Is the Yamaha Motif ES still worth it in 2024?? 🧐🤔

Doing a quick review of one of my favorite keyboards of all time, the Yamaha Motif ES8!! Trying to determine if it’s still worth it in 2024!

[@DeyquanBowens]

I didn’t even watch the video yet and I’m going to say yes lol! In fact, I have two at church and a Motif Rack at home!

[@AndrewMcKain]

Man the ES never lost its power lol

[@DeyquanBowens]

@@AndrewMcKain E shon do by aye glory to God! 🙌🏾 😂

[@akibe7608]

You want to sell one of them, Bishop?

[@dbsirius]

Some people like the Montage or Modx just because they're newer. But there's a reason the older sounds are emulated on the newer workstations...because you can't beat classics.

[@kimdiez2681]

Plus, the new keybeds are inferior to the older ones 😊 Oh, especially the toy keybed on modx...yuck! I bought one new and sent it back the same day ! shame shame shame Yamaha.

[@Am71919]

People said the same thing about the ES when it came out...

[@kimdiez2681]

@@Am71919 Yeah, the original DX7 probably was the best keybed Yamaha eber made. But my Motif XS6 is built to last unlike the newest ones.

[@danidonchev945]

I still use my Motif ES8, XP-50 (roland) and XK1c (hammond)❤.

[@bsdguy]

Classics never get old!

[@AndrewMcKain]

Never!!

[@Organlover85]

No doubt! One of the most solid and consistent boards out there.

[@AndrewMcKain]

For years now!

[@transcendentcooking]

I have the es8, bought it in 06 gave it to my piano teacher as payment, but bought it back. It does so much so well. I love composing multi-track pieces, the English Horn and the Flute are amazing. There is so much you can do with this rig, it's staying with me!

[@doraysmith]

I still have mine and I wd say ANY of the Motifs are worth keeping as a controller...especially the Motif ES due to its 226k note sequencer ...Up until the latest montage the origonal Motif had that capacity as well (I beleive)...I used to create or retrack a song for church back in the day and MIDI map out the sounds to VSTIs and would control that using more in depth sounds with the Motif ES. I wd say the sounds are outdated today but meticulously mapping that to a VST as a controller...its still worth it. Why would you even need ANY Motif if youre only playing 1 sound at a time and\or not sequencing??

[@peterwebb6812]

I love the MOTIF ES8 and Motif XF8

[@JCox964]

❤👍🏽😎

[@atrothe]

The ES 7 has one of the best keyboard actions ever. Also the ribbon controller and provision for breath controller . Polyphonic aftertouch. Fantastic sound. As used by Dire straits. I use mine to control my studio and MODX. One of the best synths workstations ever made. Built like a tank.

[@hammondboybennett1580]

The ES8 will forever be my top 1 favorite board of all time reason why I am currently using as my main board at my church. The ES8 is still relevant even though it’s a timeless vintage board but that board never fails me.

[@ryannrjohnson]

The board I tell churches to get if they can’t afford a new one because this flagship is still a monster.

[@AndrewMcKain]

Yea you can't go wrong with the ES

[@AdzzVR]

My guy in church used his personal xs8 in church until th church finally got a montage 8, he still uses the xs8 at home even today.

[@JacobAndJamal]

Two devices I absolutely loved (and regret selling) was my Motif ES and RS7000 . Not just the sound, but the ease of use in playing and creating music with these devices. I tried the MODX but it’s very confusing to me, and doesn’t do what a 20yr old keyboard workstation did (I.e. all in one workstation) 🤔

[@AndrewMcKain]

There is a learning curve for the MODX but once you get it it's pretty easy, just different from the Motifs. The ES is definitely a classic though

[@kimdiez2681]

Exactly, and not to mention the toy(modx 61) keybed that Yamaha should be ashamed of.😮

[@dariusmines]

Mane I’d buy one right now 😂 this keyboard is unmatched

[@nathanaelvalville9191]

I still have my motif es7. We're never parting ways 😂😂😂😂

[@inputsandoutputs]

It is really about how good one can be in processing sounds. If people can put creative effects on a Fisher Price or Casio then the same rule applies for all workstation romplers.

[@88KeysMan]

I love my ES6. I don’t wanna quit on it yet. It holds up. You’re sick on keys!!! 🔥

[@AndrewMcKain]

Thank you!

