Yamaha MONTAGE/MODX & Roland FANTOM 0 - what is wrong with those keyboards
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2022
- Review of the Yamaha MONTAGE/MODX operating system and its functionality, Roland FANTOM 0 and my thoughts on those.
Here are the links to the video tutorials I have used to educate myself about the Yamaha MODX:
• Yamaha MODX review: Ev...
• Is the Yamaha MODX Syn...
• Yamaha Montage MODX FA... - Розваги
I had a MODX8 and now have a Fantom 7. What are the good and bad features between the two? None of them are perfect. I think the Yamaha Montage/MODX is more reliable in many areas, but I chose the Roland because of the synthesizer sounds. The Jupiter 8, Juno 106, JX-8p, SH-101, and N/Zyme Wavetable Model Expansion all sound great together, and the Zen-Core VA is quite versatile. The negative thing is that they still force the old PCM sounds on us, which lags significantly behind the acoustic MODX sounds, but it got a couple of SuperNatural Acoustic sounds from the Integra 7, but for that much money it would be appropriate to inherit the entire set. This improved the weak acoustic sounds somewhat . The Fantom V-Piano is great, better than the Montage piano. There is a ToneWheel Organ engine, which is great, unfortunately Montage/MODX is still weak in organ sounds. The main shortcomings in Fantom: - You can't create your own arpeggio (Big mistake for me) and only one arpeggio can be used at a time, although I only use it while I'm creating a song, I think an active arpeggio is enough for live performance. The Sampler works well, but there is no sample slicing function. The multisample treatment is incomplete. It cannot load a multi-layer sample, so if a sound has several Velocity values, it must be loaded to 4 Partials and set so that the sample switches on the appropriate Velocity value between the 4 partials. Montage solves this for 1 Element without any problems. Montage/MODX also loads old E-MU 22khz samples, Roland only works with 44.1khz and 48khz samples. If you load the multisample samples, they are not ready yet. The related samples must be selected and a multisample must be made in it, and a name must be given to it and entered into the USER bank. A lot of post-processing, especially if you need a lot of multisamples. What's good for me is that, in addition to the existing excellent synthesizer sounds and those that can be programmed, I hardly need external sound samples. It is also Roland's fault that libraries offered by third parties cannot be loaded, only those offered by Roland Cloud. Sample libraries cannot be purchased, currently the old SRX expansions can be uploaded for free, of which there are 15, they only contain samples. MODX can save the settings of a performance into 8 Scenes with modifications. For example, each Split can be set to different sounds, sounds can be made active and inactive, and the sequencer handles this independently. You don't have to do anything else but start the song, and Scene Chain puts the appropriate split divisions under your hands while playing, you don't have to switch between sounds. Unfortunately, this is not possible with Fantom. Different Split settings can be saved to PAD buttons, but you must always press the PAD buttons during the performance, because the sequencer cannot switch between PAD buttons, at least for now. Maybe with an update. Montage is more reliable overall, but still only has AWM2 and FM-X. Yamaha has been unable to offer anything but FM synthesis for years, and there is still no Virtual Analog engine, although there was a Yamaha AN1x in 1997, which was a great synthesizer. There is a YC-61 organ, but Montage still doesn't have a decent organ. Each part of Roland sequencer has a maximum of 64 measures, so the song must be built from these. It also consists of 8 parts, only here it is called Pattern, and MODX has 8 Scenes as a song. You cannot load a complete SMF, only in parts of 64 measures. Montage maximum 256 Measures. That's an advantage. Other than that, the Fantom sequencer is more fun for me.
