Yamaha Montage 8 Keyboard Synthesizer, 88-Key
Get creative with Yamaha's flagship synth! The 88-key Montage lets you control AWM2 and FM-X sound engines with the Super Knob, Motion Sequences and more.
Overview
The Yamaha Montage ushers in another era of synthesizers from the company that brought you the industry-changing DX and the hugely popular Motif. Building on the legacy of these two iconic keyboards, the Yamaha Montage sets a milestone for synthesizers with sophisticated dynamic control, massive sound creation and streamlined workflow, all combined in a powerful keyboard designed to inspire your creativity. If you liked the DX and Motif, get ready to love Montage.
Yamaha Product Specialist Blake Angelos demonstrates some of the versatility and instant sound customization of the Montage:
Pianist Greg Spero demonstrates the Yamaha Montage 8 in this video:
Get a close look at the Yamaha Montage and its features in this video from Yamaha:
Interact with MONTAGE Performances using Motion Control, a highly programmable control matrix for creating deep, dynamic and incredibly expressive sound. With Motion Control, you can create new sounds not possible on previous hardware synthesizers.
Super Knob: Create dynamic sound changes from radical to sublime with the Super Knob. The Super Knob can control multiple parameters simultaneously, resulting in anything you can imagine. For example: change your listening position from right in front of an instrument to in the back seat of a concert hall. Or radically change the character of a Performance from atmospheric and mellow to rhythmic and edgy. The Super Knob can even be assigned to a second FC7 foot controller making it easy to manipulate the sound when playing with both hands.
Motion SEQ: Motion Sequences are tempo-synchronized, completely customizable control sequences that can be assigned to virtually any synthesizer parameter and provide incredible creative new ways of programming sound. Motion Sequences also have dedicated controls on the front panel, making it easy to manipulate and change in real-time, providing incredible interactivity and expression.
Envelope Follower: The Envelope Follower converts audio into a control source for control of virtually any synthesizer parameter. For example, a drum loop could drive effects parameters for a cool rhythms or a vocal recording could control multiple parameters for a "talking" synthesizer. The audio can even be a "live" source through the A/D input.
AWM2: Powered by proprietary Yamaha technology for data compression and sound playback, AWM2 allows tremendous data compression without sound quality loss for unparalleled, realistic sound reproduction.
- 128-Note, Stereo polyphony: Experience rich stereo sound without halving the available number of notes.
- Waveform Capacity: MONTAGE features nearly 10 times the waveform capacity of the MOTIF XF, allowing more samples per instrument for incredibly realistic and nuanced sound.
- Integrated Flash Memory: MONTAGE includes 1.75 GB of user flash memory with high speed reading/writing for your own custom samples or synth libraries from yamahasynth.com.
FM-X: An amazingly sophisticated pure synthesizer engine capable of producing classic '80s or cutting-edge EDM sound with incredible dynamic range, power and fidelity. MONTAGE features an 8-operator FM architecture and 128-note polyphony, allowing for a massive array of sound design options.
Content Included: MONTAGE features a huge range of incredible sounds like a brand-new Yamaha CFX Premium Grand Piano, detailed strings and woodwinds and select content from the DX and TX family, all modernized to take advantage of the Motion Control Synthesis Engine.
- Compatibility: MONTAGE is directly compatible with Motif XF Voices. Yamaha is developing an FM converter to make it compatible with DX7 series Voices as well.
- Bosendorfer Piano: As part of the MONTAGE introduction, Yamaha is pleased to offer an incredible Bosendorfer Imperial Premium Grand Piano.
Effects: From high definition reverbs to incredibly detailed Virtual Circuit Modeling (VCM) effects, MONTAGE is loaded with DSP innovation, power and, most importantly, sound quality. Use effects like Beat Repeat, Vinyl Break or Bit Crusher to get a modern EDM sound. You can even add a compressor with sidechain for a modern "ducking" effect. Or go retro with vintage effects like Analog Delay, VCM Phaser or a variety of Amp Simulators. Piano players will appreciate piano-focused effects like Damper Resonance for a super-realistic piano experience and the HD reverbs that let you put yourself in any performance space.
