Yamaha MOTIF ES6 61-Key Music Synthesizer
No longer available at zZounds
128 notes of polyphony. New filter algorithms. Massive DSP power.
Overview
The all new MOTIF "Expanded System" Music Production Synthesizers - completely redesigned from the inside out to be the most powerful MOTIFs yet.
The heart of the ES is a brand new tone generator chip featuring 128 notes of polyphony, new filter algorithms and massive DSP power (try 16 three band Part EQs, 8 Insert effects, 2 system effects and 2 master effects in Song and Pattern Mode). To compliment all this sonic power, the ES has the largest and most musical wave ROM ever featured in a workstation (175MB in 16-bit linear format). New features like Phrase Factory with 1700 arpeggios, Mega Voice technology and real time loop remix makes it easier than ever to create great tracks. Its advanced Integrated Sampling Sequencer lets you add audio tracks into your songs.
The latest in digital technologies including support for 512 MB of DIMM Sample RAM, USB storage hosting and 2nd generation mLAN computer connectivity guarantee future expandability. Yamaha added bigger & better knobs, sliders and transport controls, even a ribbon controller. In fact, ES might stand for Every Suggestion Yamaha ever heard for improving MOTIF.
Features
True 128-note polyphony
"Keyboard Mega Voices" technology which makes it possible to include all the nuances of an instrument's realtime performance, such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, harmonics, slides, fret noises, and other elements
"Phrase Factory" for creating sequenced phrases
ISS Sampling
Four rotary controllers and four faders
Ribbon controller… read more
USB Port
SmartMedia slot
Expansion Slot for mLAN Networking or more Audio I/O
Modular Synthesis Plug-in System which lets you simply plug-in appropriate optional expansion boards
Expressive Sampled Sounds with the New "Keyboard Mega Voices"
A significant leap forward from simple single layer samples, "Keyboard Mega Voices" technology makes it possible to include all the nuances of an instrument's realtime performance. Imagine a guitar voice, for example, with hammer-ons, pull-offs, harmonics, slides, fret noises, and other elements of the "real thing" all accessible from the keyboard at the same time. Keyboard Mega Voice technology takes MOTIF ES guitar, bass, and other instrument voices to new expressive heights.
Enhanced Signal Processing Effects System
If you've ever felt limited by the Effect Systems in other keyboards, be prepared for total liberation: system effects include 20 reverb types and 49 chorus/delay types, while each Voice can have two large blocks of 116 insertion effect types. In the song or pattern modes, up to Eight Separate parts can have their voice insertion Effects Simultaneously. There's also independent three-band part EQ Settings for each of the 16 parts in Mix, eight types of mastering effects including multi band compression, and a five-band master EQ to complete your productions right to the final mastering stage. New reverbs, vintage phasers, flangers and wah-wahs ensure that you get the highest quality effects that are available in Yamaha's vast arsenal of DSP algorithms.
Easy Song Making with new ES "Phrase Factory"
Much more than a simple arpeggiator, the MOTIF ES Phrase Factory offers unprecedented versatility for creating sequenced phrases. Use it with the drum kits to produce innovative rhythm patterns, or take advantage of its chord-recognition capabilities to generate pitched phrases using the normal voices. You have 1,787 preset arpeggiator phrases to start with - from standard synth arps to drum loops to natural-sounding acoustic-instrument grooves. The Phrase Factory system works seamlessly with Keyboard Mega Voice technology so you can take advantage of all the expressive Keyboard Mega Voice nuances. You can even assign five different arp phrases to the switches below the display and switch them in real time. Plus the arpeggiator's new chord recognition and performance play parameters let you easily create your own user arps or modify presets to make them your own. Finally if your creative runs dry, Real Time Loop Remix let's you generate literally thousands of instant variations on any phrase either MIDI or audio.
Exceptional Sampling & Extensive Sequencing with ISS
The Integrated Sampling Sequencer in the ES provides the seamless integration of MIDI and audio sample sequencing places the MOTIF ES synthesizers right on the leading edge of music production. Of course you can BPM-sync playback of MIDI and sample loops, and our Time Slice function lets you handle samples with the same freedom as MIDI sequence data without altering pitch or losing audio quality. A maximum sample RAM (DIMM) capacity of 512 MB places the MOTIF ES sampler section in the same league as some of the most advanced stand-alone samplers available. The ES comes with a bundled CD-ROM with over 170 MB of sample voices including the S90 three layer piano, sweet sax and woodwind voices and drum loops. The sequencer section can handle up to 226,000 notes in 16 tracks, and with lots of new features like Rehearsal Rec mode. You are only limited by your imagination.
