Yamaha Motif 6 Manual

							About the editing functions
51Owner’s Manual
Basic Operation
Control Slider (CS)
You can adjust the volume of the Voice/Performance you play on the keyboard, or the volume of the specified part (track) of the 
Song/Pattern by using the Control Sliders (CS). In the Master mode, various functions as well as the volume can be assigned to 
the Control Sliders (CS) when the Zone Switch is set to on (page 137). 
Function sets assigned to the Control Slider (CS)
nThe [MASTER VOLUME] slider adjusts the overall output level of the instrument, while the Control Sliders adjust the MIDI Volume setting of the 
corresponding Element or Part.
About the editing functions
There are three types of method for creating data – Editing parameters (Voice, Performance, etc.), Recording MIDI data (Song, 
Pattern, etc.), and Recording audio data (Sampling). 
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 pages 118 (Song) and 110 (Pattern).  For details on recording audio data (for Sampling), see pages 94 and 107.
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 124. 
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. 
ModeFunctions controlled by each Slider
CS1CS2CS3CS4
Voice modeWhen a Normal Voice is 
selected (page 60)Element1 Volume Element2 Volume Element3 Volume Element4 Volume
When a Drum Voice is 
selected (page 61)Volume of the entire Voice sound (moving any Slider produces same volume)
Performance modePart1 Volume Part2 Volume Part3 Volume Part4 Volume
Song mode/Pattern modeWhen tracks (Parts) 1 - 4 
are selectedTrack1 (Part1) Volume Track2 (Part2) Volume Track3 (Part3) Volume Track4 (Part4) Volume
When tracks (Parts) 5 - 8 
are selectedTrack5 (Part5) Volume Track6 (Part6) Volume Track7 (Part7) Volume Track8 (Part8) Volume
When tracks (Parts) 
9 - 12 are selectedTrack9 (Part9) VolumeTrack10 (Part10) 
VolumeTrack11 (Part11) 
VolumeTrack12 (Part12) 
Volume
When tracks (Parts) 
13 - 16 are selectedTrack13 (Part13) 
VolumeTrack14 (Part14) 
VolumeTrack15 (Part15) 
VolumeTrack16 (Part16) 
Volume
Master modeWhen the Zone Switch is 
set to on (page 137)Function assigned for each Master from the [MASTER] → [EDIT] → Zone selection → [F4] KN/CS 
display (page 140)
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE
JOB STORE
Edit Indicator
Vo ice Edit
Performance Edit
Song Mixing Edit
Pattern Mixing Edit
Mixing Voice Edit
If the Edit Indicator 
appears...
Vo ice Store
Performance Store
Song Mixing Store
Pattern Mixing Store
Mixing Voice Store 
						

							Basic Operation
Confirmation Message
52Owner’s Manual
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 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 187).  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.
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
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE
JOB STOREEDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE
JOB STORE
Edit Indicator (newly edited sound) Changes to the Compare Indicator (original sound)
Lamp flashes 
						

							Information Display
53Owner’s Manual
Basic Operation
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 275. 
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). 
nAbout the note name assigned to each key, see page 16. 
Naming
You can freely name the created data like Voice and the file saved to the SmartMedia/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 button 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.
Data types that can be namedHow to call up the naming displayPage
Voice[VOICE] → [EDIT] → [F1] GENERAL → [SF1] NAME  80
Performance[PERFORM] → [EDIT] → [F1] GENERAL → [SF1] NAME 89
Song[SONG] → [JOB] → [F6] SONG → 04: Song Name  233
Pattern[PATTERN] → [JOB] → [F6] PATTERN → 05: Pattern Name  248
Mixing Template[SONG] or [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [JOB] → [F6] TEMPLATE  237
Mixing Voice[SONG] or [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [F5] VCEED → [F1] GENERAL →[SF1] NAME 106
Phrase[PATTERN] → [JOB] → [F4] PHRASE → 09: Phrase Name  246
Master[MASTER] → [EDIT] → [F1] NAME  138
Waveform[INTEGRATED SAMPLING] → [JOB] → [F2] WAVE → 04: NAME 259
Arpeggio[SONG] → [JOB] → [F5] TRACK → 07: Put Track To Arp  130
[PATTERN] → [JOB] → [F5] TRACK → 06: Put Track To Arp  130
Volume Label of the SmartMedia/
USB storage device[FILE] → [F1] CONFIG → [SF3] FORMAT  266
File/Folder saved to the SmartMedia/
USB storage device[FILE] → [F2] SAVE or [F4] RENAME  132
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
54Owner’s Manual
■ 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 button and selecting a character by using the data dial, [INC/YES] button, and [DEC/NO] button. 
■ 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
Moving the cursor to the desired location on the name Selecting a character at the cursor location
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. 
						

							Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
55Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide — Playing the MOTIF ES
 
Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
Here’s the best place to start your explorations of the MOTIF ES. 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. Before you can play the Demos, you’ll need to load the Demo data (contained in ROM) to the 
DRAM memory location as shown below.
nFor details about ROM and DRAM, see page 187. 
When the Demo Song/Pattern data is loaded, the memory area for playback will be overwritten and 
the following Utility settings will be changed in order to play back the Demo Song/Pattern properly. 
[UTILITY] →→ → →
 [F1] GENERAL →→ → →
 [SF1] TG →→ → →
 Volume, NoteShift, Tune
[UTILITY] →→ → →
 [F1] GENERAL →→ → →
 [SF4] OTHER →→ → →
 CtrlRest
[UTILITY] →→ → →
 [F1] GENERAL →→ → →
 [SF3] EF BYPAS
Important data should always be backed up to a SmartMedia/USB storage device.
In some cases such as those listed below, the Demo 
Song/Pattern data will be loaded automatically when 
turning the power on.
•When turning the power on with no SmartMedia card 
in the CARD slot when the instrument is in its factory-
shipped state or after the Factory Set (page 44) is 
executed.
•When turning the power on with a SmartMedia card 
containing no Auto Load files in the CARD slot when 
the instrument is in its factory-shipped state or after 
the Factory Set (page 44) is executed.
In cases such as those listed above, steps #1-#3 are 
unnecessary.  Press the [SONG] button to enter the 
Song mode, then perform the instructions below from 
step #4.
nThis synthesizer features an Auto Load function by which the 
Demo Song/Pattern data or the specified files in the 
SmartMedia card inserted in the CARD slot will be loaded 
automatically when turning the power on. For details about 
the Auto Load function, see page 135.
Quick Guide — Playing the MOTIF ES
(ROM)
Load
Load
Song 01
Sections A - P Sections A - P Song 02
(DRAM)
(ROM) (DRAM)
APAP
Song 01Song 02Song 64
Pattern 01Pattern 02
Pattern 01Pattern 02
Pattern 64
Demo Song dataMemory area for Song playback
Memory area for Pattern playbackDemo Pattern data
CAUTION
1Press the [FILE] button and [UTILITY] button 
simultaneously. 
VOICE
SONGPERFORM MASTER
PATTERN FILE
MODE
SEQUENCER
INTEGRATED
SAMPLINGMIXING UTILITYDEMO 
						

							Quick Guide — Playing the MOTIF ES
Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
56Owner’s Manual
You can select from the three Load Types listed below.  Here, 
we’ll select “All.”
 
After the data is loaded, the Song Play display is 
automatically called up. 
If “Pattern” is selected in step #2 above, the Pattern Play 
display is automatically called up once the data is loaded.
nKeep in mind that the example displays shown in this manual are for 
instruction purposes only, and the contents (for example, the Demo 
Song/Pattern names) may differ slightly from those on your instrument.
When playback of the selected Song is finished, the Song 
automatically stops. You can stop the Song anytime during 
playback by pressing the [■] (Stop) button. This pauses the 
song at the current position. To resume playback of the Song 
from that point, press the [F] (Play) again. To instantly 
return to the beginning of the Song, press the [ ] (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.” 
AllLoads both the Demo Song and Pattern data.
SongLoads only the Demo Song data. 
PatternLoads only the Demo Pattern data. 
3Press the [ENTER] button to load the Demo data.
4Press the [F] (Play) button to start Song 
playback. 
SEQ  TRANSPORT
LOCATE 1 2
SEQ  TRANSPORT
LOCATE 1 2
Start StopTop button
5Select and play another Demo Song.
6Press the [PATTERN] button to enter the Pattern 
mode.
SEQ  TRANSPORT
LOCATE 1 2
DEC/NO INC / YES
Decreases number Increases number
Increases number Decreases number
Song Number: Name
Start
VOICE
SONGPERFORM MASTER
PATTERN FILE
MODE
SEQUENCER
INTEGRATED
SAMPLINGMIXING UTILITYDEMO 
						

