How to fix the thin piano sounds in the Yamaha MODX and Montage

People love the sounds in the amazing Yamaha MODX and Montage keyboards - except for the pianos, which are almost universally hated as sounding thin, and tend to get buried in the mix.
But...there is a simple reason why, and an even simpler way to fix it. In this video, I show the one-minute fix that changes your MODX/Montage piano from thin and lifeless to brash and in your face!

[@vertigo0105]

Note that in many cases you are better off increasing the 'Velocity Depth' instead of (or more so then) the 'Velocity Offset', because it will maintain some dynamics and allow you to play softer notes, yet still be able to cut through on medium to harder notes. With increasing the 'Velocity Offset', it will cut through, but if you try to play something softer/dynamic/with feel, it just sounds like you are hitting the keys really hard no matter how softly you touch them. For example, if there is a signature piano part that needs to stand out during the intro & chorus of a song, but then you want to blend the piano in a bit more during the verses by playing a bit softer, it may cut through too much during the verses if you increase the 'Velocity Offset'. There are definitely certain scenarios though, where 'Velocity Offset' does have some usefulness, maybe even for live pianos in certain songs...just be aware of when to use it vs using 'Velocity Depth'. In some cases using both in varying degrees might be best, depending on the song and your playing style. It's great that both types of velocity adjustments are available, as you can then figure out what the best fit is & adjust it for a particular song.

[@Acemaster24367]

Good observation I was thinking about that.

[@blakeh6250]

How do you get to it, my manual is in Spanish can't read it

[@davem8687]

@@blakeh6250 touch the voice in the performance then hit EDIT in the sidebar

[@jokumvildmoosehawkfield3176]

Well so I though too. But then one day I played a piano sound “CFX Concert” were tones from it keeped dropping out. So no sound all the time with the sound “CFX Concert”. And the volume of the pianos really are low too. Try it yourself. You’ll be surpriced that the man in the video and I are right. I have a Yamaha Montage myself. So I know what I’m talking about.

[@jokumvildmoosehawkfield3176]

@@blakeh6250 !!!Those drop outs really ought not to be necessary!!! 👇😖👎

[@ItsuroKashiwagi]

Great tip! Another option that works fine for my playing style is to simply go into "Utility" and change the global "Velocity Curve" to "Soft". Make sure to test with a piano sound while you change between the different curves to find the one that suits your playing style the best. Done in a few seconds and worth checking before editing each patch. :)

[@FGCLovesYou]

I used this for years and found it super helpful, but I will note: I eventually started using some software (VST) piano plugins that had sounded amazing in the audio demos, but when I started playing them myself I found they sounded fairly flat. I realized I'd been used to that playing-with-the-full-band super-fast-velocity-curve style, and was pretty much only playing hard, without taking advantages with the variations in tone color that taking a more delicate approach to velocity would give me. When I brought this knowledge back to my keyboards, I realized that I was limiting my playing by doing this. If you're not able to put compression at the end of the signal chain, this may sometimes be the only way to stand out in a mix with a live band, but while I found it super helpful for years, it's worth revisiting down the line, to see if you can get more tone colors out of your piano sound.

[@JohnsonkeyzMusicAcademy]

Great one

[@kiahwilliam]

​@@FGCLovesYoubro my vst is clipping when I use certain sounds IPad MKSENSATION extreme from gospel musicians...can you help me out ...any ideas ???

[@garyegerton45]

I combine 2 pianos together to add depth Rock Grand and Aggressive Grand for example I also will drop the pitch an octave on one to get the lower full sound It’s effective for cutting thru a mix in a live band situation It’s all in the experimenting and combining different patches then tweaking them for your preference

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

That System 8 looks very jealous. "Look at me and all the lights I have!"

[@Jason75913]

more like bored =p

[@stephaneenglish4661]

So distracting. I wouldn’t want a keyboard which started doing that.

[@peturhanspoulsen7998]

System 8 is an awsome synth!

[@lumer2b]

@@stephaneenglish4661 You can disable that

[@stephenlennartz3466]

Now we know! I've had my MODX7 for over a year now. 30 to 40 gigs and LOVE it ... BUT ... those pesky pianos just didn't sound as good as the very impressive piano demos. I'm definitely not a techie/programmer-type so this is very helpful. Thank you! I'll give it a try.

[@Doctormix]

interesting!!

