Yamaha Montage M Review // What's new // Poly AT keybed & AN-X explored // M6/M7/M8x Tutorial

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TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:20 Keybed
3:10 AN-X
3:35 More knobs
4:20 Sub-display
6:30 Navigation
7:05 Super Knob
9:15 Polyphony
11:10 Misc new
12:05 I/O
13:00 Live sets
13:50 Perf
15:25 Parts
16:10 Elements
16:20 You are here!
17:40 Splits, layers
18:10 10,000 arps
19:55 Rhythms
21:25 Scenes
21:20 Effects
24:15 Mixer
24:50 AN-X details
31:00 AWM2
33:00 FM-X
36:00 FM morph
37:30 Motion ctrl
40:40 Motion seq
42:30 Env follower
43:25 Songs
44:15 Patterns
45:15 DAW remote
45:40 Multisamples
46:00 Pros & cons
50:35 Outro/presets
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NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@davlippo7]

Most M videos are "look how good I can play" or only sounds w/no talking or random comments or comparisons etc. but few are this professional and actually help you learn how to do stuff. Thanks Loopop!

[@kaisabushahin1599]

this was simply one of the tutorials that got me watching carefully for the whole hour. thank you

[@valerys.219]

I read your comment and just realize it was 1 hour and not 30mn. as I initialy thought ! Wow.

[@von_Apa]

Thank you so much! I just got mine and as a musician with a small tech knowledge it’s fantastic to get your knowledge on youtube! I love the keybed and the presets are great for basic songwriting. I believe this instrument will be in my studio for a long time!

[@JimDaneker]

FINALLY... been waiting for your review. Amazing there aren't any other pro-level reviews out there! I've had some time on an M8X and it's a stunning machine in so many ways. Can't wait to do a proper review as well. Great to see yours!

[@smokey5100]

Maybe we can make a CS-80 synth overlay for the Montage M lol jk but I'm sold on it also. Waiting on my Montage M8X to arrive Monday 🫠

[@smokey5100]

Looking forward to that review Jim!

[@JimDaneker]

@@smokey5100 enjoy it!

[@MichaelRohaly]

"The closer shift button would work too." Bless your pickiness. Excellent work as usual.

[@wilcandou]

What a great review... nicely done!😊

[@maurodonnini928]

La migliore analisi tecnica del montage M8x che ho visto in rete. Bravo e competente..

[@renmad0078]

An amazing musical production machine it's a dream engine. Thank you a lot for this deep video 🙏👍😉

[@ajotech]

Yaaaaaaaay thank you Loopop!!!

[@wizmos74]

Great detailed review. Thank you very much

[@MeerkatMuzic]

Good to see your back ❤

[@jazz734]

Thank You! Best Tutorial on KZbin.

[@fouldeathrat]

At this price, polyphonic aftertouch is a pretty weird place to skimp on the 6 and 7, considering the Hydrasynth Explorer, Atom SQ, and Microfreak are all throw-away cheap in comparison and all have that feature. The lack of step sequencing (super easy on the much cheaper KeyStep Pro), and 16 voice limit on the VA engine also seem strange at this price point. That said...everything else seems pretty awesome and I kind of want one. XD

[@MichaelCoombes776]

This is the closest thing to a synth 'conspiracy theory' I can think of. Poly AT, like any other tech, could've become cheaper and more common over time and it just.... hasn't, with the exception of the Hydra. Why?

[@vangoghsseveredear]

​@@MichaelCoombes776true. Most of these companies just have not got with the times. They still act like its the 90s. Grooveboxes coming gimped with tiny amounts of ram, samplers not having resampling, synths missing basic features, etc. Im sure it is a market refusing to cheapen thing. How can we sell the 4000 dollar synth if the 800 dollar synth has everything?

[@artysanmobile]

I so agree. A peculiar choice. Surely there will be many frustrated by this decision, including players who travel their instrument, and that’s a lot of customers.

