Yamaha Motif 8 Owners Manual

							11MOTIF  The Controls & Connectors Front Panel
The Control & Connectors
PLG 2
AB
CD
E
FG
H
15CATEGORY
SEARCH
SONG SCENE
SF 1SF 2SF  3SF  4 SF  5
F1 F2 F3 F4 F6F5
INFORMATIONDEC/NO INC/ YES
EXITENTER
EXECUTE
MUSIC
PRODUCTIONSYNTHESIZERIntegratedSamplingSequencer
Real-time External Control
Sur face
Modular
Synthesis
Plug-in
System
DRUM KITSFAVORITES
SLOT 1 SLOT 2 SLOT 3PRE 1PRE 2
PRE  3
GMUSER PLG 1PLG  3A. PIANOKEYBOARD
ORGANGUITAR /
PLUCKEDBASSSTRINGSBRASS
REED / PIPE
SYN LEAD SYN PAD/
CHOIRSYN COMP CHROMATIC
PERCUSSIONDRUM /
PERCUSSIONSE
MUSICAL FX COMBI
1
234
56
7
8
91011
12
1314
16SECTION
TRACK
SELECT
MUTE
SOLO
BANK
GROUP
NUMBER
COMMON
ELEMENT / PERF. PART / ZONE
SONG SCENE
SF 1SF 2SF  3SF  4 SF  5
F1 F2 F3 F4 F6F5
INFORMATION
DEC/NO INC/ YES
EXITENTER
EXECUTE
MUSIC
PRODUCTIONSYNTHESIZERIntegratedSamplingSequencer
Real-time External Control
Sur face
Modular
Synthesis
Plug-in
System
DRUM KITSFAVORITES
SLOT 1 SLOT 2 SLOT 3PRE 1PRE 2
PRE  3
GMUSER PLG 1PLG  3A. PIANOKEYBOARD
ORGANGUITAR /
PLUCKEDBASSSTRINGSBRASS
REED / PIPE
SYN LEAD SYN PAD/
CHOIRSYN COMP CHROMATIC
PERCUSSIONDRUM /
PERCUSSIONSE
MUSICAL FX COMBIAB
CD
E
FG
H
1
234
56
7
8
91011
12
1314
1516CATEGORY
SEARCH
BANK
GROUP
NUMBER
SECTION
TRACK
SELECT
MUTE
SOLO
PLG 2
COMMON
ELEMENT / PERF. PART / ZONE 
						

							12MOTIF  The Controls & Connectors
 Front Panel
The Control & Connectors
MOTIF8
KNOB
CONTROL
FUNCTIONPA N
REVERBCHORUS
TEMPO
AT TA C K RELEASE CUTOFF
RESONANCE
ASSIGN A ASSIGN B ASSIGN 1 ASSIGN 2
KN 1 KN 2 KN 3 KN 4
MEQ LOW
ME Q HI  MID MEQLOWMID ME Q HIGH
REMOTE
CONTROL
ON / OFF
MASTER
VOLUMEVOLUME 1 VOLUME 2 VOLUME 3 VOLUME 4
CS 1 CS 2 CS 3 CS 4
ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4EFFECT BYPASSARPEGGIOINSERTIONSYSTEM
ON/OFF
SEQ
TRANSPORT
LOCATE
12REC
VOICE PERFORM MASTER
SEQUENCERSONG
PAT T E R NFILE
INTEGRATED
SAMPLINGMIXINGUTILITY
EDIT
JOBSTORE
COMPARESCENE STORE
SET LOCATE
MODE
1OCTAVE [UP] and [DOWN] buttons (page 127)
Use these buttons to change the note range of the 
keyboard. To restore the normal octave setting, 
press both buttons simultaneously.
nBecause of its extended keyboard, the MOTIF 8 
does not have OCTAVE buttons.
2PITCH bend wheel (page 48)
Controls the pitch bend effect. You can also assign 
other functions to this controller.
3MODULATION wheel (page 48)
Controls the modulation effect. You can also assign 
other functions to this controller.4MASTER VOLUME
Adjusts the volume of the overall sound, as output 
from the rear-panel OUTPUT L/MONO and R 
jacks as well as the PHONES jack.
