Yamaha Motif 6 Manual

							Controlling a computer from the instrument
151Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide — Computer applications
The following explains which sequencer functions are assigned to which panel controls in the Remote Control mode. 
■ SEQ TRANSPORT  buttons
The Remote Control mode lets you start/stop playback of the 
DAW software on the computer by using the SEQ 
TRANSPORT buttons and control the song position on the 
DAW software by using the data dial, [INC/YES] and [DEC/
NO] buttons. 
nWhen the cursor is shown at any track/part in the boxes of two rows of 
the LCD display, the data dial, [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons 
function as the last operated knob and cannot be used to control the 
song position. To restore these to the original song position control, 
press the Cursor [] buttons several times or press the [SF4] 
button (if the [DIAL] menu is shown) to delete the cursor. 
■ Knob, Data dial, and [PRE1] - [PRE4] buttons
The functions of eight knobs on the emulated hardware 
controllers (such as the Yamaha 01X) are assigned to the four 
Knobs on the MOTIF ES. Pressing the [SF5] button changes 
which group’s functions (1 - 4 or 5 - 8) are assigned to the four 
Knobs. When [] are shown in the 
display, you can use the [F4] and [F5] buttons to change the 
bank of eight tracks/parts (shown in the display) to be 
controlled. 
The eight knobs on the emulated hardware controllers (such 
as the Yamaha 01X) can also be used as switches.  However, 
since the four Knobs on the MOTIF ES do not have switch 
capability, the [PRE1] - [PRE4] buttons are used instead.  For 
convenience, the switch function corresponding to the last 
Knob operated is also assigned automatically to the [ENTER] 
button.
While the eight knobs on the emulated devices have 
“endless” rotary control, the four Knobs on the MOTIF ES stop 
at certain points.  With some parameters this may mean that 
the value may not reach to the minimum and maximum points.  
If this occurs, you can use the data dial to adjust the value as 
desired.  For convenience, the data dial is active for the 
parameter corresponding to the Knob last turned.
nTo restore the function of the data dial, [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] 
buttons to the original song position control, press the [SF4] button (if 
the [DIAL] menu is shown) to delete the cursor. 
■ Control Sliders
The functions of eight faders on the Mackie Control, Logic 
Control and 01X are assigned to the four Sliders on the MOTIF 
ES. Pressing the [SF5] button changes which group’s 
functions (1 - 4 or 5 - 8) are assigned to the four Sliders. When 
[] are shown in the display, you can 
use the [F4] and [F5] buttons to change the bank of eight 
tracks/parts (shown in the display) to be controlled. 
■ [F1] - [F6] buttons and [SF1] - [SF5] buttons
The functions assigned to these buttons depends on the 
selected Mode (A or B) and the particular software being 
used (as set in step #3 in “Setting up on the MOTIF ES” on 
page 148).
When the Mode is set to “General,” these buttons are assigned 
to perform the same functions as panel buttons on the Yamaha 
01X, for controlling various Yamaha music/audio software.  The 
corresponding names of the 01X panel buttons are also 
indicated at the bottom of the display of the MOTIF ES.
When the Mode is set to “Logic,” these buttons are assigned 
to perform the same functions as panel buttons on the Logic 
Control, for controlling Logic on the computer.  The 
corresponding names of the Logic Control panel buttons are 
also indicated at the bottom of the display of the MOTIF ES.
When the Mode is set to “Cubase” or “SONAR” or “D.Perf,” 
these buttons are assigned to perform the same functions as 
panel buttons on the Mackie Control, for controlling the 
corresponding software on the computer.  The corresponding 
names of the Mackie Control panel buttons are also indicated 
at the bottom of the display of the MOTIF ES.
The function assignment can be changed by pressing the 
[KNOB CONTROL FUNCTION] buttons. 
The function assignment tables of the [F1] - [F6] buttons and 
[SF1] - [SF5] buttons for each DAW software are contained in 
the separate Data List. 
nAmong the functions assigned to the [F1] - [F6] buttons and [SF1] - 
[SF5] buttons, the functions indicated with brackets (such as [DIAL]) 
are not related to the Mackie Control, Logic Control and 01X but are 
unique to the MOTIF ES. 
■ Data dial, [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons
Although the data dial and [INC/YES]/[DEC/NO] buttons are 
generally to change the song position on the DAW software, 
when you turn one of the Knobs on the MOTIF ES, the control 
function assigned to that Knob is automatically assigned to 
these panel controls as well, and the [DIAL] menu appears (at 
the [SF4] button).  In this condition, these controllers cannot 
be used to control the song position. To restore the function of 
the data dial, [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons to the original 
song position control, press the [SF4] button (if the [DIAL] 
menu is shown) to delete the [DIAL] menu.  
						

