BREAKING NEWS - Yamaha Montage DISCONTINUED!!

[@ShynAwkward]

I REALLY wish Yamaha would make an additional FULLY-WEIGHTED 76-Key Keyboard for EVERY new model. Almost every pro Yamaha, Roland or KORG keyboard ALWAYS has plastic synth-action key-beds, which feel horrible to a pianist. They all make 88 weighted-key models (too big), and occasionally a 73-key weighted model (too small) - but they ALL skip 76-key weighted models which are the PERFECT size?!? 88 Keys are just too heavy and WIDE to fit most studio desks/smaller stages, and are incredible cumbersome to move anywhere. I don't think I've EVER heard anybody play the lowest notes on an 88-Key keyboard! (those notes are always outside the NATURAL/usable range of any instrument sound/preset). If you own an 88-Key keyboard, you can try this for yourself: choose ANY sound, then play any of the lowest and highest 5 notes available on the keyboard. Then ask yourself if you have/would ever use that range in a performance or composition? 76 Keys are more than sufficient for 99% of musical applications (the 1% exception being 'that obscure classical composition' which you have never played!). NORD are the only company intelligent enough to make 76-key weighted keyboards but, they are ridiculously expensive, partly because they have ZERO competition! In summary; Yamaha, if you're listening (which you never do) - please make fully-weighted 76-key keyboards an option for your customers.

[@jeremyrusu9687]

I still have my Yamaha motif XF and I still love it to this day and will plan on keeping it as long as my unit works lol, I never did try the montage but I am sad they are discontinuing it, incidentally I wonder if there is a way those new acoustic pianos could be converted to the motif

[@TheVideogamemaster9]

I've always hoped they would come out with official plugin versions of all their keyboards. Or at least one with all the patches in the entire Motif range - including the MODX and Montage. I don't think that would cut into their hardware sales too much, since a lot of people get keyboards specifically because they're avoiding DAWs.

[@serhiymarchenko8361]

I’d love to see “EX5 v.2” in the new “Montage” - add formant synthesis part of FS1R to FM-X engine, add VL, AN and FDSP engines, then add AN1x filters to use on any synth engines. That would be a killer keyboard!

[@reedereed]

That’s exactly what this would be!!!!! Just make a “real” sequencer and that’s all that this is…a EX5 PLUS!

[@garyhendrie4001]

The EX5 is a brilliant keyboard got one thats not been used much lately though. Been tempted to upgrade to montage or kronos, any views would be appreciated?

[@reedereed]

@@garyhendrie4001 I have both. In my opinion, the Kronos STILL hands down is the best “workstation” keyboard I’ve ever owned! Sounds the best, has a real sequencer on it, 9 synth engines…nothing beats it even now! The Montage sits in a weird place as a dope synth with a sequencer added…but still sounds fantastic! I mainly use it to add to my music; when I need some lush sound or I have a sound in my head I want to create…the Montage shines in that department! Both are awesome in their own way, but if you’re looking for a complete keyboard, the Kronos is still the champ!!! Honorable mention goes to the Fantom, which I have as well, but it doesn’t compare “for real for real” to the Kronos…

[@garyhendrie4001]

@@reedereed thanks for the advice, its much appreciated.

[@miguelrejas5034]

​@@reedereedI agree mostly about your description of the Kronos. BUT "nothing beats it" Come on! My Kurzweil orchestra voices, my KB3 organ emulator.. my VA-1 sound engine.. I have a mid range stagepiano with 4 engines and in the categories I menthion.. Kurzweil is unbeatable. And for the pianos.. K2700 and Forte upgraded. The PC series blows almost any synth away! For sure in many aspects. Still.. V.A.S T and its next gen. NOTHING is till today more powerful than that. And sir.. you may see as many youtuve comparison videos as desire.. beating Fantoms and Montages in many aspects. I use Korg I love it. I personally use the 3 (Yamaha, Korg and Kurzweil). Cheers!

[@jbognap]

Besides the ANx engine, it would be nice to have the Motif's pattern/linear sequencer with audio, and the chord and style features of the old QY series, and of course, even further enhancement of the performance arpeggios.

[@markquavertune2003]

Hopefully the new one will have a view monitor integration .That a cubase project be able to be loaded onto the instrument or similar integration .Less menu diving and more physical controls .

[@alesjazbec6536]

I cant't believe they were still using resistive touch screens on such expensive gear ? Event cheap tablets don't use it.

