Motif XF File formats .X3A (ALL data) or .X3V (ALL VOICE)
MOXF File formats .X6A (ALL data) or .X6V (ALL VOICE)
(If you are working with a File already converted to MOXF .X6A or .X6V format, you can simply load the data without any conversion or bank redirection; however, it is a skill you will want to master). One of the goals of this tutorial is to wind up with a .X6A MOXF ALL data file.
There is VOICE compatibility between the MOXF and the Motif XF. This is true even though they do not share the same number of Banks. The Motif XF has four USER Voice Banks, while the MOXF has but three. This means you cannot just load ALL data from the Motif XF file to the MOXF internal. The products are indeed different. Data that is stored in a Motif XF File in the User 4 folder, must be redirected to one of the available Banks of the MOXF. Here are some of the basics you need to be aware of:
Motif XF __ MOXF VOICE Mode
PRESET 1 __ PRESET 1
PRESET 2 __ PRESET 2
PRESET 3 __ PRESET 3
PRESET 4 __ PRESET 4
PRESET 5 __ PRESET 5
PRESET 6 __ PRESET 6
PRESET 7 __ PRESET 7
PRESET 8 __ PRESET 8
________ __ PRESET 9
USER 1 _ __ USER 1
USER 2 _ __ USER 2
USER 3 _ __ USER 3
USER 4 _ __ N/A
Fortunately, when loading data from a Motif XF ALL data (.X3A) or ALL VOICE (.X3V) File, you can opt to load individual Voices or redirect an entire Bank of 128 to any available target Bank In your MOXF. The MOXF is able to read and extract specific types of data from Motif XF Files. This is covered in the REFERENCE MANUAL on page 157.
As it points out not every Type of data will be loaded when you attempt to LOAD a file created for the Motif XF. Only Voice, Performance, Arpeggio, Mix Template, and Waveform data can be extracted from a Motif XF File. And from the SEQUENCER (Song/Pattern) files only the Waveform data that was recorded using the Motif XF’s INTEGRATED SAMPLING SEQUENCER will be loaded to the MOXF. The actual sequencer track data must be transferred via Standard MIDI File (SMF) in a .MID file.
FLASH BOARD Slots:
The Motif XF has Flash expansion capability of two boards; 2048 Waveforms per Board, 4096 Waveforms total.
The MOXF has one Flash expansion slot; 2048 Waveforms total.
VOICE Bank Locations:
The Motif XF has one more USER bank than the MOXF. The Motif XF can hold 512 USER VOICE, the MOXF can hold 384. Therefore, if you are loading data created for a Motif XF you must follow instructions and learn to redirect the VOICES you want to the Banks and locations you want to place them in your MOXF.
VOICES: Waveforms and Samples
We will state this here because it is the KEY to understanding this whole thing: a VOICE is the individual playable sound in the Yamaha Music Production synthesizer. A Voice is made up of three main building blocks: an Oscillator section, a Filter section, and an Amplifier section. The sound source is the Oscillator, which in the case of the Motif XF and MOXF is always based on a digital audio recording (sample). Sampled audio is stored in memory and is recalled when you play a Voice. This audio data is stored at a sample rate of 44,100 samples per second. The rest of the VOICE parameters are applied to this audio. By far the largest data is this sampled audio that makes up the Oscillator. Literally, hundreds of individual samples can be used to recreate a single VOICE. And this data can be quite large in size. This is why it is “burned” to the Flash Board so that each time you want to access it, you do not have to wait several minutes for it to load.
When you recall a VOICE like the Full Concert Grand Piano (which is stored as a Preset Voice) the Voice data knows where to “look” to find the appropriate Waveform (audio) data. The hundreds of Samples that are used to recreate this 9-foot Concert Grand are organized by several Waveforms that have a permanent numbered location. Even if you STORE edited versions of the Full Concert Grand to a number of USER Voice Bank locations, the Voice data will always “know” where to find the Waveforms and Samples that will make it sound properly.
The VOICE can be relocated, the data will always “point to” the correct Waveform location! What you will be doing when you install (burn) data to the Flash Board, is giving the Waveforms of the Voices you Load a semi-permanent numbered location on your Flash Board. This way any time you load the Voice data from one of YOUR files, all the instructions about where the Waveforms are to be found is there… This is how YOUR instrument “knows” how to find it without you having to wait for the audio to load.
Waveforms on your FLASH BOARD cannot be overwritten. Not by mistake, and not even on purpose. The only way to remove an installed Waveform (and the Samples that it organizes) is to DELETE it or FORMAT the BOARD.
INFORMATION About the Motif XF FILES
The INSPIRATION IN A FLASH Library is made up of the following data:
Approx 384MB of data total – this requires the 75% of a 512MB board and about 38% of a 1GB Board.
INSPIRE_bnk2RAM.n3.X3A
• 59 Waveforms
• 1696 Keybanks (samples)
• Total VOICES = 128
Includes the history of the Motif-series and S-series acoustic pianos, tone wheel organ, bread & butter, trumpets and saxes, synth brass, choirs and pads. Originally targeting the Motif XF USER 2 bank… you can target whichever bank you desire.