[@onionhat9141]

I would've said the same lol.

[@theguy3174]

It's like a silly final story from a long past dj's lost hope.

[@AdrianoStAubyn64]

They're not weak, they're flat. They're perfect in a band and a studio mix. The problem is the feeling of lack of body when we are playing.

[@davidmartin123]

I think a better fix would be to lower the Velocity Step between the softer Part 1 and the bolder Part 2. You then retain the ability to play softer notes while engaging the bolder notes with less key velocity.

[@TommyHelgevold]

You hit the nail on the head there! When I first bought my Montage, It was depressing the heck out of me with my own lame performance in comparison to the LOUD and crisp Audit Demo songs. However, there are other velocity settings in the entire box, that one parameter you found there, will help - but there's so many places you can affect by the velocity settings.

[@llollapovrzan]

The reason Montage is better sounding then the MODX is not the velocity but different parametres set in oscillators for the same samples.I figured this out when i was having MOX8 which was sounding weak in comparison with Motif XS.So i compared the values of the oscillators in programs and guess what?They were different.So,if you want to have same sound ,is actually easy, but time consuming process.You have to take XS and just edit the values of oscillators on MOX so they are the same as the ones on MotifXS.Same goes for MotifXF and MOXF.The same for Montage and MODX.Yamaha deliberately made cheaper synths sound weaker,but they didn't do it with cheaper electronics, but with software differences.When you figure this out, you can easily take the cheaper Yamaha synth for live gigs and it will sound the same as their flag ship model.The only really bad thing in cheaper models of yamaha is their keyboard.It's awfull.But still they are so much lighter, that if you earn the money by playing gigs, it's still no brainer.:)

[@jacobbrown1690]

they have different dacs also.

[@davebassP5]

llollapovrzan the issue here is not between synths, its between the Audition sounds and playing the same sounds from the keyboard.

[@matthewallen1715]

What if you do not have a montage or motif to compare to? I would take the time, but have no reference. Do you know of a place to track down that information?

[@llollapovrzan]

@@matthewallen1715 I was surprised also.First when i bought modx was because i wanted lighter keyboard.In store i was playing motif xs8 and modx8 and i heard the difference.I asked why is the difference in sound because it was declared that they use the same sample base for keyboards,They said Ah,but you know the DA converters are not hte same.It's not truth.They use the same shit DA converters of 5 dollars a piece in both keyboards.So i went to my friend who had XS keyboard and i checked the programs.The programs and parameters there were different.So i set the parameters of my modx on xs parameters and they were sounding identical.So much of honest marketing.But they made mistake.Every owner of cheaper version of yamaha keyboards can have instrument sounding the same.Just set parametres the same.Copy it from a friend.There is no info about it on the net,because it is not something yamaha would endorse.

[@llollapovrzan]

@@davebassP5 I was surprised also.First when i bought modx was because i wanted lighter keyboard.In store i was playing motif xs8 and modx8 and i heard the difference.I asked why is the difference in sound because it was declared that they use the same sample base for keyboards,They said Ah,but you know the DA converters are not hte same.It's not truth.They use the same shit DA converters of 5 dollars a piece in both keyboards.So i went to my friend who had XS keyboard and i checked the programs.The programs and parameters there were different.So i set the parameters of my modx on xs parameters and they were sounding identical.So much of honest marketing.But they made mistake.Every owner of cheaper version of yamaha keyboards can have instrument sounding the same.Just set parametres the same.Copy it from a friend.There is no info about it on the net,because it is not something yamaha would endorse.

[@JoseVGavila]

I watched this video a year ago and really helped on my Montage-centered gigs. I had the synth for some time already, but had not done any editing to its sounds. And, yes, pianos were weak. This changed my playing life and also opened my mind about editing sounds, which now I do quite a lot. So, BIG THANKS!!! As a late comer musician (began at 50, now I am 55), this kind of information from the pros is INVALUABLE to get me fastly on track. I am playing with a pop/rock band for a year and it has been possible thanks to videos like this one. Thanks Scott 🙏

[@AfiScruggsplaysbass]

I agree. KZbin sent me this video. I'm so glad the algorithm worked for me this time. This video really helped me overcome my fear of editing sounds.

