I have an xf8 linked by firewire to cubase5ai running on a macbook pro.  I need step-by-step direction on how to record as separate stereo tracks the four voices presented in performance mode on the motif.  I’d like to be able to record either audio or just midi.

thanks

The question is far too general. That is, what PERFORMANCE… does it contain Arpeggios? Arpeggios greatly complicate things. Some of the MIDI notes are generated by YOU hitting the Keys directly, others are generated by the various active arpeggios. Further, what KEY MODE is each of the arpeggio Types in use?

Also ONLY audio tracks are stereo, MIDI is simply data (technically speaking MIDI is neither mono nor stereo).

Without going any further here is what you need to do:

1) Call up the PERFORMANCE you which to record
2) press the Record button, select a blank SONG as a target
3) record your data to the MOTIF XF sequencer

When complete press [STORE] to write your recording to the XF’s internal Flash ROM
next, press [FILE], SAVE your data to an ALL data file.

Now you can open that file in Cubase AI5
Go to File > Import > Motif XF SONG

Cubase can open your XF ALL data file and you will be able to import all the data into your Cubase Project.
See the following article for step-by-step details.

Motif XF SONG IMPORT explained

Using the Motif XF’s own DIRECT PERFORMANCE RECORD guarantees success - the XF is designed to record (easily) its own Performances - also since Motif XF ALL data file (.X3A) can be opened and the data read by cubase - there is no reason to struggle through trying to record this data in real time.

However, if you want to setup to record audio - please follow this tutorial on recording a Motif XF Performance as audio (there are some Motif XF Performances that require you record them as audio):

Recording a Motif XF PERFORMANCE as audio to your DAW

STORE and Save your data to an ALL data file (.X3A) - Cubase can import AUDIO data from a Motif XF file as well as MIDI track data. If you get stuck post back here.