The Expanded Softsynth Plugin (ESP) for MONTAGE M and MODX M brings Yamaha’s flagship synthesis platform directly into your DAW. Rather than being a simplified “editor,” ESP is a fully realized software instrument that runs the same sound engines as the hardware—AWM2, FM‑X, and AN‑X—while offering the convenience, recall, and scalability of a modern plug‑in.

This article is the first in a five‑part series exploring ESP in depth. Here’s what I’ll be covering:

• Part I: The ESP installation process and the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver.
• Part II: An overview of the user interface and key differences between ESP and the physical MONTAGE M/MODX M.
• Part III: Synchronization between ESP and MONTAGE M/MODX M.
• Part IV: DAW Remote and ESP Control.
• Part V: Song/Pattern Import

Installing ESP, Cubase AI and the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver

To get started with ESP, you’ll first need a DAW that supports VST3 or AU plug‑ins. If you already use a compatible DAW, all you’ll need to install are ESP and the Yamaha Steinberg USB (YSUSB) driver. If you don’t have a DAW yet, no problem—your MONTAGE M or MODX M includes a free copy of Cubase AI, giving you what you need to host ESP and begin making music right away.

System Requirements

To run ESP your computer must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Windows: Windows 10 or later. 64-bit required
  • Plugin format: VST 3
  • Minimum CPU: Intel Core i5 (4^th Gen)
• Mac: MacOS Monterey or later
  • Plugin format: VST 3, AU v2.
  • Minimum CPU: Intel Core i5 (late 2015 or later) or Apple Silicon M1 or later. Apple Silicon M series processor is strongly recommended.
• Both Platforms
  • Minimum system memory: 8 Gb RAM or more
  • Storage required: 10 Gb free space.
  • Display resolution: 1440 x 870 or above recommended.

Install ESP and Cubase AI

Inside the MONTAGE M/MODX M box are two registration cards with codes printed at the bottom. One is for ESP and the other is for a free copy of Cubase AI DAW (right). They look like this:

To install ESP, follow the installation guide for MONTAGE M/MODX M located here. The process is identical for Cubase AI. After completing the steps, your software will be fully licensed and authorized, and you may install it on up to three computers.

The installation guide takes you through these six steps:

• Confirm Download Access Code: This is simply collecting both download cards with the codes.
• Create Steinberg ID: You’ll have to go here to create a Steinberg ID if you don’t already have one. This is needed to download the required installation software.
• Install the Steinberg Download Assistant: This is a software tool used by Steinberg that handles the downloading and activation of ESP and Cubase AI.
• Enter Download Access Code where described: Just click on “Redeem Code” (upper left corner of the Steinberg Download Assistant). 

• Activate on the Steinberg Activation Manager. Once the software has been downloaded, you’ll need to activate to complete the license authorization. The screen below shows my Cubase Pro 15 NFR license and ESP activated and ready to use on my computer:

• Install Expanded Softsynth Plugin for MONTAGE M/MODX M. Once you have downloaded and activated you can now install ESP (and Cubase AI).

Carefully follow each step and you’ll be up and running in no time. ESP runs natively in DAWs like Cubase, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Studio One, Reaper, etc., because these platforms support VST3 or AU formats. ProTools users will need a third party VST/AU host to run ESP and there are several options available.

Install the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver

You’ll need to install the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver (YSUSB). The YSUSB driver enables connection of MONTAGE M/MODX M audio and MIDI to the computer via the [USB TO HOST] “Type B” port located on the back of both instruments. This connection provides flexible multichannel audio connectivity and enables specific MIDI Ports for the MONTAGE M/MODX M tone generators, DAW control, connection to other MIDI devices and ESP control and synchronization. You’ll find the YSUSB installer and installation instructions for Mac OS and Windows at the links below:

• Mac OS: Mac OS installation requires a few additional steps due to its enhanced system security. Computers running Mac OS 12 (Monterey) and beyond need to follow this installation guide for a successful installation of the YSUSB driver.
• Windows 10/11

Audio Connections

MONTAGE M and MODX M are USB multichannel audio interfaces, and the YSUSB driver provides low latency audio connectivity both for recording and monitoring. As you might expect, you get more audio I/O connections with MONTAGE M:

Here’s how this appears in Cubase:

MONTAGE M leads with flagship USB audio, but MODX M follows with solid connectivity:

• Audio Input: 5 Stereo/44.1kHz: 10 channels (5 stereo channels).
  • At higher sampling rates up to 192 kHz: 2 channels (1 stereo channel).
• Audio Output: 2 Stereo channels.

Here is MODX M audio connectivity in Cubase:

I’ll explore more about this and how it relates to ESP and overall workflow in forthcoming articles.

MIDI Connections

For USB MIDI connections MONTAGE M and MODX M use dedicated Ports for specific functions. They are:

• MONTAGE M Port 1 (MODX M Block 1) In/Out: Dedicated for MIDI communication with MONTAGE M/MODX M internal tone generator.
• MONTAGE M Port 2 (MODX M Block 2) In/Out: Dedicated for using the DAW remote control.
• MONTAGE M Port 3 (MODX M Block 3) In/Out: This Port passes MIDI communication received via the [USB TO HOST] terminal to the MIDI [OUT] terminal on MONTAGE M/MODX M, while the MIDI messages received through the MIDI [IN] terminal are treated as “Thru” on the [USB TO HOST] terminal.
• MONTAGE M Port 4 (MODX M Block 4) In/Out: Dedicated for using the Expanded Softsynth Plugin (ESP).
• MONTAGE M/MODX M MIDI 2.0: This is for MIDI 2.0 communication between the hardware MONTAGE M/MODX M on supported platforms. MONTAGE M/MODX M communicate controller data with MIDI 2.0 compatible devices and systems in high resolution (1,024 steps). Again, MIDI 2.0 is for the physical instruments and currently not used with ESP.

In the next article I’ll explore the ESP user interface and key differences between the hardware and the plugin.