Yamaha MX88: Is It a Synthesizer?

Today we've got the ever-popular MX88 in the studio-- now, what is it? Is it a synth, a workstation, or something in between? Let us know what you think.
SHOP: www.alamomusic.com/yamaha-mx8...
0:00 Intro/Specs
4:37 Demos
13:33 Final Thoughts
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[@cueboyd8666]

The MX series are synths, except you need an external editor to get the most out of it. The John Melas Software editor allows you to change the waveforms and envelopes.

[@user-lw4nt5uc3p]

(realizing this vid is over a year old) - I have a first gen MX49 and have the John Melas Software for it. I haven't messed with changing the voices much, but it is interesting to poke around at it. It's my workstation / sound engine on my DAW setup. I should go back at look at the voice editor again.

[@retromacman620]

This guy isn't being totally fair saying the Synth capability is limited or locked out. Onboard you can do all the minimum envelope shaping and if you are able to locate the software editors you can edit everything and layer up to 16 sounds! The best label is really a rompler synth.

[@Also_Ran]

I bought an mx49 almost entirely for the CP80 piano sound, the rest is a bonus to me.

[@squeakD]

The MX line are budget studio and performance synths. They are synthesizers, but aren’t as detailed with the editing options as some other synths, but the line allows 8 element voice structure with some of the synth basics such as ADSR. They are not workstations as the series does not have built in sequencers. The units are bundled with DAW software, and a few goodies to get you started. Honestly, the MX88 is an insane bargain if you aren’t interested in VST’s and use the included DAW as a midi sequencer. That setup alone takes a massive load off your computers resources as all sound, polyphony, and effects would be handled externally by the keyboard.

[@Qermaq]

Picked up a MX49 for playing keys with a cover band. I'm planning on it to be my top board, and have a larger keyboard on bottom for more bread-and-butter sounds. But with a bit of hassle I can use the 49 as the only keyboard on a gig. I might have to use the octave button to play a piano solo in the right range and put it back for comping, and it takes some planning to get the splits right for pads and leads on one performance option. But it's doable. What I do not like is there's no way to one-key call up a performance. You have to hit a button, arrow or scroll, and hit a button again. Kind of a pain in the ass on a gig where a tune might just get called out.

[@jordanrazowskymusician8178]

Great vid!

[@danwheeler7108]

I think that the MX88 is primarily for performance. It is NOT designed to be a workstation. Many people (myself included) do sound creations and "shaping" in a computer. Not sure why the review here rates it as a "bad workstation." It is also a "bad hammer" but we're not rating it for that.

[@djba]

Hi and thanks for creating this video. Here it is in late 2022 and I am just discovering this instrument. I am in the market for a 49 key midi controller. A used MX49 popped up on a local “For Sale” board and I wondered if it would work as a controller. I like the fact that it has internal sounds and a built-in audio interface. Anyway, when I was researching this instrument, the same question you raise came to my mind … Is this really a synth?” What I concluded (and you confirmed) is that the MX88/61/49 is like the vst called SynthMaster Player. SynthMaster is a typical vst synth and SynthMaster Player is a version of SynthMaster that primarily uses presets.

[@albani953]

Perhaps the reason Yamaha does not call the MX88 a workstation is because it does not have a built-in onboard multi-track recording/sequencer. It is designed to be connected to a computer for musicians interested in sequencing and recording.

[@BillyBlaze7]

I just bought an MX49, I have a Triton Extreme 61 version, and a Korg Minilogue XD. I wanted something simple and easy to find the sounds I wanted and all in one board for my home studio. When recording I wanted to find what I need fast and be able to have nearly all the sounds in one unit, what I cant do with the MX49 I can do with the Minilogue. Since Im not using any keyboard for percussion based sounds it was a clear choice for me. If there was anything I would change or is considered a negative its the pitifully protected screen on the MX49 and the fact that its all plastic, as well as some of the sounds are locked out unless you jump through hoops and use apple products, but the benefit outweighed the sounds I am locked out of using.

[@user-om7ji8wb1l]

Hi please the first effect can you give the name ?