[@Alan_Chapman]

I sold my Montage 8 last year when I moved. Now my main instrument is an acoustic piano, a satin ebony Yamaha P22 which has greatly exceeded my expectations. Generally, I loved the Montage and it will remain sought after if Yamaha follows their tradition of just not carrying over features from one release to the next. The balanced hammer action did have a few keys start sticking after 2 or 3 years which was disappointing for something I expected to be built like a tank compared to less expensive options in the lineup. Overall it was great. I agree, that screen was too small and needed to be capacitive touch. Also, the CPU/RAM and Flash memory could use an upgrade. The problem with engineering any product like this is trying to find a balance between what technology is available during development that is cost effective to put in a consumer product. You end up releasing already dated hardware a lot of times. They could also make that UI a little more intuitive. I tinkered on that thing and hung around the forums since 2016 and I still don’t really know what motion control does better than just voices/oscillators with LFOs, effects, EQ etc. The parameter matrix was overly complex and I usually just resorted to using the already really good presets.

[@jeffeason3599]

Thx for the video Woody. Appreciate your thoughts and commentary on this line and it’s pending replacement!

[@towjam2359]

I’ll always remember where I was when I heard the news that the Montage had been discontinued. I was watching Woody Piano Shack.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

lol, that's a gem!

[@davidmartin123]

Perhaps this time around Yamaha will include a fully-featured onboard sequencer in V1.0 instead of incrementally releasing a half-baked one over the course of several software updates.

[@sonic2000gr]

So, what I see: 1. LCD will definitely change, capacitive is way more available now and so common it might even be cheaper than resistive 2. They will probably tune the GUI and give it a higher end CPU so it's less sluggish. Gestures? Maybe. Less probable if you ask me. 3. The performance model will not change I think. After all it really makes sense and it's not that difficult to navigate 4. I'd love to see an eaiser way to setup motion sequencing 5. I would guess an additional engine (AN-X?) and lots more memory is coming! I already have a montage and modx+ (and still learning them, very deep instruments) so I am not a potential customer at least for a year or two. But it will be interesting to see if the new model stirs up the market.

[@kiko1935]

would love whatever the new model is to include the AN-1X engine. I think that's one of yamaha's biggest weaknesses is that with their synthesis for the last however many years it's been AWM2 which is sample based rather than actual DSP waveforms. They have such a rich history of synthesis, give people that sound.

[@Simbor-rh1dj]

💯

[@MrFn65]

I think it would be great to add a full 16 track audio and 16 track full midi 2.0 sequencer easier to use like the Kronos. I hope this new Montage can be a full 16 part multi timbral synth thst can send all of its tracks directly into your DAW, show up as a complete plugin like before. I agree it should have full YC and CP sounds with a much easier interface. It will be more expensive than the YC and CP so it shouldn’t cannabilize their sales. Love full workstations for its much quicker, inspiring music creation then have them seamlessly transfer everything into your DAW without having to transfer via usb key. Easy workflow , larger colour screen for sure! Thanks Woody!

[@gabrielegelfofx]

Yamaha discontinued the Montage because Korg is releasing the Oasys II. The new Korg aio workstation will be brutal, all the recent synth technologies will be embedded in one single instrument: Opsix, Wavestate, Modwave and the legacy Kronos stuff. I think the Montage is a wonderful synthesizer, it's not a workstation, it only lacks the "analog" feel. A real analog CS-80 + digital FM would be a dream...I don't need the 100GB Bosedorfer or the 100 tracks sequencer. All pro musicians on stage use the Mac.

[@theaudioeng]

😮...... Great legacy already for Montage since 2016. Benchmark for the other giant OEM. Yes I bought the MODX6 after your initial lengthy demo (what a key moment for you as YT content creator Woody!!!). Can't wait for Montage ... err II(?). Yes still have my AN1X too - awesome VA synth!! 😎👍🎹🎶💥🍻

[@xp50player]

Those pianos were already offered in an update for the YC. The Montage never had GH action, so people would still need the CP for that. How about official external touch screen support?

[@WoodyPianoShack]

that would implemented as wifi between synth and ipad app I would imagine.

[@robertl8319]

Hey Woody Love your videos. I have a modx which I really enjoy using. But there are a few things that would make it alot better in my opinion Sampler would be nice. , and also a better functionality on the pattern sequencer. And a better way to organise data and files on The keyboard itself or if not on the hardware atleast have software which allows you to delete, rename , re order files on the keyboard like patterns and performaces. And a better keys on the modx.

[@jarikoskenniska299]

Agree Woody, Larger Screens, and right All Manufacturors. ...yeah we're older and sight got dimmer, but we dont wanna stop the creativety and look up for our glasses.

[@simbaflame1]

Yamaha needs a new OS with the motif sampler & sequencer with a piano roll like the Fantom.

[@microwerx_phd]

I'm excited to hear about the next Montage. I passed this last generation of workstations because I prioritized a Moog Voyager XL and a Roland FA-08. The FA-08 was good, but I let it go because it was less ideal for sound design than it was for performances. I'm really thinking about pairing my Moog VXL with a proper workstation at least in the vein of Montage for the purposes of composing. I sometimes think of Minoru Mukaiya, the Japanese train station tune composer, because of his use of the Motif and Montage, and I think Yamaha would have a feel that is suited for compositions -- perhaps with Cubase.

