Yamaha MODX

Shaw

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Yamaha MODX
« on: September 14, 2018, 05:51:34 PM »
"Classical musicians go to the conservatories, rock´n roll musicians go to the garages." --- Frank Zappa
| Linnstrument | Suhr Custom Modern | Mayones Jaba Custom | Godin Multiac Nylon | Roland TD-50 | Synergy Guitar Amps | Eventide Effects Galore |

Gomjab

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2018, 08:26:14 PM »
Why do you say that Shaw?  I must have missed that discussion. 

I would love to have a table top versio version of the FM engine. I’m running out of room for keys. 

LoboLives

Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2018, 08:33:05 PM »
Looks nice...just kinda wish it was FMX only. I know I don’t have to use the AWM2 stuff or whatever but still.

Shaw

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2018, 09:30:43 PM »
Why do you say that Shaw?  I must have missed that discussion. 
We’ve had some discussions about the Montage where people (ahem, LoboLives) would opine that a scaled down version of the Montage that focused primarily / exclusively on FMX would do well.  I was just referencing those prior conversations.


I honestly don’t mind the addition of AWM / samples for 2 reasons... 1) most people don’t program FM enough to make anything more complicated than clangourous Bell sounds, and 2) I don’t think the addition of AWM / samples really added to the cost. It’s a sound set that they already had, and they use less than 6 GB of storage space for ALL of the onboard samples.
"Classical musicians go to the conservatories, rock´n roll musicians go to the garages." --- Frank Zappa
| Linnstrument | Suhr Custom Modern | Mayones Jaba Custom | Godin Multiac Nylon | Roland TD-50 | Synergy Guitar Amps | Eventide Effects Galore |

Sleep of Reason

Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2018, 11:51:54 PM »
I got to borrow a faulty Montage recently. It's really almost too much in that you can get lost for hours on end doing sound design. 99.9% of the presets are absolute garbage aimed at a trance or techno crowd. For some reason it would really bug me to have them on a unit I owned, especially the ones that are pre-written (hold a key down to win) tracks. You wouldn't know how phenomenal this thing sounds as a synth from all the videos online. If the MODX had aftertouch/velocity I would definitely pick one up.

I don't think users would only make clangorous bell sounds either. This is the first FM synth I messed with and that's not what I came up with. Here's something I programmed using a single layer of FM-X. What's cool is it features audio over USB, which makes recording super easy. The crackle you hear in the recording has to do with the aforementioned issue. The effects are deep/outstanding and the motion sequence which you can route to any parameter makes for really organically random undulations like a wave on the ocean. You can hear the MS on the tale of the reverb at the end. There's also crazy routing for motion controls that I've not even got a chance to get to. Basically I barely nicked the surface of this thing's potential.

https://vocaroo.com/i/s0m8sQKy3inb

jg666

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2018, 06:29:20 AM »
I suppose it was always on the cards as they did the same when they released the MOXF which was a cut-down version of the flagship at the time. I must say, even though I own the MOXF6, I’m tempted to get a MODX :)
DSI Prophet Rev2, DSI Pro 2, Moog Sub37, Korg Minilogue, Yamaha MOXF6, Yamaha MODX6, Yamaha Montage6

Gomjab

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2018, 06:54:49 AM »
The MODX6 is tempting at that price point.  Does anyone know if it will respond to aftertouch from an external controller? Poly or channel?  Seeing that the Montage supported channel aftertouch and they say the MODX shares the same sound engine I would hope so.


Shaw

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2018, 07:18:12 AM »
The word “aftertouch” appears nowhere in the manual, but there is plenty on modulation to be had.  The Super Knob (which can also be controlled by a foot controller which allows you to still play with 2 hands), Motion Sequencer, envelope follower, Arpeggiattor with over 10,000 arpeggio types...


I wasn’t a fan of the “Super Knob” when I first heard it in connection with the Montage — perhaps just because the name “Super Knob” sounds like dorky as hell... but conceptually, it can control up to 128 parameters at the same time which is, well, Super Powerful.


EDM — yeah, the Montage felt like it was missing an auxiliary pill dispenser for ecstasy tablets, and I’m pretty sure the presets on the MODX will be the same (I even recognized for of the preset names in the MODX videos as being those from the Montage), but I don’t mind deleting the useless stuff.


And yeah, at 1299 for the 61 key version, I might not, unfortunately, be able to resist that one.
"Classical musicians go to the conservatories, rock´n roll musicians go to the garages." --- Frank Zappa
| Linnstrument | Suhr Custom Modern | Mayones Jaba Custom | Godin Multiac Nylon | Roland TD-50 | Synergy Guitar Amps | Eventide Effects Galore |

Gomjab

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2018, 07:34:30 AM »
I have some nice keybeds with aftertouch including a Roli Seaboard for poly aftertouch.  It is a matter of their MIDI implementation.

