The new moxf is almost uppon us..

https://yamahamusicians.com/the-new-modx-keyboard-from-yamaha-raising-the-bar-for-mid-range-synths/

Its much more then a rumor...
76 keys version...
Superknob...
Up to 8 arps ...

So far a little bit vague about polyphony. Hope that there's at least 128 voices for common sounds like piano. It won't be the first time when Yamaha turns a keyboard into a toy by reducing the polyphony quite ruthlessly (for example, MM6).

But 76-keys version is a change. It used to be only 61 or 88 for a MM, MX, MOX and MOXF.

Hooray you mean people are interested in something without styles? Just kidding.... good to see new models coming out something we can talk about...

Actually its all you need to controll an sd40
Gives you all the great yamaha sounds ...
Combined with ketron styles...

Looks like a Genos of some kind..... I'm sure we will see what it can do soon... Very Kool.
I'm in the process of really rethinking my musical direction at this time like many here.... Thanks for the info

I think the 28-voice polyphony for AWM2 is a typo, it has to be 128, otherwise it would just be a niche product focused on FM-X.

Sequencer?!?

Most probably not, just the motion sequencer as known from the Montage... I've been using the MoXF sequencer very much, it's a big con for me.

Cubase...

This is maybe just the machine I jump on! Been wanting the MOXF but was wait on the price to drop a little but now this! Hopefully Stephen Kay can still support it with Karma! Will keep an eye on this machine! Release date?

This looks the goods! Dont ya love how with the Yamaha synth line they can use a pro quality level key bed in their "mid range" synths.... but not the mid range arrangers like PSR series..

Probably not
He also doesnt support the Montage(yet)

There will also be a light travel 61 key version




No word on an 88 key version yet...

The 61 however will look really nice when combined with an sd40

When paired with the SD40, the great sounds of Yamaha can be played with the Ketron styles. Why not SD40 voices, also, like I use with my SK1?

Bernie

First of all… I’m sure it’s 128 notes of polyphony and they made a typo. I know they’re not going to add a sequencer… They will give you Cubasis and the additional cost of buying a laptop to lay down basic tracks. I guess I’m just getting old!! Raised on the workstation… Made money on a workstation… The ease of use of a workstation is what I’d like to use. It’s music… I need to hear it not see it in graphic form.

For those who use the Montage with their arranger keyboards, is it possible to set up an arranger to play all the style parts on the Montage using the Montage sounds? Would love to do this with the MODX using my Genos if there is a way set it up like that. Thanks!

Actually it is half a montage... wverything cut in half..
With probably a psr class keybed...
Its a very nice instrument in that pricerange with full daw integration and usb audio..
So all the more reasons to use a daw for recording .. and playing backings/sequences..
Thats the way yamaha drives with their new workstation line..

Its meant for performing in a band...
You want to play solo... i guess you have the `genos for that..

I assume this is the official announcement?

Join us via Facebook Live at facebook.com/yamahasynths on September 14, 2018 at 1 p.m. (EDT) for an exciting new product announcement with live performances by Yamaha artists Nicholas Semrad, Domi Degalle and special guest, Richard Devine.

I guess thats it..
It somehow leaked..

check out this MODX vs MONTAGE comparisson table
It shows how its in general half a montage... however, it has all the montage sounds and arps on board.

This mkaes me wondering, why doesn’t the Genos come with audio over USB
Even the cheap MX49 synth has it



It also comes with a free FM app.. that adds FM sounds to the MX series...

Sounds like same keybad as MOXF 6.Not FSX keybad like XF.

I like how you call it keybad... because thats exactly how i would describe the keybed of the moxf6

I've never had problems with the MoXF6 keybed, although I'm a pianist I've been able to adapt well to it and to play piano tunes with a lot of expression. It is very lightweight, but it doesn't have a short up/down scope so I could reach dynamic levels from mp to ff without problems.

Yes, even PSR-E463 has it.

Its personal prefference... at my skill level my performance is like day and night, when playing lighter keys, i struggle a lot with the consistency of the dynamics... it all works much better for me with some heavier keys..

Like i said, all personal prefference...

Great keybed is a must for me. Even though MOXF is better than Korg Kross/ Roland JS series, still doesn’t do it for me. Expressiveness of great keybed with after touch can not be overstate overstated.

Give me DX7/ M1/ Triton classic/XF keys anyday.
I wouldn’t mind extra a few pounds.

Yamaha is doing an apple style event..
With a live stream this afternoon..

https://www.yamahasynth.com/yamaha-synth-rss/something-new

13.00 eastern daysavings time...
As i said before, Yamaha is tryingbto be the apple of the music industry

A first video by Yamaha



With lots of info...