Wow - I greatly appreciate your comment. Most of the things you have mentioned about the Fantom I did not know. I have sold MODX and bought the Fantom 06 and enjoying it so far but I am just a hobbyist and it takes time for me to learn those things. Now that I know about those I agree that things aren't straight forward with these two. I guess it all comes down to how it is used as each of the instruments seems to offer a slightly different set of tools with its pros and cons. Since I am totally new to Roland I really enjoy it. I guess, I was Yamaha user for far too long and got used to all the sounds and I find my Fantom exciting for that reason that every sound is new! I will be making a video shortly about the things I wish I knew before I bought Fantom (compared with MODX) but from my perspective. Please check back to view it. Thank you for watching and for taking your time to leave the comment!!!
did you like the sounds(presets) from montage ? what are your thoughts about it ?
Thank you for your question. As a long-term Yamaha user I have discovered a number of new sounds but a lot of those sounds came from previous models which is good and bad at the same time: it is good because I could play songs made on previous generation yamaha; the bad thing is that I got used to those sounds and the new keyboard is not as exciting to me. But Montage sounded really good - very full and powerful sound. Thanks you for watching!
interms of production sound quality & fullness which one would you prefer Motif XS or Montage ?
Thank you for asking. I would say that Montage is better when it comes to sound quality and the "sound resolution" if it could be called that way. I have sold Motif and MODX but still have access to Montage and Montage is very powerful in sound especially for pianos, guitars and other natural instruments. I hope this helps - thank you for watching.
thanks for your review. I agree. I have always had Roland. found the MC909 & Fantom X easy to get ideas going and record. I purchased Montage 7 a year ago and it is an incredible machine that has huge potential but is not like the Fantom ease of use. I almost feel like I am disrespecting the Montage by not putting enough time into it. I'm sure I would rewarded immensely when I do. I believe the attitide to micro-editing is that you can record a midi file into cubase and edit there.
I recently bought a Fantom G6 to record and edit audio from the Montage because I would really prefer not to have to use a DAW. I do love my Montage!
Thank you for watching the video and for your comment. I get more and more comments with a similar feedback - people trying to find the way around to utilise the incredible potential of the Montage/MODX. I have done a few more videos where I perform sort-of live and it sounds really cool but there is no way of getting all of that into the provided sequencer in an easy way so yeah... still learning. Thank you!
Thanks for your feedback. Do you think that as you're not a live performer, the Montage/MODX is not suitable for your needs? I understand that Yamaha market these keyboards as Synths, and not Workstations
Thank you for your comment. I guess I should explain what I was trying to say - the keyboard is good sounding with a lot of options but I think Yamaha has taken a step too far in reducing the number of buttons. They could have leave the buttons for say Pattern to allow easy access to that section etc. Also, a sequencer section could have been kept in tact as oppose to Create Performance - save performance - add pattern - save all the settings together - it is a bit messy in my opinion... but - it is still the best sounding keyboard on the market right now! So, I keep my one. Thank you for watching my video!
@@amateurmusicstudio thank you for explaining yourself.
I'm a MOXF8 user and I'm toying with the idea of the MODX8, or Montage 7 for live use, the Fantom 0 does look interesting - I'm prioritising sound quality and portability. Which one you'd go for?
Yamaha modx firmware 2.52.0
Is there a lot of the Motif sounds on the montage?
Thank you for watching and for your comment and I am sorry it took ages to get back to this question. Yes, in fact all of them as far as I can tell and they sound exactly the same as I have tried comparing the two when I have had both keyboards - I have now sold my Motif and keep the MODX. Thanks
@@amateurmusicstudio No need to apologise.
I have the Yamaha modx so I was just curious about where the sounds had come from.
I knew it had modern sounds its nice to know it has sounds from various old keyboards as well.
Thanks for the reply my friend.
