New MODX Synths

[Bachus]

BTW, the rest of the MODX manuals are up in the Yamaha manual library. There is also a V1.10 update available for download with a few new (small) features. Yamaha are expected the MODX to be in stores around September 27.

One of the new features arose from a discussion on the YamahaSynth.com forum. It's a quick way to load a WAV/AIFF file into expansion memory and create a key to play the waveform. One of the folks wanted a way to trigger a backing track.

That's where Montage/MODX still lag the competition. Why load the backing track as a waveform? The Montage/MODX can play a WAV/AIFF from a USB drive, but it requires a bunch of menu diving. This is one area where PSR/Genos shine.

Yamaha needs to extend Live Set buttons to remember a Performance (voice), a path to a WAV/AIFF file, audio level and AUTO-start status. A user could then push one button and start playing with a backing track on USB flash drive.

Yamaha needs more performance-minded engineers and the synth guys could learn a lot about convenience from the arranger keyboards, even if they don't make a single, one-size-fits-all keyboard.

All the best -- pj

I pre ordered a modx, a 61, its a perfect travel companion at that size and weight..  and it loads all the montage performances with 8 or less tracks, which is about 99,9% of them..

It also makes a nice topboard for the genos...


Yet is still think that both modx and genos in one case would make a perfect keyboard for many many people..  only having 8 parts under your keyboard, with multiple splits and layers is a dream come true...

[pjd]

Hi Bachus --

Good luck and hope your MODX comes in soon. I'll buy one, but I need to deal off the S950. As much as I like the S950, I need the space! 

All the best -- pj

[Bachus]

Hi Bachus --

Good luck and hope your MODX comes in soon. I'll buy one, but I need to deal off the S950. As much as I like the S950, I need the space! 

All the best -- pj

You can trade it against my kurzweil pc3x, which is gathering dust..
But that takes even more place...

[Bedj]

  Looking forward to at last a demo with acoustic instruments !
  It's like as if the MODX was only a FM synth engine !!!

  It is not, it is also a rompler with many "normal" instruments.
  I am personaly curious to know whether the MODX has new acoustic samples, or they come either from the Moxf or the
  Montage (or from both, and in what proportion) ?
 
 
 

[hans1966]

Hello, Bedj, I agree with you. in all youtube videos, they always show many sounds, textures, and transition effects of synthesizer with the super knob. I have not heard, for example: a saxophones, English horns, camera strings, symphonic strings, different brass sounds (trombones, trumpets, French horn). the only acoustic thing I've heard is the CFX-Grand piano sound. and from what I understand the workstations like Montage or MODX, they can faithfully emulate any acoustic instrument, since they come equipped with deep editing tools.  Only my opinion.  Hans

[pjd]

Hi Bedj --

I should get paid by Yamaha... :-)

The MODX has exactly the same Performances (voices) and waveforms as the Montage.

The acoustic instruments are excellent, using the same waveforms as Genos -- just programmed differently. (The Genos, by the way, is a superset of Montage/MODX, waveform-wise)

The Montage and MODX also have every voice and waveform from the Motif XF and MOXF.

I play an MOX6 at my church gig which depends quite heavily on acoustic instruments, especially orchestral instruments. The Montage/MODX is definitely a big step up from the MOX. I would have bought a Montage except for its weight.

Here are two tables showing the new waveforms in Motif XF and Montage versus the XF/MOX:

http://sandsoftwaresound.net/montage-new-waveforms/

And my first review of Montage:

http://sandsoftwaresound.net/montage-initial-review/

Hope this helps -- pj

[Bedj]

Hello hans,
Yes it is so. It shows that most musicians, especially younger ones, are more interested nowadays in EDM and therefore mostly synths. And maybe also that "acoustic" song writters, jazz and classical musicians, all possibly a little older, are not that much Youtube users ?
I like to use synth sounds too sometimes, but they are more on the "soft" side, like here in this very short exemple (min 16.45) with pad and lead on the Moxf,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwd9OKOThDc&t=1402s