Available at Thomann in a week!

https://www.thomann.de/de/yamaha_modx6.htm?ref=search_prv_8

Here's the first video put out by GAK:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSkxBRm50S4

How many people here would even consider a kb like this?

I like synthesizers like the Motif XF, which I have, but personally, I prefer a keyboard that focuses on acoustic sounds. Plus, I'm still hoping to get an arranger one day - - - BEFORE I die!

Actually it looks awesome, its light (less then 7kg for the 61 key) and small..
I am considering to replace my gopiano with a modx6
I use the gopiano when out of town.. the modx6 is almost the same size...
It has everything one needs, except for an arranger section..


If yamaha was wise, they would make the next gen montage same size and weight as the modx

Next to that, this keyboard has all the things i am missing on Genos... it should be part of Genos 2...

I don't know about that here, people want to just fire up their arranger kb, select a style, and play songs..
but once you mention playing with Midi files, editing,
creating tracks, from scratch, etc, etc, ...things get very quiet.....but good luck to whoever gets one to play enjoy.

Donny, it doesn’t even have a sequencer...
You use it either with a daw, or with an arranger module..
Or stand alone, with a live band or friends..
Its a peformance key, not a workstation..

Here is another Demo:

I probably missed it but didn't see it mentioned anywhere about the MODX be able to use as a DAW remote? Any idea? Thanks

No, that feature does not seem to be in yet..
Think yamaha wants to keep it exclusive for montage..

With the huge difference in weight, seems to me like the montage will be more studio oriented, and the modx is the stage beats



The video shows how easy it is to use...
Espescially when i compare it to my kronos..

Thanks Bachus! Not sure why they would left it out as the MoXF has it. Thanks

Just sounds like typical Yamaha marketing..

Altough with Yamaha’s synth division, i wouldn’t be surprised if it was patched up later..
They have upgraded montage considerably over its lifespan so far..
The orriginal montage didnt have daw control untill patch 2.5

A video explaining some features of the MODX:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjzwYd0MlvI

Bachus, by the way, it DOES have a sequencer. It says so in the specs under "Performance Recorder" at Yamaha's website.

( https://ca.yamaha.com/en/products/music_production/synthesizers/modx/specs.html )

Thats not what i call a sequencer..
Its more like a scratchpad...
Not really usefull at all..

Believe me i tried and played with it on the montage quite extensively..
Its comparable with the recording features a dp had like 20 years ago..
Just real live recording your playing..
No edditing at all..

Bachus sort of beat me to this point - a Genos fitted into the MOXD7 form factor would be very enticing to me, it's no bigger than a 61_key tyros isn't it?

Its smaller... in depth heighth width amd weight..

First unboxing and Demo:

Sound Comparison Montage - MODX

They have exactly the same sounds and dsp...
Why compare them?

Apologies if this has already been posted.

https://youtu.be/ZYzfUE12bF4

Check out this video by my friend Bo
Its all about sound design on the modx(and the montage)



For yamaha arranger department, this is how to implement sound edditing in a keyboard with a small screen... its the same awm2 engine as in the genos... and you can set any parameter with it... even create and edit sa1 voices...

Blake Angelos details that there is an on board sequencer in the MODX. Absent in the Montage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLrirCXUdqU

From the faq on Yamaha website US i quote :

No. MODX just has the simple sequencer "Performance Recorder". It does not have edit functionallity.

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/music_production/synthesizers/modx/faq.html


Thats what i meant its a scratchpad, and not a real sequencer...
Seems to be the same as in the montage..

Yamaha would have been wise to return song mode and pattern mode to moxd
My best bet is they will do so in the montage 2.. upping up to 32 channels..
With a direct option to do all the edditing from the daw..
And just making it the perfect onboard tool for backings..

I just ordered one...(61 keys)
I just couldn’t resist for that kind of money...

It will make my new travel companion, replacing my nord go piano...

good luck bachus ...awaiting your review pro/con go for it!

Here's the latest MODX demo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ps2HnG9Iz4

I wonder how many arranger players are interested in a unit like this vs an all in one arranger kb

I would take this (76 model) over any of the MOTL arrangers. I would take the PA4x and/or the Genos IF they were the same price (that's never going to happen). This is because 1) this unit offers more sonic possibilities; and 2) I have no strong desire for an arranger KB at this time. Plus, this thing has a lot of bang-for-the-buck; I'm seriously considering ordering (pre-ordering actually) one. I'm just afraid I'll still want a dedicated TOTL digital piano.

chas

Good luck with it Chas keep us posted awaiting
your in depth review of modx ..

Its not a matter of choice between...

The question should be, how many people would like to have the features of both in their rig....

