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Lougarou « I tested it but haven't had the time to buy it!! »
Published on 10/02/13 at 05:58
Value For Money :
Excellent
The technical description is available at Yamaha/mdownload, etc....
So, in short:
- 61 truly synth-like keys, almost like an organ, but what can you expect for the price...
- Almost 1200 presets
- Maximum three dual insert effects per channel, one EQ per channel, 2 x sends (reverb/chorus for example), one Master Fx, and one general EQ.
- 2 x 4 pot matrix, 2 x assignable function buttons, 1 pitch bend wheel + 1 modulation wheel and 2 x footswitch inputs (I think) + 1 x sustain/hold...
- 64 notes maximum polyphony for simple mono sounds (careful!!!).
It's not such a great stage keyboard, it's more functional, I think Yamaha conceived it with Home Studio owners in mind ─ do correct me if I'm wrong!!!
UTILIZATION
The overall design is very simple.
It's not easy to edit sounds with the small screen, but the PC editor makes it easier. I've been using workstations since the '90s, some of which were like Rube Goldberg machines, and it's not my thing!! I kept a Korg EMX-1, which I also use as an "expander" for electronic/analog sounds. The interface is perfect for that.
Th menus system provides an intuitive browsing of the parameters and effects at different levels.
Likewise, the music production workflow is pretty well implemented: Ever since the Motif 6, Yamaha has really evolved its sequencer and right now it's simple AWESOME. It's fast, creative, it makes you want to play more, make songs, play covers...In short, you have a blast with it! Ah!! If I had had it ten years ago instead of the Motif 6....
SOUNDS
I have liked Yamaha sounds for a long time because I think the Yamaha sound is always a bit better than before, there's always something to arrange/compose/play in different music styles. It doesn't limit me, it sounds good.
With a 800/1600W PA System it really rocks, with great dynamic response, sound might seem a bit cold but a bit of EQ will allow you to color it to your taste. There's plenty to do...
There are not many Yamaha sounds that I don't like, maybe the synth sounds, but I have a supernova and/or EMX Korg for that, so.....
The controllers allow you to do great things in Song and Pattern mode, it's good to create Fx/wooshes.
OVERALL OPINION
I didn't buy it: The MoxF came out when I wanted to buy it but I went to the store at least three times to test it properly.
I kept my Rack ES equipped with two PLG-150-AP and PF cards. I had a Motif ES6 and an XS, which I sold.
It might fall short in terms of polyphony for someone who does arrangements or composes with it, and it only stores three insert FX in multitimbral mode.
Its main advantage is the built-in audio/midi interface and its PC integration: It's awesome!
But even better is that it has the exact same engine as the XS but with half the polyphony....): Direct recording in performance mode of four Arps with chord recognition at this price...Simply put, it's a unit to make music with ease!!!
Given its price, I recommend it to beginners, arrangers, composers, etc. It's a formidable practice tool and a superb stage instrument, too!!!
Don't think it twice: At this price, specially secondhand, GO FOR IT!!!!
So, in short:
- 61 truly synth-like keys, almost like an organ, but what can you expect for the price...
- Almost 1200 presets
- Maximum three dual insert effects per channel, one EQ per channel, 2 x sends (reverb/chorus for example), one Master Fx, and one general EQ.
- 2 x 4 pot matrix, 2 x assignable function buttons, 1 pitch bend wheel + 1 modulation wheel and 2 x footswitch inputs (I think) + 1 x sustain/hold...
- 64 notes maximum polyphony for simple mono sounds (careful!!!).
It's not such a great stage keyboard, it's more functional, I think Yamaha conceived it with Home Studio owners in mind ─ do correct me if I'm wrong!!!
UTILIZATION
The overall design is very simple.
It's not easy to edit sounds with the small screen, but the PC editor makes it easier. I've been using workstations since the '90s, some of which were like Rube Goldberg machines, and it's not my thing!! I kept a Korg EMX-1, which I also use as an "expander" for electronic/analog sounds. The interface is perfect for that.
Th menus system provides an intuitive browsing of the parameters and effects at different levels.
Likewise, the music production workflow is pretty well implemented: Ever since the Motif 6, Yamaha has really evolved its sequencer and right now it's simple AWESOME. It's fast, creative, it makes you want to play more, make songs, play covers...In short, you have a blast with it! Ah!! If I had had it ten years ago instead of the Motif 6....
SOUNDS
I have liked Yamaha sounds for a long time because I think the Yamaha sound is always a bit better than before, there's always something to arrange/compose/play in different music styles. It doesn't limit me, it sounds good.
With a 800/1600W PA System it really rocks, with great dynamic response, sound might seem a bit cold but a bit of EQ will allow you to color it to your taste. There's plenty to do...
There are not many Yamaha sounds that I don't like, maybe the synth sounds, but I have a supernova and/or EMX Korg for that, so.....
The controllers allow you to do great things in Song and Pattern mode, it's good to create Fx/wooshes.
OVERALL OPINION
I didn't buy it: The MoxF came out when I wanted to buy it but I went to the store at least three times to test it properly.
I kept my Rack ES equipped with two PLG-150-AP and PF cards. I had a Motif ES6 and an XS, which I sold.
It might fall short in terms of polyphony for someone who does arrangements or composes with it, and it only stores three insert FX in multitimbral mode.
Its main advantage is the built-in audio/midi interface and its PC integration: It's awesome!
But even better is that it has the exact same engine as the XS but with half the polyphony....): Direct recording in performance mode of four Arps with chord recognition at this price...Simply put, it's a unit to make music with ease!!!
Given its price, I recommend it to beginners, arrangers, composers, etc. It's a formidable practice tool and a superb stage instrument, too!!!
Don't think it twice: At this price, specially secondhand, GO FOR IT!!!!