Old Motifator threads are available in the Archive.
Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
Hi everyone,
I’ve been trying to connect my XS8 to my MAC via firewire, so I can use all the benefits XS offers.
What I want is, to be able to use my XS as a true VSTi and DSP effect device. I should be able to use XS’s internal voices as I use, say, my Arturia Moog VSTi. When I open Moog VSTi, I have a MIDI (instrument) track in my DAW (Studio One 3 Pro), and when send MIDI signal from XS (local off), I can hear the Moog sound; without setting an audio track. I want XS to act that way.
I have read many articles and have watched many videos especially about the FW connection, but I unfortunately failed each and every attempt. This is because:
XS is a powerful, powerful workstation. I kindly request assistance for connecting it to my Mac via mLAN, and how to use it properly. Thanks in advance |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
I’d like to read that post before replying further. Please provide a link to it. |
Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
Here it is:
Not the exact phrase, but the essence stays, I guess. Is mLAN not the best way to connect to a computer? |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
Thanks for the link. You seem to have misinterpreted what that thread was about. The discussion concerned using an optional Yamaha mLAN16E in a Motif ES versus an external M-Audio FW410 interface. The point made was that the Yamaha device was superior to the M-Audio one, not that mLAN was better than FireWire (FW). Of course, mLAN uses the FW bus to communicate.
Another question before I get into more detail…
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Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
Thank you very much!
Yes, I also have TC Electronic Impact Twin (connected via FW).
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5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
You’re welcome. I hope that getting the XS communicating via FW will be helpful in your endeavors.
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While the TC Electronic Impact Twin is connected via FW, it isn’t an mLAN device. I asked because if you had other mLAN (typically Yamaha) devices, the choice of drivers is limited. Otherwise, a FW driver compatible with your computer/OS can be used if the mLAN16E2 in your XS8 has updated firmware.
An updated mLAN16E2 runs version 1.07 firmware. If you’ve never updated the XS, it likely doesn’t have the update installed. If you can run the following, you can determine which version is currently installed, and update if necessary…
Let us know how that goes.
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Unfortunately, I can only try to assist with the XS8 - assistance with any of the rest will have to come from others. |
Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
Thanks again!
I see. No other mLAN devices.
1.07 it is (and was).
That’s ok, I am in touch with other communities/people concerning non-XS(non-Yamaha) problems. Knowing what result I should expect / what could be done and how to connect properly would be enough, I think.
Since I’m not familiar with computer protocols such as LAN or FW, here are some rookie questions:
Again; thank you for your time and your patience. |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
Also coaxial S/PDIF and Ethernet. The S/PDIF connection is basically what’s available at the L/MONO and R main line outputs, but as 44kHz/16-bit digital. The Ethernet connection is mostly useful for file transfers between the XS and a computer.
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A USB (or IEEE1394/FW) connection is the equivalent of multiple MIDI ports. See MIDI channels and MIDI ports on pages 43-44 of the XS Owner’s Manual. Note that in addition to what’s described there, Port 4 is used for the Yamaha Editor. It’s possible to connect a USB hub to the XS. That will allow multiple USB devices to be plugged in simultaneously. For example, more than one flash drive, plus a USB ASCII keyboard (which can make entering file names, etc., much easier than using the data dial and cursor keys). If an Ethernet connection is established, that should allow the computer to see the flash drives connected to the hub, and for files to be transferred between those flash drives and the computer.
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If you’ve updated the mLAN16E2 firmware to 1.07, have OS 1.60 installed on the XS, and are using the proper YSFW driver, then you aren’t using mLAN protocols. Properly configured FW should provide both MIDI and digital audio connections.
