Yamaha Mo 8 Manual

							Power supply
21Owner’s Manual
Setting up 
and Playing
Turning the power on
Make sure the volume settings of the MO and external devices are turned down to the minimum.
Turn the power on by pressing the [STANDBY/ON] switch on the MO rear panel, then turn the power on the 
amplifiers.
Adjusting the sound and the display contrast
Adjust the volume levels of the MO and the connected amplifier/speaker system. If the display is not easily 
visible, use the Contrast control to adjust for optimum visibility.
Connecting MIDI devices or a Mixer
Make sure that all volume settings are turned down all the way to the minimum. Then turn on the every 
device in your setup in the order of MIDI masters (controllers), MIDI slaves (receivers), then audio 
equipment (mixers, amplifiers, speakers, etc.).
When powering down the setup, first turn down the volume of each audio device, then switch off each 
device in the reverse order (first audio devices, then MIDI).
Now that you’ve set up the MO properly, you’re ready to begin playing it.
nWhen you are ready to turn off the MO, make sure to switch off the power of the external device (or lower its volume) 
before switching off the MO.
MASTER
VOLUME
POWER
ON!!123
MIDI master MO (MIDI slave) Audio equipment 
(first mixer, then amplifier)
F1
SF1
MASTER
VOLUME
Adjust the volume with the 
MASTER VOLUME slider.
Contrast control Adjust the display contrast 
with the Contrast control. 
						

							Setting up 
and Playing
Playing the keyboard
22Owner’s Manual
Playing the keyboard
Playing the sounds
Try playing some of the realistic and dynamic MO sounds from the keyboard now.
When you turn the power on following the directions in “Power supply connections” (page 20), the display 
below appears.
nIn the default settings, the Master mode is selected. For details about the modes, refer to the section “Modes” on page 24. 
In this condition you can play the keyboard and hear the sounds of the selected program. When the 
instrument is turned on, the “The Core” program is automatically called up. 
Notice the indication “Performance:USR1:017 (B01)” at the top right of the display. This indicates that 
Performance 017 in User bank 1 is currently selected. A “Performance” is one of the types of programs of 
the MO. As described below, the instrument also features other types: Voices, Songs, and Patterns.
nFor details about Banks, see page 40. 
Indicates that the Master mode 
is selected.
Indicates the name and number of 
selected program. Indicates the type of 
selected program. 
						

							Playing the keyboard
23Owner’s Manual
Setting up 
and Playing
Selecting and playing the sounds
The MO provides three different types of programs for playing the sounds: Voices, Performances, Songs, 
and Patterns. The basic difference among these programs is in their use—for playing the keyboard, or for 
creating music with multiple parts. 
You can choose from 128 different Voices, Performances, Songs, and Patterns in the Master mode. To 
change the desired Master number, use the [INC/ YES] button, [DEC/NO] button, or the Data dial.
Change the Master number, and then try playing the various Voices or Performance types. When a Voice is 
assigned to the selected Master number, “Voice” will appear at the top of the display. When a Performance 
is assigned, “Performance” will appear in the display.
nYou can also choose some Songs and Patterns in the Master mode. For details about Songs and Patterns, see page 73.
As you play the various Voices and Performances, notice the differences between them—especially how 
some Performances sound exceptionally rich and more complex than Voices. Note also how many 
Performances use automatic rhythms and Arpeggios—along with keyboard split sounds—to let you sound 
like an entire band all by yourself!
Here, we’ve introduced the operations in the Master mode that is called up first when turning the power on. 
The MO has other modes of operation as well. In the next section, we’ll explain about the modes of the MO 
and how they are used.
For playing the keyboard
VoiceThis program contains a 
basic instrument sound, 
such as a piano, guitar, 
bass guitar, drum kit, etc. PerformanceThis program allows you to 
combine several Voices 
together—either in a richly 
textured layer, or separately 
(as in different sections of 
the keyboard) for playing 
several different parts 
simultaneously.