[@JBrm]

It needs to get a lot lighter, especially the 88 version. Noone carries a 35kg keyboard to a gig.

[@miguelrejas5034]

88 Pro synth is meant to stay in the studio sir... for a gig you have gotten the 61 keys or a "swiss army" synth very portable as alternative. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@henrik3657]

I am wishing for a vst plugin version or the entire montage as a expansion inside halion 7.

[@vegsozoltan5283]

I would be happy with 1. Envelop loop in the FM, just like in the SY77/99 (and the file compability with these synths) 2. Realtime Convolution and Modulation (RCM - from SY77/99) 3. Enhanced and polyphonic virtual acoustic synthesis (from the VL/VP series) 4. The new AN-x synthesis with dedicated controllers 5. Numbering of the patches (Bank/Letter/Number structure) 6. MIDI 2.0 7. Much faster USB 3.2 for the fast load/save and communication 7.b. Filtering the USB noise. 8. A modern, fast bulk dump method and file handling 9. Real VST implemetation for DAWs (suck Montage Connect) 10. Normal, fast Yamaha editor (not John Melas) 12. CV outs and more external controller connection possibilities

[@WoodyPianoShack]

great list! thanks. btw, not much to dislike about john's editor imho, i was using korg's official nautilus editor today and it wasn't as nice to use.

[@vegsozoltan5283]

@@WoodyPianoShack John's editor is great, but it works with a different logic than the instrument, has too simple graphics and no usable VST version. I don't think it's good to have multiple editors that form a relatively closed system, although that depends on Yamaha's file structure.

[@colinfoggon2551]

Hi Woody 👋 i can confirm that the Character Pianos for MONTAGE do work on the modx plus 👍 loving your videos 🙂

[@WoodyPianoShack]

appreciate you confirming that for all the modx owners, thnks!

[@Skijumptoes]

Bring back Karma, and build it in to the unit. Or some other kind of generative jamming tool that responds to how you play. The thing I love most about the Montage and MODX range is getting lost in it's arps, really inspiring, creative and fun. I grew up with Roland's but there's something about the Yamaha's that really brings the music out in me, they're just great to play.

[@bryanskrantz]

They'd have to talk to Steven Kay. he hasn't exactly been active for a bit but I think he still owns the trademark/source code

[@WoodyPianoShack]

karma? not even korg put that in the nautilus!!! :)

[@bryanskrantz]

@@WoodyPianoShack Nope because as Steven put it back then, Korg didn't license it.

[@ShanMichaelEscasio]

One high end keyboard gets discontinued yet i dont even have one. Lmao. I love watching videos of things i cant even afford.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

now might be the time to pick up a cheap used mont!

[@JKVisFX]

My wish list: • An Osmose Expressive E type of keyboard • A USB/Thunderbolt connection with 16-channel, USB Audio • 16 stereo analog audio outs • Additional synth engines including a robust VA, wavetable, and granular synths • Enough RAM (16gig at least) to run plenty of plugins simultaneously • A full-featured MIDI sequencer for both the onboard engines and external gear (this would make it a self-contained music creation workstation) • A much larger, tilt up (10" - 12" glass touch display (think iPad) • 1TB SSD storage for samples, MIDI, and additional synth engines • An SD card slot (for very obvious reasons) • Able to host third-party synth plugins using the VST standard including emulations of other synths, individual synth modules, and FX plugins (perhaps Arturia's CS80v for example?) • A VST/AU/AAX plugin that acts as a remote control for all of the synth functions plus the ability to save and load patches to and from the synth automatically on a per track basis in a DAW project (the same way it is done with other VST plugin instruments) • Importing and exporting MIDI files between it and a computer via USB/Thunderbolt, Wifi, Bluetooth, and an SD card • Importing and exporting audio/sample data between it and a computer via USB/Thunderbolt, Wifi, Bluetooth, and an SD card • And finally, a fast and powerful enough CPU and GPU to power all of this without breaking a sweat.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

love your suggests, but uggh, if it had that funky osmose keyboard i would stay well away!

[@JKVisFX]

@@WoodyPianoShack I would like a polyphonic aftertouch keyboard with the ability to wiggle the keys back and forth for an additional axis of control for things like vibrato. That's why I was suggesting the Osmose keyboard as an example of that. But, yeah, that Osmose keyboard can be a bit finicky.

[@EverettDudgeon138]

To be honest, I would like to see Yamaha do something along the lines of Korg or Roland in that instead of trying to cram everything into a single workstation with loads of menu diving, just do dedicated instruments for specific functions. If Korg can do the OPSix why can’t Yamaha do a dedicated FMX synth? Even a desktop module version. Why can’t Yamaha do a dedicated drum machine or groovebox? Instruments with a distinctive and specific voice. I mean they already have dedicated stage pianos and organs for people who don’t need all the bells and whistles of a workstation...what about synth players? Will that happen? I doubt it but that is my ask from Yamaha.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

good call! yeah, why not a Yamaha FM-X?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I want the ability to load more than 8 libraries! This is a crazy, artificial limitation that drives me crazy!

