Yamaha MODX Synthesizer In-Depth Demo

At a special event on Sept 14th, Yamaha introduced their new MODX line of synth keyboards - a more affordable version of their Montage synthesizer.
At the event, we talked with Yamaha's Blake Angelos, who gave us an in-depth look at the new MODX, explained how it compares to the Yamaha Montage and demonstrated how it sounds.
More Yamaha MODX coverage at Synthtopia:
www.synthtopia.com/content/201...
Details on the MODX synths are available at the Yamaha site:
usa.yamaha.com/products/music...

[@tdhmoose]

I had a Yamaha PSR S900 $1,500. in 2010 and thought it was an entry level, sold it. I love the way it sounds. After reading comments and watching over a dozen videos, looks great, debating on getting one. I can not play but keyboards keep getting better every ten years.

[@chrisstrobel3439]

Very cool .. inspired me to go fire up Dexed on my computer. Viva la FM 😁

[@kevinnolan3592]

Question: Are the fast GUI features now in the MODX also in the Montage? I ask as I've heard that the Montage is harder to assign parameters to the superknob?

[@demetriccauthen7299]

Do demo how to split the keyboard

[@Silvestian]

I don't know how to say... but if you play 4 instruments at the same time, the polyphony will be 64:4 = so will be 16 notes real polyphony (I mean maxim of sounds with pedal on)???

[@94mac]

silV not necessarily because a certain sound can contain more elements for example one not on a pad may be really 5 notes of polyphony used

[@jerryKJose]

It’s so frustrating to see the mod and pb wheels at the top including both assignable switches and it is not ergonomically placed

[@duketranslucent3rd]

Any word on how good the action is on the 88 for a pianist looking to get into making electronic music? I wonder if the plastic chassis would render the unit too flimsy for serious piano playing, compared to something more robust like the Nord Stage 3?

[@colbalt95]

Its graded hammer. You're going to have to go to a Guitar Center but I think you're going to be getting about the same thing as what the moXF series had

[@theJaronamo]

As a successor to the MOXF it would have the same if not improved action for the 88-key bed. Like like I said you should go to Guitar Center, or any local music store that carries it, and play the keys for yourself. That way you'll know if you like the feel or not.

[@mosesmedina6898]

duketranslucent3rd key bed is very good on the modx88 that’s the one I have feels heavier more like a real piano it’s def better than moxf

[@duketranslucent3rd]

@Moses Medina - thanks - I bought it! Loving it so far, but SO much to learn...

[@fahimdawer]

How many sounds can be layered simultaneously??

[@mosesmedina6898]

FAHIM UR REHMAN 8 at once and if you put record mode you can layer 16

[@tuneunleashed]

Moses Medina no you can’t only in the Montage you can layer 16 sounds at once

[@ChilledGemini99]

Do you have an exact number on how many voices there are?

[@boxwes]

128 in the AWM engine and another 64 in the FM-X engine. Total of 196 between them.

[@ChilledGemini99]

@@boxwes So not 1000+ like the mx series or montage? Dang

[@boxwes]

ChilledGemini99 What do you mean by voices? If you are talking sounds available there are over 2000 presets that come with it plus a ton of backwards compatability with prior Yamaha synths (Montage, Motif, DX7, etc.) The 196 voices I am referring to is how many different sounds can it play at once.

[@ChilledGemini99]

@@boxwes yes that's what I'm talking about lol

[@ChilledGemini99]

@@boxwes Ohh you're talking about polyphony.

[@zinrau3267]

another detailed review by Fred Flintstone

[@pauloyoshizaki2103]

YAMAHA; M.O.D.X. SYNTHESIZER. NEW. MODEL’ 2019 NEW Lançamento : Mundial !!!!…………………… NEW Syntetizadores MAIS. Modernos Da. ATUALIDADE : com Mais Recursos !!!……………………………………

[@jerryKJose]

From an upgrade perspective, I compare modx with moxf and not with montage..!!! So, i stick with moxf

[@mosesmedina6898]

Jerry Jose what ? I had the moxf8 i sold it modx is light years ahead it has all the stuff form the modx and a sounds from the montage it sounds amazing ! It’s basically a montage ! Sound wise

[@ZiadSidawi]

That pulsing light of the super knob is irritating and unnecessary.

[@compfox]

So switch it off.

[@RayyMusik]

It‘s not unnecessary. If you have a drum pattern included in your performance (starting with the first note played) you‘ll be glad to know the tempo in advance.

[@peteroppong1171]

GREETINGS........ PLEASE, what percentage of musicians who play keyboards like their instrument very very light......EXCEPT, that during its design, there's a constriction or daunting at every side beneath the instrument to help its stability.....so it doesn't easily slip from the stand. A little heaviness helps.

[@stephenlennartz3466]

Hi Peter. The MODX is perfect for ... well ... me! I'm in my mid 50s ... play in a cover band with lots of dates in 2019. I got my MODX7 back in October and absolutely love it! The weight is just 16.5 pounds but the sounds are what sold me on this keyboard. Truly excellent acoustic and electric pianos, strings, brass ... over 2000 patches. I could go on and on about the features and benefits of the MODX. For me the light weight is a bonus. I think you'll like it if you check it out. Almost forgot ... the MODX is very affordable, too. Enjoy!

[@harleyrider9166]

No sequencer. So I wouldn’t call it a complete Workstation. Same with the Montage. No onboard sampling either I think.

[@babar141]

These demo videos r all the same and show the same thing and even TALK about the same thing over en over again, i wanna c some1 make a beat or song with it connected to a DAW

[@DNGMaestro]

Exactly. Its boring by now. Im very interested in the simple sequencer it has built in for example.

[@TheA90plyr]

mozes7 no doubt some real world work would be nice

[@sheneeser5561]

agreed! this is frustrating

[@sjcongo]

Sounds like a 44khz soundcard 😕

[@compfox]

What is your listening equipment ? 44khz soundcard ?

[@sjcongo]

Comp Fox apogee ensemble @96khz & motu @48 khz

[@sjcongo]

Yup modx is capable of 16/24b 44khz ... if you understand

[@herbievos8003]

Useless demo......... how to tweak and make your own sounds/patches???? and also plastic fantastic, no competition for the great synth makers like Sequential or Moog. The MODX hasn't aftertouch.... hello it's almost 2019 🤔

[@neoison4915]

Should be $999.. plastic toy

[@Nymitch11]

Plastic yes...but definitely no toy.

[@neoison4915]

@@Nymitch11 Montage, Kronos are professional boards. This Modx is a toy made of plastic. Maybe you want to buy one because it's more affordable. We all love what we own and I've owned every pro board for the last 30yrs. Yamaha could have popped it in a medal shell for $75 more with some wood sides. How amazing would have that been? ;) This will drop $300 by next summer. 61key at $999 I could have bought the Montage for $2150 new in box from guitar center but passed. Just wasn't impressed. But I can't wait for the successor.

[@sjcongo]

More like 600 for the oudated sounds and psr style drum kits

[@neoison4915]

@@sjcongo That's what I was thinking. Those drum sound so weak. Pathetic

[@Nymitch11]

@NEOISON. I had a Motif XS6, and later the XF6. I sold my Motif to buy the Montage 6, and I was not disappointed at all. I preordered a MODX because I wanted something to replace my MOXF6, which was getting dated. I agree that MODX is not made for professional use