Feature:
There are so many features that it would take five years to utilize them all and with expansion options it only gets more complex and the polyphony also expands with the expansion modules, it is like getting a new sound module when you expand this and the possibilities of the sounds are almost limitless! Guitar sounds are the best of any sound module out there except maybe samplers which can emulate the real thing. I find the learning curve on this is high but very usable out of box without the manual but you will want to study the manual for doing unbelievable sound editing and setting up performances and effects on this thing are all limitless! I think this is by far the most far in future usable sound module ever made thus so far and until they come up with something astronomically better, but I can't imagine needing more features than this and with the future sound expansion options the sky appears to be the limit with this excellent gear.

Quality:
The screen looks ok and the turn jog dial is sturdy but stiff and hard to turn at times, the jog turn dial should have been larger and a outer rubber grip and made easier to turn. The buttons on the front panel seem a little cheap when pushing them, the other buttons move a little when you push just one button, I hope they hold up? What is nice is they are large enough and fairly easy to push and they are lit up when you push them, that is a nice feature. Very basic generic civil look to this module and it is functional. Nothing really stands out and catches your eye.

Value:
I would say the value of this sound module is fantastic not only because of its price and sound capabilities compared to its no competition but also future sound upgrading and features make this a great product to own/use now and atleast ten years into the future easy!!!

Desirability:
Out of all the competition, there is not anything that comes even close to this as far as sound quality and quality of the samples, effects and arpeggios functions and voice polyphony and in terms of future upgradeable sounds, effects and polyphony and not to mention the future capabilities of this sound module is almost limitless! I hope Yamaha still supports this module long into the future and it does not become like on the back burner, because I think they have a real winner here.

Sound:
I love this sound module with my Yamaha P-70 piano controller and with 88 hammer action keys this sound module sounds excellent and clean and very expressive. Recording sequences with this 128 polyphony sounds great and clean even with all 128 notes at once which I haven't exceeding the polyphony yet! The sound output from the headphone jack leaves little to be desired and in my opinion is weak as far as volume and phatness of the sound. However the rear output jacks perform much better and using the digital out is the best quality I have heard from any sound module to date! Recording live with this on stage would be tedious to program but could be done with some effort involved.

Ease of Use:
The arpeggiator is very easy to use and setup the sounds you want, you can edit arp settings for your playing and chord styles and anything can be used as a arp setting any notes and or chord sequence can be recorded and saved into the user preset. Programming and button menus and setting up performances are a little tricky at first and the learning curve is just as high as Roland sound modules but once you learn the structure that Yamaha has it is pretty straight forward. The editor for this on the computer is easier to program than the button face screen on unit but you will still have to study the manual for understanding the voice, midi channel setup and performance, effect settings and arp settings to tweak or set it up for your song. The only gripe is that you have to save vial sysex dump or software save through the computer all your custom setting because Yamaha erase s it all when this unit is turned off. Why can't Yamaha spend a few extra bucks on a memory user settings hold feature?!!! After all, if the power goes off you are screwed!!! Unless you save your settings on your computer??? Come on it is the year 2007 and we still can't get it right???

Support:
It seems the Yamaha website is very supportive of both new and old gear and it is updated often and users are allowed to get the latest updates and manuals etc. And the warranty length and service on Yamaha is good. I have not called yet for support issues?

Overall:
I think other sound modules and keyboards out there do different things very all different musical styles. But this sound module can do it all? There is still a need for samplers and vintage analog synth type controllers and sounds. I will be very busy with this sound module for a very long time. Most people do not get the full functionality or life out of there present or old equipment. So I say to all of you out there, use and learn what you currently own and push the limits of your gear and only then will you see the creative potential of your musical gear in action and what you can personally achieve musically with them!

• User: a customer from verizon.net
• Submitted: 9/29/2007
• Style of Music: Acid Jazz, Electronica and Lounge, Techno, Rock
• Location: Sunland California USA

Feature:
Only reason for a 8 is because I wish this thing had sampling or the ability to add the mLan or Sampling expansion to it.

Quality:
I had to take it into the shop because I had an issue with the power supply but that was due to my own fault and yanking it. Quick fix at a shop and still works wonderfully.

Value:
From my experience in professional studio equipment, and the sound this thing provides, this thing just might be underpriced. In other words, I think it's just right.

Desirability:
Own it.

Sound:
The sounds are lucious, crisp, clean, and professional. I've worked with Yamaha instruments throughout the years and the cleanness of the sounds far surpass the sampled sounds of instruments like roland.

Ease of Use:
First day out of the box and w/ the manual in hand, even without manual this thing was easy to use. And there's still much I have to learn about it. So in other words it's an instrument of the present and made for the future.

Support:
Haven't had to use it yet so yup all good.

Overall:
Great gear. Would buy it again.

• User: a customer from yahoo.com
• Submitted: 3/2/2007
• Style of Music: Trance. But I have helped produce and write all styles.
• Location: Omaha, Ne

Feature:
more bass guitars sounds

Quality:
i can hear the rich sounds out of it

Desirability:
to my addition

Sound:
it's real good and real easy to use i love it and the sound is good

Ease of Use:
through midi it's great

• User: a customer from yahoo.com
• Submitted: 9/17/2006
• Style of Music: r&b and hip hop
• Location: Deerfeild Beach

Feature:
you don't need alot of assessories for a synth module

Quality:
make excellently,

Value:
it's expensive but it does sound excellent, i would say the price is where it should be

Desirability:
i would want it if the interface and software were good.

Sound:
sounds are excellent for most selections, great compliment to a roland setup

Ease of Use:
i've been on synths since the 80s and have owned many of them over the years, this thing is just way too hard to get around in, plain and simple ,the interface is non-intuitive, too many doubl-buttons to push, they really need to work on interface, plus, the software is a joke as well and it's obvious they didnt' invest in a good interface. this is too bad since this unit sounds so awesome.

Support:
i never dealt with the company, they're web site and the tools available to upgrade the unit are not very intuitive

Overall:
I would give this a 9 or so if it was easy to program.

• User: a customer from yahoo.com
• Submitted: 4/13/2006
• Style of Music: christian contemporary, worship, folk, rock, r/b
• Location: southern nh

Feature:
The USB port and the ablitiy to edit and save your patches in Cubase SX 3 is great. This brings the great sounds of the motif and the ease of use of a VST instrument in Cubase into one. I been waiting for this since I haven't really liked the sounds of software modules that try to do the same.

Quality:
The module looks 'phat' and love how they designed the looks of it. Construction seems well build.

Value:
For $1020 I think I got a good value on this unit. It provides almost everything, if not everything I need to make a hit. This has been the missing piece to my setup.

Desirability:
This was the unit that always been waiting for...I had to pass the first motif rack cause I didn't think the sounds were that great compared to sampletank and it wasn't designed to be as effcient with Cubase as this was.

Sound:
The sounds are excellent for most of the music that goes on in the industry. Crystal clear comtemporary sounds. Excellent for R&B, Pop, and Radio Rap.

Support:
Never had to call them yet.

Overall:
I give it betweeen a 9 and a 10!

• Submitted: 5/22/2005
• Style of Music: Rap, RnB, Hip-Hop
• Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA