I have the VL150 and AN150 cards. Understanding and getting these plug in cards to work properly in the Motif is no easy task either. The documentation that comes with the cards and the pdf manuals that are available for them do not really give the user any clue how to integrate the card to the board. As a Motif user, it really seemed as if the cards were actually designed for something completely different ( maybe the SXg1000 card ), but were available as an afterthought to the Motif. Yes, you have the independent slots and can assign the card sounds to any channel, but getting there when you don't know how..... what a chore. The Motif manual does not in any way address how to do it, and neither does the documentation that comes with the cards. The Motifator site gives some basic instructions along with .pdf files for d/l that somewhat explain it ( if one can decipher through the Yamahaspeak ) , but the only way I was able to really understand it and make the whole thing work was via the Motifator's user forum... The other thing is.. many of the editable parameters available in the cards themselves cannot be accessed from within the Motif. Much of it has to be done it via external software. Basic editing can be done from within, but, particularly in the case of the AN150, there is a lot of editing power that cannot be accessed from within. That's another reason that the cards seemed to be an afterthought to me for the Motif.. It's all good when your connected to the computer but.....

I came very close to going the 9000 pro route instead of the Motif because it has a lot of the "pro" features that I like from the Motif, plus it has the arranger, but I am glad I went the way I did, and this thread does nothing to change my thinking at all. It has nothing to do with the label "pro" for me ( I have a PSR2k and a PA80 ). It's just a feature issue and the want of a workstation to go along with my arrangers in my studio setup. I learned about Yamaha's true perception of their arranger boards and customers some time ago in dealing with repairs for my PSR740 and 2000. Exactly what is being said here was the way it was told to me by my dealer and Yamaha reps. If there was any doubt for anyone else, this thread should speak volumes. If that doesn't do it... go take a look at the Yamaha sponsored Motifator site. Think it's just coincidence that Yamaha doesn't sponsor any similar sites for their arranger users ?
Korg may or may not have the same perception for their arranger users, but if they do, at least it's disguised a whole lot better. The PA site is excellent and I haven't seen comments from the company that shows this kind of disparity in their perception of their arranger and workstation users. I just don't understand why Yamaha so openly does this. They GOTTA know that there are some pro level musicians using this stuff. There must be some reason and they reserve the right to market as they choose...

AJ



[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 06-23-2003).]