windows was sometimes problematical when it came to running FW. Ultimately, it was officially listed as not a recommended setup.

I will make some inquiries and see where Window connectivity is currently.

If you are thinking of updating your music hardware, the MONTAGE is the evolution of the Motif XF... and it has the ability to has 32 Bus Outputs via standard USB connectivity. MONTAGE includes all 3,977 XF Waveforms, all 1,354 Voices as Single Part Performances, all 512 Performances as Multi Part Performances, all 7,981 Arps... and tons of new Waveforms, Programs, Arps, and some radically new programming, plus an 8-Operator FM-X Synth Engine with its own 128 Notes of polyphony.

Thanks, Bad Mister, for offering to check on WIndows connectivity. I would greatly appreciate that!
Unfortunately, I'm not currently in a position to purchase the MONTAGE, which would require me to sell the Motif.
While the MONTAGE looks great in its own right, I still really like the Motif, including its workstation features.