Yamaha Montage Synthesizer Debuting At 2016 NAMM Show

Yamaha shared this teaser video for a new synth, the Montage, that they are debuting at the 2016 NAMM Show

Official details are to be announced, but unofficial info that’s leaked out suggests that the Yamaha Montage will be a full-size synth with professional features, including multiple synthesis engines.

We’ll have official details as they are announced.

20 thoughts on “Yamaha Montage Synthesizer Debuting At 2016 NAMM Show

  1. The following Yamaha Montage information is taken from a credible posting at gearslutz. It adds to the information that was inadvertently revealed earlier.

    AWM2: 128-note, stereo polyphony. New AWM2 waveforms: Yamaha CFX Premium Grand Piano, Bösendorfer Imperial Premium Grand Piano, strings, woodwinds. FM-X: 128-note polyphony, 8-operator voice architecture. FM voices taken from the DX and TX series. DX-to-FM-X conversion utility is in development. Seamless Sound Switching (SSS) for Performances with 8 or fewer parts; no more sound cut-off when changing performances. Envelope follower to extract a routable, control envelope. 1.75GByte of internal user flash memory. Class compliant USB with multiple audio channels back to a DAW. Sampling rate up to 192 kHz. VCM effects including a compressor with sidechain; damper resonance. Pure Analog Circuit (PAC) postprocesses after-DAC audio. Eight rotary encoders and eight sliders. Direct Control Assignment for convenient assignment of parameters to physical controls. 61- and 76-note models have FSX action and aftertouch. 88-key model has fully-weighted balanced hammer action and aftertouch.

    The 128 stereo polyphony for AWM2 is interesting given the way Yamaha assigns voice generation elements on the fly. Also, given Yamaha’s tone generation scheme, this is true polyphony. Hopefully, the stereo polyphony spec implies a greater use of stereo waveforms for AWM2 voices. The latest reveal mentions “synth libraries from yamahasynth.com.” It would be cool (and useful!) if Yamaha follows the path taken by Nord with their downloadable sound libraries. Aftermarket accessories and sounds drive sales as well as a thriving environment for third party developers.

    One poster noted that 1.75 GBytes of user flash memory is kind of an odd amount. The Montage uses the flash memory scheme that is employed in the most recent arrangers. The flash memory feeding the tone generator holds both the factory voice samples and user samples. Users basically get whatever space is left over from the factory set. Yamaha essentially reserves this much space in the physical memory for your own use.

    The motion control and motion sequencer appear to be similar to features implemented in the old Yamaha AN200 and DX200 table-top groove boxes. These allow dynamic control of multiple parameters for sound “morphing.”

    The Motion Control Synthesis Engine “unifies” the treatment of AWM2 and FM-X voices across zones and layers in a Performance. Transparency of operation is good.

    The Montage appears to be physically smaller than the Motif. Hopefully, the Montage weighs less, too. Yamaha may get slagged for the lack of readable panel markings in low stage light.

    Yamaha has opened up the Montage forum on yamahasynth.com. No manuals, yet.

    More than a few people noticed that sequencing capabilities have not been mentioned in the leaked promotional material. Right now, it’s hard to read anything into the absence of this information.

    1. Sounds like it’s their answer to the Korg Kronos, or at the very least, a successor to the Motif series. I’m sure it’ll be insanely powerful and flexible, but I can’t say I’m all crazy about the prospect of another workstation synth. I’m sure they’ll sell loads of them though.

      1. Yeah..I can see how some won’t be too excited…but I used to do some serious production with the Roland XP 60 sequencer and a Sampler and a powerful Emu module called Mofat…
        That workstation could assign entire sequences onto keys and you could “Nest ” them and merge in realtime two or more sequences..
        Everybody “worships ” computers for Music but IMO Computers are for Recording not so great for doing “everything” in the Box .
        Have they digitally modeled some of the great Access Virus filters yet?
        Or is Hardware still King ?

  2. As opposed to KORG who reacted promptly to the leaks of their minilogue, Yamaha are still pretending everything is still under wraps which it isn’t (the full specs all over the net, including Synthtopia comments). Meanwhile I’m trying to understand whether this is very much more than a Motif with FM, i.e.: a souped up version of the SY77 from 1989!!

  3. From the details, it seems to me like a successful successor of SY-99. but I would like double polyphony 256 notes AWM2 and 256 notes FM-X .

  4. The combination of AWM and FM makes it sound like it might be a successor to the SY77/99/TG77, but it isn’t clear whether or not the AWM voices can be used as modulators for the FM voices like the SY instruments. I guess we’ll find out in a few days.

    Someone above mentioned it was out of their price range; has a price been mentioned anywhere yet?

    1. I have been out of “The Game” for awhile but I like Workstations for the Controller and Sequencer ( Roland anyway had powerful sequencers ( up to 16 internal and 16 external Midi Channels – not multiple Ports of course);

      BUT- all the Workstations always talk about this amazing Synthesis or multiple “Engines” etc. but the Filter Sweeps ALWAYS pale in comparison to the best of Access Virus, Nords and other similar digital Analog Emulators-

      Has any Workstation had those types of powerful Filters ?

  5. There are so many analogues coming right now that a new take on FM sounds… almost refreshing. 😉 FS1R-exceeding depth plus enhanced knobiness & probably vector fun? Might be very interesting!

  6. Above somebody made a comment saying the body looks to be plastic compared to Motif series. I agree. Can anybody answer on this? Thanks.

    My first thought when I saw it is that it looks more like a MOXF replacement than a Motif XF replacement.

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