http://www.yamahasynth.com/products/synthesizers/motif_xf/


and it's Black too !!!!! Yeah!!

Looks very slick and gorgeous.

It's how I'd love all their future Arranger/Workstations to look as well. If the T4 looked like this, I'd be very tempted to upgrade.

That silver is a bit old hat now.

Danny

2GB expandable Flash RAM, giving you up to 3GB Ram total

ability to sample your favorite VST's to RAM

now that's what i'm talking about

i just wish Ketron would allow for this much memory on their AUDYA's

Well what do ya' know. I see Yamaha kept the Motif name after all.

Black is back and a refreshing change I might add. No word on the price but I will take a guess and say a couple to three hundred more than a comparable XS. As an example the current Motif XS7 is $3,199 (I know.. ridiculous huh?) and so with the new XF7 roughly priced around $3,499 ( I know.. ridiculous huh?) There are additional sounds plus over a thousand new waveforms plus a new user interface that might actually prove hands down better than the current XS user interface which does have a very high learning curve I must say.

I'm sure many Yammie fans will upgrade their existing Motif XS because Yammie is dangling the carrot stick in front of them and the incremental updates on their new Motif XF will probably prove sufficient to entice many of them to bite the carrot - or is that "bullet". Sorry, I'll pass though. After listening to the demos they really didn't inspire me a whole lot although the strings sounded pretty good. The Sax kinda sucked though and I'm surprised Yammie would feature that particular Sax on this their groundbreaking demo introduction for the new XF line.

If I didn't already have an excellent workstation i.e. my Fantom G7 I would probably think very seriously about getting the new Motif XF. The XF7 is only a couple pounds heavier than my Fantom G7 so that's not really an issue. If Yamaha happens to list the XF7 at $3,500.00 it would be $1,000.00 MORE than what I paid for my Fantom G7 though. Uh... I don't think so. Again though, if I didn't already have a great workstation then the new Motif XF would surely be something to consider in my opinion.

All the best,
Mike

This leaves audya in the dust !

The King of all Workstations! As Always!

The issue is not how much memory you have in you arranger, the issue is how good it is loading samples.
Long time ago I owned a Tyos2 that I expand to 1 GIG of memory. I purchase some piano samples from James and it took the Tyros2 1 HOUR to load a sample !!!
I think that the best arranger ( I am not including here workstations) to load samples or third party sounds are the Korg PA800/PA2x.

Dnj,

how is this, if this XF is NOT your typical arranger keyboard with real time accomp./chord changes?

can't compare apples to oranges my friend

Machetero

according to demov. The sounds loaded. Samples etc. Stay in RAM. For instant access. No need to reload
so you load once only your favorite 3 gb of sounds.

How many Piano's do we need, how many sax's, horns, strings, and synth sounds. I have a Motif xs and it would take more than a lifetime to use the sounds that are loaded from the factory. We buy a new keyboard, go through the banks of presets, pick about 20 to 30 of the ones we like most, put them in our favorites list and every great once in a while go through all the banks of sounds again to see if any thing we like was missed the first time around, then in a few months do it again. Then they come out with a new model with two times more megs and guess what? Gotta have it. Take it home and go through the same process. More sounds than the old model but the sound remains the same. No better than what we already had, but the new color and finish somehow makes it worth it. Been there too many times so I'm not going again.

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


------------------
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

Well Don...I'm not going to lose a friend over an Audya or Motif XF...I guess I am just disgusted with Ketrons way of doing business & their laxadaisy tactics in regards to supporting their customers....that's why I haven't bought another Ketron product since I got rid of my SD1....the Audya is a fine arranger KB, and as you know i was there with you in LA when it was pre demoed for us to see and and & it was impressive, but is it the best one?....not in my opinion for my needs.
The New Motif XF is really amazing although I guess it wasn't fair to compare the two also, sorry about that, they are TWO DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS...as far as the Italian statement, then I'm really embarrassed if I had to rely on Ketron to represent my American Italian heritage..I hope they get their act together. Meanwhile I'm happy with Yamaha products to make a living.

take care

D.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-10-2010).]

Don, the Motif is NO match at all for the Audya...I wouldn't want a Motif even below dealer cost..the Audya, I would consider..

No Yamaha keyboard can match the sounds of the Audya....

I have not yet heard any keyboard that equals the sound and styles of the Audya..

.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-10-2010).]

no, actually no one answered any questions and no, the problem is not solved. I want an instrument that has the arranger section of the PSR line and the sequencing capabilities, keybed, and sampling features of the Motif.

I have never understood this 'separation' between an arranger workstation like the Tyros and a synth workstation like the Motif or the Korg Triton. There are people who want an arranger only, then there are people who mistakenly think that an arranger is an 'hobbyst instrument with Polka styles on it'
(as if working with styles makes you a bad musician and working with a boring black canvas makes you a good musician)
and they buy a synth workstation (and they strangely feel more professional, go figure).

Then there are the ones like me who don't see things as black and white: a music workstation should have all of it: the arranger section, the sampling , etc.
And there isn't such an instrument. Do you really believe that building a keyboard with both the features of the Tyros and the Motif , would cost as much as a Motif plus a Tyros? I don't think so. They would be sharing the same hardware, for a start, which would keep costs down.
Do you think Yamaha would not sell such a keyboard ?