							Quick Guide — Computer applications
Controlling a computer from the instrument
152Owner’s Manual
■ Cursor [] buttons
By moving the cursor left/right, you can change the track or 
part to controlled by the data dial and [INC/YES]/[DEC/NO] 
buttons.  For example, when the cursor is at the upper box in 
the display, pressing the Cursor [>] button moves through the 
columns in succession (1, 2, 3, 4...).  After 4, the cursor is 
hidden and wraps around to 1. When the cursor is shown in 
the display, the parameter at which the cursor is located can 
be edited by the data dial, [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons. 
When the cursor is hidden, the data dial and [INC/YES]/[DEC/
NO] buttons can be used for their normal function — 
controlling the song position.
■ Cursor [ ] and [ ] buttons
When the Mode is set to “General,” the Cursor [ ]/[ ] 
buttons perform the same function as that of the DISPLAY 
[]/[ ] buttons on the 01X.  
When the Mode is set to something other than “General,” the 
Cursor [ ]/[ ] buttons perform the same function as that of 
the Cursor [ ]/[ ] buttons on the Mackie Control and Logic 
Control.
■ [EXIT] button
When the Mode is set to “General,” this button performs the 
same function as that of the [PAGE SHIFT] button on the 01X.  
When the Mode is set to something other than “General,” the 
button has no control function.
■ BANK, GROUP and NUMBER button
These buttons are assigned to perform the same functions as 
the buttons directly over the faders on the 01X, Mackie 
Control and Logic Control.
Checking the Remote Control assignments
If you’re unsure as to which software function has been 
assigned to a particular panel control on the MOTIF ES, 
this convenient feature lets you quickly check it from the 
display.
1In the Remote Control mode, press the 
[INFORMATION] button to call up the information 
display, indicating the function of the last pressed 
button. 
2Press the button for which you want to check the 
assignment.
This display shown above appears when you press 
the [F] (Play) button of SEQ TRANSPORT. In this 
way, you can check each button’s control assignment 
simply by pressing it.
3Press the [INFORMATION] button again to return 
to the Remote Control mode. 
nWhile the Information display is shown, the panel buttons 
cannot be used to control the computer software. 
[PRE1] - [PRE4] 
buttonsThe eight knobs on the 01X, Mackie Control 
and Logic Control can also be used as 
switches.  However, since the four Knobs on 
the MOTIF ES do not have switch capability, 
the [PRE1] - [PRE4] buttons are used instead. 
[PRE5] - [PLG3] 
buttonsThe functions of the eight [REC/RDY] buttons 
on the Mackie Control and Logic Control are 
assigned to these buttons. Please note that 
these buttons are not available when the 
Mode is set to “General.”
[A] - [H] buttonsThe functions of the eight [SOLO] buttons on 
the Mackie Control and Logic Control are 
assigned to these buttons. Please note that 
these buttons are not available when the 
Mode is set to “General.” 
[1] - [8] and [TRACK 
SELECT] buttonsWhen the Mode is set to “General,” the 
functions of the nine [SEL] buttons on the 01X 
are assigned to these buttons. When the 
Mode is set to something other than 
“General,” the functions of the eight [MUTE] 
buttons on the Mackie Control and Logic 
Control are assigned to the [1] - [8] buttons. 
[9] - [16] and [MUTE] 
buttonsWhen the Mode is set to “General,” the 
functions of the nine [ON] buttons on the 01X 
are assigned to these buttons. When the 
Mode is set to something other than 
“General,” the functions of the eight [SELECT] 
buttons on the Mackie Control and Logic 
Control are assigned to the [9] - [16] buttons.  
						

