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zogood « Super arranger »
Published on 01/24/13 at 06:54
Value For Money :
Correct
Workstation at very reasonable price (less than 900 €).
Obviously at that price, some concessions: no sampling and manufacturing 100% plastic (which still offers an advantage: this instrument weighs only 7 kg).
Conversely, some features may make the difference in the choice
- An arpeggiator that can run four separate parallel arpeggios,
- A loop sequencer sequencer and more linear (hence the name "Cause" for this family of workstations Yamaha)
- Audio inputs which, when the instrument is connected to your computer, turning it into audio capture card.
- Supplied with Cubase AI5, in case you have not already sequencer software, the MOX being used as a VSTi, a sound editor and 2 VSTi bonus gift (VA Prologue synthesizer and organ-YC 3B).
UTILIZATION
The first keyboard: The keyboard is semi-weighted glass as half full, there are always seeing the glass half empty. This keyboard has been widely criticized. This is certainly not what is best in the genre but it is still above many keyboards plastoc. I am a pianist rather organist at the origin, this may explain my indulgence. And if there is a MOX8, heavy keyboard 88 keys. Personally, I'm quite a fan of the intermediate form (73 or 76 keys) but unfortunately Marketing Yamaha had to decide that there was no longer any market for that MOX7 for MO7.
Controls live: it is a workstation so it is impossible to consider a model a "function - a button" but the instrument has an impressive number of buttons and knobs, to move from one loop to another, to modify the filter sound in real time, to move from a variation arpeggio to another, to change the tempo, etc.. In short, it is well thought out and essential needs live is very well covered. Attention, but no touch screen intelligent organization function keys in two rows on the screen.
Programming: there it is a bit complicated. Note that this is my first Yamaha Motif family so I was not at all familiar with their logic. It took me some time to get used to. The reference manual (available in pdf) is rather well done, if they have already notions: if you are a beginner synthesis, sequencer, etc., attention, it is not with this document you will learn bases. Other assistance: the site of Moessieurs Papaphoenix THE reference pattern.
While the number of levels of menus and sub-menus is limited, which is good, and there are few features that exceed a page screen, too. But the organization of functions is not very intuitive. And then there are the little things that annoy the computer I am. An example: In some screens, you have a parameter setting midi channel which can take the values 1 to 16 and over, while in others, you have a on / off switch on one side and a parameter that can take values of 1 to 16 for the other. One has the impression that he missed the team developing a nice little book of norms and standards!
Software is provided for programming the voices, ie the basic sounds (themselves composed of 1 to 8 elements partial). You can also find, purchase and download an editor performance (combinations of four voices) and a library manager at the site of John Melas. Good for him but a little shabby from Yamaha.
Apart from that, it's still a station that has many practical possibilities. For example, you can use the arpeggiator to record a loop or a linear sequence, you can save your sequences of loops to form a linear sequence, conversely, you can decompose a linear sequence in different loops, use a piece of sequence (loop or linear) to produce an arpeggio. In short, you can do everything and in every way. I also appreciate the separation sequence data itself and mix data that you can use a sequence to another, in whole or in part.
SOUNDS
It is therefore a workstation synthesizer general.
This is a digital synthesizer, not modeling.
This is not a ROMpler. All sounds are editable and you can also create your own sounds from waveforms available.
The overall quality is very good. For a senior like me, have such a quality less than 900 €, it's just incredible! I also noted positively that Yamaha has not played the card of abundance: there is no (or very little) duplicates. In each sub-category, each preset has its place.
To this must be added a library of preset arpeggios and well stocked for all types of instruments: piano, synths, guitars, bass, brass, strings, etc., which gives good ideas on how to use best sounding, either with itself or arpeggio in live performance.
The effects are also very good. I had to lower my use of reverb, very effective, and learn to be more subtle. The amp simulators are also excellent. Only downside: you are limited to three channels can accommodate insertion effects, which may be limited in some mixes.
Posting this notice, I waited to have enough in hand instruments and also the experience in rehearsal with a group. Well, I can tell you that my friends were quite impressed with what I could get.
OVERALL OPINION
I do not regret my choice because it suits my needs. I was not looking to sample. The sequencer loop frees me of the "straitjacket" of linear sequencer. I have a library of rich and arpeggios for all types of instruments. I do not record audio but I know that I now have a solution for when the urge to put my take.
I would have liked a semi-weighted keyboard with 73 or 76 keys, but also using a second keyboard, this limitation is overcome. 3-way limiting the maximum insertion effects sometimes requires juggling is the only real black my eyes.
This is not the workstation that can claim to be the mother ship of your professional home studio. To do this, we must change and move towards a range Motif XF or Kronos example. I employed rather as a brilliant coach (I also have a Clavia Nord Stage). I finally see the keyboard rather as the ultimate arranger.