When I read that a foot pedal could control the super knob I thought playing the MODX from another keyboard could work well.  It would allow me to buy the cheaper MODX6.

[EDIT] Grrrrrr  >:(  Why can’t manufactures include a standard MIDI implementation chart anymore?

Maybe they’ll release a separate document later. I think I’ll buy the MODX6 if I can confirm it responds to aftertouch over MIDI
« Last Edit: September 15, 2018, 07:45:18 AM by Gomjab »

Gomjab

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2018, 10:51:23 AM »
I just tried out a Montage at my local GC. Took a pair of headphones and went when they first opened and got some quality time on it. I’m warming to the idea of a MODX6. I can live with the other cost savings if I can control it from an aftertouch capable keyboard.

I never really gave the Montage much consideration due to price. If I’m going to spend over 2K it’s going to be on an analog synth. 
« Last Edit: September 15, 2018, 10:53:51 AM by Gomjab »

jg666

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2018, 11:00:37 AM »
I just tried out a Montage at my local GC. Took a pair of headphones and went when they first opened and got some quality time on it. I’m warming to the idea of a MODX6. I can live with the other cost savings if I can control it from an aftertouch capable keyboard.

I never really gave the Montage much consideration due to price. If I’m going to spend over 2K it’s going to be on an analog synth.

Same thoughts here with the prices. I couldn’t justify the money for a Montage but the MODX6 is very tempting at this price. I might have to buy now just in case the £ loses value due to Brexit and puts the price up to something silly!
DSI Prophet Rev2, DSI Pro 2, Moog Sub37, Korg Minilogue, Yamaha MOXF6, Yamaha MODX6, Yamaha Montage6

Sleep of Reason

Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2018, 11:06:14 AM »
One other thing to consider is that the Montage features professional balanced outputs with "Pure Analog Circuit" (PAC). Not sure how much PAC is marketing hype, but either way the Montage sounds incredible. It looks like the MODX on the other hand features unbalanced outputs and no PAC.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2018, 11:24:31 AM by Sleep of Reason »

LoboLives

Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2018, 01:31:25 PM »
What's everyone's thoughts on the idea of touch screens on synths? Maybe that's what's putting me off cause I've never been a fan of them.

Sleep of Reason

Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2018, 01:46:58 PM »
What would be a practical alternative for 8-op FM synthesis? It's much preferable to old school menu diving or even mouse and key.

LoboLives

Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2018, 02:09:47 PM »
What would be a practical alternative for 8-op FM synthesis? It's much preferable to old school menu diving or even mouse and key.

You know I really liked the interface for the DX Reface.

Shaw

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #15 on: September 15, 2018, 02:37:20 PM »
What would be a practical alternative for 8-op FM synthesis? It's much preferable to old school menu diving or even mouse and key.

You know I really liked the interface for the DX Reface.
Mini Keys?
"Classical musicians go to the conservatories, rock´n roll musicians go to the garages." --- Frank Zappa
| Linnstrument | Suhr Custom Modern | Mayones Jaba Custom | Godin Multiac Nylon | Roland TD-50 | Synergy Guitar Amps | Eventide Effects Galore |

LoboLives

Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #16 on: September 15, 2018, 03:37:24 PM »
What would be a practical alternative for 8-op FM synthesis? It's much preferable to old school menu diving or even mouse and key.

You know I really liked the interface for the DX Reface.
Mini Keys?

No I hated the keyboard and size but the actual concept of the interface and engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1DvXBOkO5M

Sleep of Reason

Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #17 on: September 15, 2018, 04:27:01 PM »
To even compare the amount of parameters of the Reface to the Montage/MODX is silly. All you have to do with the touch screen is click a parameter you want and 1) hold down and either a menu of options or a numerical keypad will pop 2) use the scroll wheel if you're not exactly sure where you want it. On top of that there's faders and knobs depending on what parameter it is.

Still waiting for practical alternatives that would make life easier...

LoboLives

Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #18 on: September 15, 2018, 04:35:02 PM »
To even compare the amount of parameters of the Reface to the Montage/MODX is silly. All you have to do with the touch screen is click a parameter you want and 1) hold down and either a menu of options or a numerical keypad will pop 2) use the scroll wheel if you're not exactly sure where you want it. On top of that there's faders and knobs depending on what parameter it is.

Still waiting for practical alternatives that would make life easier...

I know it’s not the same but I just feel that touch screens are risky. If the screen goes...then what?

Gomjab

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Re: Yamaha MODX
« Reply #19 on: September 15, 2018, 05:08:07 PM »
I know it’s not the same but I just feel that touch screens are risky. If the screen goes...then what?

I had same feeling about the $4K Waldorf Quantum.   I may risk it for a $1K synth  ;)

How do you feel about OLED displays?  Those have a finite life for sure!
« Last Edit: September 15, 2018, 05:10:09 PM by Gomjab »