Anyone whose been around here awhile knows from prior posts how much I love working my Motif XS8.  Over the past few months, I have found my XS to be invaluable as a songwriting tool.  Currently I’m involved with several recording projects, and I love how the XS can help me find the right groove for a song idea, either with a voice or performance. 

Recently, I had a young and gifted songwriter come in my studio.  All she had were lyrics and a melody, which she sang for me.  We sat at the Motif, and I figured out the chord progression, then once we had that, I began to experiment and came up with just the right groove for the song using one of the perfs I had created on the XS.  Within 2 hours, we had laid down a complete scratch track, and now the song is well on its way to completion.  The perf groove became the jumping off point that set up the rest of the song.  The other players are jumping in with their parts nicely. 

Would not have been able to do any of this without my XS...or at least, it would have taken a whole lot longer!  Thanks to the Motif, I know have over a dozen songs in various stages of production, with 3 going on a Christmas album compilation project, which I’ll share more about once release date is nearer. 

I know some here have taken pains to talk about the XS’s faults and shortcomings, but from my perspective, I can’t imagine a better tool in my kitbag for writing songs, other than my trusty, 40 year old Guild F-15 acoustic guitar.

Donald-M - 30 July 2010 08:20 AM

Recently, I had a young and gifted songwriter come in my studio.  All she had were lyrics and a melody, which she sang for me.  We sat at the Motif, and I figured out the chord progression, then once we had that, I began to experiment

man, you’ve got me interested here - what is her phone number???
what exactly you’ve been experimenting with…

Great story, thanks for sharing it. Don’t be misled by posts that sound frustrated and like they are complaining - it is what forums are for, a place to go when you have an issue and need help solving it. You don’t go to a hospital waiting room looking for healthy people :) expect to see those needing help.

So it is particular good to hear someone share a positive story… we know they are out there, you cannot watch any music on TV or go to a show where the Motif XS is not seen doing its thing…

Delirium...you REALLY need to get out more!  And, get your mind out of the gutter!  It was all about her music!!! Geesh!!

Bad_Mister - 30 July 2010 10:17 AM

So it is particular good to hear someone share a positive story… we know they are out there, you cannot watch any music on TV or go to a show where the Motif XS is not seen doing its thing…

No kidding.  I make sure I point it out and brag that that is exactly what I have in MY studio every time I see one on a TV show or other venue.  Once in a while I see the ES (4 instead of 8 sliders clearly visible) and then I can sniff “Oh, I have the more recent, upgraded version of that!!” But I guess the XF is just around the corner, so I best be careful…

Donald-M - 30 July 2010 10:30 AM

Delirium...you REALLY need to get out more!  And, get your mind out of the gutter!  It was all about her music!!! Geesh!!

bla bla, about her music, right - exactly what I meant…

p.s.
so many acronyms these days…

Nice post and I’m glad to see it here.  I’ve had a similar set of experiences with the XS and have found it to be an ideal tool for the job I needed done.  I actually have a session tomorrow where I’ll once again be depending on it to make us creatively productive.

Good stuff!

I’d say it is a great, inspiring song writer tool, but laying down a song is cumbersome comparing to juno-g.

I haven’t had an easier time laying something down since the old Alesis MMT-8 days....They really made this fast from category search to check marking effects to how simple yet effective the sequencer is...I’ve also got a Korg M-50 and thank god it’s only for additional sounds....Even something simple like setting up effects take much longer, let alone recording with it....The Motif isn’t fault free but it’s by far the most effecient keyboard workstation to come out in a long time....(Ensoniq anyone?).....ZR

fantom X is faster.