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Yamaha MODX


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I have been downloading, sifting through, auditioning and editing/customizing patches over the past week for live shows.

Here are my soundmondo submissions. I think they are great starting points for some bread and butter sounds. Hope these are helpful to a some of you.

 

PIANO https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29515

RHODESMKV https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29533

CLAV https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29532

BRASS https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29518

STRINGPAD https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29520

POLYSAW https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29519

 

Jay

www.soundcloud.com/high-diving-act

www.yournewneighbors.com

www.mclovinmusic.com

Nord Stage 3 Compact, Korg Krome EX, Novation Summit, Roland RD88 & Edge, Spectrasonic Keyscape

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I'd like to see a few more split performances. Which is not really the Soundmondo purview I know.. but it would have been nice for Yammie programmers to include a few more factory ones.

There is no luck - luck is simply the confluence of circumstance and co-incidence...

 

Time is the final arbiter for all things

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The Yamaha vs. Roland video was good.

 

I can't say I would make a decision on either based on pianos and electric pianos.

 

The FM sounds and acoustic instruments on the Yamaha are a noticeable win over Roland to me.

 

Roland Super Natural synth sounds for leads and pads are no slouch and they layer very nicely on the FA-07. I quite like the Roland synth sound, maybe better than Yamaha, but this is also splitting hairs that are just for me and not anyone else in a band or venue listening.

 

I don't think I would go to either of these for organ, in my opinion. Roland a little better in the video but live, just not going to replace a clonewheel.

 

Summary - if someone wants to buy my FA-07 for a good price, I'd give the MODX7 a go, but I don't see enough value in taking a big hit on selling it this quickly.

 

The action on that FA-07 feels good and I'm sure I could be fine with the MODX7 too.

 

 

 

 

Yamaha U1 Upright, Roland Fantom 8, Nord Stage 4 HA73, Nord Wave 2, Korg Nautilus 73, Viscount Legend Live, Lots of Mainstage/VST Libraries

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Boot time = ~ 16 seconds. Similar to MOXF, much faster than Motif XF. I dont have a Montage to compare.

 

Ive played around for 2nd night on MODX7 - it feel similar but better than MOXF6 to me. i cant put my finger (no pun intended) on exactly the difference. Keys feel a tad more sturdy,

 

I see what someone said about the ID markings for connection ports - cannot see them at all from the keys side of the board, they are hidden under a lip from the top of board. Either have to tip the board up to see (which is light but may not be easy once you have half the connections in) or walk around to the other side. Thinking about labels.

 

The baiting I do is purely for entertainment value. Please feel free to ignore it.
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Boot time = ~ 16 seconds. Similar to MOXF, much faster than Motif XF.

 

Motif XS = 3:15secs fyi

 

or maybe it was 2:15secs.... i cant remember, but its painfully long boot

-Greg

Motif XS8, MOXF8, Hammond XK1c, Vent

Rhodes Mark II 88 suitcase, Yamaha P255

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The Yamaha vs. Roland video was good.

 

I can't say I would make a decision on either based on pianos and electric pianos.

Personally, I'd pick Yamaha for piano. The Roland may be subjectively a perfectly pleasant sounds, but it just doesn't sound as much like a real acoustic piano to me. And getting back to my earlier comment, again, the Roland dynamics seem exaggerated, too many notes "pop out" as too bright, or slip away as too subdued. My impression from the demo is that he's a good player who still can't really control the Roland dynamics. An obvious example is the chord around 1:24 which is so much more pronounced than what's around it, and seems clearly unintentionally so. Once you notice that, you can listen to the whole passage and see that kind of unevenness all over the place, while the Yamaha plays much more smoothly.

 

EPs trickier... in this demo, they all kinda suck. But I'd say the Yamaha wurly is better than the Roland (if that's not damning with faint praise). Though Yamaha also has other EP sample sets in there, and more you can load into its memory expansion. (Well, Roland also has an EP expansion, but it's the old SRX card which isn't so great either.)

 

The FM sounds and acoustic instruments on the Yamaha are a noticeable win over Roland to me.

 

Roland Super Natural synth sounds for leads and pads are no slouch and they layer very nicely on the FA-07. I quite like the Roland synth sound, maybe better than Yamaha, but this is also splitting hairs that are just for me and not anyone else in a band or venue listening.

