Moving from DAW to Workstation: Presales Questions (M3 v XF)

[apex]

Apex....

Motif-XS/XF has up to 8 elements in a program. Each program/part is tied to a pair of effects processors. These two can be set in series or parrallel.

Each of the element can be set to be routed to be dry, effects 1, or effects 2.

You can also set keyboard range for each element.

So, if you wanted to get two sound using different effects, you could set split them on key range. Set the effects procesors in parallel. Define your sound 1 with first 4 elments, and set to play on left split, and route to effects 1. Define your sound 2 with second set of 4 elements, and set to play on right split, and route to effects 2..........

That's a lot of crazy work.......... but, not as bad as would be on some other synths. The Waveforms on Motif XS/XF have there velocity switches defined already, so you probably will need to use a single element for one sound.

I don't have Motif XS any more, so I can't tell the exact steps, but there is a switch on each part to specify if the parts will have the effects on that are defined in the program. So, I guess you could record that switch on/off sysex at different section of songs to automate it.

I'm reading this... but I'm still really trying to get my head around it. LOL... Understanding exactly what it means and what the purpose of it is.

[kanthos]

The point would be that you effectively get two different sounds, each with their own effect, in a single program. It'd be useful if you want to use this program in a performance/sequence/multi where you a) would need nine or more programs with effects or b) would need more than 4 programs in a performance or 16 in a sequence or multi. This is the kind of thing you only pull out when you need it though; it'd be a waste of time, in general, to do this kind of thing for everything; making performances/sequences/multis is much easier by just adding unique programs, in general.

[mbncp]

Not so silly if you mainly perform live and don't want to bring a laptop with you

Using a MIDI sequencer is not exactly what I call playing live.

And right on the m3, motif .. you can do a lot of stuff using sysex, but it doesn't work always great as you may get audio drops or strange fx tails.
But overall it's awfully complicated to work this way.
If setting the 17 byte of a sysex at H40 so that your fx mix is set at 50% is more fun to you than turning a knob at 50% on a UI, it's fine with me.

[kanthos]

Using a MIDI sequencer is not exactly what I call playing live.

And right on the m3, motif .. you can do a lot of stuff using sysex, but it doesn't work always great as you may get audio drops or strange fx tails.
But overall it's awfully complicated to work this way.
If setting the 17 byte of a sysex at H40 so that your fx mix is set at 50% is more fun to you than turning a knob at 50% on a UI, it's fine with me.

If all you do is press play on the sequencer, no. If you're using the sequencer to send out control messages (via sysex or otherwise) to other devices when you change presets, or if you're using it for backing parts but also playing live along with it, that's a much different story.

I have no need of sysex myself, but between two keyboards, my laptop, and a guitar effects processor that responds to MIDI, I have to send a fair amount of messages around each time I change my sound, which I do from a footpedal to keep my hands on the keyboard. I'd certainly go adjust a volume knob when needed, but I couldn't adjust multiple knobs every time I switch sounds, especially on the guitar effects unit which is on the floor, out of reach.

[Shakil]

Another aspect you have to keep in mind is computer integration.

Motif XS/XF with the firewire card is the best workstation/Software DAW integrated system you can have.

MOTIF XF functions as an audio interface, real time monitoring mixer, midi interface with dedicated port of internal, external and thru midi, 16 Digital Audio outs to computer from 1 for each internal part, control sufrace with it's own midi port..... and if you use Cubase or Cubase AI, you can also open the Motif XS/XF song in DAW.

[apex]

Another aspect you have to keep in mind is computer integration.

Motif XS/XF with the firewire card is the best workstation/Software DAW integrated system you can have.

MOTIF XF functions as an audio interface, real time monitoring mixer, midi interface with dedicated port of internal, external and thru midi, 16 Digital Audio outs to computer from 1 for each internal part, control sufrace with it's own midi port..... and if you use Cubase or Cubase AI, you can also open the Motif XS/XF song in DAW.

does the XS have ANY of this same functionality if you have the firewire card? also (since we are on the subject), does the XF use the same firewire card that the XS use?

[Shakil]

Yes, almost same functionality. The mLan based card on XS offers more features if you want to network it with other mLAN instruments.

[apex]

Yes, almost same functionality. The mLan based card on XS offers more features if you want to network it with other mLAN instruments.

No I'm just interested in the audio interface part (which I knew it had)... wondering though about what it means by "dedicated" in, out, & thru midi...

dedicated is the part that I'm wondering about.

I like the 16 outputs at once. That is cool!!!! So you can output every track in the sequencer/multi mode all at one time (I'm assuming it's the real audio and not midi though that is coming out 16 parts at a time...)

