Yamaha Mo 8 Manual

							Voice Play mode
41Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide Playing the MO
Select one of the Banks from Preset 1 – 4, User 1 – 2, and 
GM.Voices in each Bank are divided into Groups [A] – [H].
Press one of the Number [1] – [16] buttons.
Selecting a Drum Voice
While holding the [DRUM KITS] button, press one of the 
following buttons: [PRE 1] (Preset Drum), [USER 1] (User 
Drum), or [GM] (GM Drum).
This operation is basically the same as in selecting a 
Normal Voice. The numbers of Groups that you can select 
depends on the Bank you’ve selected in step 2.This is the same as in selecting a Normal Voice.
nFor details about the instrument assignments for each key, refer to 
the separate Data List.
2Select a Normal Voice Bank.
About the User Banks
The User Banks contain various factory default 
Voices.
User Bank 1 (USR1): This Bank contain original 
Voices for the User Bank. The same Voices are not 
included in the Preset Banks.
User Bank 2 (USR1): This Bank contains 
recommended Voices copied from the Preset Banks.
If a Voice in a User Bank (User Voice) is overwritten or 
replaced, that User Voice will be lost. When you save 
an edited Voice, be careful not to overwrite any impor-
tant User Voices.
PRE 1 PRE 2 PRE 3 PRE 4 USER 1 USER 2 GM–
Group Voice
3Select a Normal Voice Group.
4Select a Normal Voice Number.
5Play the keyboard.
SYN LEAD
ABC DE F GH
SYN PAD/
 CHOIRSYN COMP
CHROMATICPERCUSSIONDRUM /PERCUSSIONSEMUSICAL FXCOMBI
ELEMENT/PERF. PART/ZONE
8
7 6
5 4 3
2 1
16
15 14 12 13 11
10 9
1Press the [VOICE] button to enter the Voice 
Play mode.
2Select a Drum Voice Bank.
3Select a Drum Voice Group.
PRE 1
A. PIANOFAVO R ITESPRE 2KEYBOARD
PRE 3
ORGAN
PRE 4 USER 1
BASS
USER 2
STRINGS
GM
BRASS
–DRUM
 KITS
GUITAR 
PLUCKED
REED  PIPE
4Select a Drum Voice Number.
5Play the keyboard and check which 
instrument is assigned to each key.
Using the [INC/YES], [DEC/NO] buttons and 
data dial
In steps 3 and 4 above, you can select a Voice 
Number by using the [INC/YES], [DEC/NO] buttons 
and data dial.
DEC/NO INC / YESIncreases number Decreases number Increases number
Decreases number 
						

							Quick Guide Playing the MO
Voice Play mode
42Owner’s Manual
Using the Category Search function
You’ll probably have a lot of fun and inspiration going through the Voices one-by-one, listening to each in order—but it will 
take you a long time to get through all of them, since the MO has so many. This is where the Category Search function comes 
in handy. It’s a powerful and easy-to-use way to quickly find the Voices you want. 
Let’s try out the feature below, searching for a Voice in the Pipe Organ category.
nPress the [CATEGORY SEARCH] button again to turn this function 
off.
Press the [PRE 3] ORGAN button of the Bank buttons and 
Group buttons. The Voices in the Organ Category are 
displayed in a list.The Sub Category names are shown at the bottom of the 
Category Search display. All Categories are divided into 
two or three Sub Categories for further ease in selection. 
Here, press the [F2] PIPE button.
nAn alternate way of selecting categories is to use the Cursor 
buttons to select and highlight the Category name in the display, 
then use the [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons or the data dial to 
select the Category.
nSome Voices such as User Voices may not be registered to any 
Category. You can search for these Voices by setting the Category 
to “--------.”
Step through the available Voices by using the data dial. 
You can also use the [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons, or 
use the Cursor [ ][ ] buttons.
nYou can also use the [CATEGORY SEARCH] button and [EXIT] 
button to select the Voice.
1Turn the Category Search function on by 
pressing the [CATEGORY SEARCH] button.
2Select the Organ Category.
PRE 1
A. PIANO
PRE 2
KEYBOARD
PRE 3
ORGAN
PRE 4 USER 1
BASS
USER 2
STRINGS
GM
BRASS
–
GUITAR 
PLUCKEDREED  PIPE
ABCDE FGH
CATEGORY
SEARCH
SYN LEAD SYN COMP SE MUSICAL FXDRUM PERCUSSIONSYN PAD 
CHOIRCOMBICHROMATICPERCUSSION
PRE 1
A. PIANO
PRE 2
KEYBOARD
PRE 3
ORGAN
PRE 4 USER 1
BASS
USER 2
STRINGS
GM
BRASS
–
GUITAR 
PLUCKEDREED  PIPE
ABCDE FGH
CATEGORY
SEARCH
SYN LEAD SYN COMP SE MUSICAL FXDRUM PERCUSSIONSYN PAD 
CHOIRCOMBICHROMATICPERCUSSION
Voice List Category
Sub CategoryCategory names
3Select the ‘Pipe Organ’ Sub Category.
4Select the desired Voice from the ‘Pipe Organ’ 
Voice list.
5Press the [ENTER] button to actually select 
the Voice.
SF 1SF 2SF  3
F1 F2 F3
SF 1SF 2SF  3
F1 F2 F3
EXIT ENTER
EXECUTE
DEC/NO INC / YES 
						

