Old Motifator threads are available in the Archive.
ChristGuard
Total Posts: 9
Joined 01-21-2012 status: Newcomer |
Hey guys,
My end goal is to record multiple tracks simultaneously from the motif’s performance (I.E. if playing a performance with layered parts, I would like each part to be recorded on an individual track in cubase). Is this even possible using USB, do I need some other gear? If it is possible, can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks! |
VikasSharma
Total Posts: 1523
Joined 10-05-2010 status: Guru |
The PERFORMANCE mode in the Motif is a mono-timbral mode, i.e., it works on a single MIDI channel. The SONG and PATTERN modes are multi-timbral. What are you trying to record, btw - MIDI or AUDIO? The USB interface on the Motif provides MIDI-only communication capability. For AUDIO, you need the FW16E FireWire Audio-MIDI interface. |
ChristGuard
Total Posts: 9
Joined 01-21-2012 status: Newcomer |
I want to record Audio (I guess), with firewire, can more than one audio Chanel be recorded at once? |
VikasSharma
Total Posts: 1523
Joined 10-05-2010 status: Guru |
Yes, the FW16E interface adds 16 audio output buses for audio transmission from your Motif to your computer and 3 pairs of audio-returns for transferring audio from your computer to the Motif. In addition, it also works as your MIDI interface, so only one cable is required between your computer and the Motif. |
Bad_Mister
Total Posts: 36620
Joined 07-30-2002 status: Moderator |
It is possible to record each PART of a PERFORMANCE to a separate track. If you want to record it as MIDI data - do so by recording it directly to the Motif XF Sequencer using the “direct PERFORMANCE Record” feature. This would be used when you want to record the PERFORMANCE data as MIDI data so that you can edit it. It is far easier to Record this MIDI to the Motif XF’s own sequencer as it can differentiate MIDI data generated by an ARPEGGIO from MIDI data generated by you playing the keyboard. If you determine you want to record a PERFORMANCE to Cubase as Audio, you can do this via FIREWIRE. However, if you want to do this live while recording each PART to a separate Track, we have to ask if you understand what you are trying to do.
All four PARTS of a PERFORMANCE share the SYSTEM EFFECTS, MASTER EFFECTS and MASTER EQ.
You are in affect disassembling the PERFORMANCE to isolate each to a separate Track.
And I would ask you the same question - it is a subjective production question, but in general, you would not disassemble a performance unless you intend to process it differently or improve it some how. What do you plan to do with it when you disassemble it. Each PART can be routed to a separate OUTPUT SELECT (Firewire Out), In fact you could record each to its own STEREO output bus, each would be recorded with its own dual INSERTION EFFECT, and 3-band PART EQ. But realize that none would have Reverb, Chorus, Master FX or Master EQ.
Alternate method suggestion:
Hope that helps. |
ChristGuard
Total Posts: 9
Joined 01-21-2012 status: Newcomer |
Thanks for the replies! Let me try to explain more of what I want to do, as I want it to be done the best way possible (Bare with me as I am a computer geek and not a musician, my wife is the musician and we are working on this together). What I want to be able to do is have my wife play her masterpieces and have them record to different tracks that I can work with (levels, effects and what not) to tweak the song to our liking. I have experience with fruity loops and music production in general, but not much). So, if she plays a song on her motif that uses an organ voice, a string voice, and a piano voice, then I want those voices to recorded each on there own separate channels in cubase. I don’t care if it’s the audio or midi that gets transferred (actually, I am not sure the difference, when I think midi I think of the sound files that end in .midi and sound like 8 bit digital music). I hope that clarifies what I am wanting to do, I want to know the best/easiest way to do it. Let me know what else to clarify, as I am such an Uber Noob at this stuff it;s not even funny ;) |
Bad_Mister
Total Posts: 36620
Joined 07-30-2002 status: Moderator |