							Quick Guide — Playing the MOTIF ES
Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
57Owner’s Manual
There is another way to start Pattern playback – by pressing the 
note son the keyboard. Move the cursor to the keyboard icon 
and press the [INC/YES] button so that the F mark appears. 
In this status, press any key to start the pattern playback.
Press the [DEC/NO] button with the cursor located at the 
keyboard icon to turn the F mark off. 
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 [PRE5] - [PLG3] buttons calls up the Sections I - 
P. Try out various rhythm variations by changing the Section. 
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 [■] (Stop) button is pressed. 
You can stop the Pattern anytime during playback by 
pressing the [■] (Stop) button. This pauses the Pattern at the 
current position. To resume playback of the Pattern from that 
point, press the [F] (Play) again. 
To instantly return to the beginning of the Pattern, press the 
[] (Top) button.
Selecting a Pattern is done in the same way as selecting a 
Song. Refer to step #5 above.
Parameters in the Song Play mode
7Press the [F] (Play) button to start Pattern 
playback. 
8Select different Sections of the Pattern.
A. PIANO KEYBOARD ORGAN
PRE 5 PRE 6USER 1
GUITAR/
PLUCKED
SYN LEAD
AB CD E FGHSECTIONGROUP
CATEGORY
SEARCHBANK
SYN PAD/
CHOIRSYN COMPCHROMATICPERCUSSIONDRUM /PERCUSSIONSEMUSICAL FXCOMBI
USER 2
STRINGS
PLG 1
BRASS
PLG 2
REED / PIPE
PLG 3
BASS
GM
9Press the [■] (Stop) button to stop Pattern 
playback. 
10Select and play another Demo Song.
SEQ  TRANSPORT
LOCATE 1 2
SEQ  TRANSPORT
LOCATE 1 2
Start StopTop button
03 : New Song 1
Song track number and 
track mute/solo status
Track data statusIndicates muted track.
Indicates soloed track (page 58).
Indicates that the track has no recorded data.
Indicates a sample track (page 168) 
containing a Sample Voice (page 173).
Indicates a MIDI track (page 168) 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 123).  Tempo for the selected Song
Time signature for the selected Song 
(You can change the value by 
moving the cursor here and using the 
[INC/YES]/[DEC/NO] buttons and 
data dial.) Transpose setting 
(for entire Song)
Currently selected Song
Song number Song name 
						

							Quick Guide — Playing the MOTIF ES
Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
58Owner’s Manual
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.
Selecting a Song/Pattern track and 
playing the keyboard
You can play along with the Song or Pattern using the sound 
of a track — for example, playing additional drum/percussion 
sounds on a drum track while the Song plays. Press the 
[TRACK SELECT] button so that its lamp lights, and select a 
track by pressing the one of the NUMBER buttons [1] to [16]. If you want you can also mute a track and play the part of the 
track yourself.  To do this, select the desired track as 
described, then mute the track (as explained in “To mute a 
track” above).
Song Location
The Song Play mode has a convenient Location function that 
lets you jump to user-specified parts of a song. This lets you 
assign a specific measure number in the selected song, and 
instantly jump to the assigned measure – either during 
playback or when the song is stopped. Two Locations can be 
assigned. 
■ Assigning Locations
Select the desired measure in the recorded song for the 
Location. (Highlight “MEAS” and use the [INC/YES] and 
[DEC/NO] buttons or data dial.) Then, to assign the measure 
to Location 1, simultaneously hold down the [SET LOCATE] 
button and press the [G] (Reverse) button.
To assign Location 2, use the [H] (Forward) button.
■ Jumping to an assigned Location
To instantly jump to the assigned Location 1 or 2, 
simultaneously hold down the [LOCATE] button and pressing 
the [G] (Reverse) button (for Location 1) or the [H] 
(Forward) button (for Location 2). 
1Press the [MUTE] button (the lamp lights).
2Press any of the NUMBER [1] - [16] buttons to 
select the track number to be muted.
ELEMENT / PERF. PART / ZONE
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
16
MUTE TRACK
SELECTNUMBER
SOLO
15 14 12 13 11
10 9
ELEMENT / PERF. PART / ZONE
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
16
MUTE TRACK
SELECTNUMBER
SOLO
15 14 12 13 11
10 9
ELEMENT / PERF. PART / ZONE
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
16
MUTE TRACK
SELECTNUMBER
SOLO
15 14 12 13 11
10 9
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE
JOB STORESEQ  TRANSPORT
LOCATE 1 2
Specify a measure number 
to be registered.
In this example, the selected measure 
is assigned to Location 1. The current 
settings for Locations 1 and 2 are 
shown at the top right of the display.
SEQ  TRANSPORT
LOCATE 1 2 
						

