Hi again. I wish to clarify whether I/we/newcomers within the synth world, might benefit from selling (abstaining from purchasing) the MOXF8 and replacing it with the newly released MODF8, which seems promising on many fronts. Here I have tried to map some important points of comparison, and please contribute to it.

I puchased the MOXF8 at the end of January and it took me many weeks to finish the whole setup with new gear, microphone holder, note sheet holder etc. which I pieced together from assesories from different suppliers, located in different countries (in order to have something universal). THen I started getting into working with the MOXF8.

I write You regarding my experiences with MOXF8. FOr a newcomer within the synth world it has often been a nightmare to get it to work with CUbase since the manuals are useless really and those extra guidelines I have gotten from Yamaha themselves are rather outdated.

THings have been altered within Cubase so it is often hard to locate the mentioned functions and make the right setup. SO things go slow and sometimes there is a quantum leap.

Apropos, would any of you suggest me to sell the MOXF8 and purchase the MODX8 instead or is this too early to ask since it was recently released for sale?

In short it seems that the differences are:

MODx8:
COns: 1) No sequenser, so dependent on CUbase.
2) Many of the buttons from the Montage have been removed which might mean that the realtime stage operation is made more complicated and less quickly accessible.
3) No remote controle of Cubase as with the MOXF, apart from the USB volume button.
4) not a lot of polyphony for the aww2 generator, the audio, sampled sounds.
5) Price is 3-400 $ higher
6) Has not been properly tested yet, so the faults have yet to be discovered.
7) Only 16 live sets. I would need to be able to call up much more and be flexible with which ones I’d play from gig to gig. I have a repertoire of something like 100 songs. I don’t know the limit for the MOXF8? I guess that one makes the live sets from gig to gig, and if some extra need to play more songs from the repertoire comes up during a concert, one goes into the performances. THe Master mode is a way to have the prioritized performances selected with the click of a button as far as i understand.

Pros: 1) TOuch screen which makes things more overviewable.
2) Seems to be easier to perform the settings. Easier to find and more visible, not deep within some menu. Makes it for a more live capable action. Well I probably am contradicting my later statement about the more buttons on the MOXF8 making on stage navigation more flexible and quickly accessible.

I think this argument totally depends on whether one is into a touch screen or wants the buttons. An important choice I think. I think the answer should come from those who have compared the UI of the two of course. I have only read about the MODX8 and heard it online.

3) Easier UI (as 2)
4) Manuals are up to date

MOXF8:
COns 1) Difficult to get to know and lacking manuals. THis is the major downturn
2) Clumsy arrangement of the functions. DOesn’t seem clear yet as to how the functions have been grouped. I need to do a lot of experimental clicking to refind the functions. Often a nightmare. Kills the creativity.
3) SOme of the keyboard sounds seem extremely low compared to some of the sampled sounds (acoustic pianos etc). Hearing those sounds in the headphones is hopeless. Bad factory default. SOme have mentioned that this owes to having an all over head room for turning up the volume, and to avoid overdrive and unwanted distortion of the sound.

Pros: 1) Established fora with a lot of experienced musicians that contribute
2) Great sounds
3) Capabilities as the MOTIF XF, meaning sequenser etc.
4) More buttons making it easy to turn on off things. Buttons stay in their place and are independent on the touch screen.
5) Easy Remote control of Cubase, which was a delight to me. I can’t see how one could bear NOT having this functionality, after having recorded like this which was super easy.
6) ALl the insertion effects are controlled with knobs. FOr the MOdx8 there are fewer settings that can be controlled it seems, as opposed to 2x4 knos times 3 parameters=24 parameters with the MOXF8

Please add to this list in order to enable us to make a choice which lets us focus on producing music rather than being caught up with unnecessary tech stuff.

Cheers
D
PS: I understand this question is rather relative in that the answer depends on the repliers user experience. AN experienced user might not find the MOXF8 difficult, for instance if he had the MOTIF XF before, not to mention some previous experience with handling a synthesizer and Cubase.

Using Song and Pattern Mixings on the MOXF, you can have up to 128 setups for live play…
http://www.motifator.com/index.php/support/view/using_a_moxf_mixing_program_for_quick_access_to_multiple_sounds_in_a_live_s
...which can be associated with Masters if desired.

The available MOXF manuals should properly cover its operation. (Manuals covering Cubase operation come with the particular version of Cubase.) Which MOXF manual(s) are you working with?

I thought setups were stored as performances and that I had to overwrite the preset ones?

I use the manual for the MOXF8, including the reference manual. There lack some quick starts however, to get started, and get into things quickly.

I use the CUbase 9.5 ai. I went through some of the quick starts. THe extra MOXF8-CUbase guidelines by Bad Mister etc. were however written for the older Cubase versions so yet another obstacle.

Well not to confuse things, let’s talk about the MOXF8 and the Modx8. Of course an important question is whether I can operate CUbase remotely as with the MOXF8.

Dionysos - 27 September 2018 07:00 PM

I thought setups were stored as performances and that I had to overwrite the preset ones?

If you haven’t already done so, I suggest that you read the support article I linked to, and try what it explains.

