All user reviews for the Yamaha MOTIF XF6

The Motif XF6 is a 61 key workstation synth that has some of the best sounds that you will ever hear. I have heard some of the basic presets that it offers in mainstream top 40 music on a regular basis. I am an owner of the original Motif that came out over ten years ago and I loved it, I have been using it almost every day for the last 10 years and when I found out they were coming out with a XF board I jumped on it pretty quick.

UTILIZATION

The XF6 is easy to set up and start using (for me because I had the original Motif). There are a ton of presets and kits to work with and this board is even expandable though I have not purchased any expansions yet. I have been using it with Cubase since the day that I purchased it and could not be happier.

SOUNDS

The XF6 allows 64 patterns and up to 256 voices for all patterns. It does allow sampling and it has a 128 polyphony. It comes with installed RAM of 128M which was more than enough for me to sample other audio. The keys are semi weighted and have a great touch to them; I love just playing the pianos on this keyboard because it feels so real and almost gives me a baby grand experience.

OVERALL OPINION

Sequencing on this keyboard is something that I didn’t like mainly because I didn’t like the interface of the sequencer. That is why I prefer to keep it in Cubase because I am already familiar with Cubase and have been using it forever. The arpeggiators are pretty cool as well on the XF6 and they are customizable to get the exact style of arp you are looking for. This keyboard was pretty expensive but after using the original Motif I knew this was a must have.

See above for features. Excellent keyboard, Yamaha requires expertise.

UTILIZATION

At first it is quite difficult, given the normal range of possibilities for this type of instrument / workstation. The real detailed manual is only available as PDF on CD ROM, which is a shame given the price but ultimately quite handy with the ability to search by words.
It seems that few people know, but the pattern xf a profound synthesis and editing, as long as they plunged into it seriously ... (Up to 8 oscillators per voice, all independently editable, 8 LFOs, arpeggios, lots of assignable parameters etc etc ... the list goes on). Envelopes deserve special mention, extremely detailed, you can configure almost everything is a dream, once you go through a learning phase.

SOUNDS

The sounds cover all acoustic instruments and trace the history of synthesis and are of very high quality. The quality of the converters is exceptional, the result XF sounds very detailed and rich.
Ditto for the effects: I love the effects of analog modeling, which gives the instrument a certain warmth that I have not found the Kronos ...
In multitimbral mode, there are inserts of 8 tracks maximum, only downside: all the 16 parties share a single reverb + chorus, which is sufficient in most cases, but it would be great to mix 16 parts in reason alone, by finding all the effects of patches ...

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?

1 year.

Have you tried many other models before buying it?

I had the XS.

the instrument is quite expensive but worth it.

With experience, you do again this choice? ...

Undoubtedly, even after the arrival of Korg Kronos, let it be said!

View detailed data sheet.

UTILIZATION

After selling my design ES 8, I opted for the XF 6 I couple on stage with a north stage 2.
Operation is simple for all owners of patterns of previous generations, the color display, readable and clear greatly facilitates the hack.
Frankly, it's very intuitive!
We have everything at hand in seconds, easy to program performance for the stage, to make a pattern ... etc.
I have not used the sampling mode.
The keyboard is very good and responds perfectly.

SOUNDS

The sounds are very very good! most excellent ... I think there is frankly no better in terms of choice and overall quality, there's nothing to throw away. Except maybe the sound of harmonica ..
The pianos are hyper realistic, fantastic guitars (much improved compared to the ES), tablecloths, violins, synthesizers of hell! It sounds everywhere! What about low batteries and honestly ... it's highest level. Even the brass ring! It's been a week since I have the beast, and I already won.
Some pre-programmed performance are terrible, something for all tastes, honestly you can do anything with this machine!

OVERALL OPINION

I do not regret my choice, of course it's easier for me who knows the system a bit pattern having possessed the ES, but Yamaha has made great efforts in terms of use.
I have not tried the Cronos, I wanted to stay with Yamaha. What I like most about this synth sounds are of course but also versatile, all styles of music are well represented, you can do anything!

€ 2,500 it's necessarily cheap, but in terms of device features, there is nothing to say.
However, it is intended for regular use in the studio or on stage, if we want to return the beast.
I do it again this election easily.

As owner of a Motif ES6 bought in 2007, I hesitated to take the step on the XS. I just did with the XF.
I have the XS6. I find the keyboard more comfortable, less noisy. Side look, it's black, but messy.
I found the basic sounds of the Motif ES, and some sounds that I had completed the purchase of other banks of sounds. The range of sounds will rob me for a while.
The effects are simple to drive.
I do not use computer


UTILIZATION

I spent a lot of time to understand all the features, not always simple, the ES. As a result, I have not had trouble adapting, I quickly found my bearings. The interface is incommensurate. I have not opened the manual (reduced to its simplest expression).
The screen is small. I prefer the screen of the M50, as compared to say the Roland Fantom G.
I frequently use the arpeggiator is very rich and match my needs.
I used the performance mode to save mode song. It's very simple idea for models, then resume the arrangement.
Functions such as copy / paste of events, adding / removing bars, are always the old days. I dream of something more ergonomic.

SOUNDS

I conceive of music for personal (all styles) or to the music in my business dress for events (conferences, etc. ,....).
I work on Motif and Korg (M50). Reason XF sounds are more expressive. The sounds of piano, strings, brass, guitars are very natural, make better. It gives me the strength to Yamaha. I supplement with the Korg synthesizer with sounds and very strings / tablecloths.

OVERALL OPINION

Past year, I have extensively tested the M3 (to go upmarket compared to my M50), the Roland Fantom G6.
I own the XF6 last month and I can not stop. This confirms that I am not mistaken.
I am not able to compare with the XS.
In summary:
Most of the XF
- The keyboard more comfortable, quieter
- Sounds realistic, natural, significant numbers of amateur musicians who delight
- Sequencer, easy access to classes of sounds and arpeggiator
- Ease of model performance through by switching pattern or song

Least:
- The screen remains small (touchscreen or not, this is not a pb), given complete information publishing,
- Black color and surface appearance (messy in the long run)