Yamaha Motif XF Music Production Synthesizer Review (XF8, XF7, XF6)
by Suresh
Yamaha Motif XF Music Production Synthesizer Review
The Motif XF is an updated version of the Motif XS. It builds on the heritage of MOTIF and provides cutting-edge expansion capabilities with flash memory.
The Yamaha MOTIF XF is all you need to start producing professional quality music. You get a huge library of sounds, enhanced sampling, and easy DAW integration
No of Keys
MOTIF XF8 uses a BH (balanced hammer) keyboard with 88 keys. MOTIF XF6 and XF7 use FSX keyboards with 61 and 76 keys,
FSX keyboard uses a new mechanism that provides a smooth touch, is comfortable to play, is responsive, and the keys are very quiet as well.
Features
High sound quality, including an enormous 741MB of waveforms
An additional 128 Voices and 8 drum kits, for a total of 1,353 high-quality Voices
Up to 2GB of additional content available through separately sold flash memory
Realization of unique instrument performance methods through the XA (Expanded Articulation) tone generation system
Reproduction of the unique, natural, warm sounds of vintage instruments through VCM effects
384 types of performances based on approximately 7800 types of arpeggiators
Enhanced sampling through 128MB of onboard SD-RAM
Category Search feature that provides instant access to the Voices you want
Cubase AI -- a DAW software application from Steinberg
DAW integration through remote control, an editor software
Scalability through standard-equipped USB and Ethernet and the optional FW16E FireWire expansion board
I would agree that Firewire Expansion supporting S-800 in motif XF would be the best.
Rating
Expansion support on Motif XF by: Hary
Why does Yamaha Motif XF need "FW16E FIREWIRE EXPANSION IEEE1394 S-400 (393Mbit/s)" for expansion? I thought it was much slower than USB2 (480 Mbit/s).
Every Apple Laptop comes with Firewire S-800 nowadays. Why Yamaha is going with S-400 (obsolete?)
Rating
Yamaha Motif XF vs. Nord Stage 2 by: Fiesta
Some Keyboard sounds could be better on the Nord. Remember that Nord makes one of the best stage pianos. But then these are two different keyboards with MOTIF being a music production workstation, whereas Nord Stage 2 is a stage piano, apt for live onstage performances. So choose accordingly.
Nord Stage has Bösendorfer and Steinway piano samples (recorded in various halls), electric piano sounds (rhodes, wurli, B3). So some of the sounds could be better on Nord.
Rating
Yamaha Motif XF vs. Nord Stage 2 by: Jay
Any idea how does the Motif XF compare to the Nord Stage 2? I have heard that Nord offers better sounds than the Motif?
Rating
Yamaha Motif XF vs Korg Kronos by: Jim
I agree that Korg products have a learning curve. I checked the Kronos too and it has limited features compared to the XF. Preset performances are limited, piano voice is not up to the mark. It just can't be Korg's flagship product. At most the Kronos can compare to the Yamaha MO.
Rating
Yamaha Motif XF Synthesizer - Easy to Use by: Dom
I know that Korg has recently launched the Kronos, which they claim to be their flagship music production workstation product, but nothing beats the Yamaha when it comes to usability. The Motif XF is much easy to use, even compared to its earlier Motif ES versions.
I feel in most products technology comes in the way of making music, but motif XF takes care of that aspect with its ease-of-use.
Rating
XF8, XF7, XF6 are identical except for the keys by: MJ
I think as far as the features are concerned they are all the same in all the Motif XF keyboards. The only difference is the keys - 61 76 and 88 keys.
Besides, since the xf8 is targeted towards piano players, it has weighted piano style keys while the others two have the usual synth action, suitable for keyboard players.