I would be interested in knowing how many people here would buy such a keyboard, instead of that overpriced Ketron stuff....

Buy both the Tyros and the Motif , problem solved, you say? I don't think so....it's like trying to race two cars at the same time.

I still prefer an instrument like the Tyros to the Motif. The way I see it, a synth-workstation doesn't fit my needs.

For my needs, the Yamaha arrangers are almost perfect, beside the keybed and the slightly underpowered sequencer.



[This message has been edited by arranger_yes_pc_no (edited 08-10-2010).]

DNJ, Oh no, I hope I didn't say anything that might make you think I was angry at you. I can't help it when you're wrong and I have to straighten you out a little.
I am far from happy with Ketron's support, but I suppose that's part of the package.
They seem to be finally catching up.
DonM

I was saying a few years ago that arrangers and workstations would "meld" into one beast and in fact we see this happening to a "small" degree with some workstations currently on the market. For instance, the Motif ES/XS/XF utilizes "arpeggio's" that follow chord'ing so in effect you have a "rhythm" based accompaniment on a Workstation keyboard, albeit, not fully functional like you would experience on a middle or top of the line arranger keyboard of course.

The main problem and hindrance to this "melding", in my opinion, is the fact that traditional workstation keyboardists aren't really thrilled when you talk about "arranger" functions because in the past arranger keyboards denoted "toys" and NOT for serious musicians - nor their features of auto-accompaniment, etc., and also because of their "lack" of professional features.

Changing the mindset of traditional workstation keyboardists is like pulling teeth, in my opinion, and it may be many more years before we see a complete "melding" of the two, if indeed we see it at all. Another reason is the fact that keyboard manufacturers see two distinct keyboard markets with two distinct type of players i.e. professional and home hobbyists and because of these differences keyboard manufacturers e.g. Yamaha, Roland, Korg, etc., profit financially to a greater degree by serving both groups separately as opposed to selling a workstation/arranger keyboard to everybody, where one group may not want arranger functions on a workstation keyboard, or vice versa, and because of it overall sales could suffer on the manufacturer's end if everything was melded into one keyboard.

If the personal discrepancies between the two groups were ever reconciled and resolved then perhaps Yammie and the others might see an economic benefit in making a fully blown professional "workstation arranger" in every sense of the word. But as long as the two distinct market groups remain 'divided' Yammie and others will continue to market to those two groups separately, in my opinion, and with different keyboards according to their individual (group) needs i.e. arranger functions for arranger players and workstation functions for professional players. Even though there are many many arranger keyboardists who do indeed play in a professional capacity. Although that doesn't seem to sway Yamaha and the others very much apparently.

The Big Three still charge much more money for top of the line arrangers vs. workstations even though many professional workstation features are, in many cases, absent from the top of the line arrangers. In my opinion, they literally sucker retirees into spending more for "less" and laugh all the way to the bank - knowing full well they are getting away with highway robbery, in my opinion, even at the expense of older people's gullibility. Not all older people of course. With age comes wisdom (or so goes the theory anyway), albeit, with more excess 'money' comes a tendency to spend it in a more leisurely and bountiful manner - just what Yamaha, Korg, and Roland, hope too. Retiree's and older people, in many cases, have scads more money to throw around indiscriminately so "easy come, easy go" might be the guideline, with many of them not seeming to mind that much, if at all. You know... people like Fran and DonM (who are filthy rich) and don't have a problem tipping waitresses with hundred dollar bills... even when the service is bad. Now THAT'S rich! lol ha ha ha.

All the best,
Mike

PS: Just kidding you two.

[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 08-10-2010).]

Don you know "I love ya man"!! maybe I was a little out of line ...but I'm so very passionate about music I hate to see any musicians get screwed over...I just hope Ketron improves their work ethics, support,service and availability in the market place...and who knows? I myself would like to tryout the new Audya 61 also somewhere or maybe I have to go up North to CT to see Frankieve with my body guard Fran, and get Steve M & Tony M to go out for ITALIAN FOOD also.. when he gets them in the store soon, or shoot over to AJ's lab again in Philly ....anyway enjoy what you play!!

My take on this is that it's up to the manufacturers to re educate the synth players on what they would be missing out on if they produced a synth that had both arranger and full snth qualities. Lets face it instead of having to make 2 or a number of models it makes perfect sence to make one that does it all.

I mean I dont use every function on my arrangers or synths, but that's not to say I dont like the fact that they have got those extra options if I want to use them at a later date.

As I said synth players need to grow up, and accept that companies and all factions stand to benefit from such a board, lets hope Roland G has an Arranger component in the background!!! you never know, looks as Tyros is the same old lets suck em in to a few more extra's type release, so the balls in Roland and Korgs corner now to step up to the mark.

Roland is SO close. I'm hoping they will regain some interest in the top-end arranger market.
Meanwhile, somebody make an offer on my E80. It's on ebay.
I'll negotiate. Trade for a new Lincoln or food stamps.
I love it, but I ain't gonna lug it around much.
DonM