For creating music of multiple parts
SongThis is a program consisting 
of recorded keyboard 
performance data, and/or 
patterns created in the 
Pattern mode.PatternThis is a program that 
consists of individually 
created phrases or patterns 
of short duration (generally 
two or four measures), used 
for certain parts in a song—
such as the intro, main 
melody or chorus.
DEC/NO INC / YES
Decreases number Increases number
Decreases number
Increases number 
						

							Setting up 
and Playing
Modes
24Owner’s Manual
Modes
There are several operation modes in the MO, and 
they can be selected by using the 12 mode buttons.
VOICEPERFORMMASTER
SONGPATTERN M I X I N G
DAW
REMOTE
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE FILE
JOBUTILITY
DEMO
STORE
MODE
123
456
789
)!@
4 Creating original songs
Song mode
[SONG] buttonThe Song mode lets you create your own original 
songs by recording your performance using Voices 
created in the Voice mode or by combining preset 
rhythmic Patterns.
5 Creating rhythm patter ns
Pattern mode[PATTERN] buttonIn this mode, you can separately create the various 
“building blocks” of a song—rhythms and patterns for 
the intro, verse, main melody, chorus, etc.
6 Creating mixing settings
Song Mixing or 
Pattern Mixing mode
[MIXING] buttonHere, you can make various mixing settings, adjusting 
the level balance among the parts of the Song or 
Pattern, as well as each pan position and the effects 
applied to the Song/Pattern.
7 Controlling your computer 
DAW from the MO
Remote Control mode[DAW REMOTE] buttonThe Remote Control mode lets you control your 
computer’s sequencer software or DAW (digital audio 
workstation) by using the buttons or controllers on the 
MO.
8 Backing up data
File mode
[FILE] buttonThe File mode lets you save your MO data to a USB 
storage device, and allows you to load data from the 
USB device to the MO.
1 Playing the keyboard 
using a Voice
Voice mode
[VOICE] buttonThe MO has a wealth of high-quality, dynamic 
sounds—also referred to as “Voices.” 
You can play these Voices—one Voice at a time—from 
the keyboard in the Voice mode. 
The MO also lets you create your own original Voices.
2 Playing the keyboard 
using multiple Voices
Performance mode
[PERFORM] buttonIn the Performance mode, you can play several Voices 
together in a layer, or play different Voices from 
separate ranges of the keyboard. You can also trigger 
automatic rhythms and Arpeggios, over which you can 
play melody, chord or bass lines of your own. Each of 
these combinations of Voices is called a 
“Performance.” This mode lets you create richly 
textured, layered sounds or play two or more different 
parts simultaneously—for example, piano and bass 
guitar—and is particularly useful when performing 
solo.
3 Creating original 
program sets
Master mode
[MASTER] buttonThe Master mode can be used in two ways:
 • Storing your favorite settings that you often use in 
the Voice, Performance, Song, or Pattern mode, and 
instantly recall the mode and custom settings 
together in a single button press.
 • Dividing the keyboard into four separate sections—
just as if you were playing four different MIDI 
keyboards.
9 Setting the system 
parameters
Utility mode
[UTILITY] buttonThe Utility mode lets you set parameters that apply to 
the entire system of the MO.
These parameter settings are applied to all Voices, 
Performances, Songs and Patterns.
) Setting the parameters 
for each mode
Edit mode
[EDIT] buttonThe Edit mode lets you set parameters that apply to 
each Voice, Performance, Song or Pattern.
! Tools for organizing 
your data
JOB mode
[JOB] buttonThis mode provides various operations and functions 
(called “jobs”) that help in organizing and controlling 
your important data, including initializing the settings 
and copying data.
@ Storing programs 
to the MO
Store mode
[STORE] buttonIn this mode, you can store your edited programs to 
the internal memory of the MO. Keep in mind, 
however, that certain data, such as Songs and 
Patterns, are deleted when the power is turned off. For 
this reason, you should also store this important data 
to a USB memory device in the File mode. 
