I spent hours last night experimenting with the sounds, arps and performances.
Not only are there new sounds in almost every category but nearly every existing sound from the XS sounds simply "better".
Its just an overall upgrade to the entire wav ROM.
In the performance mode, there are now alot more 'usable' performances that are actually easier to play with (arranger style).
for example: there are now ballads, 8 beat, alot of 4/4 patterns that were not in the XS.
The XS had some excellent sounding performances which are still all in the XF BUT they are just full of less 'fluff' and 'noises' if you get me?
The OS is virtually the same except for the fact that you can fully customise the layout of the home screen.
anyone who has used the XS would have absolutely no issues using an XF, there really is no 'learning curve' to get your teeth into.
Drums sound amazing. the new trance basics 2 is very fat and punchy, the new acoustic oak and maple kits are great as well but again all the other drum kits just sound better.
There are some great new bases / synth bases / S6 acoustic pianos (from the Yamaha S90XS) / the brass category has alot of new editions.
the new section strings voices in the Strings category are very realistic, there is an awesome symphinic tremolo strings.
choirs sound sooo much more real than the XS as well.
There is a choir voice called Nativity which blows me away.
Alot of very usable and punchy new trance lead and bass arpeggios are also included as well.
I am not a sales rep from Yamaha or being biast but i think anyone who says this board is hardly any different really to the XS has not had this board in front of them and looked in the rigth areas long enough.
Nick
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Roland G70 / Roland BK9 / Roland GW-8L / Roland Fantom O6 / Yamaha Motif XS / Technics KN6500