Welcome to Yamaha Synth!

It matters not which software DAW you are using, what matters is which computer (Windows), which OS (8.1) and most importantly which type of computer connection you are using... (USB). The S90 XS/S70 XS can act as its own MIDI Interface via a USB connection.

_ If you are connecting to the computer via USB - which is a MIDI only connection for the XS - you would download and install the USB-MIDI Driver version 3.1.3 for Windows 8.1

If you are using USB (for MIDI) and an external Audio Interface, please use the Yamaha driver for USB-MIDI, and follow the instructions of that Audio device and please download and install the appropriate driver for it to work with your chosen DAW. You would connect the analog audio outputs of the S-series to that audio interface and use its audio driver for the computer.

Yamaha Drivers are found at the Official Yamaha download site:
http://download.yamaha.com

Find the USB-MIDI Driver there. Consult the manufacturer of your audio interface for info concerning the appropriate driver for that device.

Thank you for your response and I have one further question for you.
I have managed to set-up my Motif XS6 as a controller keyboard in Studio One.
It is connected using both a USB connection and by mini cables connected to my Focusrite
Audio interface. It doesn't appear to work with the USB cable only, but when the midi cables
are connected from the Motif to the back of the Audio Interface and I set the Local Control to Off it is working fine.
And it is much better for me because I am used to the feel of the keys on the Motif which are
so much more better than any of the controller keyboards on the market.

Where I need your help is with the settings I need to change to use the sounds in the motif as a sound module
to record in Studio One because again the sounds in the Motif are superior to those in Studio One.
I have also bought several additional sound modules from the Motifator site for the Motif XS which are also great.
I have read your articles on the Motifator site about midi and audio and I have a better understanding of those
topics now. So basically I want to be able to choose voices on the Motif XS and record those into the sequencer
in Studio One.

I have installed the latest driver for the Motif (not the Steinberg version) and it is working properly.
My set-up is Windows 8.1 with a good CPU and plenty of RAM. My Audio Interface is the Focusrite i4 and the drivers
for that are also working properly.

Could you please advise me on the settings I need to use in the Motif XS to use it as a sound module in Studio One
particularly the Local Control, Midi in/out and Midi Sync settings and any other settings you think I should adjust.
If necessary I can purchase the mLan extension board for the Motif XS6 if a firewire connection is required.

Thanks again for your help.

Kind regards

Patrick

I have managed to set-up my Motif XS6 as a controller keyboard in Studio One.
It is connected using both a USB connection and by mini cables connected to my Focusrite
Audio interface. It doesn't appear to work with the USB cable only, but when the midi cables
are connected from the Motif to the back of the Audio Interface and I set the Local Control to Off it is working fine.

The Motif XS6 cannot transmit MIDI from simultaneously via USB and via MIDI Cables (we are sure you meant MIDI cables not "mini cables" ). If you set the Motif XS6 to MIDI IN/OUT = USB, the five pin MIDI jacks on the back panel become a portal through which you can connect one external MIDI device THRU the XS to the computer. They do not work for the Motif XS itself... that is, data from that external device travels thru the XS's MIDI IN directly to the computer, and information the computer can be targeted to bypass the XS and go right to the 5-pin MIDI OUT jack. This is accomplished because USB is a multiple PORT connection. There are actually 4 IN/OUT connections. That one USB cable is the equivalent of 8 standard MIDI cables. 4 in each direction: IN and OUT.

In other words: Press [UTILITY]
Press [F5] CONTROL
Press [SF2] MIDI
If you set the MIDI IN/OUT parameter = USB, then the computer will be able to see the Motif XS6 as "Yamaha Motif XS6-1" (Port 1).
A PORT is the equivalent of a MIDI IN and a MIDI OUT. It is bi-directional via the single USB cable.
When MIDI IN/OUT = USB
_ Port 1 is the internal Motif XS6 - all music notes, controllers and tempo travel through this port.
_ Port 2 is the REMOTE CONTROL port - this port should be exclusively used for using the DAW REMOTE mode, which turns the XS front panel into a control surface for you DAW.
_ Port 3 is (as mentioned) for one external device to send MIDI through to the computer and for the computer to send MIDI back to the 5-pin jacks. No data stops or affects the internal Motif XS. It is simply an interface for an external device.
_ Port 4 is bi-directional communication of the Motif XS6 Editor Standalone/VST

If you set MIDI IN/OUT = MIDI then all MIDI data is routed through the 5-pin MIDI jacks. You will not be able to use the Editor. As the standard 5-pin cables (2) represent a single "PORT" IN and OUT.

I have installed the latest driver for the Motif (not the Steinberg version) and it is working properly.
My set-up is Windows 8.1 with a good CPU and plenty of RAM. My Audio Interface is the Focusrite i4 and the drivers
for that are also working properly.

Sorry. We hope you mean you installed the Yamaha "USB-MIDI Driver version 3.1.3 for Windows 8.1"

I recommend that if you have enough USB ports on your computer, you connect both the Motif XS and the S90XS/S70XS to the computer (we assume you have an S-series as well or did you just simply post in the S90 XS/S70 XS FORUM by accident. Seems you are now talking about the Motif XS6 ? ? ?

Either way, in your DAW you will be able to use either keyboard as your master controller and you set the target for the data by setting the MIDI OUT on a per TRACK basis. Your controllers that have built-in tone engines (like the Motif XS and the S90XS/S70XS) should be operated with LOCAL CONTROL = OFF>

This literally, disconnects the Keybed from the Tone Generator... such that key presses send MIDI information OUT to the software FIRST, and the Track set to receive the data determines which tone generator responds. For example:
If you have the Motif XS set to MIDI IN/OUT = USB and you set LOCAL CONTROL OFF, you will hear NO SOUND until you complete the circuit. That is: you setup a MIDI Track set to receive the Motif XS Port 1 as the INPUT. Then you can set whichever tone engine you want to hear as the Track's MIDI OUT. If you set it to Motif XS Port 1, you will hear the Motif XS. If you set it to PORT 3, you will hear whatever you connect to the 5-pin MIDI OUT jack. If you set it to a VST Instrument on your computer, then it will sound.

"Local Control" can be taken literally. When ON the keys of the XS play the local tone engine. When OFF, the keys do not play the local engine -you determine what plays in your DAW software. Make sense?

Thanks very much for your reply and it is very very helpful.
I didn't understand before about the 'Ports' in terms of what they were or even where they were but I can now see
why my DAW was reading the Motif XS as:
Motif XS6 1
Motif XS6 2
Motif XS6 3
Motif XS6 4
I can clarify that I only have a Motif XS6 and I posted my question in the wrong place and that I have installed the
USB-MIDI Driver version 3.1.3.
I have printed off your instructions and will correct my connections and settings later today.
Thanks again for all your help and I am very grateful to receive it. Presonus Studio One is a much easier DAW for me
to learn to use and the Motif XS6 is a fantastic instrument so I will be very happy when all is connected properly.
Thanks again
Patrick