[@WoodyPianoShack]

never ran into that limit, the flash drive always runs out first!

[@angusbabb4913]

Can’t say I’m sad , it was built like a tank and weighed as much too!😅..the keyboard action was way too heavy for me and I never got on with the super knob …looking forward to the next keyboard ,maybe it will be an AI focused model ,love my Yc73 though 😊

[@VexylObby]

The interface has always been far too daunting and sluggish for being 2020's. Make no bottlenecks for playing and enjoying, Yamaha! We should never feel like something is slowing us down or "missing".

[@marcusjknight]

Hi guys, been very disappointed with live string libraries on the Montage. In 2024 what great live string libary can be added into the Montage please ?

[@MarcoBasile_MarkBasile]

If something like An1x, with the ability to load original patches of my Blue Beast, finds a place in the new montage, they will have my money ! 🤙

[@jonachvdb-music3837]

Touch screens are a nightmare when you are a visual impaired musician. I play the tyros5 and the psr sx900, which allso has a touch screen, but I’m abled to select voices and styles with the buttons and dial luckily.

[@atrothe]

I agree with Woody...please yamaha take his points on board.

[@nonchai]

New montage needs: FANTOM-LIKE UI and worflow - PLUS linear arranger seq mode - PLUS... FFS give us all the arranger functions of Genos etc in there too - we dont need the buttons - but soemthing nearer to what the QY700 used to allow in the 90s - back then one could mix and match styles and parts from different styles AND have that running with ones own MIDI tracks. All workstations so do "patterns".. Yamaha please jsut go the extra mile and allow your flagship to also use yamaha styles! and use them in COMPOSITION!! - its a workstation after all!

[@jmcoffin1]

My number one wish is that they add full MPE compatibility. By “full MPE compatibility” I do not mean the approach they offered recently where are you needed to have 16 voices all programmed the same, each on a different midi channel. This was impractical for multiple reasons, especially the fact that any changes to one voice needed to be duplicated in all the others. I’m not expecting Yamaha to add a keyboard that generates MPE. Instead, what I want is the ability to connect an Osmose or Seaboard or other MPE controller via DIN MIDI and play all the amazing sounds in the montage with much greater expressive capability. Currently, there are multiple very capable synthesizers that respond to MPE. But, so far, no one has a hardware-based MPE-compatible sound source with the quality levels possible with either sampling or hardware modeling. In my opinion, this would elevate the Montage to “game changer“ status. There are a lot of people with very capable MPE controllers that would absolutely love to connect them to hardware that can cover all the vast range of high quality instruments available in the Montage.

[@normalizedaudio2481]

YAMAHA user interface has been a weakness.

[@michaeltrenier]

Always.

[@Denvermorgan2000]

It always has been.

[@Kougeru]

I see people say this about every brand. What would you like in a UI?

[@france4me117]

How’d Woody! I so enjoy watching your reviews :). I am eagerly awaiting for the replacement of Yamaha’s flagship professional Arranger Workstation which is the Yamaha Genos ver. 2 That also has been out since early 2017 and is way out of it’ll cycle … Thanks Woody for your energy, spirit and above all, your sincere passion for music tech

[@Simbor-rh1dj]

Still better than access virus or nord lead with little lcd displays.

[@EdgyNumber1]

Montage looked like a Las Vegas light show. That jog dial was very off-putting for me personally. I'm a Korg man now but Akai did tempt me. Hopefully 'Montage 2' will have a better user interface.

[@Synthesis1979]

Thanks woody for another great video. I would love to see a vintage drum section emulating the LINN drum the Sequential Drum Traxs, Oberheim DMX and TR77 that sort of thing and any analog emulation I hope they include there ACB technology.

[@paulchapman112]

In October can you please do a review of the new beast?! You get to the heart of things.

[@lordbachus]

Yc organs and Cp piano’s… SA2 and ensemble voices from Genos…. Unlimited number of user arps(currently only 256) .. better screen indeed and better interface for pattern sequencer…. 32 channels and 16 keyboard zones… possiblity to use dsp effects of unused channels on other channels.. ANX, CSX and VLx synth engines…. Build in step sequencer…. Huge amount of memory for user samples.. there is so many things they can and need to do…and offcourse keep all the features of the current montage

[@WoodyPianoShack]

that about sum it up, great wishlist

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

Goodness, you're looking sunburned there, Woody! Enjoy your Summer (it's Winter here).

[@WoodyPianoShack]

haha, yeah! it's been nonstop sunny days, and I have a garden to maintain and a beach at the end of the road!

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

@@WoodyPianoShack Ah, well, in 5 months' time it'll be Christmas, and it'll be the other way round!