[@jokumvildmoosehawkfield3176]

Make your programs like you used to. It’s a big step backwards in you development not to do so. Pull yourself together Yamaha. So make your programs come clearly loud out of you synths and keyboards. And no drop outs of tones. Like it is with the piano program “CFX Concert”. All the programs must & schall fuction 100% when you turn the synth or keyboard on. And they schall all sound good and correct at once. And that diffenetly is not what you hear with the piano programs when you turn the Yamaha on. So get to work Yamaha team. And go fix all these problems.

[@jokumvildmoosehawkfield3176]

It is really poor that you schall use so much time on getting a signal from your sounds out of your Yamaha Montage out of the speaker to hear a sound. The volume on everything is turned up all the thru the signaling pathways. And the masterfader and other faders are turned up too. But still there is no sound. Then sometimes you can press “Performance (Home)” and then the sounds come. Shouldn’t be necessary. And why should that be necessary. The sound and the signal thru should just work fine damn it. It’s so lame it often doesn’t work!!!

[@ravenmusic932]

Btw, the velocity curve issue isn't unique to the MODX. My old Kawai MP6 had a standard velocity setting which didn't allowed me to hit the highest velocities values (even with maximum force), my new Roland RD 2000 is even worse. I would really like to know why these manufacturers set the velocity curves up by default like that - doesn't make any sense, except to prevent people from purchasing their keyboards.

[@mikegeeguitarman8991]

This is very poor on the part of Yamaha and also very foolish. There should be a strong piano that does not need tweaking from the word go like I have on my Korg Krome 88. Yamaha make excellent stuff but this is a serious oversight on the most important sound of all. I may add also tha the pianos on the old moxf s are utter xxxx too and are truly shocking compared to FA 06 and Kromes. C mon Yamaha I know you can do better!

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Thats because these sounds where made with the Montage 8 in consideration. They play excellent, on the 8 dynamically speaking. Its not these sounds fault that people play on the hard side.

[@GsmithIII]

It's really sucks... there is something wrong with pianos programs.. think there were made on Montage... I'm playing the MODX pianos via an other keyboard which is much better velocity mapped...

[@bigcdub]

The keybed on the ModX doesn't transmit Aftertouch, if you play it through a midi controller that transmits Aftertouch, it's a whole new beast...

[@austinnichols3557]

well… you pretty much turned off the velocity sensitivity.. but yeah pianos sound kinda cheap on the modx

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Not turned it off, just adjusted it upwards, so the keyboard thinks you are playing harder than you actually are.

[@mac651000]

Thanks. I've just purchased a MODX 8. The one thing I was expecting from Yamaha, with its deep piano traditions behind it, was strong piano. I agree, they seemed a little weak. The Bosondorfer download is a little better, but now I've watched this I will be right on to it. Great video

[@benjaminruby5371]

I think this issue honestly boils down to the astonishingly flimsy keybed on the smaller MODX's. I have to wonder if this comes up as much on the Montage/MODX 8

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I suspect the light touch on the MODX6/MODX7 keybed does it, and that for the piano sounds, the velocities are tuned more for the weighted keybeds of the MODX8/Montage 8.

[@laserquant]

Yamaha was aiming for an authentic piano feeling. A way too authentic for keyboarders. Fortunately, with this setting you can push like a mice and sound like a lion. 👍

[@briand1337]

My preferred approach to handle this on my MODX8 is to go into the utility menu and set the velocity curve to "Soft." This applies the correct velocity for my playing style across all performances.Wide will have a similar behavior except it de-emphasizes the velocity on the lower notes.

[@xueperman]

Only pianos are weak, doing this change affect all other sounds

[@followyourpassion8378]

Yeah, that does the trick. I needed "wide" on MX88, though.

[@karaorkundevecioglu]

don lastigi gibi piano soundu. 2 ay sonra oraya buraya carpmaktan paramparca olacaktir muhtemelen. veriilen paraya yazik. oyuncaktan hallice.

[@billgrabbe9992]

Thanks - between this and Tony Winston's video on smoothing out the response curve, you've added a lot of value to this product.

[@johnscho5281]

Hey Scott!! It's me again...Just bought the Modx 7+ 4 days ago...and Voila!! It's a beast alright. Tried out the piano sounds; agree that they sound weak compared to the other instruments. What I did though was to layer it with another piano, eg Bosendorfer Imperial & adjusted the intensity to enhance the 'body'. But after adjusting the velocity offset, the overall piano sounded much much better. Thanks for the tip man!!

