Man this thing sounds awesome and the arpeggiators make it a very viable gigging KB w/ Mic input /EFX too........
Oh yeah did I mention only 15lbs?..

Personally, Donny, I think the MOX6 is a terrific little instrument, but used as an arranger, the PSR-S910 blows it away feature for feature, and only weighs approx. 5 lbs more, and that's including on-board speakers.

If you are using primarily SMF, then perhaps the MOX6 might be better, but it still can't compete with the current MOTL arrangers, in my opinion.

Ian

Thanks for reminding me re how good the XS sounds Donny...In fact, I am now going to go back and try to start using the XS as an arranger, as well as for using it with backing tracks. Instead of the PA3x.

When I get it up and running as an arranger, I might post an example or two

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

First of all congratulations on your recent upgrade to PA3x.
The fact that you're now wanting to go back and try to start use your Yamaha XS both as an arranger and to perform with backing tracks "instead" of your brand new Korg PA3x has me asking: Why?!
Are you not completey happy with the PA3x as an arranger? Am I missing something?

Dennis good luck your on the right track. I can understand why also...!

So can I Donny...I think the MO6 would certainly be much easier to carry around than a big full size arranger, especially if you didn't need full arranger functions, as, for example, the Yamaha Tyros4, or the Ketron Audya.

One thing for certain, the MO6 certainly doesn't disappoint in the sound department, and perhaps the limited arranger features would be more than acceptable to some for "live" gigging.

For me, I'm staying with an arranger instrument...I like the extra flexibility.

Ian

For mang busy pro gigging players who really don't use the silly repetitive Intros or Endings the Mox6 is very viable for many uses.
The different arpeggiators can be very useful.

I agree Donny...how many variations are there per MO6 style?

The regular arranger has four.

Ian

I must say, I've tried to use my Motif XF as an arranger and I find it frustrating. If you program in Arp as a break or a fill, it is very difficult to get the timing correct by pressing let say; ARP 5 to fill, then press ARP 1 for the regular beat. It does not work as seamlessly as an arranger keyboard.

There are only 4 channels going in an arp as well...
DRUMS
BASS
ACOMP / ARPEGGIO
LEAD VOICE

say goodbye to layering and switching between OTS on the Fly

Al is spot on about the fills / intros / endings as well.
you have 6 style or "arp" variations, and you can choose which ones are intros / fills / verses / endings etc.

while you are playing a verse, u then need to hit the arp button that has a fill arp assigned to it and then u must go back to the next verse arp manually. there is no automated way of doing it.

I tried very hard with the MOXS to accomplish arranger functionality and it doesn't come close...

sound quality is the biggest attraction to the Motif series. its still clearly ahead of Tyros 4 in terms of Drums / basses and synth sounds but at the end of the day its not a one man band type device.

The closest it gets to live OMB playing is through a Midi file in the song mode. but any arranger can accomplish this as well...

honestly Donny - you will regret it. At first you'll be blown away how good the sound quality is and how far you can edit the sounds and add awesome effects - seriously!! but it will eventually sit and start collecting dust. and when you go back to an arranger it will just be a big relief!

Good luck!

Nick

Great for recording backing tracks, it was just a thought but In the real world not my cup of tea when I seriously think about using one.... ..... Even with a few cons that can be easily worked around I still say the S910 is the best all around gigging, all in one, best sounding package, best bang for the buck, lightweight speakered, arranger KB at this time. We now hold our breath for Summer NAMM to introduce the next MOTL Yamaha S-Series upgrade.

The new MO series sound very good indeed. The MO series.., just as any arranger is IMO just as capable of doing the (one man show).

It falls down to the person behind the keys with the skill capable of utilizing the workstation, and making it work for the crowd. I've seen one man shows many times where a workstation is being used for playing many style of music from traditional to modern. Again.., the determined workstation player will make it work. Arrangers and workstations are both amazing keyboards.., and each require a slightly different set of skill to use for one man band performances.., but the same outcome is possible on both.