5[KNOB CONTROL FUNCTION] button and 
four Knobs (pages 48, 132)
These four highly versatile knobs let you adjust 
various aspects or parameters of the current Voice. 
Use the [KNOB CONTROL FUNCTION] button to 
change the parameter set for the knobs. The 
corresponding LED lights to indicate which group 
of parameters are active.  
						

							13MOTIF  The Controls & Connectors
 Front Panel
The Control & Connectors
6[CS1] - [CS4] (Control Slider) (page 48)
Controls the volume of each part/element. 
In the Master mode, the Zone setting (page 271) 
allows you to assign various functions (Control 
Change numbers) to these Sliders other than the 
volume. 
7[REMOTE CONTROL ON/OFF] button
(page 256)
When this is on, the following panel controls can be 
used to directly control mixing and transport 
functions on your sequencer software.
• Knobs 
• Control Sliders 
• [SEQ TRANSPORT] buttons
• [TRACK SELECT] button 
• [MUTE] button 8[EFFECT BYPASS] buttons
For enabling/disabling Effect Bypass. Press the 
button (the LED lights) to bypass effect processing 
of the current Voice or Performance.
The bypassed effects (Reverb, Chorus, Variation, or 
Insertion) are specified in the Utility Mode 
(page 250).
9[ARPEGGIO ON/OFF] button (page 55)
Press this button to enable or disable playback of 
the Arpeggio for each Voice, Performance, Song, or 
Pattern. If the Arpeggio Switch of the selected part 
is set to off in the Performance/Song/Pattern mode, 
however, pressing this button has no effect.
SF 1SF 2SF  3 SONG SCENE
SF 4 SF 5
F1 F2 F3 F4 F6F5
INFORMATION
DEC/NO INC/ YES
EXITENTER
EXECUTE
MUSIC
PRODUCTIONSYNTHESIZERIntegratedSamplingSequencer
Real-time External Control
Sur face
Modular
Synthesis
Plug-in
System
DRUM KITSFAVORITES
SLOT 1 SLOT 2 SLOT 3PRE 1PRE 2
PRE  3
GMUSER PLG 1PLG  3A. PIANOKEYBOARD
ORGANGUITAR /
PLUCKEDBASSSTRINGSBRASS
REED / PIPE
SYN LEAD SYN PAD/
CHOIRSYN COMP CHROMATIC
PERCUSIONDRUM /
PERCUSIONSE
MUSICAL FX COMBIAB
CD
E
FG
H
1
234
56
7
8
91011
12
1314
1516CATEGORY
SEARCH
BANK
GROUP
NUMBER
SECTION
TRACK
SELECT
MUTE
SOLO
PLG 2
COMMON
ELEMENT / PERF. PART / ZONE 
						

							14MOTIF  The Controls & Connectors
 Front Panel
The Control & Connectors
)SEQ TRANSPORT buttons 
(page 78, 179, 183, 217, 221)
These buttons control recording and playback of the 
Song/Pattern sequence data. 
[](Top) button
Instantly returns to the first beginning of the 
current song or pattern (i.e., the first beat of the first 
measure).
[](Reverse) button
Press briefly to move back one measure at a time, or 
hold to continuously rewind. 
[](Forward) button
Press briefly to move forward one measure at a time, 
or hold to continuously fast-forward.
[REC] (Record) button
Press this to enable recording (Song or pattern 
phrase). (The indicator lights.)
[](Stop) button
Press to stop recording or playback. 
[](Play) button
Press to start playback from the current point in the 
song or pattern. During recording and playback, the 
indicator flashes at the current tempo.
!MODE buttons (page 67)
These buttons select the MOTIF operating modes 
(e.g., Voice mode). 
@LCD Display
The MOTIF’s large backlit LCD displays the 
parameters and values related to the currently 
selected operation or mode. 
#LCD Contrast Control
Use this control to set the LCD display for optimum 
legibility. 