							Voice Play mode
43Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide Playing the MO
Favorite Category
The MO also lets you collect and store your favorite Voices 
to create your personal “Favorite” Category. By putting 
your most often-used Voices in the Favorite Category, you 
can select your favorite Voices quickly and easily.
You can un-checkmark the selection by pressing the [F5] 
button again.You also can use the [F5] SET/CLR and [F6] CLR ALL 
buttons in this display to register/remove the voices to/from 
the Favorite Category.
The settings made in steps 2 – 3 will be lost if you turn the power off 
without executing step 5.
Never attempt to turn off the power while an “Executing...” or “Please 
keep power on” message is shown. Turning the power off in this state 
may cause the system to freeze and prevent normal startup the next 
time the power is turned on, as well as resulting in the loss of all user 
data.
Keyboard MIDI transmit channel setting
This function is especially convenient when recording to an external sequencer or controlling another instrument via MIDI. It 
lets you easily change the transmit channel with just a couple of button presses. Press the [TRACK SELECT] button (the 
lamp lights), then press the appropriate Number button ([1] – [16]). The transmit channel setting is shown at the top right of 
the display.
nYou can also set the MIDI keyboard transmit channel from the Utility mode ([UTILITY] → [F5] MIDI → [SF1] CH → KBDTransCh). This parameter is 
available for the Voice mode/Performance mode but not for the Song mode/Pattern mode.
1Select the Voice using the Category Search 
function.
2
Register the Voice selected in step 1 to the 
Favorite Category by pressing the [F5] SET/
CLR button, checkmarking the box next to the 
Voice name.
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 
SF1
SCENE
SF2 SF3 SF4 SF5 INFORMATION
Checkmark on
Checkmark off Pressing [F5] toggles 
between the two settings:
To remove all the marked Voices from the Favorite 
Category, simply press the [F6] CLR ALL button.
3
Press the [FAVORITES] button to see the 
Voices you’ve set to the Favorite Category in 
step 2.
4Press the [FAVORITES] button again to return 
to the Category Search display.
5
Pressing the [CATEGORY SEARCH] button or 
[EXIT] button to exit from the Category Search 
display will automatically store the Favorite 
Category settings to internal memory.
FAVORITES DRUM 
KITS
CAUTION
CAUTION
TRACK
SELECT
SOLOMUTE 12345678
910111213141516
ELEMENT  PERF. PART  ZONE 
						

							Quick Guide Playing the MO
Performance Play mode
44Owner’s Manual
Performance Play mode
Each Performance can contain up to four different Parts. This lets you play, for example, Flute, Violin, and Timpani Voices in 
a layer across the keyboard, or split the keyboard according to the bass and melody parts, then play the two different 
instruments and sound like a duo—even though you’re playing by yourself.
Selecting a Performance
256 Performances (2 banks) are provided in internal User memory. In the Performance Play mode, you can select and play 
individual User Performances.
In this condition, playing the keyboard sounds the Performance indicated in the display. The parameters shown in the 
Performance 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 Performance name 
here) may differ slightly from those on your instrument.
1Press the [PERFORM] button to enter the Performance Play mode.
VOICEPERFORMMASTER
USR1 : 001 (A01)Co : Prologue
Indicates the Keyboard MIDI 
transmit channel. See page 45 
for details.
Indicates the Keyboard Octave 
setting. See page 29 for details.
Number (selected via the Number 
[1] – [16] buttons)
Bank and Performance Program numberIndicates the currently selected Performance. 
Category and Performance name
ARP1-ARP5Use the [SF1] – [SF5] buttons to call 
up the Arpeggio type assigned to 
each button (page 48). 
Group (selected via the Group [A] – [H] buttons)
Performance Program number  (corresponding to Groups A to H and Numbers 01 to 16)
Category Performance name Bank
Indicates the functions assigned to the respective Knobs. 
See page 65.  
						