[@logiclust]

is it not synthesizing sound?

[@pizzagogo6151]

Interesting video thanks, I confess didn’t really know this model existed. I really like weighted 88 keybeds ( although you really only need 1-2🤔). If I was in the market for one again this looks like great candidate, proper keybed from legendary company to use with modules/softsynths etc but with bonus of some useful inbuilt sounds.

[@depositiveone2677]

I own the MX-61 which I have been using in my live performances since it came out in 2013. This (and my Roland XP-80) have been my two main keyboards and never had an issue with them. I love the MX-61 mainly for its portability (since I downsized to a car from a SUV at the time). I have used the Motif Classic for years and I retired it to my home studio. I consider the MX series as keyboards without the compromise of the Motif XS (which I have the rack version). I was in the market to purchase the MX88, but settled for the MODX which is awesome. I still plan on getting the MX88 since I love the keybed.

[@thandogama3863]

Can I have one of the Yamaha's 😂

[@tomlavelle8340]

I don’t know, but it looks and sounds good. It’s a hybrid of many things.

[@ProfessorElz]

I use mine mostly as a digital piano but I also love messing with some of the patches on here from time to time.

[@deedubb777]

I just wanna know how to turn the rhythm pattern off completely!! Not by performance, I mean being able to hit play on my MPC and not get the performance loop from the mx with the sound I chose.

[@_P_M_]

Good for a gigging musician who needs a lightweight 88, and for churches. There's no way I'd expose a Montage to a gigging environment.

[@joonglegamer9898]

Yes this one eludes me too, it has this massive giant chassis that says "I'm super powerful" yet with the worlds smallest display, kinda makes me think of a cartoon character - a giant gnome dum-dum but with endearing qualities. If I were to guess who this was intended for, I'd say for the performer that just wants a simple ready to use instrument without all the fuzz but with good sounding instruments ready to perform with. Your average band player on a budget would probably be interested, so would your average piano lesson student back in the days be. I'm guessing this one because of the low price, sturdiness - would be really attractive to schools as well.

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

The most exquisite synths do not have a display at all (Moog modulair, ARP 2600 etc.) Sometimes a simple display keeps things simple.

[@joonglegamer9898]

@@michelvondenhoff9673 Yes, there's no rule without exceptions. I think the Roland JD-Xi is a testimony to that, 129 voice poly, vocoder, analog, digital, drums, sequencer and menu diving with the two line hard-to-read display that never ends.

[@d3meetsbobo]

Definitely not a "traditional" synthesizer, in the sense of editing capabilities. But I wouldn't designate it as a workstation either. Primarily because it doesn't have a quality sequencer. A workstation used to be defined by the fact that you could do it all and completely make a song with it. I would call it more of a gigging keyboard or even a midi controller with internal patches. At least that's how I use it. The greatest thing to me is how light it is compared to other 88 key keyboards. Amazingly light! But it also works great as a MIDI controller. Has room to stick a small audio interface on top of it. Couple that with software like Apple Mainstage and you have a killer setup! The keybed is nice for the price. I really love mine for those reasons. Take the MX88 and a laptop and you don't need help setting up your rig for gigs. I probably sound like a Yamaha salesman... But I really love this keyboard for gigging. I try and recommend it for gigging synth players whenever I can. The quality internal sounds are a bonus. I've cut albums using some of the internal patches. Especially the Electric Pianos and Drums... That Motif quality shines.

[@ksager123]

The electric pianos and drums are 🔥

[@leonardray6972]

I'm getting one

[@isitreallyisitreally1756]

Fantastic keybed wonderful feel , very lightweight too .... BUT , after a few years doing a number of gigs , I had random ghost notes appear so needed to get a service , sadly out of warranty , although it is still supported by Yamaha , some parts will take nearly 7 months to arrive ( I’ve been given May 2023 as possible date ) , other parts are yet to be given a date to arrive so I will have been without it since November 2022 and still waiting , cost will be just under £400.00 too .