						

							Basic instructions
25Owner’s Manual
Setting up 
and Playing
Basic instructions
Voices—the basic building blocks of the MO
Voices—created in the Voice mode—are the basic sonic building blocks for the other modes of the MO. The 
Performance, Song, and Pattern programs are made up of different Voices, used together for specific 
performance or song recording. The MO features an exceptionally wide variety of preset Voices for playing in 
virtually any musical style. Try searching through the Voices to find your favorites.
Once you’ve explored them and feel comfortable with them, try branching out creatively and use the editing 
features to make your own original Voices.
Combine several Voices to create a Performance
To play several different Voices together simultaneously, select a Performance. The MO features 256 specially 
programmed Performances for playing in a variety of music styles.
Create a Song by recording your performance or combining some rhythm patterns
You can create your own Songs by using the built-in sequencer functions of the MO. The MO pr ovides two 
different ways for creating Songs: 1) recording a Song conventionally from beginning to end, and 2) creating 
separate short sections (or “Patterns”), each several measures in length, and combining/repeating them to 
construct an entire Song.
Master mode—Create a master keyboard setup or instantly call up your desired 
programs
The Master mode lets you register your favorite Voices, Performances, Songs, and Patterns together into easy-to 
select Master programs. No matter what mode is used—Voice, Performance, Song, or Pattern—you can have it 
instantly and automatically selected when you call up the appropriate Master.
The Master mode can also be used to divide the keyboard into four sections—each with its own Voice—just as if 
you were playing four different MIDI keyboards.
Convenient remote control of your computer software
The panel of the MO also serves as a convenient control surface for your computer music system. Use the 
buttons and sliders to control the audio mixer and sequencer transpor t functions in your MIDI/audio software. 
This highly intuitive approach gives you hands-on control over your virtual studio—a level of control that a 
computer keyboard and mouse can’t match. These features are available for any computer sequence software 
and Multi Part Editor software (page 112) compatible with the Remote Control function.
Global settings and data backup
While the Voice, Performance, Song, and Pattern modes provide controls for using and editing the programs of 
the MO, the Utility mode is the place where you make overall settings for the instrument—for example, adjusting 
the transpose and fine tuning controls, or switching between MIDI and USB operation. You can also archive your 
important MO data to a USB storage device for safe-keeping.
Selecting a preset VoicePage 40
Creating a new VoicePage 53
Selecting a preset PerformancePage 44
Creating a new PerformancePage 63
Creating a SongPage 87
Creating a PatternPage 76
Making Master mode settingsPage 122
Remote-controlling the softwarePage 113
Making global system settingsPage 205
Backing up important dataPage 211
This concludes our short guide to the basic operations and functions of the MO. Enjoy the dynamic, 
authentic sounds of the instrument as you continue to play it and create music on it. Make sure to check 
out the references above and go on to explore some of the other exciting and powerful features of the MO. 
						

							Setting up 
and Playing
Resetting the User Memory to the Initial Factory Settings
26Owner’s Manual
Resetting the User Memory to the Initial 
Factory Settings
The original factory setting of this synthesizer’s User Memory can be restored as follows.
When the factory settings are restored, all the Voice, Performance, Song, Pattern, and system setting in the Utility mode you 
created will be erased. Be sure to save all important data to USB storage device before executing this procedure (pages 60, 66 
and 98).
1Press the [UTILITY] button to enter the Utility mode.
2Press the [JOB] button to enter the Utility Job mode.
3Press the [ENTER] button. (The display prompts you for confirmation.)
To cancel the Job, press the [DEC/NO] button.
4Press the [INC/YES] button to execute the Job.
After the Job has been completed, a “Completed” message appears and operation returns to the original display.
For Factory Set operations that take longer to process, you will see the message “Executing…” or “Please Keep Power On!” 
during processing. Do not switch the power off while this message is on the display. Turning the power off in this state results in 
loss of all user data and may cause the system to freeze. This means that this synthesizer may not be able to start up properly, 
even when turning the power on next time.