$[F1] - [F6] (Function) buttons (page 71)
These buttons located directly below the LCD 
display call up the corresponding functions 
indicated in the display. In the display hierarchy, 
these functions [F] rank just below the modes.%[SF1] - [SF5] (Sub Function) buttons (page 71)
These buttons located directly below the LCD 
display call up the corresponding sub functions 
indicated in the display. In the display hierarchy, 
these sub functions [SF] rank just below the 
functions [F].
These buttons can be also used to store/recall the 
Song Scene (page 115) in the Song Play/Song 
Record/Pattern Chain Record modes.
^[INFORMATION] button (page 73)
For calling up a special “help” feature that shows 
information about the currently selected mode. You 
can go back to the previous display by pressing this 
button again or pressing any other button. 
&Data dial (page 72)
For editing (changing the value of) the currently 
selected parameter. To increase the value, turn the 
dial right (clockwise); to decrease the value, turn the 
dial left (counter-clockwise). If a parameter with a 
wide value range is selected, you can change the value 
in broader strokes by quickly turning the dial.
*[INC/YES] button (page 72)
For increasing the value of the currently selected 
parameter. Also use it to actually execute a Job or a 
Store operation.
([DEC/NO] button (page 72)
For decreasing the value of the currently selected 
parameter. Also use it to cancel a Job or a Store 
operation.
nWhen editing (changing) the value of the 
parameter, it is convenient to use the [INC/YES] 
button and the [DEC/NO] button simultaneously. 
Pressing the [DEC/NO] button while holding the 
[INC/YES] button increases the value by 10. 
Pressing the [INC/YES] button while holding the 
[DEC/NO] button decreases the value by 10.
ºCursor Buttons (page 72)
The cursor buttons move the “cursor” around the 
LCD display screen, highlighting and selecting the 
various parameters. 
¡[EXIT] button (page 72)
The menus and displays of the MOTIF are 
organized according to a hierarchical structure. 
Press this button to exit from the current display 
and return to the previous level in the hierarchy.  
						

							15MOTIF  The Controls & Connectors
 Front Panel
The Control & Connectors
™[ENTER] button
Use this button to execute a Job or a Store 
operation. Also use this button to actually enter a 
number when selecting a Memory or Bank for Voice 
or Performance. In the File mode, use this button to 
go to the next lowest level in the selected directory. 
£SLOT 1-3 lamps (page 282)
These three lamps show the installation status of 
the Plug-in Boards. 
If the Plug-in Board has been correctly installed, the 
corresponding SLOT lamp will light.
nThe Vocal Harmony Plug-in Board (PLG100-VH) 
can be installed only to slot 1. It cannot be installed 
to slot 2 or 3.
nThe Multi part Plug-in Board (PLG100-XG) can be 
installed only to slot 3. It cannot be installed to slot 
1 or 2.
¢BANK buttons (page 124)
Each button selects a Voice or Performance Bank.
When the [CATEGORY SEARCH] button is turned 
on, these buttons can be used to select the desired 
category (printed below each button). When the 
[SECTION] button is turned on in the Pattern 
mode, these buttons are used to select the desired 
section. 
∞GROUP [A] - [H] buttons (page 124)
Each button selects a Voice or Performance Group.
When the [CATEGORY SEARCH] button is turned 
on, these buttons can be used to select the desired 
category (printed below each button). When the 
[SECTION] button is turned on in the Pattern 
mode, these buttons are used to select the desired 
section. §NUMBER [1] - [16] buttons (page 124)
Use of these buttons differs depending on the on/off 
status of the [TRACK SELECT] and [MUTE] 
buttons. 
¶[CATEGORY SEARCH] button (page 126)
When this button is turned on in the Performance 
mode, the [BANK] and [GROUP] buttons can be 
used to select the Performance category. 
When this button is turned on in another mode, the 
[BANK] and [GROUP] buttons can be used to select 
the Voice category. 
•[SECTION] button (page 218)
When this button is turned on in the Pattern mode, 
the [BANK] and [GROUP] buttons can be used to 
select the Pattern Section. 
