In the UK the S500 is typically £50 ($95) less then the MM6.

Bill

This new MM6 was not and is not designed to function like the "workstation" based Motifs. If Yammie did that and priced it around the current price of the MM6 or slightly higher they wouldn't sell any MO8's or Mo6's.

The MM6 was Yamaha's way of giving people a keyboard with Motif based sounds, and real-time control and keeping the price down. This board is nothing more than a budget "instant groove keyboard". It's exactly what the original DJX was with some additions and some features taken away.

Yes, you can do hip hop on this unit if you use the included Cubase software. Besides, I would never rely on an arrangers sequencer or "style recorder" to create hip hop beats. It's the wrong platform. You need a pattern sequencer--where you're not limited and restricted to keeping tracks within a specific key signature.

Personally given all the features on the unit, I feel the MM6 is a little overpriced and based on its features I think the $499 range is more reasonable for this type of budget keyboard.

Of course this MM6 is an arranger so obviously catching the attention of zoner's now. However, to be honest--if you want to create modern music in this price range I would strongly suggest the Roland Juno-D over the MM6. The Juno has a modern sound set, and its features are more on a pro level than the MM6. The Juno-D is more of a "synth" than the MM6 too. It too ships with sequencing software (Cubase Le). One major goody the Juno-D has over the MM6 is the Juno-D has "Editor Software" too. The Juno-D and MM6 are in the same price category.

If you want the instant gratification "out of the box" that is typically associated with arrangers then the MM6 will work for you (as long as you understand its limitations, and don't expect it to function like the actual Motifs).

If you want a more "real" synth with a modern sound set, ability to store custom voices, arps, and performances, editor software and sequencer software, then I'd suggest you get the Juno-D. The Juno-D has some great re-creations of classic Juno sounds too. You can get some nice "phat" pads, leads, and basses from the Juno-D.

If you want to hear and see the Juno-D Demos here's the link.
http://rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=429&ParentId=83



[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 02-13-2007).]

a few points I didn't see before:
You can play single fingered mode, fingered mode or full keyboard mode. At first I thought there was only "fingered mode". Actually, there is Yamaha's multi-mode and full keyboard mode. Multi lets you play single fingered style chords (maj, min, 7th and m7) or multi fingered chords and full plays three note chords anywhere on the keybaord.
Also, I said there were 3 banks of performances and again I was wrong, there are 8.
Also, I plugged my flash drive into the keyboard and my 500 midi files play directly from the flash drive like on the PSR3000, PSRS500 and Tyros2.


------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

There is one user location where I can load a Yamaha Style from my flash drive.


------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

In comparison if this is fair, how does the MM6 features compete with the Roland GW7? Or is it comparable?

Thanks,

-Lin

Good question Linda. You would have to look at the features to see what you'd really miss and what you would and wouldn't use really.

The GW-7 has more poly (64 I think)
The GW-7 has user slots for custom voices

The MM6 soundset is based on the Motif Classic
The GW-7 has its own soundset, but also has a lot of ethnic voices too

Both are limited in their sequencers. The GW-7 will give you 16 tracks though where as the MM6 only gives you 8

The GW-7 will function better for more traditional styles. The MM6 is geared for modern music

Neither unit will allow you to record user styles

I think construction quality on the GW-7 just might have the edge on the MM6

The MM6 is going to have mega voices, and it has some good acoustic guitar arps too.

This is good enough.Sequence/edit @ home with cubase and bring flash drive to gig for SMF playback.How fast is it?like 3k?Can you change basic stuff like volume/pan in realtime?

You'll also have a USB midi controller with 4 knobs,mod wheel,both sustain and controller in,midi ins/outs and most importantly 11 lbs.GREAT.


[This message has been edited by jamman (edited 02-13-2007).]

George: did the styles from yr USB pen drive behave the way they do on a yammie arranger?

could you, for example, play the style, change drum kits and tempos?

that makes it a lot more useful if so...

thanks...

another question: does anybody know if it's possible to change the swing feel (ie, straight 8th notes to shuffle 8th notes) on onboard styles in the mm6?

Let's just put a lot of questions to rest..... If you don't want to play PRIMARILY hiphop, rap, techno and urban music, STOP READING!

This is NOT a PSR. There are no ballroom styles, no 50's and 60's styles, no trad latin.

Look elsewhere unless you WANT to sound current, hip and urban. Buy one for your kids, they will love it, you will hate it (unless you buy them headphones too!).....

There, that saved you a bunch of time, didn't it....?!