Yamaha 61-Key MOTIF Music Production Synthesizer

Real-time external control surface. Large sampling capacity, wide compatibility.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

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"A Sexy Piece of Music Machinery!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
Easy to turn knobs, accessible buttons and sliders. It would have been nice to have a ribbon (like the "ES" version), but it's cool. The ES version is a little to "kiddy" looking, less professional. Oh, make sure you run out and buy a sustain pedal.

Quality:
To me, this is a very professional (and heavy!) board. Lugging it back and forth to gigs can be a bit burdensome but for the "cool factor" and looks you get when you whip it out, it's worth it. It's in a very sturdy shell and the keys don't feel fragile. I suggest a hard shell case for gigging, although I currently use a soft bag and carry it with care.

Value:
You get a good bang for your buck. You get a 16 track sequencer, sampler, synth, drum machine, etc. all rolled up in one. The only difference between this and the KORG TRITON is the touch screen and ribbon. And with the ES version out now, the regular MOTIFs are hundreds less.

Desirability:
When I saw the different arpeggios and sampling ability, I was ready to kill for it. Every keyboardist I know either wants on or has one. Before you by one, have someone who owns it or knows it to demonstrate it for you. Don't let some sales kid show you the factory demo, have someone who has done some work on it show you the real deal. It is a sexy piece of machinery.

Sound:
The instruments sound great (especially the piano) and whatever you don't like you can tweak. The arpeggios are okay, I like them better on the ES version.

Support:
Oh the trouble I've seen...here's an example of their tech support. You have a problem = "how do I layer sounds?", because basic stuff like that is not in the book (duh!) So you call YAMAHA, mind you, it's not an 800 number so your call is long distance (unless you live in Cali I suggest using a calling card). You speak to someone who notates your problem and tells you someone will call you back within the hour. What? You're working on the song NOW and may lose your fresh idea in your head within an hour. Anyway, someone may or may not call back within an hour but fortunately when they do they get you on your way. The techs are very knowledgable but not easily accessible. And the manual? Forget about it. If you have any questions go to www.motifator.com

Overall:
Overall, this is the best board I've ever had. I used to play the PSR 530 and wanted to get away from the "Yamaha Sound", but after seeing the capabilities of the MOTIF, I was able to get a great board at a reasonable price and create my own sounds.

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"Somebody give Yamaha the award for the best sounding keyboard."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
Built in sequencer, sampler, kick ass sounds, what more can you ask for?

Quality:
I accidently smashed it (pretty hard) against a wall when I was brining it home, and it did NOTHING to it. It still works fine. A very durable product. I have only had the Motif for a few months, but it gives me a feeling that it will be around for a long time. It's pretty heavy, so I think it's best left at home. But you could totally use it for a gig.

Value:
The vast majority of sounds in this keyboard are enough to make me want to make love to it. It is DEFINITELY, I repeat DEFINITELY worth the money. Thanks to the Motif, my music sounds better than it has ever sounded in the past.

Desirability:
The Motif is on fire, OK. I've been drooling over it for the last two years until I finally got mine. And I still sometimes drool over it. It has got to be one of the coolest production workstations on the planet. You need to get your hands on one of these if you make electronic, hip hop, or R$B music. These sounds will blow you away. You need to hear it to believe it. Quality - Thy name is Motif.

Sound:
Awesome sound. Awesome.

Overall:
Overall, the motif has lived up to virtually all of my expectations. There are just one or two things that I wish were different about it. But other than that, it's solved a lot of my audio related problems, especially regarding top of the line sounds. It's a dream come true for any producer.

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"Gotta get the motif"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
men it came with all the manuals and even a tutorial for dvd and your cpu. i haven't called the customer support for the first time all the accessories that came with the motif helps

Quality:
i just have the motif 6 and i think it's excellent, what if i had enough money to get the ES version?????? oh my god

Value:
it's kinda in the upper prices but men you get what you paid for on the real

Sound:
this product sounds out of this world yo for real. since i got this motif, i ain't used none of my previous drum machines or samplers. this thing got everything and am just amazed on how versatile it is

Support:
i haven't called em yet

Overall:
men if someone stole this product from me i will use the money from my renter's insurance and the first thing i'll buy is the exact same one or even the upgraded cersion for real

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"Get this board it's the best out there."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
The features are great. The sampling is the best thing. Not only that, if you purchase the motif video it shows you how to record a whole song through the motif. Of course you have to upgrade the memory. But to have that option is great.