							 Controlling a computer from the instrument 
153 
Owner’s Manual
 
Quick Guide — Computer applications
 
Recording the sounds of the MOTIF ES to computer via mLAN
 By using the optional mLAN16E interface and an IEEE 1394 cable connection, you can record multitrack audio from the 
MOTIF ES to an mLAN-compatible DAW (digital audio workstation) program on your computer.  This lets you transfer the 
audio data of multi-part Songs on the MOTIF ES to the DAW application for further editing and storage on your computer’s 
hard disk drive.  
In the example instructions below, Song playback and/or your keyboard performance in the Song mode can be recorded 
to the computer, on separate tracks of the DAW application. 
Setup for connecting the computer to the MOTIF ES via mLAN
 
1
 
Install the optional mLAN16E to the MOTIF ES (page 288). 
 
2 
After turning the power on, set the MIDI IN/OUT 
parameter to “mLAN” ([UTILITY] 
 
→
 
 [F5] MIDI 
 
→
 
 
[SF4] OTHER). 
3 
Press the [SONG] button to enter the Song mode 
and select the desired Song for playback, or the 
particular Mixing settings you want to use. 4 
Set the mLAN MonitorSw parameter to “on” 
([UTILITY] 
 
→
 
 [F2] I/O 
 
→
 
 [SF2] OUTPUT).
 
When this parameter is set to on, the audio signal output 
via mLAN to the computer is also output to the exter nal 
audio equipment via the main OUTPUT L/MONO and R 
jacks. 
This allows you to monitor the sound going to the 
computer with a set of headphones.
 
5 
Determine the Output connector or channel of audio 
signal for each part. 
 
Make the desired OutputSel parameter settings 
([SONG] 
 
→
 
 [MIXING] 
 
→
 
 [EDIT] 
 
→
 
 Part selection 
 
→
 
 [F2] 
OUTPUT   
→
 
 [SF3] SELECT). For example, set the 
OutputSel parameter for Part 1 to “as1&2,” Part 2 to 
“as3&4,” and Part 3 to “as5&6.”
These settings (as1&2, as3&4, etc.) indicate the 
hardware output jacks on the optional AIEB2, when the 
device has been installed.  When the mLAN16E is  installed, these indicate the different audio channels 
within the single mLAN connection. 
1 
Connect the computer to the MOTIF ES using an 
IEEE1394 cable.  2 
Install all necessary software to the computer, 
including the mLAN driver.
 
Refer to the relevant documentation for the mLAN16E.  3 
Install an mLAN-compatible audio sequencer or 
DAW application to the computer.
 
Refer to the separate Installation Guide for information 
on how to install mLAN-compatible Yamaha 
applications. 4 
Set the audio related parameters on the DAW 
software. 
 
Refer to the relevant documentation for the particular 
software. 
Executing the Hard Disk Recording
 
After completing the setup described above, try out to 
record your keyboard performance to the hard disk of the 
computer by using the DAW software. For details about 
how to execute this, refer to the relevant document of the 
software. 
MUSIC  PRODUCTION  SYNTHESIZER
MOTIF ES Computer with an IEEE1394 interface mLAN input
Audio signal of the MOTIF ES sound
mLAN16E
 
