Yamaha has introduced the MOXF synthesizers – a new line of synths that offer MOTIF XF sounds, effects and the ability to add a flash board slot for further expandability options.
The MOXF synth is available in a 61-key and 88-key models. Both synths offer 741 MB Wave ROM, 3,977 waveforms, 128-note polyphony, DAW integration and more.
Here’s what Yamaha has to say about the new MOXF synths:
MOXF compatibility with the Voices and Library of the MOTIF XF, MOTIF XS and the MOX Series data ensures the immediate availability of a large collection of sound and sample libraries and optional software.
The 88-key Graded Hammer Standard MOXF8 and 61-key semi-weighted action MOXF6 come with 741 MB Wave ROM, 3,977 waveforms and 128-note polyphony, with up to 1 GB of Flash board sample expansion. In addition to a 16-track Song and Pattern Sequencer with real time loop remix, MOXF Series synths come with built-in, four channel USB audio/MIDI interfacing and extensive DAW/VST controls.
Both keyboards satisfy the needs of live performers and producers. Performance Mode enhances creativity by allowing players to combine multiple voices together and play them on one MIDI channel and with the interactive Arp engine, playing simple chords or even single notes provides complete musical performances to inspire creativity. The MOXF also features 256 preset performances in a wide variety of music styles. For music production, a built-in sequencer lets musicians produce high-quality tracks recorded in real-time without the need to plug into a computer or other external devices.
The keyboards come with incredible presets, from pristine grand pianos to vintage keyboards, enhanced by advanced Virtual Circuit Modeling effects, which provide the textures of vintage analog compressors, EQ and stomp-boxes, down to their component transistors and resistors.
For producers who prefer to use the latest DAW and VST technology, the MOXF serves as the center of a professional-grade music production studio. Bundled software includes the MOXF Editor for detailed editing of Voice and mixing parameters, MOXF Remote Editor for controlling VST templates and Remote Tools, which simplifies integration with Cubase.
Audio and MIDI hook ups require a single cable for recording to a variety of DAW options and a special remote mode and AI knob makes it easier than ever to control recording functions automatically. And, the MOXF keyboards come with Steinberg Prologue VST, a rich-sounding virtual analog synthesizer with a wide variety of textures that includes sounds ranging from lush, detailed pads to bright, acerbic leads.
Here’s Yamaha’s official intro video for the MOXF:
The MOXF8 (MSRP: $1,999) and MOXF6 (MSRP: $1,499) will ship in early October.
Ugly, Dull and Dated.
This seems like a ton of power for the price, and Yamaha’s build quality is generally is great. You don’t see Yamaha putting out those lightweight keyboards that feel like they’ll crack if you drop them.
Moxf6 keys has fault with the first and last key. When hit a little hard it “knocks” at random. Sound wise is simply great with traditional and modern sounds. Exchange to Moxf8 for the weighted keys.
We’ve updated the popular MOX Series with the latest MOTIF XF technology by adding more sounds, more effects and even a Flash board option slot. Because it’s compatible with MOTIF XF and MOX data, MOXF has a huge collection of sound and sample libraries and optional software available right away. Expandable, portable, affordable, and compatible with a wide range of other products, these instruments brings MOTIF music production power to a whole new generation of musicians and producers.
Doesn’t matter what it looks like to me. I sure would hate it if they sacrificed great functional design to make it pretty. That particular video was pretty sparse on information. But I guess it was just a teaser.
Dull and dated? Agreed.
What’s out there is nothing to get excited about, agreed. :/ They’re milking everything they can out of the Motif line, I guess. That said, between this and the new CP models, I’d be OK with what they’re announcing, if it wasn’t for using the GHS keyboard in the MOXF 8. Put the exact same keybed as in the CP33, then it’d be alright, given what’s out there, for the price.
I understand feeling a bit restless about the seeming sameness of hardware workstations, but unless you are very strictly into dance or ambient, don’t you eventually need a good string section, an ethnic drum kit or a harmonica here and there? The acoustic world and the synth world each have different roles. I’ve owned 3 workstations and they do a good job of handling both traditional pianos, etc. and the deeper synthesis options. I fully expect to go elsewhere for additive, a more detailed Hammond organ or oddities like the Skiddaw stones sample set, but that main workhorse shouldn’t be so easily dismissed. Even one workstation and a few softsynths give you the power to kick colossal ass. This isn’t a ho-hum thing; its a wise integration move aimed at encouraging people towards the general home-studio setup most of us aim for anyway. Besides, doesn’t Yamaha now own just about everything but Nord and Metasonix? 😛
^^^ Even one workstation and a few softsynths give you the power to kick colossal ass.
Agree 100%. Bread and butter sounds are part of most people’s production palette, regardless of what gets talked about on the boards and such — not to mention the flexibility of having something other than just a laptop for live use.