Yeah, even just based on the tech involved, Yamaha should certainly have the edge for FM sounds, and Roland for VA. And like you, I prefer Yamaha for most acoustic instrument sounds as well. Roland has at least a theoretical edge with the Supernatural behavior modeling, but that applies to few sounds on the FA, and even fewer when you factor out the pianos and EPs which seem less impressive regardless. (I also just don't care about some of them... I never bother comparing guitar and bass sounds, for example, because I always work with real guitarists and bassists so those sounds don't matter.)

 

I don't think I would go to either of these for organ, in my opinion

Yeah, neither demo here is impressive. For organ I'd give Roland an edge for having the Sub Out to make it easy to incorporate a Vent.

 

The action on that FA-07 feels good and I'm sure I could be fine with the MODX7 too.

I'd expect the Yamaha keys to feel more even in response from front to rear.

 

 

Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-)

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I have an MODX8 on its way here; should arrive Friday or next Monday. Meanwhile my Montage 8 is shipping out today. Seems a wiser choice for gigging: 31 lbs vs 64, and more compact, widthwise. I can deal with the slightly lighter action. For a dedicated piano gig I'd likely use my FP-50 anyway.

 

For very basic cover situations, the Montage-based organs would be okay; but for single keyboard stuff I'd still connect my iPad to the MODX and use Galileo - as I did with the Montage 8.

 

Once I've had a chance to test out the MODX, I'll post impressions here. Seems a good way to combine my legacy Motif/S-series patches and favorite Montage sounds into a leaner package.

'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo.

 

We need a barfing cat emoticon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I have been downloading, sifting through, auditioning and editing/customizing patches over the past week for live shows.

Here are my soundmondo submissions. I think they are great starting points for some bread and butter sounds. Hope these are helpful to a some of you.

 

PIANO https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29515

RHODESMKV https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29533

CLAV https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29532

BRASS https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29518

STRINGPAD https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29520

POLYSAW https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29519

 

HDA, I followed the above links, theres nothing to click on to play your demos. Googled it, and theres a Yamaha Soundmondo app, which i installed on my ipad. Clicked again on the above links and it still just takes me to a page with no play button.

 

 

Numa Piano X73 /// Kawai ES920 /// Casio CT-X5000 /// Yamaha EW425

Yamaha Melodica and Alto Recorder

QSC K8.2 // JBL Eon One Compact // Soundcore Motion Boom Plus 

Win10 laptop i7 8GB // iPad Pro 9.7" 32GB

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I have been downloading, sifting through, auditioning and editing/customizing patches over the past week for live shows.

Here are my soundmondo submissions. I think they are great starting points for some bread and butter sounds. Hope these are helpful to a some of you.

 

PIANO https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29515

RHODESMKV https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29533

CLAV https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29532

BRASS https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29518

STRINGPAD https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29520

POLYSAW https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/voices/29519

 

HDA, I followed the above links, theres nothing to click on to play your demos. Googled it, and theres a Yamaha Soundmondo app, which i installed on my ipad. Clicked again on the above links and it still just takes me to a page with no play button.

 

 

There is no preview on soundmondo. You have to hook your modx up to the computer and using google chrome only you click on the sound.. click sync.. and it will load onto your modx to preview on the keyboard. It will not save there unless you choose to save it to your keyboard.

Jay

www.soundcloud.com/high-diving-act

www.yournewneighbors.com

www.mclovinmusic.com

Nord Stage 3 Compact, Korg Krome EX, Novation Summit, Roland RD88 & Edge, Spectrasonic Keyscape

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Boot time = ~ 16 seconds. Similar to MOXF, much faster than Motif XF.

 

Motif XS = 3:15secs fyi

 

or maybe it was 2:15secs.... i cant remember, but its painfully long boot

Perhaps when AutoLoading a file. Otherwise, the XS boots in a bit more than 30 seconds.

 

Boot time for a Motif XF can vary considerably, dependent on the number and capacity of any installed flash modules.

 

Yamaha: Motif XF6 and XS6, A3000V2, A4000, YS200 | Korg: T3EX, 05R/W | Fender Chroma Polaris | Roland U-220 | Etc.

 

 

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Well, I for one, am 100% happy I swapped to the MODX 8 from the Kurzweil Sp6 - out here they are about $450 different in price but an absolute WORLD away in terms of bang for buck!

 

 

 

There is no luck - luck is simply the confluence of circumstance and co-incidence...