It is very important to know the difference between MIDI and audio. Especially in light of your desire. MIDI data has never been heard. So your concept of it being poor sound is wrong. It is not sound at all… ever. MIDI data is no more sound than the notes written with a pen on a piece of paper. A “score” is a graphic representation of music. But you’ve never heard a score, it does not make sound. It only represents sound (notation). The score must be interpreted by a musician/musicians and a musical instrument/instruments to turn it into sound (music). The notation itself is not sound. MIDI data is not sound, it is not music, it is a representation of sound just as the score is. MIDI is a series of coded messages that represent musical performances. It has to be interpreted by a MIDI tone generator that can turn it into sound (music). If you press middle “C” on the keyboard… the sequencer documents that note #60 was pressed and held for a specific amount of time. It does not record what sound is happening. Only that note #60 was pressed. The sound that interprets note 60 is interchangeable while it is MIDI data. So very much like a roll of paper with holes punched in it is an example of data for an old school “player piano"… MIDI data is an example of new school data for today’s “player piano: the Synth Workstation” So MIDI data transferred to Cubase will need to played back to the Motif XF in order to be heard. the Motif XF tone generator (synth engine) can take the coded messages and output sound (musical instrument sounds). You cannot just take the Cubase File to your friends house when you want them to hear it. If they do not also have a Motif XF to interpret your “paper with holes in it” you will not be able to hear your song… unless you have a Motif XF to interpret the coded messages (MIDI data) and turn it into sound. However, AUDIO is a recorded representation of sound (music) and is data that can be played back by any number of devices. You can burn CDs from the audio data. You can compress it to MP3 (a small data compressed version of audio data). You can take an audio file (as a .wav or AIFF file) to a friends house, and play it back on their computer (without having to take along your Motif XF).
MIDI has never been heard - it is just a series of coded messages that represent the music.
You want to be able to record AUDIO to Cubase. MIDI data is recorded because it is possible to edit it in ways you cannot once it is audio. Example: Say you wife plays piano, then strings and finally overdubs a melody using an oboe VOICE on the XF… After several playbacks you decide that oboe is just not right, you can while it is still MIDI data switch instruments and listen to it with a Flute Voice or maybe a clarinet Voice. MIDI data is not sound so it is easy to switch the instrument that is interpreting the MIDI coded messages. Once you record it as AUDIO you have committed to the sound. |
cmayhle
Total Posts: 3116
Joined 10-05-2011 status: Guru |
ChristGuard, it sounds like what you are trying to do is very basic to the XF right out of the box. If I were you, I wouldn’t even involve CUBASE at this point, you don’t really need to. You can accomplish everything you have discussed by using the XF’s internal sequencer and PATTERN and SONG mode. First, you can refer to the chapters “Creating an Original Song” and “Creating an Original Pattern” in the XF OWNER’s MANUAL, which will give you an overview of these activities. You will find more in-depth discussion of these tools in the XF REFERENCE MANUAL as you get more familiar and have more specific questions that need to be answered. You will be able to record up to 16 separate TRACKS inside the XF (In the sequencer), and retain full ablility to tweak them to your hearts content. Recording to PATTERN, and then using PATTERNS to create SONGS is a very powerful way to assist you in forming pieces of songs first, and then combining them. I would highly recommend purchasing the (2) DVD’s known together as the Full Motifation Special from the SHOP: Full MotifationSpecial for the MOTIF XS These were done for the Motif XS, but really apply just as much to the XF. You will have plenty of time to get to CUBASE in the future, but right now what you are trying to do (And much more) is waiting right inside your XF. |
ChristGuard
Total Posts: 9
Joined 01-21-2012 status: Newcomer |
Bad_mister,
However, I still wonder if I can record multiple Midi inputs. IE, if the notes 1-50 are played it records to one channel and if the remainder of the notes are played if records to anther. That way, if my wife is intentionally using a split keyboard I can capture that and change the two interments to be what I would like. Finally, what voices are available in Cubase AI 6? Can I use the voices from the Motif (Use the motif to interpret the Midi and play backs it’s voices through my computer)? Thanks again for all the help! |