WARNING
VOICEPERFORMMASTER
SONGPATTERN
DAW
REMOTE
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE FILE
JOBUTILITY
DEMO
STORE
MODE
MIXING
VOICEPERFORMMASTER
SONGPATTERN
DAW
REMOTE
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE FILE
JOBUTILITY
DEMO
STORE
MODE
MIXING
nWhen the checkbox of “PowerOn Auto” is on (checked) 
and you execute the Factory Set Job, Factory Set will be 
executed automatically when the power is turned on. In 
general, this box should be off (unchecked). 
If PowerOn Auto is checked here and you want to 
execute the Factory Set Job, first uncheck the box, then 
execute the Job.
CAUTION 
						

							Basic Operation
Modes
27Owner’s Manual
Basic Operation
In this section, we’ll take a look at the fundamental operating conventions of the MO. Here, you’ll learn the basics—how to 
select modes, call up the various functions, change settings, and edit parameter values. Before reading further, familiarize 
yourself with the basic terms used with the MO in the chart below.
Modes
Mode Structure
This synthesizer is organized into various modes, each covering a different set of operations and functions. Keep in mind 
that there are two basic types of modes, depending on the status of the tone generator block. The first type includes the 
Voice and Performance modes, and the internal tone generator is used in single timbre operation—meaning that only one 
Voice, or one channel of MIDI data is used. 
The second type includes the Song and Pattern modes, and the internal tone generator is used in multi-timbral operation—
meaning that several Voices, or multiple MIDI channels are used. In addition to the above, there are three special modes. 
The Master mode lets you memorize your desired settings in each mode (Voice/Performance/Song/Pattern) and recall them 
instantly anytime you need them with a single button. The File mode lets you manage your created data, while the Utility 
mode provides controls related to the overall operation of the instrument.
Term Description Page
Voice  Musical instrument voices 40
Performance  A program in which multiple Voices are combined in a layer  44
Song  Music data consisting of MIDI events 73
Pattern  Rhythm pattern data consisting of MIDI events used for looped playback  73
Master  A program which lets you register the settings in each mode—Voice, Performance, Song, and Pattern  122
File  A collection of settings for storing and managing your created data  211
VOICEPERFORMMASTER
SONG PATTERN
DAW
REMOTE
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE FILE
JOBUTILITY
DEMO
STORE
MODE
VOICE
PERFORM
SONG
PATTERN
MIXING
MASTER
FILE
UTILITY
MIXING
Voice mode
Voice Play mode
Voice Edit mode
Voice Job mode
Voice Store mode
Performance mode
Performance Play mode
Performance Edit mode
Performance Job mode
Performance Store mode
Master mode
Master Play mode
Master Edit mode
Master Job mode
Master Store mode
File mode
Keyboard Playback mode (single timbre tone generator)
Utility mode
Utility Job mode Song mode
Song Play mode
Song Record mode
Song Edit mode
Song Job mode
Song Mixing mode
Song Mixing Edit mode
Song Mixing Job mode
Song Mixing Store mode
Pattern mode
Pattern Play mode
Pattern Record mode
Pattern Edit mode
Pattern Job mode
Pattern Mixing mode
Pattern Mixing Edit mode
Pattern Mixing Job mode
Pattern Mixing Store mode
Keyboard Playback mode (multi-timbral tone generator)
(Mixing Voice  mode)
Mixing Voice Edit mode
Mixing Voice Job mode
Mixing Voice Store mode 
						

							Basic Operation
Modes
28Owner’s Manual
Mode table
The functions of each mode and how to enter each mode are as follows:
■ How to leave the current display
For most operations or displays (except for the File mode, Song/Pattern Record mode, and Remote Control mode), pressing 
the [EXIT] button will let you leave the current display and return you to the previous one. You can return back to any of the 
modes—Voice Play, Performance Play, Song Play, Pattern Play, and Master Play—by pressing the [EXIT] button several 
times in the respective mode.