Setup on the MOTIF ES 
Setup on the computer 
						

							Basic Structure
Internal Structure (System Overview)
154Owner’s Manual
This section gives you an easy-to-understand overview of the MOTIF ES — its wide range of sophisticated features, its MIDI 
control and performance functions, and its convenient file management system for original data you’ve created with the 
instrument.
Internal Structure (System Overview)
This synthesizer is made up of several blocks, as shown here.
Controller Block
This block consists of the keyboard, Pitch Bend and 
Modulation Wheels, Ribbon Controller, Knobs, Control Sliders 
and so on. 
The keyboard itself doesn’t generate sounds, but instead 
generates/transmits note on/off, velocity and other information 
(MIDI messages) to the synthesizer’s tone generator block 
when you play notes. The controllers also generates/transmits 
MIDI messages. 
The synthesizer’s tone generator block produces the sound 
according to the MIDI messages transmitted from the 
keyboard and controllers. 
Controller supported by the MOTIF ES
The controllers you can use on this synthesizer and the 
reference pages are as follows: 
●Controllers with which the MOTIF ES is equipped
Keyboard (Initial Touch, Aftertouch) ................ page 18
Pitch Bend Wheel ............................................ page 64
Modulation Wheel ............................................ page 64
Ribbon Controller............................................. page 65
Knob (KN) ........................................................ page 50
Control Slider (CS) ........................................... page 51
●Controllers (sold separately) that can be connected 
to the rear panel of the MOTIF ES 
Foot Controller ................................................. page 42
Footswitch ....................................................... page 42
Breath Controller.............................................. page 42
Basic Structure
ZONE 1CS 1 VOLUME 
1VOLUME 2VOLUME 3VOLUME 4
CS 2
ZONE 2CS 3
ZONE 3CS 4
ZONE 4
SWING GATE TIME VELOCITYUNITMULTIPLY
LOW KN 1LOW MIDKN 2HIGH MIDKN 3HIGHKN 4
Controller block
Keyboard Controllers
MIDI output
Audio (sound) 
output
Recording by the 
keyboard performanceKeyboard performanceOperating 
the panel
Sequencer blockTone Generator block
MIDI sequence data
• Song
• Pattern
• ArpeggioInternal AWM2 Plug-in 
board
• Voice
• Performance
Sampling block
PlaybackEffect blockDSP
• Reverb
• Chorus
• Master Effect
• Part Equalizer
• Master Equalizer
Recording
External MIDI instrument
Playback
Microphone, Guitar, Bass, 
Audio equipment, etc.Microphone, Guitar, Bass, 
Audio equipment, etc.
Audio signal flow
MIDI messages flow Playback 
						

							Basic Structure
Internal Structure (System Overview)
155Owner’s Manual
Controller related parameters in each mode
The chart below shows the operations for calling up the Controller related parameters in each mode.  Parameters for the 
Footswitch and the Assign Knobs A/B apply to the entire instrument, regardless of the selected program (Voice/Performance/
Song/Pattern). 
Aside from their default control parameters, the controllers of the instrument, such as the Pitch Bend wheel and the Modulation 
wheel, can be freely assigned to a variety of different parameters. For example, you could assign Resonance to the Modulation 
Wheel and set aftertouch to apply vibrato. These settings for all the controllers are referred to as a “Controller Set,” and up to six 
Controller Sets can be created for each Voice.
● Source and Destination
“source” refers to the hardware controller and “destination” refers to the parameter or function being controlled.  An extensive 
variety of destination parameters are available, far more than those listed above.  For a complete list of destination parameters, 
see the separate Data List. 
Voice modeController Set (for each Voice)  [VOICE] → Voice selection → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → [F4] CTL SET See below.
Assigning the Control Change number to each 
Controller (for all Voices)[VOICE] → [UTILITY] → [F3] VOICE → [SF4] CTL ASN Page 262
Performance 
modeAssigning the Control Change number to each 
Controller (for each Performance)[PERFORM] → Performance selection → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → 
[F4] CTL ASNPage 214
Song modeAssigning the Control Change number to each 
Controller (for each Song Mixing)[SONG] → Song selection → [MIXING] → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → 
[F4] CTL ASNPage 234
Pattern modeAssigning the Control Change number to each 
Controller (for each Pattern Mixing)[PATTERN] → Pattern selection → [MIXING] → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → 
[F4] CTL ASNPage 248
All modesAssigning the function and Control Change 
number to the Assign Knob A/B[UTILITY] → [F4] CTL ASN → [SF2] ASSIGN Page 263
Assigning the function and Control Change 
number to the Footswitch (connected to the 
ASSIGNABLE connector)[UTILITY] → [F4] CTL ASN → [SF3] FT SW Page 263
Controller Set[VOICE] →→ → →
 Voice selection →→ → →
 [EDIT] →→ → →
 [COMMON] →→ → →
 [F4] CTL SET Page 192
SW I N G GATE TIME
LOW KN 
1LOW MIDKN 2
1ON/OFF ON/OFF ON/OFF ON/OFF234
Voice
Controller Set 1 - 6
Volume, Reverb Send Level, Chorus Send Level, Filter 
Cutoff Frequency, Filter Resonance, etc. 
Controller Set
Source = Controller
Depth = Degree to which the 
controller affects the sound
Element Switches
Destination (Dest) = function
nYou can set whether the controller affects each 
Element by setting the Element Switch on or off as 
desired.  Note that this applies only to Normal Voices.
nThe Element Switch parameters are not available 
when a function unrelated to Elements (1 - 40) is set 
as the destination. 
						

