Members Goo Posted January 1, 2007 Members Share Posted January 1, 2007 Originally posted by Tony Scharf I find the inclusion of an ethernet port fascinating. I wonder if you can network multiple units together, and have them see and share information? that would be really cool.. It sounds like just your average everyday evolutionary step. I probably wont be buying one, as I already have my Fantom..but it sounds like a very cool board. Yeah, I want to send teh message to the player on the stage... we could chat during the show and send porn to each other... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members orangefunk Posted January 1, 2007 Members Share Posted January 1, 2007 The articulation, arpegiator and VCM sound very nice. The VCM seems only to be an effects unit rather than a synth engine... perhaps you can feed very simple waveforms through the VCM and make unique sounding patches that way... Atm I'm not entirely convinced its somethign I will get, but its interesting nontheless.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sealed Posted January 1, 2007 Members Share Posted January 1, 2007 Thanks for the info, orangefunk. The "Wavestation-like" waveform crossfading is a good addtion, though not very surprising. I wonder why there romplers haven't acquired this simple function much earlier. I wish Minimo does inherit this crossfading function, and like to see a half-rack version. It would be a new alternative for 05R/W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NuSkoolTone Posted January 1, 2007 Members Share Posted January 1, 2007 Originally posted by brzilian Can you say ugly? There was no need to increase the depth of the casing. This thing looks like a Matrix-12... I agree. It looks pretty clunky. Shame that it has no integrated VA, just modeling of FX that probably bear no resemblance to FDSP. But hey the proof is in the pudding when I sit down and play it. I hope the sampling/ roll yer own multisample stuff is hot.Well hey, at least they finally released something new right? AND.. mere mortals can afford it. It'll probably street for about the same thing the old Motif did when it first came out.As they were the last holdout, I think we can say the days of monochrome screens are finally OVER! At least for the flagships...EDIT: One last thing I forgot. Hopefully this thing can control more than a pathetic 4 external keyboards. If it has the same master controller abilities as the old Motif's, I'll be looking to Korg and Roland for my next workstation.EDIT 2: YES! 8 Zones.. like my 1993(?) Korg 01/W! Progress! Now the last question unanswered (for me) is whether the keys are the correct STANDARD Width, or those ever so slightly narrower ones I trip over, and then tell myself I suck and can't play like on the current Motif(s). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members swandiver Posted January 1, 2007 Members Share Posted January 1, 2007 If this has *no* virtual analog, FM, or physical modeling, this will be the biggest disappointment in years, and sadly a big step *backwards* from Yamaha. I guess I'll just have to wait to see what Roland and Korg offre in the way of synthesis, and then choose between them and the Alesis Fusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members orangefunk Posted January 1, 2007 Members Share Posted January 1, 2007 The guys behind VL were involved with the VCM element.. but VCM appears to be more about effects than a sound source.It appears Yamaha have accepted that virtual modelling is a niche market and thus concentrated on ways to make samples more expressive using articulation...Shame really.. but we're the minority I suppose. So I won't be selling my VL7 or Z1 anytime yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Khazul Posted January 1, 2007 Members Share Posted January 1, 2007 XS actually sounds like quite an improvement to me - intersting enough to think in terms of ditching my 8HD and Motif ES rack combo for one in the future is its any good.I very interested to see what if anything roland do - there had been a rumour floating around for ages about a next gen fantom with the v-synth and v-combo type capabilities in it... OK - so given where they are with the varios platform - I cant see that hapening literrally, but I wouldnt be surprised to see a COSM rompler with vari-phase sample mangling in it some time soon - now that would be an interesting beastie On lack of VA/FM - most of those people who actualy really care about VA probably allready have a decent VA or two... and would such people really want to ditch there knobbage covered synths for entirely menu based VA programming?? I think not... So people buying this are going to be after someting that theey dont have to do much sound design on, but insead have a good collection of (hopefull) high quality sounds on so they can just make music quicckly. And they probabloy want a damn good paino too.As a synth focussed person - thats what I want in a rompler - pianos, strings - ie stock sounds - I dont want any VA particulatly - i dont use the VA in my fusion - beyond curiosity - when I discover that while limited in many ways - it is actually quite a good VA.Even the Oasys VA capabilities dont really appeal - VAs need a knobby interface - TBH so does FM... loose the direct interface and I cant be arsed with it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tony Scharf Posted January 1, 2007 Members Share Posted January 1, 2007 hhmm..now wait a minute.. It has 8 faders and can act as a DAW controller? Now it has my interest. I would really hope its not limited to only 8 faders tho, like my 01v96 is limited to the first 16 channels. That could solve the problem of wanting a keyboard in front of my DAW and a fader box.....that is if it works. I use cubase, so you would think it would.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MartinHines Posted January 1, 2007 Members Share Posted January 1, 2007 Originally posted by Tony Scharf That could solve the problem of wanting a keyboard in front of my DAW and a fader box.....that is if it works. I use cubase, so you would think it would.. Given Yamaha now owns Steinberg (developers of Cubase) and given the Motif XS comes with some (probably light) version of Cubase, one would HOPE the two products would work seemlessly with one another. Given the computer integration aspect appears to be one of the big marketing points of the Motif XS, even Yamaha would know enough to make sure they both worked together before releasing the product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Diametro Posted January 2, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Appartently, some of the new articulated voices (e.g. orchestral ensembles) use up to eight tones per patch .... ... however, polyphony is still 128 voices ... (from what I understand) I wonder how that's going to work out ... ... unless, of course, it's not actually playing any more samples ... just different ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members darcity Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Unnnbeeeeelievable. No VST support also? For the features and the price, you could buy a CME VX6/7/8, a PC and a Muse Research Receptor and blow it out of the water!