It has universal compatibility with any DAW as I understand it. No drivers required. All of this happens over a single USB cable, all 16 MIDI channels and all audio channels and even provides (3) stereo returns simultaneously. Nothing extra to purchase.

Marcus wrote:

Good morning. I'm from Trinidad and Tobago. I'm interested in purchasing a Montage when it goes on sale in May. However, I do all my music production via Sonar or Studio One. Does the Montage has the same control over the DAW as does my present Moxf6, meaning, when I select an instrument on one of the midi channels on the keyboard, it sounds on the computer? Does it have the sixteen midi tracks in it?

The question is a bit technically incorrect. Forgive me, but when you select an instrument Part on your MOXF, it is your DAW that records this Midi data which it echoes back to the MOXF, which generates the sound. MIDI is not audio (sound) and when recording MIDI the DAW assigns the MIDI out Channel to echo it back to a specific MOXF Part which generates the audio. (Audio comes from the MOXF, not the computer) but we know what you mean... The Montage can be used as you are now working ... One-track-at-a-time, if you work with Single Parts. You also have the option of working with Multi Part programs, which occupy multiple Midi channels and will require a slightly different workflow... Both internally and to your favorite DAW.

But in general, yes, is the answer to your question.

@david

It has universal compatibility with any DAW as I understand it. No drivers required. All of this happens over a single USB cable, all 16 MIDI channels and all audio channels and even provides (3) stereo returns simultaneously. Nothing extra to purchase

While the Montage is a synth and will have the ability to work with any computer based DAW, if that DAW is on a computer you will need to download and install a Driver. A new version of the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver will be available just prior to the ship date of the Montage. This Driver will allow the Montage to address your Windows/Mac computer for both multiple Ports of Midi and as many as 32 channels of audio. So, yes, you will need a driver. Any DAW capable of using an ASIO Driver is compatible.

@Marcus
Coming from the MOXF you understand that the YSUSB Driver allows the instrument to address the computer for both MIDI and Audio. The driver turns the MOXF into a 4-in/2-out audio interface for your computer, in addition to all Midi communication. The MOXF is a dual Stereo audio system via USB.

The Montage will use the YSUSB Driver to address the computer for both MIDI and Audio, as well. The driver will turn the Montage into a 32-in/6-out audio interface for your computer, in addition to all Midi communication. The Montage is Stereo plus 30 Assignable audio outputs via USB. The assignable audio outputs can be configured as individual mono buses, or in odd/even stereo pairs. This means when playing back your MIDI tracks (whether you've selected to record them internally, or to your favorite DAW) you can assign the audio triggered by those MIDI tracks to the audio output(s) of your choosing.

What this means is you can isolate each drum from within a Montage drum kit to its own audio bus output, if you wish. You can assign your stereo Parts to their own stereo bus output isolating it to its own stereo audio track. Each of the sixteen Parts goes to that assignable bus output with its own dual Insertion Effects, in tact. Each of the sixteen Parts has its own Part EQ which is available at the assignable output. Any Parts routed to the default main Stereo L/R can utilize the System Effects, Master EFX, and Master EQ.

Just FYI: If you connect the MOXF or the Montage to an iOS device, it's then that you don't need a driver. (Not that you don't need one as much as those devices do not allow outside drivers). Everything must jump through the much smaller hoop established by the iOS class compliant operating system... Where no driver is necessary, or allowed. It's just plug and play. But you are under that system of communication for Midi and audio. Hope that clarifies the "no driver necessary" statement - it's not necessary when connected to an iOS device! Make sense?

@Bad Mister. Thanks for the explanation. I did word my question wrong. Thanks for clearing it up and understanding what I meant. I feel more comfortable now in making my decision in purchasing the Montage now.