Out of curiosity: what is preventing Yamaha from adding even more user banks to the Motif XF?

If I’m not mistaken, the Motif Classic had one (1) user bank, and then with every new model an extra user bank is added. (ES: 2, XS: 3 and XF: 4.)

Are user voices stored in some expensive type of special memory in the synth?..

Thanks.

And where can you place more buttons smartie?

kokocalamar - 22 August 2010 06:45 AM

Are user voices stored in some expensive type of special memory in the synth?..

Are user voices stored in some expensive type of special memory in the synth?..

Yes, in fact, they are. The number of USER locations in a product is always a consideration. Fortunately, this memory contains only controlling parameters - which load fairly rapidly (particularly when compared to the Waveform data). USER VOICES, PERFORMANCES, USER ARPS, MASTER programs, UTILITY settings, remain in memory between power cycles. The XS added SONGS, PATTERNS, and MIXING setups to the list of functions that remain in memory between power down and power up.

If you are interested in this, check out the diagram on page 80 of the Motif XS Owner’s Manual - this will give you a map of just how the Memory Structure of the XS works.

When the Motif XF manuals are posted - look for the Memory Structure diagram, it is a map of how the unit works - where data is housed and what type of data goes where.

Bad_Mister - 22 August 2010 09:21 AM

Are user voices stored in some expensive type of special memory in the synth?..

Yes, in fact, they are. The number of USER locations in a product is always a consideration.

So it is a cost consideration then?

How much more expensive would the XF have been if there had been let’s say 8 user banks?..

sciuriware - 22 August 2010 08:55 AM

And where can you place more buttons smartie?

Well Einstein, it didn’t seem to be a problem when Yamaha added a fourth user bank to the XF without adding more buttons.

How much more expensive would the XF have been if there had been let’s say 8 user banks?..

I have no idea. You are asking what it would translate to for YOU, as a purchaser, (I really have no idea)

But I can probably safely say, enough so that there are not any more than 4 USER banks. Since VOICE data, literally, loads in seconds and you already have 1024 PRESETS and 512 USER locations (not counting GM and Drum Kits) and given the average musical set is still 40 minutes with 20 minute breaks… You have more than enough. And more than enough time to load in new Voice sets - using the “live” performer as the one with the most critical time constraints.

Now that you can as a user load in up to 2GB of additional handpicked USER waveforms that remain in memory… you should be okay. Remember once your waveforms are in memory, the Voices that access them load in a few seconds (not minutes or hours) a Bank of Voices loads in less than 5 seconds.

The Motif-series has landed on the right balance of feature and price to be the most successful of its kind for the last 9 years - and has consistently led the pack in terms of WAVE ROM. And while it is not for everyone (nothing is), it has been the right choice for those many that can hear the difference!

Well ko ko,
look at the picture: no more space, unless you are willing
to turn it over.

;JOOP!

kokocalamar - 22 August 2010 09:52 AM

How much more expensive would the XF have been if there had been let’s say 8 user banks?..

Maybe 10 EUR per keyboard more expensive..  every XS component including transistors , semiconductors, chips .. etc are made by Yamaha.The real factory fabrication cost for one Motif XS can be lets say 250 EUR per keyboard. But the factory cost has nothing to do with the musical store price. Business are business. And business means marketing. And marketing is a game. Right ?

Ok Bad Mister, thanks for your reply.

Scuirware: I was just pointing to the fact that Yamaha changed the label on one of the buttons to read USER 4, instead of what was originally there on the XS.

You may be right KK, but give it up: you can’t beat that crazy
ninja who will manufacture for you a new synthesizer with 64
user banks to the cost of only $35 more.
All by himself in the tool shed.

;JOOP!

kokocalamar - 22 August 2010 11:52 AM

Ok Bad Mister, thanks for your reply.

Scuirware: I was just pointing to the fact that Yamaha changed the label on one of the buttons to read USER 4, instead of what was originally there on the XS.

It’s not just a matter of re-labeling a button. Adding a user bank involves changing the hardware as well.

512 user voices in the XF is a lot of user voice slots. Especially considering that the original Motif Classic had only one user bank. But
even if the XF had eight user banks, some people surely would have then asked for 16..:).

MAXIM DS1265W 3.3V 8Mb Nonvolatile SRAM
8 megabit (1 Megabyte), $70 in a shipment of 1000

DavePolich - 22 August 2010 12:59 PM

kokocalamar - 22 August 2010 11:52 AM

Ok Bad Mister, thanks for your reply.

Scuirware: I was just pointing to the fact that Yamaha changed the label on one of the buttons to read USER 4, instead of what was originally there on the XS.

It’s not just a matter of re-labeling a button. Adding a user bank involves changing the hardware as well.

512 user voices in the XF is a lot of user voice slots. Especially considering that the original Motif Classic had only one user bank. But
even if the XF had eight user banks, some people surely would have then asked for 16..:).

Yes, you’re right David. But I was merely asking out of curiosity. Although I didn’t realise that adding user banks meant changing the hardware too.

Still, interesting though that each new Motif adds a bank.

Now, how about releasing those Data Lists so that I can indulge in reading about the new user voice names and the new waveforms!! :-)

kokocalamar - 22 August 2010 06:45 AM

Out of curiosity: what is preventing Yamaha from adding even more user banks to the Motif XF?


Are user voices stored in some expensive type of special memory in the synth?..

Thanks.

U can ask Adidas why they’re shoes have the tracks so slim ??. Why ??. Because they want to protect they’re business. So if you’re Shoes will last only 7 months, but u have a lot of comfort & quality & look, u will be addicted to buy a new pair.No tick tracks. No special glue. No special material. But u have comfort & quality for 7 months.That’s enough to convince u to buy a new pair every year

The same situation with Motif XS. If they have give u 10 USR sound banks inside XS, u will not buy XF. That’s why every new generation have only 1 bank added. If they give u to much futures with XS, u will not buy a new one. Right ?. Is only a marketing trick. So with every new model u will gain only a few futures and a lot of promotion to attract u.

If they give u all the function possibles at this cost, they can destroy they’re business . Why ?. Because no mather how good you’re synth is , u will get bored after 2,3 years. And when u get bored u want to buy a new one. The word NEW is the key .So if they give u all functions in only one synth ,this means they can’t come with something new.

radurobert, if you mean what you say, then why have you repeatedly
asked for all those functions at once?

;JOOP!