Yamaha Montage M8x Keyboard Synthesizer, 88-Key
Yamaha's flagship 88-key workstation comes loaded with GEX weighted action with polyphonic aftertouch, and 3 sound engines to cover a vast sonic spectrum.
$4,499.99
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Overall User Ratings (based on 1 ratings)
Submitted July 4, 2026 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Yamaha Montage M8x"
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I bought this board to replace a lot of my software sounds, especially native instruments (reducing dependency on native instruments and UVI), because I want to return to hardware. The three sound engines are in Montage M8x are great. The AWM2 engine - I really like the pianos even though I have Keyscape. The biggest seller for me is the keybed. It is hands down the best keybed I have ever played and I have had several from Roland, Kontrol, Maudio, etc. Nothing compares. It makes me want to sit down and play. The FMX engine - It is nice, I like the hardware control about it. I also have Halion 7. The AN-X engine is ok. I pair AN-X with my Arturia V Collection Pro. I really like the Yamah Montage VST plugin although I record the sound from the board through preamps to add my own sound signature. The ability to turn the board into an audio interface and DAW controller is nice, but the DAW controller could be a little deeper out of the box in my opinion. My DAWs are Cubase pro 15 and Logic Pro.
Sound
The sound and of the unit is really nice. The acoustic sampled instruments in the AWM2 engine are my favorite. (pianos, clav, and organs, etc.) The FMX engine is okay as well. I am comparing it to Halion 7. The ANX engine I think is basic but still is a good standard synthesizer for general sounds.
Features
The most useful features - It has a lot of them. Three sound engines, an awesome keybed, can function as an audio interface and DAW controller, comes with a VST plugin, Dual displays for greater hands on tweaking, nice layout, physical buttons for a lot of the parameters, etc.
Ease of Use
It is easy to get sounds from this product but mastering it will take some time. I left hardware years ago and built a software based studio with a pro frontend that has high quality AD conversion and high end DA conversion and monitoring. I am returning to hardware. I am using Montage M8x with virtual instruments omnisphere 3, keyscape, Arturia V collection 11 pro, Spitfire libraries, Halion, Uhe instruments, etc. I really like controlling my virtual instruments with this keyboard.
Quality
The montage m8x is made like a tank and is heavy! It should last a long time. The thing is over 60lbs. I won’t be moving it around a lot. It will stay in the studio and I will use the plugin when I need to be mobile.
Value
I think it is worth the price. It is a true instrument, something I missed with VST instruments and controllers. I have kontrol mk3 and native instruments collectors edition but playing the montage is different and better. I can express myself better. I can take my eyes off the monitor, close my eyes and focus on the keys and response of the sound. It sounds idealistic but it is how I feel. I also am reducing my studio dependency on native instruments and UVI products.
Manufacturer Support
I have not had to contact Yamaha. The website provides tutorials to get you up and going. I didn’t need anything outside of the training they provided and youtube videos.
The Wow Factor
The keybed is what appeals to me the most about this instrument/workstation. You can get technically better sounds with multi sampled virtual instruments but technically better doesn’t always mean better music. And with me pairing it with virtual instruments like omnisphere and keyscape, it is a beast of a workstation.
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