[@LezMarwick]

I want the pitchbend and mod wheels replaced by that joystick type controller that is on the SX900. It is SO SO much better!

[@PhillyBoyRoy]

I want a midi sequencer that can import multitrack .MID files and sequence 16 channels of external hardware, in addition to onboard, on the fly editing of the midi files. I use the Yamaha p515, it's only possibly to sequence channels 1&2 externally, and it feels glitchy with unpredictable results.

[@christopherpalsson2380]

I don’t think that they will use touchscreens on synthesizers because the synthesizers don’t support any text to speech option.

[@korshm]

Unfortunately, Yamaha doesn't reveal any plans for updates for PSR-SX900. I would like to see on its successor, as even SX600 is better in some aspects, as it's newer.

[@vanessajazp6341]

Knew this was coming! Dying to know what’s next! I’m not a fan of the “Performance” concept of sounds in the Montage/MODX. I’m more a fan of the individual sounds like you had in the Motif, with the ability to construct a “Multi”/Performance. I hope they keep the combination of the AWM2 engine with the FX engine! Definitely want to see a virtual or hybrid subtractive synth engine. And most important - LOTS OF MEMORY FOR UPDATES AND SOUND LIBRARIES!

[@WoodyPianoShack]

i am so grateful that korg have kept the program/combi modes, can't get to grips with everything is performnce, or scene like on new fantoms!

[@vanessajazp6341]

@@WoodyPianoShack Always loved Korg’s Program/Multi structure. Very simple and straight forward.

[@KosmicKitchen]

I actually like the ‘performance paradigm’ in the Montage. It makes it easy to record yourself whenever you feel like it. On the Motif, I would spend most of the time in sequencer mode anyway but it required copying the effects of the voice that you wanted to use.

[@KierDarby]

@@WoodyPianoShack the 'everything is performance' paradigm is actually brilliant. Consider the Fantom, where you set up a 'scene', then load it with 'tones' but then you do some complex editing on some of those tones. Now you have to save new copies of each of those edited tones, then save the scene separately. On Montage and MODX, you just save your performance and all the parts within it are saved automatically with whatever edits and tweaks you have made, without messing up their original performances. I honestly wish everyone copied this system!

[@RonWesterbeek]

Hahaha yes Woody, "we want more.. !!" Thanks for your presentation 👍🎵🤸‍♀️

[@margix1172]

My wish is to revive the CS-80 and then put its engine and sounds into the new flagship workstation. I hope as well that in this next workstation real wood will be put on it so that even keyboardists can have their instruments that looks like musical instruments and not like toys.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

yeah, strange that they haven't milked the cs80 legacy more, they could at least throw in the reface cs engine.

[@MuzixMaker]

This has been my dream. Big screens are nice but gimme poly after touch and a ribbon like the CS80 and a fat analog modeling engine.

[@markussukram9290]

I DO agree

[@Kouros-t6d]

The Cs-80 has been probably the most iconic synth of all times and it would be a crime if Yamaha will not revive it .

[@haukurorsson833]

Has anyone tried that new piano sound pack on a MODX? I'd really like a felt piano patch for my MODX.

[@aristotlekumpis7095]

I have a feeling that Yamaha will build upon the Montgage. Hopefully add an analog engine as well. I'm still using the Kronos 2, which came out 10 years ago. It's a great synth still and was way ahead of it's time. Yamaha has amazing tones and sounds, but they never quite nailed the user interface. Never. Maybe one day...

[@ebatalha]

I'm just waiting to see what they are making regarding the Reface series. Two are done, and two are missing, a bigger DX and a bigger CS. That said, I would love to have an analog synth from Yamaha.

[@musikschafe]

First, I also wanted to buy a "Yamaha MODX6+", but then I decided to buy a "Roland Fantom-06", because the workflow and the operation ist much more easier and efficient than on the MODX+ !! To play the "Roland Fantom-06" is really fun !!

[@WoodyPianoShack]

awesome pickup, congrats!

[@kenstephens2955]

Hi Woody! I’m excited for the possibility of a VA engine too! I’d also like an AI accompaniment engine for instant drums and bass say, as an addition to what’s already there. I’m also hoping for 9 sliders to double as drawbars! With love, Ken

[@xxxxneoxxxx]

First comment. By the way... Korg discontinues Kronos... Yamaha discontinues Montage... What's going on? Is this the end of the workstation keyboard? Will we welcome an era where stage pianos / controllers reign supreme while workstations slowly fade into oblivion?