 

Time is the final arbiter for all things

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Boot time = ~ 16 seconds. Similar to MOXF, much faster than Motif XF.

 

Motif XS = 3:15secs fyi

 

or maybe it was 2:15secs.... i cant remember, but its painfully long boot

Perhaps when AutoLoading a file. Otherwise, the XS boots in a bit more than 30 seconds.

 

Boot time for a Motif XF can vary considerably, dependent on the number and capacity of any installed flash modules.

. About 30 or so seconds for XF sounds about right. It takes twice as long (maybe a tad longer) than MOXF - thats when both have the same single Flash installed. I actually dont think flash adds to time to boot as internal memory retains a stored map of what waveform maps to what - that is why when you put a flash board into a XF, it installs it - reads/creates that map. It only does that upon initial install of flash board. After that the map is just there.
The baiting I do is purely for entertainment value. Please feel free to ignore it.
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Well the MODX8 arrived yesterday and so far it's a keeper. Sold the Montage 8 a couple weeks ago and happy I did. The action is acceptable but does seem a little slower than I had hoped but certainly acceptable. The overall feel of the unit is a a bit plastic-y but the trade off is it is really light. Seems a bit boxy as well, so a hard case may be end up being larger than needed.

Sonically it seems to be on par with the Montage and in front of house I doubt you can tell the difference. Certainly is filled with a large selection of sounds.

 

I got this at an unbelievable price as a preorder and simply can't be beat for the money. The wall wart seems really cheap so I oredered a couple spares today one to keep in my gig bag and one at home. Agree with the placement of the volume knob being an issue and the touch screen seems functional but taking a little to get use to. Might be the font being smaller and picking up a bit of glare from the over lights in the room. Not sure how it will work out yet in my 3 tier setup.

But overall very happy so far!!! More to come when I get closer to getting it gig ready. It will replace my S70XS pretty nicely as my bottom board.

Montage 7, Mojo 61, PC-3, XK-3c Pro, Kronos 88, Hammond SK-1, Motif XF- 7, Hammond SK-2, Roland FR-1, FR-18, Hammond B3 - Blond, Hammond BV -Cherry
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Motif XS = 3:15secs fyi

 

or maybe it was 2:15secs.... i cant remember, but its painfully long boot

Perhaps when AutoLoading a file. Otherwise, the XS boots in a bit more than 30 seconds.

 

Boot time for a Motif XF can vary considerably, dependent on the number and capacity of any installed flash modules.

.About 30 or so seconds for XF sounds about right. It takes twice as long (maybe a tad longer) than MOXF - thats when both have the same single Flash installed. I actually dont think flash adds to time to boot as internal memory retains a stored map of what waveform maps to what - that is why when you put a flash board into a XF, it installs it - reads/creates that map. It only does that upon initial install of flash board. After that the map is just there.

It's not about mapping Waveforms - boot time seems unaffected by flash module contents. Rather, in my experience boot time is affected by the presence and size of the flash module(s). I increased the size and number of modules in my XF6 in stages. Each increase caused the boot time to also increase. I now have two 1GB modules installed, and boot time is a full minute. Apparently the XF does some basic checking of installed flash. Whatever it's doing, it takes some time.

 

Yamaha: Motif XF6 and XS6, A3000V2, A4000, YS200 | Korg: T3EX, 05R/W | Fender Chroma Polaris | Roland U-220 | Etc.

 

 

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Motif XS = 3:15secs fyi

 

or maybe it was 2:15secs.... i cant remember, but its painfully long boot

Perhaps when AutoLoading a file. Otherwise, the XS boots in a bit more than 30 seconds.

 

Boot time for a Motif XF can vary considerably, dependent on the number and capacity of any installed flash modules.

.About 30 or so seconds for XF sounds about right. It takes twice as long (maybe a tad longer) than MOXF - thats when both have the same single Flash installed. I actually dont think flash adds to time to boot as internal memory retains a stored map of what waveform maps to what - that is why when you put a flash board into a XF, it installs it - reads/creates that map. It only does that upon initial install of flash board. After that the map is just there.