Hi pjd,
Thanks for all the valuable infos.
I have been thinking of buying a Moxf6 for months. Thanks to Paolo Lombardi's demos, i was conviced and about to get one, but now the MODX is out and i understand it is, as far as sound quality is concerned, a much better choice.
The "problem" is the quite limited midi sequencer in the MODX vs the one in the Moxf, and my goal buying a workstation was to stop using my pc as much as possible.
Tough choice because i find the acoustic instruments (plus a few others), in the Moxf, already quite good (better than on the Mox, from what i have read).

https://www.youtube.com/user/paolol67/videos

I wonder if (commercially speaking) there are chances that Yamaha will upgrade the functions of the midi sequencer in the MODX and/or Montage in a near future, (since i understand it is the same one on both) ?

Cheers !  Bedj

[hans1966]

Hi Bedj, I really do not like to use external sequence software to create MIDI tracks. personally  it seems to me complicated. I love using the internal keyboard sequencer, to create favorite songs and styles and this I can do in my S770, because everything is easy and at hand.  Greetings.  Hans

[Bachus]

I picked up my pre-ordered moxd 6 yesterday..
I plann on using it exclusively with my ipad, as kijd of a travel setup..

So far, it works really well..
I run beatmaker 3, cubasis and gadget as the core of my setup
With quite a nice collection of AU (vst) units..
The audio over usb makes the ipad feel as part of the Modx.

The modx itselves is an incredible machine..
It works just as intuitive as the montage..
Same sounds, performances and arps inside..
Limitations:
-physical knobs/sliders, but only miss them on organ patches
-only 26 instead of 34 insert effects, looks like a no issue so far
-64 voice polyphony for fm, neither an issue for me
-sss only 4 voices, which is an issue, as i like to stack sounds
-no aftertouch.. whic is a dislike for me, espescially the way i tend to use this synth.

What makes me smile when using is is the interface..
When you know how the AWM2 sound engines works..
Its so easy to edit and create new sounds..
And there is 1GB for user samples..the 450MB bösendorf is incredible..
So far its been mostly mix and match..  and enjoying he arps..

What i miss is an arranger part..  strangely there still is no high end arranger app for ipad
Makes me womder why the yamaha piano partner app does not work with modx/montage?
I think modx brings a whole slew of new players onboard thanwould definately like a good arranger..
And the piano partner could help a lot here, as well as all the other features it offers..
(Excluding the sound edditing which is allready covered indepth on the keyoard itselves)

But i guess that will never happen the way yamaha strictly splits their divisions..
Another thing i would love o see is an arranger module based on Genos.
With some small changes on modx side, it could integrate extremely well with modx..
Adding he missing workstation features from moxf and more...

[beykock]

Hi Bachus,

Congratulations with your new baby synth.💐

A Genos module will never come.
Wishful thinking, I guess.💀


Babette

[Bachus]

A Genos module will never come.
Wishful thinking, I guess.💀


Babette

And you know is because you have inside information from the Yamaha headquarters?

5 years ago people on this forum said, a 76 key Tyros will never come..
And 2 years ago everyone said, a top model witouth tilting screen is not possible..

Point is: you never know what you are gonna get..
The keyboard market is a continually changing market..

There many things in this €1200 keyboard that would make great features in the Genos 2..
Pretty much everything on my orriginal Genos wish list is in this instrument..
And yes, its incredible fun to play with..

[vbdx66]

Hi Bachus,

Congratulations for your new keyboard.

Would you consider doing a demo for the forum members? We are all curious about the MODX.

Regards,

Vinciane

[pjd]

Hi Bachus --

Good news, dude, and best of luck with your new instrument! Thanks for the quick report.

-- pj

[Bachus]

Hi Bachus --

Good news, dude, and best of luck with your new instrument! Thanks for the quick report.

-- pj

Thanks PJ

I ook a day off today..
And i am still hooked..
Its a typical yamaha instrument..
So intuitive to use..

