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MGR/Corey « Yamaha Motif 6, 7 or 8 »
Published on 05/23/02 at 15:00Honestly, 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
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