[@CaidicusProductions]

It looks like Yamaha learned a few things from the Hydrasynth, in regards to user interface. Thanks for a fantastic presenation, Loopop.

[@ToyKeeper]

The Hydra-like interface stood out to me too, in a good way.

[@saftpackerl]

There is also some NI Maschine (MK1 Controller) in there...

[@yipmabaruya1148]

Good morning from Papua New Guinea. I enjoyed watching your contents

[@drakey82]

My friend is a super Knob!😊 Ordered mine, 3 more days. Can't wait.

[@ajotech]

Looks like a stealth bomber so hi tech and military love it!

[@groovedealermusic]

Ordered my M7 already in Nov. and should arrive in March. Hope, it's worth the wait.

[@Rollur1234]

Nice ❤❤❤ faders and macros! King Yam yam

[@DrivenCrane1]

I got M7. It worth exploring!

[@sawssman965]

That thing sounds absolutely brilliant! It's a shame I'm just barely getting a modx+, but imma be happy wit that bih. I suppose this'll serve as a motivational pipe dream for me.

[@cornerliston]

Good thing: the touch screen reacts to touch very fast (compare to e.g. the Neumann MT48 interface touch screen which is really slow.) Although Yamaha would really benefit from increasing their UX/GUI team's skills*. There's plenty to do in this to make it much more intuitive and user friendly. * Or having the chief product officer let the UX/GUI team have enough time/budget to use their skills.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

It's strange that Korg and Yamaha want to enthuse us with those touch screen interfaces but can't even allow themselves to be less greedy and give us a big capacitive touch screen when those are dirt cheap nowadays. Or give us the capacity to plug an external display, keyboard and mouse. When you consider the size of the display on the Korg OASYS, Korg only went the downgrade way for the Kronos and Nautilus.

[@ToyKeeper]

The new Montage does so many things, even a brief high-level outline of the feature set takes an hour.

[@DoctorRevers]

Yamaha is one solid company.

[@_c_y_p_3]

You could for the sake of standardization of a description compare the aftertouch to the feeling of Novation aftertouch because they use Fatar keybeds which are used on quite a few brands. There is a list online.

[@trstack]

As always, incredible, in depth yet simple overview of a very complex instrument. FYI - there are two (2) shift buttons so you don’t have to reach across (2:51) there’s one right under the superknob that would have been faster…

[@loopop]

Yes I use the left one quite a lot in the video but sometimes forget…

[@trstack]

I’ve had my M8x for a few weeks and your video has already helped me better understand the structure/workflow. Thank you!@@loopop

[@craigbarnes8000]

I just got the M8X. I've been learning it for a few days. Its going to take me a month of rewatching this video to fully absorb everything you showed here. Truly excellent info! How long did you work with it before releasing this video?

[@loopop]

Thanks! A couple of weeks, but I was familiar with the workflow overall because I have a MODX, so don't feel bad, it takes a while!

[@ursullavandenbord2322]

Will you review FANTOM EX ? Would be cool as your reviews are THE BEST ! Thanks.

[@dreamstaticsounds]

$3500 for the 61 key model, obviously the cheapest one, and they couldn't even bother to give it poly aftertouch...

[@noitnova]

Again a nice clear review. Im thinking to sell my Nautilus and MODX te buy this beast. The Nautilus is a drama to work well in Cubase. Keep up the good work mate. 👍

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

I see you getting some jazz funk licks in.

[@winddealer1]

The M series VCM Rotary Effects are now at parity with the improved VCM Rotary Effects found on the YC Stage series.

[@johnmax5652]

YAMAHA IS THE KING AT OPERATING SYSTEMS ALWAYS

[@wreckage-vs5jv]

Yeah sure and that includes the fully washable totally incomprehensible original DX7

[@johnmax5652]

@@wreckage-vs5jv 1980's OS ??? NO COMPUTERS...

[@caydilemma3309]

Honestly shout out to ASM for bringing poly aftertouch back into the mainstream, without the Hydrasynth I'm not sure if we would have all these poly AT synths and keyboards coming out nowadays!