A lot of arranger players, but not many pro (Synth/Workstation) players, pro players have to take into account cost as well as features and the extra cost of adding the arranger features would make them too expensive, (Plus they tend to look down on arrangers) arranger players are primarily home hobby players (This is who the arranger keyboard is targeted at) who don’t mind spending the extra to get extra features, as it’s for their pleasure, not financial gain. (Plus they tend to get intimidated by complex features even though it is just psychological)

Bill

The high end instrument being to complex and overwhelming in general is a non issue in the highest category of instruments.. (except for the Genos).. because in general anyone making use of a high end instrument with all these features should be an experienced player in the first place.. as other-ways he might have been much better off in a cheaper category of products... but then i can imagine companies wanting to sell their most expensive products to everyone.. In the Genos its clear they made the interface very accessible.. which should be this way also if they implement other new high end features..

in any other business there always is a product with all the top features and everything a company has in it..

take for example Yamaha..(mobile product range)

if you want top end piano sounds..CP-4
IF you want top end arranger sounds.. Genos
If you want top end ARPS.. Montage
If you want slider and knobs with visual feedback .. Genos/Montage
If you want 8 sounds split and layered freely over the keyboard .. Montage
If you want a sequencer.. Genos
IF you want on board sound edditting .. Montage
if you want Audio over USB and DAW controll.. Montage
If you want ensemble or SA2 sounds.. Genos
If you want FM synthesis.. Montage
If you want a VH onboard.. Genos
If you want 88 keys with aftertouch Montage
If you want 88 keys with escapement CP-4

You probably saw my point by now..

In the end i have said a million time.. its just software, and its already programmed, that it would make the instruments much more expensive is what corporations want you to believe..

The whole marketing idea behind Yamaha is that they want to sell you multiple keyboards.. and they are doing great in that department.. As quite a lot of people own both an arranger as well as a workstation/performance synth/DP

Having to buy 2 instruments(or more) in the case of a pro player will always cost more then a single instrument with all the features..

The MODX in particular shows that all those high end features of the montage, don't have to be expensive.. and can easily be added to the Genos... or even a new range of instruments incorporating the best of all 3 Yamaha choices..

Things like 8 voices for main part easilly controllable trough the sliders, should not cost much resources.. when added to lets say the genos..

Same goes for adding the DAW controll/USB audio, or arps and motion sequences for every of the 8 tracks.. its all software..

Also there is a lot of complaints about the Genos(and even the montage) piano sounds on psrtutorial.com and yamahasynthforum.com fact is that with the virtual technollogy not implemented on the Montage and Genos, Piano will never sound as authentic as on the Yamaha piano range that costs half or even less money. Doesn't a 5000 dollar instrument the best piano sound you can deliver?

The only reason its not in the Genos is not money, but the marketing strategy of Yamaha of trying to sell you more then one instrument. Another example is the MOXD thats extremely light and really close in performance to MONTAGE, is many gigging players considering to buy a MOXD on top of their MONTAGE, just for portabillity, size and weight.


Now we should not talk about 88 keys for Genos, thats indeed a whole different discussion.. but the other parts should not be hard to implement.


As allways on this topic, i disagree with probably most here.. altough i am sure with time, more and more people will come to see it my way.. why doesn't yamaha's piano partner app that has many lovely features on the ipad function with the moxd8? .. and no, its not just Yamaha, Roland has allways been the champion of this strategy, and Korg is starting to walk on the same road.. So financially i guess, these companies get better by this strategy.. The only looser is the customer.. and thats us..

HI Bachus

What you say is correct, but you have forgotten one vitally important problem, and it has nothing to do with software, (As you say that is easy to implement) it’s the fact that there are 3 separate teams at work here (Piano, Synth & Arranger) which would need to be combined, and this would become extremely problematical as jobs would be duplicated, different philosophy’s would not go well together (Which could mean some of the top designers going elsewhere) and redundancy’s would have to be made, this is further complicated as the design teams in big companies are spread worldwide, so it would take considerable restructuring (And financial resources) to achieve, then there is the problem that profits would fall as they would only be selling one type of instrument rather than 3, so don’t expect any changes in the near future.
As technology advances the instruments will automatically be combined into a new single venture (Any name suggestions) with one new design team, (This will be because of consumer demand (Basically the young get older and the oldies die off) as styles change) however it will probably be some time yet as the move will be generational. (Whichever way you look at it, the instruments we play today are a dying (As are their players) but it is always difficult to predict how much time they have left)

Bill

Actually there is 4 teams with yamaha...

One team that develops all the technical features and programming..

And then there are the teams that implement them into the keyboards.. this team also works closely together with the content teams..


