All user reviews for the Yamaha MOTIF 6

Bought this unit at a guitar center. I was actually looking for a kurzweil k2600, Roland xp-30, interested in what the motif could do, and last resort a triton. Once i said motif the sales person said forget all of those and look at the motif and starting telling me all the features. And i was impressed with the sound quality. Paid about 1200. Dont regret buying it but am looking to expand with more other named brand keys to match what motif lacks.

I love the fact of the ease of use. Yes at first it seems easy, then you get in depth with and realize some things are hard. But then when you learn them they make using a production station so easy. Realtime controls, assianable nobs,wheels and sliders. The patch function, key mapping, pre-built in sampling board. Tones quality. Able to create user arppagios, drum tracks.
The abiality to customize voices and create your own via usb and a computer with the enclosed software.

Okay yes every piece of equipment has its flaws its a marketing tactic to get you to buy more stuff. And yamaha definately cashed in on it. If your looking to do weird music, techno or anything on the darker side of music you might find the voices not of that genre but you can buy voices online and plug in boards that will make it or you can tap away on a comp and make the sounds you want wiht the included software. Another flaw is the fact that it uses smart media. Which is an expensive and low capacity system. For 60 bucks a smart media card i could probably buy a whole pack of zip disks or blank cd's. So if you have scsi drives to use with this thing your in the clear if not youll buy a scsi drive or be buying some expensive smart media cards and a reader for the comp. Cause inorder to load a voice into the memory bank properly you would need something other then using hte sampling function. But other then that hte OS is good, sound quality very good, programming capablities are very good and has alot of short cuts for technical stuff. Buy the videos and watch them cause there is just too much to type out. Oh yea one more band thing is that you can put eq on every track. Its one standard local eq that effects everything. But does have assignable outs if you have global eqs to work with.

Bottom is metal. And top is constructed out of either aluminum or some kind of cast not really to sure. Weight is heavy even without the weight keys. So must be made of of some kinda metal. Motif 6,7 keys are kinda weak feeling keys. But if your writing techno and everything buy programming then this is not a probablem for you. But if you looking to play at all kinds of humanized velocity's you might break some keys unless they are weighted. Nobs arent falling off like korg stuff but they are tending to get a little loose but thats understandable. But again if your programing then they wont take that much abuse. overall construction i think it can take a beating. Depending on whos giving hte beating though.

Ive had this unit for about half a year. And im loving it even with its money sucking flaws. I mean if you want awesome equipment you gotta pump more money into the machine after you buy it, just like a computer. If i mixed this thing up with two more units for example the k2600, and a roland both exapanded i would be having a really nice set up. But go down to a guitar center for a few weeks and keep playing with it and other ones youll hear the difference.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Honestly, I haven't had the opportunity to purchase this unit yet (ie. I don't have the money.) However, I have spent countless hours at my local Guitat Center playing and testing it. I will acquire this unit as soon as possible because of several reasons mentioned below. Priced at around $1900-$2400 these workstations really are a good deal.

Most keyboard players are 1 of 2 types: Korg/Kurzweil or Yamaha/Roland. This newest workstation from Yamaha, bridges this gap. Some of the noteable aspects of the Motif are the quality of the patches, the inclusion of input/output devices and the durability. The patches are truly awesome, and as is typical with most Yamaha keyboards, the user interface is fairly self explanatory. The Motif includes a SCSI card and an Optical I/O port, and you can import and map sounds to create your own patches or effects. Analogue and digital 1/4" outputs are included as well as jacks for volume/expression pedals and assignable pedals and the standard sustain. Durability is deffinitely a plus if you have to travel to your gigs, and the Motif is no slaker here.

Despite the positive features of the unit, there are still some disadvantages. Of course the weight of the Motif 8 (weighted key model.) Also, the Motif lacks some of the controllers that you have come to expect in a top-of-the-line workstation, such as ribbon controllers. It does have standard pitch bend and mod wheels as well as 4 assignable faders, 4 assignable knobs and 2 assignable buttons. For this reason only I am not giving it a 5 star (pick?) rating. Also patch wise, it lacks some of the more odd effects based sounds you would find on a Korg, and opts for more variety and quailty of the more standard instruments.