[@routinehead2481]

I love mine. I use this as my main workstation. It is very similar to the Roland Juno ds, which I had and didn'ty like, so I swapped it for my mx88. I would call it a synth in the most fundamental and generic of ways. But to someone who is a bonafide synthist, then it's actually not a synthesizer. It's a keyboard.

[@JW75383]

Same for me except I had the JUNO DS61, swapped out for the MX61. The piano and organ sounds on the Juno just couldn’t compare to the MX’s and I just didn’t need the music production components of the Juno. The MX is now my main workstation keyboard for band rehearsals and gigging.

[@kaankaral]

As an amatuer, i fall in love the preset sounds built-in .. I wonder if i can get these sounds as a plug-in..

[@alicaramba7680]

Currently there is Triton Extreme VST plugin by Korg which comes close by sound to MX88 (which essentially contains soundbank of Motif ES). Another option is Zenology paid plugin by Roland which contains plethora of old Fantom sounds. Yamaha currently doesn't offer anything similar so the only viable option is to use VST sampler with Motif ES/XS sound banks for it.

[@FirstLast-nr6gf]

You can sample your MX in a DAW. For example, in Logic there is Auto Sampler plugin. It will create a sampler instrument.

[@thanhla7080]

Just two questions: Are the keys in Mx88 weighed heavier than the other ones ? Are there any difference between the piano sounds of this one and the Mx61 ?

[@alicaramba7680]

It's weighted standard GHS piano action you can find in a number of cheap Yamaha 88-key keyboards. And not just cheap, newest P-S500 and MODX+ costs significantly more. If you are interested in piano sounds I would say paying more and getting MODX or Krome EX would be a better deal because of much large ROM (over 5 gigs on MODX, 4 gigs on Krome EX vs 166 MBs on MX). If you care ONLY about piano sound, P-125 has the same action, better piano sound (plus a few other sounds), speakers onboard and is cheaper, though MX is more complete keyboard (16 parts for sequencing, sound editing, plethora of other sounds, midi in/out).

[@digital_synth_user]

A MX88 have the same sound module like MX49 or 61. He is a good joyce if someone need good soundinng synthesizer and 88 full keyboard.

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

Great for somebody learning to play with good sounding presets. And if it has (some) masterkeyboard functions future proof for expanding.

[@dynoroad]

It's absolutely a synth, just not a "hands on" synth. The architecture which can be used in an advanced way is there for anyone to use, though you would need an external editor to make the experience worthwhile. Alamo, what is your definition of a synth? Strictly analog, VA and FM?

[@Stephanie9959]

Dear Sir. Battery, weight, connectivity, in out ....

[@doctorzingo]

Yamaha has historically been geared toward the professional gigging musician. This makes the placement of the pitch and mod wheels really strange to me.

[@tomblaze2]

I like it more a stage piano- electric piano - organ and general ROMpler

[@RayyMusik]

Funny idea by Yamaha to place the wheels half a mile away from the keys.

[@leonardray6972]

Long as I can layer sounds I don't care

[@TrazomGV]

I'd be happier if you could make more effort in playing sounds in more creative way, not just boring chords but real riffs, according to the very sound feature. I've seen quite a lot of your surveys and now I see that many of machinery you were reviewing in fact lack honest presentation due to your choice to avoid best playing approaches that this gear deserves. Therefore they are presented in underrating way.

[@aseomg]

Yamaha makes some fugly looking keyboards, this is one of them.

[@MalcolmVanAtta]

agree to disagree

[@azurduy117]

Yawn. Another ROMpler.

[@danaowens30]

I own the whole Motif line Motif8,MO6,MX49, MM6,MOXF6,MOXS. all the same.. I love all products that includes Korg Roland,EMU,Ensonic,Hammond XK-1,XB2,XM1 with my XMC2 controller ,Alesis,Kurtzweil, and Casio as well.... I own many many organs Viscount OP6 dual manual a Korg BX3 dual manual, Hammond XK1, X5, XM1, Neo Ventilator Leslie pedal 1 and 2 Nord CD2 etc $90g worth of equipment multi recorders multi effects pedal rack mods and modules eq pa boards guitars you name it