Expressive Surface for Real Time Control
For truly musical expression there's no substitute for realtime hands-on control. The MOTIF ES gives you four rotary controllers and four faders that can be assigned to control filters, volume, effects, envelopes and any of an extensive range of voice parameters. These same controls provide a digital mixer feel when mixing multiple sequenced parts. They can also be used as MIDI controllers to control external MIDI devices. Yamaha has even added a ribbon controller for intimate fingertip voice control. And since you need to be able to find and recall voices as quickly as possible, the MOTIF ES synthesizers feature a Category Search function. The Category Search function includes a Favorite category that can store up to 128 of the voices that you use most frequently for instant recall from any mode.
Elegant System Integration with DAWs
If you use a computer-based sequencer or DAW as part of your music production setup, with press of a button you can turn the MOTIF ES into a full function control surface that supports the same protocols as the new 01X Digital Mixing Studio. Simply connect a USB cable between the instrument's "TO HOST" USB port and your computer's USB port, and you can directly access your sequencer/DAW software's fader, pan, EQ effect send, track mute, transport, and other parameters from the MOTIF ES controllers. You can even open and close windows on your computer directly from your ES.
Efficient Storage via USB Hosting and SmartMedia
In addition to the USB "TO HOST" port mentioned above, the MOTIF ES synthesizers feature a USB "TO DEVICE" port that can be connected to a USB storage device such as hard disks, flash disks, or card memory readers for convenient, safe external storage of your samples, sequences, and other production data. A built-in SmartMedia slot accepts memory cards with capacities up to 128 megabytes for convenient external data storage.
Expansion Slot for mLAN Networking or more Audio I/O
When you want to move up to mLAN networking - Yamaha's high-performance music networking protocol - simply install the optional mLAN16E expansion board (available soon) in your MOTIF ES synthesizer and you're ready to network and share multiple ports of MIDI data and multiple channels of 24-bit/96 kHz audio data with other mLAN compatible devices or computers with 1394 Firewire connectors. If your system requires more audio inputs and outputs than come standard with the MOTIF ES, add an optional AIEB2 I/O Expansion Board for an additional six independent analog inputs and outputs as well as coaxial and optical stereo digital inputs and outputs.
Modular Synthesis Plug-in System
Right out of the box the MOTIF ES synthesizers are powerhouses of music production features and sounds. If you want additional capabilities, however, the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System lets you simply plug-in appropriate optional expansion boards. For analog-modeling synthesis there's the PLG150-AN, or for advanced 6-operator FM synthesis there's the PLG150-DX. The incredibly real sound of virtual analog synthesis is available via the PLG150-VL board, the PLG150-DR delivers outstanding AWM-generated drum sounds, choose the PLG150-PC for percussion, or install the PLG150-PF for outstanding piano sound. The MOTIF ES synthesizers have three expansion slots that can accommodate the extra features you need. read less
The heart of the ES is a brand new tone generator chip featuring 128 notes of polyphony, new filter algorithms and massive DSP power (try 16 three band Part EQs, 8 Insert effects, 2 system effects and 2 master effects in Song and Pattern Mode). To compliment all this sonic power, the ES has the largest and most musical wave ROM ever featured in a workstation (175MB in 16-bit linear format). New features like Phrase Factory with 1700 arpeggios, Mega Voice technology and real time loop remix makes it easier than ever to create great tracks. Its advanced Integrated Sampling Sequencer lets you add audio tracks into your songs.
The latest in digital technologies including support for 512 MB of DIMM Sample RAM, USB storage hosting and 2nd generation mLAN computer connectivity guarantee future expandability. Yamaha added bigger & better knobs, sliders and transport controls, even a ribbon controller. In fact, ES might stand for Every Suggestion Yamaha ever heard for improving MOTIF.