When i am done playing and enjoying myself
I will do a nice follow up review

[beykock]

Hi Bachus,

Like you I am not aware of Yamaha's production plans.

Yamaha have never made an arranger keyboard module, as far as I know. 
Voice and/or synth modules only, IMHO.

But you are right ... one never knows.
It will be hard to convince them to produce a Genos module though, I guess.

Babette

[Bachus]

Hi Bachus,

Like you I am not aware of Yamaha's production plans.

Yamaha have never made an arranger keyboard module, as far as I know. 
Voice and/or synth modules only, IMHO.

But you are right ... one never knows.
It will be hard to convince them to produce a Genos module though, I guess.

Babette

You can't convince yamaha to do anything
Only if there is enough market for a product,
Then they will bite the bullet and create it..
Not if a handfull people wishes so..

[beykock]

Wait and see, Bachus.
Time will tell.

Babette

[voodoo]

Hi together,

I got my MODX7 two days ago. It is an incredible machine and a perfect complement for the Genos. It is so portable and has so great sounds. I like it very much.

I am impressed by the following features:

* It is much more portable than the Genos. Only 7 kg and much smaller.
* It offers so many highly usable layer sounds with three or more layers, all of them can be balanced using the super knob. Piano + Pad + Strings + E-Piano. Perfect for live play.
* The standard organ sound uses real drawbars, adjustable by the sliders, has real Leslie controlled by the mod wheel, and has overdrive controlled by the super knob. Just perfect.
* Like the Genos, the MODX uses a mode-less operating mode. No switching between style, song, voice, multi etc. Just one, all patches are performances containing one ore up to eight parts.
* The contained samples for Piano, Boesendorfer or Rhodes are using five velocity layers plus additional layers for damper and additional key off samples.

Of course it has
* no styles
* no ensemble voices
* no super articulation voices (but XA voices)
* no fsx Key bed
* no easy GM midi or mp3 playback

So for around 1200€ this is a really perfect sound machine and a perfect add on for the Genos.

Uli

[beykock]

Congratulations, Uli !💐

Babette

[Bachus]

Hi together,

I got my MODX7 two days ago. It is an incredible machine and a perfect complement for the Genos. It is so portable and has so great sounds. I like it very much.

I am impressed by the following features:

* It is much more portable than the Genos. Only 7 kg and much smaller.
* It offers so many highly usable layer sounds with three or more layers, all of them can be balanced using the super knob. Piano + Pad + Strings + E-Piano. Perfect for live play.
* The standard organ sound uses real drawbars, adjustable by the sliders, has real Leslie controlled by the mod wheel, and has overdrive controlled by the super knob. Just perfect.
* Like the Genos, the MODX uses a mode-less operating mode. No switching between style, song, voice, multi etc. Just one, all patches are performances containing one ore up to eight parts.
* The contained samples for Piano, Boesendorfer or Rhodes are using five velocity layers plus additional layers for damper and additional key off samples.

Of course it has
* no styles
* no ensemble voices
* no super articulation voices (but XA voices)
* no fsx Key bed
* no easy GM midi or mp3 playback

So for around 1200€ this is a really perfect sound machine and a perfect add on for the Genos.

Uli

You are as enthousiast as i am..

Let me add to that list of impressive features some other things missing on Genos..
- 8 sounds which can be split and stacked freely all around the keybed
- 2 insert dsp/ sound.. for even more dsp power
- An arp for every one of those 8 sounds on the keybed.. also 8 motion sequencers
- audio over usb which is huge for daw and ipad integration.
- the incredible interface not just for making the basic setup (8 mixer parts)
- but also for deep edditing and creating new sounds
- seemless sound switching for up to 8 sounds..
- you can assign multiple parameters to superknob... and the fc7 Pedal..
- when you select a part thats not assigned to the keybed.. you can solo it

Sure there are no styles...
As its a synth..