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members orangefunk Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Link to detailed picture of XS8http://forums2.keyfax.com/user-files/299904-xs8rgb.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mildbill Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Originally posted by darcity Unnnbeeeeelievable. No VST support also?.... I think you'll find VST support in the included Cubase AI program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members darcity Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 mildbill, is it integrated in the keyboard or is the software included that you will need a computer to harness the full potential? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mildbill Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 I don't know anything about it really. I use Cubase tho, and VST was originally a Steinberg breakthrough. I highly doubt that you'd be able to use VSTI's inside the keyboard without being hooked to the computer tho (like the Neko (sp?). It does sound like you'll be able to see the XS keyboard as a VST instrument in your computer thru the Cubase AI (Audio Integration) program. Sort of like the Virus TI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members XorAxAx Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Well, I'll say that at least it looks good ... to me. Anybody want to tell me what color it is? I'm somewhat colorblind, so it looks gray to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcpro Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Wowee that 8 is big. Just put a pic of an ES8 next to it... the XS has got to be 4-5" deeper. First the S90 and now this... I wish Yamaha would stop supersizing the dimensions of their new boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mildbill Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Hard to tell without seeing the insides, but it looks to me like they could have put the knobs next to the sliders (instead of above them), and then shifted all of the rest of the controls and display down towards the keys and cut off most of the wasted space for a more compact board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Meganulon-X Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Originally posted by XorAxAx Well, I'll say that at least it looks good ... to me. Anybody want to tell me what color it is? I'm somewhat colorblind, so it looks gray to me. It's kind of a slatey-gray-green, and I see some blue in it as well. Almost a pre-activated body-filler color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members XorAxAx Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Originally posted by Meganulon-X It's kind of a slatey-gray-green, and I see some blue in it as well. Almost a pre-activated body-filler color. Green!? Trying to compete with the new Waldorf, methinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jopat Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Sadly i have kept up with motifator.com's postings. I hate to say it but i think i am about to end an almost 15 year relationship with yamaha. The new XS no longer supports AN, VL, or FM technologies. It also does not allow for expansion boards and thusfar appears to have no way of upgrading the software in a way that would make AN, VL, FM, or any other type of synthesis that is not the included sample playback possible. Add the removal of the breath controller and you basically have it. Add to the mix 4 extra sliders and a large non-touch screen and you basically have a HUGE step backwards from the previous motifs. Yeah you have more ROM and more sounds and 1 gig of sample (pitiful by modern standards) and oh yes 128 voices of polyphony for those who want that amazing 1999 technology, but you lose anything that separates this synth from any budget keyboard. Yamaha just became non competitive. Alesis, Korg, even Roland have passed Yamaha by and the response from the formerly great synth manufacturer is something slightly less useful than a triton classic or an XV. I am anxious to see what Korg and Roland have to offer as i am in the market for a new keyboard and i do not believe that Yamaha's answer to the Trinity is it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members orangefunk Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Well up to now I'm thinking the following Positives ----------- USB 2.0 Articulations Large ROM Big colour screen PC/Mac integration Arpeg stack (you can now stack multiple arpegs and swicth between them e.g. Drumloop1+Strum2+BassLoop7+FluteTrill2 on a single button) Negatives ------------ Size of the damn thing Colour/Style is kinda old (Yamaha should have gone for a new design even if it meant ditching the Motif name itself) Nothing new in terms of synthesis Expensive No Breath Controller input VCM is only for effects. I think if I got one I'd swing for the XS7 (the XS8 is just too big)... but I'm not convinced just yet... lets see what Roland and Korg have in store for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members orangefunk Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Originally posted by jopat It also does not allow for expansion boards and thusfar appears to have no way of upgrading the software in a way that would make AN, VL, FM, or any other type of synthesis that is not the included sample playback possible. I guess it is theoretically possible to utilise the VCM stuff to create synth models... but thats in the hands of Yamaha... an opportunity is there for them methinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jopat Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Entirely possible Orangefunk. But the real question is.....Is a Yamaha a Yamaha without FM? Deep thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Meatball Fulton Posted January 2, 2007 Members Share Posted January 2, 2007 Originally posted by eric Sweet! Now the Motif ES used prices shall come tumbling down. I've seen them at $900 already (I paid $1400 for a used one 2 years ago). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.