I think they are all great instruments. My first Yamaha synthesizer was the blue CS1x, which was fantastic!!!! Currently, the most advanced Yamaha instrument I have is the SY99. It's mind blowing to me. I've been thinking of getting the Motif XF7 for quite some time, but this hasn't somehow materialized. My dream keyboard currently is the Fantom 8. They don't have them in stock anywhere, though. I am worried that the prices are going to go up on those, so I might need to deposit some money to freeze the price. I mean, keyboards got so crazy expensive over the last few weeks. The Nord Stage 3 went from $4,699 to $5,299, and Kawai VPC1 went from $1,899 to a whopping $2,399 just like that, overnight!!! My point here is, if you're planing a purchase of Montage of Fantom, put some deposit now to reserve the current price, because they seem like a bargain right now compared to keyboards from other brands.
Thank you so much for your time to watch and comment on the video. I agree on the pricing issue. It really makes sense to do that. Unfortunately, these are freely available here in UK and I would have to buy one right away but not ready for it yet. Thank you so sharing your thoughts - that was very interesting to learn. All my life I was feeling myself as isolated in music (ever since I left it as a profession) so it is really nice to be in touch with people all over the world and learn about their experience and thoughts. Thanks again!
@@amateurmusicstudioBy the way, the Sequential Oberheim OB-6 went from $3,099 to $3,499. So, the new Oberheim OB-X8 now seems quite reasonable at $4,999.
The more parameters are offered the more complicated the menue structure will become. I also came from the Motif and luckily had hardly any trouble to adapt to the MODX. Montage/MODX offer some features that I'll never use. I don't care. But soundwise and especially with respect to the value for money the MODX is unbeatable.
The only thing I really miss is the possibility to freely adjust MIDI channels to the parts of a performance. This would be for guys like me who use the MODX with a DAW to record tracks, what by the way I did since 1990 with several synths using the Commodore C 128 as my first MIDI recording computer system. A short time later came the first MS Windows OS (3.1) that had multimedia capabilities, and more powerful recording software being offered.
Since many of us don't have the time or don't want to fully immerse ourselves in program ing, the videos and the Soundmondo sharing platform are so important. A gratifyingly large number of musicians have already participated.
I am looking forward to your next comparison between different generations of Yamaha synths.
Thank you so much for your comment. It nice to know there are other people out there interested in what I do. Thank you for sharing your background too. It took me sometime to understand it but it is simple and easy to understand now. I really like what Yamaha created as a package - apps and services (as you have mentioned) so it is much more than just a keyboard. I hope to pick up my MODX soon for the comparison video. Thank you for your support!!!
Logic and ease of use for day to day use is really important, especially for instruments and tools used in creative fields. Of course there's more complexity and many more features these days, but good quality touch screens and hardware is also more affordable, so it comes down to how well the interface is designed. It takes effort but we know it can be done.
Totally agree - Thank you for watching and commenting!
I have a MODX and the New Fantom and yes the Fantom is very much easier to get your head around, and has a great user interface. But there are things you will definitely miss on the montage/modx if you swap them out. I was going to sell my Modx when I bought the Fantom but I can’t bring myself to do it!
Wow - thank you for your comment. I was sensing it somehow that I would be in the same situation if I were to buy Fantom. It would be very helpful if you were to share some of those points that you think MODX is superior compared to Fantom. Thank you for watching!!!
@@amateurmusicstudio 3 main things for me are, 1. The Yamaha acoustic sounds are the best in the business (however I personally do prefer the Roland pianos)
2. The effects routing is more advanced on the Yamaha, it has a better “modeless” setup than the Roland in this regard, although that makes the Yama more complex as you mention.
On the Roland you can only have one effect on your tone (sound) , it’s very easy to access and change on the front panel however which is good. You can then put that tone into a scene (performance in Yamaha language) where you can add up to two more insert effects to it, but those same two effects apply to all 16 tones in the scene. You can’t have two different Ins effects for each tone (sound) in the scene (performance ) like you can on the Yamaha.
3. Yamahas arpeggios are far more extensive and advanced. On the Roland you only have relatively basic arpeggios. And can only be applied to one of the 16 tones in your scene! Not like the Yamaha where you have something like 10000 arpeggios you can apply to all 16 in your performance. Roland does have I-arpeggio on their Jupiter series and the new released Juno-x I am hopeful they might add in a future update to bring it more in line with Yamaha and Kronos karma in this regard. It should for the price!
