Old Motifator threads are available in the Archive.
kday
Total Posts: 401
Joined 02-17-2004 status: Enthusiast |
If you look at the old Yamaha SY77-85 features, the Montage is an updated version of it. Same features with just more of it. If you’re looking for a new Workstation, the Montage is not it. It’s more of a playback sound keyboard module with FM. It has no sampling capabilities, or editing user sounds. It has a limited sequencer I’m told. So if you need a Workstation from Yamaha, the Motif XF will be around for a few more years. Probably in 3-4 years, they might release the Montage X that will restore the Workstation line of flagship products as a successor to the Motif XF that includes a Sampler, Sequencer, User sounds, and extensive user sound editing, maybe the FM-X synth engine will still be included to compete with a Kronos type. So I ended up putting my $2500 back in my pocket because I don’t need a Yamaha FM synthesizer for that amount of money considering I already own the Motif XF. For Yamaha, it’s purely a marketing decision to release a Synth before their next Workstation to replace the Motif XF which is still selling pretty well. Oh well, you guys looking for a Yamaha synth without sampling and user editing of user sounds, etc, have fun! If Yamaha never again includes a sampling engine in their keyboard, I never again will buy their next Yamaha synth. |
DmitryKo
Total Posts: 1483
Joined 07-25-2002 status: Guru |
The Montage has the three basic features that define a synth workstation:
1) multitimbral tone generator;
This list did not realy change since the first workstations like Fairllight CMI, E-mu Emulator I, Ensoniq ESQ-1 and Korg M1. |
Mr. Spock
Total Posts: 99
Joined 03-02-2012 status: Experienced |
When will you guys finally get what the Montage really is , ok I’ll tell you it’s the new Motif !!!!!! |
selfymart
Total Posts: 52
Joined 03-30-2014 status: Experienced |
We are in 2016 with full blown DAW with tons of advanced features. Montage sets a new standard for hardware workstation. Is it same as motif xf ? Of course not. It is the next generation workstation.
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Raven80
Total Posts: 110
Joined 11-26-2014 status: Pro |
If that’s true, why does it have 1.75 GB user space?
I think selfymart listed some very good facts.
So I can understand Yamaha removes some features on the Montage.
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kday
Total Posts: 401
Joined 02-17-2004 status: Enthusiast |
There is nothing next generation about the Montage in comparison to the competitor. But it may be that according to it’s own upgraded features. Your creative potential as a producer have been cut in half, when they refused to allow editing your own sounds. You can load samples, but not edit any of them. What good is 10000 Arps when you can no longer re-sample them to turn them into wave loops to further chop up to edit? I guess being from the chop shop generation, we have a greater creative imagination than a basic player who only requires good sounds. With Montage being a basic player keyboard now, it sorta alienates the samplist who searches for maximum creative loop potential when making songs, that was always supplied with Yamaha Motif workstations. I guess the Korg Kronos will remain the greatest Keyboard Workstation ever created for at least another 5-6 years. The Montage may sell, to those only needing basic sounds with nothing fancy to further edit your own sound palette. |
kday
Total Posts: 401
Joined 02-17-2004 status: Enthusiast |
It has no sampling capabilities, or editing user sounds. ((why does it have 1.75 GB user space?)) To only store user sounds, you can’t sample or re-sample, nor edit any sounds that you load. The keyboard is a host and not an editor of sounds. If you desire sound manipulation of user sounds, and sampling capabilities, the Motif XF is your last hope for a good long while. |
Raven80
Total Posts: 110
Joined 11-26-2014 status: Pro |
Hmm, I think we might judge too early.
And even if specific features are missing, we might find - when/if working with a Montage a few days/weeks/months - that those can be compensate somehow.
For me personally it doesn’t really matter if a re-sampled voice
But why focusing so much in re-sampling?
At the end the only thing that matters is the result.
P.S: That’s just my opinion, not a fact. |
DZ101
Total Posts: 22
Joined 11-03-2003 status: Regular |
The Montage has a 16-track performance sequencer without editing functions. You can only record with it and play back.
The definition you quoted can be applied to Kawai’s MP7 also, so should we say that the MP7 longer is a stage piano but a workstation?
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DmitryKo
Total Posts: 1483
Joined 07-25-2002 status: Guru |
Roland MC-series Microcomposers or Yamaha MDF series did not have them either.
Of course it is, you can record and play back a complete song with it. |
DZ101
Total Posts: 22
Joined 11-03-2003 status: Regular |
So, according to you Kawai is wrong in marketing their MP7 as a stage piano?
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dsetto
Total Posts: 434
Joined 01-24-2014 status: Enthusiast |
this is blowing my mind
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gaita
Total Posts: 11
Joined 05-04-2012 status: Regular |
Another doubt, is it possible to play your recording in loop mode in the Montage?
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kb420
Total Posts: 726
Joined 04-11-2004 status: Guru |
Very good post! I agree 100%!!!! My first sampling keyboard ever, the Ensoniq ASR 10, could sample it’s own output. I thought that was pretty much a workstation mainstay now, but it’s not on the Montage. I just feel like I’m missing something in the thinking process and reasoning for the Montage. In one hand, they are saying, “well, we’re eliminating a full blown sequencer because you can do that on your computer”. They are also saying, “well, we’re eliminating the sampling and sample editing because you can do that on your computer”. So, in order to do some of the things that the Motif could do all by itself, now I need a computer. Ok. I get it. But, on the other hand, they are saying, “buy the Montage because it has some great sounds and a Super Knob”. Well, guess what, I can get all of the synth sounds, synth engines, and acoustic sounds that I want on a computer, since I’m going to need one anyway. They are also saying, “The Montage has nearly 10 times the waveform capacity of the MOTIF XF”. Well, since I’m going to need a computer anyway, wouldn’t it make more sense to use Komplete Ultimate 10? If the Montage has 10 times the waveforms of the Motif (Motif has 741MB x 10 = 7.41 GB) that puts the Montage’s waverom around 7.41 GB. I guess Komplete 10 Ultimate has 593 times the waveforms of the Motif (Komplete has 440GB / .741 GB = 593.79). They are also saying, “MONTAGE features an 8-operator FM architecture” and that it will, at some future point in time, read DX/TX libraries. Well, Komplete has “FM 8” that can do all of that right now. Not to mention anyone can get “Dexed” for free, and that reads DX/TX programs right now. So, why would I want or need a $3000 Montage? For me, in this age of computer technology, the reason for having a workstation is so that I can turn the computer off. I don’t have to worry about all of the distractions and complications of using a computer. I can’t really call or consider the Montage a workstation because of Yamaha’s omission of the basic features that I already mentioned. The Kronos and Motif don’t require a computer for sequencing, sampling, and sample editing. They’re workstations. The Montage is not, and I really think they dropped the ball on this one. |
selfymart
Total Posts: 52
Joined 03-30-2014 status: Experienced |
I totally agree with all your points very reasonable ones. I think companies like yamaha has a history in setting new standards. Only time will tell if they made right choice around leaving out some of the features compared to xf. But the concept of motion is inspiring. They may end up expanding next releases by bringing back those features. Who knows… Happy to see a new synth for sure. |
DavePolich
Total Posts: 6820
Joined 07-27-2002 status: Guru |
Where do you get this idea you can’t edit sounds on the Montage?
I dont know where people get such crazy ideas like
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