Thanks Multi76 and BM.....Yes, I’m familiar with Pattern Chain and it is what I currently use in real time because I just can’t seem to get a handle on it in edit mode....I just thought if it worked in a more traditional way, the way most pattern and song modes worked, it would be a much faster process of creating a song from the patterns...It most certainly would be in my case...Thanks again....ZR

Bad_Mister - 09 February 2010 01:13 PM

To understand why this (direct voice record) is not a viable suggestion you would have to understand the function of the Motif XS PART....

It should be possible to do.  If you’re in VOICE mode and you hit Record, it should do like it does when you hit Record in PERFORMANCE mode, but instead of transferring 4 performance parts into song or pattern mode, it would set up 1 part using the selected VOICE.  If it could automatically copy all the voice parameters as well, including effects, so the voice sounds the same as it did in VOICE mode, even better.  Maybe make this optional, in case you want to record a new part in an existing song/pattern, starting in VOICE mode.

It would be handy if you’re noodling around in VOICE mode and you decide you want to record (in MIDI) what you’re playing, just hit Record, pick Song or Pattern, set the track, and go.  Far fewer steps than going into Song/Pattern mode, finding an empty slot, then go into Mixing and bring the voice in, yadda yadda before you can even start recording (by then you may have lost the groove you were in).

Why not activate only ONE Part (in example, only Part 1), in Performance mode, and record that?

RobsonLuis - 12 February 2010 08:25 AM

Why not activate only ONE Part (in example, only Part 1), in Performance mode, and record that?

I think kpatz answered to your question:

“It would be handy if you’re NOODLING AROUND IN VOICE MODE and you decide you want to record (in MIDI) what you’re playing, just hit Record, pick Song or Pattern, set the track, and go.  Far fewer steps than going into Song/Pattern mode, finding an empty slot, then go into Mixing and bring the voice in, yadda yadda before you can even start recording (by then you may have lost the groove you were in). “

Heres what I’ve found that the Motif XS is missing..

1. The ability to sequence other keyboards
2. More synth waveforms
3. Pattern Chain is a JOKE. An operation this simple should not be as tedious and complicated.
4. Remix mode, you should be able to assign the effect to whichever measure (forget term, im away from the XS) you choose, not just all, every other, last. She be able to assign freely to any measure.
5. Remix mode, you should be able to change parts while remix and still be able to maintain the remix settings in a nondestructive manner while applying to other tracks.
6. You shouldn’t have to save mixing settings separate from the pattern? What is this?
7. Any of the four arpeggiators should be able to program any track without switching patches on the part track with the arp.
8. Since the sampling section is of no use to anybody, In the Sampling section you need to be able to customize start points for each slice, assign a slice to a key as well as a playback mode per key. 
9. The Motif XS should be able to support any wav file. Any bit depth. Its 2010.
10. If there some additional features you were to add and/or enhance the os, there should be a way to customize the behavior of the OS by the user.
11. A way to create/modify+edit ARPs
12. A way to edit and automate parameters like volume and pan ect.
13. better integration with cubase in the different modes. All I currently own is AI4 and I think if you truly want to integrate the XS in a studio environment, it should be able to function somewhat like the Motif. If you were in pattern mode, Cubase should have an environment similar to the Motif OS and make it easier for you to edit whats on the Motif. You shouldn’t have one device that is suppose to assist another only to be not only stuck, but constantly switching between the two to accomplish operations that one machine alone should be able to complete.
14. The free content thats has/is available should be hosted one a website somewhere. I still don’t have my Loyalty DVD content.

These are just some of the issues I can recall at the moment. Yamaha needs to seriously fix the problems users are having with this keyboard. I swear by quality products, but I’m positive the XS will cause Yamaha to lose many loyal users because of what this ‘flagship’ synthesizer is missing.

-Cell

SHUJINCELL - 18 February 2010 08:05 PM

Heres what I’ve found that the Motif XS is missing..
<snip>

You appear to be very unfamiliar with the XS. It can do several of these things already.