Obviously at that price, some concessions: no sampling and manufacturing 100% plastic (which still offers an advantage: this instrument weighs only 7 kg).
Conversely, some features may make the difference in the choice
- An arpeggiator that can run four separate parallel arpeggios,
- A loop sequencer sequencer and more linear (hence the name "Cause" for this family of workstations Yamaha)
- Audio inputs which, when the instrument is connected to your computer, turning it into audio capture card.
- Supplied with Cubase AI5, in case you have not already sequencer software, the MOX being used as a VSTi, a sound editor and 2 VSTi bonus gift (VA Prologue synthesizer and organ-YC 3B).
UTILIZATION
The first keyboard: The keyboard is semi-weighted glass as half full, there are always seeing the glass half empty. This keyboard has been widely criticized. This is certainly not what is best in the genre but it is still above many keyboards plastoc. I am a pianist rather organist at the origin, this may explain my indulgence. And if there is a MOX8, heavy keyboard 88 keys. Personally, I'm quite a fan of the intermediate form (73 or 76 keys) but unfortunately Marketing Yamaha had to decide that there was no longer any market for that MOX7 for MO7.
Controls live: it is a workstation so it is impossible to consider a model a "function - a button" but the instrument has an impressive number of buttons and knobs, to move from one loop to another, to modify the filter sound in real time, to move from a variation arpeggio to another, to change the tempo, etc.. In short, it is well thought out and essential needs live is very well covered. Attention, but no touch screen intelligent organization function keys in two rows on the screen.
Programming: there it is a bit complicated. Note that this is my first Yamaha Motif family so I was not at all familiar with their logic. It took me some time to get used to. The reference manual (available in pdf) is rather well done, if they have already notions: if you are a beginner synthesis, sequencer, etc., attention, it is not with this document you will learn bases. Other assistance: the site of Moessieurs Papaphoenix THE reference pattern.
While the number of levels of menus and sub-menus is limited, which is good, and there are few features that exceed a page screen, too. But the organization of functions is not very intuitive. And then there are the little things that annoy the computer I am. An example: In some screens, you have a parameter setting midi channel which can take the values 1 to 16 and over, while in others, you have a on / off switch on one side and a parameter that can take values of 1 to 16 for the other. One has the impression that he missed the team developing a nice little book of norms and standards!
Software is provided for programming the voices, ie the basic sounds (themselves composed of 1 to 8 elements partial). You can also find, purchase and download an editor performance (combinations of four voices) and a library manager at the site of John Melas. Good for him but a little shabby from Yamaha.
Apart from that, it's still a station that has many practical possibilities. For example, you can use the arpeggiator to record a loop or a linear sequence, you can save your sequences of loops to form a linear sequence, conversely, you can decompose a linear sequence in different loops, use a piece of sequence (loop or linear) to produce an arpeggio. In short, you can do everything and in every way. I also appreciate the separation sequence data itself and mix data that you can use a sequence to another, in whole or in part.
SOUNDS
It is therefore a workstation synthesizer general.
This is a digital synthesizer, not modeling.
This is not a ROMpler. All sounds are editable and you can also create your own sounds from waveforms available.
The overall quality is very good. For a senior like me, have such a quality less than 900 €, it's just incredible! I also noted positively that Yamaha has not played the card of abundance: there is no (or very little) duplicates. In each sub-category, each preset has its place.
To this must be added a library of preset arpeggios and well stocked for all types of instruments: piano, synths, guitars, bass, brass, strings, etc., which gives good ideas on how to use best sounding, either with itself or arpeggio in live performance.
The effects are also very good. I had to lower my use of reverb, very effective, and learn to be more subtle. The amp simulators are also excellent. Only downside: you are limited to three channels can accommodate insertion effects, which may be limited in some mixes.
Posting this notice, I waited to have enough in hand instruments and also the experience in rehearsal with a group. Well, I can tell you that my friends were quite impressed with what I could get.
OVERALL OPINION
I do not regret my choice because it suits my needs. I was not looking to sample. The sequencer loop frees me of the "straitjacket" of linear sequencer. I have a library of rich and arpeggios for all types of instruments. I do not record audio but I know that I now have a solution for when the urge to put my take.
I would have liked a semi-weighted keyboard with 73 or 76 keys, but also using a second keyboard, this limitation is overcome. 3-way limiting the maximum insertion effects sometimes requires juggling is the only real black my eyes.
This is not the workstation that can claim to be the mother ship of your professional home studio. To do this, we must change and move towards a range Motif XF or Kronos example. I employed rather as a brilliant coach (I also have a Clavia Nord Stage). I finally see the keyboard rather as the ultimate arranger.