INSPIRE_bnk3RAM.n3.X3A
• 49 Waveforms
• 1341 Keybanks (samples)
• Total VOICES = 128
Includes deeper concentration on classic B3 organ, synth basses, vintage keyboards from mellotrons to clavs to electric pianos, and beyond… Originally targeting the Motif XF USER 3 bank.. you can send it to whichever bank you desire.
INSPIRE_bnk4RAM.n3.X3A
• 39 Waveforms
• 477 Keybanks (samples)
• Total VOICES = 128
Includes world and ethnic instrument sounds from woodwinds to bowed to percussion instruments. The original data for this library was targeting the Motif XF’s User 4 bank, therefore, if you want to audition these VOICES you will need to redirect the Bank from USER 4 to one of the three available MOXF Banks.
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
If the original VOICE data for a particular sound Library made originally for the Motif XF was housed in USER 4 bank of the file – you cannot just blindly load the data without knowing where it is or where you are going to put it. User 4 data must be redirected for use in your MOXF.
How can you know where the original Voices are coming from (which Bank)?
Read the included documentation that comes with the File. The person who created the original File (for the Motif XF) determined which USER Bank they are contained in. The File will contain five Folders, one for each Motif XF USER Bank, as follows:
USER 1 – contains 128 normal Voices
USER 2 – contains 128 normal Voices
USER 3 – contains 128 normal Voices
USER 4 – contains 128 normal Voices
UDR – contains 32 drum kit Voices
_ “INSPIRE_bnk2RAM.n3.X3A” Pianos, bread & butter (data is in the User2 folder)
_ “INSPIRE_bnk3RAM.n3.X3A” Organs and vintage keys (data is in the User3 folder)
_ “INSPIRE_bnk4RAM.n3.X3A” Ethnic and world instruments (data is in the User4 folder)
…are the file names as they appear in the Motif XF or when you look at the file in your computer… the name will be truncated to fit the MOXF screen dynamics, as follows:
_ “INSPIR~1.X3A” = Ethnic and world instruments
_ “INSPIR~2.X3A” = Pianos, bread & butter
_ “INSPIR~3.X3A” = Organs and vintage keys
These are the file names as seen in the screen of your MOXF.
Place all three files in the root directory of a USB drive you use with your MOXF.
Load via “1 BANK VOICE” Method
First example: We will load the Ethnic and World Bank “INSPIR~1.X3A” to USER 1
Press [FILE]
Set the File TYPE = 1 BANK VOICE
Highlight the “INSPIR~1.X3A” file
Mark the box “[x] With Sample”
We will redirect the load intended for the Motif XF’s USER 4 bank to USER 1. (As explained above, the MOXF has no USER 4 bank, necessitating this redirection)> Notice the top line of the screen indicating we are viewing the “root/” directory.
Press [ENTER]
You will see the 5 Folders of the original FILE
Highlight “USER 4” in the column on the right side (It contains the 128 new Voices)
Move the cursor to the LEFT and set the target as USR1 in your internal MOXF. (USR1 is shown)> Notice the top line of the screen indicates we are in the “root” directory but have entered the File “INSPIR~1.X3A”
Press [SF1] EXEC to execute
This action will load all the VOICES from USER 4 Bank of the FILE to your MOXF USER Bank 1. And it will install the necessary WAVEFORMS to your Flash Board. When loading this Library with Waveforms it will take approximately 15 minutes to “burn” the data to a Flash Board. The initial installation is a lengthy process. This is normal.
Next you may opt to load the second of the “Inspiration In a Flash”: (INSPIR~2.X3A) Pianos and Bread&Butter Library to your USER 2 bank. Because you have previously marked the “WITH WAVEFORM” option, you will be installing the Waveforms and Samples to your Flash Board. You will direct the data from USER 2 of the FILE to USER 2 of your internal MOXF.
The VOICE data will be loaded to USER 2, and the Waveforms will be added to end of the WAVEFORM List. The Ethnic bank used the first 39 Waveforms (0001~0039). The new Waveforms will therefore begin at 0040.
Every Voice loaded to USER 2 will be updated to reflect the NEW location of the WAVEFORM data that makes it work. When you loaded the Ethnic Library it occupied the first 39 Waveform locations. This Bank’s Waveforms will begin from location 0040 on the Waveform List.
And, finally, you may opt to load the third of the “Inspiration In a Flash” (INSPIR~3.X3A) Organs and Vintage Keys Library to your USER 3 bank. You will direct the data from USER 3 of the FILE to your internal USER 3. And again, the MOXF will place the WAVEFORMS at the end of the Waveform list and repoint every Voice as it is loaded to reflect the location of its audio data.
Now that you have customized your WAVEFORM data on your FLASH BOARD, you must make a BACKUP file of your data. The fact that you redirected the INSPIRATION IN A FLASH data to your Flash Board, needs to be documented in a MOXF ALL data file to back up your work. Do so.
From now on you would use your file (not the Motif XF File). Your file will be in .X6A MOXF native format and will serve to document where you have installed the Waveforms on your Flash Board.