Hi everyone,
Just had a quick question about the size of rom. Does the size refer to the amount of waveforms or the quality of the samples. Does larger sample rom always mean a better synth? I just want this spec broken down in the easiest to understand way possible. Thanks.

Steve

Many sample libraries go for big specs, and they get them because the method that they use to record the data leaves lots of “dead air” - for example take a piano, the lowest note rings for many seconds before it fades to zero -often in excess of 20 seconds. Each higher note rings a slightly less length… If the library is created where they set (fix) the sample length to accommodate the lowest note, contrast this to how much dead air is recorded when they sample C7… The highest key. Then multiply that by the number of sample layers! Yikes! Makes for big sizes in the library, particularly when they don’t loop any of the data.

But hey, musicians don’t know, and many company’s architecture works like that, so they include all that dead air in the spec… Because perhaps that is how their sampling system works. That is how you get some specs likes pianos that are “X” gigabytes big…

While a lot can be said for size, but crap is crap, big or small. Quality has to do with more than just size. And just because it is big does not mean it uses that memory to gain quality… It is not a given. Your mileage will vary.

The Yamaha AWM/AWM2 system of sample storage, is uncannily efficient. The long piano notes use the length they need, and the shorter high notes use just what they need, no dead air, period. You will notice that some company’s WAVE ROMs come out with very even computer-friendly numbers… Like 128, 256, 384MB, while the Yamaha have sizes like 84MB (Motif), 175MB (Motif ES), 355MB (Motif XS) or 741MB (Motif XF)… No dead air… It’s all removed

Those who buy libraries based on size, do so at their own peril… It is the wrong criteria to solely base your decision on. I’ve heard pianos that where several gigabytes in size that did not compare favorably to a 2.4MB AWM piano!! It all depends on how that size is used ... Big means there is potential to do good things, not that those good things are always done.

In theory the bigger the sample, the more data it has, and therefore you might imagine, if it is used wisely, can be turned into a more satisfying experience, but this is by no means an automatic.

The factors that are important include the instrument sampled, the microphones used, the room the instrument and microphones are in, the force of the trigger note, the regulation of the piano to the trigger note, etc, etc, I cannot give you all that goes into it with having you sign a Non Disclosure Agreement… But the way to judge a sample is by how you can play it, not at all by its size, alone.

See these threads for info:
http://www.motifator.com/index.php/forum/viewthread/450818/

Thank you so much for the detailed response. It was very informative.

So how does the the different size Wave Rom between the Yamaha keyboards compare ?

Is the size based on the quality of the samples, less compression ?
Or does the Flagship XF actually has the same quality samples but more waveforms to work with ?

The way I see it, they have to cut into the quality of the Voices by having less articulations (less velocity layers in a sound perhaps)

How does the MX compare to the XS and the XS to the XF in terms of waveform quality and quantity ?

The Motif XF has 741MB of Wave ROM
The Motif XS has 355MB of Wave ROM
The MOX has 355MB of Wave ROM
THe MX has 166MB of Wave ROM

The quality of all samples is the same… there is no cut in quality (not sure what you are “seeing") - the MX does not have all of the stereo and stretch tuned instrument samples, nor does it have the MegaVoice articulations. That is how it is 166MB and not 355MB of the XS.

But sound quality - you never compromise that - that is what synthesizers are all about at Yamaha (Sound, Song Creation, and computer Integration). Rather than build a low priced synth with a low quality engine, Yamaha choose to go at this from TOP DOWN, if you will, ...putting the sounds of our top-of-the-line synth library in the less expensive product.

Check it out:
https://soundcloud.com/yamaha-music-production