THE HEART OF MOTIF: The Integrated Sampling Sequencer
At the heart of MOTIF is its Integrated Sampling Sequencer, which seamlessly combines the audio and MIDI recording processes. The sequencer component of this system features both linear and pattern recording methods, including a standard Song Mode for recording MIDI and audio data in linear fashion from beginning to end (the way analog tape machines worked). With a 200,000 MIDI note capacity and a maximum total sampling memory of 6 minutes and 20 seconds in stereo at 44.1kHz (with two 32MB SIMMs installed).

Pattern Mode

This mode lets easily create the sections of your song (Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Breaks, etc.) as individual elements without having to decide on a final arrangement.

Integrated Sampling Sequencer

MOTIF has two distinct ways of recording audio phrases: Sample with Note and Slice with Sequence. Sample with Note is ideal if you simply want to add audio phrases to your song. In this mode, you can record vocal and guitar phrases directly into your sequence while listening to playback of any MIDI tracks you've already created. After recording the audio, the Integrated Sampling Sequencer will automatically create a sample voice, map it to the keyboard and put a MIDI note in the pattern at the appropriate time. If you would like to play the same audio phrase later in the song, you can simply trigger it with a MIDI note instead of having to sample it again and use up valuable sample RAM. When you make your final arrangement, your phrases will play back in perfect time.
When you record audio phrases, MOTIF will analyze the recorded audio, slice it into pieces (based on amplitude peaks and divisions of the beat) and then generate an extremely accurate MIDI sequence to perfectly re-trigger each of the pieces. This is the key to MOTIF's seamless integration of audio and MIDI. Once this process has completed, you can change the tempo of your sequence without changing the pitch of the recorded audio, or use grids to change the clock, gate and velocity values of notes within a sampled drum loop, for example.

Real-time Pattern Chain Record, groove-oriented for creation and remixing

Once you've recorded all your MIDI and audio parts, you can arrange your song in real-time using MOTIF's Section, Mute and Song Scene buttons to instantly hear the different possibilities. Or you can record these performances as Pattern Chains and then edit them with detailed event editing or convert them to linear song formats like SMF.

Sampling Capacity, Compatibility

MOTIF comes standard with 4MB of sampling memory and can be increased up to 64MB using affordable PC SIMMs for a maximum total sampling time of 6 minutes and 20 seconds (stereo, 44.1kHz). In addition to the Integrated Sampling Sequence functions, you can also import samples in AIFF and WAVE format. There are also comprehensive import functions for Akai S1000/S3000 and Yamaha A3000/A4000/A5000 samplers, including the ability to read sample maps and voice parameters. This instantly expands the sound library for MOTIF to hundreds of commercially available sample CD-ROMs.

Extensive Real-time Control

MOTIF sports four physical sliders and four physical knobs on its front panel, which work as 16 virtual knobs and 16 virtual sliders when used with the keyboard's expanded real-time control functions. In any mode, you can readily edit the Reverb, Chorus, Pan, Cutoff, Resonance, Attack, Release and EQ as well as 4 user-assignable parameters. In Mix mode, these sliders and knobs work in conjunction with the Track Select buttons to give you all the capabilities of a 16 channel digital mixer.

Real-time External Control Surface

By placing the unit in Remote Control mode, you'll be able to control your favorite sequencing software, including Logic Audio, Cubase VST, Pro Tools and Cakewalk, right from MOTIF. Mute your tracks, control the sequencer transport, mix both MIDI and audio tracks with the keyboard's knobs and sliders.

Interactive Arpeggiator

On top of an extensive range of rhythmic sequences, it also features "human" patterns such as the strumming of a guitar or the trilling of a flute. Instead of trying to duplicate these performances with complicated algorithms, MOTIF creates them by using real MIDI data recorded by real musicians. There's even a velocity window: for example, while playing a lead guitar voice, you could trigger a sampled MIDI guitar phrase on the fly by hitting a key hard. And because the arpeggiator is integrated into MOTIF's system, you can easily include arpeggio performances into your sequences and even import new arpeggios from Standard MIDI files.

Modular Synthesis Plug-in System Slots x 3

Yamaha's Modular Synthesis Plug-in System lets you upgrade MOTIF with completely new synthesizer or sound processing "engines." Each expansion board is equipped with a full-fledged synthesizer or digital effects processor, so not only do you get more sounds and effects, but also more polyphony and additional multi parts, without taking any processing power away from the keyboard itself. A diverse range of synthesizer expansion boards is already available, including analog physical modeling, FM synthesis, vocal harmony processing and more. MOTIF is equipped with 3 expansion slots. The plug-in voice data of every PLG Series expansion board is already stored in the keyboard's ROM, so you'll have a great selection of additional sounds the moment you install any new plug-in board.

Built-in USB MIDI Interface

MOTIF is ready to connect to iMac, G4 or newer G3 Macintosh computer as well as any USB-equipped Windows PC (Windows 98 or later).

SCSI Port

Connect an external ZIP, MO, or hard drive to MOTIF for easy storage of large amounts of sample data. Its newly designed SCSI interface provides a fast loading times.

mLAN

Yamaha's mLAN makes possible to link together all digital audio and MIDI data through a single high-bandwidth cable: Motif is ready for both the present generation of mLan expansions and future mLan products.

Multi-Out Expansion Board

As an alternative to the mLAN board, the AIEB1 expansion board is also available, which gives you 6 assignable analog audio outputsas well as both optical and S/P DIF digital output.