MODX Connect

Owner’s Manual

Special Notices
• Copying of the commercially available music sequence data and/or digital audio files is strictly prohibited except for your
personal use.
• The software and this owner’s manual are exclusive copyrights of Yamaha Corporation.
• Copying of the software or reproduction of this manual in whole or in part by any means is expressly forbidden without the
written consent of the manufacturer.
• Yamaha makes no representations or warranties with regard to the use of the software and documentation and cannot be held
responsible for the results of the use of this manual and the software.
• The screen displays as illustrated in this Owner’s Manual are for instructional purposes, and may appear somewhat different
from the screens which appear on your computer.
• Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft® Corporation in the United States and other countries.
• Mac and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
• Steinberg and Cubase are the registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
• The company names and product names in this Owner’s Manual are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.

For information about hardware requirements, the interconnection of devices and the installation of the MODX Connect
software, refer to the separate Release Notes for MODX Connect as well as the Owner’s Manual for the respective MIDI
device.

What is MODX Connect?

MODX Connect is a convenient tool which lets you transfer data (such as Song, Performance, etc.) between your computer and
the MODX/MODX+*.
MODX Connect, based on Steinberg’s VST3 technology, works as a VST3 plug-in with the Cubase series. Based on Steinberg’s
VST3 technology, MODX Connect works as a VST3 plug-in with the Cubase series, and works in the same way as other VST
instruments. It allows you to save the edited settings of the MODX, or use them for another Cubase Project.
MODX Connect also works as an AU plug-in. For AU compatible DAW software, refer to the separate Release Notes.
It can also be used as standalone software.

* MODX Connect can be used with both the MODX and MODX+. If you are using the MODX+, simply substitute “MODX+” for “MODX” as you
read the explanations in this manual.

EN

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Data structure of MODX Connect
MODX Connect lets you save the following data as a single file.
• Current Performance data (latest status of edited Performance) files (.X8B)

Current settings includes the latest settings of the Common Edit and Element/Operator/Drum Key Edit parameters for each Part,
as well as Mixing parameter settings such as pan, volume and effect for each Part.
MODX Connect also lets you import the following data to your computer.
• Song data: Standard MIDI files (.MID)
• Pattern data: Standard MIDI files (.MID)

When you use MODX Connect as a plug-in with DAW software, Current Performance data, Song data, and Pattern data are
saved as a single project file. This lets you easily reproduce the MODX/MODX+ settings and edit the Song on your DAW
software.

The diagram illustrated below indicates the structure and the relationship of the data/files transferred between the MODX and
MODX Connect.

Recall display

Transfer Bulk Dump by clicking

Send/Receive buttons

* All transfer operations are available only when MODX Connect (on
the computer) and the MODX/MODX+ are properly connected via
USB (ONLINE status).

Save display/Load display Import display

Save or load a file (.X8B) by clicking Import a Song and Pattern by drag-
Save/Load buttons and-drop operation

File (extension: .X8B) File (extension: .MID)

Performance data Song data and Pattern data

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MODX Connect Display

Overall section
The MODX Connect consists of five displays: Recall, Import, Setup, Load, and Save.
This section explains the navigation bar and tabs which are common to all types of displays.

1 Online indicator
Shows the connection status between the MODX Connect and the MODX.
• Online: Shows that MODX Connect is properly connected to the MODX (Online status).
• Not Ready: Indicates that MODX Connect and the MODX are not ready (Offline status). The MIDI port setting and cable
setting are properly configured; however, this is displayed even while the MODX is using the Compare function or while
MODX Connect is saving/loading files (.X8B).
• Offline: Indicates that MODX Connect is not properly connected to the MODX (Offline status). The MIDI port setting or
cable setting are not properly configured.

2 Display selection tabs

Calls up the selected display.

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Recall display
From the Recall display, you can transfer Performance data between the MODX and MODX Connect.

1 Performance Name
Displays the currently selected Performance name.
As soon as MODX Connect receives Performance data from the MODX or a file (.X8B) is loaded on the Load display, this
Performance Name is updated.

2 Received date and time

Displays the date and time when Performance data was last received from the MODX.
NOTE If Performance data is received from the MODX but the data has not been saved as a file (.X8B) yet, a warning flag is displayed
after the date and time.

3 Send button
Clicking this transmits (via bulk dump) the selected Performance data to the MODX.
This is available only in Online status.

4 Receive button
Clicking this receives (via bulk dump) the Performance data which is currently selected on the MODX.
This is available only in Online status.

5 Auto Sync button

Determines whether or not Performance data is transferred automatically between the MODX and MODX Connect. When
this is set to On, the MODX Connect transfers Performance data to the MODX after a file (.X8B) is loaded and the MODX
Connect receives Performance data from the MODX before a file (.X8B) is stored.
Settings: Off, On

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Import display
From the Import display, you can select Songs and Patterns which are stored in the MODX and import them to the computer or
the DAW on the computer.

1 1

2 2

3 4 3 4

1 Song Select / Pattern Select

Indicates the Songs / Patterns stored in the MODX.
A Song / Pattern can be imported as a standard MIDI file (SMF) by dragging and dropping the Song / Pattern name icon to
the computer or the DAW on the computer. This is available only in Online status.