Features
True 128-note polyphony
"Keyboard Mega Voices" technology which makes it possible to include all the nuances of an instrument's realtime performance, such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, harmonics, slides, fret noises, and other elements
"Phrase Factory" for creating sequenced phrases
ISS Sampling
Four rotary controllers and four faders
Ribbon controller… read more
USB Port
SmartMedia slot
Expansion Slot for mLAN Networking or more Audio I/O
Modular Synthesis Plug-in System which lets you simply plug-in appropriate optional expansion boards
Expressive Sampled Sounds with the New "Keyboard Mega Voices"
A significant leap forward from simple single layer samples, "Keyboard Mega Voices" technology makes it possible to include all the nuances of an instrument's realtime performance. Imagine a guitar voice, for example, with hammer-ons, pull-offs, harmonics, slides, fret noises, and other elements of the "real thing" all accessible from the keyboard at the same time. Keyboard Mega Voice technology takes MOTIF ES guitar, bass, and other instrument voices to new expressive heights.
Enhanced Signal Processing Effects System
If you've ever felt limited by the Effect Systems in other keyboards, be prepared for total liberation: system effects include 20 reverb types and 49 chorus/delay types, while each Voice can have two large blocks of 116 insertion effect types. In the song or pattern modes, up to Eight Separate parts can have their voice insertion Effects Simultaneously. There's also independent three-band part EQ Settings for each of the 16 parts in Mix, eight types of mastering effects including multi band compression, and a five-band master EQ to complete your productions right to the final mastering stage. New reverbs, vintage phasers, flangers and wah-wahs ensure that you get the highest quality effects that are available in Yamaha's vast arsenal of DSP algorithms.
Easy Song Making with new ES "Phrase Factory"
Much more than a simple arpeggiator, the MOTIF ES Phrase Factory offers unprecedented versatility for creating sequenced phrases. Use it with the drum kits to produce innovative rhythm patterns, or take advantage of its chord-recognition capabilities to generate pitched phrases using the normal voices. You have 1,787 preset arpeggiator phrases to start with - from standard synth arps to drum loops to natural-sounding acoustic-instrument grooves. The Phrase Factory system works seamlessly with Keyboard Mega Voice technology so you can take advantage of all the expressive Keyboard Mega Voice nuances. You can even assign five different arp phrases to the switches below the display and switch them in real time. Plus the arpeggiator's new chord recognition and performance play parameters let you easily create your own user arps or modify presets to make them your own. Finally if your creative runs dry, Real Time Loop Remix let's you generate literally thousands of instant variations on any phrase either MIDI or audio.
Exceptional Sampling & Extensive Sequencing with ISS
The Integrated Sampling Sequencer in the ES provides the seamless integration of MIDI and audio sample sequencing places the MOTIF ES synthesizers right on the leading edge of music production. Of course you can BPM-sync playback of MIDI and sample loops, and our Time Slice function lets you handle samples with the same freedom as MIDI sequence data without altering pitch or losing audio quality. A maximum sample RAM (DIMM) capacity of 512 MB places the MOTIF ES sampler section in the same league as some of the most advanced stand-alone samplers available. The ES comes with a bundled CD-ROM with over 170 MB of sample voices including the S90 three layer piano, sweet sax and woodwind voices and drum loops. The sequencer section can handle up to 226,000 notes in 16 tracks, and with lots of new features like Rehearsal Rec mode. You are only limited by your imagination.
Expressive Surface for Real Time Control
For truly musical expression there's no substitute for realtime hands-on control. The MOTIF ES gives you four rotary controllers and four faders that can be assigned to control filters, volume, effects, envelopes and any of an extensive range of voice parameters. These same controls provide a digital mixer feel when mixing multiple sequenced parts. They can also be used as MIDI controllers to control external MIDI devices. Yamaha has even added a ribbon controller for intimate fingertip voice control. And since you need to be able to find and recall voices as quickly as possible, the MOTIF ES synthesizers feature a Category Search function. The Category Search function includes a Favorite category that can store up to 128 of the voices that you use most frequently for instant recall from any mode.
Elegant System Integration with DAWs
If you use a computer-based sequencer or DAW as part of your music production setup, with press of a button you can turn the MOTIF ES into a full function control surface that supports the same protocols as the new 01X Digital Mixing Studio. Simply connect a USB cable between the instrument's "TO HOST" USB port and your computer's USB port, and you can directly access your sequencer/DAW software's fader, pan, EQ effect send, track mute, transport, and other parameters from the MOTIF ES controllers. You can even open and close windows on your computer directly from your ES.
Efficient Storage via USB Hosting and SmartMedia
In addition to the USB "TO HOST" port mentioned above, the MOTIF ES synthesizers feature a USB "TO DEVICE" port that can be connected to a USB storage device such as hard disks, flash disks, or card memory readers for convenient, safe external storage of your samples, sequences, and other production data. A built-in SmartMedia slot accepts memory cards with capacities up to 128 megabytes for convenient external data storage.
