The glorious Yamaha Montage M8X

[@Dugstar081]

When the blue adidas tracksuit top comes out you know Matt loves the gear.

[@slightlytime8130]

Thank you, Matt, for this great demonstration! I am 68 years old and just a few months ago I decided to start with playing keyboard. My very first instrument happens to be the Montage M8x - not by chance but on purpose. And this was one of the best choices I’ve ever made in my life. This synth is just phantastic, though I think I will spend the rest of my life exploring it … What I love about you, that are not only your skills as a keyboarder, songwriter and producer but also your skill as an instructor and motivator. Since I’ve discovered your videos and tutorials I have become a big fan of yours!

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Thanks a lot!

[@slightlytime8130]

​@@MattJohnsonJamiroquaiMuch apreciated.

[@tntshuffle-9799]

Awesome! I am in my 50s and also just recently started playing! Having a blast!

[@lukeneptune3820]

Regarding Yamahas not going wrong. I can attest to this. They really are the Chuck Norris’s of synths/keyboards. I have a Yamaha EX5 that was in a fire. It survived. It was soaked in a flood. It survived. It got bashed around to hundreds of gigs without a case for decades and has never not worked 100%. Me and my band members used to joke about it and say that ‘we just can’t kill it’. Same goes for any other Yamaha synth I’ve ever owned.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Yeah I have a similar story! When I was a kid my dad had a music shop and a Yamaha keyboard was directly under a flood. We opened it up and dried it with a hairdryer and he gave it to me. It kept working perfectly from then on!!

[@maximusfrank2835]

Water doesn’t effect electronics if they the device isn’t turned on

[@AudioAtmos]

@@maximusfrank2835 It’s the “turning on” part that can be smoky. Even if it’s all dry.

[@eduardomujica4729]

1:17

[@SlaserX]

I only have a RM1X from Y til now, and it came to me with broken buttons and covered in soda inside, a quick wipe wipe and some new buttons as we are good like it's 1998

[@GunnarLoeb]

I have never been as stoked in years for a Yamaha synth.

[@smokey5100]

I used to have a Motif ES7 several years ago and had to sell it when the studio monitors needed replacing. Over the years I've desired to get another good Yamaha synth and after watching this video and seeing it at Namm I pulled the trigger on the Montage M8X. My 1st synth with true hammer action! We're blessed to be living in such great times for synthesizers!

[@TronDawg]

Grateful to hear and see the love for Yamaha. They really help hold the Music technology world together. Bridge the gap over the generations. The SeqTrak really brings it back around to the RS7000. Really is a beautiful time to be making music. Sounds so good. Grateful as always. Cheers ✨

[@JohnMoser66]

Absolutely loved this overview of the M8X! The Rhodes with strings gave me goosebumps … well done! 💯😀

[@christopherpederson1021]

Not sure, but yamaha m8x is honestly, one of the best workstation keyboards i have ever played in my life. It may sound like a weird statement, but this keyboard is absolutely phenomenal. The action is brilliant. I was playing the stock piano, and i was blown away by the delicate touch achieved by the action. Honestly, it was the best digital piano i have ever played. So, yea, yamaha has really done it here. The E.P.s sound great, the bass’s also. But the drum voices really impressed me also. I didn’t get a chance to play everything, but i need this board.

[@JonSnowIII]

I tried this one today. Everything I was doing made me feel like I was Vangelis or something. It was ridiculous how gorgeous and intuitive everything is. Absolutely blown away.

[@dynoroad]

"I never use sequences", and despite of that the sequence you did was totally amazing, what a vibe!

[@gophercrow]

Not only do I love your playing, I love that this review focuses on the exact things I care about in the upgrade from the original Montage.

[@fastlane1409]

I love Yamaha too! The sound design on it always incredible!

[@smalltown2223]

What a keyboard! It seems expensive but it’s really not at all if you use all the capabilities. It’s less than a Mini Moog, which although a beautiful thing, is just mono. I recently watched your video on your journey in the music business, which I found very good viewing and now I’m jumping through your videos. A very well put together and professional channel.

[@idontmindatall]

Matt, 15:15 is one of the most beautiful sounds I have heard in a long time, it really touches me, I love your programming choices. And the way you play on this beautiful synth! I really enjoy your content! Thanks .

[@xiansamurai774]

Remindes me @ phil collins epiano sound

[@JLincW]

You've been a Yamaha shill for nearly as long as I've been alive!! I love them too. I've been a fan ever since I was 4 years old playing a 1989 Yamaha PSR-6 toy board. I have a MoXF myself and I just love the Motif engine. They make excellent instruments as a rule.