As I mentioned, the quality seems very solid. Obviously, I haven't moved it a whole lot, but Yamaha has a history of producing durable equipment (the PSR model I currently own has been through it and back.) Nothing gives, and of course it has a solid metal body. The controllers are set and sturdy, and the interface screen is covered well.

Definitely my favorite board I have played. Primarily for ease of use and quailty of patches. You can add foot controllers where it lacks the touch ribbons, and there is no fear of breaking it. I tried the Triton and felt the sounds were too odd and somewhat difficult to manipulate, I tried the K2600 and thought it had good pianos and controllers but that was about it. The Motif combines the best of both worlds.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

On the Motif 6, the keyboard does not touch "piano" as the Motif 8, but it is enjoyable trs (it "bounces" property).

In multi-timbral (Song / Pattern), polyphony is a bit tight, especially with the sounds of piano and drums. Yamaha has released the plug-in extension to add sounds and especially polyphony. Also in this mode, it has three global effects: reverb, chorus and variation (the choice), including the amount of effect is adjustable for each track, plus an insert effect that can be applied a track. This limitation is not too much because most teachers sound dj sound good without an insert effect (this is useful for example for a saturated guitar sound.

In storage, it is impractical to have a SmartMedia card to keep rglages (if it is embter, see Opinion n2). TRANSFR to give the (new banks of sounds, samples) between a computer and Motif, you can use a USB cable but trs slow, it is better to have a smartmedia reader, or when a SCSI hard drive. In this connection, to import Akai CD ncessaire it is to have a SCSI CD drive. Squenceur mode (Song / Pattern) can also record samples, such as vocal tracks or guitar.

For the CONTRL software using the buttons on the Motif (volume, pan, start / rec etc..), It is usually feasible, although I have not Russi make it work properly.

UTILIZATION

Storing sounds / songs is not known empty: you have to store each bank entires impractical. Unless an implementation date of the next OS corrects that.

SOUNDS

He might be a synth samples (AWM2) and not modlisation analog (except with a plug-in extension), I love the sound "electronic" and the possibilities s CONTRL-time rel (arpggiateur, potentiomtres, etc.). and piano sounds are good. For some sounds are dcevants cons, such as string instruments with vibrato can not be disables. Fortunately, it is possible to import CD samples (Wav, Akai) for an infinite new sounds.

OVERALL OPINION

In conclusion, a scalable workstation has good features, but suffers a bit from his youth (support Firewire next OS rather incomplete, etc.). NCESS and Facilities to purchase extra foodstuffs (and USB cable, old style RAM) trs sometimes not so common ones (eg SCSI hardware.). Fortunately, many updates are proposed and there is a forum frquent trs site developed by Yamaha https://www.motifator.com

I will not repeat the CHARACTERISTICS of the keyboard you can get on the sites ad hoc, but primarily on testing previous ones.
I would say that the quality of the keyboard is good for both games faster than the sensitivity. The Controller is the average precision (knob and fader) but sufficient for most uses. I, ds the acquis complt connectivity option by AIEB2. The sounds are many good quality. The polyphony is adequate, nothing more.
An edition is possible via USB to a PC thanks utility of good quality. A backup is possible via SCSI (HD it is even possible to mount internally, but the warranty goodbye) or by the card Smartmdia.

UTILIZATION

Yeah, well I is the FCHE! I just prs for a year, and it is also necessary that I tape record for certain operations. The logic operation does not suit me at all, and I quickly lost in the Mandres edition. I rcapitule: Edit custom settings with the instructions on the knees!
The machine comes with a manual in English, one German and one in French. Throw away the one in French because the translation is really ... doubtful. I rcapitule: Edit custom settings with instructions in English on the knees!
Research is also folk sound (but we love has in Alsace): I have a habit of starting in 0999 (on my K2500) and I must account translated into hexadecimal decimal (the man in the service of the computer, what!) So you are looking for a sound? This is the A15, D11, or H16? I think so! I rcapitule: Edit custom settings with instructions in English on the knees and a notepad cot! Do not forget the pen!
Fortunately, one can not look like ... PHEW! I agree, I'm a slacker.
When you leave the Fast Fashion your own sounds, do not forget the calculator to Defines custom settings, not because the physical units, but in most cases, a value of 0127. I rcapitule: Edit custom settings with instructions in English on the knees and a notepad cot! Do not forget the pen! And think of the calculator!
Finally, when you go to save Creations (sound, performance, effects, patterns, songs), do not be too hard. The extensions are multiple records and you have to wire to hold the head is what - I still think the ad shows a CRNE o with a USB - Taking the top, what! ! I rcapitule?

