Yamaha Montage DAW Setup and Recording
Getting started
In this guide, we will show you how to integrate a Yamaha Montage within your favorite DAW. We’ll show you how to connect it, use it with the Montage Connect plug-in, and also how to record for the first time. Follow the sections below to get started.
Setting up your DAW
After you have installed the Yamaha Steinberg driver and connected it to your computer, you first need to configure the Montage, so it communicates properly with your DAW. You will need to change the MIDI I/O settings. If you plan on using the Montage with external audio gear, you will also need to configure the Audio I/O settings, as well. Follow these steps to configure your Montage.
- Connect the Montage to your computer, press the Utility button, and select Settings.
- Select the MIDI I/O option and change the following settings:
- MIDI IN/OUT: USB
- Local Control: OFF
- Select the Advanced tab and change the MIDI I/O Mode to Multi. This allows all Parts of your Performance to have its own MIDI channel.
- The Part number of the Performance is assigned to that MIDI channel number. For example, Part number 1 is MIDI channel 1; Part number 2 is assigned to channel 2, etc. These MIDI channels cannot be changed.
- Go to the Performance screen and turn off KbdCtrl for each Part. If this is left on, it will play all the Parts that are in that performance.
DAW control
IMPORTANT: The DAW control feature is currently only compatible with Cubase, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and Pro Tools.
One feature added to the 2.5 firmware update is DAW control. DAW control will allow you to use the Montage to control DAW parameters such as channel panning, volume, and transport controls (record, stop, play, etc.) You’ll first to set up the Montage as a DAW controller. Follow our DAW controller guides to learn how to set it up. If you aren’t on the latest firmware, visit our firmware update guide.
- Navigate to the Performance screen and press Remote.
- Select what function you would like to control:
- Track: Only controls track functions such as volume, pan, and track selection.
- Plugin: Only controls functions of a plug-in.
- Transport: Only controls transport controls such as record, play, pause, etc.
- Engage Dial and Cursor if you want to use the dial and cursor to control your DAW. Leave it disengaged if you wish to use them to control your Montage.
Mastering MONTAGE: MIDI and Audio Setup
How to record
Now that the Montage is set up, you’re ready to start recording in your DAW. You only need to create an audio or MIDI track in your DAW to record. However, you will need to navigate to the Quick Setup page to make a few adjustments depending on how you plan to record.
Audio
- Press the Utility button, and go to Quick Setup within the Settings tab.
- Select Audio Rec on DAW. This will disable the Direct Monitoring on the Montage, meaning you will only hear the audio coming from your DAW.
- Create a Stereo audio track, set the I/O for the track and then start recording.
Recording to multiple audio tracks
You can split Parts from a Performance to different audio tracks. To accomplish this, you’ll need to go to the Performance screen, select the Part, press EDIT and change the Part Output to USB Stereo (Channel #) or USB Mono (Channel #). You’ll then need to update the audio track input in your DAW.
MIDI
There are two ways to record MIDI from the Montage. Depending on Performance or Part that is playing, you will need to choose either MIDI Record or Arp Record. When Arp Rec is engaged, the arpeggiator MIDI data is recorded. If MIDI Rec is selected, only the keyboard performance is recorded. It’s important to note that when recording MIDI parts, it will bypass any system effects from the Montage, such as reverb, EQ, or delay.
- Press the Utility button, and go to Quick Setup within the Settings tab.
- Select MIDI or Arp Rec on DAW. This enables direct monitoring on the Montage, so be sure that direct monitoring is turned off in your DAW so you don’t get a doubling effect.
- Create a standard MIDI track, set the MIDI channel, and start recording.
MIDI record vs. Arpeggiator record.
Audio Routing and Rendering Audio Tracks
Auditioning and Recording MIDI
Arpeggiated Part Recording
Using Montage Connect
The Montage Connect app is a way for you to transfer data between the synth and a computer. You can use it either in standalone mode or as a VST3 or an AU virtual instrument plug-in within your DAW. With Montage connect, you can save and load performances and also import any recorded MIDI files to your computer. Follow these steps to use Montage Connect.
Initial setup
- Download and install the Montage Connect app for your OS here.
- Connect the Montage to your computer via USB, and then launch the Montage Connect standalone application or open your DAW and add it as a virtual instrument plug-in.
- If the status shows “Not Ready,” go to the MIDI I/O window within the Settings screen and make sure that the MIDI IN/OUT is set to USB.
Import a Performance
Importing any user-saved performances from your Montage is a fast way to both back up your Performance files before a firmware update or factory reset, and also load Performances while in your DAW.
- Open the Montage Connect app, and click the Keyboard to Computer button.
- Once the Performance Name appears, click on the Save tab, rename the file, and select the file path you wish to save the Performance file.
- Consider creating a folder titled Montage Performances so all of your data is in one location.
- Press the green Save button to create a new .X7B file These files only contain Performance data such as Parts and Elements; not MIDI or audio data.
Importing and saving a Performance File.
Load a Performance
Instead of having to navigate through menus on the Montage, you can load Performances you imported to your computer using the Montage Connect app.
- Open the Montage Connect app, and click the Computer to Keyboard button.
- Click the Load tab and navigate to the folder location where your Performance file resides.
- Select the file and click the green Load button.
Loading a Performance file
Import a MIDI file
Any MIDI file that was recorded on your Montage can be dropped into your DAW or computer via the Montage Connect app, as well. You cannot export MIDI files onto the Montage via the Connect app, however.
- Launch your DAW, load Montage Connect as a virtual instrument track.
- Click Song Setup, and locate the MIDI file you wish to import.
- Click and drag the MIDI file from the Connect app into your DAW.
- While there is one MIDI file, a new MIDI track will be created for each part in your Performance.
Importing MIDI recordings using the Montage Connect plug-in.
Additional resources
- Mastering MONTAGE: ARP Rec on DAW
- Mastering MONTAGE: Audio Rec on DAW
- Mastering MONTAGE: MIDI Rec on DAW
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