Yamaha Mo 8 Manual

							Basic Operation
About data storage to USB storage devices
31Owner’s Manual
Using USB storage devices
When using USB storage devices, make sure to connect them to the USB TO DEVICE connector, and follow the important 
precautions below.
■ Compatible USB devices
Connect only a USB storage device (such as hard disk, 
CDROM, flash disk and other drives) to the USB TO 
DEVICE connector. Other devices such as a computer 
keyboard or mouse cannot be used.
Both bus-powered (powered by the host device) or self-
powered (battery or external power supply) types can be 
used.
The MO does not necessarily support all commercially 
available USB storage devices. Yamaha cannot guarantee 
operation of USB storage devices that you purchase.
Before purchasing USB storage devices, please consult 
your Yamaha dealer, or an authorized Yamaha distributor 
(see list at end of the Owner’s Manual) for advice, or see 
the following website:
http://www.yamahasynth.com/
nAlthough CD-R/W drives can be used to load data to the 
instrument, they cannot be used for saving data. However, you can 
transfer data to a computer and save data to a CD using the CD-R/
W drive on the computer.
■ Formatting USB storage media
When a USB storage device is connected or media is 
inserted, a “USB device unformatted.” message may
appear in the LCD display, indicating that the device or 
media must be formatted for use. Execute the Format 
operation in the File mode (page 211).
■ To protect your data (write-protect):
To prevent important data from being inadvertently erased, 
apply the write-protect provided with each storage device 
or media.
If you are saving data to the USB storage device, make 
sure to disable or remove write-protect.
Precautions when using the USB TO DEVICE 
connector
Never turn the USB device’s power on/off and never plug/unplug 
the USB cable when the connected USB storage device is the self 
powered type. Doing so may result in the operation of the 
synthesizer “freezing” or hanging up.
While the instrument is accessing data (such as in the Save, 
Load and Delete operations in the File mode), do NOT unplug the 
USB cable, do NOT remove the media from the device, and do 
NOT turn the power off to either device. Doing so may corrupt the 
data on either or both devices.
CAUTION
USB connector types
There are two different types of USB connectors, and 
the rear panel of the instrument features both. Take 
care not to confuse the two.
■ USB TO HOST connector
This type is used to connect the instrument to a computer, 
and allows you to transfer MIDI data between the devices. 
The USB connection between the instrument and the 
computer can only be used for transfer of MIDI data. Unlike 
MIDI, USB can handle multiple ports via a single cable.
USB cables may have different connectors on each end: the 
A type and the B type. Connect the A type to your computer 
and the B type to the USB TO HOST connector.
■ USB TO DEVICE connector
This type is used to connect the instrument to a USB storage 
device, and allows you to save data you’ve created to the 
connected device, as well as load data from the connected 
device. This lets you save the data created on this instrument 
to the external USB storage device and load the data from 
the external USB storage device to the instrument. Save and 
Load operations are executed in the File mode (page 211).
USB cables may have different connectors on each end: the 
A type and the B type. Connect the A type to the USB TO 
DEVICE connector and the B type to the USB storage 
device.
nThe computer cannot access the USB storage device 
connected to the USB TO DEVICE connector on the MO, 
even if connecting as shown above. Only from the File mode 
on the instrument itself can you access the data on the USB 
storage device connected to the USB TO DEVICE 
connector.
nThough the MO supports only up to the USB 1.1 standard, 
USB 2.0 storage devices can be connected and used with 
the instrument. However, note that the transfer speed 
complies to USB 1.1.
MO
MIDI data transfer
Connecting to 
a computer
Saving/loading data in 
the File mode (page 211)
A type B type
USB TO DEVICE 
connector USB TO HOST
connectorConnecting to a USB 
storage device (hard 
disk, CD-ROM, flash 
disk and other 
devices) 
						