[@marcthompson4661]

I really like your keyboard playing. Been a jamiroquai fan since I saw the Return of the Space cowboy video in 95!!!salute!!!

[@SuperBriansmoke]

Played on at the Yamaha store in London at the weekend. Absolutely fantastic synth.

[@AudioAtmos]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I ordered the M8x the day it was released and haven’t looked back. It really is an endless set of possibilities. The GEX keyboard is great, the nicest I have felt. Admittedly I don’t have much experience with high end key beds. Well, I do now. I certainly would love to see and hear more videos and your experience with the Montage M8x. Thanks again!👍

[@sams110571]

Lazing on a sunny afternoon (wink, wink) and browsing matt's videos over and over again for sound gems and artful playing - thanks for sharing all that with us!

[@Heavy_Distortion]

Much love for Yamaha. Innovative and rock solid reliability.

[@jonathangaither7403]

Right on time, I was trying to figure out if I should get this. Matt thanks for helping making that decision!!!!

[@reynhart66]

That Mick Karn impression was spot on for a keyboard ! Impressive !

[@theaudioeng]

Hey Matt, this beauty is still on my wish list, 😍 Yamaha gear!!! (yes I've never had any Yam studio gear issues ever, over past 30+? years now .... others Brands have though is all I'll say!!). You moved Scala gig from April to May ....... so we pressed the button on those tickets! - can't wait to see you & the guys, since Jazz Cafe Oct-23. 😎👊🎹🎶🍻

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Yay Scala should be fun!

[@theaudioeng]

@MattJohnsonJamiroquai Defo Matt! We've never been to that London venue, even though Iconic.... can't wait! 🙃 You taking the M8x then??, hope so (all 28 kgs of it!)

[@YotamPiano]

Stellar ! I was literally waiting for your demo, Matt. You Never disappoint !

[@TylerInTraining]

Terrific video. I’m a Roland fanboy at heart but Yahama is unquestionably a close second for me. My first real synth was a Yamaha s80, and the YM2612 chip from the Sega Genesis has some of my favorite sounds in all of synthesis. I work for a major music retailer and on our sales floor we have a Montage and a Fantom directly next to one another - I play the both of them so much and eventually I’ll decide on one or the other and this video is a strong argument for the Montage. Cheers!

[@jeejeeBlaps]

You make every synth sound great. Nice demo.

[@stevebatty2518]

It’s a real joy just to watch you play Matt.

[@jarnleikr]

Please do follow-ups! Beautiful custom sounds! There's a 3 month wait for the M8x here in Norway, so this is a great way for me to get to know it's outs and ins before it's in front me 🙂

[@archivethearchives]

Honestly love the Montage series of Yamaha. Hard not to. 🤣 you definitely were the right pick for a Yamaha sponsorship. You got mad chops on the keys.

[@StevieG777]

Love the felt and upright pianos Matt! Happy to see those included, as opposed to the always too perfect and in tune grands. Gimme some that character.

[@yumikofuse100]

Thank you so much for the nice sound🎵🎹✨👍👏👏👏

[@enochroot9438]

top of my synth dream list, going to take bit fo saving for this awesome machine

[@matthewwhitaker4849]

Love this keyboard so much!!! had a chance to play this at NAMM this year. Could you upload all of these patches to sound Mondo? It would befantastic for others who have this keyboard to have access to these amazing sounds. Keepupthe great work.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

I will Be selling a pack soon!

[@marzzz1]

So glad to see polyphonic aftertouch become more available again!

[@B3-R]

Beautiful sounds 👍👌

[@alexmcallister492]

I’ve got to get one of these added to my set up . Great video Matt very interesting ! Very true about Yamaha gear not going wrong also . I’ve never had a single issue with any Yamaha product I’ve owned over the years .

[@georgecoles7268]

I just got one of these I wish I had some of those sounds you made they are very good

[@kenwho]

that fret bass was giving me expose-when i looked at him kinda vibes. love the demo!

[@PhilW222]

Lots of interesting programming ideas here, great demo!

[@Jerome_de_Bretagne]

Great demo thanks !

[@danstenningmusic6103]

Hi matt - i'm the bloke you met down the Co-Op a few days ago. Now this beast has a corresponding DAW plugin i'm much more tempted to bite ( i tried one at the Yamaha Wardour st store in London last year and was v impressed). You'll recall I mentioned the new MIDI 2.0 standard. Yamaha apparently have support for MIDI 2.0 in the pipeline for MONTAGE M - and thats what i'm really waiting for before I go for this - as then it will double as an excellent MIDI/DAW/Plugin controller and i'll eventually sell my KOMPLETE KONTROL MkII ( which is a parsons egg )

[@danstenningmusic6103]

( unles ROLAND release a new FANTOM flagship update then.... if that supports MIDI 2.0 might go for that - as the sequencer stuff and GUI in Fantom is very good imo )

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

It’s a cracking synth!