I have found a lot of previous fantom G owners are unhappy with the new fantom because it does less than the old, but I think Roland are trying to Back away from the workstation idea (although I love the pattern sequencer on the Fantom ) a bit like Yamaha did. I personally think that Roland where aiming at the Nord stage market with the fantom. Even down to the red strip at the back! I think they are trying to give ease of use and not be too complex and change things on the fly from the front panel, which every loves about the Nord , but also keep some of the sequencing and sampling features and in depth menu diving if required.
I have to say I find the Roland quiet initiative. Even though it does have a few flaws, I really like it, but will keep the Yami for now!
@@lukeyd7776 Thank you - Thank you - Thank you - you have provided me with the most wanted information I could not find anywhere. It makes perfect sense! But it also makes me want to buy Fantom too.... Sometimes I need simple approach to get the idea down and to listen to it sounding great with little input since I may be limited on time. Well, I hope I could get my hands on one soon... 🙂 Thank you once again!!1
@@amateurmusicstudio Yes that’s the main thing I like about the fantom, how quick and easy it’s to get an idea down without having to go to a computer/DAW if you don’t won’t to. I enjoy just using the fantoms Ableton style sequencing and then being able to save it easily and recall it easily. But also if you want to use a DAW at times especially Logic or Ableton, it “talks” to them so well, possibly better than many dedicated DAW controllers. Also all the classic Roland synth sounds are in there. There is a lot to like with the Fantom, it’s not perfect, but worth looking into.
Great video and Your exactly right... IAM a movie music composer and I had a Motif xs6, but after buying a Modx6, sent it back after 1 week because of this problem... It was just silly complicated and a very badly designed interface ... It drove me crazy especially the new sequencer.. pages and menus... I think the engineers at Yamaha have all been replaced by 25 year old wizz kids from the rave and dance, rap scene... they are not musical instruments anymore, they're glorified drum machines with sounds... It makes no sense... I'm now awaiting my fantom 06 tomorrow... Fingers crossed .. All the best
Thank you for your comment - I wish developers from Yamaha could have seen all the comments to videos like this. Please share your thoughts as soon as you can on your experience with Fantom 06!!! That would be really interesting for me!!!
@@amateurmusicstudio yes.. i certainly will.. looking forward to trying the Fantom..
I dont know why Yamaha made the MODX sequencer only 256 measures long.. why dont they make it 999 measures thay way, giving the player the choice between having a hardware linear or pattern based sequencer.. it annoys when developers take peoples choices away.. crazy..
Ill report pn the 06 later.. all the best 😁👍
THAT'S what I call a "review"!!!! I was laughing out loud when you used "they come with THIS" *rofl
40 years of (hobby) playing, starting with organs, over keyboards, one epiano and now my first synth; the MODX. Now for one year. Why? Because of the sound, and the price. The sound, you called it right "mind blowing"! No question, and Yamaha was allways good in sounds. The answer on the rest of it: PRICE. It is CHEAP. That's it. Not the new MODX+. For me: no option any more!
What is missing here, are the faults and insufficies. I could write books with them. Why do I think to see more than "experts"? Because I am a beginner ... and therefore digging through all those things; whereas those pros only spend 5 minutes for their "reviews" or synth-pros only handle with their few preferences. They don't play all 88 keys with each of the 2.000 sounds. They don't try out every arpeggio. TEN THOUSAND ... 50% (or not) of them "dead", because of stylish reasons in this magical software. And believe me ... there is more than one "strange thing" in this machine.
TWO THOUSAND sounds, TEN THOUSAND arpeggios ... WOW! I say: they took some elementary school students during vacancies ... picking wildly on the keybed ... and threw the "results" into the memory. You want to search in 10.000 arps?