Balanced Outputs with Pure Analog Circuit: MONTAGE features professional balanced outputs with "Pure Analog Circuit" (PAC). PAC improves the quality of signal after being converted to analog from digital for clear harmonic reproduction and even frequency response. The result is an output capable of reproducing MONTAGE's internal content expressively with power and clarity.
USB Audio/MIDI Connection: Connect MONTAGE to your computer with a single USB cable and capture every nuance of your creativity into your DAW. MONTAGE's powerful USB driver can send 16 and receive 3 channels of STEREO 24 bit/44.1 kHz digital audio to/from your computer or iOS device (MONTAGE is class compliant, no driver needed!), no other hardware required! MONTAGE supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz. The USB connection also features full MIDI support of 16 channels.
SSS (Seamless Sound Switching): Seamless Sound Switching (SSS) lets you change performances seamlessly without any cut-off in envelope or effects. This is perfect for live performances where you end one song and start another without stopping. This function is only available for Performances that have a maximum of 8 parts.
Physical Controls:
- Touch Screen: Select and change parameters directly with the color touch screen.
- Eight Rotary Encoders and Faders with Stepladder LEDs: Stepladder LEDs next to the faders indicate position making it easy to see where your current mix position is.
- Keyboard Action: The 88-key MONTAGE8 features an 88-key, fully-weighted Balanced Hammer action with aftertouch. This provides equal resistance for each key across the keyboard and is perfect for playing a variety of instruments from acoustic piano to electric piano, synth sounds, organ and more!
Live Sets:Live Sets let you organize your Performances however you want without copying, changing order or renaming. When a Performance is selected, you can easily register it to a Live Set. This is perfect for playing gigs or even creating your own organization scheme for Performances.
Direct Control Assignment: Direct Control Assignment assigns controls at the touch of a button. Simply select a parameter, hit the Direct Control Assignment button and move the controller to control that parameter. It's easy!
Cubase AI bundle: MONTAGE is bundled with Cubase AI, Steinberg's professional music production application that offers integrated recording and editing.
read less
Yamaha Product Specialist Blake Angelos demonstrates some of the versatility and instant sound customization of the Montage:
Pianist Greg Spero demonstrates the Yamaha Montage 8 in this video:
Get a close look at the Yamaha Montage and its features in this video from Yamaha:
Motion Control Synthesis Engine
Yamaha's Motion Control Synthesis Engine unifies and controls two iconic Sound Engines: AWM2 (high-quality waveform and subtractive synthesis) and FM-X (modern, pure Frequency Modulation synthesis.) These two engines can be freely zoned or layered across eight parts in a single MONTAGE Performance.Interact with MONTAGE Performances using Motion Control, a highly programmable control matrix for creating deep, dynamic and incredibly expressive sound. With Motion Control, you can create new sounds not possible on previous hardware synthesizers.
Sophisticated Dynamic Control
Music is expression. MONTAGE adds another level of expression with the Motion Control Synthesis Engine. This engine allows a variety… read more of methods to interact with and channel your creativity into finding your own unique sound.Super Knob: Create dynamic sound changes from radical to sublime with the Super Knob. The Super Knob can control multiple parameters simultaneously, resulting in anything you can imagine. For example: change your listening position from right in front of an instrument to in the back seat of a concert hall. Or radically change the character of a Performance from atmospheric and mellow to rhythmic and edgy. The Super Knob can even be assigned to a second FC7 foot controller making it easy to manipulate the sound when playing with both hands.
Motion SEQ: Motion Sequences are tempo-synchronized, completely customizable control sequences that can be assigned to virtually any synthesizer parameter and provide incredible creative new ways of programming sound. Motion Sequences also have dedicated controls on the front panel, making it easy to manipulate and change in real-time, providing incredible interactivity and expression.