[@dankeplace]

Behringer had their PAT keybed finished in 2019, I wouldn't say that ASM deserves anything, PAT keybeds have been around for an eternity. A ton of synths respond to PAT too.

[@MichaelRohaly]

It seems to me that there's a little bit of them in the UI too.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

The credit should go to Arturia and their Microfreak, which gave everyone a different synth with PAT for a reasonable price while other companies keep charging a premium for the feature.

[@MichaelRohaly]

@@BrunodeSouzaLino No.

[@davlippo7]

I noticed another big item that's very important, not sure you covered it or sorry I might have missed it. The improved PAC coupled with the improved AMW2 bit depth combined for noticeable upgraded voicing. I don't happen to have both versions side by side but some have said it's a considerable improvement over the original. I've also heard some say they had to push really hard to activate PAT and so they returned their M8x. If you pull up the PAT page and play with the ratio it really jumps out. The stock PAT voices have it extremely subtle but that's just the way it was programmed. It's actually very customizable including sensitivity curve options as well.

[@Skechi]

great vid

[@markquavertune2003]

Thank you for the very good overview .Yes it is a cliffhanger ! So i will stay tuned for the episode " When Montage gets infused with Cubase .It would be good if the Montage had the chord track as is in Cubase .

[@anilsia1962]

Best vedio for Montage M.

[@JamesLangston-ru2ei]

I been using Yamaha keys in my home studio Jaime parks production from the 90s til now

[@VistaMinistry]

Great video!!! Convinced me to pull the trigger on the MM6. I'm hoping with the lighter weight it will be more practical for gigs although the synth action is not conducive for AP & EP...

[@smilingscottsman]

I found a Yamaha Montage M6 for about $130 so I bought it from a store that was going out of business. I had to watch a few videos before I bought it. I've always wanted a keyboard but just never bought one. I hope I made a good buying decision.

[@nickademuss42]

WIle I love it, I would rather have the Moog Siren sitting on your shelf :)

[@etherity]

Wish I could afford the M8X so much.

[@PetraKann]

The Yamaha Montage M8 88 Key Synthesizer is retailing for (AU)$6,999 in Australia.

[@Rollur1234]

In a euphorian world i can play and afford this Loopop ❤

[@loopop]

Yeah it’s quite a price tag - hopefully they release the MODX version at some point

[@Rollur1234]

@@loopop fix my payment youtube says. I say fix my videos volume and ok.

[@Rollur1234]

@@loopop i am deleting myself if they dont fix my tracks volume #youtube

[@Rollur1234]

@@loopop my master is all red and i cant hear ####

[@Rollur1234]

@@loopop sorry ive had 2 beers and fired up Loopop❤️

[@zdravkodimitrov]

If Yamaha make a multitimbral synth with only the new engine and at a reasonable price, they'll have a big winner.

[@Jason75913]

MODX? It is a best seller already.

[@zdravkodimitrov]

@@Jason75913 just an ANX synth

[@mossgraber]

Great video and first one which clearly shows how it works and the pro/cons! Would love to switch to a workstation for live work and get rid of the laptop solution but there is always a drawback. If the plugin really works and has no stupid limitations (copy-protection or cloud like with Roland) this could make me jump aboard. However, as you also mention in the end, the high end Yamaha weighs a ton and the downsized versions look and feel dirt cheap.

[@loopop]

Thanks! I agree that the MODX versions have a cheaper feel, but they're as light as a MIDI keyboard and have all the sounds of the Montage (previous version for now)

[@mossgraber]

@@loopop Yes, would totally love to see a MODX with a more decent keybed and a nicer look (like the MOXF for example).

[@leticiabraun2909]

We need that weighted action/ polyphonic aftertouch in 76 too

[@dankeplace]

Insert "we're gonna need a Montage montage"

[@loopop]

That's actually what I wanted to call the outro but there wasn't enough room for "Montage preset montage" on screen...

[@dankeplace]

@@loopop lol, great minds!!!!

