Yamaha Mo 8 Manual

							Controllers supported by the MO
71Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide Using the Controllers—Advanced Course
Controlling the overall system with ASSIGN A and B
The ASSIGN A and B (Knob 1 and 2) settings let you control the functions that affect all Voices, Performances, Song, and 
Pattern.
You can store the ASSIGN A and B settings as the system settings by pressing the [STORE] button.
nASSIGN A and B are common to all Voices/Performances/Songs/Patterns. Changing the setting of ASSIGN A and B may result in changes to the data 
of stored User Voices/Performances/ Songs/Patterns.
1 ASSIGN A, ASSIGN B
Determines the Control Change numbers generated when controlling the ASSIGN A and B (Control sliders 1 and 2). 
Normally, there is no need to change these parameters. The conventional parameter assignments (as defined in the MIDI 
standard) used for the control numbers are indicated in parentheses.
2 Destination (function)
Determines the functions assigned to ASSIGN A and B. For the details about the abbreviations and the parameter types, 
refer to the Control List in the separate Data List booklet.
[UTILITY] ➞ [F4] CTL ASN ➞ [SF2] ASSIGN (page 208)
12 
						

							Quick Guide Using the Controllers—Advanced Course
Controllers supported by the MO
72Owner’s Manual
Changing Control Change numbers
The functions assigned to the controllers by the Controller Set and ASSIGN A/B functions are applied only to the internal 
tone generator block.
For connected external MIDI instruments, use of the controllers generates MIDI Control Change messages, as assigned in 
the chart below.
 
* The MO does not have the following MIDI controllers: Aftertouch, Ribbon Controller, Foot Controller 2 jack, or Breath Controller jack. However, keep in mind 
that if the same MIDI Control Change messages as set here are received from an external device, the internal tone generator also responds to those 
messages as if the unsupported/unavailable MIDI controller was used on the MO.
Conventional controllers, such as Modulation wheel, will affect connected MIDI instruments in their conventional way. For 
example, when the pan function is assigned to the Modulation wheel under Controller Set, using the Modulation wheel will 
apply the pan function to the internal tone generator, but will transmit the Modulation messages to an external MIDI 
instrument.
Keep in mind also that if the same MIDI Control Change messages as set here are received from an external device, the 
internal tone generator also responds to those messages as if the controller on the MO itself was used.
Controller Generated MIDI message Display for setting the Control Change number
Aftertouch* Channel Aftertouch (DnH)  –
Pitch Bend wheel  Pitch Bend (EnH)  –
Modulation wheel  Control Change (BnH, 01H)  –
ASSIGN A, B  Control Change (BnH)  [UTILITY] → [F4] CTL ASN → [SF2] ASSIGN 
Footswitch Control Change (BnH)  [UTILITY] → [F4] CTL ASN → [SF3] FT SW 
Ribbon Controller*  Control Change (BnH)  [VOICE] → [UTILITY] → [F3] VOICE → [SF4] CTL ASN 
[PERFORM] → Performance selection → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → [F4] CTL ASN 
[SONG]/[PATTERN] → Song/Pattern selection → [MIXING] → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → [F4] 
CTL ASN ASSIGN 1, 2 
Foot Controller 1, 2* 
Breath Controller* 
Using the Controllers for two different functions
You can also set up a controller such that it sends one kind of Control message to the internal tone generator of the MO, 
yet another kind of message to the MIDI Out. For example, in a Controller Set you could assign Resonance to ASSIGN 
1 (Knob 3). Then, in the Utility mode, you could assign Control Change number 1 (modulation) to the same Knob. Now, 
when you move Knob 3, resonance will be applied to the sound of the internal tone generator block, while modulation 
messages will be transmitted to the external MIDI instrument.
External MIDI 
instrument
ControllerTone generator 
block
Transmitting the Control Change messages
Affecting the destination (Dest)
TIP 
						

							Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
73Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide Creating a Song on the MO
In this section, we’ll explain how to create a Song by using the built-in sequencer of the MO (Song mode and Pattern mode). 
There are two ways (or modes) that you can use the music production features of the MO to create your own music: Song 
mode and Pattern mode. 
In the Song mode, you can create a Song in order from beginning to end.
Song mode
In the Pattern mode, you can create separate Sections, each several measures in length, as an Intro, melody A, main theme, 
etc.—then, combine the separate Sections to create an entire Song.
Pattern mode
First, listen to the Song and Pattern Demos that have been specially programmed in the MO, to give you an idea how the 
Patterns are built and how they can be used.
Next, we’ll give you a specific example in creating a Song—entering a rhythm pattern to each Section in the Pattern mode, 
then recording a melody in the Song mode. Once you see how it’s done, you can use the same method to create your own 
music with Patterns and Songs.
Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
The Song and Pattern Demos have been specially programmed so you can hear just how amazing the sounds are, and find 
out just how powerful the instrument really is—for music creation, performance and production.
When the Demo Song/Pattern data is loaded, the memory area for playback will be overwritten and the [EFFECT BYPASS] button will be turned off. 
Also, the following settings will be changed in order to play back the Demo Song/Pattern properly.
Important data should always be backed up to a USB storage device.
Creating a Song on the MO
[UTILITY] ➞ [F1] GENERAL ➞ [SF1] TG ➞ Volume, NoteShift, Tune
[UTILITY] ➞ [F1] GENERAL ➞ [SF4] OTHER ➞ CtrlRest
1Simultaneously press the [FILE] button and [UTILITY] button.
Measure 1
120
Intro
Melody A Main theme Melody A Ending
Section ASection B Section C Section BSection P
CAUTION
MIXING
VOICEPERFORMMASTER
SONG PATTERN
DAW
REMOTE
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE FILE
JOBUTILITY
DEMO
STOREMODE 
						

							Quick Guide Creating a Song on the MO
Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
74Owner’s Manual
Any of following three types can be set. However, for this example, select “All.”
All ................ Loads both the Demo Song and Pattern data.
Song............ Loads only the Demo Song data.
Pattern ........ Loads only the Demo Pattern data.
After the data is loaded, the Song Play display is automatically called up.
When playback of the selected Song is finished, the Song 
automatically stops.
You can stop the Song anytime during playback by 
pressing the [J] (Stop) button. This pauses the Song at 
the current position. To resume playback of the Song from 
that point, press the [F] (Play) button again. To instantly 
return to the beginning of the Song, press the [ I E] (Top) 
button.Move the cursor to “Song Number: Name” (with the cursor 
buttons) then select another Song by using the Data Dial, 
or the [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons.
Next, let’s play a Demo Pattern.
2Set the LoadType to “All.”
3Press the [ENTER] button to load the Demo data.
01 : DubnBass
Song track number and
track mute/solo status
Track data statusIndicates muted track.
Indicates soloed track (page 75).
Indicates that the track has 
no recorded data.
Indicates a MIDI track 
containing MIDI sequence data.Location settings for the selected Song
Measure: Beat
(for current playback location)
ARP1-ARP5Use the [SF1] – [SF5] buttons to call 
up the Arpeggio type and Song 
Scene assigned to each button 
(page 89).  Tempo for the selected Song
Time signature for the selected Song
Transpose setting (for entire Song)
Currently selected Song
Song number
Song name
nThe explanations here also apply to the Pattern mode.
4Press the [F] (Play) button to start Song 
playback.
LOCATEREC12
SEQ  TRANSPORT
LOCATEREC12
SEQ  TRANSPORT
Top button
Start
Stop
5Select and play another Demo Song.
DEC/NO INC / YES
LOCATEREC12
SEQ  TRANSPORT
Increases number
Increases number Decreases number
Decreases number
Song number: Name
Start 
						

							Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
75
Quick Guide Creating a Song on the MO
Owner’s Manual
There is another way to start Pattern playback—by 
pressing the notes on the keyboard. Move the cursor to the 
keyboard icon and press the [INC/YES] button so that the 
 mark appears. In this status, press any key to start the 
Pattern playback.
Make sure that the [SECTION] lamp is on (press the button 
if necessary), then press any of the buttons shown below to 
select and play the various Sections contained in a Pattern. 
Pressing the [A] – [H] buttons calls up Sections A – H and 
pressing the [PRE1] – [–] buttons calls up Sections I – P.
nSome Sections of the Demo Pattern may have no data. Because of 
this, selecting some Sections may result in no sound.
Unlike Song playback, Pattern playback continues in a 
loop until the [J] (Stop) button is pressed.
You can stop the Pattern anytime during playback by 
pressing the [J] (Stop) button. This pauses the Pattern at 
the current position. To resume playback of the Pattern 
from that point, press the [F] (Play) button again. To 
instantly return to the beginning of the Pattern, press the 
[ I E] (Top) button.Selecting a Pattern is done in the same way as selecting a 
Song. Refer to step 5 above.
Using Mute/Solo with the Song and 
Pattern tracks
Try this with the Demo Songs to hear how the tracks sound 
both in isolation and in various combinations.
■ To mute a track
The corresponding track is set to mute (its lamp goes off) 
and produces no sound. When pressing the same number 
button again, the track mute is canceled (its lamp lights).
To turn Mute off, press the [MUTE] button again (the lamp 
goes off).
■ To solo a track
Simultaneously hold down the [MUTE] button and press 
one of the Number buttons [1] to [16] to solo the 
corresponding track. Once you’ve selected a track for 
soloing, the [MUTE] button’s lamp flashes, indicating the 
Solo function is active.
While Solo is active, you can change the soloed track 
simply by pressing the corresponding Number button [1] to 
[16]. To cancel the Solo function, press the [MUTE] button 
again.
6Press the [PATTERN] button to enter the 
Pattern mode.
7Press the [F] (Play) button to start Pattern 
playback.
8Try out various rhythm variations by changing 
the Section.
9Press the [J] (Stop) button to stop Pattern 
playback.
VOICE PERFORM MASTER
SONG PATTERN
DAW
REMOTE
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE FILE
JOBUTILITY
DEMO
STORE
MODE
MIXING
PRE 1
A. PIANO
PRE 2
KEYBOARD
PRE 3
ORGAN
PRE 4 USER 1
BASS
USER 2
STRINGS
GM
BRASS
–SECTION
GUITAR 
PLUCKEDREED  PIPE
ABCDE FGH
SYN LEAD SYN PAD 
CHOIRSYN COMP DRUM PERCUSSIONSE MUSICAL FXCOMBICHROMATICPERCUSSION
10Select and play another Demo Pattern.
1Press the [MUTE] button (the lamp lights).
2Press any of the NUMBER [1] – [16] buttons to 
select the track number to be muted.
TRACK
SELECT
SOLOMUTE12345678
910111213141516
ELEMENT  PERF. PART  ZONE
TRACK
SELECT
SOLOMUTE12345678
910111213141516
ELEMENT  PERF. PART  ZONE 
						