Envelope Follower: The Envelope Follower converts audio into a control source for control of virtually any synthesizer parameter. For example, a drum loop could drive effects parameters for a cool rhythms or a vocal recording could control multiple parameters for a "talking" synthesizer. The audio can even be a "live" source through the A/D input.
Massive Sound Creation
MONTAGE features two iconic sound engines, modernized for amazing sound playback and complex sound design:AWM2: Powered by proprietary Yamaha technology for data compression and sound playback, AWM2 allows tremendous data compression without sound quality loss for unparalleled, realistic sound reproduction.
- 128-Note, Stereo polyphony: Experience rich stereo sound without halving the available number of notes.
- Waveform Capacity: MONTAGE features nearly 10 times the waveform capacity of the MOTIF XF, allowing more samples per instrument for incredibly realistic and nuanced sound.
- Integrated Flash Memory: MONTAGE includes 1.75 GB of user flash memory with high speed reading/writing for your own custom samples or synth libraries from yamahasynth.com.
FM-X: An amazingly sophisticated pure synthesizer engine capable of producing classic '80s or cutting-edge EDM sound with incredible dynamic range, power and fidelity. MONTAGE features an 8-operator FM architecture and 128-note polyphony, allowing for a massive array of sound design options.
Content Included: MONTAGE features a huge range of incredible sounds like a brand-new Yamaha CFX Premium Grand Piano, detailed strings and woodwinds and select content from the DX and TX family, all modernized to take advantage of the Motion Control Synthesis Engine.
- Compatibility: MONTAGE is directly compatible with Motif XF Voices. Yamaha is developing an FM converter to make it compatible with DX7 series Voices as well.
- Bosendorfer Piano: As part of the MONTAGE introduction, Yamaha is pleased to offer an incredible Bosendorfer Imperial Premium Grand Piano.
Effects: From high definition reverbs to incredibly detailed Virtual Circuit Modeling (VCM) effects, MONTAGE is loaded with DSP innovation, power and, most importantly, sound quality. Use effects like Beat Repeat, Vinyl Break or Bit Crusher to get a modern EDM sound. You can even add a compressor with sidechain for a modern "ducking" effect. Or go retro with vintage effects like Analog Delay, VCM Phaser or a variety of Amp Simulators. Piano players will appreciate piano-focused effects like Damper Resonance for a super-realistic piano experience and the HD reverbs that let you put yourself in any performance space.
Balanced Outputs with Pure Analog Circuit: MONTAGE features professional balanced outputs with "Pure Analog Circuit" (PAC). PAC improves the quality of signal after being converted to analog from digital for clear harmonic reproduction and even frequency response. The result is an output capable of reproducing MONTAGE's internal content expressively with power and clarity.
Streamlined Workflow
How do you want to integrate your instrument with your system? How do you want to organize the onboard content? How do you want to interact with the instrument while you play? MONTAGE answers these questions and more with a flexible, streamlined workflow.USB Audio/MIDI Connection: Connect MONTAGE to your computer with a single USB cable and capture every nuance of your creativity into your DAW. MONTAGE's powerful USB driver can send 16 and receive 3 channels of STEREO 24 bit/44.1 kHz digital audio to/from your computer or iOS device (MONTAGE is class compliant, no driver needed!), no other hardware required! MONTAGE supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz. The USB connection also features full MIDI support of 16 channels.
SSS (Seamless Sound Switching): Seamless Sound Switching (SSS) lets you change performances seamlessly without any cut-off in envelope or effects. This is perfect for live performances where you end one song and start another without stopping. This function is only available for Performances that have a maximum of 8 parts.
A/D Input
The A/D input processes external audio sources with your instrument's DSP. Use mics, guitars or any line source as an input and process with the internal effects. You can even use these sources with the Envelope Follower or Sidechain for a truly unique sound.Physical Controls:
- Touch Screen: Select and change parameters directly with the color touch screen.