							Internal Structure (System Overview)
156Owner’s Manual
Basic Structure
● Using one source to control several destinations
For example, set the Source parameter of Control Set 1 to MW (Modulation Wheel) and the Destination parameter to ELFO-PM 
(Element LFO Pitch Modulation Depth). Then set the Source parameter of Control Set 2 also to MW, but set the Destination 
parameter to ELM PAN (Element Pan). You will also need to specify the Element to be controlled and also the depth (amount) of 
control.
In this example, when you move the Modulation Wheel upward, the amount of Pitch Modulation increases accordingly, and the 
Element is panned from left to right. In this way, you can have the sound change in several different ways, simply by adjusting a 
single controller.
● Using several sources to control one destination
For example, set the Source parameter of Control Set 1 to MW (Modulation Wheel) and the Destination parameter to ELFO-PM 
(Element LFO Pitch Modulation Depth). Then set the Source parameter of Control Set 2 to FC (Foot Controller) and set the 
Destination parameter also to ELFO-PM (Element LFO Pitch Modulation Depth).
Now, Pitch Modulation is assigned to both the Modulation Wheel and Foot Controller. In this way, you can have several different 
controllers affect the same aspect of the sound. This can be useful in live performance situations, letting you use any one of 
several controllers depending on which is convenient at the time.
nThe Controller Set edited in the Voice Edit mode is available when the corresponding Voice is selected in the Performance mode, Song mode, and Pattern 
mode. 
nThe function assigned to the Controller by the Controller Set function can be applied only to the internal tone generator block. Operating the Controller will 
transmit the MIDI message (Control Change Number assigned below) to the external MIDI instrument. 
Assigning Control Change numbers to the controllers
The functions assigned to the controllers by the Controller Set function can be applied only to the internal tone generator block. 
For connected external MIDI instruments, use of the controllers generates MIDI Control Change messages, as shown in the 
chart below.
* These Controllers are not used in the Controller Set function
As shown above, the keyboard Aftertouch, Pitch Bend Wheel, Modulation Wheel, Footswitch connected to the SUSTAIN 
connector, were originally designed for a particular purpose, and send pre-defined MIDI Control Change messages when used, 
regardless of their Control Set allocations within the synthesizer. For example, when the pan function is assigned to the Pitch 
Bend Wheel with the Controller Set, using the Pitch Bend Wheel will apply the pan function to the internal tone generator and will 
transmit the Pitch Bend messages to the external MIDI instrument. 
Using the other controllers will transmit the Control Change messages set from the display shown above to the external MIDI 
instrument while it will apply the functions set via the Controller Set to the internal tone generator block. 
You can also set up a controller such that it sends one kind of Control message to the synthesizer’s internal tone generator yet 
another kind to the external MIDI instrument. For example, in a Controller Set you could assign Resonance to the ASSIGN Knob 
1. Then, in the Utility mode, you could assign Control Change Number 1 (modulation) to the same knob. Now, when you turn the 
knob, resonance will be applied to the sound of the internal tone generator block; however, at the same time, modulation 
messages will be transmitted to the external MIDI instrument. 
ControllerGenerated MIDI messageDisplay
AftertouchChannel Aftertouch (DnH) –
Pitch Bend WheelPitch Bend (EnH) –
Modulation WheelControl Change (BnH, 01H) –
Footswitch (connected to the 
SUSTAIN connector)*Control Change (BnH, 40H) –
ASSIGN Knob A, B*Control Change (BnH) [UTILITY] → [F4] CTL ASN → [SF2] ASSIGN
Footswitch (connected to the 
ASSIGNABLE connector)*Control Change (BnH) [UTILITY] → [F4] CTL ASN → [SF3] FT SW
Ribbon ControllerControl Change (BnH) [VOICE] → [UTILITY] → [F3] VOICE → [SF3] CTL ASN
ASSIGN Knob 1, 2[PERFORM] → Performance selection → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → [F4] CTL ASN
Foot Controller 1, 2[SONG] → Song selection → [MIXING] → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → [F4] CTL ASN
Breath Controller [PATTERN] → Pattern selection → [MIXING] → [EDIT] → [COMMON] → [F4] CTL ASN 
						