[@EverettDudgeon138]

Personally speaking, one of the reasons why I got out of workstation style keyboards is because I found myself spending more time programming and less time composing or recording. I started to look at individual synths being dedicated to specific sounds (Prophet X for sample based stuff, Prophet 6 for analog, dedicated drum machines, dedicated sequencers etc). Sometimes with workstations it’s a case of jack of all trades, master of none or option paralysis. I think more and more people are getting back to hands on control and focusing on specific sounds. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people with a Kronos, Kurzweil or Fantom and just used the bread and butter sounds you could get in a Stage Piano. Not even touch the sequencer. Feels like a waste.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

yeah interesting comment about the kronos discontinued. korg plans is to make nautilus the new flagship with the new AT models. but yamaha plan to replace the montage with a successor, only a few months to wait!

[@Soryt]

Yamaha could make a keyboard with the Montage and YC sounds and the arranger possibilities of the Genos , it would be a huge step 🎹🎹😎😎🎶🎶

[@UliZukowski]

I expect the sound pack to run on the MODX as well. Let’s see.

[@BrJD-ii4iv]

The pianos/ep's were thin and weak. It sounded nothing like the demo...

[@petertorda5487]

Most important, that they will use there some "normal" CPU at least on level of Ryzen 3700x, not some cheap low power weird junk, which will have a hard time to run AN/ DX/ PCM with some decent polyphony.

[@miguelrejas5034]

Hello there! I saw the video and let me tell you that ur wish list is fairly expected. You know.. I'd love a "tank" to answer the "9 sound engines" of the Kronos and Nautilus.. I'd like.. I'd love a Yamaha biG ass kicking with a new release of an brush aluminium sythn with ALL THE YAMAHA ARMERY!! Like they did with the EX series EX5/EX7/EX5R BUTH ENHANCE!! with ViewTouch full color screen.. easy to nail. In other words: FMx, Vector Synthesis, AN, VL, AWM2, YC emulation and the FSDP.. 3 Synths: 61, 76 and 88 keys No cut downs within. ALL 3 with FATAR keybed. That's my thoughts so far! Greetings from Lima, Peru. PD: By the way.. please to include the KARMA function for Yamaha delivered by their request for the Motif line. 😉👍

[@bright1180]

I have a CS6X that I bought when it was first released tucked away in storage. I played the crap out of that thing! 😃 I’d love it if Yamaha would release a virtual version

[@WoodyPianoShack]

it was a real fun synth, with lots of dance music sounds! crappy pianos though! but you could expand it with the plugin boards, which i did.

[@Rogwatford]

I would like the creation of user libraries and the whole tying up of samples to performances and midi files with live sets made easier. That’s what my brain can’t handle. Secondly the transfer of individual midi tracks from a computer into the pattern sequencer needs to be made easier. I doubt that they will add an organ engine to the new keyboard. It would require a ninth hardware fader to control it properly which I don’t see happening.

[@Begbiespintpot]

Woody, I'd like to see what you think of the AKAI MPC Key 61.

[@robinwindsrygg9568]

Proper modeling with no trace of the AWM2-engine left would be nice. I am sick of the synth parameters and sound-limitations of that engine. They’ve let their product line be dictated way too long by the development-work they did back in the 80s and 90s. I mean, sampled sync waveforms? Come on!

[@runestone1337]

Finally! I've been waiting for this news - time to get that old credit card out of the freezer and let it thaw out. With pleasure comes pain.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

you do that! might want to wait a bit and see if Korg have anything coming, these decisions should take time and are meant to be savoured and enjoyed! often the thril is the hunt, i find :)

[@ckatheman]

I got one of those MODX+ 6 to replace my FA06 (yuck...) late last year. I am hoping the guts were updated to follow the new Montage the same way the MODX followed the original Montage. We shall see. I would find it hard to believe the release and hype of the MODX+ without some sort of path forward - because if the intent was get original MODX users to move to the + for some extra FM polyphony. I think there is something more under the hood, but no one I know has cracked it open yet and looked. Oh and those "sayonara" pianos work on the MODX+ too :)

[@WoodyPianoShack]

hey, thanks for your thoughts and confirming the bonus pianos on modx! cool :) you didn't get on with your FA06?

[@ckatheman]

@@WoodyPianoShack I had a lot issues with the keybed as well as the menu diving interface. Even with the MODX somewhat confusing screen, it’s still leagues better for me.

[@gatlinproduction]

I would like to see the new Montage bounce out Wav And MP3 Files on the fly to create Audio Steams. Also with editing software something Like Akai 61 Keyboard. Something like create a track and bounce down on the fly to listen right away to avoid DAW. Also it would be cool if the Software was E drum set Friendly That way I can have my Montage near my Roland E drum set and write and create on the fly Via Midi or Audio. Please Please.

[@vanessajazp6341]

The current Yamaha Sample (not synthesis) engine is called “AWM2”.