Quality:
The make of the motif is awsome. I love it.

Value:
The motif price to me was almost a steal if you ask me. For the price you pay and with all that comes with the board is a bargain.

Desirability:
The motif is the best.

Sound:
I'm a "Beatmaker" The sound is great, but disappointing at the same time. I also own a Yamaha psr-640 and the sounds on there are remarkable! If you've never owned a psr the sounds on the motif are great. You have to edit the sounds to get what you want, and you have to be a rocket scientist to get that right. Over all, I'm very happy about my motif.

Support:
The support is great. It support almost every thing and software out.

Overall:
The least thing I like about it is that you have to be a rocket scientist for certain optins.

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"Killer Performance Board"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
This unit has the best Rhodes, Clavs, Wurlies, Horns, Great Acoustic Piano, although I really love the Roland XV-3080 rack for my piano, I could still use these sounds often. For organ I have a Roland VK-7 organ, and a real Hammond B-3 but I could almost see myself just using the Motif's organs if I wanted to skimp on gear for the night. Does not have the rotary growl like the VK but tries hard. It does beat toting all that gear for "a" sound. Motif is not the simplest board at first, but with a little tweak here and there you can realy make music. Action is very nice and feels very professional. Also, I like being able to save all favorite patches to one favorite bank. You really can do alot with this board. I have only used this board live in front of an audience and that can be a little intimidating, esp. when some crazy beat gets turned on accidentally! I have 25 years playing keys experience...can't believe some of these sounds still, and I have yet to tap into any recording or sampling...Wow! I'm impressed.
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"simply the best I've found on the market!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Played for 35+ years professionally, and have now retired and am writing and producing. This keyboard has been like a message from above by proving to be the easiest, most productive piece of equipment I've ever used.
With built-in sampling, sequencer, editing, and a 16-track mixer/recorder, it's a song-writer's dream. Would also have loved to have had this available when I was gigging live!
Kudos Yamaha... You've scored again!
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"This is a must own!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Move over Triton! MOTIF is the best! The sounds are simply amazing. Feature-wise there's just way too much to mention. You wouldnt believe what this thing can do! (Like take a loop and build a drum kit from it YES SLICING RULES!) It still amazes me til this day! It murders my poor Roland XP50. Soundwise its untouched! So far I havent really needed to load any sample disc because the sounds onboard are good enough. Ease of use...this is where you may have some problems but thats the nature of a workstation packed with so much flexibility and features. Its very well thought out! Its awesome!
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"motif"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
no

Quality:
one dead note but it was second hand I get around it

Value:
it cost to much

Desirability:
its bulky if you like that kind of thing

Sound:
there is always somthing better so I gave it 9 the sounds are as good as they get its good for rec/live and seq/rec seems to be an all-rounder...only wish its preformance section was more editable example chaining them together

Ease of Use:
simple turn it on

Support:
they sent me a plug in card but I dont use it

Overall:
till now

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"wicked"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
i tried out the motif, korg carma/triton and roland's new synth last month in my local music store, the motif6 stood miles higher then the rest in all aspects, so i own one now.......good job YAMAHA, best synth ever
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"Much more versitile than the Triton"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
It matches perfect with the musician who desires to use samples and needs a base workstation with the best sounding pre built sounds. Since most workstations have a majority of pre built dud sounds I was very scepticle about the Motif - but it only had 3 bad ones. If you van get past the hang up of a smaller screen - this keyboard is the ultimate keyboard of the year.
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"TRITON Who?!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Yo, this keyboard is dope. The sequencer, ISS and FX make it so easy to lace ur whole mix onboard. I guess u could buy a Kurz at like 3 times the price, but why?!
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