							Basic Structure
Internal Structure (System Overview)
157Owner’s Manual
Tone Generator block
The Tone Generator block is what actually produces sound in response to the MIDI messages generated by playing the 
keyboard, using the controllers, and the playback of the sequencer (Song/Pattern/Arpeggio). 
Internal AWM2 Tone Generator and optional Plug-in boards
The tone generator block in this synthesizer consists of the built-in AWM2 sound source and optional Plug-in Board(s). 
● AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2)
AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2) is a synthesis system based on sampled waves (sound material), and is used in many 
Yamaha synthesizers. For extra realism, each AWM2 Voice uses multiple samples of a real instrument’s waveform. Furthermore, 
a wide variety of parameters — envelope generator, filter, modulation, and others — can be applied.
You can also create your own waves (Samples) via microphone or from external audio equipment by using the Sampling 
function. These are then stored in internal memory (DRAM) and can be used just like the preset waves.
● Plug-in Board
For details on using the optional Plug-in Boards for even more sounds, see page 74.
AMP FILTER PITCH OSC
Outputs the wave that 
makes up the sound.
To the Effect block
Changes the tonal quality of the 
sound output from the PITCH unit.
Controls the output level (amplitude) of the sound 
output from the FILTER unit. The signals are then 
sent at this level to the Effect block. Controls the pitch of the sound. Tone 
Generator
Internal AWM2
Tone GeneratorPlug-in boards (optional)
Up to three boards can be installed.  
						

							Basic Structure
Internal Structure (System Overview)
158Owner’s Manual
Voice, Performance, and Mixing
This instrument features three different types of programs, 
that form the basis for creating and playing sounds.
● Voice
A program that contains the sonic elements for generating a 
specific musical instrument sound is referred to as a “Voice.” 
Each Voice consists of up to four elements (Normal Voice) or 
up to 73 keys (Drum Voice). Each Voice is created by editing 
parameters unique to each element/key and parameters 
common to all the elements/keys in the Voice mode (page 
188) or in the Mixing Voice mode (page 249). 
● Performance
A program in which multiple Voices (parts) are combined in a 
layer, or in other configurations is referred to as a “Performance.” Each Performance can contain up to four 
different parts (Voices). Each Performance can be created by 
editing parameters unique to each part and parameters 
common to all the parts in the Performance mode (page 212). 
● Mixing
A program in which multiple Voices are assigned to Parts for 
multi-timbral play in the Song and Pattern modes is referred to 
as a “Mixing.” Each Mixing can contain up to 34 parts (page 
163). Each Mixing can be created by editing parameters 
unique to each part and parameters common to all the parts 
in the Song Mixing mode (page 233) or in the Pattern Mixing 
mode (page 248). 
nThe Mixing belongs to the Song or Pattern. 
The illustration below shows the structure and 
interrelationship of the Voices, Performances, and Mixings.
nThe Drum Voice Key Edit parameters do not contain LFO settings. 
CH16 CH1
VOICE
EG
PITCH OSC
(Oscillator)
FILTERAMP
(Amplitude) LFO
PEG FEG AEG
PERFORMSONG
MIXING
PATTERN
MIXING
One Voice
Up to four elements (Normal Voice)
Up to 73 keys (Drum Voice)
Pitch Envelope 
Generator
One Mixing
Wavefor m 
(AWM2)
Common Edit parametersPart Edit parameters
Part Edit parameters
Common Edit parameters
This synthesizer has two types of Voices – Voices created in the 
Voice mode and Mixing Voices (dedicated for the Song/Pattern) 
created in the Mixing Voice mode. Common Edit parameters
Arpeggio, Effects, Controller Set, etc. 
Element 1 - 4
or Key C0-C6
•1 - 16 parts (of the internal tone 
generator)
•17 - 32 parts (of the optionally 
installed PLG100-XG)
•PLG1 - 3 parts (of the optionally 
installed single part Plug-in boards)
Filter Envelope 
GeneratorAmplitude Envelope 
Generator Low Frequency 
Oscillator
Different Voice for each part
One PerformanceUp to four parts
One Part
Voice
Different Voice for each partOne Part
Voice
Element Edit parameters
or Key Edit parameters
Set in the Voice Edit mode (page 79) 
						

