This is for people with a Yamaha Motif XF and want to use the sliders and knobs to control MainStage. The sliders and knobs don’t do anything in MainStage by default. The problem lies in the Motif using Sysex messages instead of standard MIDI control messages. You need to make some setting adjustments in Master mode to make the Motif send standard MIDI messages. I recommend using Master Voice mode when using the Motif as a controller. This is so that arpeggiators won’t start playing on its own and send random MIDI signals to MainStage.
Here’s what you need to do:
Enabling Sliders & Knobs To Control MainStage
1. In Master Mode on the Motif XF, select a Master program to use.
2. Select edit and then [F2].
3. In Edit mode change Zone Switch to ON and Knob Control Switch to Zone.
4. Press the Part Select #1 Button & exit Common Edit.
5. Press [F3], then [SF2]. Knob and slider for all zones should be checked.
6. Press [F1] and alter the transmit channels of Zones 1-8 to MIDI channels 1-8 respectively.
7. Turn on the Ext. Switch on all 8 Zones.
8. Store the Master and you should be good to go.
Changing A Program to Master Voice Mode
In case you don’t have a program based on Voice mode, here’s how you can change an existing program into Voice mode.
1. Press the [EDIT] button to enter the Master Edit mode.
2. Press the [COMMON EDIT] button to call up Common Edit.
3. Press the [F2] Other button.
4. Move the cursor to “Mode” then select the desired Mode (i.e., Voice mode).
5. Move the cursor to “Memory” then select the desired program number (i.e., Voice number).
6. Press the [STORE] button to store the created Master program.
Rocking Horse Music 
Fantastic help… works like a dream. Many thanks!
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Hi Adrian. Glad I could be of help.
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I can’t get mine motif xf to work without firewire. I have tried a USB cable, the keys work inside Cubase Pro 11 but there isn’t any way to change midi to audio that I can find. I heard that term in passing and thought I’d give it a go. Any Ideas? Thanks in advance, either way
MJ
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Hi MJ. You’re right that you can’t get audio from MIDI because MIDI contains only data, no audio. The keys work through the USB because the motif is sending the key control data to Cubase. What you need is a virtual instrument within Cubase to create the audio.
I’m not too familiar with Cubase but all DAWs should be able to do this. You need to use a virtual instrument plug-in in one of your channels in Cubase. Then send the MIDI control data from the motif to that channel. This will activate the virtual instrument and generate the audio. Hope this helps!
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Thanks Rocking Horse I’ll give that a go.
peace out
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Thanks for the step by step. Is it possible to send MIDI CC messages on specific CC #s using this method?
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Hi Dennis. Unfortunately I’m not familiar enough with MIDI to answer your question. Perhaps you can try asking in the MOTIF Facebook group? There are a lot of knowledgeable people there who may be able to answer your question.
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Hi Rocking! I found your post searching for this exact problem! Is it possible to make this configuration to use master perform?
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Hi Ulisse. I think it should be possible to use this setup in Master Perform but I don’t have my Motif XF with me anymore so I can’t test this out. The reason I suggest using the XF in Voice mode is so the arpeggiators don’t run in the background without anybody knowing. IF you are mindful about the arpeggiators, I think there should be no problem running the XF in Master Perform mode. Good luck!
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