							Basic Operation
About data storage to USB storage devices
32Owner’s Manual
Backing up your data to a computer
■ Backing up MO data to a computer
Once you’ve saved data to a USB storage device, you 
can copy the data to the hard disk of your computer, 
then archive and organize the files as desired. Simply 
reconnect the device as shown below.
■ Loading data from a computer to the MO
Data and files contained on the hard disk of a computer 
can be loaded to the MO by copying them first to the 
storage media, then transferring them to the instrument.
In this way, you can use data created on the computer 
or another instrument with the MO. For example, you 
can load Standard MIDI files to the instrument as Song/
Pattern data, or import files created on the MOTIF ES.
TIP
MO
MO
Saving created data to the USB storage device in the 
File mode (page 211)
ComputerUSB storage device
USB TO DEVICE connector
Backing up data to a computer and organizing files/
folders
ComputerUSB storage device
Disconnect the USB storage 
device from the synthesizer 
and connect it to the computer
MO
MO
Copying the files of the hard disk of the computer to 
the USB storage device
ComputerUSB storage device
USB TO DEVICE connector
Loading files on the USB storage device to the 
synthesizer in the File mode (page 211)
ComputerUSB storage device
Disconnect the USB storage 
device from the computer and 
connect it to the synthesizer 
						

							Basic Operation
Functions and Sub-Functions
33Owner’s Manual
Functions and Sub-Functions
Each mode described above contains various displays, with various functions and parameters. To navigate your way 
through these displays and select a desired function, use the [F1] – [F6] buttons and the [SF1] – [SF5] buttons. When you 
select a mode, the available displays or menus appear directly above the buttons at the bottom of the display (as shown 
below).
Using the Function buttons [F1] – [F6]
Depending on the currently selected mode, up to six functions are available and can be called up with the [F1] – [F6] 
buttons. Keep in mind that the available functions differ depending on the selected mode.
Using the Sub-Function buttons [SF1] – [SF5]
Depending on the currently selected mode, up to five functions (sub-functions) are available and can be called up with the 
[SF1] – [SF5] buttons. Keep in mind that the available functions differ depending on the selected mode. (Some displays may 
not have any sub-functions for these buttons.)
Selecting a Program
In order to play the MO you’ll need to call up one of its programs, i.e., a Voice, Performance, Song, Pattern, or Master. These 
programs can be selected in each Play mode via the same procedure.
■ Using the [INC/YES], [DEC/NO] buttons and the data dial
The [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons let you step up or down through the program numbers in any of the Play modes 
(Voice, Performance, Song, Pattern, and Master).
Rotating the data dial to the right (clockwise) increases the program number, while rotating it to the left (counter-clockwise) 
decreases it. This control works in the same way as the [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons, but lets you scroll through the 
programs more quickly.
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 
SF1
SCENE
SF2 SF3 SF4 SF5 INFORMATION
These functions can be selected 
via the corresponding button 
([F1] – [F6]).
In this example, press the [F5] 
button to go to the LFO display.
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 
SF1
SCENE
SF2 SF3 SF4 SF5 INFORMATION
These functions can be selected 
via the corresponding button 
([SF1] – [SF5]).
In this example, press the [SF5] 
button to go to the OTHER display.
DEC/NO INC / YES
Decreases number
Increases number
Decreases number
Increases number 
						