It's not about mapping Waveforms - boot time seems unaffected by flash module contents. Rather, in my experience boot time is affected by the presence and size of the flash module(s). I increased the size and number of modules in my XF6 in stages. Each increase caused the boot time to also increase. I now have two 1GB modules installed, and boot time is a full minute. Apparently the XF does some basic checking of installed flash. Whatever it's doing, it takes some time.

huh. I think youre right that content volume doesnt matter, I saw no time difference when I deleted 60% of waveforms I didnt need/use from 750 MB down to 300 MB. I always bow to your prowess but whatever its doing, the MO series does it a lot faster or just doesnt bother to do it at all. I have a 1GB FL1024 in the XF, a 2GB mutec in the MOXF. MOXF still boots twice as fast (or more).
The baiting I do is purely for entertainment value. Please feel free to ignore it.
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I have an MODX8 on its way here; should arrive Friday or next Monday. Meanwhile my Montage 8 is shipping out today. Seems a wiser choice for gigging: 31 lbs vs 64, and more compact, widthwise. I can deal with the slightly lighter action. For a dedicated piano gig I'd likely use my FP-50 anyway.

 

For very basic cover situations, the Montage-based organs would be okay; but for single keyboard stuff I'd still connect my iPad to the MODX and use Galileo - as I did with the Montage 8.

 

Once I've had a chance to test out the MODX, I'll post impressions here. Seems a good way to combine my legacy Motif/S-series patches and favorite Montage sounds into a leaner package.

 

I picked up a MOXF8 a few years ago for the same reasons, much lighter than my old S70XS.

Do let us know.

What we record in life, echoes in eternity.

 

MOXF8, Electro 6D, XK1c, Motif XSr, PEKPER, Voyager, Univox MiniKorg.

https://www.abandoned-film.com

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Didnt know about the policy.

Just interested. Maybe he can PM.

 

It's a sticky. Called "READ BEFORE POSTING: Forum Policies". :snax:

We're in the era of iTunes License Agreements. Nobody reads anything they're told to read anymore.

Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-)

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Well, I for one, am 100% happy I swapped to the MODX 8 from the Kurzweil Sp6 - out here they are about $450 different in price but an absolute WORLD away in terms of bang for buck!

 

Miden and others with SP6 experience,

Please do tell! Aside from the $600 difference between the 88 notes in the US. You could make the argument that many who would buy the sp6, which is only offered as 88 notes, might buy the MODX7, at which point its only a $200 premium for the Yamaha.

 

Some obvious pluses for the MODX7 or 8 are that it has audio inputs for easy use of ipad or notebook for extra sounds, and more wave ROM. What is it that made the Yamaha such a bang for the buck buy compared to the SP6, which many say is Kurzweils best bang for the buck board?

 

 

 

Numa Piano X73 /// Kawai ES920 /// Casio CT-X5000 /// Yamaha EW425

Yamaha Melodica and Alto Recorder

QSC K8.2 // JBL Eon One Compact // Soundcore Motion Boom Plus 

Win10 laptop i7 8GB // iPad Pro 9.7" 32GB

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What is it that made the Yamaha such a bang for the buck buy compared to the SP6, which many say is Kurzweils best bang for the buck board?

I'd say they both have good bang-for-buck, based on 88-to-88. The MODX is the more capable board overall, but it is almost 50% pricier. Some quick thoughts about key differences, as a live performance board:

 

SP6 has sample playback, virtual analog, and clonewheel engines; MODX has sample playback and FM engines.

 

SP6 Multis contain up to 4 playable split/layered sounds, MODX Performances contain up to 8.

 

SP6 can function as a 4-zone MIDI controller. MODX can function as... 8?

 

MODX has on-board editing, SP6 editing is only via computer.

 

MODX has full patch remain on switching up to 4 parts at a time. SP6 sometimes has fx glitches, and doesn't have patch remain switching away from a clonewheel engine sound (though again MODX doesn't have clonewheel engine at all).

 

MODX lets you load custom samples, SP6 does not.

 

MODX has the large touchscreen interface, which also makes it stronger for patch selection.

 

MODX has more real-time controllers.

 

But of course then there's what you think about the sounds... and action...

Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-)

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It all depends what your specific needs are and if you like sounds and playability. The MODX is a welcome step up from the the previous MOXF. And not an astronomical difference in price. Had it been out when I bought my FA-08, I would have had to do some serious testing and research. From what little I have read, it looks like I wouldn't have the FA-08. Though I don't have many complaints beyond the fact it scratches easy!

