Rocket Man 2

It's been a while, but I still have two Motif XS boards. I recall changing the original voice by storing the Voice as a User Voice, making the modifications to that copy of the Voice and then saving those changes, then storing that User Voice into a User Performance. Changing the Original Voice would only affect the copied file (User Voice). Any Performance using that User Voice (copied file) would be affected. Am I correct in this procedure?

It is my belief that if house power is really poor (voltage dips below 90 v. A/C), this could be the culprit. As illustration, A/C duty cycles for a 3-way amplifier power are typically: FREQUENCY AMPLIFIER POWER DUTY CYCLE Lows (30 to 175 Hz.): 3,300 w. RMS 10% Mids (between 175 - 1400 to 2000 Hz.) 1,900 w. RMS 40% Highs (between 1400 - 2000 to 20kHz.) 600 w. RMS 20% This means that your "kick" drum amplifier is only drawing power about 10% of the time, and resting about 90% of the time. If you have a physically "light-weight" amplifier on the bottom-end of your PA, you are effectively drawing power "straight out of the wall socket" (the power distribution) as you need it, whereas if you have a physically heavy amplifier (with a heavy transformer in it), the amplifier is able to store (recharge) power in the transformer and large capacitors during the other 90% of the cycle. (Think of the duty cycle in terms of 1 second: 1/10th of the second is the "kick", 9/10ths of the second is the re-charge.) By using a large transformer amplifier on the bottom-end of the PA, you can lessen voltage swings in overall house power (into dangerous low-voltage range). In other words, the physically "light-weight" amplifiers REQUIRE ample available power at the source (wall socket, house power-distribution) to function properly, whereas amplifiers with huge toroidal transformers lessen the low-voltage ("shitty"-power) problem by storing energy over time. Further, when a "light-weight" amplifier is starved for power, so are all the devices drawing power from the same power source. Cheap power conditioners only clean up noisy line voltage. Sophisticated A/C power conditioners also do far more. As an example, querry "SurgeX". Worth repeating (from Real McCoy thread above): "Conditioners only filter out noise. Only a voltage regulator will protect against brownouts. The downside is they can draw more current to make up the loss of voltage, so only put the sensitive stuff - not powered speakers or power amps - on the regulator to minimize current draw." Regarding the use of A/C generators: Beware: all generators are NOT created equal. Industrial (welding) generators are not always well-regulated, and can elicit big voltage swings, which can be HARD on electronic equipment. Be careful. Research further!

It is my belief that if house power is really poor (voltage dips below 90 v. A/C), this could be the culprit. As illustration, A/C duty cycles for a 3-way amplifier power are typically: FREQUENCY AMPLIFIER POWER DUTY CYCLE Lows (30 to 175 Hz.): 6,600 w. RMS 10% Mids (between 175 - 1400 to 2000 Hz.) 1,900 w. RMS 40% Highs (between 1400 - 2000 to 20kHz.) 600 w. RMS 20% This means that your "kick" drum amplifier is only drawing power about 10% of the time, and resting about 90% of the time. If you have a physically "light-weight" amplifier on the bottom-end of your PA, you are effectively drawing power "straight out of the wall socket" (the power distribution) as you need it, whereas if you have a physically heavy amplifier (with a heavy transformer in it), the amplifier is able to store (recharge) power in the transformer and large capacitors during the other 90% of the cycle. (Think of the duty cycle in terms of 1 second: 1/10th of the second is the "kick", 9/10ths of the second is the re-charge.) By using a large transformer amplifier on the bottom-end of the PA, you can lessen voltage swings in overall house power (into dangerous low-voltage range). In other words, the physically "light-weight" amplifiers REQUIRE ample available power at the source (wall socket, house power-distribution) to function properly, whereas amplifiers with huge toroidal transformers lessen the low-voltage ("shitty"-power) problem by storing energy over time. Further, when a "light-weight" amplifier is starved for power, so are all the devices drawing power from the same power source. Cheap power conditioners only clean up noisy line voltage. Sophisticated A/C power conditioners also do far more. As an example, querry "SurgeX". Regarding the use of A/C generators: Beware: all generators are NOT created equal. Industrial (welding) generators are not always well-regulated, and can elicit big voltage swings, which can be HARD on electronic equipment. Be careful. Research further!

