I would like to request proper Yamaha MIDI XF support in Cubase.
I have invested heavily in the Yamaha/Steinberg ecosystem over the years: PSR-SX900, Cubase 13 with updates up to Cubase 15, Dorico 4 with updates up to Dorico 6, and most recently a Genos 2.
Yet for one specific task I still have to use the very old XGworks 4.0: creating and editing Yamaha XF chord data inside MIDI files.
Cubase already has an excellent Chord Track, so in my opinion only a relatively small bridge is missing.
The most useful functions would be:
- Cubase Chord Track → Yamaha XF Chord Events
During MIDI export, Cubase could optionally convert the Chord Track into Yamaha XF chord data and embed it into the MIDI file. - Yamaha XF Chord Events → Cubase Chord Track
When importing an XF MIDI file, Cubase could read the existing XF chord events and automatically create the corresponding Chord Track.
For example:
Cubase Chord Track:
C | Am7 | Dm7 | G7
→ Export MIDI
→ the resulting MIDI file contains the corresponding Yamaha XF chord information.
And the same should work in reverse when importing an XF MIDI file.
This does not need to become a complete new arranger workstation inside Cubase. Even a small import/export module, extension or plug-in would solve a major problem for Genos and PSR-SX users.
Alternatively, Yamaha/Steinberg could provide a modern standalone MIDI XF editor.
What I find particularly frustrating is that Yamaha XF is still supported by current instruments such as Genos 2, while modern Yamaha/Steinberg software provides no convenient way to author this data.
I am now close to abandoning MIDI XF completely. But if I abandon XF, I also lose one of the reasons to stay within the Yamaha arranger ecosystem for future instruments.
Since Yamaha owns Steinberg, a direct bridge between Cubase Chord Track and Yamaha XF would seem like a very logical addition.
If you are a Genos, PSR-SX or other Yamaha arranger user and you also need modern Yamaha XF support, please vote for this feature request.
The more votes this receives, the clearer it will be that Yamaha XF authoring is still relevant to users of current Yamaha instruments.