Nord User Forum

[ozio01]

Hi all,
I'm going to buy a Yamaha Motif XF. I've never had a so powerful workstation, hence the following question to the experts.

In the past I wondered the feasibility of placing two different kbds shaped as the two manuals of a B3 (see here if you like: nord-electro-forum-f9/stand-for-2-keybs-shaped-as-a-hammond-2-manuals-la-t570.html). Quite in a sudden, I faced up the problem of the visibility/reachability of the command panel of the lower kbd.

Now the question is: with the Motif XF to the top... could I forget the control panel of the NE3, placed in the lower tier? In other words, if I set all the programs of the NE3 (A1-B63) in order to cover all my needs during a concert, could I browse them via midi from the Motif XF? The best would be to define the setup for each song in the Motif XF, and to see the NE3 programs changing automatically. Is it feasible?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[-Toro-]

Hi Ozio01.

2 things....

1.
you'll need to check which MIDI Control Change Data (CC) the NE uses for the "vital" controllers, such as the drawbars and leslie controls. because there's no way to re-program these CCs - they are fixed!

2.
you'll need to check that the controllers (sliders and buttons) on the Motif XF can be programmed to send these MIDI CCs.

start out with reading the manual for both the NE and the Motif.
if it turns out to be YES on this question, then you can do what you're asking for. the NE can receive Program Changes, so it is possible to have the PROGRAMs change together with the Motifs'.

hope this helps.

[ozio01]

Henrik,
thanks for your answer.

Driving directly the drawbars would be the optimum of course. Meanwhile, the leslie switch is not a problem. I'd use the foot switch in any case.

Things I mean are simpler. It could be enough for me pointing automatically to a specific NE3 program (A1-B63) when changing the song (or the song parts) on the Motif XF, given that I could memorize a different organ setup for each NE3 program (128 are enough for sure). I'm not always at changing drawbar positions during my playing. In the same song I use at most 2 or 3 different organ setups.

Maybe the actual question, at this point, could be: may I ask to a Motif XF song setup (e.g. the one labeled "Wonderful Tonight") to select automatically a specific NE3 program (e.g., the B35) via MIDI? I'm not a MIDI expert but, for example, if MIDI transfers only Program Chang UP (+1) and Program Change DOWN (-1)... the answer to my question is no. Definitely.

I dunno if I've understood myself (stupid italian joke... please forgive me).
Regards.

[-Toro-]

the Motif XF has a MASTER mode and can send Program Changes. that means you can route any specific PROGRAM on the Nord Electro to any "patch" on the XF.
(in other words - it's not about sending +1/-1...)

[ozio01]

Encouraging.
Next week I'll have my new XF, so I'll put your suggestion in practice.
Thanks again!