great informaton:D

Looks like the major functional improvement this round is that XF expansion sets like Inspiration In A Flash, the "$200" Jamal flash set, and others with compatibility problems will now function without any voices dropping out.

But certainly - the compatibility states now we get Motif XS (and also MO-series) through Motif XF PERFORMANCE compatibility which was never previously converted. That's a big thumbs up to have performances import along with the voices. This saves lots of time when migrating from your previous gear and is probably a welcome addition for those who saved off backups of their Motif XF or XS or MOXF and then sold the keyboard when they got the Montage. Now you can dig up your backups and get your old programming work back.

... at least I'm assuming that's what the feature gets you. That'd be "without a hitch".

There are other improvements - the A/D global setting may help some - I don't really use this in my live performance so it doesn't stand out - but I have seen user requests for something like this. The enhanced controller assignment is welcome although smaller fish than having a mode where I can see the offset parameter values affected by controllers (including MS lane) in each parameter assign menu. Such a feature would "round out" the programming cycle - easy assignment features - then visibility into the final affected values (requested feature).

The firmware team is chipping away at this granite - great to see the continued advancements and fairly aggressive release cycle.

This is an amazing update!

Finally we have full real compatibility with the XF.

The Montage is my favorite synth of all time and this will only make it better!

Any sound libraries that are native Motif XF,XS,and MOXF format will now load all the performances into your Montage as well as the programs. So it is admittedly a big benefit for Montage owners who used to own XF or XS before they got a Montage( like me) Don't know this for a fact but I would think that there would be a file made of all the Factory performances in the XF for Montage owners.

Hi,

I sold my Motif XF7 when I upgraded to the Montage 7, so I don't have any of the Motif XF performances, and voices stored as a backup.

Q. Is it possible to download the Motif XF/XS Performances and Voices from Yamaha's Website ? (Hopefully there is such a resource). If not, will there be such a resource, so that Montage owners can download the Motif XF/XS Performances and Voices and import them into the Montage in the near future ?

Thanks.

2.0 is a big update.
But.....
Just stating Highlights.
Updated:
I have been viewing all the videos listed below.
Now. I have some Details and a Good feeling.
The Montage. May now be ready for an average user. The Shortcuts. 'Wormholes' as they call them.
Short and simple. Instead of diving thru deep water every time you want to assign something. Is great.
Just touch. The Super knob. And it is assigned! What an improvement. And that is just 1 thing!

There are many NAMM videos listed below.
Check them out.

Now. All the requested fixes and requested updates. Are still mostly unknown.
I guess we will have to wait until Feb. 7 To see If they listened to any of us.

Not good for me (montage is my first yamaha).
In last two firmware update no scene or midi capability improvement. I'm very disappointed about it.
From first montage a lot of users asking about scene improvement....yamaha write that has listened users....not so much

All of the Motif XF sounds and arpeggios are already in the Montage. Just not the Performances. One could actually reassemble all those XF performances but it would take a really long time to do that!!

@Andrea and other "I didn't have a previous Motif/MO" and also those who don't have backups if they did:

I alluded to this - but did not spell it out. The Motif and MO-series keyboards which Montage v2.0 claims compatibility with (Motif XS, Motif XF, MOXF) all had free sound expansion packs which are still freely available from legitimate sources on the net.

Primarily this includes Inspiration in a Flash - but there are others.

You can benefit by having access to both the voice and performance data of these expansion packs.

Personally, I think it's jumping the gun to assume all of them work without flaws (would prefer to be able to test them out before listing sources) - but here's a few - there are more:

User submitted work (probably didn't have any compatibility issue in the first place, but now presumably you get the performances too):
https://www.yamahasynth.com/forum/new-collection-of-384-free-voices-for-motif-xf,-motif-xs,-motif-rack-xs-and-yamaha-s90-xs-s70-xs

... actually - no need to reinvent the wheel. This post has a lot already listed with download links. I just checked the first one, some may be "dead":

https://www.yamahasynth.com/forum/yamaha-give-us-more-free-patches-and-soundlibraries-for-the-moxf-thank-you#reply-2940

Copied from the above message (summary):