SOUNDS

The sounds are good and ... current. The range is supplied with a high quality comprehensive bill. Although sr, not everything is top. Bulk: I like the guitars, especially electric and saturated, percussion and other batteries. I am not speaking of synthetic sounds (analog, FM piano, etc) that I find good ... on most synths (Ae, I'll make friends!) I like least sounds of violins, and wind.
The performances are well done, and remain playable despite a keyboard 61 notes.
The arpgiateur is good, but it would be more than AIM in original patterns (these clients are boring!)

OVERALL OPINION

It's going to prs a year since I possde this synth. In the era, j'hsitais between Triton and MOTIF, which had just come out. The sounds are good on both machines. I opt for the reason because of its USB connection and PC editor (I'm more comfortable in front of a computer keyboard ...).
During testing, I had not foreseen that this machine was suffering from an ergonomic Ambiga. Frankly, I can not m'imprgner of philosophy that programmers BCAN! While few will forget the sweets big gap? A sampler in the synth but with this ergonomic ... The possibility of placing cards plugins, but with this ergonomic ...
If c'tait again, in this day, I would take the rack version. Because the sounds are his biggest assets. I use it as bote music, with the registration of certain Controller (including pots) in Cake and sometimes for a quick game of keyboard. J'hsite ds that sagit to enter the bowels of the instrument To create a sound, and that's a shame because the possibilities are l. ..

Well if not, apart from a fair bit of polyphony (64) and the memory of the sampler also a fair bit as well as the SCSI port for an external hard drive, I find it perfect.

Above the keyboard. Touch is especially nice for all types of games. It is not as "heavy" feel that the piano and not as "light and soft" than most other keyboards. Really try this keyboard! before you bother with a 88 keys which often is not used really.

Ha yes, there is an optical output, ideal for the parties on PC without quality loss.

UTILIZATION

I am not a regular synths .... in fact I am a bassist. I have this synth for 2 years and I do not see what's so complicated! I would say it is even quite simple (yet I am a zero in zero in math, English, physics, short chuis a musician who thinks practically has music, and honestly I love system are : very fast to work .... when we know what we want to do!)

The manual is clear but it must be read (I read it puts capital becaufe frankly, a machine that price if you read the manual wrong is that you're a rich kid and you do not care how it works, and that the only thing that interests you is to press two buttons and a knob, and then to a component has ch ... more about this site! You have to be somewhat realistic as hell!) , The manual is not for beginners. It does not take you by the hand in explaining how the music! But frankly it's simple, and then a bit of research staff is not bad, quite the contrary!

SOUNDS

The sounds are very realistic, I personally made in order to play my composed by musicians are realistic are therefore important. In addition to the sounds sound really good together, it's easy to have a good sound and sounds!

I have a friend (who is a pianist) who own a triton, but agree it has many more sounds, certainnent controls are easier to access, but a "sound" electro music and it's frustrating when ENVIS was to compose a small jazz or reggae!

Otherwise of course it sounds worse than the other .... but to make models for a group and if it is enough to make it definitive, I will not teach you anything you Disan it is better mixing different sounds from different sources, of course, if a risk Song demo sounding Yamaha.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like most is the sounds, the sequencer and feel of the keyboard
what I like least is that it is not a toaster .... not seriously I would say the "least" of the pattern does have rules in the new version.

Value for money trs good. Although even when made CHRE but hey must console ourselves by saying quil 10 years ago was much more efficient and less CHRE!