I think what keeps getting lost is that a good sample and synthesis workstation isn’t just some sort of bland rompler for playing in mediocre pop/rock cover bands. It can be used that way, but a Virus can be used to make bad Dubstep, you know? Good music is made by good musicians, regardless of genre.
I’m usually a more the merrier type of person, but in this case I think the world would be better place, if Yamaha stopped this dead Motif beating. They are the most over hyped romplers ever. They have some very nice recordings in them, but the synthesis engine in them are very, VERY dull, and there for everyone sounds the same as all Motif players.
Lets go back to actual synthesizers. Yamaha has great history in synthesis, and I cringe each time they neglect it by release YET another Motif derivative.
Ok yamaha has made lots of workstations. Great. Well done.
But when are they going to make a synth for electronic music? I don’t know… a 10 operators fm synth and analog filters or groovebox or a va synth… i mean, something different to romplers. ???
YAWN…. I am way too bored with ‘real’ or any other new synth engine to be bothered with this.. This isnt for me, and I see it as a step sideways for Yamaha.
Very disappointing. More of the same, like Korg. At least Kronos has 9 different engines but 1995 OS. This MOXF is even an older concept. My RM1x combined with my K5000S and a Mac min with logic 9 from 2007 can do more that this thingy. No innovation at all. I would rather buy a Fantom G6.
“More of the same” seems a bit vague. What kind of leap ahead are you looking for? The Hartmann Neuron plopped on the market because it was too damned alien, so it helps to have a clearer idea of what your current gear isn’t addressing. “Innovation” seems to keep losing out to pragmatism and slicker basics. I can warp the hell out of all-44.1khz WAVs now, so if I can’t sculpt the thing myself, its not the fault of the manufacturers. Give me a better GUI and a new library to modify over a totally new space-cadet approach any day.
Oh come on Yamaha…realy? Same thing again and again? Ok, I like Yamaha Motif XF for great pianos and some guitars, but synth sounds are realy horrible!!! When Yamaha sound engineers understand, that we live in 2013 now?! That synthetic presets sounds like from 90s…absolutely nothing for modern EDM composers (trance, dance, dubstep, electro, house…etc). Is it realy that big problem for company like Yamaha, pay some good sound designers for creating MODERN electronic (synthetic) sounds??? Regarding synthetic presets (analog and digital) Yamaha definitely lag behind…somewhere in 1995!!!
We agree on their dated sounds. I generally like their basics as being clean and often punchy, but the synth stuff smells too much like 1982. How is it that one of the biggest companies in the world feels stagnant to so many people, yet Camel Audio’s seven actual staffers are smart enough to invite 20+ pros to contribute to their libraries? You get current things, but even moreso, the wide variations between programmers’ ears, which is a solid springboard for your own goals. We’d be having a different discussion if Yammy was doing likewise. Its not as if their actual architecture isn’t potent.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems like all of the workstations (with the possible exception of Korg) are lagging behind. synth-wise. To wit (just my two cents, not trying to start a flame war here):
– Yamaha, as above
– Roland, as above but worse
– Kurzweil — powerful yet arguably dated, limited by difficult architecture + horrible onboard screen
– Korg — decent, if somewhat dated (it’s an updated OASYS)
Couple that with the high prices and occasional weirdnesses with keybeds (slight but significant errors in the first gen RH3 for the Kronos, GHS for the MOX/MOXF, challenged if not unplayable 61 key models), it’s a mess. I still contend that MOXF is a glimmer of relative hope, but that’s not much to go on for $1700-4100 U.S. for the pro workstation market on the whole.
Perhaps U-he, Spectrasonics and one of the workstation companies should do a collaborative project. 🙂
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Undoubtedly a big plus for the MOXF!
there must be a market for this or Yamaha and Roland (to name another) wouldn’t keep knocking them out. I guess its horses for courses, still the design is a bit more coffin than keyboard.
Don’t compare apples and oranges. This is a middle class keyboard, rompler. Don’t compare it with Kronos and G6. Also, if you don’t like it, and if you buy only high grade things, just pass along. This keyboard is just what many hobby and some professional musicians need. And to all of you chanting for a new FM synth: did you bought FS1R when it was on the market? If you didn’t, don’t complain. It didn’t sell well at all, and that’s why you won’t see another one.
> Don’t compare with Kronos and G6
I’d contend that any workstation above a grand is in the same tier, class-wise. The vast majority of musicians (serious, hobbyist, whichever) are going to have to save up for most workstations currently available, if they’re affordable to them at all.
That said, I think it’s fair to expect as much as possible out of a keyboard at this price point or above — especially when it gets around 3 or 4 grand. Do I think this particular piece of gear is worth the money? Judging by the specs, what its actual strengths are, and what’s currently available, I think so, but that’s me. I do think the synthesis could be updated, but as you pointed out, there’s demands being made by some that don’t necessarily map to what people will end up buying.
