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What happens when I load a X0A (MOTIF XS) File Into the MODX? What is "Voice" vs "Performance" Option?

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Bassam
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Hello,

Need some clarification!

I came across a MOTIF XS freebie today from Music Production Guide (Easy Sounds), so I downloaded it and loaded it into the MODX!

File is .X0A
Loaded it into the MODX (Now I forgot which Content Type was selected, but I guess "Library" since it is default and I don't remember I changed it).
I was asked to select between "Voice" & "Performance", so I went with "Performance" assuming MOTIF Voice == MODX Part and MOTIF Performance == MODX Performance, also assuming that Performance would automatically load all voices/parts (the manual did not provide much details).

So far is that the right way? I honestly don't know anything about previous Yamaha synths!

Now the name of the package appeared in the Bank Dropdown... I went there and saw tons of Mutli-Parts Performances with ARPs. They sounded good (that's the best part)!

Now I am confused because:
1) I did not know what happened behind the scenes, what did I exactly import?
2) Did I impacted any user settings?
3) Most confusing part: The "ReadMe" states that there are 36 Perfs, 128 Voices, 9 Drums, 113 Waveforms, and 6 Micro Tunings.... BUT what I see in that added bank is 24 pages of 16 Perfs, i.e 384 different performances (mostly multi parts) and No User Micro Tunings (my previous ones stayed the same).

Is there a guide about this process?

Thanks

 
Posted : 13/05/2022 1:18 am
Bassam
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks Bill!

And naturally you used BEST PRACTICES and backed up your MODX data before you started right?

The good part I did, the better part is I still don't have much to loose!

An XS voice will become a one part performance in the MODX

I guess that what would happen if I select "Voice" instead of "Performance" during the loading process! I will try it to see!

Thanks for the clarification!

 
Posted : 13/05/2022 2:08 am
Jason
Posts: 7897
Illustrious Member
 

Motif Voices are similar to MODX Parts - but there are some differences that makes this more nuanced.

Motif Performances combined Voices - but also added a layer "on top" of the Voices. The Performance could offset/change some Voice parameters as part of the Performance settings which would change how the Voice behaved. So, therefore, there are instances where a Performance "changes" the Voice. Hypothetically there could be a 1-Voice Performance that includes a voice where this 1-Voice Performance is different than the Voice alone.

Effects, for instance, is one of these changes and a Voice can change character a lot by having different effects applied in the Performance vs. the same Voice alone. There's more than just effects in this category. But you can see how Performances supply different content than Voices and the two together are where you'll get all of your presets.

If there is certain content you know is a Voice or Performance in the XS content - then this choice offers a good way to just convert what you want. If you don't know - you may want to import both and browse through the content picking which ones you want to keep.

A word of caution - promotional (free) content from past synths may not work on MODX because often these used waveform encodings that are no longer supported. You'll know when you get to a Performance that doesn't sound or has ranges that are silent.

 
Posted : 13/05/2022 2:13 am
Bassam
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Or you could have done a search of the forums using 'x0a file' and found this thread:
https://www.yamahasynth.com/forum/motif-xs-user-performances-not-showing-up-in-modx#reply-107100

That reply 107100 is where Bad Mister explains it all.

Pay particular attention to where he says this:

Should you load to the User Bank or as Library File?
In general, you would load them to the USER Bank initially... loading any file to the User Bank will replace data currently in the User Bank (this is normal — loading a User file replaces the previous User Bank, same as in the Motif-series).

While the data in the USER Bank, you can play through the data and take inventory of the converted data.
Press [UTILITY] > “Contents” > “Data Utility” > here you can review what is in your current internal memory.
The XS converted data will appear in the following Folders: Arp, Performance, and Waveform

This section of his reply is useful as well

When would you Load the Motif XS .X0A file directly to a Library?
When you want to extract specific data from the File, you can load it temporarily to a Library location. When you load a Motif XS .X0A File directly to a MODX Library location, you can do so without replacing the current User Bank data. This allows you to play through it, select the data you like, and assemble just that data by IMPORTING it (adding it to) your current User Bank data.

Which is why you should ALWAYS backup your user area before you do any loads unless you are certain the user area won't be affected or you don't care if it is.

Somehow I just noticed this portion of your answer Bill (edited?); thanks for the share, this clarifies things better!!
One thing to add is that I'm really not lazy in searching the forum or google for previous posts 🙂 But honestly, it is not working well for me!! Searching the forum now gives entries by asnwers, i.e. if a recent post has 10 replies around a keyword, searching for that keyword would give back 10 results from the same post while the title could not always be relevant to your search. I usually stop at the second or third page assuming later pages are very old and it is sometimes good to ask again for a refresh or for new users!
Also searching on google would give back a YamahaSynth link, but opening it and signing in would go back to the home page!
But anyway, I totally agree with you that previous posts have tons of valuable info.

Motif Performances combined Voices - but also added a layer "on top" of the Voices. The Performance could offset/change some Voice parameters as part of the Performance settings which would change how the Voice behaved. So, therefore, there are instances where a Performance "changes" the Voice. Hypothetically there could be a 1-Voice Performance that includes a voice where this 1-Voice Performance is different than the Voice alone.

I am used to that Jason even from previous keyboards or other brands. I never believe in full compatibility between models (I saw an article once about converted DX7 sounds and what parameters will not be converted) but as long as the imported sound sounds good or can be edited, then problem solved (partially)!

A word of caution - promotional (free) content from past synths may not work on MODX because often these used waveform encodings that are no longer supported. You'll know when you get to a Performance that doesn't sound or has ranges that are silent.

As mentioned above, I got 384 performances imported, and they appeared to me perfectly designed, with ARPS, Chords/Bass Changes (Lower Keyboard like an Arranger) and beautiful sounds and well designed layers and splits. From the 100s I tried, only 2 did not work, so it might be related to what you are talking about.

Btw, for those interested, it is the "Oriental Instruments & Percussion" from EasySounds (e-mail to request in the Music Production Guide) that I imported. I found many performances that works for other genre of music, not just oriental.

 
Posted : 13/05/2022 1:14 pm
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