							Basic Structure
Internal Structure (System Overview)
159Owner’s Manual
The following illustrations may help in understanding the memory structure of the Voices, Performances, and Mixings.
..................
.................. ..................
..................
..................
..................
VOICE
Preset 1
(128 Voices)
12......128
Preset 2
(128 Voices)
12......128
Preset 3
(128 Voices)
12......128
Preset 4
(128 Voices)
12......128
Preset Drum
(64 Voices)
12......64
GM Preset 
(128 Voices)
12......128
GM Drum
(1 Voice)
1
User 1
(128 Voices)
12......128
User 2
(128 Voices)
12......128
Song 01
(16 Voices)
12......16
Song 64
(16 Voices)
12......16
Pattern 01
(16 Voices)
12......16
Pattern 64
(16 Voices)
12......16
Song 01
(128 Voices)
12......128
Song 64
(128 Voices)
12......128
Pattern 01
(128 Voices)
12......128
Pattern 64
(128 Voices)
12......128
User Drum
(32 Voices)
12......32
Preset 5
(128 Voices)
12......128
PLG1 Preset
(64 Voices)
12......64
User 1
(128 Performances)
12......128
PLG1 User
(64 Voices)
12......64
PLG2 Preset
(64 Voices)
12......64
PLG2 User
(64 Voices)
12......64
PLG3 Preset
(64 Voices)
12......64
PLG3 User
(64 Voices)
12......64
Song 01(16 Parts + PLG Parts)
Pattern 01(16 Parts + PLG Parts)
Song 64(16 Parts + PLG Parts)
Template
1
2
......32Pattern 64(16 Parts + PLG Parts)
Preset 6
(128 Voices)
12......128
ORGAN
USER 1PERFORM
SONGMIXING
PATTERNMIXING
STRINGS
PLG 1SLOT 1SLOT 2
BRASSPLG 2SLOT 3
REED / PIPEPLG 3
ORGAN
USER 1
GUITAR/
PLUCKED
USER 2
BASS
GM
PRE 1
PRE 2
PRE 3
PRE 4
A. PIANO
PRE 5
KEYBOARD
PRE 6
DRUM KITS
FAVORITESA. PIANO
PRE 5
DRUM KITS
FAVORITESBASS
GM
DRUM KITS
FAVORITESORGAN
USER 1
➜➜
➜
Normal Voice
The Sample Voices can be selected only in 
the Song mode/Pattern mode. These cannot 
be selected in the Voice mode or assigned to 
each Part in the Performance mode. 
The Sample Voices can be created by 
recording the audio signal to a Song/Pattern 
track via the Sampling function (page 172). 
Normal Voices:  768
Drum Voices:  64
Drum Voice Voices
Preset Voice
Normal Voices:  128
Drum Voice:  1
GM Voice
Normal Voices:  256
Drum Voices:  32
User Voice
(Up to 128 Voices for each Song/Pattern, 
1024 Voices for all Songs/Patterns)
Sample Voice
* When the PLG150-VL is 
installed, there are three Preset 
Banks and 192 Preset Voices.
Plug-in Voice
Performance
Mixing
Normal Voices: up to 256(Up to 16 Voices for each Song/Pattern)
Mixing Voice
The Mixing Voices can be selected only 
in the Song mode/Pattern mode. These 
cannot be selected in the Voice mode or 
assigned to each Part in the 
Performance mode.  
						