[@pluviosealphe2427]

Hi: I bought one too but I’m having trouble getting a 2.5 firmware version any idea how to do it ?

[@johnscho5281]

@pluviosealphe2427 Hi FunGuy. Not sure if you bought the Modx or Modx+ model. If Modx+, the firmware should already be updated in the hardware. Version 2.5 is intended for the older ModX series...

[@kiahwilliam]

Hey bro how in the world do I turn off the sustain on the bass patches like electric bass or finger bass . The sustain is killing me.. I play bass and keys at the same time, split

[@michaelboese239]

Thanks for this great video! I have a similar problem with the MODX when I want to play a VST instrument in Cubase via Midi. The VST instruments always sound different when I use the keyboard of the MODX compared to when I play the keyboard of the VST instrument with the PC mouse. The sound is always too weak or too quiet when using the keyboard of the MODX. I now always use the Midi Modifier effect in Cubase to increase the signal strength. I can't find anything in the MODX.

[@giovannifiorini7195]

I overlay via MIDI a JV1010 piano :) But even electric pianos are not great, eh... They generally think that by throwing in a lot of FM the sounds are more intriguing, but in the end they turn out to be hybrids that don't taste like either meat or fish. And yamaha now puts out keyboards and abandons them almost immediately and no longer makes serious sound libraries.

[@lebinolivier6548]

After days on this problem I have found another solution : Put a Compressor and Control the Compressor Send level with an assignable Knob (or the modulation Knob). With this customized preset You can adjust the low velocity level to your convenience when playing.

[@followyourpassion8378]

Can't speak to live use, but for studio recordings the pianos are absolutely fine. I don't think they sound too thin at all. I use a MODX8 (also a XF6) and I have set my vel. curve to soft, but other than that no EQing or effects tweaking is needed. I play the Bösendorfer, CFX concert and the old XS Full Concert Grand.

[@ashead11]

thank you.. im like dude these pianos are killin!!!

[@davlippo7]

I had to fix the Yamaha YC73 too because it wasn't even playing the high velocity samples (sounded dull and boring) until I turned it up the preset velocity to over 100 from 64. The bad news is you have to edit every individual voice. Why isn't this a global setting? Touch velocity is a global setting but it's just preset no way to customize it. Mike if you know was battling on the YC against the Nord stage 4 and probably didn't have it set correctly. It had no volume or fullness and it was probably 100% the same issue. Nord sounded better because he didn't know how to fix it.

[@alan93]

Thanks so much for post this. I just got one of these (waiting for it to arrive) and got it because I liked the piano compared to the Kurzweil and Roland. I was shocked to see the title but I knew what this was about when you played the demos. This velocity setting exists on DAWs and I use it all the time and I usually bump them up for sound level consistency. I have an old E-MU that has various settings for this expression so you don't have to edit one. I would like to make a couple of suggestions for your videos. 1. Don't do a Christmas Light display on the other keyboard , it distracted me and I didn't hear a word you said while I watched the pretty lights flashing. 2. Please say what you are pressing before you select it. I couldn't tell what you pushed you did it so fast. I am thinking I will need to play that section about 10 times and slow it down just to see what you selected. Think of new people not just those who are familiar with it.

[@paulis7319]

I've had the MODX8 for almost three years and you just taught me how to make the piano sound like I've been wanting it to sound. Thank you!

[@PowersDave1966]

This makes my day. I had a MOX8 a few years ago and after it fell apart (lol) I got a Roland FA08 and couldn’t believe how the piano stood out. For example I do “Movin’ Out” by Billy Joel and before the chorus there is a line on piano that starts on A below middle C up past the octave and resolves on Bb above middle C. It stood out from the rest of the band beautifully on the FA08 and not the MOX8. I replaced the FA08 because I didn’t like the way it was setup or the other sounds, but now with the MODX I’m back in the old boat with pianos that just don’t stick out. So I appreciate this advice! I’m sick of buyer’s regret

[@ronaldparade2604]

DIFFERENT OUTPUT BETWEEN MONTAGE AND MODX, SAME PIANO SAMPLE BUT DIFFERENT SOUND OUTPUT

[@odmusicman]

I agree with comments that you lose dynamics doing this. If you are out playing Journey, Elton John and Billy Joel, this answer would be OK for live. But the minute you have a quiet part you'll lose the dynamic emotion of the instrument. Of course this setting is impossible for Jazz/Classical.