This choice I would do without hesitation! This synth has changed my life as a composer (I've come a long way) and I advise all musicos who play in groups to acquire this synth! it's perfect for composing for the group, much faster, more stable, more convenient than a computer! How group is a musician who works on computer? musicos and how many are listening to his shit composed by saying "but fuck it has to happen has never repeated '! There's too much sound, too much sample and not enough music!" And increasingly it is not very easy to bring in are computer Repeat '!

Good compo!

-61 Buttons, but there is a choice (76 and 81 notes)
Section-CONTRL Settings, modulation matrix complte
Connectivity-sufficient, optional output spares and I / O digital / optical
A-floor of insert effects (1 and 2) + Systmes effects (chorus + reverb) and change mode squence (+ EQ).
Sons-in numbers sufficient for a good range of style, synthse subtractive complte.
PC-Editors
-Polyphony 64 notes.

UTILIZATION

Configure-complte a little complicated for non-YAMAHA habitus but the manual is for a.
Relatively easy-Edition, the BCAN is tame in 3 4 weeks.
-The manual is what it is but good for a machine as the complte that it's good. The sampling part can compose song like dance club, break dance, etc. .... easily without getting lost in the complicated sample edition, this section is sufficient I think

SOUNDS

From Boullet-ATOMIC !!!!!
From BOULLETTTEE-PRO !!!!!
-Effects of death KILL !!!!!
-The expression is good .....
-Yamaha has made progress over the past SERIES MOTIF, not even with SY and CS6 ... Rolande not like it and PCM refourguer goove thing in his Phantom of the OPRA and etc. .... Sounds sound ... The Pro Drum kits sound great, pianos, keyboards and strings are not evils. The brass ring in a good understanding of DEATH! Parlont do not, but are of the synth sound too serious .... So there's not much to throw! The intgration the sampling is done well .... Certe MRIT sampling function or some amlioration qque paufinage ergonomic, however you get used to ...

The only big unless I see is the constraints SCSI disks and memory: MO disks are 640 MB limits, but hey it's not a priph trs USIT, external hard drives are limited to 2GB (DOS Systm !!!????!!! POKOI ??!!????? BA)
Note also that the expander of the pattern (the MOTIF RACK) offers him double the polyphony and 4 in Fx insert instead of a keyboard (: BA POUKOI !!!!?????). A small note for those new in incohrences product range ..... But tight deadlines can be a great thing with this machine l!!

OVERALL OPINION

An example of sampling intgration / workstation.
This bbte to compose a piece of the A and Z in a wide range of style in view of the types of sounds: be it Latin music contemporary music (electro thing thing ...) through the folk, blues, Rock YAMAHA .... we came up with a WORKSTATION (do you know what I mean !!!!!! A WORKSTATION !!!!!!! A true true !!!!! !!!!!!!!!!) The sounds are good, the squenceur can compose a self Manir, playing live is much easier with bbte ste .... . So! What you ask for??

This keyboard is great, edit your midi notes and arrange a whole song without a problem. Motif keyboards are great and very sold, dont worry about having to get this thing fixed. It is built to last!

UTILIZATION

Everything with this board is easy to edit and set up. Its pretty much turn it on and start working. Does not require alot of manual reading, its all pretty much straight forward and ready to go right out of the box.

SOUNDS

The sounds are great, beautiful horns and all the synths are very clean and realistic. There are enough sounds on this board to last for a long time, and enough effects to change the dynamics of each individual sound without a problem.

OVERALL OPINION

This is a great board, I have used it for years and plan on staying with the motif sets. Yamaha Motif is a great quality board and it is very affordable. Yamaha offers great customer service as well, just in case you have questions.

The YAMAHA MOTIF 6 is a 61 keys synthesiser keyboard, it uses synthesis type AWM2 and has a polyphony of 62 Notes which is expandable with Modular Synthesis Plug-in System boards.

The motif 6 has 384 voice presets + 48 Drum kits
The motif also has several effects like: Reverb x 12 types, Chorus x 25 types, Insertion 1 x 25 types,Insertion 2 x 104 types, Variation x 25 types (available for Performance/Song), Master Equalizer (5 bands),Plug-in Insertion (available when the PLG100-VH is installed in slot.