[@CharlesFerraro]

Damnnnn they added a VA? Yamaha and Steinberg offer very powerful technologies.

[@pontram]

An interesting question in terms of evolution would be, if the new version does recall its state before it was switched off ? I mean, this is a computer, and it should be able to write a small file describing which patch or combi it currently uses. Lemondrop can do it. M3 can do it. Also Jd-xi and Micro-x, and Miniak, IIRC. But the OG Modx can not.

[@ZeroG]

Can you also explain a Soviet-era nuclear submarine? They're less complex By far this is the best video on Montage, BTW. Excellent job. What do you think of the filter on AN-X vs. the true analog filter on Roland?

[@loopop]

I tried, the navy won't let me borrow one

[@iblackfeathers]

what these companies should do is make a tablet-based touch display dock that runs off apps and controllable/programmable instead of having to reinvent the wheel on every model iteration. focus more on the piano keyboard, the physical knobs, sliders, pads and switches, connections, and the strengths of what can do while interfacing what most already use in the form of a common tablet.

[@connor_flanigan]

you can't drag a slider/knob on the screen to move it? you could do that on the Korg trinity from 1997. 🤔

[@johnkruton9708]

I just watched your 5 year old MODX8 review with very detailed look at how to do things and at the end your comments about aftertouch and that it wasn’t a Montage. I am still a beginner as I bought a Alesis QS8 in 1999 and still think it’s Quadratic sound is exactly like the OBX the EVH used in Jump. So I really don’t want to spend $4500 on a new keyboard but I’m not happy with trying to use MIDI with my older MacBook Pro and dealing with the QS8 as a controller only. It is a heavy beast and obviously is very limited in what it can do. I want the knobs and hands on buttons and in looking at the Korg Nautilus they’ve removed most knobs and easier to use things and dumped it into a small screen. IMHO dumb. I really want to be able to hook up an external LCD monitor of a given size but I’m sure nobody puts that into keyboards. Old men with money have eyesight that isn’t as robust as 20 years ago. Lol. So your review will probably just mean I dedicate some savings and some overtime work to earn the cash to get the last keyboard I’ll buy.

[@FrankPSF]

Man I bet your studio looks like Jay Leon’s garage by now.

[@UFO-Ark]

I have a MODX which is identical hardware to the MODX+. Does anyone know if Yamaha will unlock the FMX polythony to match the MODX+ ??

[@juanfelipeblanco4928]

Good demonstration congratulations, I just bought the Montage M8 but I feel that it is very heavy to touch and I feel that it has a little latency, do you had the same feel?

[@loopop]

Thanks! No, I don't feel any latency. The keys are heavy and weighted relative to synth action keybeds for sure. As I mention in the video, my friend who is a very good level pianist feels the keys are very much like those on a real piano.

[@valuemastery]

Where is the 9th drawbar on the organs, since there are only 8 faders?

[@Dolores5000]

Fun!!!!

[@Kiakaa]

Does it have workstations, like motif?

[@josefsaint]

hahaha this ui is so natural coming from cs1x -> tg33-> dx7II -> sy77 yamaha rules!!

[@GizzyDillespee]

Can you modulate the arpeggio list within a range, for a part, by any means? Or, is there any way other than manually, or else switching entire scenes, to send a part thru different arpeggios consecutively, changing every, say, 4-10 notes, something like that? Also, can you keytrack each filter separately? IOW, from the same keyboard split, can you have 1 filter 100% keytracked, and the other at -50%, or whatever?

[@loopop]

no arp type is not a mod destination (some arp params are like gate, velocity, quantize, swing); yes there's filter tracking per filter in AN-X (note I didn't test any of these, just had a look on screen...)

[@cy9105]

Such a cool workstation! An OLED display would have been nicer for the long display, though.

[@wreckage-vs5jv]

The 88 keys version multiplies the fun times million.

[@wreckage-vs5jv]

Did Yamaha change to selling Montage thru agencies exclusively? So it's not available at your favorite store?