							Quick Guide Creating a Song on the MO
Creating a Pattern
76Owner’s Manual
Creating a Pattern
When you create a Song, one of the most essential aspects is the rhythm. It is almost always the first thing you start with, and 
provides a foundation for the rest of the music. The Pattern mode gives you the tools to create rhythm patterns for the 
accompaniment of the Song. Here, in brief, are the basic steps in using Patterns to create a Song: 
1) In the Pattern mode, create and chain together the phrases that will be used for the accompaniment and the Song. 
2) Convert the Pattern data to a Song. 
The following three methods can be used to create a Pattern.
• Creating a Pattern by Preset Phrases and Arpeggio
• Creating a Pattern by User Phrases
• Creating a Pattern with Realtime and Step recording
The created Song and Pattern data resides temporarily in DRAM (page 150). Because data contained in DRAM is lost when the power is turned off, you 
should always store any data residing in DRAM to a USB storage device before turning off the power.
Setting up for Creating a Pattern (Mixing Settings)
First, select the desired Pattern and assigned the Voice to each track.
Select the Empty Pattern. Press the [TRACK SELECT] button so that its lamp lights, 
and select a track (Part) by pressing the one of the Number 
buttons [1] to [16]. You can now play the Voice of the 
selected track from the keyboard.
nYou can also select the Part by using the Cursor [] buttons.
Turn the [TRACK SELECT] button off, and select the Voice 
normally, in the same way as in Voice mode. You can also 
use the Category Search function.
nYou can also select the Voice Number or Voice Bank directly with 
the “VOICE NUM” or “BANK MSB/BANK LSB” parameters. Refer to 
the separate Data List booklet for details.
nWhen selecting the Mixing Voice, move the cursor to the “BANK 
MSB/BANK LSB” and select “mv,” then move the cursor to “VOICE 
NUM” and select the Voice Number. For details on the Mixing 
Voice, see page 78.
CAUTION
1Press the [PATTERN] button to enter the 
Pattern Play mode.
2
Press the [MIXING] button, then [F2] VOICE 
button to call up the display for setting a 
Voice.
VOICEPERFORMMASTER
SONG PATTERN M I X I N G
DAW
REMOTE
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STOREFILE
JOBUTILITY
DEMO
STOREMODE
SET LOCATE
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 
SF1
SCENE
SF2 SF3 SF4 SF5 INFORMATION
3Select a track (Part) to which you want to 
assign a Voice.
4Select the desired Voice.
TRACK
SELECT
SOLOMUTE 12345678
910111213141516
ELEMENT  PERF. PART  ZONE 
						

							Creating a Pattern
77Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide Creating a Song on the MO
Press the [STORE] button (the display below appears). 
Press the [ENTER] button to store the Mixing settings with 
the Pattern.
The created Song and Pattern data resides temporarily in DRAM (page 
150). Because data contained in DRAM is lost when the power is turned 
off, you should always store any data residing in DRAM to a USB 
storage device before turning off the power.
nYou can store the Mixing settings as a Mixing Template. For details 
on the Mixing Template, see below.
nYou can also make settings for the volume, pan, effects and 
equalizer, as well as the Voice. For details, see page 93.
5Repeat steps 3 and 4 above to assign the 
Voice to each track (Part).
6Store the Mixing settings.
CAUTION
Selecting the Voices by using the 
Mixing Template
A total of 32 Mixing settings, each designed for a 
different music category or genre, have been 
programmed and stored as convenient Mixing 
Templates. Each Mixing Template includes the Voices, 
effects, pan and other settings suitable for the 
corresponding music genre. Simply dial up the 
template that comes closest to the type of Song or 
Pattern you wish to create, tweak the settings as 
desired, then start recording.
nYou can also store the Mixing settings you’ve created in the 
MO as an original Mixing Template. For details, see page 94.
1Press the [PATTERN] button to enter the 
Pattern Play mode.
2Press the [MIXING] button, then press the [F6] 
TEMPLATE button to call up the display for 
setting a Template.
3Select the desired Template by using the [INC/
YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons or the data dial.
As soon as a Template is selected, the relevant Mixing 
settings will be automatically loaded.
4Play the keyboard to check the Mixing settings.
Press the [TRACK SELECT] button so that its lamp lights, 
and select a Part by pressing the one of the Number 
buttons [1] to [16].
TIP 
						