[@raybananaetleschucksmaurices]

The yc organ engine will be great on a FSX keybed significantly better than the yc 61 keybed 😁 Hope with a high trigger point

[@niellseen]

I don’t think the sales of YC line will be affected by adding the organ simulation and the roads samples , the montage is far more expensive and it’s not an easy synth to operate , so many will Stil prefer the YC line I guess 😊

[@ST-ry7lr]

I'm just hoping maybe I can get a great deal on a used Montage to replace my MODX7. Not sure about adding YC or CP, but this new synth will be their "flagship", so maybe. If either or both of these are added the price will be so prohibitively high I'd have to take out a mortgage on it.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

yeah, never a better time to buy a new or used mont, i may well keep an eye out for any blow out sales,

[@Kouros-t6d]

Yamaha need the return of the CS-80

[@nonchai]

We need MORE hardware controls and buttons - like... er... FANTOM!!

[@ReallyDudeYouGottaHearThis]

The MX line was also hard to figure out and not user friendly.

[@Robbinsffxi]

Yamaha are very conservative. My guess it's a Montage + series since we now have a MODX +. I expect minimal physical upgrade, maybe nothing. But Probably a new AN1x engine with 128 voices in addition to the existing engines. I will be suprised if it has more than that.

[@RonaldRademaker]

It works on the modx Woody

[@RonaldRademaker]

The Nashville piano is awesome🎉

[@xp50player]

Good to know🙏

[@WoodyPianoShack]

super, looking forward to trying it, thank!

[@ajcjcarvalho]

The 3 new pianos works on Modx?

[@WoodyPianoShack]

someone will have to test that out!

[@ProFleer-ep4wq]

Yes, they do.

[@nonchai]

( PS ..keep up the fine work! )

[@wademcreynolds7428]

If the new keyboard has a resistive display I'm going to die laughing. That thing was a joke even in 2016.

[@ToastandJam52]

Actually, a lot of keyboards are getting long in the tooth. Innovative keyboard technology is long overdue. I hope that this announcement spurs the other major keyboard manufacturers into action. Thanks for the info.

[@Prizm44]

Keyboard technology and interfaces are 30 years old. They're a joke.

[@connor_flanigan]

companies have been obsessed with trying to replicate synths from 1972 for the last 25 years

[@csu111]

The interface was the worst part of the Montage. It needs to be laid out more like the Fantom with faders for envelopes, better screen, drum pads, better sequencer layout, xlr outputs, 24 bit samples instead recycling the same samples from a decade ago. If you’ve tried Kawai’s flagship digital pianos you would realize Yamaha piano samples aren’t that great (expressive yes, but sonically mediocre). You’re spot on with the organ and analog improvements. Drums? How about the drums from their flagship edrums with real multi mic’d ambience and reverb?

[@jensj.jensen5462]

I want a proper editor / libraian software.

[@andersholmberg4496]

Actually since I am blind I won't agree with you on a touch screen. Maybe if the make a specific screenreader for the new keyboard, a built-in speech which can be turned on or off or if they create an accessible app for android or iPhone I would use such a keyboard. Just because of that I am trying to sell my Roland FA06. It's to hard for me to handle.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

i'm not in favour of touch screens at all on my musical instruments, i much prefer physical controls. even button around a non-touch display as they are easier to activate once you memorize what the functions are. i see pretty bad so touch screens are a struggle, but it seems to be the way the industry is headed. i hope to see more accessibility features added, customizations for font sizes, colors 6 themes etc. kudos to yamaha and NI for including text to speech accessibillity features on some of their keyboards.

[@ChrisP3000x]

Yamaha sucks at "workstations", and the Montage was about 40-50% of what a Yamaha "flagship synth" should have been. Even the Fantom was slightly better overall (which isn't saying much with all of it's massive flaws and polyphony issues). I don't expect much from Yamaha beyond a new Montage(ish) + 10-20% change (just enough to sell new units and keep costs down). I guess Korg has given up? Kurzweil with always be....Kurzweil....😆 The Akai MPCkeys is kinda cool, but very limited in ways. Looks like perfect timing for another company to step up and surprise everyone out of nowhere with a cool workstation.....Arturia, NI, Nord, Behringer (yeah, I know), Elektron, Novation, etc...

[@dekatran]

From the very first day of the release of the Montage, I have said that it is a not so innovative, but nevertheless interesting instrument, which is incomplete, and has room for improvement. I even likened it to an advanced unfinished EX5, and that in the process and in a short space of time between them it could be developed by developing the already existing synthesis methods from simple AN and VL to AN-X and VL-X. Which unfortunately did not happen. Now Yamaha is looking to find something new in an already tired project. It is good that he thinks about it very seriously, because it is already too late to enter the race of developments as he did in the era of FM synthesis. Let’s leave the already terminated field of sample playback to the arrangers and produce a purebred synth that will be based on new methods of sound synthesis and not so much on perfect samples. It needs to be bold and find a new competitor like it did last century with DX.