[@tedtedsen269]

that poly effect is so nice but technics kn7000 had it 22 years ago when yamaha didn't on tyros 1 even to day genos 2 dosent have it i play genos 2

[@Curious_Skeptic]

After so much time shopping for my next workstation, I have to say Roland, Korg, Akai, all are not impressing me. All have some good stuff, but Yamaha seems to be running away with the ball! Two screens? Really nice layout. Far more abilities! M8X is so beautiful. Price though, up to Nord Stage 4! Decisions decisions.

[@Keyboardnut99]

Shame there is no stock anywhere in the uk , looks like a great product if they were available. I had a montage and a modx but got rid of both , the weight of this monster puts me off as i play live!

[@jimhewes7507]

I guess no time to mention the addition of the leslie simulator and reverse faders for organ. That's OK, I was aware of those already anyway. I was disappointed there are not nine faders to accommodate the drawbars. Something I still don't know about the Montage M (and original Montage) is how it handles nine drawbars with only eight faders. Does one fader do double duty?

[@CharlesFerraro]

Did they update the original montage to include the new organ engine?

[@jimhewes7507]

@@CharlesFerraro No. I just meant that the original Montage also used its eight faders as drawbars since it had a preset called All 9 Bars. And I didn't know how that worked either. There isn't really an organ engine. There are just organ samples and a leslie simulator. Though I'm not sure what you might call an organ engine. The Korg Kronos CX-3 engine generates the organ tones and you can call that an engine. But I believe the Hammond clonewheels are based on samples. At least my Hammond XK-3c is. So maybe the Montage qualifies as an "engine" as well.

[@Jason75913]

9th drawbar is on the touchscreen

[@lumer2b]

One of the 8 assignable knobs was used for the last drawbar

[@Eurystheas]

When will they add again a vl engine! Am I the only one who worships Yamaha for that ??? Ok for the analog ok for the fm synthesis.. But Physical modeling synthesis is wonderful..so tired from all these sample playback engines.. I think korg in their next flagship should also put the z1 engine or an evolution… I really miss vl1 and z1.😢

[@l2etranger]

6:15 that’s the next update once oled is virtually free, in that part of the world.

[@artysanmobile]

But can it make a decent espresso?

[@axs203]

It's really nice looking. It baffles me though how you can design a flagship synth like this and not let people drag values via a touchscreen. Didn't the Korg Trinity let you do this 25 years ago?

[@superultrathanksmom3845]

Is there any modern VST that has a full library of multisample that's on this level? I know that Omnisphere exists but are there any more? Would be awesome to have something like AWM as a plug-in

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

Try Unify by Plugin Guru - allows many similar funtions (with your own VSTs as well!). It allows for many layers, patterns etc. Not quite as smooth in workflow terms.. but VERY flexible.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

Nexus.

[@aatreya]

How does the polyphonic aftertouch on this keybed compare to the Native Instruments S88 mk3?

[@loopop]

Very similar

[@jona_KardCiv1]

Wow, that is a lot going on under one hood.

[@dude65535]

Nice. Is sound switching the same as old montage? I suggested to Yamaha they allow A-B-A-C switching to sustain pad A while switching B then C to solo. :-) (Old montage cuts A when you switch back to A from B even if B is silent and A still playing).

[@loopop]

Yes, it's the same, however, with 128 elements instead of 8 per AWM2 part, you just might be able to program everything you need in one performance with mutes/splits/scenes etc

[@noitnova]

Hi me again. Can you pleas tell me how noisy the keybed of the 88 version is. I mean if you play on it will thy make a lot of noise like *bonking* sound. Or are the keys well insulated?

