Yamaha Montage... Is it for you?!?

Now that there are demo videos and specs... Is the Yamaha Montage for you?

I build musical arrangements from scratch. I've used a music workstation since 1989. I love using MIDI to arrange because of... Easy tempo change, pitch change, sound change, patch changes, event edit if a simple mistake was made... And the list goes on.

Montage is not an evolution in the workstation process of music arranging. I use my DAW to work with audio... But I guess at the ripe old age of 42, I am being lead to computer sequencing.

The processing power is impressive... Everything sounds great on the Montage but I would place it in the Jupiter 80... V-Synth... Wavestation category.

Sorry, not for me unless the sequencer was on par with Motif ES/XF!

No, as I can do more with computer based software, however for live performance for a musician (Creative), then just like the synths of old (And the latest Jupiter) it will be a great tool which hopefully will rekindle innovation in sound, rather than more of the same as we have had for the last 2 generations or more..

Bill

In short NO for MY needs on stage as a OMB......give me an Arranger KB any day,.....
Montage would be better suited for studio, recording, or as a KB player in a band situation like all synths..

Probably great as a solo synth.

I had hoped for a Montage which would allow for the use of larger sound libraries by means of ssd streaming technology, just like the Kronos - thereby narrowing the quality gap between hardware and software instruments. Additionally, I would definitely have expected that all features of the MoXF/Motif XF would have been at least maintained if not improved.
But
-the full functional sequencer has been reduced to a simplified recorder
-the maximum free flash has been reduced from 4 GB (using Mutec flash boards) to 1.75 GB, so that large libraries cannot be used.
In addition, I think 50% of the instrument are wasted in my case, as I'm absolutely not interested in the FM-X engine (unless Bert's demos manage to turn me into an electronic sound freak).

I still have to check all sound demos in detail, if the ROM sounds are spectacular, a future lightweight version (MoXF successor) might be interesting for me.
However, an updated Korg Krome with Kronos features and an acceptable keybed is perhaps earlier to be expected...

Most of the Things that the Montage can do, can also be done by my Kronos, and then some more.

Most of the Things i love about my Tyros 5 can not be done by the Montage.

I think its a great synth, i just dont have room for it in my setup.. and putting a 3rd keybed on top of my current two is also not an action...




However, i see a future for this keyboard espescially for people comming from Motif MOXF, i still think combining it with Varranger and a small midipad controller might yield great results...

Really?

I think Montage is moving away from teh studio towards live performances... but not for the type of music most of us here prefer.. Its a dance music beast for sure.. and works really well in a band, as you can sync your tempo in realtime with your analogue drummer

That function could really be a game changer... our drummer would never accept a click via headphones, but this way patterns would be usable, very helpful for pop cover songs especially if there are just singer, dummer, 1 keyboardist and 1 guitarist...
I hope something like this could also be implemented as a separate device which could send the tempo to any synthesizer via midi then.

I like it so far...I was an FM programmer for Yamaha in my early years as a clinician (combo division) and cut my teeth on the DX-7...ended up doing specialized work with the DX-7 MkII.

Yamaha's first FM synth (basically a preset job with up-loadable sounds on data sticks), the GS-1, was 8 operator and subsequently sounded fatter than the fully programmable 6 operator DX-7's which arrived after.

Hopefully this unique blend of AWM2 and the 8 op FM-X will inspire players and programmers alike.

But to answer the question...is the Montage for me? Nope, my trusty Tyros4 still fills all my needs admirably.

Ian

Still kinda early in the game lets wait and see what developed with the Montage it's just the beginning.

I have to agree with you, Rosetree. I too, am more interested in acoustic sounds (including orchestral), and even though the Montage sounds good so far, it seems to be more about synth-type sounds. Maybe, they just haven't shown us it's potential regarding acoutic/orchestral sounds much yet. We'll have to wait and see.

The CFX Piano sounds wonderful, and the choir with strings and pipe organ sounds good, too (which you can hear in a few demos I posted yesterday), but is this enough for me to get rid of my Motif XF? I can very easily just buy some orchestral libraries. I hope they demo the new Performances with 8 parts, because mine only has 4. This may make me lean towards getting it.

Time will tell.

I saw it yesterday guys it cool looking and I think it is aimed at studio production guys it is a Heavy beast

solid metal frame it got a lot under the hood I walked away saying that cool but I prob would have no interest in it.

new Pianos are nice

come on Yamaha you got the tech to do a better Piano for Tyros 5 that cuts better larger sample offer it up as a add on I had several conversation yesterday about this they have told me the topic will come up in there wrasp up meeting

I am willing to pay for it make it a offering on yamahamusic soft it would be the best seller offer a Piano suite as a download they have it on the new clavinova come on now next tyros is prob 2 years away as well guys it will not be next year . so there is tim e to offer this package .

the one thing I do like is the smooth transitions when you switch voicing. I hate when they just cut off. the roland fantom G series had this as does the Kronos I believe. I wish all keyboards had smooth transitions between voice switching.. Ron

Thats what The Yamaha representatives said, they will be adding more features over the comming (year) .. In contradiction with the Faq, they allready confirmed VST 3.0 support... I.e. Using the Montage as a VST inside your DAW( hopefully more daws then just cubase)

The interface layout is quite well tought out.. The 4 rows of 8 buttons to the right correspond with the possition of ellements on the touchscreen...

The allready confirmed Bosendorfer Grandpiano sound, that can be loaded into the memmory will occpuy over 1,5 GB.. I think that shows how much 1,75GB can do for you these days...

Thats why VST integration is becomming more and more important... It doesnt require any memmory, all Yamaha needs to do is create a tool in the montage comparable to akai VIP... With a touchscreen, everything can be added as easy as eating a pie...