But all the technical parts and programming come from one single team... there is for example one AWM2 engine in both montage as modx as psr as genos.. all the same engine.. comming from one team..

The product team decides on sub features, like edditing capabilities, and the technical team implements them again in the product.. so if an arranger team decides there needs to be a feature from the montage in the genos2... its teh same technical team that implements it...

We also know that the synth product team is in the US, the arranger team is in Germany and the piano team is in Japan.. all teams also have an extension at the Japan headquarters.. that closely works together with the technical team

You have confirmed what I said; all manufactures have different teams all over the world that would need to be combined.
BTW Virtually all of the sounds and features for Yamaha arrangers (Particularly the top models) are done by the UK team, with input also from Germany.

Bill

You obviously did not understand what i said...

As there is a single team at yamaha that builds all the instruments
The other parts of the teams are mostly content related..

All your MOXD. Questions answered by Don Sigilas (Yamaha)

So does the MODX have some simple arranger function such as playing four to eight arpeggios together and follow your left hand playing chord changes without sounding weird? Thanks

You can set arpeggio’s to follow a left hand chord progression..
You can assign 8 parts to the keyboard
All parts can have arps
You can use scenes to chnge sthe arps/part
But if you have 8 arps assigned, there is no room left for normal parts..

Top knotch overview
Shows all important thing amd screens



Its in French, byMoesieurs
The English subtitles are excellent owever.

Thanks Bachus! Sounds very interesting I'll probably wait around Xmas time to get one and hopefully my company hands out gift card again which should be able to pay half of the 61 key. Thanks

I am sitting here in a hotel room, traveling for buiseness
I played my modx an ipad all night after dinner..



Still very happy with my set..
Modx and ipad..

Bachus, with such an extensive and comprehensive tonal pallet to choose from (Kronos, Super VSTi collection, etc.), what sounds or category of sounds did you feel needed 'shoring up' by the MODX? Is the quality of the tones equal to the Kronos? Better? or just different. OR, did you just want a Yamaha in your stable (for variety)? Curious minds want to know .

chas

BTW, are there any Android APPS similar to the IPAD apps you mention?

Thanx for sharing ...enjoyable.

Actually, the reason is i travel a lot for work lately on my current jobs, which often makes me sleep few nights a week in a hotel.. the modx is extremely light, and easy to take on the road, it replaced my roland go-piano..

It also offers yamaha’s arp’s which i like more then krogs karma, they are much easier to get imto programming and creating them. Soundwise, yes there are ither nuances on the modx, but not really much i miss on kronos/pa4x..

But for the money it blows everything else out of the water..

Combined with the ipad and the many ipad apps, it makes a very fun time pass on the long evenings..

All high end musical apps mostly are only available for ipad.. there are some android apps and some on both, but i dont use android devices.. my main apps beatmaker3, cubasis, gadget, garageband... but also things like reason impc and the whole slew of au units are not available on android. The ipad OS has all the tools for this android does not.

There is no audiobus or Au units on androids to start with, these allow you to connect all music apps and softsound modules together on ipad..

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense. I have never owned an Apple anything but you guys make it sound so appealing, I may have to spring for an Ipad . Would I then need a Mac to compliment/support it?

chas

No, an ipad(pro) is fully self supporting these days..

http://retronyms.com/audiounits/

this page should be enough reason to warrant an Ipad.

Now... can you sequence on an iPad from the MODX? Use the sounds of the MODX and build a song on the iPad?

Yes offcourse..

IPAD is both midi as well as audio connected tot the MODX.

Played one for about an hour at Guitar Center. I have a Motif ES for many years and know it's sounds intimately. I heard a lot of similar sounds between the two boards, although the MODX does have a few new sounds that are excellent. Mind you I focused on Guitar, organ, bass and EP and a few string sounds. I dabbled a bit with some other sounds, but not long enough to get a good feel. Perhaps there are bigger differences there. The feeling to me that the two sounded similar is not a bad thing at all. I love my ES to this day. If I no longer had it, I'd seriously consider this board. All in all, it sounds excellent.

I also own a motif xs rack..
And a modx

Yes many sounds are the same, but i found quickly that the new sounds have become my goto sounds on the modx, they are hugely better..

Add to that the linitations of only 4 sounds in a performance on the ES and the huge improvement in numbers as well as in quallity of the dsp, and its obvious why the modx at its current price is the new king of yamaha..

The organ sounds are for exampke vastly improved and finally sound like a b3..
The main piano and dp sounds are of a different galax, then the es ones
And then the es does not have any AEM (super articulation) which makes arcoustic sounds with element swtching sound much more realistic.

Just my opinions.. based on owning both the motif xs and having owned the es, and also owning a modx