[@loopop]

I don't feel like it's too noise personally, but obviously it's an individual thing

[@bateimidrashnetwork]

Thanks! Regarding the OSC parameters on the AN-X, there's something a bit weird. There's the ringmod/fm knob and in your demo as well as in Dom's demo it seems like turning the knob to the right (fm amount i'm assuming) doesn't do much most of the travel and after it passes 80% of the way it suddenly cranks up all at once and not in a very musical way. It is not clear whether there's additional control. Is this fm and ringmod a result of one of the other oscillators interacting with the edited one? Does changing their pitch or shape affect how the fm or ringmod sounds? Or is it like the sync where you have a hidden "ghost" oscillator that main oscillator syncs to?

[@loopop]

Not by the synth now but if you look at the navigation diagram you'll see ring and fm are dependent on osc 3 if I remember correctly

[@bateimidrashnetwork]

Hmmm, well it would sure be interesting to hear what it sounds like when you set the osc to ringmod or fm and start messing around with osc 3's pitch or waveshape@@loopop

[@loopop]

@@bateimidrashnetwork OK I checked it now, yes, it seems like the knob isn’t linear. Anyway, it’s not likely that I’ll make another video just for that. Sorry…

[@bateimidrashnetwork]

Thanks! No, it's ok i wasn't asking you to specially make another vid. Just to make sure that changing osc 3 does impact how the ringmod or fm sounds. I'll try and check this myself once the montage hits kley zemer@@loopop

[@loopop]

@@bateimidrashnetwork yes it does. If you set osc 3 to really low it kind of makes sense because it gives you fine control

[@bobfrode]

🤯

[@Dooblecaine]

I'd love a rompler style VST software with these engines. I have no desire to spend 3 grand on a hardware keyboard when I just want the sounds in a software format.

[@DcmIn001]

Great video, however I noticed that in Montage M per part, you can only split the keyboard up to 8 layers (or zones) instruments. So... I didn't understand at all if I can split the layers like in the Roland Fantom where I can split the keyboard by scene into up to 16 zones 🤔

[@loopop]

Thanks! parts 9-16 are only controllable via MIDI, or, with the keyboard if you set them to the active track. You can also create many more splits and layers using elements

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

But then you're gonna have to use a Fantom, which is still full of issues.

[@scpedicini]

It's *really* difficult to find a good light-feeling quality semiweighted keybed these days. Either they have so much resistance that they're going to give you tendonitis (AKAI MPK line), or they have randomly hot keys meaning velocity isn't calibrated evenly between white and black keys (the NI Kontrol S-series quality control needs some serious retooling). The Montage M6/M7 is by far the best semiweighted action I've ever played on. Try pushing your finger up the board even on the black keys - it doesn't require much more force to depress the key even at the absolute top. I didn't think I've find a semiweight action that could compare and exceed some of the better Fatar actions (TP/80 waterfall comes to mind on some of the Nords), but this is it. And look it only took a mere three grand to get there. Fantastic.

[@pabz5602]

Do you think the Montage M8x is good for people (me) that want to use it solely in the studio vs performance? I am bit bored with softwares sometimes and having all-in-one hardware digital synth seems like a great idea to me.

[@loopop]

Really depends on your needs - it can't do everything a computer can - and I tried to cover everything it can in this video :)

[@robdelnen]

I think the M8x is great in the studio. If the upcoming Expanded Softsynth Plugin (E.S.P.) works as it is supposed to, you'll have a virtual Montage M inside your DAW, allowing you to create massive productions through the combination of a physical hardware synth with a virtual software synth.

[@demetriccauthen-no1jy]

I'm herein those keyboards are having issues screen cutting off that's why I didn't get it

[@sudhanva-bhat]

Hi loopop, how do you think this compares against korg Nautilus and other work stations? What's your preferred choice?

[@loopop]

There are so many differences between them (and others like the MPC keys and Fantom) and I can't answer in a simple comment - that needs long video... I address the main differences in the pros and cons. I don't think I have a particular preference (and even if I did I'd recommend you ignore it since my needs may be different than yours) - it really depends on what I'm trying to accomplish.

