Yamaha Motif
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The Yamaha Motif is a series of music workstations, first released by Yamaha Corporation in August 2001. Other workstations in the same class are the Korg Triton, Roland Fantom-X and Alesis Fusion.
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[edit] Product lineup
Original Motif series were released in four variants in 2001:
| Model | Year | Number of keys | Key action | Polyphony | Waveform ROM | Waveforms | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motif 6 | 2001 | 61 | FS | 62 | 84MB | 1,309 | 348 presets + 48 kits, 128 user, 128 performances, 128 master |
| Motif 7 | 2001 | 76 | FS | 62 | 84MB | 1,309 | 348 presets + 48 kits, 128 user, 128 performances, 128 master |
| Motif 8 | 2001 | 88 | Balanced hammer effect | 62 | 84MB | 1,309 | 348 presets + 48 kits, 128 user, 128 performances, 128 master |
| Motif Rack | 2001 | N/A | N/A | 128 | 84MB | 1,309 | 640 presets + 48 kits, 256 user + 32 kits, 59 performances, 65 multis |
Motif Rack is a sound module without any keyboard, designed to be controlled by external instruments. Balanced hammer effect action is derived from Yamaha's Clavinova digital pianos.
Motif ES, a successor to original Motif series, debuted at Summer NAMM Show in 2003:
| Model | Year | Number of keys | Key action | Polyphony | Waveform ROM | Waveforms | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motif 6 ES | 2003 | 61 | FS | 128 | 175MB | 1,859 | 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis |
| Motif 7 ES | 2003 | 76 | FS | 128 | 175MB | 1,859 | 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis |
| Motif 8 ES | 2003 | 88 | Balanced hammer effect | 128 | 175MB | 1,859 | 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis |
| Motif Rack ES | 2003 | N/A | N/A | 128 | 175MB | 1,859 | 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis |
In January 2006, Yamaha launched two 'lite' versions of the Motif ES - the 61 key Mo6 and 88 key Mo8. Though only boasting half the polyphony and fewer preset sound programs, these models contain all the Motif ES sample sets, along with arpeggios and a song and pattern sequencer. Lacking are the professional Motif ES features such as mLAN connectivity, PLG integration, sampling and multiple foot controllers.
The XS versions were announced at NAMM 2007:
| Model | Year | Number of keys | Key action | Polyphony | Waveform ROM | Waveforms | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motif XS6 | 2007 | 61 | FSX | 128 | 355MB | 2,670 | 1,024 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 384 performances |
| Motif XS7 | 2007 | 76 | FSX | 128 | 355MB | 2,670 | 1,024 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 384 performances |
| Motif XS8 | 2007 | 88 | Balanced hammer effect | 128 | 355MB | 2,670 | 1,024 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 384 performances |
| Motif Rack XS | 2008 | N/A | N/A | 128 | 355MB | 2,670 | 1,024 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 multis |
The OS of the Motif XS was revealed to be based on MontaVista Linux [1] [2] [3]
[edit] Specifications
[edit] Comparison
| Feature | Original Motif | Motif ES | Motif XS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tone generator | AWM2 (complying with the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System) | AWM2 with Expanded articulations | |
| MIDI sequencer capacity | 110,000 notes @ 480 ppq | 226,000 notes @ 480 ppq | 130,000 notes @ 480 ppq |
| Polyphony voices | 64 | 128 | 128 |
| Sample formats compatibility | Original, WAV, AIFF, Yamaha A3000/A4000/A5000 (load only), AKAI S1000/S3000 (load only) | Original, WAV, AIFF, Yamaha A3000/A4000/A5000 (load only), AKAI S1000/S3000 (load only) | Original, WAV, AIFF |
| ROM size, MB | 84 | 175 (converted to 16-bit linear format) | 355 (converted to 16-bit linear format) |
[edit] Original Motif
- AWM2 PCM tone generator
- 110,000 note MIDI sequencer @ 480 ppqn
- Sample engine (up to 64MB of user RAM)
- Compatibility with common sample formats such as Akai, WAV, and AIFF
- 84MB of read-only memory (ROM)
- 62-voice polyphony
Motif keyboards include three internal expansion slots (two on the rack-mount version). These slots allow one to significantly augment the instrument's soundset through the purchase of Yamaha PLG Expansion Boards--which are available in a variety of sonic flavours. One can also increase the amount of available sample RAM by up to 64MB with the purchase of third party memory sticks. External connectors include a firewire 400 port for connecting an mLAN network card; a USB 1 port for connecting the instrument to a computer via a MIDI cable OR for external storage; and a SmartMedia port for storing sequence, voice, and sample data (in which case the purchase of a third party SmartMedia card is necessary).