							Basic Operation
Selecting a Program
34Owner’s Manual
■ Using the Group buttons and Number buttons
As shown below, you can select a program number by pressing any of the Group [A] – [H] buttons and pressing any of the 
Number [1] – [16] buttons.
nThe convenient Category Search function (page 42) lets you easily locate and select the Voices you want by type.
The Voice program numbers and the corresponding Group/Numbers are listed below.
nWhen selecting a Voice and Pattern, it is necessary to press one of the Bank buttons before pressing the Group and Number buttons.
nThe amount of numbers differ depending on the program. For example, while the selected number range of the Normal Voice, Performance, and 
Master is 001 – 128, the selected number range of the Song and Pattern is 001 – 064.
Program 
NumberGroupNumberProgram 
NumberGroupNumberProgram 
NumberGroupNumberProgram 
NumberGroupNumber
001 A 1033 C 1065 E 1097 G 1
002 A 2
034 C 2066 E 2098 G 2
003 A 3035 C 3067 E 3099 G 3
004 A 4036 C 4068 E 4100 G 4
005 A 5037 C 5069 E 5101 G 5
006 A 6038 C 6070 E 6102 G 6
007 A 7039 C 7071 E 7103 G 7
008 A 8040 C 8072 E 8104 G 8
009 A 9041 C 9073 E 9105 G 9
010 A 10042 C 10074 E 10106 G 10
011 A 11043 C 11075 E 11107 G 11
012 A 12044 C 12076 E 12108 G 12
013 A 13045 C 13077 E 13109 G 13
014 A 14046 C 14078 E 14110 G 14
015 A 15047 C 15079 E 15111 G 15
016 A 16048 C 16080 E 16112 G 16
017 B 1049 D 1081 F 1113 H 1
018 B 2050 D 2082 F 2114 H 2
019 B 3051 D 3083 F 3115 H 3
020 B 4052 D 4084 F 4116 H 4
021 B 5
053 D 5085 F 5117 H 5
022 B 6054 D 6086 F 6118 H 6
023 B 7055 D 7087 F 7119 H 7
024 B 8
056 D 8088 F 8120 H 8
025 B 9057 D 9089 F 9121 H 9
026 B 10058 D 10090 F 10122 H 10
027 B 11
059 D 11091 F 11123 H 11
028 B 12060 D 12092 F 12124 H 12
029 B 13061 D 13093 F 13125 H 13
030 B 14
062 D 14094 F 14126 H 14
031 B 15063 D 15095 F 15127 H 15
032 B 16064 D 16096 F 16128 H 16
PRE 1
A. PIANO
PRE 2
KEYBOARD
PRE 3
ORGAN
PRE 4 USER 1
BASS
USER 2
STRINGS
GM
BRASS
–
TRACK
SELECT
SOLO SECTION
MUTE
GUITAR 
PLUCKEDREED  PIPE
ABCDE FGH
12345678
910111213141516
SYN LEAD SYN PAD 
CHOIRSYN COMPDRUM PERCUSSIONSE MUSICAL FXCOMBICHROMATICPERCUSSION
ELEMENT  PERF. PART  ZONE
The explanations here apply when these 
button indicators are off. 
						

							Basic Operation
Moving the Cursor and Setting Parameters
35Owner’s Manual
Moving the Cursor and Setting Parameters
■ Inputting a number directly
For parameters having large value ranges (such as the Song measure), you can also enter the value directly, using the 
buttons below the LCD display as a numeric keypad. When the cursor is located on such a parameter, the [NUM] icon 
appears at the lower right corner of the LCD display indicating that you can call up the number input window by pressing the 
[INFORMATION] button. From this window, you can input a number directly by pressing the [F1] – [F6] buttons and the [SF1] 
– [SF5] buttons (or Number [1] – [10] buttons). First, press the [F6] button so that the cursor appears at the Input Number 
within the bracket. Move the cursor to the desired digit by using the Cursor buttons [>] and [
						