You didn't mention the "searching cathegories" for arps and my beloved "rhythm patterns (arps)". I'm an elder man ... 40 years I was used to "Rumba", "March", "Foxtrott" a.s.o.. Hundreds of years development of cathegories. MODX ... not existing! Names, where I'm once again wondering: "what kind of stuff did they smoke?"
Faults? From simple "master volume by FC" fault with arps running, notes disappearing while playing (assume output problems), scratching (like overdriven volume), and samples where the sound-charakter clearly changes from one note to the next ... a.s.o.
And one thing over all: "volume" (tuning, adjusting, leveling, preset). Those developers never heard of "volume"!!! That is not a joke. Really!!! Scrolling through rhythm patterns is even dangerous. Most enerving: lower tones not hearable, high tones eardrum blowing. MODX6 reviewers ... so what!? Play an 88!!! What happened? Heureka ... I found it. Menue, Submenue, Submenue, Submenue ... Element, Amplitude, "Level". There they oftenly adjusted the higher notes up. The contrary should be, because we all know that the human ear hears highter tones louder than lower. So why they do the contrary adjustment?
Pretty the same Problem with rhythm arpeggios. The snare drum beating all other percs to the ground. At the beginning I despaired and thought I could never ever use a rhythm. Until I found out, that in the menue, submenue, submenue, submenue, submenue ... element-level it can be adjusted.
Lots of possibilities ... but a mindblowing standard techno-compressor-sidechain-pumping ... I am working on a solution without a "snapping noise" in it. Still waiting for answers in the forum ;)
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch my video and to leave your comment. Based on what I have heard MODX generation was designed to be used connected to computer (permanently I guess) since those endless possibilities are hidden deep within and hard to find. Agree on the levels - complete mess; agree on categories... I mean - the only questions I have got left is 'WHY???' What was the reason for such a radical change??? Anyway - thank you once again!!!
@@amateurmusicstudio Excuse my english; I am german. It's pretty hard to research the reasons. Either Yamaha-people would never admit something or the rest is fanatic/blind/deaf. According to my experience the main reason seems to me: "synth bubble". I don't know much about other companies; but e.g. the "pan" is everywhere "balance on stereo". I was estonished, when turning this knob; so I asked around. To my opinion a false labeling, because these are to different things. Forunately the pan on element-level is functioning.
One other reason they told me some days ago: those thousands of... is not coming from Yamaha but "third part". So I was pretty right above😉 I add: and there was no review before publishing.
Your comment also fits well. I use to say "it is an expensive I/O device for a DAW".
As a single-player I found many insufficiencies switching something on by knobs. I call it "it chokes" sometimes: or arps/MS lanes are sometimes starting in a random order/sequence. "Timing" is a real problem. This confirms your words; designed for DAW-use.
But those Yamaha-freaks out there pretend, that they are not understanding, what I am talking about😉If I had a video-equipment, I would make one.
In the meanwhile I am trying many deeper features. Yes ... they are existing; but not functioning well (see compressor-pumping). My newest conclusion: it can everything, but nothing well.
All in one it was "knitted with an hot needle" (we say).
@@amateurmusicstudio Addition: you surely know this "ideascale". On the 1st sight a fine thing. But only then. I couldn't research, if ever more features than the sequencer were ever added to this machine yet. And I see a disadvantage in the developement ("synth bubble"), because crazy stuff is suggested and gets votings, whereas reasonable features perish. It seems as if Yamaha never built a different instrument. Those synth have nothing to do with their (fine!) keyboards... strange. According to my simple mind, the only difference should be the sound-possiblities (creation, effects a.s.).