Df.

Dreamflight - 18 February 2010 09:15 PM

SHUJINCELL - 18 February 2010 08:05 PM

Heres what I’ve found that the Motif XS is missing..
<snip>

You appear to be very unfamiliar with the XS. It can do several of these things already.

Df.

I know it should be able to do most of the stuff I mentioned. I figure if I can think of it, they’ve already thought/implemented the features. I haven’t got around to the song or master mode yet so I’m not really familiar with that. Right now I just completed pattern mode, and after I spend another hour arranging this pattern chain I can export it to song mode. Thats where my song training will begin. 
It just seems like the pretty advanced stuff is easy and the really easy stuff is ridiculously complex for no reason. Im trying my hardest to stay with this synth but the developers aren’t making it easy for me. I’m not getting what I think I should for a standalone keyboard/sequencer.

-Cell

15. Add the ability to change quantize setting during a recording

P.S. Dreamflight appreciate your help, you really helped me on the sampling problems I was having a few months ago. So I believe what you say about me not knowing about the keyboard. Its really the workflow.
One of the biggest problems I had with the Motif is not knowing when you can and cannot hit edit, job, and believe it or not the store button. Some screens it look like you have no options to do things. Even playing play while in pattern or song mode to resample before they added the audio to wav feature. Stuff like that confuses the hell out of me.

-Cell

SHUJINCELL - 18 February 2010 10:05 PM

15. Add the ability to change quantize setting during a recording

P.S. Dreamflight appreciate your help, you really helped me on the sampling problems I was having a few months ago. So I believe what you say about me not knowing about the keyboard. Its really the workflow.
One of the biggest problems I had with the Motif is not knowing when you can and cannot hit edit, job, and believe it or not the store button. Some screens it look like you have no options to do things. Even playing play while in pattern or song mode to resample before they added the audio to wav feature. Stuff like that confuses the hell out of me.

-Cell

I agree with a lot mentioned here, I’ve had the XS for around a month now and the biggest issue I have with it is it’s edit modes.
Be it in Song Mode, mix mode, pattern, utility setup, voice editing, arps and voice assigning, track editing...the list goes on.
The whole setup has no ‘logical’ work flow.

There is no continuity to the edit modes or how it’s displayed. Everything is scattered about the place with some options not even shown on the screen. And unless you have a photographic memory or use the XS more than you do your bed, you can’t remember what you pressed to get to the place you are or how to get back to it if you leave it to do something else and vice versa.

Yamaha need to go back to basics with the OS design,
It should have a ‘Simple Mode’ and an ‘Advanced Mode’.
Lots of options - but only if I need them.
They started well with the quick mode midi/PC setup and the utility mode isn’t that bad either, but it’s down hill there after.

The XS user manual isn’t a manual at all, it doesn’t tell you how to do anything.
This is because not even Yamaha could explain the complexity of their own OS so they left it to us to fathom out.

OK, first of all, the editing menus should be linked to what it is your doing. 
e.g. In Mixing mode you should be able to select a track from the main mixing console and press ‘edit’. Using the Mixing as the starting point.

The next page has all of the edit options available for that track numbered from 1 to XX
e,g, Option 1 is ‘Sequencer Track edit’ mode > Pressing 1 shows a new page of ‘track edit options’ listed 1– XX > 1 being eg. transpose options for that track…and so on.

or from main Mix Mode Edit page > Press 2 to enter ‘voice edit mode’ > pressing 2 shows all ‘edit options’ for the selected track > 1-XX of editing options…….e.g Pressing 10 takes you to envelope level or 3 takes you to the FX’s level editing pages.
(Pressing the left and right arrows takes you through all the pages on each level)

Or a final e.g., from main Mix Mode Edit page > Press Option 3 to enter I/O Mode (Midi/Audio) > Output Options > 1 – XX > and so on

Also, each page should have a ‘back’ or ‘home’ key to take you back a level, exit out of mixing console or home to console view.