ModeFunction How to enter the mode
Voice mode
Voice Play mode Playing a Voice [VOICE]
Voice Edit mode Editing/Creating a Voice [VOICE] → [EDIT]
Voice Job mode Initializing a Voice, etc. [VOICE] → [JOB]
Voice Store mode Storing a Voice to internal memory [VOICE] → [STORE]
Performance modePerformance Play mode Playing a Performance [PERFORM]
Performance Edit mode Editing/Creating a Performance [PERFORM] → [EDIT]
Performance Job mode Initializing a Performance, etc.  [PERFORM] → [JOB]
Performance Store mode Storing a Performance to internal memory [PERFORM] → [STORE]
Song modeSong Play mode Playing a Song [SONG]
Song Record mode Recording a Song [SONG] → [REC]
Song Edit mode Editing a Song MIDI events [SONG] → [EDIT]
Song Job mode Converting and transforming Song data [SONG] → [JOB]
Song Mixing mode Setting tone generator parameters [SONG] → [MIXING]
Song Mixing Edit mode Setting tone generator parameters in detail [SONG] → [MIXING] → [EDIT]
Song Mixing Job mode Initializing a Song Mixing, etc. [SONG] → [MIXING] → [JOB]
Song Mixing Store mode Storing a Song Mixing internal memory [SONG] → [MIXING] → [STORE]
Pattern modePattern Play mode Playing a Pattern [PATTERN]
Pattern Record mode Recording a Pattern [PATTERN] → [REC]
Pattern Edit mode Editing a Pattern MIDI events [PATTERN] → [EDIT]
Pattern Job mode Converting and transforming Pattern data [PATTERN] → [JOB]
Pattern Mixing mode Setting tone generator parameters [PATTERN] → [MIXING]
Pattern Mixing Edit mode Setting tone generator parameters in detail [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [EDIT]
Pattern Mixing Job mode Initializing a Pattern Mixing, etc. [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [JOB]
Pattern Mixing Store mode Storing a Pattern Mixing internal memory [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [STORE]
(Mixing Voice  mode)Mixing Voice Edit mode Editing/Creating a Voice dedicated for Song/Pattern [SONG] or [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [F5] 
VCE ED
Mixing Voice Job mode Initializing a Mixing Voice, etc. [SONG] or [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [F5] 
VCE ED → [JOB]
Mixing Voice Store mode Storing a Mixing Voice to internal memory [SONG] or [PATTERN] → [MIXING] → [F5] 
VCE ED → [STORE]
Utility modeUtility mode Setting System related parameters [UTILITY]
Utility Job mode Resetting the User Memory to the Initial Factory 
Settings[UTILITY] → [JOB]
Master modeMaster Play mode Playing a Master [MASTER]
Master Edit mode Editing/Creating a Master [MASTER] → [EDIT]
Master Job mode Initializing a Master, etc. [MASTER] → [JOB]
Master Store mode Storing a Master to internal memory [MASTER] → [STORE]
File modeFile mode Managing Files and Folders (Directories) [FILE]
EXIT ENTER
EXECUTE
DEC/NO INC / YES 
						

							Basic Operation
Modes
29Owner’s Manual
Keyboard octave setting (MO6)
Sometimes when playing a voice, you may wish to play in a lower or higher pitch range. For example, you may want to shift 
the pitch down lower to get extra bass notes, or shift up to get higher notes for leads and solos. The Octave Up/Down 
controls let you do this quickly and easily. Each time you press the [OCTAVE UP] button on the panel, the overall pitch of the 
voice goes up by one octave. Likewise, each press of the [OCTAVE DOWN] button takes the pitch down by one octave. The 
range is from -3 to +3, with 0 being standard pitch. When this is set to Octave Up, the lamp of the [OCTAVE UP] button lights, 
and when it is set to Octave Down, the [OCTAVE DOWN] button’s lamp lights. The current octave setting is shown at the top 
right of the display. You can instantly restore standard pitch (0) by simultaneously pressing both the [OCTAVE UP] button 
and the [OCTAVE DOWN] button (both lamps turn off).
nThe Octave setting made here is automatically reflected in the identical Octave parameter in the Utility mode ([UTILITY] → [F1] GENERAL → [SF2] 
KBD → Octave). This setting is available in all modes.