Recall: coming from (e)organs I ever played electronic keyboard instruments (for over 40 years). The most powerfull one a Wersi-Organ. The first thing I noticed, on the MODX (8, GHS keybed) and later on in many videos: the developement is obviously based on piano-players. What is this MODX? A better epiano or a keyboard? This seems strange to me and also causes some strange mindset and comments in the net. Clear! Piano-players don't know much than sequential playing. Watch the videos :D The simplest issue are the FALSE opinions about "keybed". No idea about design types, but talking swing. Electronic instruments don't need tons of weights on the keys. Also the 8 is tuned "hard" by software too (my research). 35 years ago I played a Wersi with high-quality plastik keybed, velocity and aftertouch. What is high-quality? It lives long, is stable in position (even with aftertouch vibrato) and doesn't make rattle-sounds. Not how many tons are hanging on the keys.
The MODX8 is loud, louder, the loudest!!! And because that is still not enough noise, they have piano- and also organ-sounds with noise-elements. Really??? What organ players usually hate, and the audience never heard (!): the mechanical noise of a leslie-speaker ... or the noise of the "windwerk" (turbine) of a pipe organ. Yamaha calls the leslie noise "grit" (element). The "windwerk" they forgot to implement🤣
I seriously wonder, if anyone has ever played something different then the MODX.
Good video, thank you for the honesty. This is the reason I'm selling my Kronos 1 and going for Fantom 06.... Kronos is the same, menus and menus and sub menus and they all look the same, so to edit x you have to go down 3 or 4 tabs then go back up and do it again somewhere else to edit something else. While you have a lot of tweaking power, the tweaking itself isn't fun but tiresome and boring
Thank you for your comment! I did not know that Kronos suffers from the same issue. I agree that the creating process hardly depends on the easy workflow and the moment I get too much choice - it kills all the creativity. It is nice to have all the choice but it is not nice. So, the option is to limit myself to carry on creating. Once the work is complete then I could spend some time doing the final tweaks - that is the only way for me. Thank you for watching!!!
Thought I posted this comment already, but it seems it didn't go through for some reason: you should try John Melas' Performance Editor for MODX. It works on the computer but it's standalone (doesn't require a DAW) and the interface and overall approach is more straightforward than what you have on the MODX itself. You can edit a ton of params just from the "overview", without the need to dive in.
Thank you for your comment and suggestion. I have looked at it but I was not sure it would be good for me. I am trying to remove the 'computer factor' from my workflow as there is very often something that needs attention and does not work as expected and hence takes all the creativity away (by the time it is sorted). I will have another look though. Thank you!!!
@@amateurmusicstudio yeah, I understood that. But that piece of software doesn't involve any complicated setup, it's just a standalone app remote controlling the MODX via MIDI. Anyway, you can download and install it as a demo, it's the fastest way to see if it works for you or not.
If you want controls on the front panel rather than menus accessible via a touchscreen buy something from the Yamaha YC series or Nord Stage series. I use a Kronos and I prefer to prepare my live sounds, put them in a combi and then link them to the excellent Kronos set list function. When I am playing live, I press the required song and play. Sounds can be muted, volume adjusted and tones altered via joystick etc. Yes, touchscreen menus can be frustrating but programs can be tweaked, saved and the accessed via the set list. Ok, I could probably sort out programs live using the accessible onboard controls but I prefer to just play the song according to my set list settings. Just, whatever is your thing! By the way, debatable as to whether the MODX or Kronos OS is more complex. certainly not intuitive but can be learned given time.
Thank you for watching the video and leaving your comment. I will be making a separate video shortly (hopefully) about it. I guess in a nutshell - I would be happy with a compromise between the two (as it was with most of the synth I have used) but since MODX was not designed to have a sequencer but it was rather added on and it was not done in a 'nice' way - I guess that is where I am struggling the most. I have bought a new synth that I think may be better for me but let's see. Thanks again!
