Yamaha MOTIF XS8 User Manual

You can control the start/stop and fast forward/rewind of an MMC-compatible MTR from the SEQ TRANSPORT buttons on 
the front panel of this synthesizer, outputting MMC messages via MIDI. 

n MMC (MIDI Machine Control) allows remote control of multitrack recorders, MIDI sequencers, etc. An MMC-compatible multitrack recorder, 

for example, will automatically respond to start, stop, fast forward, and fast reverse operations performed on the controlling sequencer, thus 
keeping playback of the sequencer and multitrack recorder aligned. 

You can connect a USB storage device such as flash memory or a hard disk unit to the USB TO DEVICE connector on the 
rear panel and save/load the files (including data created on the MOTIF XS) to and from it. When using USB storage 
devices, follow the important precautions below.

Connect only a USB storage device (such as hard disk, CD-ROM, flash disk and other drives) to the USB TO DEVICE 
connector. Other devices such as a computer keyboard or mouse cannot be used. Both bus-powered (powered by the host 
device) or self-powered (battery or external power supply) types can be used. The MOTIF XS does not necessarily support 
all commercially available USB storage devices. Yamaha cannot guarantee operation of USB storage devices that you 
purchase. Before purchasing USB storage devices, please consult your Yamaha dealer, or an authorized Yamaha distributor 
(see list at end of the Owner’s Manual) for advice, or visit the following website: http://www.yamahasynth.com/

n Although CD-R/W drives can be used to load data to the instrument, they cannot be used for saving data. However, you can transfer the data 

to a computer and save it to a CD using the CD-R/W drive on the computer. 

When an unformatted USB storage device is connected to the USB TO DEVICE connector or when unformatted media is 
inserted to the USB device connected to the USB TO DEVICE connector, the indication “unknown device (usb***)” is shown 
in the device list on the [F3] Format window of the File mode. If this happens, execute the Format operation in the Format 
display (page 278).

n The three asterisks (***) in the example indication above denote the sequential serial numbers of the connected devices which need to be 

formatted. When several partitions are included in a single device, the partition number is indicated at the right of the serial number. 

• Never turn the USB device’s power on/off and never plug/unplug the USB cable when the connected USB storage device is the 

self-powered type. Doing so may result in the operation of the synthesizer “freezing” or hanging up.

• While the instrument is accessing data (such as in the Save, Load and Delete operations in the File mode), do NOT unplug the USB 

cable, do NOT remove the media from the device, and do NOT turn the power off to either device. Doing so may corrupt the data on 
either or both devices.

MOTIF XS

LOCATE

1

2

SEQ  TRANSPORT

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

AW2400, etc.

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

MOTIF XS

USB TO DEVICE connector

USB flash memory

USB storage device such as 

hard disk drive

or