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

Sample playback is far from dead. Modelling and other synthesis has it’s place, but is never going to replace samples completely. Ultimately, a Montage replacement needs to have a broad appeal rather than ignoring bread and butter sounds. What Montage really needs is a proper tonewheel organ and virtual analog engine, plus maybe an enhanced sample playback engine with more polyphony. A VL-x would be amazing too. If they were to release a pure cutting edge synth too then that would be great, but history suggests that it wouldn’t be a commercial success (look at V Synth for instance).

[@max5250]

This is quite strange, because I don't remember Yamaha was announcing new model ever before. Or discontinuing current model before next generation model was out. As a matter of fact, in years before, they were denying any rumours of new models even in a situations where they were actually releasing new model shortly after denying it...

[@WoodyPianoShack]

i totally agree, very weird process, to sabotage sales of montage months before release of new model,

[@max5250]

@@WoodyPianoShack They must have a very, very, very good reason for that, or financial department is going to crucify someone... 😎😎😎

[@furiobisotti8150]

My question is: do we really need another workstation? I work every day with VSTs. Editing on computer is hugely better than on workstations. Making Hammond and Rhodes sounds is hugely better on VSTs. A new instrument should be more flexible, connected and fully programmable. Let's see if they innovate or make a Montage revival. I sold my Montage 7 few weeks ago. None of my editing and playing sessions were there anymore...

[@WoodyPianoShack]

very good point. many pros using vsts and mainstage, live and in the studio.

[@furiobisotti8150]

@@WoodyPianoShack I tested Mainstage but I didn't like it at all. Too many limitations. I am using GigPerformer and it is absolutely perfect. A real VST host. Solid like a rock, flexible, huge programming chances. If you try software world with such tools you won't get back anymore.

[@tuneunleashed]

They leaked a new Montage. It’s called the Montage M8X

[@Trinet-TA]

Let’s hope they do something a bit more adventurous. Not just yet another rehashed Motif-alike with extra bells and whistles. 👍

[@WoodyPianoShack]

the trick is getting the balance right, some sexy new features whilst keeping the loyal motif customers happy!

[@conan5885]

This is very disturbing news... first Korg, now Yamaha. I just hope it's not a shitty "light version" like the Nautilus is compared to the Kronos. As far as the "glass screen" i have to fully disagree with you on that Woody... do you really wand your synth screen to look like a shattered iPhone if you drop something on it, or bang it. I'd rather have robustness then functionality or modernity on a synth's screen (for stage/road use at least). The Nord Stage has two tiny screens for info and a ton of buttons and knobs, and i think it works better that way over large touch screens

[@cresshead]

VL1 engine please.

[@ghasmiller]

It should definitely support MIDI 2.0

[@peterconnolly2724]

I'm not. the worlds greatest player... I have a MODX8, and on the new Montage, I'd love to see an indicator on the screen showing the transposition of the keys.

[@doordedeur]

The current Montage has too little keyboardzones. The Rolands and Korgs offer 16 keyboardzones and many more synthesismodels. The Montage only has FM and PCM, whereas the Korg Kronos and Nautilus offer 9 synth engines and in the Roland you can download all the classic Roland synths.

[@xp50player]

Roland also has V-Piano, SuperNatural Acoustic, TW, N/Zyme dual wavetable engine.

[@lennert123]

Well that was also my thought for a longer time. But the FM-X engine is very powerful. Actually if you spend some love and research you'll able to get very interesting results. With FM-X it's also to create a descent sounding tonewheel organ. Or Analog style synthesis with digital sparklings when needed. It's not as intuitive in the beginning. Like I mention before, you need spend some time with it. To actually understand. So it's not for everyone. And that's maybe also why the funfactor of the Montage is a bit steep to get the fun out of it. I feel confident to gig with the Montage. This thing is a workhorse and delivers during busy live band gigs. It cuts thru the mix and it plays nicely with professional/Large P.A. systems.

[@ChrisCebelenski]

Yamaha has always been behind in their screen tech - for years their mixers lagged behind just about everyone else, for instance. There's some hope however - their new DM3,5,7 mixers have pretty nice screens, so there's some indication they are taking that seriously now.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

they have to up their game, although korg nautilus got almost exact same screen tech, but we expect better in this day and age

[@6581punk]

TBH, Montage was all about trying to make FM hot again, but it's really too deep for most people.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

yeah, agree with that! but it was a heck of a lot of fun to play and the superknob did wonders, even without going in deep.

[@oliveruecker4919]

Your wishlist is partially realized in a Fantom......

[@WoodyPianoShack]

haha, it is indeed, i really need to get one in.

[@oliveruecker4919]

@@WoodyPianoShack Good idea. Can't await your test! I own the little Fantom 07 and it's a beauty in all categories. Big diffenerence to the MODX i've had before.

[@KUPHSER]

My Wishlist, what do you think? Screen upgrade More memory Direct sampling from usb RCM (like with the SY99/77) FM- X coupled with Formant synthesis (like an advanced FM-X FS1R, with thorough editing interface)

[@WoodyPianoShack]

oh yeah, i'd buy that!