While the slider paddles are nicely oversized and quite cool the rubber knobs fail. You’ve got that elegantly shaped, futuristic flying saucer-ish-smooth looking Super Knob and really nice fader paddles and then there’s the super dull, ultra boring rubber knobs that I located online for 15 to 30 cents each. WHAT? Go check out Digi-key’s selection of replacement knobs made of real CNC machined materials and trash the Yamaha rubbers. The post is either 6mm (0.23"-ish) or 1/4” but I’ll know positively by tomorrow. The Yam rubbers are 5/8” at the base and 5/8” in height and have a 1/2” body. I bought part number (226-2003-ND) but the glossy version 6mm shaft. I couldn’t decide which I liked best. The ring of LEDs inner diameter is actually slightly less than 5/8”. The smaller base at 0.445 might not extend inside the opening but will provide a clearer unobstructed view of the LEDs fan blades as opposed to the 5/8” base on the Yam rubbers. I liked the black ones as well but wanted something more visible and the black rings should tie-in nicely. I’ll test it out and report back. There are also some skirted styles which I thought about that have a 0.685” base which might cover the LEDs just a little. (see below)

Data Sheets: (sorry the PDF links failed so go here and search or type-in my part number)

http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/hardware-fasteners-accessories/knobs/2097177/page/4?k=knobs

http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data Sheets/Kilo International PDFs/ML Knobs.pdf

http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data Sheets/Kilo International PDFs/DDS Knobs.pdf

Please let us know which knobs you prefer if you decide to upgrade your Montage and post photos please. Thanks

Honestly, the whole thing looks very cheap, toy like…
No offense.
And the knobs, faders, etc. Look like leftovers from Steinbergs CMC offerings…
Sticking with my XF8. Montage, unfortunately was not made for me :-(

Stashman - 19 May 2016 01:46 PM

Honestly, the whole thing looks very cheap, toy like…
No offense.
And the knobs, faders, etc. Look like leftovers from Steinbergs CMC offerings…
Sticking with my XF8. Montage, unfortunately was not made for me :-(

To clarify are you referring to the Montage as a whole or just my replacement knobs?

I’ve owned all the Motifs and the Kronos and the Montage is exceptional in quality with the all new aluminum housing etc, it’s the best on the market that I’ve witnessed. True that the demo videos do it no favors but hands-on in person it is a work of art. Brilliant interface and controls, the highest quality buttons, sliders, touchscreen etc.(although longevity remains to be seen). The only item I don’t care for are the Yam rubbers. Everything else is stellar and I thought the Kronos was the best build available but Montage surpasses that handily. 

If you refer to my knobs then perhaps. We shall see but these are the real deal in quality. Not the 30 cent RS7000 Yamaha rubbers from 1999A.D. but more like $7 to $10 each. I might end up trying several styles but the quality is there. I envision, and my imagination might be failing me, that these will be a big improvement. Less drastic might be the black version and I wish they had white bands around them.

Tough crowd ...

motidave - 19 May 2016 10:38 PM

Tough crowd ...

And thinning.

I honestly thought the knob thing was a joke but realized he was serious. I don’t know, I guess if they bother you that much, why not. I mostly focus on the black and white levers.

stoneb3 - 20 May 2016 01:03 AM

motidave - 19 May 2016 10:38 PM

Tough crowd ...

And thinning.

I honestly thought the knob thing was a joke but realized he was serious. I don’t know, I guess if they bother you that much, why not. I mostly focus on the black and white levers.

I tend to focus (perhaps to excess  ;-) ) on things that help those black and white levers make the sounds I want.

Besides, I thought the Montage was all about the touch screen, so why is the knob feel so important? Perhaps Yamaha was going for “touchy-feely”, and the Montage designers misinterpreted the term.  :-)

The spirit of Montage is new everything, the aluminum enclosure down to meticulous fit & finish details, the design of the motion control system, the buttons that are half-lit and the physical button design, the slider paddles are new, the super knob is new, the LEDs on knobs and faders are new, the touch screen is new, all new, new, new except for the 1999 rubber knobs that don’t fit in whatsoever with the all new Montage. Keep ‘em if you like ‘em but it’s 100% obvious that theses don’t belong on the Montage. The feel and function are fine but it’s the appearance that doesn’t fit the spirit of Montage. Just an observation and yes you can always skip over this thread. Enjoy your Yammie rubbers! Mine, however, are history.

I think you have to appreciate the Yamaha art form of Montage. They put significant efforts into every aspect from exterior to interior. People trick-out everything these days from their bodies to their cars to their house cats. I paid $3,000 plus for this M8 so why stare at 1999A.D. rubber knobs? Have some fun with it and if you claim to have never enhanced a body part, tricked your ride, gotten a tattoo or something pierced, worn a bracelet or decorated anything you’ve owned you’d probably be lying. Yet somehow replacing knobs is crazy. Welcome to 2016 where various manufacturers do make knobs of all sorts and sizes for your buying pleasure.

I operate my M8 under a CP1 and at night in my studio which can be rather dim or dark. The original knobs in black are hard to see, too wide at the base also whereas these gloss finish knobs reflect the LED light and really illuminate. They have a practical application other than just being superior in quality.

Click thumbnail to see full-size image

davlippo7 - 20 May 2016 03:12 PM

The spirit of Montage is new everything, the aluminum enclosure down to meticulous fit & finish details, the design of the motion control system, the buttons that are half-lit and the physical button design, the slider paddles are new, the super knob is new, the LEDs on knobs and faders are new, the touch screen is new, all new, new, new except for the 1999 rubber knobs that don’t fit in whatsoever with the all new Montage. Keep ‘em if you like ‘em but it’s 100% obvious that theses don’t belong on the Montage. The feel and function are fine but it’s the appearance that doesn’t fit the spirit of Montage. Just an observation and yes you can always skip over this thread. Enjoy your Yammie rubbers! Mine, however, are history.