[@donaldmathews159]

Its actually the very opposite. Yamaha tends to have big and full bodied pianos,which is perfect for solo piano gigs, but in a band the bottom end of the pianos has to be eq'd down so they can cut through. Fortunately, you have eq settings on the knobs to the left to quickly make it so, otherwise use bright, thin pianos. Fyi: Thin pianos cut through the mix better than thick pianos in a band setting and Yamaha has the thickest sounding pianos of them all bar none. ....and its been that way since the P200 (pre Motif).

[@shaylachatman7598]

Thanks this helped greatly. I had no clue how to use this when I bought it. I was so frustrated close to selling

[@luizsongs]

Incredible! I just got a MODX , Love All sounds, but pianos... And your video came as a bless! Thank you very much 👏👏

[@mindfeltmusic8656]

You are correct .. but is fine when you are layering over other a sine wave or -1 octave synth layer. I would also say that most guys making real music are creating all their own performance patches! But yes ❤

[@curt300s]

THIS IS BRILLIANT. Thank you so much, as you solve the EXACT problem that I was experiencing. I just picked up my MODX Jan 31 and was puzzled until I saw your video. TY, TY, TY.

[@basspig]

A piano is not a Schlager Weapon. Play the piano at higher velocity. If you want to see what the synth is doing on Audition, record the output to your DAW and look at the MIDI Events. You may find some special controllers. I know the guitars use sample switching. What you adjusted just cut your dynamic range drastically.

[@frankymino8773]

Exactly what I was thinking. Now it just sounds like he's smashing the keys all the time just like the demo. Lost the ability to express the instrument.

[@jacquesmertens3369]

Isn't it ridiculous that you have to reduce touch sensitivity to the point where every note sounds equally loud? The Japanese don't know what a piano should sound like. And that goes for acoustic pianos too. No warmth, no depth, no character.

[@frankymino8773]

The demo sounds in your face cause the keys are being smashed as hard as possible. Though now what you've done is make it sound like you're smashing the keys no matter how you play. Dynamics are now lost. No more expression other than expressing hard hit keys. Unless that's what you want of course. Why not just layer the piano's? Keep 1 dry and the other with reverb where you can adjust the amount you want or even introduce a different piano as another layer. You'll be surprised at what you can achieve doing this. The piano sounds on the modx/montage don't need fixing as they are engineered/programmed for expression amongst other reasons. Depending on the environment (studio or live) if one feels it's not cutting through the mix, just layer the sounds and even add a little subtle mid range if you like. Though I still give your vid a thumbs up cause of your enthusiasm! Keep it up!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

You're right, and on a weighted keyboard (particularly the Montage 8's weighted keyboard) it works very well. On synth action keybeds, and in particular the non-weighted MODX keybed, you really have to smash the keys hard in order to trigger the higher velocity samples. That's why adjusting the velocity offset helps. Layering the sounds or adding reverb will not have the same effect, as you're still just triggering more layers of the same lower-velocity samples. To get the brighter, higher velocity samples, you either have to mash the keys harder, or adjust the velocity offset.

[@khayree]

Very interesting observation. One of the first things that I noticed when I bought my montage was what I felt was a very low output level on many of the patches. Thank you

[@kiahwilliam]

I have a question bro how in the world do I turn off the sustain on bass patches like electric bass or finger bass. The sustain is killing me.

[@lebinolivier6548]

This solution is not a real solution. OK the piano sounds brighter and louder and low velocity but it reduces the velocity pannel of the performance. For example, if lower velocity uses element1, by doing this you will completly miss element1. It could be better to increase Velocity Depth as You can see the result on the curve. In fact, an in depth tuning of the performance must be done. Wojtek Olszak seems to have done a great job. I am waiting for his bank. Here is the link to his video : facebook.com/wojtekolszak/photos/a.1023063457727909/1880965231937723/?type=3&theater

[@gb3496]

The link you provided doesn't seem to work...

[@GeorgeZwierzchowskipianomusic]

when i play my modx+ using my yamaha cp88 as the keyboard, the piano sound is excellent without my adjusting anything. im not sure why.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Exactly for the reason I specify in this video: the velocity curve and offset in the MIDI data is going to be different coming from the CP88.

