I have been using SONAR (Cakewalk), version 5 for quite a while. Starting using BBW (2004 version). Everyone has their preferred way of doing things with BBW, DAW, and software/hardware synths. I'm primarily a guitar player, however I do use my legacy Motif keyboard as both a keyboard and tone generator. Also, I use a 2nd generation Motif RACK ES as tone generator in conjunction with BBW, Realband, midi-guitar. BBW has made several improvements that (version 2012) enhance the midi-capabilities in BBW. But, since I've been using SONAR as my DAW for so long, I find it suits me better and speeds up my workflow for mixing, editing, etc. Basically, I export both audio and midi files from BBW, then import those as separate audio/midi tracks into SONAR (most any DAW will do, and SONAR X1 is miles above version 5).

There are some patch files (.pat) and drum kit (.dk) files for the Motif (legacy, ES, and Rack ES I believe) available on the PG site downloads. These will help in getting things set up for the Motif and eliminate some of the work. BBW will also convert Cakewalk .ini patch files to .pat files. You can find a lot of info for the Motif(s) on the Motifator site (www.motifator.com). This site has good info for all things Motif. Consider downloading Yamaha's (free) Studio Manager software app and the corresponding (free) Voice and Multi editors.

Here a a few other things to keep in mind with BBW/Realband. While BBW uses .pat files for patch files, Realband uses .ins files. If you want to set up Realband with the patches, you can download the .pat file(s) from PGmusic, then in Realband, there is a utility that will convert the .pat file to the RB .ini file. One more step...you'll have to opt to append that (part of the conversion/load patches dialog)to RB. But upon the next start-up of RB, you'll see the Motif patches as an option.

Sorry this is sort of long, but here's the last two steps (perhaps) you will need to do.

Download from Yamaha's synthesizer site (www.yamahasynth.com) the appropriate USB midi-driver for your operating system (there's an associated readme/install file with it). That way, BBW or another app will be able to use that driver for the Motif. Recommend you get the Studio Manager and editors mentioned below.

If you want to use multiple voices/instruments in the Motif, make sure you set the Motif into Multi-Mode, and select an available Multi (there are 128 total, 32 pre-programmed from the factory. 16 channels (that correspond to midi channels 1-16, separate from Yamaha Motif plug-in hardware modules)for each Multi. Determine what you want those channels to be (voice-wise), and set BBW/RB to match, or, vice-versa. Then you should be good to go. One last thing regarding the patch files located on PG's site-it is not complete (i.e., not all the preset voices (over 1100) are included). But, Cakewalk has them (www.cakewalk.com) or motifator has the Cakewalk patch files (.ins) that BBW can convert.

Hopefully, this is not redundant info for you.

Richard

Last edited by rich in ca; 01/05/12 04:13 PM.