							Quick Guide Creating a Song on the MO
Creating a Pattern
78Owner’s Manual
Creating Mixing Voices exclusively for Songs/Patterns
If you assign User Voices to your Song or Pattern and then edit them (in the Voice Edit mode), the Voices may sound 
different than expected. This convenient feature lets you create dedicated Mixing Voices for your Songs and 
Patterns—ensuring that the Voices will play exactly as they were edited for the Song/Pattern. The Mixing Voice can 
be stored with the Song or Pattern.
nOnly Normal Voices can be created/edited as Mixing Voices.
1Enter the Song mode/Pattern mode and select 
the Song number/Pattern number.
2Press the [MIXING] button (the lamp lights), then 
select the Part containing the desired Voice.
3Press the [F5] VCE ED (Voice Edit) button to 
enter the Mixing Voice Edit mode.
nThe Mixing Edit mode can only be entered when selecting a 
Part to which a Normal Voice has been assigned. 
4Call up the Common Edit or Element Edit display 
as required.
These displays are the same as in the Voice mode. See 
page 203.
5Store the edited Mixing Voice to internal User 
memory with the Song/Pattern.
5-1Press the [STORE] button to enter the Mixing Voice 
Store mode.
5-2Set the destination Voice Bank to “MIXV” and select 
the destination Voice number.
You can store the Voice edited in the Mixing Voice 
Edit mode as a User Normal Voice by setting the 
Voice Bank to “USER1” or “USER2.”
5-3Press the [ENTER] button to execute the Store 
operation.
The created Song and Pattern data resides temporarily in DRAM 
(page 150). Because data contained in DRAM is lost when the 
power is turned off, you should always store any data residing in 
DRAM to a USB storage device before turning off the power.
Creating a Pattern by Preset Phrases and Arpeggio
Naturally, you can create phrases and Patterns by recording your own keyboard performance in real time. However, the MO 
has convenient features—preset phrases and the Arpeggio function—that let you quickly and easily select backing parts 
and phrases suitable for various music genres and styles. 
First, we’ll record a performance to Section A, using the Preset Phrases of the Drum patterns, as well as some guitar and 
bass guitar Arpeggio phrases.
Selecting a Drum pattern from Preset 
Phrases
In the example here, we’ll use a Pattern that consists of the 
following: 
Track 1: Drums Track 4: Piano
Track 2: Bass guitar Track 5: Strings
Track 3: Guitar
TIP
TRACK
SELECT
MUTE 12345678
910111213141516
ELEMENT  PERF. PART  ZONE
MIXING
Destination Voice Number
Destination Voice Bank
CAUTION
1
Press the [PATTERN] button, then select the 
Pattern you stored in the section “Setting up 
for Creating a Pattern (Mixing Settings)” on 
page 76.
2Turn the [SECTION] button on, then press the 
[A] button.
PRE 1
A. PIANO
PRE 2
KEYBOARD
PRE 3
ORGAN
PRE 4 USER 1
BASS
USER 2
STRINGS
GM
BRASS
–SECTION
GUITAR 
PLUCKEDREED  PIPE
ABCDE FGH
SYN LEAD SYN COMP SE MUSICAL FXDRUM PERCUSSIONSYN PAD 
CHOIRCOMBICHROMATICPERCUSSION 
						

							Creating a Pattern
79Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide Creating a Song on the MOPress the [F] (Play) button to hear the Drum Pattern. Try 
out some different drum patterns here.
Press the [F1] PLAY button to return the Pattern Play mode.Next, let’s record the bass guitar, guitar, and piano by using 
the Arpeggio function.
Creating a Pattern by Arpeggio
Record a bass guitar pattern.
Press the [TRACK SELECT] button so that its lamp lights, 
and select a track by pressing the Number [2] button. 
Set the parameters related to recording in the [F1] SETUP 
display. Set Type to “replace,” set Loop to “off,” and set 
Quantize to “off.”
3Set the meter (time signature), tempo, and 
length.
4Press the [F4] PATCH button to call up the 
Patch display.
5
Select Track 1, then select one of the settings 
Dr 1 to Dr 4 in the category. Next, select a 
Phrase Number.
6Press the [J] button to stop playback.
Meter (time signature)Tempo Length of pattern
DEC/NO INC / YES
LOCATEREC12
SEQ  TRANSPORT
TRACK
SELECT
MUTE 12345678
910111213141516
ELEMENT  PERF. PART  ZONE
Select a track
Indicates the category of 
the preset Phrases
Indicates the Phrase number
Select a Preset Phrase.
Play the Pattern to confirm 
the assigned Phrase.
User Phrases
In addition to the Preset Phrases, you can store MIDI 
data you’ve recorded in the Pattern mode as User 
Phrases. User Phrases have the added benefit of 
being able to use the sounds of other instruments, 
letting you record bass, guitar, piano and other parts 
as well as drums and percussion. For details, see 
page 81.
Turning the Phrase Voice on or off
In the default settings, when assigning a Phrase to 
each track, the track’s current Voice will be changed 
to the Voice stored in the Phrase (Phrase Voice). If you 
do not want to change the Voice and you want to use 
only the MIDI sequence data, set the following 
parameter for the track to off. 
When setting the parameters as shown in the display 
below, the original Voice in Track 3 will be used, even 
if a Phrase is assigned to the track. If you assign 
Phrases to other tracks (those with the “On” setting), 
the Voices stored in the assigned Phrase will be used. 
7Select a track to which the bass guitar will be 
assigned.
8Press the [REC] button to enter the Pattern 
Record mode.
TIP
TIP
[F3]TRACK ➞ [SF3]TR VOICE 
						