Expansion Slot for mLAN Networking or more Audio I/O
When you want to move up to mLAN networking - Yamaha's high-performance music networking protocol - simply install the optional mLAN16E expansion board (available soon) in your MOTIF ES synthesizer and you're ready to network and share multiple ports of MIDI data and multiple channels of 24-bit/96 kHz audio data with other mLAN compatible devices or computers with 1394 Firewire connectors. If your system requires more audio inputs and outputs than come standard with the MOTIF ES, add an optional AIEB2 I/O Expansion Board for an additional six independent analog inputs and outputs as well as coaxial and optical stereo digital inputs and outputs.
Modular Synthesis Plug-in System
Right out of the box the MOTIF ES synthesizers are powerhouses of music production features and sounds. If you want additional capabilities, however, the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System lets you simply plug-in appropriate optional expansion boards. For analog-modeling synthesis there's the PLG150-AN, or for advanced 6-operator FM synthesis there's the PLG150-DX. The incredibly real sound of virtual analog synthesis is available via the PLG150-VL board, the PLG150-DR delivers outstanding AWM-generated drum sounds, choose the PLG150-PC for percussion, or install the PLG150-PF for outstanding piano sound. The MOTIF ES synthesizers have three expansion slots that can accommodate the extra features you need. read less
Specs
Specifications
Keyboards MOTIF ES8: 88 keys Balanced Hammer Effect Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)
MOTIF ES7: 76 keys FS Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)
MOTIF ES6: 61 keys FS Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)
Tone Generator block Tone Generator: AWM2 (complying with the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System)
Polyphony: 128 notes + the polyphony of the Plug-in Board (if installed)
Multi Timbral Capacity: 16 parts (internal) + 3 or more Plug-in Board parts (1 for each Single Plug-in Board; 16 for Multi Plug-in Board), Audio Input parts (A/D, AIEB2, mLAN*) * 4 stereo parts
Wave: 175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format), 1,859 waveforms
Voice:
- Preset: 768 Normal Voices + 64 Drum Kits
- GM: 128 Normal Voices + 1 Drum Kit
- User: 128 x 2 (Bank1: Original, Bank2: Picked up from Preset) Normal Voice + 32 Drum Kits
Plug-in Voice:
- Preset for the PLG150-AN/DX/PF/DR/PC: 64
- Preset for the PLG150-VL: 192
- User: 64 for each Plug-in slot
Performance: User: 128 (up to 4 parts)
Filter: 18 types
Effect System: Reverb x 20 types, Chorus x 49 types, Insertion (A, B) x 116 types x 8 blocks, Master Effect x 8 types, Master Equalizer (5 bands), Part EQ (3 bands, stereo), Plug-in Insertion (available when the PLG100-VH has been installed to slot 1)
Expandability: 3 Slots for Modular Synthesis Plug-in Boards
Sampling block Samples:
- Up to 1,024 Waveforms (Multi Samples)
- Up to 128 Key Banks per Waveform
- Up to 4,096 Key Banks
Sampling Source: Analog input L/R, Stereo output (Resampling), Digital/Optical (available when the AIEB2 has been
installed), mLAN (available when the mLAN16E has been installed)
Sampling Frequencies: 44.1kHz, 22.05kHz, 11.025kHz, 5.5125kHz (Stereo/Mono)
- Digital Sampling Frequency (when the AIEB2 has been installed): 48kHz, 44.1kHz, 32kHz
Can be input, with converted to the Sampling Frequency of the MOTIF ES.
- Sampling Frequency via the mLAN (when the mLAN16E has been installed): 44.1kHz (fixed)
Sampling Memory: Optionally installed, expandable to 512MB (256MB DIMM x 2 slots)
Sampling Time:
- 44.1kHz: 6 min. 20 sec.
- 22.05kHz: 12 min. 40 sec.
- 11.025kHz: 25 min. 20 sec.
- 5.0125kHz: 55 min. 40 sec.