UTILIZATION

You can easily edit the sounds cutoff filter, resonance, frequency levels (Low, Mid etc.)

And adding a reverb or delay is also as simple as turning a knob.

The user manual is clear and provides all information you need to get started.

SOUNDS

The acoustic sounds are real nice fresh and realistic.

The synth sounds are powerful and FATT!! (I dont like them all tho)

The Reverb and delay effects sound good but i rather apply those effects in my DAW.

OVERALL OPINION

I really like the motif because it is real versatile, it has different sounds and for every music genre.

I think its a good value for the money because i can use most of the sounds in my music production.

They missed the boat. In Voice mode, every voice has 2 Insert Efffects available and every "element" of a voice has a 2 band EQ. In Song/Pattern mode, only *one* track can access it's Insert Effects and to change/tweak the effect you have to switch back to Voice mode. The SW1000 sound card, released yeasr ago also had this dual Insert effect set-up, but either of the effects could be applied and tweaked independently of each other, so Yamah have taken a step *back* with the Motif. Yamahas lame answer is to say "well of course you can resample so freeing up the effects". Right. You can also via sysex change the track accessing it's Insert effect, but Yamaha didn't even have the forethought to make this easy. you have to enter the sysyex every frickin time...theres no easy UI here. The EQ for each voice *cannot* be accessed in Song/Pattern mode. This is *so* frustrating I cannot describe it. The TRITON has 5 (?) Insert effects, a Touch screen, etc, and heres Yamaha with a 2 band EQ on EVERY TRACK and they just blow it. You have to jump to Voice mode, tweak, jump back to Song mode, listen, jump back, etc etc. Their lame answer? The Variation effect, another hang-on from the SW1000 sound card. Basically theres a global Reverb, a global Chorus which also contains all the delays.....and a global Variation. Yamaha reckon you should set the Variation effect to a 3 band EQ, make a setting and then apply it to *every* track that you want to change. Cunning eh? They missed the boat. Alot has been made of the "unofficial" Motifator.com site, and how wonderful Yamaha is for talking to it's users. My own theory is that someone realised what a fudge had been made with the Motif and that the web site would help sales. End of story.

Price paid

1,000

UTILIZATION

Haha. User Interface....whats that again? Once you've grasped the terminology.....patch, phrase,chain,patter,style.....it's all so frickin unnecessary. The whole thing is un-user friendly. I've got it, I'm using it, but the Triton was so much easier.

It's robust, well built. I've already managed to make one of the keys stick though. Yamaha UK customer support...well, understaffed doesn't do it justice. But they are helpful if you can talk to who who need to talk to. And I've never had a problem with repairs they've done.

SOUNDS

Weirdly enough, I remember one of my gripes with the Triton was it's "thin" sound, but the Motifs sounds all need tweaking big time to get a smooth mix, there seems to be alot of low mids in there. Whereas the Tritons sounds seemed to blend a lot easier. And you need to use the computer software to edit, the screen is just to damn small...it's the same size as Yamaha keyboards from 10yrs ago.

OVERALL OPINION

Dammit, it could have been so much more. It's an attempt to mimic the Triton, but missing the point that Triton had a huge touch sensitive screen, multiple effects, an easy UI.... the potential to make the Motif special is *there*, you just can't access it, it's not fully implemented, instead you get an "unofficial" support site (asically there to help with the unweidly UI)and the Tritons nice silver colouring.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 0-, 2002)

Sampler is great, Sequencer is easy to use, OS is a tad slow to respond, and sometimes hard to navigate. Aside from that, I love it.

Price paid

$1500 NEW

UTILIZATION

Relatively easy to use. See above.

Never had any problems, built sturdy, looks like it can take a beating. Loses a point because its so damn heavy!!

SOUNDS

The acoustic sounds on this are the best of the big 3 IMO Pianos, E-Pianos, Basses, Drums are all AMAZING Pads, Leads, FX are not up to Roland/Korg standards Horns/Orchestral stuff is crap just like Roland/Korg.

