I currently have Apple Logic Pro X loaded on my iMac (2014).  I’d like to use the sound engine in the Motif 6 Classic to playback Logic Pro loops and other Logic Pro software sounds versus relying on the iMac sound card. Is this even doable?

I thought I would ask the basic question before attempting to do any/all updates to the Motif since no updates have been done in at least 4 years! 

Any advice help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi guitarman,

The way to do it would be via mLAN if you have an mLAN expansion board.  The USB on the Motif classic is only for MIDI data. 

The problem is that your computer’s operating system is way too modern for the mLAN protocol on the Motif 6 classic (2001), aside of any physical connection issues you may encounter.

In order to make it work, you’d need to run an older Mac, capable of running an operating system from around the same era as that particular mLAN protocol. 

Running an operating system from an older era would also dictate which DAW and version of it you could use… and it won’t be Logic Pro X.

It would make more sense to get a Motif with the current firewire protocol on it.  The Motif XS had both the last version or the transitional version of mLAN as well as the ‘new’ firewire protocol and the XF just has the new firewire protocol (which is current).

Phil,

If memory serves, the mlan board for the classic was a proof of concept rather than an actual consumer goody item. I don’t believe they are available. If they are, they are very rare and probably expensive.

That said, it does rather sound as if playing back the loops is a midi task anyway.  In which case USB midi is the way to go and yamahasynth.com would have the latest drivers for mac.

Hope this helps.

You could well be right and I don’t think it’s going to happen anyway.

I do believe that he is referring to audio from Logic, though… and I’m presuming that’s because he wants to be able to hear both Logic and his Motif classic at the same time, by having the Motif conveniently mix everything instead of buying extra equipment such as a mixer or an external audio interface. 

His only realistic option is feeding the iMac sound card’s output into the Motif’s A/D inputs.

My reply to the OP is just a polite way of saying “get a new keyboard because it’s ancient and no longer compatible.  You upgraded your computer, now do the same for your keyboard.” Which is just not my kind of M.O.

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