Mono/Stereo Sample Formats:
- Original format
- WAV
- AIFF
- A3000/4000/5000/SU700 format (loadable only)
- AKAI S1000/S3000 format (loadable only)
Sequencer block Note Capacity: Approx. 226,000 notes
Note Resolution: 480 ppq (parts per quarter note)
Maximum Polyphony: 124 notes
Tracks:
- Pattern Mode: 16 phrase tracks
- Pattern Chain Mode: Pattern track, Tempo track, Scene track
- Song Mode: 16 sequence tracks (Loop on/off can be set for each track), Tempo track, Scene track
Patterns:
- 64 patterns (x 16 sections)
- Measures: 256 maximum
Phrases Preset Phrases: 687 phrases
User Phrases: 256 per pattern
Songs: 64 songs
Arpeggio:
- Preset x 1,787 types
- User x 256 types
MIDI Sync, MIDI transmit/receive channel, Velocity Limit, and Note Limit can be set.
Sequence Format: Original format, SMF format 0, 1 (Format 1 load only)
Others Master: User: 128
4 Zones (Master keyboard settings), Assignable Knob/Slider settings, Program Change Table
Sequence Software compatible with the Remote Control function:
- For Windows
Keyboards MOTIF ES8: 88 keys Balanced Hammer Effect Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)
MOTIF ES7: 76 keys FS Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)
MOTIF ES6: 61 keys FS Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)
Tone Generator block Tone Generator: AWM2 (complying with the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System)
Polyphony: 128 notes + the polyphony of the Plug-in Board (if installed)
Multi Timbral Capacity: 16 parts (internal) + 3 or more Plug-in Board parts (1 for each Single Plug-in Board; 16 for Multi Plug-in Board), Audio Input parts (A/D, AIEB2, mLAN*) * 4 stereo parts
Wave: 175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format), 1,859 waveforms
Voice:
- Preset: 768 Normal Voices + 64 Drum Kits
- GM: 128 Normal Voices + 1 Drum Kit
- User: 128 x 2 (Bank1: Original, Bank2: Picked up from Preset) Normal Voice + 32 Drum Kits
Plug-in Voice:
- Preset for the PLG150-AN/DX/PF/DR/PC: 64
- Preset for the PLG150-VL: 192
- User: 64 for each Plug-in slot
Performance: User: 128 (up to 4 parts)
Filter: 18 types
Effect System: Reverb x 20 types, Chorus x 49 types, Insertion (A, B) x 116 types x 8 blocks, Master Effect x 8 types, Master Equalizer (5 bands), Part EQ (3 bands, stereo), Plug-in Insertion (available when the PLG100-VH has been installed to slot 1)
Expandability: 3 Slots for Modular Synthesis Plug-in Boards
Sampling block Samples:
- Up to 1,024 Waveforms (Multi Samples)
- Up to 128 Key Banks per Waveform
- Up to 4,096 Key Banks
Sampling Source: Analog input L/R, Stereo output (Resampling), Digital/Optical (available when the AIEB2 has been
installed), mLAN (available when the mLAN16E has been installed)
Sampling Frequencies: 44.1kHz, 22.05kHz, 11.025kHz, 5.5125kHz (Stereo/Mono)
- Digital Sampling Frequency (when the AIEB2 has been installed): 48kHz, 44.1kHz, 32kHz
Can be input, with converted to the Sampling Frequency of the MOTIF ES.
- Sampling Frequency via the mLAN (when the mLAN16E has been installed): 44.1kHz (fixed)
Sampling Memory: Optionally installed, expandable to 512MB (256MB DIMM x 2 slots)
Sampling Time:
- 44.1kHz: 6 min. 20 sec.
- 22.05kHz: 12 min. 40 sec.
- 11.025kHz: 25 min. 20 sec.
- 5.0125kHz: 55 min. 40 sec.
Mono/Stereo Sample Formats:
- Original format
- WAV
- AIFF
- A3000/4000/5000/SU700 format (loadable only)
- AKAI S1000/S3000 format (loadable only)
Sequencer block Note Capacity: Approx. 226,000 notes
Note Resolution: 480 ppq (parts per quarter note)
Maximum Polyphony: 124 notes
Tracks:
- Pattern Mode: 16 phrase tracks
- Pattern Chain Mode: Pattern track, Tempo track, Scene track
- Song Mode: 16 sequence tracks (Loop on/off can be set for each track), Tempo track, Scene track
Patterns:
- 64 patterns (x 16 sections)
- Measures: 256 maximum
Phrases Preset Phrases: 687 phrases
User Phrases: 256 per pattern
Songs: 64 songs
Arpeggio:
- Preset x 1,787 types
- User x 256 types
MIDI Sync, MIDI transmit/receive channel, Velocity Limit, and Note Limit can be set.
