I’m still using a my 8 ‘classic’ for solo gigs, and I’m stuck because I have about 200 songs in the sequencer and can’t even use them on my ES. I know I can save them as SMFs and convert them with templates, but with 200 songs… what a pain! And nobody seems to make a file conversion utility.

Here’s a question: What’s the rundown on sequencer file compatibility on various generations, from the classic to the XS? Yamaha seems to change the file formats without telling anyone, which is not very nice.

You already seem aware of the situation with the Classic. This support article and the PDF in the linked ZIP download explain what needs to be done in the case of the ES:
http://www.motifator.com/index.php/support/view/converting_motif_es_and_mo6_mo8_data_to_the_motif_xs

Because Songs and Patterns contain unique Voice assignments, plus unique (and developing with each model) FX processing, it sort of makes sense to only allow transfer between models at the pure note-data, SMF level, pain though that can be.

Each model of Motif or MO has its own unique file formats for anything and everything and I’m not aware Yamaha hid that, as such. So far as we’re aware, there are no quicker or simpler methods than SMF. Looking on the bright side, whenever you have to do this it lets you (OK makes you!) re-assess your voicing and FX processing. And that can be fun!

Thanks for the .pdf, which reads:

You may have noticed that we have not
mentioned the original Motif (2001). There is no
conversion function for data from the
original Motif. However, if original Motif data is
converted to ES data, then it can be ported to the
XS.

So, it seems the ALL SONG files can be read from the ES onward.

As far as the ‘fun’ of converting the sequences, especially with multiple scenes throughout, it seems about as fun as a hangnail.

All Song files can be opened for extraction of voices and samples/waveforms but not the sequence data. Read the footnotes…

Thanks Meatball… Didn’t see that, but even voices and waveforms will help some. I plan to eventually run the sequences on a tablet and use VSTs. It’s just nice to have them all built in to the keyboard.