I can’t get the motif xs to sync to my external DAW’s tempo.  I am sure someone has had this problem before but I don’t see mention of it in an forum articles.  Can someone refer me to an article on this subject or tell me the basic setup in the daw and the motif xs.  Here is what I have tried:

scenario 1:  Performance mode/utility/midi I select midi sync as midi.  In my Daw, (acid 7 and then I tried Cubase 4 AI), I enable “generate MIDI time-code” Yamaha MOTIF XS6-4, frame rate smpte non-drop 30; and select “generate MIDI Clock settings” output device Yamaha MOTIF XS6-4; and select none for “trigger from MIDI time code settings”.
result:  No tempo sync.

Scenario 2:  In song mode/seq setup/quick setup #4.  Looked promising.  DAW is setup the same as before.  Arpeggios switched on (on the channel selected in song mode).
result:  no arpeggios, just single notes.

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I just want to record sections of arpeggios in time sync to my DAW.  This seems like an obvious thing to do, yet it is quite complex.  I am waiting for a call back from Yamaha support on this subject but that has taken a week in the past and I have a session sooner than that.  I could wild sync the audio but I rather not.  Any help thoughts on this subject would be great.

And I will post the result of my call back from Yamaha.  Thanks

Barry Beam - 11 March 2010 03:31 PM

I enable “generate MIDI time-code” Yamaha MOTIF XS6-4, frame rate smpte non-drop 30; and select “generate MIDI Clock settings” output device Yamaha MOTIF XS6-4; and select none for “trigger from MIDI time code settings”.
result:  No tempo sync.

Use XS6-1 not XS6-4. Port 4 is only for computer remote control. The clocks need to arrive on port 1.

You only need MIDI clock sent from the DAW, not MIDI time code.

I just want to record sections of arpeggios in time sync to my DAW.  This seems like an obvious thing to do, yet it is quite complex.

Yes it is and is one of the most complex things you can do.

The Motif XS is designed to record its own arpeggio data and it so straightforward… Makes us wonder why you want to go through this to record them to as MIDI to external sequencer…

Why not just record the arpeggio data to Motif XS tracks, then sync the two sequencers and transfer it? By far this is the easiest way. However, if you insist on doing it the hard way (that is, real time transfer of the arpeggio MIDI data, we can outline the process for you) there is an article outlining this in the SUPPORT area (see link below).

Meatballfulton is correct - all normal MIDI communication (note-on, controller, tempo) is handled on PORT 1 of the Motif XS and he is also correct about MIDI TIME CODE, it will not work, you want standard MIDI clock.

However, if you want to work with a PERFORMANCE, we highly recommend you use the Direct Performance Record function to record the PERFORMANCE (particularly if it has multiple arpeggios) to the internal sequencer, then you can transfer the data to your external sequencer quickly and easily using either “IMPORT Motif XS SONG” - if going to Cubase or by synchronizing via MIDI clock and using the SEQ SETUP (#2: Recording internal sequencer to computer)

article on Recording the Motif XS arpeggios to an external sequencer

Use XS6-1 not XS6-4. Port 4 is only for computer remote control. The clocks need to arrive on port 1.

You only need MIDI clock sent from the DAW, not MIDI time code.

Thanks Meatballfulton for your help!!  Now it works!  Thanks

Thanks Bad_Mister!  much appreciated.  I have been looking for that article for a week. 

Bad_Mister - 12 March 2010 11:47 AM

The Motif XS is designed to record its own arpeggio data and it so straightforward… Makes us wonder why you want to go through this to record them to as MIDI to external sequencer…

I have tracks in the can that I want to add performance arpeggio audio, (not MIDI), to my tracks while listening to my original audio.

Why not just record the arpeggio data to Motif XS tracks, then sync the two sequencers and transfer it? By far this is the easiest way.

That is a great idea for another project, (and maybe even this one but I will have to get experience with that technique to see how it will work for my style of recording.

However, if you insist on doing it the hard way (that is, real time transfer of the arpeggio MIDI data, we can outline the process for you)

At this point, thanks to you and Meatballfulton, it looks easier now.  I am just recording the audio from the motif to the daw. 
there is an article outlining this in the SUPPORT area (see link below).

Thanks!!!

Meatballfulton is correct - all normal MIDI communication (note-on, controller, tempo) is handled on PORT 1 of the Motif XS and he is also correct about MIDI TIME CODE, it will not work, you want standard MIDI clock.

However, if you want to work with a PERFORMANCE, we highly recommend you use the Direct Performance Record function to record the PERFORMANCE (particularly if it has multiple arpeggios) to the internal sequencer, then you can transfer the data to your external sequencer quickly and easily using either “IMPORT Motif XS SONG” - if going to Cubase or by synchronizing via MIDI clock and using the SEQ SETUP (#2: Recording internal sequencer to computer)

I will definitely look into that method.  thanks.

article on Recording the Motif XS arpeggios to an external sequencer