ª[TRACK SELECT] button (page 181)
Turning this button on in the Song/Pattern mode 
enables the NUMBER [1] - [16] buttons for 
selecting corresponding Song/Pattern tracks. The 
on/off status of this button affects the NUMBER [1] 
- [16] buttons in different ways, depending on the 
selected mode. (See § “NUMBER [1] - [16] 
buttons” above.)
‚[MUTE] button (page 180)
Turning this button on in the Song/Pattern mode 
enables the NUMBER [1] - [16] buttons for muting 
corresponding Song/Pattern tracks. 
Press one of the NUMBER [1] - [16] buttons while 
holding this button to solo the corresponding track 
of the current selected Song/Pattern. 
The on/off status of this button affects the 
NUMBER [1] - [16] buttons in different ways, 
depending on the selected mode. (See § “NUMBER 
[1] - [16] buttons” above.)
Functions of the NUMBER [1] - [16] buttons
When [TRACK 
SELECT] is onWhen [MUTE] 
is onWhen both 
[TRACK SELECT] 
[MUTE] are off
Voice Play modeKeyboard transmit 
channel setting—Voice selection, 
according to Groups 
A - H
Voice Edit modeElement selection(1 - 4) and Element 
Mute setting(9 - 12)—
Performance Play 
modeKeyboard transmit 
channel setting
Performance part 
Mute setting 
(1 - 4)Performance or 
Voice selection (if 
cursor is located at 
Voice name), 
according to Groups 
A - H  Performance Edit 
modePerformance part 
selection (1 - 4)
Master Play modeZone selection 
(1 - 4)—Master selection, 
according to Groups 
A - H
Master Edit modeZone selection 
(1 - 4)Zone Mute setting 
(1 - 4)—
Song/Pattern  
modeSong/Pattern 
track selectionSong/Pattern 
track Mute settingSong/Style selection, 
according to Groups 
A - H Song/Pattern 
Mixing modeSong/Pattern part 
selectionSong/Pattern part 
Mute setting 
						

							16MOTIF  The Controls & Connectors
 Rear Panel
The Control & Connectors
Rear Panel
MOTIF6
MOTIF7
MOTIF8
CAUTION
POWER
ONOFFAC
INLETmLANIOEXPANSION
CAUTION
POWER
ONOFFAC
INLETmLANIOEXPANSION
CAUTION
ATTENTION
WARNINGRISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK:RISQUE  DE  CHOC  ÉLECTRIQUE  NE  PAS  OUVRIR.THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES.  OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO
THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS:
(1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND
(2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDINGINTERFERENCE
THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.THIS CLASS B DEIGITAL APPARATUS COMPLIES WITH CANADIAN ICES-003.
DU CANADA. CET APPAREIL NUMÉRIQUE DE LA CLASSE B EST CONFORME À LA NORME NMB-003TO  REDUCE  THE  RISK  OF  FIRE  OR  ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO  NOT  EXPOSE  THIS  PRODUCT  TO  RAIN  OR  MOISTURE.DO NOT OPEN
mLANIOEXPANSIONPOWER
ONOFFAC
INLET 
						

							17MOTIF  The Controls & Connectors Rear Panel
The Control & Connectors
Rear Panel
OPTICAL
OUTPUT USB THRUMIDI
BREATHSUSTAIN FOOT
SWITCHFOOT
CONTROLLEROUTPUTOUT
INASSIGNABLE
OUTPUTASSIGN ABL ELMONO
PHONESAD
INPUT
GAIN1R L
RR
L SCSICARD
3.3V
2
GREEN
YELLOW
ORANGE3
21Plug- in SLOT
OPTICAL
OUTPUT
USBTHRUMIDI
OUT
IN
SCSI
BREATHSUSTAIN FOOT
SWITCHFOOT
CONTROLLER
ASSIGN ABL E1 CARD
3.3V
2OUTPUT ASSIGNABLE
OUTPUTLMONO
PHONESAD
INPUT
GAINRL
RR
L
GREEN
YELLOW
ORANGE3
21Plug- in SLOT
OPTICAL
OUTPUTUSBTHRUMIDI
OUT
IN
SCSICARD3.3V
BREATHSUSTAIN FOOT
SWITCH
ASSIGN ABL EFOOT
CONTROLLER1 2OUTPUT ASSIGNABLE
OUTPUTLMONO
PHONESRL
RADINPUT
GAINR
LGREEN
YELLOW
ORANGE3
21Plug- in SLOT 
						

							18MOTIF  The Controls & Connectors
 Rear Panel
The Control & Connectors
1POWER Switch (page 29)
Press to turn power ON or OFF. 