							Performance Play mode
45Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide Playing the MO
Select one of the Banks from User 1 and 2.
Performances are divided into Groups [A] – [H]. Select a 
Group to display a list of the Performances.
Press one of the Number [1] – [16] buttons.
Performance Part mute/solo
Each performance can contain a maximum of four Parts, 
each of which can be turned on or off independently. 
Muting and soloing of Parts is done in the same way as that 
of tracks in a Song/Pattern. See page 75.
Using the Category Search function
As in the Voice Play mode, you can use the Category 
Search and Favorite Category functions in the Performance 
Play mode. For details on how to use the function, see 
page 42.
Keyboard MIDI transmit channel 
setting
As in the Voice Play mode, you can change the MIDI 
transmit channel for the keyboard. Press the [TRACK 
SELECT] button (the lamp lights), then press the 
appropriate Number button ([1] – [16]). The transmit 
channel setting is shown at the top right of the display.
nYou can also set the MIDI keyboard transmit channel from the 
Utility mode ([UTILITY] → [F5] MIDI → [SF1] CH → KBDTransCh). 
This parameter is available for the Voice mode/Performance mode 
but not for the Song mode/Pattern mode.
2Select a Performance Bank.
3Select a Performance Group.
4Select a Performance Number.
5Play the keyboard.
PRE 1
A. PIANO
PRE 2
KEYBOARD
PRE 3
ORGAN
PRE 4 USER 1
BASS
USER 2
STRINGS
GM
BRASS
–
GUITAR 
PLUCKEDREED  PIPE
SYN LEAD
ABC DE F GH
SYN PAD/
 CHOIRSYN COMP
CHROMATICPERCUSSIONDRUM /PERCUSSIONSEMUSICAL FXCOMBI
Group
Performance
ELEMENT/PERF. PART/ZONE
8
7 6
5 4 3
2 1
16
15 14 12 13 11
10 9
TRACK
SELECT
SOLOMUTE12345678
910111213141516
ELEMENT  PERF. PART  ZONE 
						

							Quick Guide Playing the MO
Performance Play mode
46Owner’s Manual
Creating a Performance by combining Voices
Performances can be made up of a maximum of four Parts, each of which can be assigned a different Voice. In this section, 
we’ll create a Performance by combining two Voices.
Preparing to create a Performance 
(Initializing the Performance)
The Initialize display is shown. Check the “ALL” check box 
to initialize all data of the Performance. For details about 
the Initialize function, refer to page 168.
Press the [INC/YES] button to initialize the Performance.
nKeep in mind that when you execute the Store operation by 
pressing the [STORE] button here, the Performance at the 
destination will be replaced with the Initialized Performance above.
nFor details about the Store operation, refer to page 66.
The current Performance name will change to “Init Perf” in 
the display.
nWhen you initialize a Performance, the Voice at Preset Bank 1, 
Voice number 1 is assigned to Part 1 as the default.
Playing several Voices together (Layer)
This calls up a list indicating which Voice is assigned to 
each Part of the current Performance.
Since the current Performance has been initialized, the 
only Voice in the Performance is “PRE1: Full Grand,” set to 
Part 1.
6-1Move the cursor to the Voice Bank or Voice 
Number of Part 2.
6-2Press the [SF1] ADD INT button. This enables 
assignment of the selected internal Voice to Part 
2.
6-3Select the Voice you’ve assigned to Part 2 as you 
did in steps 2 – 4 in the section “Selecting a 
Normal Voice” or “Selecting a Drum Voice” (page 
40 or 41).
You can select the desired Bank and Number directly by 
using the [DEC/NO], [INC/YES] buttons and data dial. You 
can also use the Category Search function (page 42). 
Here, we’ll assign a flute Voice (PRE2: SweetFlute) to Part 2.
1Select the desired Performance in the 
Performance Play mode.
2Press the [JOB] button, and then the [F1] 
button.
3Press the [ENTER] button. (The display 
prompts you for confirmation.)
4Press the [PERFORM] button.
EDIT
COMPAREJOB S TORE
5Press the [F2] VOICE button.
6Assign the desired Voice to Part 2.
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 
SF1
SCENE
SF2 SF3 SF4 SF5 INFORMATION
Voice Bank
Voice Number 
						

