Yamaha MODX M8

The Yamaha MODX M8 at a glance:

With the MODX M8, Yamaha introduces the latest generation of the popular performance synthesizer. The M series makes itself appealing to keyboardists, pianists, and synth enthusiasts alike, offering a selection of over 3000 high-quality sounds, an excellent keyboard, and the ability to make detailed sound adjustments. The 88-key GHS keyboard with hammer action is velocity-sensitive and provides an exceptional playing feel. The redesigned control panel features several innovations that greatly improve workflow and performance. The M generation includes significantly more controls than its predecessors. At first glance, the six encoders below the display and the 8 faders (previously 4) stand out. The Super Knob is now equipped with an LED ring that visually indicates smaller value changes. The four knobs now offer expanded registers with 2x4 fixed entries and 2x4 freely assignable entries. The Scene buttons allow you to save and recall eight different settings for each part. The already rich sound generation of its predecessors now includes the AN-X Engine, a nod to the analog sounds of the 70s and 80s. Yamaha has also updated the FM-X Engine with an Easy Mode to simplify sound creation from its complex FM synthesis. The arpeggiator supports eight parts simultaneously and comes with nearly 11,000 presets. The MODX M is backward compatible with MODX, MODX+, Montage, Montage M, Motif XF, Motif XS, and MOXF for User Voices and Performances, allowing you to use older sounds on the latest model.

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In seventh synthesis heaven

The heart of the MODX M is of course the digital sound generation, which now includes AN-X synthesis in addition to AWM2 and FM-X:

• The AWM2 engine offers an extremely successful all-round sound from music history with pretty much everything you would expect from a fully-fledged workstation. The richness of sound detail is realized with up to 128 elements per part, resulting in super smooth transitions and sound progressions. This naturally also benefits the included piano sounds.
• With the FM-X engine, Yamaha's heritage of the cult synthesis of the DX-7 lives on. Once again, you have access to up to eight operators and 88 FM algorithms. Yamaha has developed the EASY MODE especially for the FM-X Engine, which makes it easy for beginners in particular to elicit usable sounds from the complex FM synthesis.
• The AN-X Engine is fully dedicated to analog sounds, without wanting to be a copy of Yamaha's own classic AN1x. The engine offers three oscillators, each with five waveforms plus PWM, Hardsync and a noise generator. Two filters with ten filter types form the rich basic sound of the tone generators. This sound generation is rounded off with a ring modulator, FM and waveshaper. Two ADSR envelopes and two LFOs are used for modulation.

The MODX M provides a total of 128 voices for AWM2, 128 voices for FM-X, and 12 voices for the AN-X engine. The sound memory is ample, with 10.7 GB of preset waveforms and 2.1 GB of flash memory for user waveforms. The MODX M comes preloaded with 3427 sounds, ensuring a wide variety for all tastes. There are 640 memory locations for user presets. The effects section offers Reverb (12 types), Variation (88 types), Insertion A (88 types), Insertion B (89 types), and Master (26 types), including delay algorithms, modulation effects like chorus and flanger, as well as distortion effects. Each of the eight parts has a 2- or 3-band EQ, and there’s a 5-band EQ for the master output.

Professional connections

The rear of the MODX M offers versatile connectivity options. In addition to the keyboard, there are foot pedal connections for expression, sustain, and two footswitches, expanding the expressive possibilities. MIDI communication is available via In/Out and USB connections, perfect for operating external equipment like rack expanders or a DAW. For audio input, the MODX M provides stereo line inputs, and for output, there’s a stereo output with a large jack. Audio can also be exchanged with a DAW via USB, supporting stereo input and five stereo outputs with 24-bit / 44.1 kHz resolution. There’s also a USB device connection for memory expansion and additional keyboards/controllers.