							Basic Operation
About the editing functions
36Owner’s Manual
About the editing functions
There are three types of method for creating data—Editing parameters (Voice, Performance, etc.) and Recording MIDI data 
(Song, Pattern, etc.). 
In this section, we’ll explain the basic operations for editing the Voice, Performance, Song Mixing, Pattern Mixing, Mixing 
Voice settings.
nFor details on recording MIDI data, see page 73. 
nThe Song Edit function (for editing the Song MIDI sequence data) and the Pattern Edit function (for editing the Pattern MIDI sequence data) are not 
explained here. See page 90.
Edit Indicator
You can adjust or set various parameters by using the data dial, [INC/YES] button, [DEC/NO] button, Knobs, and Control 
sliders in the Voice mode (Play/Edit mode), Performance mode (Play/Edit mode), Song Mixing mode, Pattern Mixing mode, 
and Mixing Voice mode. When changing the value of the parameter in these modes, the [E] (Edit Indicator) will appear on 
the top left corner of the LCD display. This indicates that the current program has been modified but not yet stored. If you 
wish to store your sound obtained by edit operation, be sure to store the current program to internal User memory in the 
Store mode before selecting another program.
Compare Function
This convenient function lets you switch between the edited sound and its original, unedited condition—allowing you to 
listen to the difference between the two and better hear how your edits affect the sound.
For example, when editing a Voice in the Voice Edit mode, the “E” Edit indicator is shown. Pressing the [COMPARE] button in 
this condition reverts to the original unedited sound (the button lamp flashes and the “C” Compare indicator is shown). Press 
the [COMPARE] button again to return to the edited sound.
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE JOB S TORE
Edit Indicator
Voice Edit
Performance Edit
Song Mixing Edit
Pattern Mixing Edit
Mixing Voice  Edit
If the Edit Indicator 
appears...
Voice Store
Performance Store
Song Mixing Store
Pattern Mixing Store
Mixing Voice  Store
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE JOB S TOREEDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE JOB S TORE
Edit Indicator (newly edited sound)Changes to the Compare Indicator (original sound)
Lamp flashes 
						

							Basic Operation
Confirmation Message
37Owner’s Manual
Edit Recall Function
If you are editing a program and select a different program without storing your edited one, all the edits you’ve made will be 
erased. However, the edited program is maintained in a backup memory location called the Recall buffer (page 150). To 
restore the lost data with your latest edits intact, use the Edit Recall function in the Job mode.
Confirmation Message
When you execute certain operations, such as those in the Job, Store, and File modes, this synthesizer shows a confirmation 
message. This lets you actually execute the operation or cancel it if desired.
If a confirmation message (like the one illustrated above) appears, press the [INC/YES] button to execute the operation or 
press the [DEC/NO] button to cancel it.
Information Display
This convenient function lets you call up relevant details about the selected mode—simply by pressing the [INFORMATION] 
button. For example, when the Voice mode is active, you can quickly check information about which voice bank is selected, 
what Play mode (poly or mono) is being used, which effects are applied, and so on.
For details, see page 219.
Note (Key) settings
Several parameters let you set a key range for a function—for example, in setting up a keyboard split—by specifying certain 
note values. You can use the [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons or data dial to set these parameters, or you can directly enter 
the values from the keyboard by pressing the appropriate keys (as shown below).
nFor details on the note names assigned to the keys, see page 14.
Job modeHow to call up the Edit Recall display
Voice [VOICE] → [JOB] → [F2] RECALL
Performance [PERFORM] → [JOB] → [F2] RECALL
Song Mixing [SONG] → [MIXING] → [JOB] → [F2] RECALL
Pattern Mixing [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [JOB] → [F2] RECALL
Mixing Voice [SONG] or [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [F5] VCE ED → [JOB] → [F2] RECALL
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
When Note Limit is selected, the [KBD] mark appears, 
indicating that you can use the keyboard to set the 
value. Simultaneously hold down the [INFORMATION] 
button and press the appropriate key. 
						

