Yamaha Motif 8 Owners Manual

51MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
Song and Pattern 
(Sequencer mode)
Basic Operation (page 67) · Reference (pages 177, 215)
Songs and Patterns are MIDI sequence data consisting 
of 16 tracks.
●A Song on the MOTIF is effectively the same as a 
Song on a sequencer, and playback automatically 
stops at the end of the recorded data.
● In the MOTIF, the term “pattern” refers to a 
relatively short pattern — say, 4 to 16 measures (up 
to 256 measures) — which is used for looped 
playback....

52MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
Track structure of Pattern
Patterns consist of Phrases (as shown below), and you 
can create them by recording MIDI data for each track, 
and by freely arranging the various Phrases (Preset/User).
   
Pattern playback uses up to 16 parts (from those shown 
above).
■Style and Section
A Pattern consists of a “Style” (musical style) and a 
“Section” (pattern variation). You can play the Pattern 
by selecting a Style and its Section. 
■Phrase
This is...

53MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
MIDI track recording method 
The following explanations are important points for 
you to keep in mind as you record your User Songs/
Patterns. 
■ Realtime recording and Step recording
With realtime recording, the MOTIF functions in the 
same way as a tape recorder, recording the 
performance data as it is played. This allows you to 
capture all the nuances of an actual performance.
With step recording, you can compose your 
performance by “writing”...

54MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
■Punch In/Out (Song)
You can use this method when you want to re-record 
only over a specific area of the track. In this case, you 
must set the start and end points before you begin the 
re-recording. 
In the eight-measure example below, the third 
measures through the fifth measure are re-recorded.
nPunch In/Out Recording can only be used with Realtime 
recording.
nNote that Punch In/Out method always replaces 
(destroys) the original data over the...

55MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
Arpeggio
Quick Start Guide (page 91) · Reference (page 128)
This function automatically triggers preset arpeggio 
phrases, according to the keys you play.
The Arpeggio function is particularly suited to dance/
techno music genres. You can assign the desired 
Arpeggio Types to each Voice/Performance, and adjust 
the tempo. You can also set the Arpeggio playback 
method, Velocity range and Play Effects to create your 
own original grooves. What’s...

56MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
Creating User Arpeggios
Actually, there is no direct operation for recording 
Arpeggios.  First, you have to record a Phrase to a Song 
track.  Then, use the appropriate Song Job function to 
convert the data to Arpeggio data.
nArpeggio data consists of four tracks.  However, data 
conversion in the Song Job is done one track at a time.
Master (Master mode)
Quick Start Guide (page 93) · Reference (page 268)
The MOTIF is loaded with such a wealth of...

57MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
Four Zones (Voice Performance mode)
In the Voice Performance mode, the keyboard can be 
divided into a maximum of four separate Zones (as 
shown below) — each with its own MIDI channel 
setting.  In this way, you can use just a single 
keyboard to control several different instrument parts 
independently.  Moreover, you can have these 
independent Zones control different channels on 
connected MIDI devices as well.
You can set these four Zones and...

58MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
Sampling
Quick Start Guide (page 99) · Reference (page 233)
Sampling is a powerful function that lets you bring your own recorded sounds — voice, instrument, rhythm, 
special sound effects, etc. — into the system of the MOTIF, and play those sounds just like any other MOTIF 
sound.  Individual waveform data contained in the MOTIF is referred to as a “Sample.”
The following diagram shows the Sampling structure. 
CD
MD
A/D INPUT jacks
DIGITAL IN...

59MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
Data created by Sampling
Regardless of the mode, the raw Sampled data is the 
same, of course.  However, various parameters are 
different, depending on the particular mode or 
settings.  Briefly, here is an explanation of what 
kinds of data are created in the Sampling function.
●Sampling data common to all modes
•Wave (Sample data) 
This is the raw audio data stored in the MOTIF’s 
memory when sampling.  For details on Wave, see 
page 44.
•Key...

60MOTIF  Basic Structure
Main functions
Basic Structure
User Voices/Sample Voices and Waveform
nWhen using the Sampling function, samples are stored to destination waveforms in numerical order, starting from the lowest 
number waverform.
nUp to 128 keybanks can be assigned to a single waveform.  The MOTIF allows for creation of a maximum 8192 keybanks.
nYou can select and check the 256 waveforms mentioned above from the Oscillator display in Voice Element Edit (page 137).
Velocity Keybank
Wave form...