Transpose setting of the keyboard
You can set the amount in semitones by which the range of the keyboard is shifted up or down as well as the octave setting.
Make sure to execute step 5. The settings made in step 4 will be lost if 
you turn the power off without executing step 5.
Never attempt to turn off the power while data is being written to Flash 
ROM (while a “Please keep power on” message is shown). Turning the 
power off in this state may not only cause the system to freeze (due to 
data corruption in the Flash ROM) and prevent normal startup the next 
time the power is turned on, it may also result in loss of all user data.
nThe transpose setting is available in all modes.
OCTAVEDOWN UP
1Press the [UTILITY] button to enter the Utility 
mode.
2Press the [F1] GENERAL button, then the 
[SF2] KBD button.
VOICEPERFORMMASTER
SONG PATTERN
DAW
REMOTE
EDIT
COMPARE SCENE STORE
SET LOCATE FILE
JOBUTILITY
DEMO
STORE
MODE
MIXING
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 
SF1
SCENE
SF2 SF3 SF4 SF5 INFORMATION
3Move the cursor to “Transpose” by using the 
Cursor button.
4Change the Transpose value by using the 
[INC/YES], [DEC/NO] buttons and data dial.
5Press the [STORE] button to store the 
Transpose setting to internal Flash ROM.
CAUTION
CAUTION 
						

							Basic Operation
About data storage to USB storage devices
30Owner’s Manual
About data storage to USB storage devices
As you make music with this instrument, you’ll create a wide variety of data—such as custom Voice data (including Voices, 
Performances, etc.), and MIDI sequence data (Songs, Patterns, Arpeggios).
Naturally, you’ll want to store this data for safekeeping and future use, and for this reason the instrument is equipped with a 
USB TO DEVICE connector—letting you save your data to a convenient USB storage device. To recall the data, use the Load 
function. (Save and Load operations are done in the File mode; see page 211.)
Keep in mind that certain types of data are lost when you turn off the power and should be properly saved. 
Data lost and data retained when power is turned off
The chart below lists the data types you can create on the instrument and the internal memory locations to which they are 
stored, permanently or temporarily.
Make sure to save any data remaining in DRAM to a USB storage device before turning off the power, other wise the data will be lost.
* Includes the Mixing settings (pages 137, 138)
** Song Mixing/Pattern Mixing can be stored as Song/Pattern data and as a Mixing Template (which are not associated with a specific Song/Pattern).
nFor details about the data types you can create on this instrument, the internal memory locations to which they are stored, and file types when saving 
the created data to the USB storage device, refer to “Memory Structure” on page 149.
Data types PageMode in which data is created  Internal memory types to which data is stored 
 Voice 53 Voice mode  Flash ROM
 Mixing Voice 78 Mixing Voice mode  DRAM → Lost when power is turned off.
 Performance 63 Performance mode  Flash ROM
 Song* 87 Song mode  DRAM → Lost when power is turned off.
 Song Chain 95 Song Chain mode  DRAM → Lost when power is turned off.
 Pattern* 76 Pattern mode  DRAM → Lost when power is turned off.
 Pattern Chain 84 Pattern Chain mode  DRAM → Lost when power is turned off.
 Phrase (Pattern) 79 Pattern mode  DRAM → Lost when power is turned off.
 Arpeggio 97 Song mode, Pattern mode  Flash ROM
 Master 122 Master mode  Flash ROM
 Mixing Template** 77 Song Mixing mode, Pattern Mixing mode  Flash ROM
 System settings 205 Utility mode  Flash ROM
MO
USB storage device (page 31)
USB TO DEVICE connector
CAUTION