 

As far as the SP6, I still would have bought it. It is a stage piano and fills that niche quite admirably. Comparing it to a workstation does it an injustice. I bought it because that is what I wanted, a capable stage piano.

 

 

Boards: Kurzweil SP-6, Roland FA-08, VR-09, DeepMind 12

Modules: Korg Radias, Roland D-05, Bk7-m & Sonic Cell

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Okay...the SP6 is not a workstation and neither is the MODX.

 

It is not a 50% price difference, more like a 25-30% price difference.

Sp6 is really just a stage piano, a lot of the other sounds leave a lot to be desired, some are okay...most are ordinary. Basses and guitars are, well, pathetic although DW has a done some nice "silk purse from a sows ear" work on some of the basses.

 

Although it IS all rather subjective ;) I reckon the organs on the MODX match those on the SP6. Others will disagree, but I don't use organ much anyway.

 

Guitars and basses are simply NO comparison. The MODX wins hands-down. I reckon the guitar base samples on the Kurz are exactly the same as the old PC1SE I had years ago. All that has been done is some tweaking of efx, but the core samples are, to me, sounding the same and just so dated now.

 

They way Kurzweil do the whole structure of sound/multi organisation is so unintuitive, well for me anyway. Everything is based around the sound. Want to have a multipart setup, and just want to tweak an ins effect for that ONE setup? well you need to create a whole new patch JUST to save one minor efx tweak, oh and a new Ins Efx patch as well!...the MODX OTOH allows tweaks in the "multi" setup itself and requires no saving altered efx and other dat to new sounds or efx slots....no wonder there are soooo many on the SP6, you need them!!

 

The keybeds are on a par. With the MODX perhaps slightly, ever so slightly a bit slower. Bounce, key travel and key striking areas seem to be about the same. Mechanical noise level is about the same.

 

The MODX GHS 8 is definitely different imo to the MOXF 8, which I got rid because of its loud mechanical noise (read same as PX5-s)

 

There is nothing really from Yamaha, but is sure feels different (better).

 

MODX has the LIVE SET feature and all those folks used to this on the Korgs will appreciate juts how useful this is. The MODX also seems to follow more usual MIDI connectivity.

 

And as written, there is practically NO editing on board the SP6, and the PC editor provided is flaky at best. It really is a cobbled together version of the PC3 editor (of Forte?) and even that is cobbled together. No real support from Soundtower and no solid manuals.

 

So for about 30% more in $'s you are getting a LOT more in value.

 

Look, the SP6 is a nice 'board if all you want is a light stage piano. And were I only in a bands I probs would have made do with it, but for solo work it was simply too tough for this old head!

 

Simply put on a value for money 0-10? SP6 gets a 6.5 and the MODX gets an 8.5.

 

As always the views expressed here are not necessarily those of this channel :D

There is no luck - luck is simply the confluence of circumstance and co-incidence...

 

Time is the final arbiter for all things

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It is not a 50% price difference, more like a 25-30% price difference.

88 to 88, $1300 to $1900 s 46% more. But if you can get by with the 76, sure, the difference reduces, since there's no 76-ky SP6.

 

II reckon the organs on the MODX match those on the SP6. Others will disagree, but I don't use organ much anyway.

 

Guitars and basses are simply NO comparison.

And then there are people like me whose priorities are the reverse of those. I use organ a lot and like having 9-drawbar control... I do play LH bass on some gigs but am not fussy about that sound ... I almost never play a guitar sound, I leave that to the guitarist.

 

They way Kurzweil do the whole structure of sound/multi organisation is so unintuitive, well for me anyway. Everything is based around the sound. Want to have a multipart setup, and just want to tweak an ins effect for that ONE setup? well you need to create a whole new patch JUST to save one minor efx tweak, oh and a new Ins Efx patch as well!...the MODX OTOH allows tweaks in the "multi" setup itself

It's not that the MODX "allows" you to save tweak sounds right in the "multi" -- it requires you to do so, there's no other place to save them! But yes, you touch on a basic philosophical difference among many keyboards. Some only let you save your tweaked sound as separate individual programs, some only let you save tweaked sounds within the multi-sound setups... and there is the related consequence that changing an individual Program in the first case can change that sound in every combination you've ever used that sound in. Sometimes that's what you want, sometimes it's not. (This difference also affects the ease of re-using a sound you like, though MODX seems to address that nicely even though they use the method that usually makes that trickier.)

 

 

Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-)

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