Yamaha Motif 8

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Fri Nov 01, 2002 12:28 pm

Anyone own one?

I would be using it as part of a logic PC setup i.e. sequencing from Logic, so some of the workstation aspects don't really apply to me.

It would be more the sounds, strings pianos drums etc I'm after. Is it worth the investement or is there something better already out there or in the pipeline. I know I could use a sampler but I fancy a meaty keboard to play with. The Motif looks quite good, but I could be wrong??

Mr Arkadin · Post by **Mr Arkadin** » Sat Nov 02, 2002 9:34 am

I have a Motif6 and it's bloody marv. You can sample on it, some of the drums are great (very grungy, d'n'b, hip hop, rock loads of styles). The electric pianos are good (Rhodes, Wurli), the acoustoc pianos are OK (I think there is a piano expansion board if you want a better sound). There are also expansion boards for digital I/O and to add 'analogue' synths. Loads of stuff. However using it from VST it isn't multitimbral. I'm still getting my head round this beast but I can't find a multitimbral mode anywhere. If you build up patterns using the internal sequencer you can get whole arrangements of drums, bass, samples all going off one key - but not from an external sequencer it seems. Or am I missing something? At the moment I would say the only real competition is the new Korg Triton Studio (the Triton LE is too Lite methinks compared to the Motif), the Roland Fantom hasn't got sampling and still uses floppy drives - the Motif uses SmartMedia Cards - what where Roland thinking?

Hope that helps. Go to http://www.motifator.com for more detailed info. There's a good Motif community (and I just saw Mike Garson of David Bowie's band using a Motif8 on Jools Holland, so they must be quite good). By the way the Motif8 is huge, I hope you have lots of big friends to help you carry it if you decide to get one!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: tonyr on 2002-11-03 07:53 ]</font>

valis · Post by **valis** » Sat Nov 02, 2002 10:29 am

btw someone plz remove the duplicated posts...

John Cooper · Post by **John Cooper** » Sun Nov 03, 2002 10:40 pm

Ok, i deleted the 3 dupes.
-John

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 9:32 am

Haven't got the Motif myself, but I do hear lots of good rumours about it. Especially the strings and piano sounds. To me, the EP sounded sort of el-cheezo, but very good nonetheless. (my 73 patch should beat it any day, me thinks. maybe not. hehe) I hear they reworked lots of the older ex5 samples, and added a bunch of new ones.

There's a quality about Yamaha AWM2 samples that I can never understand... they don't seem to be just "samples", but are like... well, it's hard to explain. It's like a blue-print of the sound, and there are a bunch of parameters you can change to alter the sound. Sometimes things that are impossible to do by conventional sampling methods... They're really strange. Dunno how Yamaha does it.

I remember seeing a parameter called "harmonics" or something like that. Twisting it adds harmonics to the sound. Twisted all the way to the max, you get this unrealistically bright, harmonic rich sound... and I'm wondering, how the HECK did they sample THAT?? It's not at all a treble boost, but structure of the sound becomes altered. And if I remember correctly, it's not an effect either. It's within the sample-edit parameters. Mystery. It's beyond what I can understand. I'll need to do some spectrum analysis before I can tell ya what's going on under the hood. I really respect this kind of mystery that comes from technical mastery, though.

The Motif8 is especially good, because the piano patches seemed to have all been tweaked for weighted hammer action. If you're into piano playing, this is one thing that should impress you. You should think twice about hammered action, if you don't have a separate "normal synth-touch" type keyboard, becuase hammered action usually causes lots of trouble when playing anything other than keyboard-orientated samples. (ie, quick cutting bass)

Also, if samples is what you're looking for, make sure you really like the Yamaha sound. They're sounds may be a little biased for some people. I remember the EX5 being VERY hard to mix. Motif may be different. I do think Yamaha improved on this point.. but just remember that such a problem may arise. Yamaha synths will always have that Yamaha quality in its sound. (which is why some people love them)

As a general setup thought, if you don't have any other "all-in-one" type synth, it might be a good idea to get one. Despite the fact that it may take a little character out of your sound, it sure does make projects move quicker. It's also a great tool to jot things down on.

Also, about the sampling stuff.. I have a Tirton pro, and never use its sampling abilities. Tried it once, and am confident I will never use it again. My friend with the EX5 tried it once, and he never wants to do it again. Things are much easier to do on the PC, sent straight to STS. I personally hate to bother with the synthesizer interface for too long. (might be different for you) But it's a good to have anyway, cuz it only means you can choose to do it on Motif, or STS. The more options the better. (like for live gigs)

But do keep in mind that I don't have the Motif. Please just take my opinions as "thoughts from another uer of an all-in-one synth".