Yet for the future of genos..
I would love to see all these features added to it..
It would turn the Genos in the pro instrument one expects for €4600
Its a strange thing a €1000 instrument has so many great features and tools not on the Genos..

Make it so that people on Genos can choose for sounds between the easy current interface..
And the more advanced moxd interface with 8 sounds, deep edditing..
And the audio over usb for daw integration is the single most asked for high end feature on Genos..

[pjd]

Back from another trip! 

Katsunori UJIIE (no English subtitles yet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVdUxCSXSWk

I enjoyed this video, too. A musician, not the standard sales guy rap: https://youtu.be/-Ps2HnG9Iz4

-- pj

[vbdx66]

Back from another trip! 

Katsunori UJIIE (no English subtitles yet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVdUxCSXSWk

I enjoyed this video, too. A musician, not the standard sales guy rap: https://youtu.be/-Ps2HnG9Iz4

-- pj

Now come on...  a sales guy rap, if this isn't a brilliant idea to launch the MODX line... 

[Joe H]

While Katsunori UJIIE is a fantastic musician and does great demos, I do believe he represents a music dealer or store.

Joe H

[pjd]

Tough audience!   

It's only rock'n'roll, but I like it. 

-- pj

[panos]

May I ask something?
Why syhthesizers don't a have a row of buttons just above the keybed like the keyboards have which row is easy to hit while playing with both hands?
Don't they need anything to change or add to the sound while playing and could be done with this kind of buttons?

That super knob is really cool by the way 

[pjd]

Why syhthesizers don't a have a row of buttons just above the keybed like the keyboards have which row is easy to hit while playing with both hands?
Don't they need anything to change or add to the sound while playing and could be done with this kind of buttons?

Hi Panos --

Yep, sometimes I think that Yamaha could merge the arranger and "synth" functionality by implementing a super-flexible MIDI controller driving a sound engine. Better yet, make the MIDI controller programmable by user script. Put a row of buttons right above the keybed. The controller's programming determines if the buttons choose style sections or synth arpeggios, etc.

Yamaha could easily add auto-fill to the Motif/MOX and Montage/MODX arpeggios. I think they deliberately leave auto-fill out so a "synth" is not an "arranger."

Oh, well. We've all been over this same ground before ("synth" vs. "arranger," "one keyboard to rule them all," etc.).  Legitimate marketing decisions aside, I detect more than a whiff of corporate politics. 

Hey, hey, all the best -- pj

[pjd]

I played the 88 for a while today. Nice keyboard action with good hand to sound connection in the CFX.

I left with a 61 key. Got a decent trade-in. Hated to see the S950 go after spending so much good, quality time with it.

A lot of deep diving ahead -- pj

[vbdx66]

Hi pj,

Congratulations on your purchase 

Looking forward to reading technical stuff about the MODX here or on your blog.

Regards,

Vinciane

[voodoo]

I played the 88 for a while today. Nice keyboard action with good hand to sound connection in the CFX.

I left with a 61 key. Got a decent trade-in. Hated to see the S950 go after spending so much good, quality time with it.

A lot of deep diving ahead -- pj

Hi Pj,

congratulation for your new child. So we do similar things, I also went from S970 to Genos + MODX (76 keys).

Uli

[voodoo]

A lot of deep diving ahead -- pj

PJ,

then I have a first task for you. There is a performance called "CFX + FM EP" or "FM EP & CFX Grand" similar, (don't remember the exact name) that has 7 parts. Part number 7 contains some strings. So this part 7 only is  active, when "assignable switch 1" is activated. Until now, I have deep dived for a long time into the performance and part edit pages, and I cannot find, where this feature is hidden in the patch. I cannot find any link from "assignable switch 1" to any parameter of part 7. I was searching for the link in the control assign dialog (see ref man page 100).

I am still reading the reference manual, but I am afraid, that it does not contain the solution. Can you help me?

For all the preset performances, I am missing a describing info text, explaining the effects of the various keyboard controllers. So one has to try out all buttons and try to see, what happens.

Uli

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