Yamaha MOTIF Rack ES Sound Module

Manufacturer's Description for Yamaha MOTIF Rack ES Sound Module

Instant inspiration!

You need lots of sonic choices; from authentic to innovative. That's why there are 1,152 voices and 65 different drum kits in the MOTIF-Rack ES.

With the most advanced synthesis on the market, MOTIF-Rack ES' 128-note polyphony, 16-part mix architecture and 32 multi-libraries ensure you have the all the flexibility you need.

Two system effects, 8 types of mastering effects, a 5-band master EQ, 8 simultaneous insertion effects, and 3-band equalization for each of the 16 parts in a mix let you tailor your sound exactly the way you want.

The 2 Modular Synthesis Plug-in System expansion slots let you expand your system with more voices, effects and polyphony.

128 programmable performances that layer and split up to 4 voices will start your creativity flowing.

A USB port, digital I/O, and Studio Connections Recall-compatible software editors let you easily integrate the MOTIF-Rack ES into your computer music system.

Sonic inspiration from authentic emulation to creative innovation -- The MOTIF-Rack ES delivers a massive collection of studio-quality sounds for a wide variety of musical genres. The 1,152 voices and 65 drum kits are easily accessible via the front panel category search function. From the emulative sounds of acoustic piano and orchestra to the extreme synthesis of cutting-edge hip-hop and electronica, the MOTIF-Rack ES delivers the sonic power you need. Performances that layer and split up to four voices and over 1,700 arpeggios -- from realistic guitar strumming to drum grooves to classic techno riffs -- inspire new musical ideas to get your creativity flowing.

Flexible architecture to meet all your synthesis needs -- Thanks to Yamaha's advanced synthesis technology, the MOTIF-Rack ES tone generator boasts 128-note polyphony and 16 mix parts so it's an ideal multi-timbral sound source. The synth engine offers 18 different filter types and faster, more precise envelope controls. There are even mix voices so you can edit and create your own voices while listening to your songs and store them right along with the song data.

More effects give you more control over your music -- The MOTIF-Rack ES has more effects than any other rack module available today. In mix mode, you can use 8 dual insertion effects simultaneously. For instance, you can have a rotary effects on the organ, distortion on the backing guitar, delay plus overdrive on the guitar solo, compressor and EQ on the bass, and a unique reverb on the drums and still have plenty of insertion effects left over. The 2 system effects let you add just the right amount of reverb and chorus/delay to any part via the effect sends and returns. After putting everything together, the 3-band EQ for each part lets you get just the right tonal balance in your mix. Finally the 8 types of master effects (including multi-band compression) and 5 band master EQ give your finished productions the same professional-quality mastered sound as commercially produced CDs.

Studio Connections Recall editors integrate hardware and software -- The MOTIF-Rack ES was designed to integrate seamlessly into the software-based music production environment. Voice editor and multipart editor software let you take full computer control over your MOTIF-Rack ES. You can edit and store voices and mixes using the graphic visual editing on your computer. But even more importantly, these editors are Studio Connection Recall-compatible. That means you can open them directly inside of DAW software like Steinberg's Nuendo and Cubase 3.0. When you save your DAW project all the settings for MOTIF-Rack ES are stored along with your song. When you re-open the project file, you can synchronize your studio and automatically recall all the settings for your entire studio both hardware and software.

Customize your music production system -- The MOTIF-Rack ES supports Yamaha's Modular Synthesis Plug-in System, so you can add up to 2 plug-in boards to the unit and add more voices, more effects, and even polyphony to your system.

Digital interfacing standard -- The MOTIF-Rack ES features all the digital interfacing you need right on board. In many applications, you'll want to come out of the MOTIF-Rack ES in the digital domain and connect directly to other digital gear. Stereo S/PDIF digital outputs (coaxial and optical) allow you to connect to a wide variety of computers and music production products. The USB TO HOST connector gives you multi-port MIDI connectivity to your computer. For those who want to connect via analog, the MOTIF-Rack ES features a total of 6 analog outputs for connecting to external mixers and effect processors. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Yamaha products.

Tone generator section:
-- Tone generator: AWM2 (complying with the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System)

-- Maximum polyphony: 128 notes + the polyphony of the Plug-in Board (if installed)

-- Wave memory: 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: 384 (bank 1 & 3: original, bank 2: pick up from preset)

-- Normal voices + 32 drum kits

Plug-in Voice:
-- Preset for the PLG150-AN/DX/PF/AP/DR/PC: 64 voices

-- Preset for the PLG-150VL: 192 voices

-- User: 64 voices for each plug-in connector

Multi Effect:
-- Multi: User: 128 Multis

-- Reverb: 20 types

-- Chorus: 49 types

-- Insertion 1: 116 types (up to 8 blocks available in the Multi mode)

-- Insertion 2: 116 types (up to 8 blocks available in the Multi mode)

-- Master effect: 8 types

-- Master equalizer: 5 bands (high, high mid, mid, low mid, low)

-- Part equalizer: 3 bands (high, mid, low)

Arpeggio: 1,787 types (MIDI sync, MIDI transmit/receive channel, velocity limit, and note limit can be set.)

Controls:
-- Standby/on switch, volume knob, data dial, cursor buttons,

-- Exit button, page buttons, mule/sel/enter button,

-- Part/element buttons, bank buttons, shift button,

-- Category button, mode buttons

Jack and terminals:
-- Front Panel: phones

-- Rear panel controls: DC in, USB, MIDI in/out/thru, digital output, optical output, assignable output 1-4, output L/mono, R

Other:
-- Top panel: PGL1, PLG2

-- Display: 160- x 64-dot graphic backlit LCD

-- Supplied accessories: power adapter, owner's manual set, CD-ROM

-- Optical/digital output: 17W (maximum; 22W when two Plug-in Boards are installed)

-- Dimensions (W x D x H): 18.9 x 14.66 x 1.7 in. (480 x 372.4 x 44 mm)

-- Weight: 9 lbs (4.1 kg)