I think you have to appreciate the Yamaha art form of Montage. They put significant efforts into every aspect from exterior to interior. People trick-out everything these days from their bodies to their cars to their house cats. I paid $3,000 plus for this M8 so why stare at 1999A.D. rubber knobs? Have some fun with it and if you claim to have never enhanced a body part, tricked your ride, gotten a tattoo or something pierced, worn a bracelet or decorated anything you’ve owned you’d probably be lying. Yet somehow replacing knobs is crazy. Welcome to 2016 where various manufacturers do make knobs of all sorts and sizes for your buying pleasure.

I operate my M8 under a CP1 and at night in my studio which can be rather dim or dark. The original knobs in black are hard to see, too wide at the base also whereas these gloss finish knobs reflect the LED light and really illuminate. They have a practical application other than just being superior in quality.

Why let it take up your own time posting about it?

it’s not the only keyboard in the universe.

Your life can turn to something much worse than ‘a new Yamaha keyboard that you don’t like’ in a second.

Move on with your life and be happy.

I wonder if folks can read written English. Let me be very clear once again, the Montage is the BEST synth in the universe that I have personally played! ANY QUESTIONS?

I didn’t say that it could do the most stuff like a Swiss Army knife but it does what it does the best.

Now, the tiny little knob matter has been resolved by installing the greatest knobs in the universe. The knob reflections last night were really enlightening literally. Yamaha missed that one thing and managed to save $30 a unit on cheapo rubber knobs. 

If you don’t own a Montage and you’re a player, then you’re missing out on something truly amazing.

Clear enough?

I fully recommend not missing out on the Montage even if you’re a diehard Kronos fan. Just own both and then see which one you end up playing the most! I know the answer already.

I’m still waiting on my first compliment on these knobs? Anyone?

davlippo7 - 23 May 2016 12:18 PM

I wonder if folks can read written English. Let me be very clear once again, the Montage is the BEST synth in the universe that I have personally played! ANY QUESTIONS?

We can all read written English, despite the fact that you typed it. 

Your thread is emotionally mixed, inane and borderline divisive.

There’s really no need to take a keyboard so personally regardless of if you like it or hate it (or aspects of it), it’s just a keyboard.

Music is about people, not knobs.

davlippo7 - 23 May 2016 12:18 PM

I’m still waiting on my first compliment on these knobs? Anyone?

Not sure about a compliment....my first impression is that they look like a selection of miniature engine pistons..complete with piston rings!

I can see why you might prefer a milled or turned metal knob (although the originals look fine to me) but I think a matte black version of your chosen replacement might look better?…
All just IMHO of course…

MapleCarbine - 23 May 2016 02:31 PM

davlippo7 - 23 May 2016 12:18 PM

I wonder if folks can read written English. Let me be very clear once again, the Montage is the BEST synth in the universe that I have personally played! ANY QUESTIONS?

We can all read written English, despite the fact that you typed it. 

Your thread is emotionally mixed, inane and borderline divisive.

There’s really no need to take a keyboard so personally regardless of if you like it or hate it (or aspects of it), it’s just a keyboard.

Music is about people, not knobs.

I was totally crying about this topic before you cleared everything up for me. Thanks

I think some people are taking this post way more seriously than even I.

rogs - 23 May 2016 02:38 PM

davlippo7 - 23 May 2016 12:18 PM

I’m still waiting on my first compliment on these knobs? Anyone?

Not sure about a compliment....my first impression is that they look like a selection of miniature engine pistons..complete with piston rings!

I can see why you might prefer a milled or turned metal knob (although the originals look fine to me) but I think a matte black version of your chosen replacement might look better?…
All just IMHO of course…

Finally, someone wants to discuss the knobs and not my emotional state of being. That’s a great idea with the matte black. Also cool I think. I also love tiny engine pistons!

Like with the Montage, these are not represented well in mere photos and are far more impressive in person.

This one goes out to all my fans...........

Tiny pistons
On my Montage
Make me happy
Make me feel fine

Tiny pistons
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love them ’til the end of time

So here’s to the Super knob
And here’s to all those silvery knobs
And mostly here’s a toast
To me and Montage

Tiny pistons (tiny pistons)
On my Montage (on my Montage)
Make me happy (make me happy)
Make me feel fine (make me feel fine)

Tiny pistons (tiny pistons)
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love them ’til the end of time

Tiny pistons
On my Montage
Make me happy (au hau’oli)
Make me feel fine (i ka waina inu)

Tiny pistons
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love them ’til the end of time

With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love them ’til the end of time

davlippo7 - 24 May 2016 03:28 PM

This one goes out to all my fans...........

Tiny pistons
On my Montage
Make me happy
Make me feel fine

Tiny pistons
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love them ’til the end of time

So here’s to the Super knob
And here’s to all those silvery knobs
And mostly here’s a toast
To me and Montage

Tiny pistons (tiny pistons)
On my Montage (on my Montage)
Make me happy (make me happy)
Make me feel fine (make me feel fine)

Tiny pistons (tiny pistons)
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love them ’til the end of time

Tiny pistons
On my Montage
Make me happy (au hau’oli)
Make me feel fine (i ka waina inu)

Tiny pistons
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love them ’til the end of time

With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love them ’til the end of time

Certifiable, but merry.

To quote Shakespeare, this thread is “much ado about nothing”.