So that means I don't have to have the L&R outputs going into a mixer or amp... right?

[Jive Talking Robot]

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for taking the time to answer my questions and help with this decision process. You were all so incredibly kind w/ your time and I know I wouldn't have been able to get this far in the decision process w/o this thread.

After spending a great deal of time researching both boards (I read manuals, I watched videos, I played them, I started threads!), I came to the conclusion after playing a working, fully expanded M3 that the XS and the M3 are both just too damn good. I "get" why so many people own both. I already knew I liked the XS, but, after playing the M3, I fell in love with it too. So it will be an XF6 + 1GB Flash and an M3 module w/ Radias. Some gear will have to go to do this, but both boards pick up each other’s slack so well it only made sense. It has been a long time since I last "refreshed" my gear list, so I am kind of ready for a change. I didn't expect to end up wanting both, but here I am...

As I mentioned to Apex in the Motif thread, I have always liked the XS… I like the workflow, I like the way it sounds in general (esp the pianos, EPs, guitars), I like the way it feels to play, etc, etc. I just makes sense to me. It “feels” like quality, you know? The XF offers this and more.

The M3 was the bigger unknown… but working with it I really came to respect how well Korg does “inspiration”, if that makes any sense. I enjoyed the very smart, progressive touches (touch screen, chord memory, pads, drum tracks) for banging things out. KARMA is a bit much to get your head around out of the gate, but it seems useful and was fun to play with in combi mode.

But they also complement each other quite well IMO. I think the Korg does “Synth” and outré sounds well and offers quick compositional tools; the XS does “Non Synth” well and offers solid workflow (for me). I can find uses for both… ergo, I will spring for both!

Thank God for understanding wives!

Fortunately I also have a knack for selling stuff on CL, so some little used gear will go up on the chopping block (let me know if you are interested in a cherry condition Nord Lead 3). Wish me luck!

After I sell the old gear, the orders for the new gear go in. I will post a picture of the two units once I get everything set up (and looking good). I should have this all in place by the end of the month.

Thanks again for all of your help and your time.
-JTR

[apex]

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for taking the time to answer my questions and help with this decision process. You were all so incredibly kind w/ your time and I know I wouldn't have been able to get this far in the decision process w/o this thread.

After spending a great deal of time researching both boards (I read manuals, I watched videos, I played them, I started threads!), I came to the conclusion after playing a working, fully expanded M3 that the XS and the M3 are both just too damn good. I "get" why so many people own both. I already knew I liked the XS, but, after playing the M3, I fell in love with it too. So it will be an XF6 + 1GB Flash and an M3 module w/ Radias. Some gear will have to go to do this, but both boards pick up each other’s slack so well it only made sense. It has been a long time since I last "refreshed" my gear list, so I am kind of ready for a change. I didn't expect to end up wanting both, but here I am...

As I mentioned to Apex in the Motif thread, I have always liked the XS… I like the workflow, I like the way it sounds in general (esp the pianos, EPs, guitars), I like the way it feels to play, etc, etc. I just makes sense to me. It “feels” like quality, you know? The XF offers this and more.

The M3 was the bigger unknown… but working with it I really came to respect how well Korg does “inspiration”, if that makes any sense. I enjoyed the very smart, progressive touches (touch screen, chord memory, pads, drum tracks) for banging things out. KARMA is a bit much to get your head around out of the gate, but it seems useful and was fun to play with in combi mode.

But they also complement each other quite well IMO. I think the Korg does “Synth” and outré sounds well and offers quick compositional tools; the XS does “Non Synth” well and offers solid workflow (for me). I can find uses for both… ergo, I will spring for both!

Thank God for understanding wives!

Fortunately I also have a knack for selling stuff on CL, so some little used gear will go up on the chopping block (let me know if you are interested in a cherry condition Nord Lead 3). Wish me luck!

After I sell the old gear, the orders for the new gear go in. I will post a picture of the two units once I get everything set up (and looking good). I should have this all in place by the end of the month.

Thanks again for all of your help and your time.
-JTR

congrats. I hope you enjoy!!!

[Jive Talking Robot]

Thanks Apex!!! After the dust settles, my MachineDrum and Revolution will be paired with an XF and an M3 (all being recorded in to a Korg D3200). I am REALLY happy with this balance... I went from being such a soft synth guy to having a totally out of the box setup. But I have so much more fun this way...

[apex]

Thanks Apex!!! After the dust settles, my MachineDrum and Revolution will be paired with an XF and an M3 (all being recorded in to a Korg D3200). I am REALLY happy with this balance... I went from being such a soft synth guy to having a totally out of the box setup. But I have so much more fun this way...

we shall see?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!