Since you mentioned that you have the Yamaha XS Editor running with FW, I presume that the XS settings are correct. However, just to be sure…
If you’re having difficulty with getting the XS VST to function under Studio One, I’m afraid that’s something I can’t help with. I found a few links which discuss similar problems, although not necessarily with an XS running FW. Perhaps they will be of some help, or hint at where to turn…
Otherwise, hopefully another Motifator member can offer further insight. |
Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
Hi back, Thank you for your response. While I was waiting (for a response), I’ve found out that I have a Cubase LE 6 license, for which I’ve paid a little money and so I have Cubase LE 10 now. :) As I no longer will be suffering to an ‘alien’ software as S3 (alien to Yamaha, apparently :), I will redo the steps as soon as the download and setup is done. I will be back. ;) |
Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
Nope :(
Extending the USB port with a hub is a brilliant idea, 5pinDIN! Thanks!
By the way, I’ve found out that FW and mLAN are almost the same protocols, both connected via FW. I thought mLAN = ethernet! Since ethernet is faster and more stable than FW (and USB), and since I couldn’t connect my XS to Studio One properly, I think I should give another shot to the ethernet connection.
Kind regards,
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5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
VST is Steinberg’s thing, and compatibility by other company’s products (in particular with VST3) can be hit-or-miss.
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It’s not my original idea, but you’re welcome.
See page 5 of this…
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As I’m sure you’re aware, the XS has two USB ports. The TO DEVICE port will support a hub, and both memory devices and an ASCII keyboard can be attached. The hub can be bus-powered as long as the total current draw by all attached devices doesn’t exceed 0.5amps (500mA). If more current is needed, a self-powered hub can be used. MIDI data communication is via the TO HOST port. Typically that requires a connection to a computer, or alternatively another device acting as a host.
If at the same time USB operation is active, you’d like to use an external keyboard having 5-pin MIDI with the XS, that can be done via Port 3. See the Port 3 information on page 44 of the XS Owner’s Manual. This thread might also be informative:
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Since mLAN was available on several Yamaha devices, if someone owns them it’s usually best to stick with mLAN. The mLAN16E2 was replaced by the FW16E (which unfortunately is no longer available from Yamaha). The mLAN driver can’t be used with the FW16E - it requires the FW driver. The updated firmware (version 1.07) for the mLAN16E2 allows that same FW driver to be used with it. |
Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
Wise and elegant as usual… Thanks!
5pinDIN: “VST is Steinberg’s thing, and compatibility by other company’s products (in particular with VST3) can be hit-or-miss.”
5pinDIN: “The mLAN16E2 was replaced by the FW16E (which unfortunately is no longer available from Yamaha). The mLAN driver can’t be used with the FW16E - it requires the FW driver. The updated firmware (version 1.07) for the mLAN16E2 allows that same FW driver to be used with it.”
Kind regards… |
Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
The most recent knowledge and information, the better it is, btw.
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5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
I hope you have eventual success with Studio One. My point was that although Steinberg offers an SDK (Software Development Kit) for VST3, apparently not all third-party software fully implements it properly.
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Perhaps I need to clarify the situation…
This thread…
Sorry, but that’s all I can offer. If another Motifator member has had success with using an XS as VSTi with Studio One, please post. |
Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
5pinDIN: Perhaps I need to clarify the situation…
Me: No. I think I need to clarify what I was asking. I don’t have any other mLAN devices other than XS, it’s true. But since I cannot obtain a proper connection through FW, mLAN /ethernet connection has the advantage of:
5pinDIN: I hope you have eventual success with Studio One. My point was that although Steinberg offers an SDK (Software Development Kit) for VST3, apparently not all third-party software fully implements it properly. Me: Thanks, I think I’m very close to the end of the solution. Although Studio One ‘sees’ VST3 (in this case the XS8), it is lacking the menus such as ‘VST setup’, where I could easily route the audio signal from the XS. Now that I’ve eliminated most of the problems, I can ask one single question, that should wash all of the troubles away:
Do I have to route XS-outs to the other audio device (Impact Twin)? Or is it not necessary, as for the XS is already sending audio data via FW?
A second question is: If I must route the audio signal from XS to Impact Twin anyway, is SPDIF not a better and more steril way for that? Should I go for it?
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Kahnn
Total Posts: 53
Joined 05-28-2011 status: Experienced |
In other words, this is what it is supposed to be (according to me):
If c is not to happen, what is the purpose of FW? What is FW’s superiority to USB connection? |