Quote:
Originally posted by keybplayer:
........Yamaha uses the AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2) on the Motif line of keyboards which includes the Motif XS. The Tyros/2 uses AWM (Notice no "2") wave memory. I have searched high and low for the differences between two i.e. AWM and AWM2 but I'm still not sure what they are. Maybe it has to do with the sampling rate when recording the different samples, or perhaps they are longer samples, or perhaps even recorded at a higher bit rate, or perhaps all three plus other additional reasons. Maybe Yamaha doesn't want to divulge the differences either because it is a trade secret. But whatever the differences are they are very noticable. One fine example that has been attested to is the differences in the Drum samples. The Tyros/2 drums are flat and lifeless by comparison. .........


I searched the net for 3 minutes... found this... http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar98/articles/yamaharange.html?print=yes that states that AWM2 was present in 1998, and if I remember well AWM was the thing they touted when i was shopping for a keyboard in 1994.

here, http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%25253D2007%252526CTID%25253D203500%252526CNTYP%25253DPRODUCT,00.html they state that AWM uses 16 bit samples, instead the 12bit usual thing.

My sense is that AWM is a sampling/compression/synth engine that every time is used to a percentage of its potential according to marketing needs and model placement. To us, it is of no use what the name of the technology is, we must care about how it sounds.

I don't care if the Motif line has the Pope's seal on it, if it sounds better than the competition I will buy one.