In July we shared the announcement of Yamaha discontinuing the MONTAGE line of synths, with the understanding that a new incarnation would be coming in October. And here we are, Yamaha has now launched its MONTAGE M line of synthesizers, with the tagline “Elevate Your Expression”. Let’s take a look.
Features
Available in three models, the M6 with with five octaves, M7 with six-and-a-bit, and M8x with full piano range, the MONTAGE M is released as Yamaha’s new next-generation flagship synth.
Key features include a new AN-X sound engine for authentic analog sound control and behaviour, as it recreates the warn, classic sound of analog synths with a host of sophisticated modulation options:
- Three Oscillators with 5 waveforms (Saw 1, Saw2, Triangle, Square and Sine) and Noise Generator
- Two filters with 10 filter types
- Pulse width modulation
- Oscillator Self Sync
- Ring modulation, FM, and wave shaper
- Amp EG with drive
- LFO for both amplitude and filter,
- Voltage drift and aging settings to simulate vintage synth behavior
There’s also an improved AWM2 sound offering 128 elements per part, and with smoother transitions between sounds; an 8-operator FM-X engine offering a wide variety of diverse FM synthesis tones; and up to 400 note polyphony (128 notes for AWM2 preset waveforms, 128 notes for AWM2 user waveforms, 128 for FM-X parts and 16 notes for AN-X parts).
Also there’s VCM rotary and drawbar behaviour modelling and Pure Analog Circuit 2 for reduced noise and improved dynamic range, crosstalk, low-frequency phase and distortion rate.
When it comes to keyboard feel, the MONTAGE M8x features GEX Action which has polyphonic aftertouch and key repetition behaviour usually found on grand pianos. The other two models have FSX keyboards with channel aftertouch.
Other performance controls include a 5-segment ribbon controller with dedicated HOLD button, new KEYBOARD HOLD button for sustaining chords while using knobs to edit the sound, and portamento button/time knob. There’s also dedicated keyboard, part and scene control buttons.
All performance controls are high resolution controllers, and the motion control synthesis engine allows the performer to interact with sounds in a variety of ways including Motion Sequences for dynamic synth and effects parameter automation and tempo syncing, plus a Super Knob for controlling dozens of modulations in a single gesture, and Envelope Follower for modulating sound from A/D input or another part.
All the controllers have advanced LED lighting and colours for visible, instant feedback of settings.
Specifications
Full specifications below:
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MONTAGE M8x |
MONTAGE M7 |
MONTAGE M6 |
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Size/Weight |
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Dimensions |
Width |
1,446 mm (56-15/16″) |
1,244 mm (49″) |
1,037 mm (40-13/16″) |
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Height |
170 mm (6-11/16″) |
131 mm (5-3/16″) |
131 mm (5-3/16″) |
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Depth |
460 mm (18-1/8″) |
396 mm (15-9/16″) |
396 mm (15-9/16″) |
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Weight |
Weight |
28.1 kg (61 lbs., 15 oz.) |
17.6 kg (38 lbs., 13 oz.) |
15.3 kg (33 lbs., 12 oz.) |
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Packing Box |
Width |
1,647 mm (64-7/8″) |
1,430 mm (56-5/16″) |
1,223 mm (48-1/8″) |
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Height |
261 mm (10-1/4″) |
259 mm (10-3/16″) |
259 mm (10-3/16″) |
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Depth |
572 mm (22-1/2″) |
482 mm (19″) |
482 mm (19″) |
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Control Interface |
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Keyboard |
Number of Keys |
88 |
76 |
61 |
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Type |
GEX Keyboard |
FSX Keyboard |
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Initial Touch |
Yes |
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Aftertouch |
Yes (Polyphonic After Touch) |
Yes (Channel After Touch) |
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Tone generator |
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Tone Generator |
Motion Control Synthesis Engine AMW2: 128 Elements (max.), FM-X: 8 Operators, 88 Algorithms, AN-X: 3 Oscillators, 1 Noise |
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Maximum Polyphony |
AWM2: 256 (max.; stereo/mono waveforms), FM-X: 128 (max.), AN-X: 16 (max.) |
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Multi Timbral Capacity |
16 Parts (internal), Audio Input Parts (A/D*1, USB*1) *1 stereo Part |
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Wave |
Preset: 10 GB (when converted to 16-bit linear format), User: 3.7 GB |
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Performance |
3,369 |
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Filter |
18 types |
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Effects |
Reverb x 12 types, Variation x 88 types, Insertion A x 88 types*2, Insertion B x 89 types*3, Master Effect x 26 type, *2 A/D part insertion x 83 types *3 Part 2~16: 88 type, A/D part insertion x 83 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) |
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Other |
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Controllers |
Master Volume, A/D Input Gain knob, Pitch Bend wheel, Modulation wheel, Ribbon Controller, Control Slider x 8, Knob x 8, Super knob, Display knob x 6, Portament knob, Data Dial, Assignable switch x 2, MSEQ trigger switch, Portamento switch, Keyboard hold switch, Ribbon Controller hold switch |
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Display |
7″ TFT Color Wide VGA LCD touch screen, 512 x 64 Full-dot LCD |
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Connectors |
[USB TO DEVICE] x 2, [USB TO HOST], MIDI [IN]/[OUT]/[THRU], FOOT CONTROLLER [1]/[2], FOOT SWITCH [SUSTAIN]/[ASSIGNABLE], 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) |
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Power Consumption |
36 W |
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Accessories |
AC Power cord, Quick Guide, Cubase AI Download Information, Expanded Softsynth Plugin for MONTAGE M Download Information |
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Live Sets |
Preset: 128 and more, User: 2,048 |
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Performance Recorder |
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Note Capacity |
1 Song/Pattern: Approx. 130,000 notes, Store area: Approx. 520,000 notes (Pattern); approx. 520,000 notes (Song) |
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Note Resolution |
480 ppq (parts per quarter note) |
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Tempo (BPM) |
5 – 300 |
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Sequence formats |
MONTAGE original format, SMF formats 0, 1 |
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Arpeggio |
Parts: 8 Parts simultaneous (max.), Preset: 10,922 types or more, User: 256 types |
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Sequencer |
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Patterns |
128 patterns |
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Pattern tracks |
16 Sequence tracks |
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Pattern Recording type |
Real time replace, Real time overdub |
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Songs |
128 songs |
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Song tracks |
16 Sequence tracks, Tempo track, Scene track |
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Song recording type |
Real time replace, Real time overdub, Real time punch in/out |
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Functions |
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USB audio interface |
[Sampling Frequency = 44.1 kHz] Input: 6 channels (3 stereo channels), Output: 32 channels (16 stereo channels) [Sampling Frequency = 44.1 kHz – 192 kHz] Input: 6 channels (3 stereo channels), Output: 8 channels (4 stereo channels) |
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Pricing is to be confirmed.
Gallery
