Here is what I have:

Windows Vista 64
Cubase AI4
Tascam US-122L Audio Interface (2 channel) USB connection to PC
Rack XS with mLan card
Installed YSFW, Rack Editor VST

I followed instructions in the Motif XS YSFW setup for Windows guide, but it wants me to choose the Rack XS as the ASIO. I want to use my Tascam as the audio interface so that I can have analog inputs (for microphone, etc) and simply use the Rack as an external instrument, but still take advantage of the mLan card to feed the 16 audio channels back into Cubase, rather than just the stereo main L&R;.

I have created a midi track, told it to go to the Rack XS VST instrument.  In the VST editor, I set the Output Select on channel 1 to m1.  In Cubase I set the audio returns of the VST Instrument to Rack XS 2 (in the VST Instruments) which creates the audio lane for Rack XS 2.  In that lane I do a Send to Stereo Out, which is my Tascam audio interface.

In the VSTi Setup in the Editor, the only option I have for return ports is my Tascam L&R;.  I assume I also need a return bus created in cubase for each of the 16 audio channels, as described in the “Setting up the External Instrument function in Cubase 5”, but AI4 does not have that menu option (only “Inputs” and “Outputs” tabs, no “External Instruments” tab).

Hence, I hear nothing.

Thanks,
David

I followed instructions in the Motif XS YSFW setup for Windows guide

No, we have to disagree… the very first thing the article states is that is for “When you are using the Motif XS with the Yamaha Steinberg FW driver (YSFW)...”

I guess if you ignore that very first statement, and the fact that the article is for the Motif XS (keyboard) everything is fine, but unfortunately if you are using the Tascam device and its driver as your ASIO driver, that means it is going to be your Audio interface.

You can still use the Motif-Rack XS VST via firewire but for MIDI only (or you can simply connect it via USB for MIDI). The audio outputs will not be available, again this is because you have selected to use the Tascam device and its driver as your ASIO DRIVER.

I do not know the Tascam unit, but I assume it has enough inputs, you will need to connect the audio Left and Right outputs of the Motif-Rack XS to two channels of that interface.

Then you will setup Cubase AI to use the Tascam recommended driver as your ASIO DRIVER.

When you launch DEVICES > VST INSTRUMENTS > EXTERNAL > Motif-Rack XS VST

Set up the Editor so that
FILE > SETUP > is set so that “mLAN/1394” is selected as your DATA PORT.

Under FILE > VSTI SETUP.. > select the Tascam driver for L and R Motif XS 1 > Click OK

This will allow you to use firewire to communicate to and from the Motif-Rack XS, and yet output audio from your Rack XS to the Tascam audio interface, which will send it to the computer.

Okay SORRY- as always, I try and re-read the post once I’ve answered the question just to see if I’ve covered everything… I see you do mention that the Tascam audio interface is only stereo (2 channel)… bummer, sorry but you are in an either/or situation.

I would suggest that you do your MIDI and/or audio tracking from the Motif-Rack XS first using the YSFW driver to lay down your basic tracks, then switch to your Tascam Driver for your microphone (audio) overdubs.

If possible you should take a look at the comparably priced Yamaha AudioGram3 - it might be 20 bucks more… the “3” means it has three audio channels (stereo for your keyboard and the third for your microphone), or for slightly more money the Yamaha AudioGram6, the “6” means you have two mono XLR-1/4 combi-jack inputs (Phantom power, if required) channels for microphone plus two pair of stereo channels for keyboards.

But in either case, you are still not going to be able to use the Tascam device as your audio interface at the same time you are using the Motif-Rack XS’s firewire connection for multiple audio outputs. You will have to record your music first, then reconfigure (select the other driver) and then overdub your microphone… this is very doable, unless you need to play and sing simultaneously.

So it sounds like in order to really take advantage of the mLan in the Rack utilizing its 16 channel audio transfer ability, the only option I have is to purchase a new audio interface that uses the same driver as the Rack: like the Steinberg MR816 X.  Not ideal.

But I can do this (please confirm/correct me): If I set asio to the Rack, do all of my instrumentation, then burn those tracks to audio channels (so I can hear them fully when switching to Tascam asio), then switch to Tascam asio, record my vocals, mix and master.

Question: when working on instrumentation (Rack asio), how do I take all of the tracks I am working on and simultaneously burn them to their respective individual audio channels?

I hope I am making sense in my questions and assumptions.

Thanks for your help.

So it sounds like in order to really take advantage of the mLan in the Rack utilizing its 16 channel audio transfer ability, the only option I have is to purchase a new audio interface that uses the same driver as the Rack: like the Steinberg MR816 X.  Not ideal

Yes, as ideal as it gets. In a computer-based world you want to have the option of using a single unified driver that can handle all your audio requirements. This is reality - one driver means that you will have a consistent sound quality and consistent workflow and timing, so this is the ideal.

In a perfect world, I guess, there would be one standard for moving audio to computers - and in the future that may happen but it has not yet - so this is as ideal as it gets. You have a choice of rack mount I/O (MR-series) or mixing desk (n-Series consoles). The sound quality is top-shelf in either case.

Other companies may offer other solutions - but given the circumstances (computers and their limitations and their choice of focus)…

But I can do this (please confirm/correct me): If I set asio to the Rack, do all of my instrumentation, then burn those tracks to audio channels (so I can hear them fully when switching to Tascam asio), then switch to Tascam asio, record my vocals, mix and master.

You would set your DAW to use the ASIO Driver (YSFW) which would allow you to use the Motif-Rack XS and its 16 audio bus outputs with your DAW. Lay down your music tracks, then switch to the driver required by your Tascam unit, and overdub your vocals… certainly. I do not know the capabilities of the Tascam so I will not guarantee that it allows you to monitor returning audio from your DAW and balance that with monitoring incoming audio without latency (direct monitor)… but you can quickly check on this in your Tascam documentation (all but the very least expensive audio interfaces should allow for this).

This is a legitimate way to work. And certainly Cubase allows you to switch ASIO Drivers in the middle of a session (precisely because this is what is done on computer-based systems - in today’s reality).

Question: when working on instrumentation (Rack asio), how do I take all of the tracks I am working on and simultaneously burn them to their respective individual audio channels?

If you are using Cubase AI, you would simply setup to use the Motif-Rack XS Editor VST to setup and deliver audio to your computer via the YSFW ASIO driver, then use Cubase’s EXPORT > AUDIO MIXDOWN to render an audio Track of your Motif-Rack XS ...  The EDITOR VST allows to route your MIDI tracks to the Rack XS and return audio via as many as 8 stereo buses (at one time)… these can be used to capture your recording (EXPORT AUDIO MIXDOWN) as audio.

With a full version of Cubase 5, you would be able to customize the routing of the audio buses even further, (obviously the more powerful version of the DAW software will offer more flexibility). The free (Cubase AI) you can route 8 PARTS at a time when rendering the audio… so a maximum of two passes would be all that is required if you wish to have each Rack XS track on it is own Audio Track in Cuabse.

Now when you switch ASIO drivers that will simply playback through your Tascam…

Understood....  Once again, Thanks for your help!