[@reedereed]

Didn’t even touch on the aspect expansions for the ES; adding a few of those cards made this board a killer! The DX card alone is a monster!!

[@billgrabbe9992]

I like the S90ES so much I bought a spare. The newer MODX sounds very weak by comparison.

[@victoriousdd3123]

Really weak I regret buying it

[@fishman7043]

Hello. I follow your videos and your works which are excellent. I believe you've gone through a lot of Yamaha's motif series, I'm wondering if there is a difference in the quality of the samples in the ES motif compared to the classic motif, it was often written then that the samples are the same, only that there is a difference in polyphony and additional effects... thank you... Big greetings from Bosnia

[@MarlandJ]

The Motif ES was the pinnacle of music synthesizers. Truly one of Yamaha's best overall.

[@AndrewMcKain]

Absolutely!!

[@MinstrelTray]

At my 8:00am church we still have one and that sound never dies!!! My wife says she like the fullness of that one over my Yamaha cp73 and my Nord electro 6d at my other churches & I ain’t gone lie that keybed is amazing and I like how the piano doesn’t have too much reverb 😢😂😂😂

[@AndrewMcKain]

The keybed is definitely amazing and the sounds always cut through!

[@LittleRichard1988]

Yes the Yamaha Motif ES still sounds just as good today as it did back then. Many of the sounds I have in Halion 7's Factory libraries are based on waveforms from a mix of each generation of Motif. The bass sounds in Motif are one example of a realistic sound and also the guitars in Motif still sound OK, I also like all the really cheesy sounds in Motif like it's brass and saxophone sounds.

[@etpslick100]

I was just @ the Berks Jazz Fest back in April and I saw more motif XF8’s XF7’s and XS’s on stage and 2 ES7’s on one show. Yamaha rules! I saw 1 Nord lead but everything else Yamaha motifs, not even a Korg. To me, that says a lot! Can’t wait til’ next year to see if they’ll have the new Montages up there.😌🎹🎶👍🏾

[@AndrewMcKain]

That does say a lot!

[@etpslick100]

@@AndrewMcKainYup! It does. Didn’t even see a Roland Fantom on stage (and they’re great boards) Yamaha made a winner when they designed the Motif series. It even out did the DX7. I’m keeping my XF8. But damn, do I want the M8X!😌🎹🎶👍🏾

[@Bruce.-Wayne]

​@@etpslick100.....careful here...I got my fantom 8 brand new 5 months ago....I got it for specific project but I'm looking for a motif to practice and abuse....Lol.....I can't find the XF8 anywhere online with good condition

[@etpslick100]

@@Bruce.-WayneYeah, I noticed that. Especially the ones from Japan. Don’t trust buying something from over there.

[@jessearries5113]

Still a great board! The classic had a piano called 'Natural Grand' bit darker with more body in the mid section. I've added that in my ES.

[@AndrewMcKain]

Yea I used to love that Natural Grand

[@cgram20]

Absolutely IMHO . Still one of the best workstation keyboard ever made.

[@AndrewMcKain]

For sure!

[@brandoncrenshaw]

I like the 1964 piano on there. Really dope for lofi

[@Thunder-Raw-am]

I still have my mo8, and Xs6. Got my mo8 used from a church and its a huge blessing! And got my Xs6 used for a grt used affordable price. Im never letting them go. They sound sweet, and when i run them threw pedals or software plugins to customize my sounds, its bliss. I layer my sounds in my mix with various synths and im creative with my plug-ins and filters and panning. So i feel like im still getting some montage vibes while saving a couple thow wow $$$. Yamaha's are great. CS-80 & Dx-7 are legendary. Sk-30 is another animal. The Motif still holds 2024! Yamaha XF, XS, ES, Mo, or Montage are all good 👍.

[@AndrewMcKain]

Nice and I agree!

[@benbenalu9666]

I still have mine…will not get rid of it…the ‘Soft Case’ patch is dope and has never been duplicated on any board I’ve played

[@jstyleent]

Thanks bro! I’m keeping my XF6 forever!

[@GospelMusic4Life]

I guess that Bob James tiny desk concert says that it is. 😀

[@AndrewMcKain]

Very true lol

[@ChristopherGroves]

Looking at this video because there's a cheap Motif 8 classic on our local classifieds and was wondering if I should get it or keep looking for an ES instead.

