Yamaha Motif--Yeah!

[crawdad]

Just when I thought I was in the clear, I had to go audition this board. Wow! Any happy owners of this board? Tell me more....

[crawdad]

No? Thought for sure somebody here would have some experience with this board. Only reason I am bumping this is because things have been wacko for a few days. If it sinks this time, its gone....

[Chriss]

i've had experience with the rs7000 which is basically the same thing, and the unit absolutely rocks... i'll buy one the first second i get enough cash... but you didn't come with any info on what you've been messing around with on it, so i can't really comment on anything, of course i could start yapping off the entire manual, and all the specs... but i don't have the time...

[mikeh]

I just talked to a keyboard player who owns both a Motif and a Triton - he likes the Motif more than the Triton (this guy has owned many many keyboards (includeing many pre-MIDI boards - so I respect his opinion)

[crawdad]

Chriss--I am into great electric and acoustic pianos and other realistic sounds. I have plenty of weird and spacey, techno and SFX type stuff. I thought the Motif was pretty amazing in this department.

Hey, will it wash my dishes and make my bed?

[badgas]

I'm not a keyboardest, just so you understand my question.

Are these keyboards you guys talking about the ones that make that Ambient kinds of music, with all the effects and stuff?

If they are, what do you need, besides the keyboard to connect to your computer?

[Chriss]

Originally posted by crawdad

Hey, will it wash my dishes and make my bed?

no, but it'll make ya coffee!!

Badgas, the Motif and RS7000 are amazing products. the motif is the keyboard version and is a little more expandable, while the rs7000 is tabletop and provides you with more knobs and ingenuity (sp???) ...
They got a sampler with up to 64 megs of ram and scsi, this can sample and resample and use all of the units effects sounds and filters, so yes, you can make some pretty obscenely weird noises on that one..
It also provides you with a synthesizer with an AWM2 (advanced wave memory) engine that allows you to combine up to 4 sounds from the units ROM sound set using different algorithms...
Both are also excellent sequencers with great resolution and innovation...

[badgas]

Thanks, Chriss.
That huge Wulitzer I drug down here makes too much extra noise to use.
Now I have to drag it back upstairs.

I'm gonna have to check out one of those Motif or RS7000.
Thanks.

[Wide Awake]

Originally posted by badgas
I'm not a keyboardest, just so you understand my question.

Are these keyboards you guys talking about the ones that make that Ambient kinds of music, with all the effects and stuff?

If they are, what do you need, besides the keyboard to connect to your computer?

badgas.....those are tough questions, but I'll try-

The Yamaha Motif they are talking about is a sample-playback synthesizer. It has samples (brief recordings) of instruments of all kinds stored in it's Random Access Memory-RAM. For instance it has hundreds of sounds like acoustic pianos, organs, orchestra string sections, drums, acoustic guitars, oboes, old synthesizers, etc, etc, etc......the list is endless. The best way to hear what they are capable of is to go into the keyboard section at your local music stores and check them out. Almost every keyboard sold today has effects onboard, and those effects can be edited and stored with each sound.

Some of these synthesizers have onboard sequencers so you can compose and store complete songs without using a computer. If you do use a computer to sequence/compose songs, all you usually need is a simple MIDI interface. The Yamaha Motif, Korg Triton, and Roland Phantom are examples of good keyboards that have onboard sequencers. All this kind of stuff is confusing if you aren't familiar with the terms and technologies. There might be some websites around that better explain all this......maybe somebody will recommend some.

[Arranger]

My Motif7 has sincerely expanded my palette of piano sounds beyond my highest expectation.

I am a pianist first and electronic keyboard fan a very close second. I began playing and studying when my parents could sit me up to the piano and haven't stopped for 44 years. I've had 3 Rhodes electric pianos and never the pleasure of owning a Wurlitzer. I've had 4 or five different combo organs and at least 4 different synths. I have an upright piano in my studio now and the Motif7. The upright gets a lot less playing lately.