Excellent points, Nick.

I had one here for a month, and, although it is technically possible to do a gig with one, I can't say that it would be as good as using a dedicated arranger.

I loved the sounds, and it's great for certain projects, including playing some genres of music "live", but I wouldn't use it instead of a PSR-S910.

Just not enough flexibility, in my opinion.

Ian

I agree, Squeak. I also think you can do music with the MO6 that would be very difficult (if not impossible) to do on an arranger, the S910 for example.

And you're right...each requires a different set of skills.

The best solution? Have one of each. You could do some wicked cool stuff using both.

Ian

I would like to see a little module from Yamaha such as the TG300 with these Motif sounds for the price the MOX6 cost. Great addon for my PA3X.

Hey Scott,

Nope, no problems with the PA3 at all...I have used an XS7 before as a live arranger. Just because there are some here who lack the vision to be able to do this (not you Nick) does not mean it cannot be done.

When broken down, there really are WAY too many options on arranger keyboards, just as there are WAY too many variations, and too many fills. Most "styles" are too busy with lots of "plinky" and "dinky" sounds all added together....string lines and brass lines that really do not match the flow of a song a lot of times, and really are way off in leading.

I find that I go through the arranger styles turning off quite a lot of parts (it's one of the reasons I prefer Korg over Yamaha, you can actually edit the factory style by muting parts and not using up valuable user slots)..

For me arrangers get overly busy and restrict any creativity one might feel when playing live, because with so much else happening it just muddies the whole thing up.

There are some here who espouse simply sitting at home tinkering with right hand sounds playing along to this "wall of sound" emanating from the keyboard. Well that's okay for them, if they have not the skills to play over "sparse" backing, then one could hardly blame them for that lack of ability. As long as they are happy, well fine.

For me it is far better to have MINIMAL backing and provide the creative rhythms and improv lines myself....

This is where the Motif is excellent...The perf's are well balanced and allow a lot to be done, and the pattern sequencer (even though a different method to perfs) can allow on the fly changes whilst playing live. And the sound quality is the best on any synth I have used. Especially all the bread and butter sounds. Korg can do better synth stuff, but Yammie has it nailed for the sounds that I mostly use.

I am not getting rid of the PA3 (yet) there are too many operational things it does that NOTHING else, (arranger or synth), does. I would need to see if I can recreate this ease of live stage play using other methods before I considered getting rid of it.

TBH, I am starting to get over this whole "arranger" thing...I miss the purity of pretty much creating the whole live playing thing at a gig.

Probably goes back to my formative band years when I was in a piano based trio ...There is just something about NOT having a wall of sound that appeals to me. I know others like having it full on and are not happy unless instruments are blasting out from everywhere, but that's not what I prefer.

It is why I prefer backing tracks, because they allow total freedom of expression and playing style. My backing tracks are mostly just drums and bass with some guitar parts...And I figure if I am going to go and mute out most of the parts on the PA3 arranger, I might as well go back to using my backing tracks totally, and/or just playing over the Motif performances.

Also, as I sing, I guess having multiple instruments for live play and soloing is not as important...dunno

And before you ask ;), no, the chord sequencer, even using a footswitch, is not all that easy to use. It requires good timing (for the starting and stopping) and presence of mind to get the switching correct. It sure dose not beat the ease of a backing track with a marker or two. At least for me anyway. I am sure Korg could improve it, but I think they have enough to work on before looking at the CS. Although if one practised using it a lot, it could get easier. Don't misunderstand, it IS easy to use, just not so easy to implement on the fly and get smooth transitioning when playing live..

Anyway I have rambled on enough, sorry about that we will catch up on Skype soon..

Dennis

I wonder how the MoX6 or Motif can played as an arranger. Does it have the same chord recognition mode as an arranger?

the aprpeggiators follow your chords.