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Aidan

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    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    First gig with it tonight, mostly trio with LH bass and new monitoring system (via Rolls PM351). Very happy so far. My brass layer choices are a bit bright and artificial at PA volumes but otherwise pretty happy with my initial programming. I'm thinking I'm still gonna have to go with the Electro or Hammond on top to take care of organ sounds. Fortunately, either can be mixed in through the A/D inputs of the MODX.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    hello Aidan, since I see you have Tyros, I was wondering how the horn voices, namely tenor sax, sound on the MODX as compared to the Tyros......Larry

     

    Hi Larry, simply put, they're not as good. The Tyros voices have various bits of AI in terms of inflection, slurs, key noise etc baked into them which respond to your playing automatically. The Montage/MODX/Motif voices, by comparison, maybe have one or at most two variations in them activated by the assignable function buttons. For function band gigs, fine, but the Tyros versions are way ahead in realism and some are viable substitutions for big software libraries.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Finally got around to downloading the Bosendorfer it's a big improvement on the CFX for my money and definitely worth grabbing while you can. Also downloaded Chick's Mk V and that too is absolutely excellent. A pity that there's not really room for anything else once you have that installed but still, at least I have the option of using MainStage to expand the sonic palette.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Question on the scene buttons. In a performance there are four scene buttons. Is it possible to program say three or four sounds on scene button one and a piano on scene two button, organ on scene three and three or four different synth programs on scene button four? And --- If I change buttons from say one to three while holding down the sustain pedal, will the sound sustain without cutoff of sound until I let up on the sustain pedal? Thanks. Just wondering.

     

    I'm far enough along the learning curve to say yes to your first question. As to sound sustaining, I honestly don't know yet.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Scott, trying to answer some of the points you raised

     

    Im pretty sure the GHS action is at least a modified and improved version of the one in the MOXF8 (which had a bizarre clickiness to it, almost like a badly-simulated escapement) but could equally be brand new and just branded the same as its predecessor. On balance, I would still take the PX-5S keybed the keys feel slightly more natural on the downstroke, as if they have some inertia of their own, if that makes sense. But the MODX isnt an awful keybed. Its perfectly useable.

     

    Regarding the other pianos, there is a performance called S700 for Montage and it sounds to me exactly like the one in the Inspiration in a Flash download for MOXFs. However, I dont think much more of that set is in the MODX, sadly. I seem to recall some additional Mellotron sounds, for example, which I havent found.

     

    As regards the Wurli, maybe its because the modelling is a bit out. But for me, the burr element in the Wurli timbre is over-exaggerated on the CP4 and sounds slightly artificial, no matter the adjustments.

     

    As far as the left hand space is concerned, Ill run the tape measure over it when I get chance and let you know. Off the top of my head, I would certainly think there would be room to accommodate, say, a Korg Nanokontrol. A boutique synth? Not so sure.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    http://www.goldstraw.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/modx8.jpg

     

    A few initial thoughts:

     

    * It's really light although the added depth means it's in some ways maybe a little more awkward to handle than my CP4. But absolutely no complaints about the weight. The construction is plastic, of course, but it doesn't feel or look overly cheap. With a bit of care, I wouldn't have any worries about the unit's long-term durability.

     

    * The keybed is pretty good. Don't get all excited on me, it's a long stretch from a CP4. But it's a lot better than the MOXF8, my last encounter with a comparable instrument in the Yamaha range. The MOXF's keybed felt light and had an odd half-escapement feel to it. The MODX is smooth and more pianistic, maybe a bit sluggish if we're being picky. But remember the price and weight for this amount of synthesiser, and it's perfectly acceptable. Expressive piano playing is no problem.

     

    * I was pleasantly surprised by the touchscreen. For a capacitive specimen, it's very responsive and so far I've not had to have a 'second stab' at anything on the screen.

     

    * The rest of the hardware on the board is perfectly OK for the budget. Knobs are tight, scroll wheel solid etc.

     

    * I wish Yamaha would have screen printed the connection points on the top panel, particularly as all the rear sockets are underneath a kind of 'lip' in the case. Makes wiring it up a bit of a pain. But can't complain about the connectivity lots of options.

     

    * Yes, the PSU is external and it's not the best quality by any stretch. It's a wall wart rather than a mid-cable lump. I seem to remember that when I had the CP33, I was able to buy a rather better quality spare Yamaha PSU which was a power brick type. I'm going to investigate whether something similar is available for the MODX and use that as my main PSU, if so.

     

    * Boot-up time is less than 20 secs. No need to consider a UPS, a la Kronos.

     

    * The user interface is typical Yamaha. At some point, you will need to read the manual, and probably sooner than later. As an example, I was constantly hitting the 'edit' button while browsing the sounds in 'category search' (a feature which, to be fair, is much improved by the touch interface) but nothing happened. I subsequently found out that you need to 'enter' a sound (which brings up a display of its parts) and only THEN can you hit edit. Similarly, it took me quite some time to figure out how you edit the reverb type. It's actually on a tab once you're IN that edit mode. Once you know where it is, no problem but it's far from intuitive.

     

    * The CFX piano is fine but needs playing quite firmly to bring out that characteristic Yamaha brightness in its character. I found that changing the velocity curve (another big interface search!) to 'wide' was best for me. I haven't downloaded the free Bosendorfer yet but plan to do so.