[@SkillipEvolver]

That swirling/rotating sound at 7:52 is just so lovely. 🙌🏻 I've heard that in other videos you've done I'm sure.

[@Musical.Maze.1]

I bought 22 years ago, my Roland RD-700 digital stage piano, to use it as a mother keyboard in my studio and it still serves me well. Maybe it's time to upgrade to the Montage M8X....

[@Jamminn555]

Wow, Matt. M8x sounds incredible! What are the BEAUTIFUL 3 bass/rich EP/synth lead sounds at 17:28?? And that synth bass/EP combo at 17:39?? Do you ever share or sell your sounds? Cheers, mate! Benjamin

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

I probably will release a preset pack for this one as it's exciting me to program it!

[@AudioAtmos]

@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai That would be excellent. I would be interested.

[@Jamminn555]

​@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai Yes man! We'd love it!

[@armandisalas4218]

Sounds like you (Matt obviously) can score a Nolan Film with that. That min 13 bell chord should be a complete song! Amazing sounds!👌

[@Auldhelm]

Great video!

[@LanceFreedlund]

Thanks Matt, I think this is the one! I looked at the Kurzweil and Nord, but for what I personally want to do, this is by far the best choice

[@bio-metric-1016]

Fantastic vid mr J and a good insight into my future synth 😊

[@darrenhirst9900]

I have the Yamaha modx6 but I'm drooling. Thanks for the amazing video.

[@connor_flanigan]

OMG 15:17-16:25 took me back to another dimension - 1980 something - or as you Brits would call it - the "eigh ies"

[@UnholyMessiah555]

I'm a Roland guy primarily but I have a Yamaha digital piano that I do all my woodshedding on and I definitely back their key feel, you can tell they've got a pedigree in making real acoustic grand pianos (that grace big-money pop studios and classical concert halls the world over) which carries over to their weighted-action electronic instruments! I've really come to the conclusion that pretty much all of these flagship workstation synths - the Montage, the Fantom, the Kronos/Nautilus and the Stage - are miracles in a box, I'm continuously in awe at how they combine complex synthesis possibilities with great vintage piano/Rhodes/organ tones and have so much functionality for live sound setup, sequencing etc. Cool to see a demo of the Yamaha one as it's probably the one I'm the least familiar with.

[@claudevieaul1465]

After watching your videos (your own lo-res ones) I did have a look at that Yamaha, just because it sounds really good and versatile! 👍 But I'm sticking to my trusty Rolands (various generations from XP's, XV's, Fantoms to 2 current FA's) that are all still functional 😎 And 2 vintage Korgs (MS20 & Poly61) for additional stuff, and if all else fails: My biggest beast, the legendary Kurzweil K2600X. Plus, there's no Yamaha I've ever heard (yet!!) that can really replicate a Hammond - which is one of my first influences to start playing many moons ago.... 😀👍🙏

[@ludovicBerquin]

that flanger at 8 minutes! wow. beautiful. indeed there is so much more details in the sound. A few months ago, I decided to go for the New Nord Stage 4 88 since it was directly available for me, but I must admit after hearing you play Matt,.. especially this aftertouch. I love the Nord, as a concept, free samples, continuitiy I love the accessibility with all the pots, but one thing I cannot do and it's really frustrating me is: Small stone phaser/ orange phase: there is no way I can play a proper Massive Attack "Protection" on it, I am trying to simulate with wha-wha and so one, But I think Yamaha is another level, they know how to program and implement FX, period. Thanks again Matt for this brilliant demonstration.

[@monty6545]

I'm a bass player , but you are making me want to dig out my old Korg Triton LE . \O/

[@danarmstrongmusic]

great synth - big money too

[@stevenkentish5389]

Matt, great video and sounds. When you played the organic FM arp bells I was thinking Sakamoto/Sylvian and then you suddenly revealed you like Japan and played that awesome little homage with the superb fretless bass. It was one of those surreal moments! You really captured a sense of Mick Karn. Just brilliant! Thanks! Would love a midi file of that. It was genius.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Thanks Mick Karn really influenced me as a player

[@stevenkentish5389]

@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai Yes superb bass player and such a unique style. The Japan albums still sound incredible and given the limited technology available to them (ie no DAWs/midi etc) the arrangements are so good. Do you like Sakamoto as well? Such a loss to music last year...

