Old Motifator threads are available in the Archive.
brassclass
Total Posts: 28
Joined 12-15-2009 status: Regular |
Hi- I plan to purchase an XS7 in January unless NAMM shows me something better. I know the XS is a great machine but is there anything you were dissappointed with after-the-fact that I should be aware of ? The only board I have to compare it to is my Kurzweil K2500XS. All comments appreciated ! |
diegoesk
Total Posts: 38
Joined 10-11-2008 status: Regular |
its an excellent machine.. alot of bells and whistles.. great sounds out of the box. I haven’t demoed the new PC3x yet so I cant speak on that… |
KJandKT
Total Posts: 648
Joined 07-12-2008 status: Guru |
I think the board is great but there are definitely wishlists that abound here! The sequencer can be a little difficult from the aspect of editing. There is no piano roll editor or step sequencer, just an event editor. There are some other minor things here and there, but all in all I think it is the best workstation out there. Why? The sounds, arps and performances are incredible. Such realistic guitars, basses, grooves...it’s amazing. Do a search for something along the lines of “what I’d like to see on the XS, or xs updates etc.” here on the forum. IT will give you what people wish that it had and doesn’t. EAch board has its advantanges (Fantom has an incredible screen, Korg M3 has a piano roll editor, Kurzweil has some nice sounds and also the ability to do many arps at one time. But overall, the XS (from my opinion) has the best overall sounds and performances. Also, the support is second to none. Just this forum alone is worth it. The professional help from people here is awesome. Hope you get one! God bless |
Matt_28
Total Posts: 109
Joined 02-21-2009 status: Pro |
To say it more clearly, the sequencer feature (and the missing piano roll feature) can be a BIG disappointment. I still cannot believe that my Yamaha top-of-the-line workstation is so limited in this aspect. Well, I just should have asked your question before I bought here ;) Apart from that, I couldn’t agree more with the previous posts: The XS is great and sounds great. It takes time to learn everything, but it’s worth the efforts. Give it a try and you’ll notice many useful features that you may not have expected, but which open new possibilities in music making. And this forum and the support is just excellent and a great help. |
tuquoque
Total Posts: 563
Joined 08-15-2007 status: Guru |
XS sounds very sterile and digital, which is a good thing or a bad thing depending on the music you’re going play with it. Keybed needs to be played with great force because there is not enough adjustability in velocity curves. Not a problem if you’re heavy handed player, but… ...because of that, the keybed of XS6 and XS7 will break apart within first 6 months and the synth needs to be taken to service. Other than those, it’s a great synth, one of the best. |
synthlogic
Total Posts: 481
Joined 11-13-2008 status: Enthusiast |
First time I heard of anyone breaking the keyboard within the first 6 months… |
Yamaha_US
Total Posts: 2540
Joined 07-19-2002 status: Moderator |
“...because of that, the keybed of XS6 and XS7 will break apart within first 6 months and the synth needs to be taken to service. “ Sorry, but that statement is just plain not true. We have sold 1000s of Motif XS6 and 7s ( and even more Motif and Motif ES which used the exact smae keybed). Overall the service rate (number of Motif XS taken into service vs the number sold) is far less than 1%. This includes all the people who spill beer on their Motif, not just warranty claims. The Yamaha keybeds are and always have been statistically the most reliable and sturdy keyboard actions on the market. Everyone is entitled to their own personal opinions, but we prefer to provide FACTS so that people can make up their own minds. |
NorthernElite
Total Posts: 54
Joined 05-16-2008 status: Experienced |
Come on now, just admit that you were high on crack cocaine when you wrote that and we’ll all forgive you!!! |
tuquoque
Total Posts: 563
Joined 08-15-2007 status: Guru |
Sorry, I’m out of crack cocaine at the moment, so I have to write sober. I know personally four XS owners. One of them has XS8 and no problems. All the others (XS6/7 owners) have the same problem, rattling keys caused by loose parts inside the synth. Just unlucky concentration of 1% or true story about the XS building quality? You can also find threads about the issue from this forum. |
The Funk Master
Total Posts: 3686
Joined 11-26-2007 status: Guru |
I’ve had my ES7 and XS6 since the day they came out, and NEVER had any problems with the keys of either.
I SLAM THE HELL OUT OF MY XS 6 lol
|
youdog
Total Posts: 482
Joined 01-31-2009 status: Enthusiast |
I have had my XS6 for 12 mos. and never had any problem. I had a Motif 6 two yds never problem. Some folk will have problems out of all keys by all brands because some of us have keyboard care sickness. So if you buy a XS than buy a case. No board is all good but the XS close. |
_MusicMan_
Total Posts: 86
Joined 11-13-2008 status: Experienced |
My keyboard works perfectly and is a pleasure to use (XS8).
|
brassclass
Total Posts: 28
Joined 12-15-2009 status: Regular |
Thanks for all the great responses ! I will be getting the XS7. I thought about getting the XS8 initially but I already have a Kurweil 88 key weighted board I can midi from if I really need the 88 weighted keys. The XS7 seems like a perfect fit for my needs. Also my main instrument is trumpet so I am hoping the lighted weighted keys might help an OK keyboard player like me get around on it a little easier. I plan to order one mid-January unless NAMM has something that really blows me away. I usually get my gear from Sweetwater. If you want to reccommend another dealer my all means speak up. Thanks! |
tuquoque
Total Posts: 563
Joined 08-15-2007 status: Guru |
I need to add that resonant sound goes away if you place and play the synth in a table top or similar flat surface, but when played in a keyboard stand the rattling sound is there, with or without cocaine. I read somewhere that there is some wires or cables that are loose inside XS making the resonant sound. |
brassclass
Total Posts: 28
Joined 12-15-2009 status: Regular |
Does anyone remember if the Motif, Motif ES and Motif XS were released at the winter or summer Namm shows? |
KJandKT
Total Posts: 648
Joined 07-12-2008 status: Guru |
If I remember the XS was released in January of 2007 |