Personally, my plan is to use this or something like it for bread and butter sounds, and use plug-ins for synthesis/sound design. If I really need a hardware synth, there are several available — and from companies much smaller than Yamaha or Korg, and who deserve support. That is, until we all team up with engineers, start our own cooperatives, and fund community-level needs with the profits of course — but that’s another topic. 🙂
I think, that Casio is going to blow these plastic cheapo keyboards out of the water. Not immediately, the bar is high and reputation is also sticking, in both cases, but Casio had quite aggressive come back; they offered an actual synthesizer, organ modelling and couple of other tricks in their cheapo synth, and they asked only $500 for it.
Cannot wait to see, what they show next. And they are moving fast too. They already improved their hex layer concept in their latest gig piano/master controller A GREAT deal, and their romper engine and effects is also now at least at Motif level, and to me their package sounds more interesting instrument, even if it costed the same as what Yamaha is trying to shove down our throats.
Not to mention the new PX 5s. Its acoustic pianos, ep’s etc – along with a full synthesizer inside, 4 arps and phrase sequencer – all packaged in a slick 24 pound 88 keyboard (weighted tri-sensor action), and for 999$.
Gives yamaha, roland, korg, kurz and nord a run for their money, ain’t it?
Still people complaining about lack of yamaha synths for electronic music. Need some brand new virtual analog digital mega circuit for creations? Gosh! In my times we had to make synth basses, synth clavs, e-pianos, snares, bass drums and hi hats with some 4-5 wave ocillator. We had to be creative and make it sound with just a pulse, saw, sine, triangle and maybe a noise generator with pitch, amp and filter modulation. if people can’t be creative with this workstation… well… than this makes me really sad.
ok, I suppose you don’t make e. music… How often do you use a trumpet, oboe, clarinet, cello and acoustic guitar sounds for making it?
This looks like it could be the thing for me.
I currently have a Motif XS6 and love it. Great sounds, great features. I use it for gigging and live play mostly but with some studio use too. The problem is the weight – not ideal for lugging around to the rehearsal room or studio. If the sounds on the MOXF are up to scratch both in live and studio setups I’d be happy to downsize. The only things that I can thing of that the XS offers is sampling capability, 8 faders and a bigger colour display. These aren’t really important to me. Sound Quality and ease of use are important. I use a lot of split/layer set-ups so the insert effects are important. I user pattern mode from time to time but don’t really use the onboard sequencer for recording (only for creating mixes for live use). Any real sequencing i’d just do on my laptop. if the sample and sound quality/editability is just as good then I’d definitely consider a downsize to the MOXF
What’s not to like? All the XF sounds & pianos, 1GB Flash, 88 GH, 128 polyphony, 8 insertion FX, Record Rehearse mode, 4in/2out USB audio interface, MIDI/DAW control surface; perfect for XS6/7 owners.
if you don’t like it, don’t buy it and don’t complain.
I bought the Yamaha MOXF 6 and I am very satisfied with its features and sounds.
If the sounds are not enough, there are so many Expansion Sets out there. I am pretty sure, that there is something for everybody.
I would buy this MOXF 6 again…..Definately.
Pls help me… I can create layers in the moxf8 but Im not able to differentiate the second layer that ive added to the right with the bass on the left .
The bass and the second layer on the right are together and not split.
I don’t find anything intrinsically wrong with the concept of a high quality rompler. However at this stage in our technological ilfe, why in hell is 768 megabytes (probably compressed down to half) considered adequate size sample set? A true gigabyte should be the absolute minimum sample ROM for this price. Most of us are using our computers for a lot of bread and butter sounds that would be better offloaded so we could use the computer for more specialized sounds and effects. But the inadequate sample set in ALL of the gear makers doesn’t allow you to do this. They should standardize on field replaceable ssd drives that could be loaded with any sample library desired.
Many people can say what they think but there are no “dated” sounds! Be positive…
What do you mean “dated” ? Every sound is great when used at the right place at the right time etc. (even a … fart.. sorry folks!)
Today’s “dated x ” sounds are tomorrow’s big hits ! I’m using synths since 1984, i like every sound a hard or software synth can produce! I like sounds i record, i sample ,i resample, put it on flash ram, you name it, you can do everything now !!
We have now great machines with thousand of sounds, there are great softsynths (and freeware) running on great fast computers! What do you want more? Make some great music with what you get!
I used to make some noize with an old atari st and some outboard midi gear. I never regret, it’s history!
Now i’m running tons of sounds on DAW’s and after all that i like my (little) MOX6 and MOXF6 and every sound on it! … Push the “on” button and in 7 seconds i can play some nice music with high (and low) quality sounds! I don’t have to wait for my pc to boot,my cubase to boot,my kontakt to boot,my sounds to boot etcetc…Very easy : Push record , make a song, make patterns on the fly !
You can get some nice jamming sessions with it, you can late night practice, edit sounds,exchange sounds with the yamaha and john melas editors… i like it! You can play live with it, you can produce music very fast… After all , the point is to be Creative! Happy Music Making to all !!!