[@carriersignal]

Wow! That Japan demo was pretty impressive. Had to sit up in the chair for that one! I'm sure you probably helped sell a few new Montages for Yamaha.

[@marcuspatzer2392]

Wow, very nice Video my dear Friend 👍👈👀🎶🎵 Warmest Greetings from Germany to UK 😊

[@fantomandjupiterx864]

Matt your never boring when it comes to showing off keyboards 😎🎹

[@lifelies]

Yep, Yamaha is best - even my motor bike is Yamaha, my grand piano too and MODX, CP73 - yep, Montage is on my list too. Best review and demo btw, thx Matt

[@dunki-dunki-dawg]

I am building a 3 way keyboard amp with bass spkr, ART* ribbon mids and tweeters. I want it to be split-able to widen the sound or run them side by side. It is going to sound out of this world when I have finished it. The keyboard has so many ultra powerful features and the effects are glorious. I could build tracks forever with this. I have a couple of guitar songs that I have only done rough demos of however, this thing will completely transform what I initially envisaged. This unit is going to take me to places I would never of dreamed of. The soundscapes will emerge by themselves I am sure:) Great demo:)

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

All bar 1 of my keyboards are Yamaha’s. The oldest being an SY55 and it’s absolutely mint. Still sounds really good to this day. One of my old arranger’s had been to hell and back condition wise yet every single thing still works as well as the day it was made over 20 years ago.

[@felixbohmann]

as usual, fantastic playing and fantastic sounds. also, kudos for still rocking the emagic mt4, that would be 24 years old now, still looks like a current product. :)

[@basspartout]

Awesome sounds!!

[@avy5474]

No! Your long videos won't be boring. Please make them!

[@DirkDiggler19751]

its so true that yamaha keyboards are built like tanks. beautiful demonstration.

[@JamesMyddelton]

100% getting this, thanks Matt !

[@ProfessorSynth]

Lovely playing as usual Matt 👍

[@odmusicman]

I had 2 Yamaha keyboards that survived two tours without issue, you are so correct about that durability and the key touch response. I do however really like the Roland PH4 on my RD88. Of course the RD88 cannot touch the Montage on the navigation and internals.

[@kaikiefer8303]

Was waiting for that. Should get a sponsorship from Adidas as well. Hope I can make it to Utrecht. My son lives there currently ;)

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Come down it’ll be fun!

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Their stage pianos are silly great too. Tons of different Rhodes samples… more options than anyone.

[@paulchapman112]

Great demo!

[@ianfantomx7]

great synth and playing….. and sporting a tag carrera to boot !

[@MFitz12]

It's about time we got someone to do a proper job on this one.

[@Songwirer]

I'm a lifelong Yamaha junkie, addicted to them since my first SK30 from childhood, have watched this video several times now 😅

[@brandonscotthamilton]

I can’t decide between this - or the Nord Stage 4. They are both amazing and so different.

[@RicardoUrquilla-vp3ry]

Nord is more marketing , Yamaha pianos sounds are brutal

[@jordanhedlund]

Matt is the man!

[@felixuber5379]

Nice Video, Matt 👍🙋‍♂️

[@macpaul]

I got an MODX6+ only (no AN-X : ( Not the most intuitive GUI, but once you get the hang of it, the possibilities are endless. Matt's sounds are amazing examples.

[@gabrielegelfofx]

I'm curious to know how Yamaha ported the Montage M software on pc/macs. The question is: what's under the hood of the new Montage? An Arm pc? No more custom chips? If yes, it's a software based synth with infinite possibilities.

[@cedricbablet9429]

Hello thanks for this test. I don't have montage 8, but i can implement ideas on my asm hydrasynth. You are always cool!

[@bateimidrashnetwork]

Intersting how each time someone demos the ANX engine and mentions the ringmod and crossmod - he avoids demoing what it sounds like

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

You can hear it on some of my patches, subtly

[@funkmachine6420]

Fantastic sounding board. Seems a lot easier to use than the Roland Fantom too

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Roland’s larger synths have been a mess UI-wise for 15 years. It’s like they have a list of features to include and just shove a design through without testing to see if it’s fun or intuitive to use. What a mess.

[@stinkypete9070]

Absolutely wonderful. There is a nagging thought in the back of my head sometimes to sample my synths with sample robot, sell em off and get one of these, load them on and use the onboard AM/FM stuff to fill any gaps.