							Performance Play mode
47Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide Playing the MOThe Part 1 (piano Voice) and Part 2 (flute Voice) can be 
played in unison.
Next, we’ll divide the keyboard into two sections—one for 
each Voice.
Dividing the keyboard into separate 
sections—Split
8-1Move the cursor to Part 1.
8-2Press a note on the keyboard while holding down 
the [SF5] LIMIT H button to set the highest note 
for Part 1.
Note that the dark bar (at “NOTE”) for Part 1 changes as the 
note range is changed.
9-1Move the cursor to Part 2.
9-2Press a note on the keyboard while holding the 
[SF5] LIMIT L button down to set the lowest note 
of Part 2.
Note that the dark bar (at “NOTE”) for Part 2 changes as the 
note range is changed.
Use your left hand to play piano sounds and your right 
hand to play flute sounds.
Adjusting the Part levels and storing 
the Performance
For details, see page 52.
For details about the Store operation, see page 66.
nIf you are editing a program and you select a different program 
without storing your edited one, all the edits you’ve made will be 
erased.
In the section above, you learned how to assign two Voices 
to two different Parts. Use same procedure to assign 
Voices to Parts 3 and 4, and create a full orchestral sound 
or the sound of a 3- or 4-piece band—just by using a single 
MO. You can also use the preset Performances as starting 
points in building your own custom Voice combinations.
7Play the keyboard.
8Assign the Voice of Part 1 to the lower key 
range.
9Assign the Voice of Part 2 to the higher key 
range.
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 
SF1
SCENE
SF2 SF3 SF4 SF5 INFORMATION
Voice Bank
Voice Number
Assigns a Voice to 
the selected Part.Deletes the Voice assignment 
of the selected Part.
Part 1: Piano
Part 2: Flute
10Play the keyboard.
11Adjust the Volume settings of Parts 1 and 2 by 
using the Control sliders.
12Store the settings as a User Performance in 
the Performance Store mode.
SF 5SF 4
Note limit low
Note limit High
Part 1: PianoPart 2: Flute 
						

							Quick Guide Playing the MO
Using the Arpeggio feature
48Owner’s Manual
Using the Arpeggio feature
The versatile Arpeggio feature allows you to automatically play various rhythms and phrases by simply pressing a key or 
playing a chord. The MO contains a remarkably wide variety of Arpeggios—a total of 1,787—from conventional, popular 
phrases to the latest cutting-edge rhythm patterns. In addition, you can assign your favorite Arpeggios to the [SF1] – [SF5] 
buttons and switch between Arpeggio phrases instantly. This powerful function is an unending source of inspiration and will 
help you create various riffs, phrases and songs quickly and easily.
Since the preset Voices and Performances already have their own Arpeggio types pre-assigned, all you need to do is select 
the desired Voice and turn on the Arpeggio function.
nFor details about Arpeggio, see page 145.
nThe Arpeggio feature is also available in the Song and Pattern modes. For details, see page 79.
nDifferent Arpeggio types cannot be played back for each Part in the Performance, Song, or Pattern mode.
Selecting some programs (Voices, Performances, Songs, 
Patterns) automatically turns this lamp on.
The particular rhythm pattern or phrase that plays depends 
on the actual notes or chords you play, as well as on the 
selected Arpeggio type. For details, see page 145 in the 
Basic Structure section.
■ Changing the Arpeggio type during your 
keyboard performance
A different Arpeggio type is assigned to each of the [SF1] 
ARP1 – [SF5] ARP5 buttons for each preset Voice. When a 
musical note icon appears to the right of each Arpeggio 
number in the display (see below), the corresponding 
button is assigned an Arpeggio type. The selected 
Arpeggio type is highlighted. 
Try out various Arpeggio types by pressing the [SF1] – 
[SF5] buttons.
You can confirm the currently selected Arpeggio type in the 
[F6] ARP display.
1Press the [ARPEGGIO ON/OFF] button to turn 
Arpeggio on.
2Play a note or notes on the keyboard to trigger 
the Arpeggio playback.
MASTER
EFFECTEFFECT
BYPASSARPEGGIO
ON  OFF
BankSelects “pre” (Preset) or “usr” (User). 
CtgrFor details, refer to page 145.
TypeFor details, refer to the separate Data List booklet.
SF 1SF 2SF  3SF  4 SF  5
Arpeggio type currently selected. 
						