[edit] Motif ES
- AWM2 Tone Generator (complying with the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System)
- 128 note polyphony
- 226,000 note MIDI sequencer @ 480 ppqn
- Audio Input ports: A/D, AIEB2, mLAN, Stereo IN
- Sounds: 175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format), 1,859 waveforms
All Motif ES synthesizers feature a wide selection of high-quality sounds, and use a sample-based substractive synthesis engine. The Motif ES6, ES7 and ES8 feature 16 track sequencers that can use MIDI and sample tracks, and 512MB of sample memory can be fitted for completely new sounds. Physical modelling, virtual analogue synthesis, FM synthesis plus a variety of additional sample sets can be installed with Yamaha's Moduler Plugin Synthesis System.
The ES models features several key improvements over the original Motifs: twice the polyphony with faster envelopes, a massive DSP effects engine (up to 8 tracks in sequencer mode can use independent dual insert effects), USB mass storage support, 8x sample RAM expansion (up to 512 mb via twin DIMM modules), vastly improved acoustic piano sound, twice the storage amount for user sounds, among other enhancements.
The Motif ES range employ the use of "Megavoice" technology from the Tyros; the flagship of Yamaha's performance keyboards. These high quality samples utilise 'velocity switching' to enable greater natural expression over the sounds, expressions such as fret noise, hammer-ons, slides and ghost notes.
[edit] Motif XS
- AWM2 Tone Generator
- 128 note polyphony
- 130,000 note MIDI sequencer @ 480 ppqn
- Connectors:
- Output L/R standard phone jack
- Assignable output standard phone jack
- A/D input
- Digital out
- Phones
- Foot controller 1,2
- Footswitch x 2 (Assignable, Sustain)
- MIDI In/Out/Thru
- USB 2.0 to Host, to Device
- AC In
- Ethernet
- mLAN (XS8 only, optional for XS6, 7)
- Sounds: 355MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format), 2,670 waveforms
[edit] Some improvements over the previous ES series are
- Assignable AF1/AF2 buttons (Often defaulted to control XA)
- Larger Color display
- Eight faders (four more than the ES)
- Up to eight elements (tones) per voice
- Expanded Articulation (XA) (e.g. being able to turn a voice element off to change the voice character)
- Ethernet connectivity
- Larger waveform ROM (roughly twice as large)
- Up to 4 simultaneous arpeggios (in performance mode)
- Shipped with Cubase AI
- Direct performance recording to pattern
[edit] Applications and audience
The Motif is generally best suited for the following applications: performance, sequencing, and sampling. The instrument is a worthy investment for those seeking a "band-in-a-box" WORKSTATION for at least two of the aforementioned applications; otherwise, less expensive niche solutions might be considered as an alternative. In general, Motif owners seem to agree the keyboard is not a good "starter" instrument for those just diving into the world of MIDI sequencing (due to its innovative--albeit unorthodox--operating system and poor official user documentation). Fortunately, the Yamaha-endorsed Commanding the Motif (available at motifcity.com and motifator.com) series of instructional books have bridged the learning gap for many users.
[edit] Notable users
Notable users of the Motif series include David Paich, Daisuke Asakura, Infected Mushroom, Oliver Palotai from Kamelot, Michael Pinnella from Symphony X, Paul Wickens from Paul McCartney's band, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, John Legend, Alicia Keys' band, Elton John, Robert Lamm and Bill Champlin from Chicago, Green Day, Ronald Jenkees, Ray Charles, Chick Corea, Die Sektor, Michael McDonald, Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey's band,Cagatay Akca's band, David Bowie's band, Justin Timberlake, Barry Manilow, Gary Numan, Beyoncé's band, Lonestar, Brian Wilson, Scott Storch, Tim Freedman,Pink's band, Soopa Beats, and Nick Carter. The Motif is often seen on the stage of the Grammys, the Oscars, American Idol, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Janne Da Arc, and a number of other famous venues.