My parents are classical musicians. My father a world-renouned bassoonist.

We are all duly impressed with the expressions of the Motif. It is the synth for the acoustic and natural sounds needed in the majority of music styles. The Motif is unlimited in its out of the box capabilities and it is expandable. It also has every conceivable input and output known.

The sounds of the Motif are far beyond the basic piano patches, as well. It has an entire array of the most common and usable orchestral sounds. The horns are great. The organs are nice. The strings quite convincing. The guitars are actually useful. I find most keyboard guitar patches rediculous and useless but not so with the Motif. And the drums, the drums are amazing. In fact, I started out looking at a digital drum set to add to my studio capabilities. Being a keyboardist, however, I found much more pleasure attacking the keys to derive the beats I require. I stay away from sequencing and repetative drills as much as possible. I like the acoustic and natural sounds best. They sound REAL. So the Motif fit the task perfectly.

If you love piano, you will love the Motif. I have not had the pleasure of auditioning a Kurzweil. But I don't have a private overseas investment portfolio to pay for one, either.

So, to answer your question.... Yes, I am happy with my board. I would replace it in an instant if lost or stolen.

Oh, and one other thing. A lot of players complain about the complicated user interface. I disagree, I think it's cake to learn for arranging or live performance.

[jumpingflash]

ehr.... Just to clear things a bit...

RS7000 and Motif do NOT have the same sounds...


Same engine but not the same sounds...

[blougou]

hi,

I've had a motif for about 10 months, and even though the learning curve is a lil' steep, trust me it's an incredible synth, and if you take the time to just learn how to use it, it'll give incredible results.

you can check out the motif forum too: www.motifator.com

[Trak]

Originally posted by jumpingflash
ehr.... Just to clear things a bit...

RS7000 and Motif do NOT have the same sounds...


Same engine but not the same sounds...

Thank you jumpingflash, SOME people continue to mislead others by claiming they are the same when it fact they are very different, you won't find Motif sounds in the RS7000.

[DownOnRodeo]

Badgas - I have an XV-88. (flagship Roland synth)

I never auditioned the Motif - in fact I think the s80 was the top Yamaha at the time.

I'm just saying don't forego trying the rolands (hmm meanwhile I guess I did the yammies :s)

Anyone tried both XV-88 and Motif? Opinions? Granted, XV-88 isn't coloured chrome :s

Meanwhile where does the Fantom fit in??- :s too many synths!

[Busy]

I purchased a Motif8 a number of months back and am still going through the manual. It's a very impressive system.

I too was a pianist first. For many years I had a Baldwin Grand piano, but got increasingly jealous over the years as I watched keyboards evolved until this year I couldn't stand it anymore. I sold the Grand Piano and used the money to purchase a Motif8 monitors, stands, etc. I haven't had a day of regret. I knew I wanted a workstation board with great piano and it had to feel like a piano.

Before the Motif came out I was almost postivie I was getting a Triton Pro 88 X keyboard. Then the Motif came out and I was amazed, not necessarily at the sounds but the feel. This things felt VERY close to the real thing. The piano sounds are better than the Trition (even comparing both of their plug ins). Strings I think are better on the Yamaha but organs are better on the Triton.

I only wish the Yamaha had an interface similar to the Triton. There is a much steeper learning curve with the Yamaha. I would have given the Kurz more conisderation if it wasn't for the cost at the time (before the price drop...remember the 7K price tags?!) I have to say that the Kurz probably beats them both on sound quality.

If you want a great Piano and strings sound check out the Kurz PC2. It's got a tremendous piano sounds.

If you like the Motif sounds but don't need the sequence, wait until fall for the Yamaha S90 (there is an improved piano in it too).

As far as the Fantom...ugh. Roland really blew it. Great Brass sounds but no sequencer and shallow abilities. It's not a bad board and could fit the bill, but for about 200 bucks more you could be getting a Korg or Yammi. I haven't met one person who has bought a Fantom yet or is even considering one.