Sequence Format: Original format, SMF format 0, 1 (Format 1 load only)
Others Master: User: 128
4 Zones (Master keyboard settings), Assignable Knob/Slider settings, Program Change Table
Sequence Software compatible with the Remote Control function:
- For Windows
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
(183 ratings)
Submitted October 23, 2009 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Motif ES6 - My Other Girlfriend (After my wife)"
Its a Motif! One of the best discontinued board you can get - PERIOD!! I will trade or sell only to upgrade to another Motif.
Sound
The sounds are nice. Still going thru alot of them. I I use live and in recordings. I owned a Fantom, the Motif Classic 7, Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes, and other boards. The emulation of the sounds is just fantastic. Rhodes and organ sounds send left to right in speakers. I play mine through a Peavey KB300 and Traynor 100 amp running through a mixer. IT is then run via mid into another keyboard that I use to play the Motif organ sounds. This keyboard is plugging into my chopped Leslie 25. Organ sounds much better than way. I use the Combo preamp pedal to send into the leslie. One thing I noticed is that the brass is not as "fatt" as the Fantom's.
Ease of Use
Very easy to use. I owned the Classic prior to it and there was not that much of a learning curve between the two. I have been messing with the XS, but cannot validate enough of a reason to upgrade. The ES is just great. I added memory so I can sample sounds and add vocals on tracks. The Manual explained what I needed to do, but I am an online guy, so I just went online and there are tons of videos and explanations on how to do what u need. I am getting ready to create some sounds tonight and will figure out what works best with my talkbox. This board is just GREAT! I am the Music Leader at church and I will occassionally record… read more drum loops in Pattern Mode to perform live and keep musicians on beat. so easy to use.
Quality
This is the one downfall I have with it. I had 2 keys that got loose moving from church to studio. I have it in a case and it is WELL PROTECTED AND HANDLED. I am the only one who carries/handles it. It wasnt even a year old when the keys got loose. the board still functions fine, but the clicks were annoying. Too bad Yamaha couldnt make a sturdier key.
Value
Granted I only paid $1000 for this 2 years ago, the ES was worth every penny. It is just a beast and there is not another board on the market (except the XS) that can piss in the same toilet as the ES.
Manufacturer Support
N/A never called support for anything.
The Wow Factor
The sounds!! The 4 volume faders!! The Arpeggiator!!! WOW!
Musical Background:
Active musician,
Musical Style:
Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Classical, Inspirational read less
Sound
The sounds are nice. Still going thru alot of them. I I use live and in recordings. I owned a Fantom, the Motif Classic 7, Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes, and other boards. The emulation of the sounds is just fantastic. Rhodes and organ sounds send left to right in speakers. I play mine through a Peavey KB300 and Traynor 100 amp running through a mixer. IT is then run via mid into another keyboard that I use to play the Motif organ sounds. This keyboard is plugging into my chopped Leslie 25. Organ sounds much better than way. I use the Combo preamp pedal to send into the leslie. One thing I noticed is that the brass is not as "fatt" as the Fantom's.
Ease of Use
Very easy to use. I owned the Classic prior to it and there was not that much of a learning curve between the two. I have been messing with the XS, but cannot validate enough of a reason to upgrade. The ES is just great. I added memory so I can sample sounds and add vocals on tracks. The Manual explained what I needed to do, but I am an online guy, so I just went online and there are tons of videos and explanations on how to do what u need. I am getting ready to create some sounds tonight and will figure out what works best with my talkbox. This board is just GREAT! I am the Music Leader at church and I will occassionally record… read more drum loops in Pattern Mode to perform live and keep musicians on beat. so easy to use.
Quality
This is the one downfall I have with it. I had 2 keys that got loose moving from church to studio. I have it in a case and it is WELL PROTECTED AND HANDLED. I am the only one who carries/handles it. It wasnt even a year old when the keys got loose. the board still functions fine, but the clicks were annoying. Too bad Yamaha couldnt make a sturdier key.
Value
Granted I only paid $1000 for this 2 years ago, the ES was worth every penny. It is just a beast and there is not another board on the market (except the XS) that can piss in the same toilet as the ES.
Manufacturer Support
N/A never called support for anything.
The Wow Factor
The sounds!! The 4 volume faders!! The Arpeggiator!!! WOW!
Musical Background:
Active musician,
Musical Style:
Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Classical, Inspirational read less
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