For what it's worth, I would think that the MODX was a reinvention of the mid-range synth, I don't know the sales figures, but when it came out, everyone kept mentioning how the MODX is such a great value synth if you need it to almost everything, so perhaps this was Yamaha testing the waters for something that they will be releasing soon. I agree with you, the acoustic sounds on the Yamaha are fantastic (at least for me, perhaps rivaling the Nord), they always seem to nail the characteristics of them (I'm reminded of this wonderful video by Mike Patrick talking about the Montage: ua-cam.com/video/p1DdhjWSl3o/v-deo.html).
But I like the Fantom-0 for what it offers, especially with the knobs, faders and "ease-of-use" that it apparently has, and the synth sound capabilities because the acoustic sounds are so-so (their pianos do not do it for me). I'd be curious to see what Yamaha and the other folks take from Roland, not hopeful for this year NAMM or next year.
Looking forward to the comparison video! 😄
Thank you so much for watching the video and for sharing your ideas! I can't wait to get my hands on Fantom 0 as I do like it too. But as one of the other owners of MODX and Fantom 0 mentioned in the comments - these are different with own benefits and drawbacks. He bought two hoping to keep one but ended up keeping two... I should be getting my MODX back shortly to do the comparison video!!! Thanks!!!
I've been gigging one for a while now, and honestly felt there were two main drawbacks for me sound-wise (putting aside any dislike of plastic and wall wart!): the tonewheel organ, and "punchy" poly synths and leads. I got around the first one by using an ipad, which the MODX makes extremely easy with one cable. My ipad app is B-3X, which to my ears sounds better than any keyboard or other software I've ever tried (including some from Nord, Roland and a Korg cx3 v2). Now, the synths...I started finding that I could make much better patches (for my taste) but starting from init and building them myself. I'm after vintage 70s and 80s patches for my band, and most of the polys and leads in the stock patches just didn't work well. There are a couple of nice ones in there but mostly I think they sound thin and "weedy". I first tried my best to make a patch for Subdivisions and was pleasantly surprised. I needed some for tunes by Loverboy, Styx and others and again I was surprised at what the MODX could do if you start from the Element level. Long story short, it's a very capable synth. It's perhaps not going to match a Prophet or Obie but few things can! I have a Novation Summit and honestly while it's "better" at synth sounds it's not good enough to kick the MODX off my rig, simply because the ipad integration is such an ace in the hole, and the synth sounds are more than capable.
FM is also a nice feature. I can get some very nice synth sounds (beyond the awful 80s DX7 piano) from the FM engine!
I'm a pretty big fan of the Roland vk8/vcombo organ sound for rock bands--I owned a VR700 for a while--and the Fantom-0 is definitely nice. My friend has one and I played it at length...I like the plastic chassis better on the Roland, same with the keybed. The organ is usable as-is and of course the synths are going to be nice. I owned a JX10 for a long time so I'd probably have to get the JX plugin for nostalgic reasons :D As long as I have the MODX though I'd consider it somewhat of a lateral move. If I didn't have the MODX I'd be getting a Fantom for sure.
Neither has to do much with piano as I also have a Forte 7. I think it sounds a bit better than the MODX for synths, but I'm having trouble wrapping my head around programming in VAST, while I'm finding the MODX elements > parts > performances pretty easy to work with.
Hah, man! YYou're right absolutely! I agree with you in every sentence. You forgot say about perfonamces (tracks). Mongage/MODX has 16 tracks on the board. But, user can use 8 only. And another 8 with external MIDI keybord. To me as arranger, who make arrangements for songs 8 tracks not enought. From other hand Korg and Roland has ability to use all 16 tracks at the same time. This is was as mind blow to me when I first time tried to use all 16 tracks in my MODX. I don't know why engeneers from Yamaha did it. And for whoit was did....
Saying more, my MODX freezes totally (I should do hard reset with power button) when I modeling sounds with FM-X engine from the scratch. I wrote to Yamaha community, I wrote to Yamaha support. And no one answered.... Will I buy something from Yamaha again? Never!