----------
Inspiration In A Flash for MOXF: Download
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Inspiration In A Flash + Peter Jungs Symphonic Orchestra for Motif XF*: Write an E-Mail with the subject "MOTIF XF Inspiration & Symphonic" to xfgoodies@easysounds.de
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XSpand Your World, Ethnic, Drumkits, Organs etc. for Motif XS**: Link
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European Loyalty and Oriental for Motif XS**: Write an E-Mail with the subject "MOTIF XS Goodies" to xsgoodies@easysounds.de
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CP1 Piano for Motif XF*: Download
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Peter Jungs VP1 for Motif XF*: Write an E-Mail with the subject "VP1" to vp1@easysounds.de
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Live Hybrid Performer for Motif XF*: Write an E-Mail with the subject "Hybrid" to hybridperformer@easysounds.de
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European Voice Collection for MOXF: Write an E-Mail with the subject "MOXF Free Content" to moxfgoodies@easysounds.de
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Ujiie Voices, EDM Expansion, Twisted Tools Selection etc.: Link
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Free User Library (PSC Songwriters Collection) for MOX/MOXF: Download
----------

Those are all true freebies.

Adding the Inspiration in A Flash for Motif XF (above is MOXF):

http://www.motifator.com/index.php/main/comments/inspiration_in_a_flash_new_free_content_for_motif_xf/

One may feel better downloading from the product support pages:

MOXF
https://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/music_production/synthesizers/moxf/additional_sample_library.html

Maybe there's a Motif XF landing page - didn't find it from a quick search.

... if you didn't backup your data - then it's "lost" of course if you sold the keyboard and do not have backups or the flash cards. If you bought sample packs and sold them (transferred them) to a new owner - then I don't see how it would be justified to expect having your cake (money from the sale which included sample packs) and eating it too (somehow using libraries you sold on your new keyboard). Those at-cost libraries should be available for re-purchase on www.yamahamusicsoft.com or the sample-house's product support page, or motifator.com under "shop".

@Tom:

Looks like you're going to be frustrated for a while if you stick with Yamaha. I've seen other users complain. The alternative is that Yamaha is silent until the day they release something then dump all the details and the download at the same time. I do not see this as preferable.

The normal process (it's happened many times with Montage firmware and other software releases) is for Yamaha to pre-announce high-level features of new firmware or software and sometimes it's over a year before the software is released. Generally with firmware we may get a month (or less) knowing generally what is going to be released. Sometimes "leaked" out through video demonstrations (like at NAMM before public availability), sometimes in this forum with hints from Yamaha employees or other sources. This gives us consumers a "heads up" that something new is imminent. The full details for firmware are listed in the "_nf_" (new features) document and also in the readme release text file. Until official release these documents, in the past, have not been pre-released. I would suggest getting acclimated to the way these firmware roll-outs generally work and view your firmware requests -- which I know you invest a lot of wishful thinking and effort into -- as suggestions that may never make it regardless of how great of an idea you may have or how big of a flaw you perceive is in the firmware. The test cycle of firmware should be very long to ensure quality firmware -- so the code was likely complete month(s) ago. Your "new" firmware requests need more patience. And some things just are not in the cards to be ever implemented if what you need requires a hardware update (new DSP, new core processor, etc) -- or may be too evasive to expect any solution/enhancement anytime soon.

I do not see these pre-launch announcements as a lack of information -- I see them as additional information I would not otherwise have if Yamaha held their cards close to the vest.

This is nice.

But I hope there will be some computer software with the Motif FMX 2.0 update, or released in NAM.
About time that we also get what the rest of the Motif series has.

Btw I know...Montage;)

Here's a little more about Motif FMX 2.0 update.
From Namm
Title

Now we talking!!

This is dope.
Sampel editing software for montage!!
Namm
Title

THX Yamaha and Sampelrobot!!!

Lots more info:

More details on v2.0 features:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCevTho7Mss

includes showing screenshots of some of the new features. I didn't internalize global tempo before. Shows more feature details than Blake's summary. Although I like Blake's dive into what he did cover. Also fact you can add user auditions seems like another way to associate MIDI data with your performance. May be easier to hit the audition button to start a MIDI phrase/loop than other methods.

There's 99 new performances. I believe each one gets a run-through. I listened to most of these. Lots of bread-and-butter nice new content. Piano/Organ/e-piano/etc. Along with lots of dance stuff - but enough at least what I consider bread-and-butter to be very interesting. Source: Moessieurs

Part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svqjjnWdKqs

Part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK1a-hL__hY

Different take on v2.0 features - lots of detail (Moessieurs):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWu-99aA5WA

The above video mentions future releases of software. "Sample Robot" is of interest to me since it can create multi-samples in proper format for Yamaha waveforms - and will be free. This gains back functionality "out of the box" I have previously been unhappy we lost vs. Motif and were (until now) forced down an at-cost path. Great to see a better "batteries included" software ecosystem forming around Montage.

Music Production Guide 2018