[@thegood9]

If you tell me this thing can do fast single note repetition like the rep says it can, then it'll be my new Workstation. I LOVED the Motif's...had the X, and the XF. What do you think about its ability to play fast repetiive single notes a la "Prelude/Angry Young Man" ?

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

I would say yes you can. The action is great

[@thegood9]

@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai Thank you. Mine is now on the way. Replacing a Kawai MP11 that never could quite handle it.

[@kennyhunter5627]

Glad it gets the thumbs up. My 20 year old Motif ES8 is starting to show it's age now (some dodgy keys) so, when I retire in October, some of my lump sum is going on a new Montage M8X 🙂 (along with a Waldorf Quantum 2)

[@andreafox7267]

I had the ES8 with a DX and a couple of AN boards. Amazing synth. It sounded beautiful especially the DX electric pianos. I sold it to get the Montage 8. I’ll probably get the M8X too in a while. Matt really sells this doesn’t he!

[@masonjahncke7844]

I just got the Waldorf Quantum mk2, it really excels at the most cinematic sounds you could imagine. Very precise and accurate. Love it

[@UberOcelot]

Yamaha might not have as many SKUs (in terms of hardware synths, they have lots of traditional instruments and studio gear) targeting specific parts of the market, like Arturia, Korg, or Sequential has. But the M8x is maybe the most complete digital flagship. It sort of feels like between the Virus and this, nothing falls in the middle. I guess most digital synthesis innovation is trapped in pure software land. Waldorf gets closest but either it's limited in voices, or is something really odd like the Kyra, which nobody really wants... The Korg Opsix/Modwave/Wavestate are the closest things, but that is split between 3 SKUs, which I guess you can now get as a trio of modules which is nice. Still the M8x is the whole package!

[@jeffconley819]

Would love to pull the trigger in one of these. Got the money note sure I have the brain power to operate it. I’m an old guy that lives all this synth stuff but not sure I can learn to use it

[@alfiedotwtf]

I love my MODX6+, but hot diggity dog that AN-X upgrade keeps me up at night

[@danstenningmusic6103]

that OBX sound rtowards the end reminded me a bit of a Steve Winwood solo album track

[@mh22xv]

Love your vids! I have the YC73. Ive had the modx7 and Montage 6. I’m on the fence for this one (sadly not made of money 😅). Could you give me your take on the keybed? I feel the yc73 is quite stiff or needs to be hammered away on even on soft velocity curve. Do you feel the m8x is light or hard on touch? Is it possible to pan the oscillatorvoices like on the ob6? Thank you. ❤

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Yes you can pan the voices but in a different way to the OB. I love the action, it's not super easy or super hard but for me a perfect piano action. That is subjective though of course, you should try yourself. I hate overly light actions personally but some people prefer that

[@mh22xv]

@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai thank you so much for answering. All the best.

[@Maximgurman]

Yes, it sounds powerful!...

[@GabrielCalva-se9od]

Dear Matt we love you so much, what keyboard would you recommend for newbies wanting to play 80, 90s, 2000s, obviously Jamiroquai style, but at a more affordable price point, just for jamming st home for family and friends but with quality sounds? A big hug from Ecuador.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

@@GabrielCalva-se9od maybe the Yamaha MODx, it’s a cheaper version of the montage with most of the same sounds

[@JumpingCow]

I tried one of these beasts at the music store. I love the keyboard action. Is it possible to get just the keyboard, without the synth guts?

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

not at the moment

[@Leo-pb3ju]

Are you using more than one pedal to play that patch at the 17:15 mark? That sounded really nice.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

I guess using the super knob which can change many parameters at the same time

[@dmcgwhisper5945]

Thanks! Loved that.

[@markusfuller]

Hi Matt I have the m6 and am really enjoying it. The only thing i’m missing on mine is your skills. best wishes.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Thanks, you too!

[@entropybentwhistle]

One of the things that I consider a huge factor on workstation choice is the piano action. Just wondering if you have had a chance to play a Kurzweil 2700 since that is the other board I’m considering right now because of how impressed I was with my last main unit, the Kurzweil PC3K8.

[@AndrewTSq]

Sounds great, especially in your hands!. Regret selling my Yamaha XF6 a few years ago, so I might look into one of these newer ones maybe :)

[@payt01]

Such a monster of a machine it is! And so cool to see that everyone is diving into the poly aftertouch now. How are you getting on with it? And I bet the girls love it when you brag about your Super Knob eh?

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Haha!

[@rz9wb]

Can you record the automation knobs in sequencer mode or nah?