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.