Thank you for your comment! Wow - I hope your MODX could be fixed. Have you installed the latest firmware - I have just updated my one when I have purchased the MODX. Not sure if you need to update it but I have just tried recording pattern on the MONTAGE on the track 9, 10 and 11 and it worked with no issues. So, it could be part of the same problem. Please do let me know. I can make a video on this to show how I do this. Please let me know if that would help in any way. Thank you for watching!!!
@@amateurmusicstudio My MODX has latest firmware update of course. Few words about pattern recorded by you. You're used sequencer, I guess, right? In sequencer mode user has ability use all 16 tracks. I know about this. But, I don't need sequencer, becose of DAW. When I wrote about 8 tracks, I mean live playing.
The problem with this piano is that it doesn't have V piano sounds and it doesn't have after touch. I was going to buy it but I decided on montage 6 which has better piano sounds than Fantom 0.
Thank you for watching and for your comment. I agree with your choice based on all the comments I have had so far. Thank you for sharing it with us!
You made a mistake at the start, comparing the Montage to the Motif series. Montage is a completely new story and a completely new concept. The very name Montage indicates montage, that is, the principle of building sounds on this instrument. That's exactly why there is no Voice mode. In a performance, you can combine up to 8 sounds in real time, and each of those 8 can contain a maximum of 8 more, which means that you can have up to 64 sounds in one performance! Not to mention scenes, an ingenious solution for faster live performances. Should we mention the FM-X synthesis, the most powerful FM synthesis to date, with 8 operators and as many as 88 algorithms? Premium effects, balanced pure analog circuit outputs and sound as big as a house. The Montage is an excellent instrument, and as for the interface, anyone who has worked seriously with Yamaha keyboards will find it very easy. The most user friendly keyboard from Yamaha.
Thank you for your comment. The point I was trying to make was that Yamaha has changed the workstation it used to be for many years into the new live performance/hooked up to PC sound engine with powerful FX. Thank you for sharing your experience with the interface on MODX/Montage. Again, after playing Yamahas for over 20 years and witnessing the development of the firmware from model to model I would say that MODX and Montage have a radically different approach. I guess I am too old to get my head around it especially after getting used to the old architecture. I am glad it worked for you well. I do like the piano sounds and some other real instruments on MODX/Montage - these are the best on the market right now! Thank you for watching!!!
I don't think you will be hired by Yamaha in the near future. That said you are right regarding the complexity. Takes time to learn.
Thank you for your comment! That is for sure - no employment from Yamaha for me... he-he. I wanted to buy Roland Fantom 06 for this Christmas but learnt that it was not available anywhere in UK up until around mid February... I have checked every store I could find - none... That was a surprise... So it is either very popular or Roland is struggling to keep up with production.... Thank you for watching!
As far as the sound is concerned, the yamaha is almost unbeatable, but the colors in the menu also get on my nerves. I am seriously considering buying the Roland fanton 08.
Thank you for watching - totally agree. If you check my latest videos - sold MODX and bought Fantom 06 - very happy!!! But MODX sounds better on pianos and guitars...😄
Roland was never known for best in business acoustic sounds apart from pianos and maybe some instruments. This was always yamaha domain. What they do equaly better than yamaha is synthesis. So just pick depending on what music you are making, playing if you can't pick both.
Thank you for your comment and for watching. I have had a number of keyboards but never had Roland - ever since I have tried to operate the famous XP80... the OS was much worse that the one of MODX/Montage (as far as I remember but I could be wrong). I still hope I could have both of those to try and not sure what I would want to do - keep both of one of those.... Thanks!!!
You can't edit notes in the pattern sequencer but you can at least delete them by a quirky workflow: ua-cam.com/video/rlfAARWZxwM/v-deo.html
Thank you for that. I know about it and used it a few times. It is surely better than nothing but I prefer the way it was implemented on MOTIFs. Since I sold the MOTIF and kept the MODX you can tell I prefer MODX for the sound - I finally found the synth I like the sound of!!!