I have a XF7 and XF6 on order, should be in late Sep/Oct

MotifXF8
88-key balanced hammer action
MAP $4039.00
MSR $3499.99

MotifXF7
76-key FSX action
MAP $3539.00
MSR $3099.99

MotifXF6
61-key FSX action
MAP $2999.00
MSR $2399.99

FL1024M
1GB Flash board for the XF
$399.00
$299.99

FL512M
512 MB Flash board for the XF
$199.00
$149.99

FW16E
FireWire card for the XF
$299.00


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www.AudioworksCT.com

WOW thats Cheap Frank for these new units.. thanx for the prices....

The price for the keyboard itself is in the ball park but the flash ram board price(s) are exorbitantly high if you ask me. $300.00 for the "1"GB?? So does that mean the "2"GB version will be double i.e. $600.00!?!? And then the FireWire card for another $300.00?? Now I see why Yamaha wanted to keep the price of the XF keyboard comparable to the XS because they're charging an arm and leg for the extras.

Leave it to Yammie to figure out a way to gouge their customers on an already "high-priced" keyboard right? I'm pretty certain they'll still sell a boatload of them anyway though. The carrot stick will be just too hard for many Yammie fans to resist in my humble opinion and the large amount of non-volatile Flash RAM availability is certain to be a BIG draw, even if people end up having to pay "through the nose" for 'em. Yamaha's marketing division sure knows how to bring something to market that has "just enough" curb appeal to make people upgrade to the next model and they should be commended for their "shrewd" business practices - from a business perspective that is. Even though the consumer ultimately ends up getting the raw end of the deal it should be duly noted. At least that's my opinion anyway. I certainly won't fault people for buying or upgrading to the XF since it appears to be an excellent offering on Yamaha's part. But an expensive offering to the consumer I might add - especially when you include the extra add-on's to the equation. C'est la Vie right! Can't take it with you... naked into the world we came and naked we will leave - and penniless perhaps too. Or rather...

Sorry, I'll pass on the XF. But again, I would definitely have considered it a front running prospect if I didn't have a superb workstation already. Which I do, thank you.

All the best,
Mike

PS: I would like to point out that Roland also charges waayyyyy too much for their ARX add-on cards for the Fantom G line as well - just so people don't think I'm singling out Yamaha. Kudos to Yammie for at least keeping the price of the XF in line with XS prices. They could have jacked the price of the XF itself in addition to the add-on extras. So think of it as a small token of benevolence on Yammie's part I reckon huh.

So you let your wallet drive the car? and deprive you of your self enjoyment?...price isn't everything......that's funny being the XF isn't even out yet.....dont worry, I'm sure Yamaha isn't worried that a few are frugal, I can't afford a Ferrari, so I buy a Chevy .......they know they will sell thousands of these new XF units world wide & you'll see them on many many stage venues also....it certainly sounds & looks fantastic ......I'm sure they already have so many PRE orders even before it's released....Bravo again Yamaha!



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-05-2010).]

the Motif has been the best synth-workstation of the last few years. If only had an arranger like on the PSR keyboards....

the 'intelligent arpeggios' are kind of like on the3 QY700...we don't want to work with 'patterns', I like arrangers because you can put togheter a complete arrangement in no time.

Also, I see this integration between the Motif and the freaking computer stuff (Cubase etc) as clutter. If I wanted to use a PC, I'd use one.

The Motif should have everything needed as a totally independent instrument, I personally really came to hate computers after years of struggling on them as a musician. Too many options and too many useless things and too hard a learning route, I am busy enough practicing and composing.

But yes, the Motif XF might be the best synth-workstation. Just not the best arranger, unfortunately.

Look at the sequencer in the Tyros...it's very simple too use but underpowered for that kind of money, they should put some of the Motif features on the Tyros

You answered your own questions...

Workstation & Arranger

Two very different instruments for a reason...the main one is MONEY as always...manufacturers keep both camps happy while they rake in the money ...
I'd say a good business strategy....believe me they all know what they are doing even though few don't think so...they both serve a purpose which the other doesn't, if you want both features buy em both problem solved!

hey Frank, do you have the MSR and Map mixed up?

Really??? I know nothing about a Motif.
Does it play WAV files, MP3s, Midi files, Loops, have two mic inputs with built in harmonizer, effects, e.q., etc., follow you faithfully when you play chords, have real audio backing drums and guitars, allow you to load text files and scroll them with both midi and styles, have multiple real-time fill-ins, breaks, intros, endings, sync style parts to vocal harmony changes, automatically add parts to styles according to your playing. . . etc., ??
This is only part of what Audya does. If Motif leaves it in the dust, please let me know and I'll check it out myself.
Why do you continue to attack the Audya? I guess it's the thing to do when you don't have one.
Come on buddy, give your fellow Italians a break!
DonM

Well said Tony, Dnj you are trying to compare Synth with an arranger, unless both did the same things you can't do that, Audya is about to be lifted into the light, a long time comming but close enough that Yamaha Korg and Roland will need to come up with something extrordinary to beat it...

Sorry previous post I ment Don, although I think Tony may agree also