							Basic Operation
Naming
38Owner’s Manual
Naming
You can freely name your created data such as Voices and files saved to the USB storage device. The chart below lists the 
types of data that can be named along with the operations for calling up the respective naming displays.
First, call up the name input display according to the above table, then, move the cursor by using the Cursor buttons to the 
desired location and input a character. See below for details.
nSince the name of the program is part of the data, make sure that you properly save the program after naming it.
■ Basic naming operation
As shown below, you can set the name by repeating the two operations—moving the cursor to the desired location by using 
the Cursor buttons and selecting a character by using the data dial, [INC/YES] button, and [DEC/NO] button.
Data types that can be named  How to call up the naming display  Page 
Voice  [VOICE] → [EDIT] → [F1] GENERAL → [SF1] NAME 153
Performance  [PERFORM] → [EDIT] → [F1] GENERAL → [SF1] NAME 172
Song  [SONG] → [JOB] → [F6] SONG → 04: Song Name 189
Pattern  [PATTERN] → [JOB] → [F6] PATTERN → 05: Pattern Name 202
Mixing Template  [SONG] or [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [STORE] 192
Mixing Voice  [SONG] or [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [F5] VCEED → [F1] GENERAL → [SF1] NAME 203
Phrase  [PATTERN] → [JOB] → [F4] PHRASE → 09: Phrase Name 200
Master  [MASTER] → [EDIT] → [F1] NAME 216
Arpeggio  [SONG] → [JOB] → [F5] TRACK → 07: Put Track To Arp 188
 [PATTERN] → [JOB] → [F5] TRACK → 06: Put Track To Arp 201
Volume Label of the USB storage device  [FILE] → [F1] CONFIG → [SF2] FORMAT 211
File/Folder saved to the USB storage device  [FILE] → [F2] SAVE or [F4] RENAME 211
EXIT ENTER
EXECUTE
DEC/NO INC / YES
DEC/NO INC / YES
Moving the cursor to the desired location on the name Selecting a character at the cursor location 
						

							Basic Operation
Naming
39Owner’s Manual
■ Using the character list
If you find it difficult to select the desired characters with the above method, you may want to use the following method—
selecting the characters from a list.
EXIT ENTER
EXECUTE
DEC/NO INC / YES
DEC/NO INC / YES
INFORMATION
INFORMATIONINFORMATION
When the cursor is located at the Name, this [LIST] icon 
appears and you can call up the Character List display by 
holding the [INFORMATION] button. Release the 
[INFORMATION] button to return back to the original display.
Select a character for the cursor location on the name. Move the cursor to the desired location. Perform the operations below while holding the [INFORMATION] button. 
						

							Quick Guide Playing the MO
Voice Play mode
40Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide
Voice Play mode
The Voice Play mode is where you select and play the instrument sounds (voices) of this synthesizer.
Selecting a Normal Voice
Internally, there are two Voice Types: Normal Voices and Drum Voices. Normal Voices are mainly pitched musical instrument 
type sounds that can be played over the range of the keyboard. Drum Voices are mainly percussion/drum sounds that are 
assigned to individual notes on the keyboard. In this section, we’ll show you how to select a Normal Voice.
You can select the desired Voice from various Voice Banks (Preset 1 – 4, User 1 – 2, GM preset) as shown.
In this condition, playing the keyboard sounds the Voice indicated in the display.
The parameters shown in the Voice Play mode are briefly explained below.
nKeep in mind that the example displays shown in this manual are for instruction purposes only, and the contents (for example, the Voice name here) 
may differ slightly from those on your instrument.
Playing the MO
1Press the [VOICE] button to enter the Voice Play mode.
PRE 1 PRE 2 PRE 3 PRE 4 USER 1 USER 2 GM–
Preset BankContains the Voices built into 
this instrument.
User BankContains the voices you’ve created 
in the Voice Edit mode. 
GM Preset BankContains the voices allocated according to the 
GM standard. For details, see page 132. 
Voice Bank
USR1 : 001 (A01)Co : The Hunter
VOICEPERFORMMASTER
ARP1 – ARP5Use the [SF1] – [SF5] buttons to 
call up the Arpeggio type assigned 
to each button (page 48).  Indicates the Keyboard MIDI 
transmit channel. See page 43 
for details.
Indicates the Keyboard Octave 
setting. See page 29 for details.
Indicates the functions assigned to the respective 
Knobs. See page 56. 
Bank (selected via 
the buttons)Number(selected via the Number 
[1] – [16] buttons)
Group(selected via the Group [A] – [H] buttons)
Voice Program number(corresponding to Groups A to H and Numbers 01 to 16) 
Bank and Voice Program numberIndicates the currently selected voice.
Category and Voice name
Category
Voice name