[@franciscosaravia6877]

Finally I found the video and someone who know what I’m going through with my piano

[@thechumbucket5775]

Hi , my sounds cut off when I layer different sounds … for example when I add pads to my piano sounds. Any idea why ?

[@csu111]

Nice tip. Still weak though (just louder and brighter). Acoustic sounds on a synth will always be a compromise. They either don’t sound right or don’t behave right. Best case are sounds you might be able to tolerate (at least in a mix). Example being I might think a guitar sound is decent, but a real guitarist would probably puke upon hearing the same sound. Same for string players, drummers etc.). What saves us is most listeners aren’t all that critical.

[@nizamaziz18]

Thanks for the tip. When playing in a band, the piano sound doesn't cut through the guitar and bass. Hopefully now it will.

[@BradGOlson1]

Thank you so much! I just bought a used MODX. I was immediately struck by the thin piano sound. I thought it was just me.

[@ciaran7780]

maybe this is an issue which stems from not having the montage's stronger keybed with aftertouch, and a wishy washy port.

[@Monkeywrench92]

Great tip. Keep in mind also that playing style has a lot to do with it. As musicians it's exciting to watch demo videos for all the different plug-in's you can get these days.. and while the sounds are cool when you download them, somehow they don't sound quite as rich or expressive as the demo video guy's playing makes them sound. It's when you start dissecting HOW the guy is playing that you discover things like, ok.. he's using a jazz chord right there.. Or things like purposely not resolving chords in a short phrase to build up musical tension. We hear all of that in plug-in demo videos and never really process the fact that, our playing is probably QUITE different than those guys. They aren't using too many basic triads. So always remember that it isn't always the board. A champion motocross racer can probably outride any teenager on an old beat-up dirtbike, even if the kid was riding the pro's bike. =)

[@salthedrummer1]

Good point, I noticed his playing and thought what about the sensitivity? dynamics? I just bought the MODX 6 for my studio. I'm a drummer learning keyboard world. I almost bought the NORD Stage 3 until I heard this on line, went to Guitar Center and was impressed with the sounds for half the price of the NORD with the MODX having the big touch screen was a big plus. I'm still learning how to, layer, split and tweak keyboard. Thanks for your comment regarding the "player" no disrespect for this guy but good point.

[@WAGSU2BE]

You could change the velocity curve under utility from normal to wide to achieve similar results.

[@ravenrush7336]

From my experience the piano patches work fine if you have the 88 weighted key version of MODX. The problem is that piano voice naturally has a very high dynamics range, and the semi weighted keys just cannot handle that much dynamics. By adjusting the midi velocity you can certainly make it easier to hit high velocity on these semi weighted keys, but at the same time you are also making it harder to control the dynamics precisely. Unfortunately this is an inherent problem for any semi weighted keys playing the piano voice, not just for the MODX.

[@szekerespista3758]

I have a MODX 88 but the piano sounds not as expected!

[@superchickensuperchicken7939]

that is not how a piano works, a real piano you play lightly and the velocity sounds soft and low and you player harder and the velocity sounds harder and louder... this is how a real piano works, just turn up the patch as a whole and you will get a louder tone.....

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Yes, that is how a real piano plays. But you can't use the same amount of force on a synth action keybed as you would on a piano. The problem is that the performances are tuned for that type of keybed, so in order to get sufficient velocity, you have to pound the keyboard. Not good for the keyboard or your fingers. And turning up the volume is not the answer. You'll still be playing the low-velocity samples, just louder. Only adjusting the velocity offset gets it to play the high velocity samples, which are the ones that really cut through.

[@jacobbrown1690]

@@ScottsSynthStuff thats why i use a yamaha kx8 controller. you can buy the new roland 88 key controller if you want piano action and feel and it will be louder or softer depending on how you play.

[@musicrockzx]

Definitely it’s very different than preview sounds. But it not only piano sounds! Also guitars and other acoustic instruments!

[@EduarBeta]

i'm just install an external library sounds, like a Nord or something.

[@sojournlivemusic]

That was actually very helpful! While there are many nice piano performances, most are thin like you described. I was really disappointed with the Grand Concert piano as it was not very "grand". I'll take a look and see if I can improve the one's I use with your idea. Thanks for posting it!

[@dariovicenzo8139]

From the suggestion you gave us I understand you are not a Pianist.

[@johnnovie3168]

I bought the 88 dnt feel that way about mine.