							Basic Structure
Internal Structure (System Overview)
160Owner’s Manual
■ Normal Voices & Drum Voices
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. A 
collection of assigned percussion/drum waves or Normal 
Voices is known as a Drum Kit.
■ GM Voices
GM (General MIDI) is a worldwide standard for Voice 
organization and MIDI functions of synthesizers and tone 
generators. It was designed primarily to ensure that any song 
data created with a specific GM device would sound virtually 
the same on any other GM device – no matter the 
manufacturer or the model. The GM Voice bank on this 
synthesizer is designed to appropriately play back GM song 
data. However, keep in mind that the sound may not be 
exactly the same as played by the original tone generator.
■ Tone generator parameters that produce the Voice sound
Among various parameters that makes up one Voice, 
Oscillator, Pitch, Filter, Amplitude, LFO and three Envelope 
Generators (PEG, FEG, AEG) shown in the illustration on 
pages 160-162 are the basic parameters for creating the Voice 
sound. Parameters about Oscillator, Pitch, Filter and Amplitude 
determine the three basic elements of the sound – Pitch (how 
low or high it is), Tone (or its overall sound quality), and Volume 
(how loud its volume level is) of the Voice. Parameters such as 
LFO and EG (Envelope Generator) deter mine the transition in 
these three basic elements of the sound from the moment the 
sound starts to the moment the sound stops. 
In the sections that follow, we’ll explain in detail about the 
sound-related parameters and provide an introduction to the 
basics of electronic synthesis.
● Oscillator
This unit outputs the wave which determines the basic pitch. 
You can assign the wave (or basic sound material) to each 
Element of the Normal Voice or each Key of the Drum Voice. 
In the case of the Normal Voice, you can set the note range 
for Element (the range of notes on the keyboard over which 
the Element will sound) as well as the velocity response (the 
range of note velocities within which the Element will sound). 
For example, you could set one Element to sound in an upper 
range of the keyboard, and another Element to sound in a 
lower range. Thus, even within the same Voice, you can have 
two different sounds for different areas of the keyboard or you 
can make the two Element ranges overlap so that their 
sounds are layered over a set range. Furthermore, you can 
set each Element to respond to different velocity ranges so 
that one Element sounds for lower note velocities, whereas 
another Element sounds for higher note velocities. See the 
illustration at left of this page. 
nYou can assign the wave with the following operation.
[VOICE] → Voice selection → [EDIT] → Element selection/Drum Key 
selection → [F1] OSC → [SF1] WAVE 
Strictly speaking, what is assigned here to an Element or Key is not a 
“wave” but a “waveform.” The difference between the two terms is 
explained on page 173. 
● Pitch
This unit controls the pitch of the sound (wave) output from 
the Oscillator. In the case of the Normal Voice, you can 
detune separate Elements, apply Pitch Scaling and so on. 
Also, by setting the PEG (Pitch Envelope Generator), you can 
control how the pitch changes over time.
PEG (Pitch Envelope Generator)
Using the PEG, you can control the transition in pitch from the 
moment the sound starts the moment the sound stops. You 
can create the PEG by setting parameters as illustrated 
below. When you press a note on the keyboard, the pitch of 
the Voice will change according to these envelope settings. 
This is useful for creating automatic changes in pitch, which is 
effective for the Synth Brass. Furthermore, different PEG 
parameters can be set for each Element or each Key.
Key 1 Key 5 Key 10 Key 18 Key 21 Key 73
C0
C1 C6
Waveform (Preset 1-1859, User 1-1024)
Normal Voice
Individual drum 
sounds (different 
for each key)
Drum Voice
One Voice
Element 4 Element 1Element 2Element 3
Velocity
VOICE] → Voice selection → [EDIT] → Element selection/
Drum Key selection → [F1] OSC
[VOICE] →→ → → Voice selection →→ → → [EDIT] →→ → → Element selection/
Drum Key selection 
→→ → → [F2] PITCH
0
Pitch
Hold 
LevelAttack
Level
Decay1
Level
Sustain Level
(Decay2 Level)
Release
Level
Hold
TimeAttack
TimeDecay1
TimeDecay2
TimeRelease
TimeTime
Pressing the key (Key on) Releasing the key (Key off)