2 Sort (Sort Order)

Determines the Sort Order of the Songs and Patterns in “Song Select” and “Pattern Select.”
This is available only in Online status.
• Name: Sorts by name. When the lower arrow is displayed, the List is arranged in ascending order (A to Z). When the
upper arrow is displayed, the List is arranged in descending order.
• Date: Sorts in order of storing. When the lower arrow is displayed, the List is arranged in descending order (newer to
older). When the upper arrow is displayed, the List is arranged in ascending order.
• Number: Sorts in order of Content Number.

3 Song Pattern Select

Determines the items on the Import display.
• Song: Displays Songs.
• Pattern: Displays Patterns.

4 Update Song List / Update Pattern List

Receives the current Song List and Pattern List from the MODX.
This is available only in Online status.

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Setup display
From the Setup display, you can make connected device settings with MODX Connect.

1 Device Select
Determines the instrument which is connected with MODX Connect.
If the MODX instrument cannot be found, “No Assign” is shown.

2 Firmware Version
Displays the version of the MODX instrument’s firmware.

3 Error message
Appears when an error occurs.

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Load display
From the Load display, you can load files (.X8B) which are saved in the computer.

1
4
2

1 File Name
Displays the selected File name. You can select the desired file by inputting a file name here.

2 Location
Displays the selected Folder name. You can select the desired folder by inputting a folder name here.

3 File List
Displays the folder and file tree in the computer. You can select the desired file (.X8B) for loading.

4 Load
Clicking this loads the selected file.
When Online status is active and Auto Sync (page 4) is set to on, the loaded file is automatically transmitted as Performance
data to the MODX.

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Save display
From the Save display, you can save Performance data received from the MODX as a file (.X8B) on the computer.

1
4
2

1 File Name
Determines the file name to be saved.

2 Location
Displays the selected folder name. You can select the desired folder by inputting a folder name here.

3 File List
Displays the folder and file tree in the computer. If you select an existing file on the computer, the file will be overwritten.

4 Save
Clicking this saves the file. If you are about to overwrite an existing file, the display prompts you for confirmation.
When Online status is active and Auto Sync (page 4) is set to on, the current Performance data is received from the MODX
and saved as a file.

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An Example of MODX Connect
There is no single way to use the many components in MODX Connect. Your editing needs and preferences may differ; however,
the following example gives you a simple step-by-step guide in how to use MODX Connect.

Editing a Song recorded on the MODX with DAW software

You can transmit the Song which is recorded by the Performance recorder (simple sequencer) of the MODX to the computer
and edit the Song on DAW software. This example shows use with Cubase.
Setting up:
Install the Cubase and Yamaha Steinberg USB driver by following the Installation Guide for each product. Connect the MODX
with the computer via the USB cable and make necessary MIDI IN/OUT settings on the MODX.
NOTE For details on connecting the MODX and the computer, see “Using a Connected Computer” in the MODX Owner’s Manual.
NOTE On the MODX, make sure that MIDI IN/OUT ([UTILITY]  [Settings]  [MIDI I/O]) is set to “USB.”

1. Record a Song on the MODX.

NOTE For details on recording a Song, see “Recording and Playback” in the MODX Owner’s Manual.

2. Start Cubase.

3. Create a new Cubase Project on Cubase.

4. Add MIDI tracks according to the number of tracks in the Song.

5. Select [VST Instruments] from the [Studio] menu in Cubase.

6. Click on [Rack] to open the pop-up selection menu name field and select [MODX Connect].

7. Open the Import display of the MODX Connect, and drag-and-drop the Song recorded in Step 1 from the
MODX Connect to the “Event Display” area of Cubase.
The Song is imported as a standard MIDI file (SMF).

8. Edit MIDI data on Cubase.

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9. After you’ve finished editing, click the receive button in the Recall display of the MODX Connect.
MODX Connect receives (via bulk dump) the currently selected Performance data on the MODX.
NOTE Step 9 is not necessary when “Auto Sync” is set to on in MODX Connect because Performance data is automatically transmitted
from the MODX after Step 10.

10. On Cubase, select [Save] or [Save as] from the [File] menu to save the Cubase project file.
MIDI data and Performance data are saved as a single project file. You can reproduce the Performance settings on the
MODX by opening the project file the next time via MODX Connect.
NOTE When “Auto Sync” is set to on in the MODX Connect, Performance data is automatically transmitted to the MODX when the file is
opened next time.

11. Close Cubase.

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Troubleshooting
If you encounter abnormal behavior, first make sure to verify the connections before checking the following.

Bulk data is not transmitted/received successfully

• Is the MODX Connect in Online status?
• Is the “Online” indicator turned on?
If it is turned off, the settings related to communication between the MODX and the computer may be wrong. Check the
device setting (page 6) on MODX Connect, make sure that the MIDI connection setting (MIDI IN/OUT is set to USB via
[UTILITY]  [Settings]  [MIDI I/O]) on the MODX itself, or confirm proper cable connection between the MODX and the
computer.

Cannot be set to ONLINE

• Check whether or not the MODX is connected to the computer properly, and check whether or not the power of the MODX is
turned on.
• On Windows, quit any application software which may be using the MIDI Port on the computer. The application software
closes unexpectedly without user input. Restart the computer.
• Update the MODX’s firmware to the latest version.

“Time Out Error” is shown

• This message appears when the computer cannot get a response from the MODX. Check whether or not the MIDI IN/OUT
parameter of the MODX is set properly to USB via [UTILITY]  [Settings]  [MIDI I/O].

© 2018 Yamaha Corporation

Published 05/2022 MW-C0

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