     

    * EPs are great, and the Scenes feature and AF buttons are used to logical and good effect, as is the mod wheel for tremelo etc. Very good variety of Rhodes (although the Dyno models need pulling right back, for my tastes) and the Wurlis are much better than the CP4, I'd say. As you'd expect, Yamaha push the FM pianos big time in the category search but at least you've got plenty of options.

     

    * Hammonds are serviceable for comping and the odd emergency solo a definite improvement on the Motif/MOXF sounds for sure. If you're going to concentrate a lot on these sounds, though, you're still gonna want a clonewheel on top. The user interface means you're realistically going to be sticking to the presets, though I did like the way the Super Knob is used in many patches to gradually 'open up' the top drawbars. That at least is a common way many of us work settings in the heat of battle and it's helpful to have it available using a single control.

     

    * FM sounds are everywhere you look. I was never a big fan but there is lots of useable stuff, and much of it belies the reputation FM had for being brittle and thin. For example, there's a monster thick bass sound in there which would sit perfectly in Stevie Wonder's Boogie On Reggae Woman.

     

    * Acoustic/orchestral sounds are very good, as always. The newer samples raise an already high bar. And it was great to have all my favourite sounds from the Motif days right there as well. Basically, whatever your sonic needs, you're going to find a solution here. It may not always be 'best in class' but this is a true Swiss army knife instrument. Also, the built-in audio interface (and independent volume control for it) makes this an ideal foundation for a laptop rig, so anything you want to get picky about, sonically speaking, can always be 'upgraded' with software instruments. On the 8, there's even a handy place to put your laptop!

     

    * Having the 'add rhythm' button is handy but the drum track itself is far too loud on every occasion. This was the case on Kronos as well why do manufacturers do this? Of course, they can be adjusted (although again, it took me a few minutes to work out exactly how!) but why not balance them properly before you send the box out of the factory, guys? Not sure I will use them anyway, having said that.

     

    * Lots of whizz-bang style patches using the Super Knob. Fun but of limited use, at least for those of us of a certain age. But the Super Knob itself does open up lots of more subtle and practical possibilities.

     

    That's it for now. I hope some of this is helpful to people considering the MODX. If anyone has specific questions not covered here, I'll do my best to respond.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Am looking for a lightweight 88 key instrument - the inevitable question:for organs, MODX or SP6?

     

    It's an apples to oranges comparison. The SP6 is mainly a digital piano with some additional sounds, and limited editing (at least on board the instrument). The Yamaha is a full blown rompler + synth with very deep editing available on board. Personally, I don't think either of them are that good, organ-wise. The MODX appears to be a slight improvement on its predecessors but Yamaha organ emulations have always been a bit meh. However, I've never been that convinced by the Kurzweil's much-vaunted KB3 engine.

     

    For my own part, I have a cunning plan to use Mainstage with the MODX so I can use Acoustic Samples B5 for my organ needs.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    My MODX8 should arrive tomorrow. Will update you all then.

     

    Wow, so soon? Out here you can preorder them, but Sweetwater says deliveries start on the 27th.

     

    Yup, had the UPS track come through this afternoon.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Just pre-ordered a MODX8 from Kraft music. $1,949 with the carry bag kit.

     

    A verdict on the case would be interesting. At first glance, it looks a bit like the (terrible) one they came up with for the CP4/MOXF8 but actually it appears they have moved the wheels to the absolute corners. The others were inset slightly which made the case highly unstable and apt to flip while being pulled.

     

    I'm assuming the MODX8 will fit the far superior Soundwear bag I bought from Thomann for my CP4 and as they won't be going out together, I shall probably just use that but others might welcome a report, particularly those outside Europe.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Lose or damage your external supply before a gig and your SOL.

     

    Which is why, as I suggested before, you need to buy a spare from the get go, put it in your spares bag and _religiously_ always make sure you have that bag with you. My spares bag always contains at least one of the following: dynamic mic, DI box, quarter inch jack, IEC cable, XLR cable, XLR-jack adapters, sustain pedal or switch, expression pedal, plus a few other bits. Not exactly exciting, but a vital part of any pro's armoury.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Hope you enjoy it Aidan, looks like a nice board. Will you keep the Tyros?

     

    Yes, but it will now mostly stay home, I think. I have been using it for some of the orchestral sounds on the Joni shows, but hopefully the MODX should cover all those bases with one board, and even if not certainly should with the addition of my Macbook Pro running something like Garritan Personal Orchestra.

     

    The two boards that will be heading out will be my Kurz PC361 (now rather aged) and the Casio PX-5S (used only for a back-up for a couple of years now, and I can't justify having three 88s for piano work).

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Its not supposed to be about whats easier for them, its supposed to be about what makes sense for their customers.

     

    Their customers (for this particular line) basically want a Montage at considerably reduced cost. Using external power supplies is one of the factors which make the keyboard cheaper. So actually, that DOES make sense for their customers.

     

    The fact that I'd have to carry around an external power supply makes the keyboard a non-starter.

     

    Really? I mean, really? Yes, it's a bit of a PITA for sure but 'non starter'? At worst, it means buying a second (light, cheap) PSU and adding it to your spares bag. I presume you do carry a spares bag with at least 'one of everything', yes?

     

    Tough crowd, as they say...

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    The thing I'm most excited about? Audio interface (and a place to put your computer) on a lightweight 88 is a painless way for me to begin using a laptop live. So any sonic shortcomings on the MODX can be addressed via MainStage.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    And aftertouch.... To me it's strictly a marketing decision to make keyboardists who really need AT (like myself) spend the extra hundreds of dollars (or more) to buy the next tier of keyboards.

     

    Of course it is. That's business.

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