Welcome to part three of the Expanded Softsynth Plugin (ESP) for MONTAGE M/MODX M series. In the first article I covered system requirements, ESP and Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver (YSUSB) download and installation and a basic set up overview. The second article provides a detailed overview of the user interface. Those articles are linked below:

Exploring ESP Part I

Exploring ESP Part II

In this article I’ll show all the ways you can move sounds and files back and forth between MONTAGE M/MODX M and ESP.

Synchronization between MONTAGE M/MODX M and ESP

ESP runs the same tone‑generation engine as MONTAGE M/MODX M. Knowing what to sync, when to save, and how file types exist between the plugin and the hardware will help you use this powerful system in the best possible way and maximize creativity.

IMPORTANT POINT: In order for synchronization to work, MONTAGE M/MODX M and ESP must all be on the same OS version.

What “Synchronization” means in ESP

ESP and the keyboard can send/receive data in both directions. You can move a single Edit Buffer Performance, an entire User file, individual Libraries, or even a full Backup file. Synchronization can only happen when MONTAGE M/MODX M is connected to the computer via USB. This is different from simple File Load/Save, where you can load files from the computer or a connected USB drive. Synchronization is real time integration between MONTAGE M/MODX M and ESP that unites the system in a fluid and dynamic way. MONTAGE M/MODX M and ESP must be the same OS version for proper synchronization.

The first article of this series defined the USB Port assignments when connecting MONTAGE M/MODX M to the computer:

• 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).

As you can see above, bi-directional communication happens on MONTAGE M Port 4 (MODX M Block 4). Once you’ve connected via USB and opened ESP you should make sure this Port is selected in settings:

Synchronization File Types

With Port 4 selected you can now choose what you’d like to synchronize. Click Data Transfer on the Navigation bar and you’ll see this: 

• Edit Buffer: The current Performance on either ESP or the keyboard. Edits made are in this volatile memory location until it is stored. You can send from ESP to MONTAGE M/MODX M, then press [STORE] on the instrument if you want to save to User Memory, or you can pull from the keyboard and send to ESP for editing. Note that if you transfer new data between ESP and MONTAGE M/MODX M before you’ve stored changes, you’ll overwrite any unsaved edits.
• User Bank: This is the editable “working library” for your Performances plus any additional User assets like User Waveforms, User Motion Sequences, Curves, Micro Tunings, Live Sets, etc., on both ESP and MONTAGE M/MODX M. The User Bank can contain a maximum of 640 Performances.
• Libraries: These are read‑only Performance files you can load alongside User memory. MONTAGE M/MODX M and ESP can contain up to 24 Library files with a maximum of 640 Performances in each file. If you want to edit a Performance within a Library, you’ll have to save the edited Performance to a User Bank.
• Backup: A Backup File saves everything into a single file: User Bank, Libraries, Patterns/Songs and more. Backup Files are safety nets to use when you want to save everything into a single file.  

Load and Save Files, Save Individual Performances in ESP

You can also load and save files to ESP from the computer or connected USB device whether the physical instrument is connected or not. The image below shows how to Load and Save supported formats on the right and how to Save a single Performance to ESP on the left.

Of course you can save individual Performances in ESP. This is especially useful when you are away from your MONTAGE M/MODX M. When you reconnect, you can synchronize a single Performance with the keyboard via the Edit Buffer. You can load MONTAGE M/MODX M files and import legacy content from the original MONTAGE, MODX/MODX+, MOTIF XF/XS, and MOXF.

For more information on data compatibly between models go here.

You can load the following file formats:

Note that you can only save files in MONTAGE M/MODX M file format (.Y2U, .Y2L, .Y2A). Any legacy files are converted to MONTAGE M/MODX M when saved.

ESP Live Sets

In the Navigation bar just to the right of Data Transfer is ESP Live Set:

Here you’ll find 8 User Live Sets each with 16 Pages just like MONTAGE M/MODX M. You can add Performances to Slots, organize them as you like and synchronize with MONTAGE M/MODX M. There are different ways to use this feature. You can keep ESP Live Sets entirely different between the Plugin and the keyboard, or you can mix Live Set Pages and organize them how you wish or you can completely synchronize all Live Sets in ESP with MONTAGE M/MODX M. The main thing to understand is a Live Set slot is just a pointer to a Performance in the Preset, User or Library memory. A best practice is synchronizing Performances first, then updating Live Sets. Check out the image below:

The Live Set Page outlined in red on the left has 12 slots that say, “Not Found”. These slots are pointing at User and Libraries that were not synchronized. The Live Set Page outlined in green on the right shows the correct page, with User and Libraries synchronized. The workflow is synchronize sounds first, Live Sets second, if you want perfect parity between MONTAGE M/MODX M. Synchronizing a full Backup between ESP and your instrument is most foolproof way to ensure your Live Sets are the same.

Three Workflow Situations

To sum up, here are three ways to use ESP with MONTAGE M/MODX M.

ESP as a powerful editor for softsynth and keyboard.

This is a great use for Edit Buffer synchronization. You can start editing on the keyboard, open ESP, click on Data Transfer, select Edit Buffer and send the Performance over. Do your editing in ESP and when ready go back to Data Transfer > Edit Buffer and send the Performance back to MONTAGE M/MODX M and press [STORE] to keep in User memory. You can even do your edits away from the instrument and send them over once you reconnect.

Transfer a third‑party Library from MONTAGE M/MODX M to ESP

Moving Libraries back and forth is easy in ESP. Simply open Data Transfer, click on Library and you’ll see a list of what’s installed in ESP on the left and MONTAGE M on the right. The image below shows my current setup. I typically keep more Libraries installed on my keyboard. When I want to move one to ESP, I select the Library and click “Receive from MONTAGE M8x”. Done!

Mirror your entire MONTAGE M/MODX set up in ESP.

• Open ESP, click on Data Transfer and select Backup
• Receive from MONTAGE M/MODX M to transfer Performances, Libraries and any related assets to ESP:

• Transmit from ESP to MONTAGE M/MODX M. This is a very useful tool when using a backline MONTAGE M/MODX M or a second instrument at school or house of worship.

In the next article I’ll explore DAW Control and ESP Control.