OVERALL OPINION

This probably should be higher, but I actually sold mine recently. Reason being that I had duplicate functionality with other portions of my studio. If I were a gigging musicians and I had to pick a workstation to go with however, it'd be the motif.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 5-, 2003)

Very sad to see all those bad ratings on my Favourite workstation of all time. Think they just need some Xtra time to go through the manual as this baby has got way more functions than what they thought.I have no problems with the effects & definately die without using those fat fat acoustic sounds no other keyboard at this price range could produce.Give it a try & listen to the demo.U'll know what i mean....

Price paid

$1600

UTILIZATION

Have to read through manual a few times.I'm using them blind folded now.

Not really a performance keyboard.Triton is a better choice for this category but sadly the sound of the Triton don't even come close.

SOUNDS

Superb acoustic sounds!!

OVERALL OPINION

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 6-, 2003)

It has all I need. I do real heavy sequencing.

Price paid

$1.435

UTILIZATION

Easy to use. The manual could explain the parameters a little more in detail. I can't get the damn Crescendo function to work. The explanation is to vague. Korg was better at this.

Tough

SOUNDS

The sound quality is great. But the orchestral sound, especially the strings don't pull through. I have tweaked and tweaked and can't get them to sound natural. I try to do some fast bowing on the string ensembles and it just doesn't pull through. Each notes gets sucked in, and not because of polypony. Also, the sounds are more hip hop, rap oriented. Not my type

OVERALL OPINION

Almost there. Needs better strings and less hip hop. Maybe some real orchestral persussion. The orch cymbal sounds lifeless. No control at all.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 1-, 2003)

Features...Love em all. More than the Fantom had which I sold for more money than I bought the Motif for. Plus it samples. Awesome. Different ways to sample. Asign to one key or track or octaves up and down or sliced over a section of keys. Easy to reverse edit and manipulate. Has everything but vari-phrase technology. I was stuck between this and a Triton. This was my choice and I am very happy.

Price paid

$950

UTILIZATION

Easy to use? Hmmm, Ive had so much equipment over the last 17 years. I read a couple lil items in the manual and havent touched it since. It all makes sense once I made my first original track. The only thing that sucks about this board is you cant scan through sounds/voices while playing your pattern. Thats a waste of time and the only thing I hate.

Quality.. I bought it used and it has been flawless so far. Strong heavy and powerful. My first Yamaha product so I was a little skeptical when I sold my Fantom.

SOUNDS

Sound quality I feel is great. Everybody else says they can tell the difference between my old equipment. Not enough Trance Synths like a Virus etc... But for my Hip-Hop it rules.

OVERALL OPINION

So far it is my favorite piece of equipment I have ever had. I never run out of voices like I did on the Roland stuff. I use samples and everything and fill alot of tracks thick and never lost sound or quality yet.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 2-, 2003)

I love the faders and knobs, you don't even need to buy a seperate interface for your recording program if you didn't want to. The only thing I didn't like is the one setting for all the channels dynamics & eq (but that is what sequencing programs are for).

Price paid

1800

UTILIZATION

There isn't too much missing from the board I recently bought another board but find myself using the motif's sequencer. I can't understand how people say that it isn't easy to use. Quantize is off the chain it is so easy to set until it's not funny. I think if people read the book to see how to use the basic parameters of the board then they would love it to death.

This thing is a tank built tough real tough. The only thing is the buttons begin to wear after a while (I fixed my own board so I am not complaining).

SOUNDS

This board is loaded with sounds. They aren't then like those of the triton and boards similar. If you use the program to tweak each sound you can get some real creative instruments.

OVERALL OPINION

Yamaha nailed it on this board! Creation can be done in a matter of seconds. Compared to other boards I can sequence almost as fast as I think. I wish they would have came up with the skip back sampling then this board would have no equal.The sequencing on this board blows the competition away, you can scroll to select different sounds while playing, sample, tweak sounds, and lay (record) almost what ever you could imagine.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Man_Unlimited ( 5-, 2004)