							Using the Arpeggio feature
49Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide Playing the MO
Register your favorite Arpeggio types to the 
[SF1] – [SF5] buttons
You can change the default settings and assign any 
Arpeggio types you like to the [SF1] – [SF5] buttons.
1Select the desired Voice, Performance, Song, or 
Pattern, and then press the [ARPEGGIO] button 
to turn Arpeggio on.
2Select the desired Arpeggio type in the [VOICE] 
➞ [F6] (or [F5]) ARP display.
3While holding the [STORE] button, press one of 
the [SF1] – [SF5] buttons.
The currently selected Arpeggio type is assigned to the 
pressed button. If you execute this operation with the 
[ARPEGGIO] lamp off, no Arpeggio type will be 
assigned to the pressed button.
4Repeat steps 2 – 3 as necessary.
5Store the changes as a User Voice, 
Performance, Song, or Pattern (pages 60, 66, 
99).
Transmitting Arpeggio playback as MIDI 
data
If you want to use the Arpeggios to trigger other MIDI 
tone generators or record the MIDI data of Arpeggios 
to a sequencer for further editing, you can have the 
Arpeggio playback data transmitted as MIDI data.
This is done by setting the following switch 
parameters to “on”:
●Voice Arpeggio
●Performance Arpeggio
●Song/Pattern Arpeggio
TIP
Voice mode ➞ [UTILITY] ➞ [F3] VOICE ➞ [SF3] ARP CH 
➞ OutputSwitch
Performance mode ➞ Performance selection ➞ [EDIT] 
➞ [COMMON] ➞ [F3] ARP ➞ [SF4] OUT CH ➞ 
OutputSwitch
Song mode/Pattern mode ➞ Song/Pattern selection ➞ 
[MIXING] ➞ [EDIT] ➞ [COMMON] ➞ [F3] ARP ➞ [SF4] 
OUT CH ➞ OutputSwitch
Controlling Arpeggio playback by using the 
Knobs.
These four Knobs let you adjust the tempo and 
volume of Arpeggio playback. If you like the results 
and want to save them, you can store the changes as 
a User Voice, Performance, Song, or Pattern.
1Press the [ARP FX] button to turn the lamp on.
2Tweak the knobs while the Arpeggio is playing.
For details on the functions controlled by the Knobs, see 
page 51.
3If you’re satisfied with the results, store the 
changes as a User Voice, Performance, Song, 
or Pattern (pages 60, 66, 99).
ASSIGN   A
PA N
CUTOFF
SWING
LOWASSIGN   B
REVERB
RESONANCE
GATE TIME
LOW MIDASSIGN   1
CHORUS
AT TAC K
VELOCITY
HIGH MIDASSIGN   2
TEMPO
RELEASEUNIT MULTIPLY
HIGH
DAW REMOTE PAGE SELECT
PA N   SEND
TONE
ARP FX
EQ
ASSIGN
MEF 
						

							Quick Guide Playing the MO
Using the Controllers on the MO
50Owner’s Manual
Using the Controllers on the MO
This section shows you how to change the sounds by using the controllers on the MO. When using the external controllers, 
see page 69.
Pitch Bend Wheel
Use the Pitch Bend wheel to bend notes up (roll the wheel away from you) or down (roll the wheel toward you) while playing 
the keyboard. The Pitch Bend wheel is self-centering and will automatically return to normal pitch when released. Try out the 
Pitch Bend wheel while pressing a note on the keyboard.
When playing a Performance, the Pitch Bend Range depends on the setting of the Voice assigned to each Part (made in the 
Voice mode).
n•The Pitch Bend Range setting for each Voice can be changed in the “OTHER” display ([VOICE] → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → [F1] GENERAL → [SF5] 
OTHER) and stored as a User Voice in the Voice Store mode.
•The Pitch Bend Range setting also allows you to set the wheel to bend notes up or down in the opposite direction (i.e., the pitch goes down when you 
move the wheel up).
nFunctions other than Pitch Bend can be assigned to the Pitch Bend Wheel in the “CTL SET” display ([VOICE] → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → [F4] CTL 
SET). These assignment settings can be stored as a User Voice in the Voice Store mode. Even if a different function is assigned to this wheel, the Pitch 
Bend function is available and Pitch Bend messages are still generated when the wheel is used.
Modulation Wheel
Even though the Modulation wheel is conventionally used to apply vibrato to the sound, many of the preset Voices have 
other functions and effects assigned to the wheel. The more you move this wheel up, the greater the effect that is applied to 
the sound. Try out the Modulation wheel with various preset voices while playing the keyboard.
When playing a Performance, the effect of the Modulation Wheel depends on the setting of the Voice assigned to each Part 
(made in the Voice mode).
nTo avoid accidentally applying effects to the current Voice, make sure the Modulation Wheel is set to minimum before you start playing.
nVarious functions can be assigned to the Modulation Wheel in the “CTL SET” display ([VOICE] → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → [F4] CTL SET). These 
assignment settings can be stored as a User Voice in the Voice Store mode.
Pitch Up
Pitch Down
Pitch Bend Wheel
Maximum
Minimum
Modulation Wheel