2AC Power Cord Socket (page 20)
Be sure the plug the AC power cord into this socket 
before plugging the power cord into an AC outlet.
Use only the AC power cord supplied with the 
MOTIF. If the supplied cord is lost or damaged and 
needs to be replaced, contact your Yamaha dealer. 
The use of an inappropriate replacement can pose a 
fire and shock hazard!
3mLAN expansion board (mLAN8E) or I/O 
expansion board (AIEB2) cover (page 22)
Either the mLAN expansion board (mLAN8E) or 
the I/O expansion board (AIEB2) sold separately 
can be installed to the MOTIF. 
With the mLAN8E board, you can conveniently 
and easily hook up your MOTIF to other mLAN-
compatible instruments or devices. The AIEB2 
board gives you additional digital I/O options, 
featuring both optical and coaxial connectors. 
Moreover, the board also includes three stereo 
ASSIGNABLE OUTPUT pairs (six analog jacks).
4OPTICAL OUT connectors (page 22)
For output of digital audio, via optical fiber cables 
(at 44.1kHz).
5USB connector (page 25)
For connection to a computer having a USB 
interface. The USB interface provides multi-port 
MIDI operation not possible with a single MIDI 
connection. 
nThe USB connection can only be used for transfer of 
MIDI data.  No audio data can be transfered via USB.
USB        
USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. It is 
a serial interface for connecting a computer with 
peripheral devices, and enables much faster data 
transfer (12Mbps) compared to conventional serial 
port connections. Also, it allows “hot swapping” 
(connecting peripheral devices while the power to 
the computer is on).
6MIDI IN/OUT/THRU connectors (page 24)
MIDI IN is for receiving control or performance 
data from another MIDI device, such as an external 
sequencer.
MIDI THRU is simply for redirecting any received 
MIDI data (via MIDI IN) to connected devices, 
allowing convenient chaining of additional MIDI 
instruments. 
MIDI OUT is for transmitting all control, 
performance and playback data from the MOTIF to 
another MIDI device, such as an external sequencer.7BREATH Controller Jack (page 28)
Connect an optional Yamaha BC2 Breath Controller 
here for expressive breath control capability.
8FOOT SWITCH jacks (page 28)
For connection of optional FC4 or FC5 
Footswitches. When connected to the SUSTAIN 
jack, the Footswitch controls sustain. When 
connected to ASSIGNABLE, it can control one of 
various different assignable functions.
9FOOT CONTROLLER jacks (page 28)
For connection of optional foot controllers (FC7, 
etc.). Each jack lets you continuously control one of 
various different assignable functions — such as 
volume, tone, pitch, or other aspects of the sound.
)ASSIGNABLE OUT L and R jacks (page 21)
Line level audio signals are output from the MOTIF 
via these phone jacks (1/4 mono phone plug). 
These outputs are independent of the main output 
(at the L/MONO and R jacks below), and can be 
freely assigned to any of the Parts. This lets you 
route specific Voices or sounds for processing with a 
favorite outboard effect unit. 
!OUTPUT L/MONO and R jacks (page 21)
Line level audio signals are output via these phone 
jacks. For monophonic output, use just the L/
MONO jack. 
@PHONES jack (page 21)
For connection to a pair of stereo headphones.
#A/D INPUT jacks (page 23)
External audio signals can be input via these phone 
jacks. These are used primarily for recording 
samples — either with a microphone, making the 
proper Utility settings (page 250), or from other 
audio equipment, such as a CD or MD player. With 
the optional Vocal Harmony Plug-in board 
(PLG100-VH, page 35), you can also apply special 
effects and harmonies to the microphone input.
