I wanted to buy a motif rack (the XS series). The rack itself comes with a complete version of Cubase that integrates with the rack. I was curious how the rack itself worked in conjunction with the program. The questions I have are:

1) My computer isn’t a beast. It’s a laptop that is a couple of years old. It runs fine, just not amazing. It runs XP. However, I was curious if the memory usage of the sounds themselves were used by the rack and not through the program (thus creating lag and a major bog down by my system).

2) If they are run through the rack, do they record into Cubase much like an audio file, or does the rack work much like a VST, in which I can edit my notes and sounds directly within Cubase (many different sounds/programs at once), but still use the rack as my primary source of memory?

That’s basically it. If someone says that the memory usage is used by the rack for the sounds (and effects for sounds outside of the program), and that you can use it as a VST (thus editing each individual note(s) within the program). Then I’ll buy it probably this week.

Hope you can help!

PS - Even if the rack itself uses the memory in place of my computer. My soundcard is an external Tascam US-144. Will I expect lag in my midi to sound delivery?

1) My computer isn’t a beast. It’s a laptop that is a couple of years old. It runs fine, just not amazing. It runs XP. However, I was curious if the memory usage of the sounds themselves were used by the rack and not through the program (thus creating lag and a major bog down by my system).

The question does not make sense. There is no “memory usage of the sounds themselves”. The Motif-Rack XS is hardware the sounds are always going to be coming from the hardware. If there is any bogging down of your computer it will come because it is not up to the recommended specification to run the software you are trying to run.

2) If they are run through the rack, do they record into Cubase much like an audio file, or does the rack work much like a VST, in which I can edit my notes and sounds directly within Cubase (many different sounds/programs at once), but still use the rack as my primary source of memory?

Again the question is does not make sense. The Motif-Rack XS is hardware, you can record data to Cubase either as MIDI data or as AUDIO data if you get an appropriate audio interface to receive audio into your computer.

You can run a VST Editor that will allow you to address the external Motif-Rack XS hardware in a similar manner to how signal is routed to a softsynth… but the Motif-Rack XS is external to your computer so it will not impact the CPU resources of your computer to make sound. What impacts your CPU is the software you are attempting to run, and again that will be a function of whether or not your computer meets the recommended specification to run the software.

But the sounds, effects, EQ, etc, are all hardware and generated by the Motif-Rack XS - and have 0 impact on your computer’s CPU resources. Only the EDITOR and the DAW software you are running will impact that.

So that you understand the VST routing. When you have a computer-based VST Instrument it exists entirely on the computer. YOu address it by creating a MIDI track, you record MIDI data to that track and then that track is fed to the virtual synth, which returns audio in response to the MIDI data.

The Motif-Rack XS is always external to the computer. When you setup the “Motif-Rack XS Editor VST” it tricks the computer by routing the signal in a similar fashion. Here’s what I mean: The Motif-Rack Editor VST is setup using the VST Instrument interface just like the softsynths do. You create a MIDI track to contain the data you are going to use to trigger the synth… instead of the synth being inside the computer, the data is routed OUT via MIDI to the Motif-Rack XS, which then RETURNS audio via a pre-determined routing situation setup within the Editor VST. The EDTIOR VST simply acts like a softsynth but instead of addressing something on the computer it address the external Motif-Rack XS.

The Motif-Rack XS comes with Cubase AI and introductory version of Cubase. It is fully functional and will introduce you to some of the features and functions that the full versions of Cubase have. 

Even if the rack itself uses the memory in place of my computer. My soundcard is an external Tascam US-144. Will I expect lag in my midi to sound delivery?

In order to make full use of the Motif-Rack XS and get audio recording, the better your audio interface the more flexibility you will have when it comes to recording audio to your computer.

The Motif-Rack XS VST requires an audio interface. If you audio interface is capable of just a stereo return, you will only be able to record LEFT/RIGHT output.

If, for example, you have an audio interface with four analog inputs you can also make use of the Rack XS’s assignable output.
If you get the mLAN16E2 Firewire expansion for the Motif-Rack XS you will have the capability of recording on 16 audio buses (14 assignable outputs plus the Left/Right stereo output).

The Editor VST has the maximum audio setup for 8 stereo pairs of outputs simultaneously.

I am not familiar with the Tascam US144 - you will need to do some research about the capabilities this will afford you. If they suit your needs then go for it.