[@avetisk]

​@@loopopI think a lot of people here would love to see more "comparison" videos 🙏 While what you have taught me once in a conversation, that every single gear has its own strength and approach to making music, I still think comparing what is comparable is a good way to understand that and at the same time would help to choose what would make the best gear according to each person's taste and workflow. You have this "magical touch" when it comes to bringing the best out of every synth, and your way of teaching how to appreciate every one of them is really much appreciated ❤

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

I will tell you the Korg Kronos/Nautilus has one of the most unfriendly UI I've ever encountered. It is menu diving to an enormous degree. You can not navigate anything without the manual. The graphic interface is so outdated and its even more difficult to understand what the graphics are even interpreting. Edit: I meant to also say that the Kronos sounds are beyond incredible. Other than wavetable synthesis (not wave sequencing) and granular, there isn't anything the Kronos can't do. It's sound capabilities rival even the best of today's workstations. Why do I still have the Kronos? It's sounds and I use a MPC Live II as the sequencer engine. Even thou, the Kronos has three sequencers, they're also very unfriendly.

[@zdravkodimitrov]

Sound capabilities wise, Korg are still way ahead. Most people never bother with sound programming, and tens of thousands of presets are available for free or a very low price.

[@fouldeathrat]

@@ErwinSchrodinger64 Yeah...I tried one in a store. I'm sure it makes more sense once you live with it for awhile, but I found myself getting really annoyed with it. The crappy keys on the Nautilus (61-key version) didn't help.

[@borututuforte]

looks fun, but that's just too expensive

[@miekwavesoundlab]

I own RM1x. I bought Motif XF because it has a the same 16 Section Pattern sequencer engine with 5 mute memory switches. I was interested in Montage and then Montage M came out. I was interested in Montage M for its AN engine. But I do not see any Pattern Controls on the controller switches. Did Montage M remove 16 Section Patterns? Can I still use my Motif XF patterns on this if I purchase it?

[@pittwitt6382]

Neeee. Musik und Gerede. Das nervt😒

[@smokey5100]

Very nice but where is multi-timbral mode?

[@loopop]

Every part can be a different timbre/layer/split - 8 parts in total (16 if you count the MIDI parts)

[@smokey5100]

Oh I see. I appreciate the response and keep up the great work on these reviews!

[@hld9822]

Can 16 instruments or parts still use SSS/Seamless Sound Switching?

[@loopop]

No, but you have way more elements per part

[@davlippo7]

Nice job as always. I will respectfully disagree on the PAT. 46 years since CS80 and Vangelis said you don't actually have a real instrument until you have PAT on it. He is well respected since I'm an unknown so I refer to his comment concerning PAT. No player can make a synth speak unless they use a fixed motion program or remove their hands from the keys or use a pedal/switch that typically effects all notes sounding. Not that PAT is a new invention but it's revolutionary with respect to this type digital music synth. There are others with MPE & PAT but not to this scale on a flagship synth with multiple engines. Try PAT on AWM2 to detune EPs etc. it's so realistic because that's how acoustic instruments behave. Marching bands sound unique because every player is slightly out of tune and it varies from note to note in real time. It's actually a fundamental character of real instruments, not a flaw. Fixed, perfectly in tune, on/off notes are kind of like a computer playing them instead of real humans. It's mostly a characterless sound no matter how nice a timbre it has. For example the Osmose isn't an authentically sampled instrument yet because it has character and expression it's far more interesting to listen to and play than a pure AWM2 voice. AWM2 says (na, NA, na, Na, na) but PAT /MPE says (Na-oh, na-eh, na-ya, na-ye, na-ro..infinity). Not even close to boring, dead on/off switched sounds. If someone thinks that's not a big deal if not revolutionary I don't understand their thinking. It's like saying a McDonald's hamburger is similar to a filet minion steak. This is why Guitar players stand on the front edge of the stage and keyboard is in the back. True those aren't as portable but think about the solo aspect or a Saxophone in the 80s. The sax and guitar can bend notes, vibrate, detune and modulate which is what people want to hear. It's all about real time expression.