[@alanbit123]

Why didn't you change the Velocity Depth as well?

[@vidarw73]

Put the keyboard touch on soft or normal. Problem solved :) I had the same issue

[@mikecampbell6938]

Hi Scott, I love the video and I will try your suggestions. You have more velocity but the sound isn’t that warm. Do you know what button or knob can make the pianos more warm and rounded?

[@kosomolsk]

@2:44 What concerns me about this picture is ... does the piano sound take up at least *four* polyphony for every keypress (thus the 128 AWM2 polyphony falls to 32 or less with this patch?) Definitely something for anyone who bought the MODX but would play it as a piano most of the time needs to consider.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

It depends entirely on which performance you're using, and how you're playing it.

[@t3amb4sh]

I did this the very first day I listened to those pianos. Nice pianos all around but excactly as you described them. THIN and I thought I would smash my keyboard (and my head :p ). Then it came to me. The bloody velocity. While it's in "64" in most pianos and performances, in pianos sounds like shit. Turned it up , saved a grand, acoustic and poprock piano as new, and voila. Can play live. Using a sustain pedal will help as well!

[@annnjet]

i tried it however, but how do you save it? do you overwrite the previous?

[@t3amb4sh]

@@annnjet You can save as a new preset. Trying this with your favorite piano sounds would be ideal :) I use pop and s700. For some pieces I need acoustic da piano but this is not good when you change velocity.

[@dwkeyman03]

Velocity is one way. But if you hear the demonstration, you'll hear the deep bass notes on on piano. All you have to do is lower octave. Bingo

[@saulparra1824]

Exactly what I do..that's it

[@gb3496]

Huh...?

[@szekerespista3758]

Lower the octave is the solution? Come on! There are more differences

[@lordbachus]

Its a vellocity curve issue... there is a single parameter to do this... set your curve to light...

[@suga4all]

Uh, never figured that this was a problem at all. Perhaps because mine came with a Bösendorfer Imperial sample pack, which is awesome sounding.

[@robertomonanni801]

Dumb question: of course then you have to save the Performance (patch) as a User Performance, right? You can't "overwrite" the factory Performance.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Correct. You can't change factory performances.

[@lassel1644]

Good video! Love that library also...😉

[@SergioGarcia-jg3yy]

Or, if you're lazy as me, go to utility and select a light velocity curve for the whole keyboard. I have my Modx for less than a day, and the first thing I noticed was that the pianos wasn't loud enough on my 80ohms beyerdynamic 770. Thank you for the video.

[@darrenhirst9900]

Its the Yamaha chat spammer 😂 Thanks for the info Scott.

[@leepride7978]

Great video, But you still have the Motif Pianos. That’s why I bought the MODX+, cause it still has the XS/XF sound banks

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Yes, all the Motif sounds are still there!

[@bobaasmr9347]

Does this work on a yc73 too? Don’t like the piano sounds

[@shaylachatman7598]

Hey Scott, my new MODX just arrived and the touch screen isn’t working. Any suggestions or am I doing something wrong?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

There's no secret to making it work. I would run the screen calibration, and if that doesn't fix it, contact your seller and get it exchanged.

[@smartthevote]

Wow! Thanks so much Scott. Just got the modx8 and had same issue…and u solved it!!! Tks

[@victoriousfox]

With MODX8, I can't play the same notes in a row fast without loosing volume of the second note and the next. I think it has something to do with sluggishness of the keybed, not the technique. I've tried to increase the velocity offset to 75-85 but it looses some dynamics.

[@migisajan5435]

Can we turn off the selection beep sound in modx

[@18karibu]

Absolutely!!! Just go to quick set up

[@KoayChooChin]

i adjust in modx8 for the piano, the sound over bright and no dynamic layer

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

Wow big difference in sound with those velocity tweaks. How is the key bed action for playing piano on this? I don't have the room for the 88 note action model and already have a Kawai ES8 dp. I am even considering the smaller 61 key MODX6 model due to it's compact size, with the octave buttons onboard I could probably still manage piano playing on the 61 key version.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

If you're used to a weighted piano-style keybed, the synth action will take some getting used to, particularly in adjusting your playing to get the various dynamics you want.

[@music86999]

Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo. J'avais ce problème dans mon Modx et c'est réglé grâce à vous!

