I have a couple questions regarding the Firewire expansion board.  I like the idea of being able to connect my laptop to the XF using a firewire cable and use the XF as a soundcard to output the audio from the laptop’s softsynths.

1) Is the Firewire audio output available in all modes (Voice, Performance, Master, Pattern and Song)?
2) I currently use the A/D inputs for an external synth module to add effects from my XS and consolidate audio outputs from the modul to my XS’s main outs.  Will the A/D input/output be available for use simultaneously if I use the Firewire outputs on the XF?  If so, can I do this in all the modes?

In other words, will I be able to continue to use the A/D input to receive audio from my module in Voice and Performance modes, and output the module’s audio along with the XF’s audio via the XF’s main outs, WHILE ALSO sending audio received via the Firewire cable thru the XF’s main outs?

Thank you!

(I, for one, am looking forward to the XF, and am getting weary of all the whining going on around here)

1) Is the Firewire audio output available in all modes (Voice, Performance, Master, Pattern and Song)?

Yes. you can setup a routing situation for VOICE mode - it would apply globally to all Voices. In all other modes, you have a per program setup. That is there is an AUDIO IN setup page in each PERFORMANCE and each MIXING program.

FYI: Master mode is always assocaited with VOICE mode, PERFORMANCE mode, PATTERN mode or SONG mode - so yes, it is available in all MASTER programs, if you have set it up within the associated program.

2) I currently use the A/D inputs for an external synth module to add effects from my XS and consolidate audio outputs from the modul to my XS’s main outs.  Will the A/D input/output be available for use simultaneously if I use the Firewire outputs on the XF?  If so, can I do this in all the modes?

Yes.

In other words, will I be able to continue to use the A/D input to receive audio from my module in Voice and Performance modes, and output the module’s audio along with the XF’s audio via the XF’s main outs, WHILE ALSO sending audio received via the Firewire cable thru the XF’s main outs?

Yes.

You can route your A/D INPUT through its own two Insertion Effects (if you wish) and either combine it to the main XF outputs or route it to its own discreet outputs, if you wish. All options are available.

Bad Mister - thank you, this is very promising indeed.  So, for the XF, will there be a separate set of “Firewire Input” routing parameters along with the A/D input parameters; Or is the Firewire input summed together with the A/D input?  Thanks again!

There are separate inputs for A/D (analog) and FW (digital).

The analog A/D input can be routed to INSERTION EFFECTS which can be routed to the main L/R output, or any of the assignable output options, including both the analog assignable L/R and the FW outputs which can be routed to your computer DAW.
The analog A/D input if routed to the main L/R outputs can use the System Effects, but if you re-route the AD to an assignable it will naturally be removed from the system.

The FW Inputs (digital) are RETURNS from your computer DAW. There are 3 pairs of returns:
Main L/R returns signal directly to the main L/R output jacks (for monitoring)
Asgn L/R returns signal directly to the asL/asR jacks on the back panel for second setup of monitors or an external headphone mix system
FW L/R returns signal to Motif XF internal mixer where you can sample it or simply monitor things from your computer.

Bad Mister:  wonderful!  Can the FW Inputs also be routed to the insertion effects when sent to ASGN L/R and MAIN L/R?  I assume that when sent to MAIN L/R, the FW signal will also use the System Effects. Thanks again for the response.

Can the FW Inputs also be routed to the insertion effects when sent to ASGN L/R and MAIN L/R?

No, the signal returning from the DAW to the Motif via firewire goes directly to the outputs - at that point it is going to speaker or headphone setup for monitoring.

If you want to apply Motif XF effects to signal returning from the DAW you would need to route it to the internal Motif XF mixer and sample it. Then make a Motif XF VOICE from it and apply INSERTION EFFECTS to your sampled Voice.