[@loopop]

Thanks! I guess I don't place a high value as you on the expressive capabilities of PAT as it's implemented on most current keybeds because I've been spoiled by instruments like the Continuum and Osmose - where you get substantial physical travel on pressure, unlike the 1 or 2 mm on most modern PAT implementations. Of course, PAT here is great compared to not having any at all.

[@caseytator2264]

Could u do a tutorial on how to use all 16 parts in a single performance plz?

[@loopop]

As far as I remember you can only control parts 9-16 using MIDI, or when you're editing that part

[@UFO-Ark]

That's how it is in the MODX too.

[@FagundesEli]

I miss some pads on the keyboard, by the way those keyboards should not have limited polyphony, they are so expensive to have a "limit", it feels like you have to adapt your setup to work with the instrument instead of the opposite, you're paying a huge amount of money, it should have some more options.

[@TheAtomicTom]

And people say the Octatrack is complicated

[@johnpaulpatton9786]

After this video, you may be called upon, from the future, to do instructional videos for use of the Enterprise Bridge consoles.

[@loopop]

That's what I call a five year mission

[@edmc2]

😎

[@JKVisFX]

From what I have seen in these videos, it looks like the UI has some inconsistencies and odd limitations that make no sense given that this synth is essentially software running on a very capable, very playable hardware platform. Things I would like to see in future versions of the software: a wavetable synth engine, and a granular synth engine; sampling capability; the ability to use an external SSD or card as additional user space for samples and all other user data. A future hardware update I would love to see is an iPad-sized, capacitive touch screen and/or the ability to use an iPad as its screen. What I am really hoping for is that Yamaha makes the upcoming software synth be made available for purchase by non owners of a hardware Montage.

[@judddredd8617]

Just buy a MPC key 61 and get all that and a much better sequencer

[@budgreenwood9359]

Sounds excellent but it`s far too complicated !

[@loopop]

It has a learning curve for sure!

[@odmusicman]

I'm on the waiting list for the Behringer UB-XA, Polyphonic after touch included and all analog. $1K. I know it certainly cannot do what a Montage does, but when you are asking 3-4K (Montage M 6-7) for a synth and leave it out and their extraordinary pricing, Yamaha starts to sound la lot like Roland. The ANX engine does not sound very analog to me. I'm 59 and have owned a number of analog synths and I know the difference. The AWM2 is a reason for buying as the quality is astounding. You could theoretically justify 5K if you're a regular gigging musician and you finagle the Montage to be your one main keyboard utilizing splits and so forth. Otherwise, 5K is far out of bounds. I would say the Montage 8m is a $3,100 synth.

[@davlippo7]

I have the Oberhiem OB-X8 module and Deckards sitting next to the M. The M sounds good enough in person to fool me. Obviously real proper analog can't ever be beat. I play both of those on the Osmose controller with MPE/PAT etc. The M8x Is more like $4,200 and if you have a desperate or generous dealer probably less. Quality level of the M8x versus Behringer is another level. For $1,200 the build price is likely $400 to $500. How much quality can that really be especially for PAT & real analog? The PAT/GEX could be software driven or modifiable as it's electromagnetic. How much it's upgradable or customizable remains to be seen. I'll probably order the UB to test next to the real thing. I'd suspect that it won't be close.

[@odmusicman]

Actual build prices are complicated and are tightly held information. Behringer is offering you an option to pay more and give to charity so I suspect the build price is more. My pre-order price is $1,024. You clearly have a setup, with Osmose, Deckards, etc., that is elite and in the 1-5% of synth owners so your perspective comes from someone having had Ferrari's, Lamborghini's and Porch 918's. I have been doing sound design and composing for 40 years. When I am done programming my first sound on the UB-XA, the 95-99% will never know it is not an OB-X8 which is $5,000. And that leaves me with $4,000 with which I could actually buy the Montage and the UB-XA for the price of your OB-XA. Makes far more sense to me. If Not, for your OB-XA price I could get the UB-XA, Sequential Take 5, and the Moog Grandmother. @@davlippo7