							Playing the Demo Songs/Patterns
59Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide — Playing the MOTIF ES
Song Chain
This function allows Songs to be “chained” together for 
automatic sequential playback. In this section, try using the 
Song Chain features with the Demo Songs.
From this display you can program and play your own custom 
Song sequences.
Move the cursor to “001” by using the cursor buttons and 
select the desired Song by using the Data Dial, or the [INC/
YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons. Likewise, assign the other 
Songs to locations 002, 003, 004, and so on. In addition, the following parameters can be set in the Song 
Chain.
Move the cursor to the top of the Song Chain display, and 
press the [F] (Play) button to start Song playback. 
When the Song Chain programmed in step #2 reaches to the 
end, playback stops automatically. Press the [■] (Stop) button 
during playback to stop Song Chain playback. 
nThe Song Chain can only be played back in the Song Chain display, 
and not from any other display.
Parameters in the Pattern Play mode
Pattern Chain
Pattern Chain allows you to string several different Sections together to make a single Song. 
About the Pattern Chain structure, see page 168. For information on how to create Pattern Chain data, see page 115. 
1Press the [F6] CHAIN button to call up the Song 
Chain display. 
2Program the desired order of the Songs.
skipSkips past (ignores) the selected chain number and 
continues playback from the next chain number.
stopStops Song Chain playback at that chain number. You 
can restart Song Chain playback from the next chain 
number by pressing the [F] (Play) button.
endIndicates the end mark of the Song Chain data.
3Play the Song Chain. 
SEQ  TRANSPORT
LOCATE 1 2
01 :  New Pattern  A
Pattern track number and 
track mute/solo statusWhen theFmark appears, pressing 
any note on the keyboard starts 
Pattern playback (page 57). 
Track data status
Indicates a MIDI track (page 168) containing MIDI 
sequence data.Indicates a sample track (page 168) 
containing a Sample Voice (page 173).Indicates that the track has no 
recorded data. (No Phrase is 
assigned.) Indicates soloed track (page 58). Indicates muted track.Measure : Beat
(for current playback location)
ARP1-ARP5Use the [SF1] - [SF5] buttons to 
call up the Arpeggio type 
assigned to each button (page 
123).  Tempo for the selected 
Pattern
Time signature for the selected pattern
(You can change the value by moving 
the cursor here and using the [INC/
YES]/[DEC/NO] buttons and data dial.) Transpose setting 
(for entire Pattern)
Pattern number Currently 
selected Pattern 
and Section
Pattern number Section 
						

							Playing the Keyboard (in the Voice Play mode)
60Owner’s Manual
Quick Guide — Playing the MOTIF ES
Playing the Keyboard (in the Voice Play mode)
The Voice Play mode is where you select and play the instrument sounds (voices) of this synthesizer.
Selecting a Voice
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 1~6, User 1~2, GM preset, Plug-in 1~3) as shown below. 
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.
1Press the [VOICE] button to enter the Voice Play mode. 
A. PIANO KEYBOARD ORGAN
PRE 5 PRE 6PRE 1 PRE 2 PRE 3 PRE 4
USER 1
GUITAR/
PLUCKED
USER 2
STRINGS
PLG 1SLOT 1SLOT 2SLOT 3
BRASSPLG 2
REED / PIPE
PLG 3
BASS
GM
Preset BankContains the Voices 
built into this 
instrument.
User BankContains the voices you create in 
the Voice Edit mode. 
Plug-in BankAvailable when Plug-in Boards have 
been installed. See page 74. 
GM BankContains the voices allocated according to the 
GM standard. For details, see page 160. 
Voice Bank
USR1 : 001 (A01)Gt : MegaAcGtr
VOICE PERFORM MASTER
MODE
ARP1-ARP5Use the [SF1] - [SF5] buttons to call 
up the Arpeggio type assigned to 
each button (page 66). Indicates the Keyboard MIDI 
transmit channel. See page 
64 for details.
Indicates the Keyboard Octave 
setting set via the [OCTAVE] 
buttons. See page 63 for details.
Indicates the functions assigned to the respective Control 
knobs. See page 81. 
Bank (selected via the 
BANK 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
CategoryVoice name