Yamaha MOTIF XS8 User Manual

Move the cursor to a track then set a Phrase number by 
using the data dial, [INC/YES] and [DEC/NO] buttons. 
Phrase assignment can be executed also during 
Pattern playback. 
To confirm whether the Phrase is assigned properly or 
not, solo the track to which the Phrase is assigned by 
following the procedure below. Press the [SOLO] button 
so that its indicator lights and press any of the Number 
[1] – [16] buttons to select a track to which you 
assigned the Phrase. 
There are three methods that can be used to create a 
Phrase: 

• Recording the new phrase using the Pattern Record 

• Copying the Phrase from another Pattern by using 

the [SF5] button. 

• Converting a Part of the Song data to a Phrase by 

using the Get Phrase from Song Job (page 225). 

Create Sections used for the intro, melody A, melody B, 
main theme and ending of the entire Song. 

n It is a good idea to use the Copy Pattern Job (page 227) if 

you wish to create a Section that is based on or sounds 

similar to an already existing Section. 

For detailed instructions on storing a Pattern, see 
page 218. 

Pattern Chain allows you to string several different Sections 
together to make a one complete Song. For example, 
create a Section A for the intro, a Section B for the verse, a 
Section C for the chorus, and a Section D for the ending—
and you have the basic blocks to build an original Song. 
The created Pattern Chain data can be converted to MIDI 
sequence data and stored to a Song. To call up the Pattern 
Chain display, press the [F5] Chain button from the Pattern 
Play mode. 

A Pattern Chain can be created for each Pattern, letting 
you call up a different, dedicated Pattern Chain each time 
you select a Pattern. 
The following events can be recorded to the Pattern Chain.

• Playback order of Sections

• Pattern track on/off—Solo and Mute

• Tempo change

• Time signature change

There are two methods to create a Pattern Chain: 
Recording playback of a Pattern in the Pattern Record 
display in real time, and programming the playback order 
of Sections one by one in the Pattern Chain Edit display. 
The Pattern Chain data recorded in real time can be edited 
in the Pattern Chain Edit display. 

The Pattern Chain display lets you play the Pattern Chain 
data you’ve created. Press the [F5] Chain button from the 
Pattern Play mode to go to the Pattern Chain Play display. 

The operation in the Pattern Chain display is basically 
same as in the Pattern Play display with the exception that 
the Pattern number cannot be selected. For details on 
parameters which are not explained here, refer to the 
Pattern Play display (page 210). 

n Depending on the selected parameter, the NUM icon is shown 

at the tab menu corresponding to the [SF6] button. In this 
condition, you can use the [SF1] – [SF5] and [F1] – [F5] 
buttons as number buttons by pressing the [SF6] NUM button. 
For details, see page 81. 

Indicates the currently played Section. “NEXT” will be 
shown here when playback is waiting for the timing of the 
Section change. 

Adjusts the pitch of the Pattern Chain playback in semitone 
increments. 

Settings: -36 – +0 – +36

Indicates the time signature currently assigned to the 
Pattern. During playback, the current time signature is 
shown here. 

Indicates the measure number of the currently playing 
Pattern Chain. You can start playback from the middle of 
the Pattern Chain by specifying the measure here then 
pressing the [

F] (Play) button. 

Settings: 001 – 999