Motif is universally acclaimed as one of the hottest synths on the planet. Motif was great when it first came out, and it’s even greater now after several OS upgrades (all free), new voice libraries (some free!), and a whole bunch of resources such as a DVD instruction series.

There is a huge amount of help for the newbie here on Motifator.com. But even help can be a bit overwhelming at first so here's a plan for getting the most out of your Motif and this site as quickly and painlessly as possible:

1)   Read the Getting Started/FAQ sections of the site.
We’ve put together the most frequently asked questions into a few simple documents to help you get started plus there are detailed Power User docs with more in depth articles in the Behind the Manual section.

2)   Buy a SmartMedia™ card & USB Reader, or SCSI storage device.
If you plan on using Motif’s Song, Pattern or Sampling features, you will need a way to store the things you create. So check out the options in the FAQ and then decide what’s right for you. SmartMedia™ cards and Readers are available in Motif Mart.

3)   Check your OS version and download the new OS, if necessary.
Version 1.9 is the most current version as of August 2005. You can check the Version number of your Motif by holding down the Remote and Rec buttons on power up. Then follow the screen prompts to EXIT. You'll need a SmartMedia™ card and reader to download the OS from the Internet to Motif or you can purchase a SmartMedia™ card with the OS pre-loaded onto it from the Motif Mart at no extra charge.

4)   Download a bunch of free Voices, Patterns, and Songs from the Motif Mart.
There are tons of free Patterns, Voices and Songs available at no charge in Motif Mart. Just go to the different areas and browse around. You can use a Smart Media card and reader to transfer these.

5)   Take a look at the Knowledge Base, or Google and research a specific topic.
There a lot of answers already posted. They've been organized on the Knowledge Base and are also searchable using www.google.com. Think up something you'd like to know and then check the site to see if that topic is covered.  Your answers are probably there already!

6)   Check the Clinician's Corner  for upcoming events in your area.

7)   Go to the forum and see what people are saying.
The forum is a UBB Threads forum. If you’d like you can register on there so that each time you log into the forum your posting name is recalled, plus you can then customise how the forum appears on your computer, post your own music etc.

8)   Post on the forum and say h !  See you there!

9)   Order a Video Manual.
Yamaha and Keyfax NewMedia have put together a series of DVD video manuals that'll give you a very good understanding of what Motif can do, and how it can fit into your musical life. We recommend everyone at least picks up Vol 1 to begin with. Vol 2 Tip Tricks & Techniques is more application based, and Vol 3 focuses on recording and sampling projects. We do offer a good Special on all 3 in the MotifMart though!

10)    Finally, if you are just getting started and don’t have time to go through the site just yet, just speed-read the following list of Tips below:

SAVING DATA: Motif stores Sample, Song, and Pattern data in volatile RAM, which means your own material will disappear from memory when you power down. Make sure you store all such data externally, to a SmartMedia™ card or a SCSI device such as Zip.

AUTODEMOLOAD: AutoDemoLoad will 'automatically load' demo Songs and Patterns on power up. This eats up memory, though, so 'in normal use' turn AutoDemoLoad Off. [UTILITY] - [F1] - [SF4 OTHER].

USING THE PRESET LOOPS:  Go to [PATTERN] - [F4 PATCH]. With the cursor over Track 1, spin the dial until you see pre001 (a preset 'flip hop' drum loop). Cursor to Track 2 and spin the dial to call up a different loop (pre002, 3 etc). Mute or solo Tracks (using the MUTE/SOLO buttons) to listen to each pattern by itself.

MULTI-TIMBRAL OPERATION:  To set up Motif for 16-track multi-timbral operation press [MIXING] - [VOICE]. Now you can assign a Voice to each of the 16 tracks. .

CO-ORDINATING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SOUNDS:  You can set up 4 internal Voices in a Performance. The Zone switch lets you add 4 completely independent external MIDI "zones" for controlling external MIDI gear.  You can save the complete set-up as a "Master." To set up an external (only) assignment go to  [MASTER] - [EDIT] and then one of the 1-4 Number buttons.  In [F1 Transmit], set TG to OFF. Your set up will now not control the internal TG (Tone Generator).
 
AKAI SAMPLES TOO LOW IN VOLUME?  If Akai samples seem to load in at low volume go to [I. SAMPLING] - [EDIT] - [F3] and raise the Level parameter to 0db.
 
BASIC NAVIGATION:

• Motif’s buttons are 'context sensitive.' In other words, going into [EDIT] from Voice is different from going into [EDIT] from Performance. 
• The TRACK SELECT and MUTE/SOLO buttons along the right hand side hold the key to accessing different sequence tracks and elements of a Voice. Take a little time to figure these out. Well worth it.
• 'Store' - this button is easily overlooked. But if you don't actively 'Store' changes to your Mix, or Voice edits, they'll disappear as soon as you change modes.
• Phrases: Everything you record in a Pattern - from a 2 beat drum fill to a 16 bar guitar solo - is called a (user) 'Phrase.'  The PATCH Page is where you can see (and change!) all of the currently used 'Phrases' in a pattern at a stroke. Get this philosophy embedded in your brain and you're half way there!
• Finally, if you ever push and prod yourself into a lather, to INITIALIZE Motif, power up while holding the [REC] and [REMOTE] buttons and then follow the screen prompts.

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