Yamaha Motif 5

[Siri]

Soonafter the original MOTIF was released in 2001 it was recognized as the best sounding, top selling and most requested music workstation on the market. Over time, it has continued to evolve and improve its expressiveness and functionality. At the same time, the online community of end users, sound programmers, software developers and product support specialists at yamahasynth.com has expanded into a vibrant on line music production community. The MOTIF breathes new life into live performances with its expressive sounds and intuitive control. In music creation, the MOTIF not only offers its own music creation capabilities, it also offers a system for integrating those capabilities with a variety of software applications. And now, the next generation "XF" builds on the decade long heritage of MOTIF, and provides groundbreaking with Flash memory expansion capabilities that will set a new standard for keyboard workstations for years to come.

The next generation "Motif XF" builds on the decade-long heritage of Motif and breaks new ground with Flash memory expansion capabilities that will set the standard for keyboard workstations for years to come.

I use the Motif for Strings (built several patches) and Horns (Sledgehamer etc.) as well as synth sounds for old funk/ 80's stuff and some bells/vox or bells/strings. I have used the clavs and Eps from time to time.

I also went from a Motif to a pc361, primarily due to the better organ. I think it is just as strong in every other category, and synth-wise it is far more programmable (though my skills in that area are lacking!). Horns might be an exception, I don't use them anymore but they sound pretty weak to me on the Kurzweil. Strings, I think you would be very happy.

Only two reservations: my screen has been flickering for a while, and this seems to be a common problem. it also refused to boot properly at one gig, but this was a one-time thing and I suspect it was iffy power at the venue. In any case, out of 200 or so gigs it has only done this once, and going into their "safe mode" and booting from there cleared it up. The screen at some point will go out.

2nd reservation is that it isn't light, but it's about the same as the Motif 6 and is much easier to handle--the shape isn't quite as bulky and it doesn't have the awkward angles of the Motif that would IMO make that easier to drop.

If you play mono, I have had no reason to have to edit the pc361 patches other than turning off panning for the leslie fx I use (I also adjusted the leslie speed(s)). I had issues on most synth patches, particular Performances, on the Motif. They would change a LOT in mono, due to the stereo fx used.

Newer tech - The Montage comes to mind. Just keep in mind that the structure is very different from the Motif in respect to connecting to other instruments. It is a great stand alone keyboard. Does not MIDI will to others if you want to create splits and layers using a mix of internal sounds and external devices. It would work to use it as a master to the VK8M for dedicated organ playing as long as you are not creating splits and layers.

My first choice would be the Kronos. With it you could do away with the VK8m. Kronos 3 is still the king of modern stage keyboards. It will cover most anything. I use two, a 61 and a 73 and consider it the perfect stage setup. My only grip is the Korg sample protection system. If I buy a orchestral sample set and put it on my 61, I cannot also install it on my 73 because it registers to an internal identifier. One of my main likes of a dual Kronos setup is mirroring the internal sounds so that if one goes down I have the other. With purchased sample sets from Korg I cannot do that, so I don't buy any.

It sounds like you have an original "Classic" Motif, which is the earliest of all Motifs. What is your budget? And do you have any PLG cards that you still use or require? If you want to re-use PLG cards then your only option is a Motif ES, which is also much more powerful than the Classic. But if you do not use PLG cards then pretty much any of the newer Motifs (ES/XS/XF & including even the MX series) can supplant it. A MODX6 may also be a possibility depending on your needs?

I was not impressed with the Yamaha MODX, when I played it some time back. But I was more interested in a weighted keyboard and picked up My RD-2000 to cover that. I am sure with programing I could probably tweak the MODX but I also know Yamaha's are a bugger to program based on the Motif. I was really hoping Kurzweil would have something newer than the PC361 in a lighter weight.

Theres always my Motif XF7 in the KC classifieds ... which is much more powerful than Motif ES. as a Motif guy you already understand it so its a short learning curve. It has better versions of all the sounds you rely on your board for. Its weakness is B3 and you have that covered with your VR-09. (Still the same weakness on Montage imo). (Cough). semi-weighted synth like action.

I do not use the PLG cards so that is not a concern. As far as budget goes, the lower the price is the sooner I could make the move. That said I would say $3000 is pushing the top of my budget. If Nord had one to cover it all I might consider it but I have never gotten the RedBug.

In current non-hammer boards, for strings and horns, I'd look at MODX/Montage, Kurzweil Artis 7, Roland FA (with the appropriate expansions loaded), Kronos (with the appropriate expansions loaded). The Yamaha options have the virtue of being most capable of emulating the Motif sounds you already like. Though with some effort, you might get satisfactory results sampling some of your Motif sounds into the Kronos, as well.

Note that any deep sound editing on the Kurz will require using an external editor; and out of the box, it has by far the smallest sound set. There are lots of other sounds you can load into it, though the process is not so obvious.

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No need to spend $3k to replace/upgrade your Motif unless you want to buy a flagship or a Nord . if you do - all the power, go do it and be happy. If thats the mindset, you wont be happy with any value segment board - it will just gnaw at you and gnaw at you that you could be riding a shiny steed instead.

If you liked Motif but just want to get current - MODX7 is a ridiculous value at $1500 imho. Get 6 at $1200 if you must but the 7 is very compact and an extra octave is always handier than we expect. Cant add it on later. MODX has all the strings, mallets, percussions, horns, reeds, winds, etc etc etc. better than you had in Motif, plus better AP, EP, synth etc etc - its like 4 generations of technical upgrade from what you have. VR-09 covers your B3, which is the sonic weakness of all Yamaha boards.

But if you have been married to Yamaha a long time and you want to see other ladies ... others can guide you to appropriate dating sites. Spread your wings, get out there and live! Many like the Kurz, ive never played or even seen one but i dont get out much except if im Actually playing. FA-07 is Rolands offering (or 06), it has a lot to offer and expansion packs for customizing to a particular need (e.g. orchestral). I think MODX blows Krome out of consideration but there are happy owners so ? Its all personal, what connects with you.

Not true... it MIDIs just fine for creating splits and layers using a mix of internal sounds and external devices (which would include using it to drive a VK8M). I think you're thinking about the limitations the Montage has compared to a Motif when its sounds are being controlled by external gear, but there are no particular issues controlling external gear. In fact, it actually beats the Motif there... a Motif Performance supported up to 4 MIDI zones with their own Program Change parameters, etc,... the Montage/MODX support up to 16, I believe.

Artis 7 comes close... it can load all PC361 programs, has updated Kore64 sounds (so you get some better brass), and it's somewhat lighter, despite having 76 keys instead of 61. You do lose some things, though, including aftertouch and on-board editing, and it's still not super-light (28 lbs iirc). Wanting something lighter also argues against my first choice Kronos. Lightweight probably argues most for the MODX or the Roland FA. Roland wins on organ (at least with external sim) and VA synth. Yamaha wins in FM synth, and IMO, action and overall sound set. It also has a gig of memory into which you can load other sounds.

Don, I almost pulled the trigger on the one of the Motifs on CL. But started thinking these are still 7-10 years old, there has got to be something New that will work for maybe double the price or less!!!

I should also not rule out the Roland since I am a fan and the ease of programing! I have never owned a Kurz and have always coveted their Orchestration. I just need to get my hands on these and find out what they can do.

Does anyone have patches set up on these three that work for UpTown Funk, Sledgehammer, Word Up etc.? I don't play those often but I play in 5 bands and any one of them will call those from time to time.

The Kronos probably has the most ready-made programs for specific songs. Many (most? all?) of them come from our very own Busch. They are excellent. Click here and then scroll down to view the Program names.

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