Hi. Seeing the next image (taken from MX Data list, page 56) my question is simple: Can I play the MX tone generator from a controller leaving the MX connected via USB to the computer?

The answer seems affirmative, considering that MIDI IN signal is going to USB block and returns from USB to play the TG

Excuse me if the question sounds like a silliness…

Hi. Seeing the next image (taken from MX Data list, page 56) my question is simple: Can I play the MX tone generator from a controller leaving the MX connected via USB to the computer?

Well, yes. Here is how it works....

When the MX is set to MIDI IN/OUT = USB, it communicates with the computer on multiple MIDI PORTS. Each “Port” is the equivalent of a MIDI IN and a MIDI OUT. Each Port has 16 Chanels going and coming.

_ The MX uses Port 1 for itself. 16 channels of Note-ons, controllers, tempo, etc.
_ The MX can act as a Remote Control surface for Cubase, Logic, Sonar, or Digital Performer, and a controller for all you plug-ins and soft synths via Port 2
_ Anything plugged into the 5-pin MIDI jack on the back panel of the MX uses Port 3 to send data to the computer (not to the MX tone engine, straight through to the computer) and any MIDI data route back on the MX’s Driver on Port 3 will trigger whatever is connected to the 5-pin MIDI OUT jack
_ Port 4 is reserved (not currently used)
_ Port 5 is used for the MX Remote Editor that lets you customize control of VSTi’s on your computer

So yes, you can play the MX from the external controller while the MX communicates via USB… You must use your software to RE-ROUTE the signal… For example, say you have a MIDI track active in your DAW, set the MIDI in to “Yamaha MX49/MX61-3” to make the external keyboard the MIDI IN. Set the MIDI OUT = “Yamaha MX49/MX61-1” in order to trigger the MX tone engine.

The answer seems affirmative, considering that MIDI IN signal is going to USB block and returns from USB to play the TG

Exactly correct. It is the software program that is responsible for the re-routing of the signal. You can work with Local Control set to OFF in each keyboard this way the software determines which keybed plays which tone engine.

In a DAW like Cubase you can select both keyboards to be active controllers simultaneously by setting the MIDI IN = IN ALL MIDI INPUTs… You can select each controller in your studio as a source.

Of course each track is sent to a single tone generator (MIDI OUT)

Excuse me if the question sounds like a silliness…

Not at all, the question shows a clear understanding of the diagram, and is an often misunderstood concept. But you correctly surmised that signal from the external device goes right to the USB MIDI out, and can return via USB MIDI in

Not silliness at all, refreshing really. I’m a big believer in signal flow… and the understanding of it. And reading a flow chart properly is a skill I always encourage. Unlike algebra, :-) you’re actually likely to use it in real life… Especially when it comes to music and music technology!

Thanks for your support Mister!

The manual says you can’t use usb and midi at the same time. The settings make you choose midi or usb.

Yes. The setting makes you choose. But that does not mean the 5-pin MIDI jacks aren’t working when you select USB. When you select USB, the 5-pin MIDI jack serve as an external interface for one external synth ou may have in your studio.

Say you have a synth module that you want to connect to your computer. You can connect its 5-pin MIDI OUT to the MIDI IN jack of the MX and the MIDI OUT jack of the MX to that synth module’s MIDI IN.

When you set the MIDI OUT in the computer DAW to Yamaha MX-1 it triggers the MX
When you set the MIDI OUT in the computer DAW to Yamaha MX-3 it triggers the external module.

So while you must choose MIDI IN/OUT = USB or MIDI, if you choose MIDI the external device communicates directly with the MX, when you choose USB, the MX communicates with the computer via USB, and the 5-pin jacks work for one external device to communicate with the computer.

That is what the discussion here is about, and what the diagram says.

Please study that diagram until it is clear to you!!!