Thank you for your clear answer, for directing me on how it can be done, and for the video on how the Montage (and Montage M) works and sounds. I have been away from this for several years, and it is refreshing to see where Yamaha has gone.

Thank you so much, Another Scott. Further: can one transfer settings from a Motif XF to a Montage (or from a Motif XS to a Montage)?

Can settings created on a Yamaha XS be loaded onto a Yamaha XF? (That would certainly save a LOT of time!)

I like this suggestion. However, what would your dad value more from you? Words of affirmation from you, quality time with you, a gift from you, a gift of service from you, a "guy to guy" physical hug from you? If he's in his 40s, it will be different than if he's in his 70s. As life gets more hectic for you, or less hectic for him, he might really value your company (or NOT). It depends on what he really values in life at this point in time in HIS life. Take some time to figure this out. It might take him some time to learn what kind of keyboard he would like, whereas sharing yourself with him might build the relationship between the two of you. (I'm a dad who loves music, with a 34 yr. old son who also loves music)

If you're doing any serious MIDI stuff, I would highly suggest the XK3c. It has three fully configurable, splittable zones and also the assignable knobs and buttons on the right hand side. I use my XK3 with a Motif ES rack and it works great. Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know, Jim. Dick

(Grumble, grumble, hrmph...) Seriously, what are they?

It's a great setup, the Korg and the Kurz work very well together, both midi- and soundwise. I can bring my PC3X for weighted keys if I'm playing a lot of piano. I got the SK1 last week, I 'downgraded' from an XK3c which is a great instrument but too big for my current needs. I'm also working on getting my IEM system set up, I have a buttkicker and molded earpieces from Starkey. I'm getting too old for bad sound on stage! ;-) For those of you who have had both an XK3-c and an SK1: Which have you liked for a live rig? Why? I grew up playing real Hammonds. I'm older now, and don't want heavy stuff, but I want to feel like I'm playing a Hammond. I figure an XK3-c (43 lbs. + case)will feel close to right, and there are no stores around to try out an SK1 (15 lbs. + case) or SK2. So, I'm looking for guidance from you who have been there. What worked for you? Was it worth the extra weight to have the SK3-c? Which board was easier to use as a controller to, eg., a Yamaha ES Rack, etc.?

Steve, There are three similar devices: first, to the left of your pedal board; the second to the left of that; the third, underneath the monitor (for the basssist?) They all seem to be video monitors of some sort. What are they, and what do they do for you?

Wow! Cool. Brings back the days. Thanks! And a Polymoog that still works? Amazing.

I have a chopped M3 that I used in the 70's, of which the guts currently reside within a Chamberlin console, and the double keyboard sits on top. To do this, I created a five foot multi-pin snake to allow the keyboard manuals to be plugged into / unplugged from the guts. Thus, I was able to divide the weight into two parcels. PM me if you have further interest in how to do this.

+1 You won't spend much, and you'll get a feel for what the real thing is all about. Understand that you probably won't move it around much, (unless you're young, strong, and have a bunch of friends to help you.)

In the mid-70's I chopped an M-3 Hammond and installed it within and on top of a Model 600 Chamberlin Musicmaster-a large console. (I still have both.) Ran the Hammond into two Leslie 122's, retrofitted wit JBL 15" speakers and JBL 2482 120 watt drivers, powered by large amplifiers. Also had an overdrive system for distortion that worked pretty well. Those Leslies could rip your head off, and definitely keep up with any guitar player. I rolled it around on a permanently-mounted 4-wheel dolly. It was one heavy rig to move around. Sorry, I can't find pictures. It was a good sound. Lee Michaels heaven. This was all before PAs, snakes, equalizers, mixing consoles that could actually do something.