- Eight Rotary Encoders and Faders with Stepladder LEDs: Stepladder LEDs next to the faders indicate position making it easy to see where your current mix position is.
- Keyboard Action: The 88-key MONTAGE8 features an 88-key, fully-weighted Balanced Hammer action with aftertouch. This provides equal resistance for each key across the keyboard and is perfect for playing a variety of instruments from acoustic piano to electric piano, synth sounds, organ and more!
Live Sets:Live Sets let you organize your Performances however you want without copying, changing order or renaming. When a Performance is selected, you can easily register it to a Live Set. This is perfect for playing gigs or even creating your own organization scheme for Performances.
Direct Control Assignment: Direct Control Assignment assigns controls at the touch of a button. Simply select a parameter, hit the Direct Control Assignment button and move the controller to control that parameter. It's easy!
Cubase AI bundle: MONTAGE is bundled with Cubase AI, Steinberg's professional music production application that offers integrated recording and editing.
Specs
- Dimensions: Width: 1,450 mm (57-1/16") Height:160 mm (6-5/16") Depth: 470 mm (18-1/2")
- Weight: 29 kg (63 lbs., 15 oz.)
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type: Balanced Hammer Effect Keyboard
- Initial Touch: Yes
- Aftertouch: Yes
- Tone Generator: Motion Control Synthesis Engine AMW2: 8 Elements FM-X: 8 Operators, 88 Algorithms
- Maximum Polyphony: AWM2: 128 (max.; stereo/mono waveforms) FM-X: 128 (max.)
- Multi Timbral Capacity: 16 Parts (internal), Audio Input Parts (A/D*, USB*) *stereo Part
- Wave Preset: 5.67 GB (when converted to 16 bit linear format), User: 1.75 GB
- Performance: Approx. 1,900
- Filter: 18 types
- Effects: Reverb x 12 types, Variation x 76 types, Insertion (A, B) x 76 types*, Master Effect x 15 types *A/D part insertion x 71 types (Preset settings for parameters of each effect type are provided as templates) Master EQ (5 bands), 1st part EQ (3 bands), 2nd part EQ (2 bands)
- Controllers: Master Volume, AD Input Gain knob, Pitch Bend wheel, Modulation wheel, Ribbon Controller, Control Sliders x 8, Knobs x 8, Super Knob, Data dial
- Display: 7" TFT Color Wide VGA LCD touch screen
- Connectors: [USB TO DEVICE], [USB TO HOST], MIDI [IN]/[OUT]/[THRU], FOOT CONTROLLER [1]/[2], FOOT SWITCH [ASSIGNABLE]/[SUSTAIN], OUTPUT (BALANCED) [L/MONO]/[R] (6.3 mm, Balanced TRS jacks), ASSIGNABLE OUTPUT (BALANCED) [L]/[R] (6.3 mm, Balanced TRS jacks), [PHONES] (6.3 mm, standard stereo phone jack), A/D INPUT [L/MONO]/[R] (6.3 mm, standard phone jacks)
Power Consumption27 W
- Accessories: AC Power cord, Owner#s Manual, Cubase AI Download Information
- Live Sets: Preset: 128 and more, User: 2,048
Performance Recorder:
- Tracks: 16 Sequence tracks, Tempo track, Scene track
- Recording type: Real time replace, Real time overdub, Real time punch in/out
- Note Capacity: Approx. 130,000 notes
- Note Resolution: 480 ppq (parts per quarter note)
- Tempo (BPM): 5 # 300
- Songs: 64 songs
- Arpeggio: Parts: 8 Parts simultaneous (max.), Preset: Approx. 10,000 types User: 256 types
- Sequence formats: MONTAGE original format, SMF formats 0, 1
- Weight: 29 kg (63 lbs., 15 oz.)
- Number of Keys: 88
- Type: Balanced Hammer Effect Keyboard
- Initial Touch: Yes
- Aftertouch: Yes
- Tone Generator: Motion Control Synthesis Engine AMW2: 8 Elements FM-X: 8 Operators, 88 Algorithms
- Maximum Polyphony: AWM2: 128 (max.; stereo/mono waveforms) FM-X: 128 (max.)