[@jimhathaway4075]

Great trick. How would anyone even know how to do this. Thanks for the info.

[@archivestereo]

I have to say I like the Motif engine better. Good video

[@raincells]

Good video thank you for sharing. People have to realize that you need to make some adjustments to ANY brand of quality keyboard you buy. I own several Yamaha keys, Nord Electro, Korg and Roland. I always take time the first week or two that I own them to make these types of tweaks and save my favorites. I have a Montage and the factory priest for velocity is a 1 to 1 ratio. You really need to tweak this and you can do it globally (check owners manual). You can set it exactly to your style of play.

[@ChordFreak]

Synthesizer ... awesome sounds ... yes! So why the heck playing piano!? My advice: buy a piano😅

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I couldn't fit a piano in here! (actually, I have one downstairs) - more importantly, it's pretty much impossible to carry a piano to a live gig, and it's very difficult to record a live piano. Both of those things are child's play to do with a synth that can play piano sounds.

[@ChordFreak]

@@ScottsSynthStuff I once was an (electronic)organ player. So what!? 🤣 Perhaps ePiano? There are good ones out there. Sorry, it is sooo boring. 90% of YT videos about MODX/Montage are dealing with piano sounds ... even comparing with other Synths ... piano. Hope you are blessed with humor ... but one of us is in the "false film" (we say in germany)🤣 At least for me one thing is sure: piano will be the last sound, that I play on a Synth on my channel.

[@pablod.1634]

hi, great video! some preset MODX sounds have echo, but it doesn't have to do with reverb, VarSend or RevSend sometimes (like with Hypnotic AF1&2), I tried. Do you know how to get rid of the echo in those cases and get a clean sound?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

You can go into each part of the performance, edit the part, click on Effect, and make sure both insert A and B are turned off. There is also the master reverb and variation. Click on the name in the performance, then click Edit, then Effect. You'll see the variation and reverb settings that affect ALL parts, and in Hypnotic AF1&2 you'll find a tempo cross delay in there that is causing the echo you hear.

[@trancedsoul83]

worked out for me. thank you very much for this advice. i didnt know how to figure it out.

[@keekeefries6298]

Nice video, super informative! Was wondering why some of the sounds were weak...

[@JohnsonkeyzMusicAcademy]

Good tutorial yeah this haopens a lot with the montage where the piano is just always somehow weak in the performance

[@BrienHolcombe]

I never have liked thin and wishy washy...thank you sir!

[@mikecampbell4349]

Hi Scott, great video! Once you make changes like the ones you did with velocity, is there a way to save the sample under the same name? Or do I have to change the name? I can’t seem to figure it out

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

You have to save it as a new (user) performance, you can't overwrite the factory sounds.

[@mikecampbell4349]

Thanks Scott! What does “velocity depth “ do?

[@milenadeltorto7158]

sorry - but credibility issue here. You really think that made things sound better?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Define "better." If you're looking for dynamic range and expressiveness, then no, it's worse. If you're looking for a sound that you can actually hear in a mix, particularly in live situations, then it's much better. Technically, it's very similar to adding a compressor, except that it is also shifting upwards through the set of multisamples as well, based on the "increased" velocity.

[@christopherderks]

Thanks for the video... very useful and helpful :)

[@sergiomasciotra8646]

Adjust the EQ as well - great video BTW ...

[@szekerespista3758]

Any recommendation regarding to EQ settings? Thanks!

[@sylversky7599]

Very usefull video

[@oday37]

You lost all your dynamics and feel by that. Not a good solution at all. Get your control back 😊

[@johnpalmercreates]

I think that is more so his playing…

[@robchristopher7718]

You can add layers or effects to make it sound thick, not take away the dynamics. Dynamics are the main ingredient for music expression. C’mon dude.

[@jokumvildmoosehawkfield3176]

Yeah Yamaha. Get your work to the top once again. It’ll suit you.

[@vidarw73]

I just got my modx8+ and I agree. You gotta play hard to get the phat sound. Good piano sounds but Im wearing myself out after one song

[@kevanbarrett7411]

Thanks for confirming what I did the other evening ( more by guesswork)to improve the sound of some of the pianos that stopped me having to bash the keys😊

[@amastermusic7130]

Which synth I on top of the modx

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

That's a Roland System-8.

[@sojimani7616]

Can you make a demo on this Modx ? (with the sounds you edited)