Performances are limited to four Parts, and all of them are on one MIDI channel. If you use Direct Performance Record, the MIDI data from the four Parts will be recorded on separate tracks in the sequencer.

MOXF Song and Pattern modes are multitimbral, and Mixings can have up to 16 Parts on separate MIDI Receive Channels.

 

Dionysos -

Well not to confuse things, let’s talk about the MOXF8 and the Modx8. Of course an important question is whether I can operate CUbase remotely as with the MOXF8.

OK, but since the MODX has just recently become available to users, there aren’t many who have one and can discuss it with any level of expertise. I can help with the Motif family models, but not the MODX.

Fine thanks, I’ll let the thread hang for a while until the expertise is there. Yes I skimmed through that text. Good info.

5pinDIN - 27 September 2018 05:45 PM

Using Song and Pattern Mixings on the MOXF, you can have up to 128 setups for live play…

Dionysos - 27 September 2018 07:00 PM

I thought setups were stored as performances

You can store setups either way, with pros and cons to each approach. Also see the discussion at http://www.motifator.com/index.php/forum/viewthread/465634/

MODX has moved away from the concept of modes. The way it stores a setup is called a Performance, though it is closer to the old Song/Pattern Mixing mode than the old Performance mode (though it isn’t exactly either).

THanks

MODX + CUBASE is a subset to MOXF + CUBASE
MODX + CUBASE < MOXF + CUBASE

in other words if you have a chance to get a MOXF don’t hesitate.  The MODX will be around and makes a nice second keyboard.

Don’t get duped by the hype, or Yamaha’s real need to keep a competitive product line schedule.

I owned a MOXF8 for a couple of years and then a couple months ago purchased the MODX8. So this reply is a little “late” but still has some pertinent info I think. In my opinion the MODX has a lot to offer over the MOXF. Especially now that Yamaha has just released the new OS v2.0 which has the Pattern play function in it that was missing in the MODX. Now the MODX basically has an unboard sequencer too. Moving forward one of the biggest features the MODX has over the MOXF is the larger touch screen. It was always very time consuming and frustrating having to scroll through all the Categories of instruments and then Instruments when looking for particular sounds on the MOXF. On the MODX you see all the categories AND sub categories on the touch screen at once. Then after selecting a Category and subcategory you see 16 different instruments at the same time and then can scroll through pages seeing additional 16 instruments at a time. In addition to this you have a search function where you can type in a word or a phrase describing the sound you want and the MODX will show you all the sounds matching your criteria. This is SO much easier and quicker than the MOXF! Having the ability to edit the elements of a particular sound right on the touch screen or basically edit any function or parameter of the MODX by simply touching the touch screen right in front of you is so much easier than using buttons sliders and scrollers and having to remember exactly where you are in the process all the time. A person could go on forever talking about many other new features and matching feature for feature of the MODX verses the MOXF but in my opinion the new touch screen and how it functions is by far one of the biggest advantages of the MODX vs the MOXF…

lastmonk - 29 September 2018 08:22 PM

MODX + CUBASE is a subset to MOXF + CUBASE.

not a subset, just different. MODX has a lot of very significant stuff that “MOXF + CUBASE” does not. LIke FM synthesis engine, bigger sound set including multi-part single-instrument sounds that are no longer limited to 8 elements, seamless sound switching, control of up to 8 MIDI parts instead of 4, effects on up to 12 parts instead of 8, availability of a 76 key version, superknob, additional foot controller, more informative and easier to use touchscreen interface for editing and sound selection.

anotherscott - 27 October 2019 10:58 AM

lastmonk - 29 September 2018 08:22 PM

MODX + CUBASE is a subset to MOXF + CUBASE.

not a subset, just different. MODX has a lot of very significant stuff that “MOXF + CUBASE” does not. LIke FM synthesis engine, bigger sound set including multi-part single-instrument sounds that are no longer limited to 8 elements, seamless sound switching, control of up to 8 MIDI parts instead of 4, effects on up to 12 parts instead of 8, availability of a 76 key version, superknob, additional foot controller, more informative and easier to use touchscreen interface for editing and sound selection.

Now that Yamaha has added a pattern sequencer, PlayFX and other things MODX 2.0 and Montage 3.0 that changes everything!

Late to the party here but looking to update my MOXF8 with the MODX8. The one thing I’d like to know that I haven’t seen anyone talk about is the effective poliphany. My MOXF8 seems to run out of gas at times especially with a heavy foot on the sustain pedal. Anyone notice any improvement with the MODX?

Gonna jump on this thread before starting up a new topic cause I am also comparing MOXF to MODX. I had a couple days to play around with the MODX and it seemed that many functions I relied on with the MOXf were not available on the MODX. I understand that MODX is based more on Montage but I saw only a few things that seemed to be deliberate carry-overs from the Motif/MOX line which was a definite concern, but I can’t say that I got very deeply into the MODX to be sure. 

I have material for my entire live show in the MOXf and have gone to quite a lot of effort to move smoothly through Songs AND Patterns AND Performances on my MOXf. I do intensive remixing on Songs, using sometimes all 16 tracks and changing instruments (for example) mid-performance. So big question is would my carefully mixed and orchestrated Songs and Patterns and Performances be rendered obsolete or can those files be converted and used similarly on the MODX?

