Moving a Cubase Project into the MOX6/MOX8

Question: What is the easiest way to get a sequenced Cubase song onto MOX and play back properly so I don’t need my laptop connected on stage?
Moving your Cubase Project’s MIDI data to the MOX6/MOX8 is the first step. You can transfer the MIDI tracks of Cubase to individual tracks of the MO-X using a special file format to transfer the data. This FILE will include the event data that is written to the actual MIDI tracks (note-ons, controllers, etc.) of your Project. The MIXING data, which is everything concerning the MO-X tone generator setup, is already in your MO-X, so all we need to do is [STORE] it to a particular location. Once you have transferred the file (saved it to a USB drive and loaded it to the MOX) reuniting the MIDI data with the tone generator setup, you can save it as MOX6/MOX8 ALL data file.

What we want to move is the MIDI event data. That is, the MIDI events that are documented (recorded) in the tracks of Cubase. We will use a file format developed specifically for moving MIDI sequence data universally - the Standard MIDI File or SMF they use the extension .MID

The Standard MIDI File is a universal way in which data from one sequencer can be exported for loading into another sequencer. Since the data is only the MIDI event data generated by your performing, it does not include any Yamaha MOX6/MOX8 exclusive data which is responsible for all the tone engine settings. In fact the MO-X tone generator’s data is not exported when you export the Standard MIDI File.

While MIDI event data is fairly standard, the MOX6/MOX8 mix and Voice parameters are specifcally YAMAHA parameters and therefore are not automatically documented in the Cubase tracks. Since you created the Cubase Project using the MOX6/MOX8 all you need do is make sure you [STORE] the MIXING setup in a known SONG or PATTERN location.

So here are the important steps in this transfer:
_ Export the MIDI sequencer data as a SMF to a USB stick device
_ [STORE] the MIXING (tone generator) setup (synthesizer data) to a known SONG or PATTERN location within the MOX6/MOX8.
_ Reunite the SMF with the tone generator setup by loading the .MID File to the SONG or PATTERN location in question.
_ Save your reunited data in a MOX6/MOX8 file format

Cubase: Export MIDI File

Go to FILE > EXPORT > MIDI FILE > When the dialog box opens set a NAME for the file and target it to a USB drive you use with your MOX6/MOX8. The SONG title is probably good enough as a name.
When you get the next dialog box you will be able to set the EXPORT parameters:

EXPORT as Type 0
480 clock ticks per quarter note

Import the SMF to a MOX6/MOX8 SONG or PATTERN

Remove the USB stick from your computer and plug it into the USB “To Device” port of the MOX6/MOX8
You will be able to load this data to any SONG or PATTERN location in the MOX6/MOX8

Call up the SONG or PATTERN location you were working with when you created the Cubase Project.
_ Press [FILE]
_ Press [F1] CONFIG
_ Select your USB drive
_ Press [F3] LOAD
_ Set the TYPE = SONG or PATTERN
_ Move the cursor into the selection area and highlight the name of your FILE

Here you can press [SF1] EXEC to select the LOAD target (the one containing your SONG or PATTERN MIXING setup) or you can press [SF2] > which allows you to play the file directly from the USB stick without having to load it to the internal sequencer. Let’s look at each of these options individually.

Press [SF1] EXEC to LOAD
If you select this option you will be moved to a screen where you can select a target SONG location, 01-64 or PATTERN location, 01-64. If you select PATTERN you must additionally target a particular SECTION, A-P. (There is a 256 measure limit to a PATTERN SECTION… just FYI)
_ Select the numbered location where you have the MIXING setup STORED
_ Press [SF1] EXEC to execute the load

The MIDI data will be loaded. TYPE 0 SMF will ensure that all tracks designated as MIDI Channel 1 go to track 1, MIDI channel 2 goes to track 2, and so on.
_ Press [STORE] to store the reuniting of the MIDI data with the tone generator setup.

It is now highly recommended that you create a MOX6/MOX8 ALL data file (.X4A) that will back up all the data in the MO-X’s own file format - which conveniently marries the MIDI Sequence data with the Tone Generator setups.

Press [SF2] > Direct MIDI File PLAYBACK
If you select this option you will be able to have the MO-X read the data directly from the USB drive without having to load it into memory.

This is fine when you have already called up the appropriate MIXING setup for the data in File. However, if you have multiple files in .MID format that you want to playback directly from a USB drive, you will need to plan for this and create a SMF that contains all of the setup data. This can be done by creating a packet of system exclusive and control change messages that will automate the recall of every single MIXING setup parameter. You can have the MO-X dump this message (called a BULK DUMP), it can be recorded into Cubase and inserted in front of the music data. It will act as a setup measure. This data will be saved into your FILE and will automate the setup of the current MIXING location when the file playback is started.

How to send a BULK from the MO-X to Cubase

Create the MIXING setup and press [STORE] to write it to the MO-X’s Flash ROM
It is the stored parameters that will be sent via the Bulk dump. Basically the position of every parameter is documented and sent in coded message packets.
_ Press [MIXING]
_ Press [JOB]
_ Press [F4] BULK
_ Press [ENTER] to arm the dump… but do not execute. First you want to arm a track in Cubase to capture this data.

In Cubase:
_ Select ALL tracks and drag them so that playback is set to start at measure 2
_ Arm a single track in Cubase: You can use any track, we recommend Track 1 so that it is easy and consistent when you need to find and edit this data.
We will record this Bulk data starting at measure 1 so that it will act as a setup bar for the music data.

_ Press Record in Cubase and then immediately press [ENTER] on the MO-X to begin the dump.
The entire dump takes place in about a second
- COMPLETED! - appears in the MO-X screen
_ Stop Cubase

Now if you EXPORT a SMF from your Cubase Project, it will include the SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE and CONTROL CHANGE message data to reprogram the MOX MIXING setup to your exact settings for this composition.