Yamaha Motif-Rack ES

The Yamaha Motif-Rack ES is a MIDI sound module for use with a MIDI keyboard or otherwise. For those who don't know, Yamaha has a series of keyboard workstations under the Motif name, with this one being just a rack version that contains all of the sounds and features without a keyboard. The unit has MIDI jacks for input, output, and through, in addition to 1/4" stereo outputs and four 1/4" assignable outputs. It also has a digital output, optical output, and a USB port. The front panel also has a 1/4" jack for headphones. It is of course rack mountable and will only take up a single space.

UTILIZATION

Using the Yamaha Motif-Rack ES is a bit more difficult than using a full Motif keyboard since it's so compact, but it's still not too hard to navigate through sounds here and all that. I haven't used the Motif-Rack ES for it's in depth features, using it as just a sound module with an external MIDI keyboard. There's definitely a good amount that can be done with it that I'm sure is more in depth that I haven't used it for as of yet. A manual is definitely a good thing to have if you're looking to learn everything possible with the Yamaha Motif-Rack ES.

SOUNDS

The sounds on the Yamaha Motif-Rack ES are awesome across the board. They're the same exact sounds that you'll find in the keyboard version of the Motif ES, which range from traditional acoustic piano sounds to emulations of acoustic instruments, to synth sounds and beyond. It also has drum kits, effects, and pretty much everything you'd expect a multi-functional workstation to have. All of the sounds are pretty realistic, with some being more so than others, but for the most part this is a top notch collection of sounds.

OVERALL OPINION

If you're a keyboard player who has a rack of modules and a MIDI keyboard, you really can't go wrong with the Yamaha Motif-Rack ES as your main module. It's not going to give you the most realistic analog keyboard sounds, but for just about everything besides this, it's top tier. If you already have a MIDI keyboard this is a great way to expand your palette of sounds. It's cheaper than buying a Motif keyboard, but in some cases it's probably worth it to go for the full keyboard. The Yamaha Motif-Rack ES is definitely a nice option to have and is one that should be considered by anyone looking for an all purpose MIDI rack sound module.

Tons Of effects, Easy to Edit, Sick sounds, So i'll give it a 10.

Price paid

900

UTILIZATION

Just Hook up a midi controller, plug it into your computer and your set~!!!~ it deserves a 10.

Well for what i got it for,900, was worth it. But the street price is 1100$, still pretty cheap for the sounds of 1 of the top 3 keyboards on the market. I'll give it a 10.

SOUNDS

AMAZING!~!!~! SICK STRINGS! The brass could use a little work but it's a hell of a lot better than Roland.(my opinion) I'll give it a 10, this has been the missing piece to my studio.

OVERALL OPINION

BEST MODULE I HAVE EVER USED~~!!!~~,, i don't think i could make as good music as i'm makin now without it.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: qbsfinest ( 8-, 2005)

I've had nearly a year has little, I have been using Studio Manager and Cubase SX on my computer, I used me as a plug-in what ...

USE

In fact using it is simple for me, since I used the "ON" button to Get You Started, I never rentr in the rack menu ...

Studio Manager, for me it is really the top, nothing to say, big ergonomics, I ASSIGNED my sounds, my effects with a click, I create my config for everything dmarre without j ' have nothing to assign ... on the other hand, for those who utilsent without the software, good luck ...

Oh yes, little BMOL at departure, I was flying in usb, until I realize that makes me a breath balanait dgueu on all my runs, has called the "humming" apparently, since I pilots Midi, nothing to say ...

PS: USB does not allow backups on key, zip drives ... etc ... would help me to find out ...

SONORITS

I had plug-ins, Fantom and used a Triton while the days before ...
For me, it is very far ahead, after it is according to the tastes, the type of recherchs sounds ... etc

The piano Triton made me laugh so clater I found nase, I find that the pattern 10 times more realistic, the sounds in the globality are best, the very good effects ...

The criticism I have to do it is that it is a very synth "right", it simulates a whole bunch of wonderful instrument, but it is rather plain for my taste, my Fantom was more malleable, more fat, but not quite realistic, Triton, I have always found void, except the keyboard and intuitive interface that is super ...
For me, the Triton is the Twingo synths, while the world has bought but agrees to say that there are better and cheaper ... short ... modes .. .dropoff window

The strengths of the pattern for me is the techno sounds, dance, leads, I found "cold on the Triton and" soft "on the Fantom, on the pattern, they are very well agrssifs quilibrs, and for me ...

Other highlights of the sounds that could pose as samples, "bells" scary, guitar sche poustouflante, the electric guitars of all kinds, super exprssifs violins in all directions (the the best I've heard), there's really exceptional sound, but also some "ordinary" sounds true, organs, numriques pianos, drums (yeah when we had a Fantom .. .), but I used too so no Drange me ...

The bass is "blah" also, the Triton is better ... As against the best sounds compete with Kuzweil is not ngligeable ...

NOTICE GLOBAL

So what I love most in him is power, output gain, everything is a bottom, and it has less levels than Newt ...

For those who want two live cameras and is solved ...

What I like most is the sound, I had big gaps among competitors and I combl with the ES, for cons I also lost some good sounds of my Fantom, especially maps, also in my config, XR would be welcome for the complter, for those who are reluctant with a plug, the diversity of a library of plug-ins is iremplaable, or else be 10 synths, but I wanted a mobile stuff that sounds to sample from my MPC, here voila ...

For me it is perfect for those who want to control the sounds from your PC, and that is not his own level exprssivit and power in the plug-ins ...