							Quick Guide Creating a Song on the MO
Creating a Pattern
80Owner’s Manual
When setting the parameter to on, you can use the 
Arpeggio on this track.
Set the Bank to “pre” and Ctgr (category) to “Bass.” Try out 
some different bass patterns here.
nIn addition using the preset Arpeggios, you can also create your 
own original Arpeggio data. See page 97.
When this parameter is set to on, you can record the 
Arpeggio playback to the track as MIDI sequence data.
When the “sound” icon below is displayed, Click is on and 
the metronome will play during the recording.
Play a note or notes on the keyboard to trigger Arpeggio 
playback. The root chord of the bass pattern changes 
depending on the key you play.
Next, let’s record the guitar pattern.
Press the [TRACK SELECT] button so that its lamp lights, 
and select a Part by pressing the Number [3] button.
Follow steps 8 –14 above, this time selecting the “GtPl” 
(Guitar & Plucked) in the Arpeggio category, and try out the 
various guitar phrases.
Type, Loop, and Quantize
Type
The “replace” setting lets you overwrite an already 
recorded track with new data. The first recording is 
lost, and the new one takes its place.
The “overdub” setting lets you record (layer) 
additional data to a track that already contains data.
These methods are both realtime recording methods. 
The “step” setting (Step recording) allows you to 
compose your performance by “writing” it down one 
event at a time. For details, see page 82.
Loop
This function plays back the Pattern repeatedly in a 
“loop.” If Type is set to “overdub” and Loop to “on,” 
you can add separate notes or parts in order. For 
example, you could record the parts of a drum kit one 
by one—recording the kick on the first pass, a snare 
on the second, a hi hat part on the third, and so on. 
This technique is also convenient for adding non-note, 
sound-shaping data, such as that of the Knobs and 
Controller.
Since we will be recording with the Arpeggio in this 
example, set Loop to “off” here.
Quantize
Record quantize aligns the timing of notes in real time, 
as you record. This makes sure that all the notes will 
be recorded exactly on the beat, even if your playing 
is somewhat off the beat.
Since we will be recording with the Arpeggio in this 
example, set Quantize to “off” here. 
9Set the PartSw (Part Switch) parameters to off 
in the [F3] ARP display.
10Set the Arpeggio Bank, Category, and Type. 
TIP11Set the RecArp parameter to on in the [F4] 
RECARP (Record Arpeggio) display.
12Press the [F5] CLICK button to turn Click on 
and play the metronome during the recording. 
13Press the [F] (Play) button to start recording.
14
Turn the [ARPEGGIO ON/OFF] indicator off, 
and press the [F] (Play) button to hear your 
newly recorded bass guitar pattern.
15Select the track to which the guitar will be 
assigned.
16
Record the guitar part using the Arpeggio, in 
the same way you did with the bass guitar part 
above.
LOCATEREC12
SEQ  TRANSPORT
Actual recording starts 
after one measure.
Start recording Arpeggio playback
Recording stops automatically 
when Pattern playback reaches 
the end, since Loop is set to “off.”