$GAIN knob
For adjusting the input gain of the audio at the A/D 
INPUT jacks (above). Depending on the connected 
device (microphone, CD player, etc.), you may need 
to adjust this for optimum level.
%SCSI connectors (page 27)
This SCSI-2 50-pin connector (D-sub, half-pitch) 
can be used to connect to an external SCSI data 
storage device — allowing you to conveniently save 
and store large quantities of data. 
						

							19MOTIF  The Controls & Connectors
 Rear Panel
The Control & Connectors
^Card slot (pages 64, 262)
Insert a Memory Card here to transfer various data 
to/from the MOTIF. Read carefully the precautions 
on using a Memory Card (page 289) before 
inserting a card.
&Plug-in board cover (page 35)
Installing an optional Plug-in Board to the MOTIF 
lets you greatly expand the sonic palette of the 
instrument. Up to three boards can be installed to 
the MOTIF’s rear panel. 
■When the optional mLAN8E has been installed: 
1SERIAL I/O connector 
For connecting the mLAN8E directly to a personal 
computer via a serial cable. Use this jack to connect 
the mLAN8E and the computer when using the 
mLAN Patchbay and mLAN Mixer in Windows. 
This is not used to input or output MIDI or audio 
signals. 
2mLAN (IEEE1394) connector1, 2, 3
For connecting mLAN devices or IEEE1394-
compatible devices via IEEE1394 standard (6-pin) 
cables. 
About mLAN
“mLAN” is a digital network designed for musical 
applications. It uses and extends the industry 
standard IEEE 1394 high performance serial bus. 
For details, refer to the Guide Book of the 
mLAN8E. 
The name “mLAN” and its logo (above) are 
trademarks. 
■When the optional AIEB2 has been installed: 
1OPTICAL IN, OUT connectors (pages 22, 23)
Use these connectors to input or output digital 
signals over optical-fiber cable. You can use the 
OPTICAL IN to record a digital signal of frequency 
48kHz, 44.1kHz, or 32kHz. The OPTICAL OUT 
connector outputs a digital signal of frequency 
44.1kHz. 
2DIGITAL IN, OUT connectors (pages 22, 23)
Use these connectors to input or output digital 
signals over coaxial (RCA-pin) cable. The digital 
signal format is CD/DAT (S/P DIF). You can use 
the DIGITAL IN connector to record a digital signal 
of frequency 48kHz, 44.1kHz, or 32kHz. The 
DIGITAL OUT connector outputs a digital signal of 
frequency 44.1kHz.
3ASSIGNABLE OUT jacks (AS1 to AS6)
(page 22)
Additional analog output jacks. Each pair (1&2, 
3&4, 5&6) operates independently of all other 
outputs on the MOTIF. 
12
123 
						

							20MOTIF  Setting Up
Power Supply
Setting Up
Setting Up
This section explains how to connect your MOTIF to an AC power source, external audio and MIDI devices, and a 
computer system. Only switch the MOTIF on after you have made all the necessary connections.
It is recommended that you read this section before using the MOTIF. 
Power Supply
1Make sure the POWER switch on the MOTIF is set to OFF.
2Connect the supplied power cord to the AC INLET terminal on the instrument’s rear panel.
3Connect the other end of the power cord to an AC outlet. Make sure your MOTIF meets the voltage requirement 
for the country or region in which it is being used.
Make sure your MOTIF is rated for the AC voltage supplied in the area in which it is to be used (as listed on the rear 
panel). Connecting the unit to the wrong AC supply can cause serious damage to the internal circuitry and may even 
pose a shock hazard!
Use only the AC power cord supplied with the MOTIF. If the supplied cord is lost or damaged and needs to be 
replaced, contact your Yamaha dealer. The use of an inappropriate replacement can pose a fire and shock hazard!
The type of AC power cord provided with the MOTIF may be different depending on the country in which it is 
purchased (a third prong may be provided for grounding purposes). Improper connection of the grounding conductor 
can create the risk of electrical shock. Do NOT modify the plug provided with the MOTIF. If the plug will not fit the 
outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. Do not use a plug adapter which defeats the grounding 
conductor.
Power cord
(included)AC INLET terminal rear panel