Alternatively, another option would be to have a ‘page 2’ of the main mixing console with a completely different set of options, like midi channel, audio out, mute, noteshift,
then by selecting and pressing enter on each section, that opens up the utilities for that section…like a ‘short cut’, you should also be able to assign ‘shortcuts’ for each track.
Much easier especially if you’re resampling, fine tweaking voices or using different midi devices

The whole structure ‘especially’ the sequencer and record modes should have a tiered and interlinked system, focusing on ‘levels’ using numbers and page buttons’ left and right’, enter, home, back and exit
Most of us can read and count so we’re not learning anything new, it’s all logical and straightforward.
Not ‘in one menu’ ‘out the other’, common edit this, job that, press number this, then that then store...dizzy dizzy……

From the main edit mode page, one number on the pad should be able to take you where it is you want to go, clear and precise commands, then I decide how far up the ladder I would like to go from that page onwards.

At the moment it takes for ever to get anything done.

Yamaha should take a leaf out of Pioneers book and get the software designers to sit down with ‘normal’ musicians, not ‘just’ the Studio technicians, Producers or keyboard wizards.

Keep it simple but logical with the option to ‘open Pandora’s box’ if we need to.

Every motif user I’ve spoken to who sold their synths said,
“It’s too complicated and not productive enough to use as a workstation - but the sounds are excellent”

I purchased the Yamaha XS because I’ve been devoted to Yamaha equipment since I became a musician 25 years ago, I understood the logic of all of their equipment, with quick and easy, user friendly interfaces. The motif – well……I blame the UNIX software developers, they are not in touch with the musicians needs and feel it’s design structure is that of computer game rather than to make music.

Your thoughts please…

beechit - 22 February 2010 01:49 PM

Keep it simple but logical with the option to ‘open Pandora’s box’ if we need to.

That would mean more button pushes for advanced users, no thanks.

I’ve had that nigtmare enough with windows software like the latest Office release. MS tried to make it simple for simple users and as a result it is complete nightmare for advanced users.

Lets just face it, you have to be smart enough to handle modern workstations. Fortunately there is choices, like piano for example : )

Another nice-to-have in a future OS update: Have the XS “remember” network mounts and re-mount them automatically on next power-up, if the resources are available.

Maybe also “remember” the last drive/folder you were in so next time you go into File mode (even after power off/on) it’ll put you back in the same place.

A screen that tilts up.

tuquoque - 09 February 2010 07:37 AM

Bad_Mister - 09 February 2010 06:27 AM

Keep the thoughts coming…

Ok, couple more from me. It makes five, I guess : )

- Performance direct record mode is brilliant. It makes me wonder wouldn’t it be possible to have a voice direct record mode? Just push record in voice mode, TAP in the tempo (with record button?), hit play and recording starts.

- Tap tempo is requested by many. One way to implement it would be to allow users to tap the tempo with record button when track is armed for recording. When armed for recording, F3 button is unused in both song and pattern modes.

Push record - Push and keep down F3 to activate the tap tempo mode and metronome - tap the tempo with record button - inactivate tap tempo mode by releasing F3 - hit play and recording starts.

Thanks for reading.

On the subject of “Tap Tempo”, my Motif MM6 already has that function on the front Panel buttons....[Metronome] - [Tap Tempo] - [Tempo + -].

It also has front Panel [Transpose up/down] buttons (very useful!), as well as [Octave up/down] buttons.

I seriously miss [Transpose] Buttons on my Motif MO6!

Paul....MO6/MM6...;)...!

Are we going to have GRID STEP RECORDING or piano roll? RS7000 style grid recording using the 16 buttons on the right and a piano roll like on M3/Fantom G??

This has been asked several times but never addressed.

nchrist - 17 March 2010 08:12 PM

Are we going to have GRID STEP RECORDING or piano roll? RS7000 style grid recording using the 16 buttons on the right and a piano roll like on M3/Fantom G??

This has been asked several times but never addressed.

Agree++