[@ChristopherGroves]

note* I do have a Yamaha MO8 in still good working condition too so Im thinking may not be necessary. But if I ever see an ES8 I won't hesitate to get it.

[@AndrewMcKain]

A Motif classic would be great as a midi controller because the keybed is amazing, the problem with it is the polyphony is terrible. The polyphony on the ES is better

[@JCox964]

The ES 💪🏾 & XF are my 2 favorites. Privilege to have previously owned all 3 ES’s via 6,7,& 8.. Recently had to locate & purchase a ES7 . 4ever mine 😂

[@AndrewMcKain]

They’re classics!

[@JCox964]

@@AndrewMcKain yess serrrr.

[@benbenalu9666]

‘piano 1 and sp 2 are also on my MKS - 20 Roland module

[@gcmproductions3499]

Definitely still can be useful today

[@gringoonthabeat]

I had one. I would say yes if your using it for live performance. But as far as production, the sounds get over used after a while. But great sound though overall. Drums are killer. I think they had a build In eq and reverb on most.

[@donleino]

motif es , legendary!

[@AndrewMcKain]

Yessir!

[@followyourpassion8378]

You are a very good player, so the ES8 still sounds good in your hands. I guess, a XF8 might be a serious and noticeable upgrade, though. I had an XF6 and do have a MODX8 now. While ouput on the XF is far better, sounds and usability on the MODX really shine, once you have understood the new UI. The sequencer isn't that bad either.

[@emwilliams97]

which yahama keyboard is good thats older in motif brands

[@_TheMichaelOrlando]

Yes ain’t no question!

[@matthewgaines10]

If you currently own one or can get a good deal on one, absolutely. If not, I’d skip past them to a Montage being that you get similar sounds plus more. As these units age, capacitors, buttons, and displays will become an issue.

[@AndrewMcKain]

Very true!

[@jfinneynowable]

You are comparing performance synth to a workstation.

[@joshualeedproductions1206]

Hi @andrewmckain, Can you do the "worth it" video of the kurzweil pc3x?

[@AndrewMcKain]

If I can find one I'd love to

[@joshualeedproductions1206]

@@AndrewMcKain thanks

[@dimension2788]

❤wow you are good bro!

[@AndrewMcKain]

Appreciate it!!

[@jamericankid4086]

Great video The scenario you gave with the montage about the piano 1 is the same thing with the Modx series?

[@AndrewMcKain]

Do you mean if the Piano 1 sound I played can be on the MODX?

[@jamericankid4086]

@@AndrewMcKain yes and when I load it once do I have to do it again like the motif

[@AndrewMcKain]

@@jamericankid4086 on the MODX when you load sounds they stay on there

[@dimension2788]

❤Notice it has that dinosaur Smart Media card slot. Nothing it in it figure it has no usb or does it?

[@AndrewMcKain]

Nope, no usb slots

[@jonathanphio]

Inspiring

[@Waynyce]

If you get a great deal sure 👍🏾. I picked one up last week.

[@AndrewMcKain]

Yea I think I got mine for about $700

[@yashuamuthakakimani]

Where can I get such an offer for an 88 key motif es/xf/xs?

[@djghettofunk2530]

Is the ES6 the same?

[@Hector777Hector]

I still have my ES7 🎹🎹🎹👍🎶

[@tyrellrobertson2129]

These are the stock sounds?

[@AndrewMcKain]

These are all stock except the last two, Piano 1 and EP 2 from the Roland MKS

[@kimdiez2681]

Yes, of course it is.😊

[@AndrewMcKain]

Agreed!

[@stayconsistentandhumble8463]

Definitely timeless but too heavy 😂😂. I will take a MODx, Montage or CP88 simply due to portability. Great video as always. Blessings 🙏🏾

[@AndrewMcKain]

That's true it is super heavy lol

[@hlcotten6587]

@@AndrewMcKain, I’m thinking of purchasing a Yamaha moxf8. Even those these are extremely heavy. Is it possible to get that amazing crisp, and bell like tone in the Yamaha moxf8?

[@awesamos]

How about xs7

[@AndrewMcKain]

I think I might try to do a video on the XS eventually, definitely still worth it

[@Jeremiah256_7]

Anyone who would like to donate a board

[@peeweekeys]

How would you compare the ES with the likes of a CP300, in the piano department. Assuming you may have used the CP300 before.