Anybody out there made the switch to MODX from MOXf? Cause for now I’m sticking with the MOXf, and will probably buy another MOXf as a spare and possibly never need to switch.

My MOXF8 has tens of thousands of hours on it.  The keyboard is getting “clacky” and I’m starting to wonder what is next for me.

I’m one of those curmudgeons who has always been irritated about buying a synth that has features I don’t need and will never use...sequencers. patterns, songs.  I’ve always wished they would make two versions of a keyboard and sell the one without those features at a lower price.

As I start shopping I see that many of the new offerings are crazy expensive (Nord Stage, Kronos, Fantom, Montage...$4k and up.  The Yamaha Genos at a whopping $6k!)

With my income coming from churches, I can’t justify spending that.
And I’m not going to play in bars to make money to pay for a keyboard.

My biggest issues with the MOXF8 are the limitations of only having 4 parts per Performance and the ability to transpose a part only 24 semitones.  These have really squashed what I could have been able to do in live performance.  I envy my friend’s Kronos and its 16 parts and 60 semitone transposition.

So I’m really interested in discussion with people who have moved from the MOXF8 to the MODX8 (or even something else in the $2k range), specifically in terms of using it in live performance.  And by that I mean non-synced playing (no MIDI locking, sequencers, patterns, etc.) Just playing, trying to recreate tracks live in real-time (piano parts, string parts, synth parts, multi-splits.)

I didn’t mean for this to be so long when I started.  :)

BobosCurse - 08 May 2020 09:13 AM

My MOXF8 has tens of thousands of hours on it.  The keyboard is getting “clacky” and I’m starting to wonder what is next for me.

I’m one of those curmudgeons who has always been irritated about buying a synth that has features I don’t need and will never use...sequencers. patterns, songs.  I’ve always wished they would make two versions of a keyboard and sell the one without those features at a lower price.

Apparently your avoidance of the Pattern and Song modes explains why you think the MOXF has certain limitations.

 

BobosCurse -

As I start shopping I see that many of the new offerings are crazy expensive (Nord Stage, Kronos, Fantom, Montage...$4k and up.  The Yamaha Genos at a whopping $6k!)

With my income coming from churches, I can’t justify spending that.
And I’m not going to play in bars to make money to pay for a keyboard.

My biggest issues with the MOXF8 are the limitations of only having 4 parts per Performance and the ability to transpose a part only 24 semitones.  These have really squashed what I could have been able to do in live performance.  I envy my friend’s Kronos and its 16 parts and 60 semitone transposition.

There’s no need to envy your friends, since the MOXF is fully capable of playing more than 4 Parts and “transposing” more than 24 semitones. However, that would require you to learn how to use Song and/or Pattern Mixings, the very modes you’ve decided that you “don’t need and will never use”. There you can have up to the 16 Parts you desire. Also, by editing a Voice’s Coarse Tune (up to +/- 48 semitones) and storing that, along with a Part’s Note Shift capability (up to +/- 24 semitones), you’re unlikely to find the combination insufficient.

 

BobosCurse -

So I’m really interested in discussion with people who have moved from the MOXF8 to the MODX8 (or even something else in the $2k range), specifically in terms of using it in live performance.  And by that I mean non-synced playing (no MIDI locking, sequencers, patterns, etc.) Just playing, trying to recreate tracks live in real-time (piano parts, string parts, synth parts, multi-splits.)

I didn’t mean for this to be so long when I started.  :)

If you insist on avoiding some of the best capabilities of the MOXF, then I suppose spending a few grand is an alternative. On the other hand, you might consider getting a few MOXF training videos from Motifator/Keyfax, which would cost a lot less.

If interested, this is a starting point…
https://www.motifator.com/index.php/support/view/using_a_moxf_mixing_program_for_quick_access_to_multiple_sounds_in_a_live_s
...and once you do that, Receive Channel and Note Limit settings for the Parts can accomplish layers and splits as desired.

We can help with any questions that might come up.

As an owner of both an MOXF6 and a MODX6 I can add a couple of thoughts to the topic.

1) I’m not convinced on the piano sounds from the MODX6. Playing the same patch on both, I always find the MOXF the more satisfying sound. I’m still not sure why to be honest though!

2) This is due to the way I use the MOXF6… In performances I’ve made, I make great use of the ARP Hold and ARP on/off buttons. This gives me the flexibility I require to jam with my synths without using a DAW :-) But on the MODX6 this is a pain in the backside. As far as I know, you have to hold the shift button and press a small part of the screen for the part hold - this will turn the hold on or off for the ARP. The problem I have is that I can’t reach with one hand the shift and the left hand side of the screen so I have to use both hands to turn the ARP hold on/off. I wish I’d have got a Montage instead now I know how difficult this is on the MODX!

3) The touchscreen is very nice and does help to view performances and search for performances. The MODX has some very useful functionality but quite a lot of it is hidden away in the usual Yamaha fashion ;-)