- Multi Timbral Capacity: 16 Parts (internal), Audio Input Parts (A/D*, USB*) *stereo Part
- Wave Preset: 5.67 GB (when converted to 16 bit linear format), User: 1.75 GB
- Performance: Approx. 1,900
- Filter: 18 types
- Effects: Reverb x 12 types, Variation x 76 types, Insertion (A, B) x 76 types*, Master Effect x 15 types *A/D part insertion x 71 types (Preset settings for parameters of each effect type are provided as templates) Master EQ (5 bands), 1st part EQ (3 bands), 2nd part EQ (2 bands)
- Controllers: Master Volume, AD Input Gain knob, Pitch Bend wheel, Modulation wheel, Ribbon Controller, Control Sliders x 8, Knobs x 8, Super Knob, Data dial
- Display: 7" TFT Color Wide VGA LCD touch screen
- Connectors: [USB TO DEVICE], [USB TO HOST], MIDI [IN]/[OUT]/[THRU], FOOT CONTROLLER [1]/[2], FOOT SWITCH [ASSIGNABLE]/[SUSTAIN], OUTPUT (BALANCED) [L/MONO]/[R] (6.3 mm, Balanced TRS jacks), ASSIGNABLE OUTPUT (BALANCED) [L]/[R] (6.3 mm, Balanced TRS jacks), [PHONES] (6.3 mm, standard stereo phone jack), A/D INPUT [L/MONO]/[R] (6.3 mm, standard phone jacks)
Power Consumption27 W
- Accessories: AC Power cord, Owner#s Manual, Cubase AI Download Information
- Live Sets: Preset: 128 and more, User: 2,048
Performance Recorder:
- Tracks: 16 Sequence tracks, Tempo track, Scene track
- Recording type: Real time replace, Real time overdub, Real time punch in/out
- Note Capacity: Approx. 130,000 notes
- Note Resolution: 480 ppq (parts per quarter note)
- Tempo (BPM): 5 # 300
- Songs: 64 songs
- Arpeggio: Parts: 8 Parts simultaneous (max.), Preset: Approx. 10,000 types User: 256 types
- Sequence formats: MONTAGE original format, SMF formats 0, 1
- Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
- Black
- Shipping Weight: 74 lbs
- Shipping Dimensions: 65 x 23 x 10 in
- Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): MONTAGE8
- White
- Shipping Weight: 74.5 lbs
- Shipping Dimensions: 65 x 23 x 10 in
- Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): MONTAGE8 WH
- Black, with Gator GTSA-KEY88 Keyboard Case
- Shipping Weight: 110 lbs
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-522-9011
Email:
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Phone: 714-522-9011
Email:
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
(2 ratings)
Submitted September 14, 2017 by Afshin Ahmadi
"A Fantastic Synthesizer for Live Performance"
Yamaha Corporation approved its ability to present another entertaining and handy product to the music market.
But from point of my view, this product is designed and useful for live performances. If you want to use it as a studio tool, missed parts (sequencers and sampling) would be considered as its defect.
Obviously the production team has deeply thought of the name - "Montage". But it makes you remind this product is not made by Yamaha but assembled.
Sound
The sounds are great but not much better than Motif XF. The price shows this fact too.
Features
there is no worries when you carry it with you gig on tours. The body guard! keeps it safe from light collisions.
Ease of Use
The touch screen and the menu format give you a very wide range of accessibility.
Quality
Still you feel Yamaha has not been so stingy to neglect the materials.
Value
For gig bands it is one of the best choices.
Manufacturer Support
Yamaha is always there to support you.
The Wow Factor
What is that? Is it a plane? Is it a bird? No! it's "Super Knob".
Musical Background:
Used to be play in instrumental band and music instructor
Musical Style:
Classic, Jazz, Pop & Electronic
22 of 25 people (88%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
White
$3,999.99
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