Yamaha MODX v2.0 Now Available

Yamaha has announced that MODX v2.0 – a free update – is now available.

The update adds major new features and also brings Yamaha’s Montage & MODX capabilities closer together. With the exception of the Montage-only DAW Remote feature, all of the new enhancements found in MONTAGE OS v3.0 are included in MODX OS v2.0.

MONTAGE OS v3.0 and MODX OS v2.0 add several new synth engine enhancements and new Performance content:

  • Wave Folder – The new Wave Folder effect increases harmonic content by “folding back” threshold-exceeding amplitude peaks. Unlike clipping that chops off the top of the wave, the Wave Folder “folds” the peaks back in. The MONTAGE Wave Folder is available as a Part Insertion Effect (including A/D Input for external instruments and mic input), Variation Effect and Master Effect.
  • VCM Mini Filter and Mini Booster – The new VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) Mini Filter and Mini Booster are available as Part Insertion, Variation or Master. The VCM Mini Filter is a classic four-pole 24 dB/octave filter. Cutoff, Resonance, Dry/Wet mix, Input Level and Output Level can all be assigned to a Motion Sequence Lane, the Envelope Follower or the physical controls (Super Knob, Assignable Knobs, Modulation Wheel, etc., on MONTAGE and MODX). The VCM Mini Booster is related to the VCM Mini Filter. This boost/EQ effect functions like an EQ and booster, providing a tone shaping and saturation effect
  • Extended LFO – The Extended LFO brings high-speed modulation to the MONTAGE and MODX. You can use it to generate interesting pitch, filter or amplitude modulation that goes well beyond the slower oscillation of a standard LFO. The high-speed nature creates cool granularity that enhances synth leads, pads, comps, special effect and more. With the standard LFO the Speed parameter range goes from 0-63 (0-42 Hz) for AWM Parts. When the “Extended LFO” is set to ON, the Speed parameter range extends from 0-415 (0-1356.59 Hz). These higher speeds generate interesting sounds when modulating Pitch, Filter or Amplitude.
  • Each of these new sound enhancements – Wave Folder, VCM Mini Filter and Mini Booster and Extended LFO – can all be customized for real time control using Motion Control. Assign parameters to the Super Knob, Motion Sequence, Envelope Follower and more and create your own custom set ups.
  • New Performances – There are 52 new Performances highlighting the new sound additions in MONTAGE OS v3.0 and MODX OS v2.0.

MONTAGE OS v3.0 and MODX OS v2.0 also include new Control enhancements, including an all new Pattern Sequencer.

  • The Pattern Sequencer extends the MONTAGE and MODX Performance Recorder with multitrack loop-based sequence recording. Each Pattern has up to eight Sections and each Section has up to 16 Tracks. During Section recording you can set the length of a track from one to 256 measures long. Each track can be different lengths making for interesting variation. For example, a Section could have a four-measure drum part, an eight-measure bass part and a 32-measure keyboard part and each part will loop according to its section length.
  • Super Knob Scene Link – Building on the Super Knob Link feature introduced in the previous OS version, this enhancement allows you to save Assignable Knob links to the Super Knob within a Scene. This is great for building arrangements by setting specific Super Knob levels and Assignable Knob links per Scene. You can recall them during Live Performance or in conjunction with the Pattern Sequencer.
  • Keyboard Control Recall in Scenes – You can now recall Part Keyboard Control (Kbd Ctrl) from a Scene. This allows you to set up which Parts can be played simultaneously. In the example below, Part 1 could be a piano part, Part 2 a string layer, Part 3 a bass split, Part 4 a synth pad and Part 5 a synth comp. Any combination of Parts can now be recalled with a simple scene change. This new feature enhances the way a single Performance can be configured and controlled.
  • USB MIDI Host – With MONTAGE OS v3.0 and MODX OS v2.0 you can now connect a MIDI controller directly to the USB TO DEVICE Port on the back. This allows you to connect MIDI keyboard controllers, drum pads other alternative controllers with a simple USB MIDI cable.
  • Hybrid MIDI I/O Mode – As the name suggests, the new Hybrid MIDI I/O Mode is a combination of the Single and Multi MIDI I/O Modes. In this new mode, Parts with KEYBOARD CONTROL “On” controlled by Global MIDI channel, everything else controlled by the Part channel. This allows you to use cool Multi Part Performances like “CFX Concert” or “Seattle Sections” in combination with other Single Parts for additional backing tracks.
  • Rhythm Pattern (New for MONTAGE – MODX makes adding a drum Part with Arpeggio to a Performance easy. Now that functionality is added to MONTAGE. Just press and hold [SHIFT] then press [CONTROL ASSIGN] and the Rhythm Pattern screen appears for you to select a drum kit along with a corresponding drum Arpeggio.
  • Global Tuning – For musicians who play music in alternate tunings, Global Tuning allows you to set the entire instrument to a specific tuning. MONTAGE and MODX have always had this feature but only within a Performance. Like Global A/D or Global Tempo – features added in previous OS updates –Global Tuning affects the entire instrument when engaged.

See the Yamaha synth site for more information.

3 thoughts on “Yamaha MODX v2.0 Now Available

    1. it depends. does anybody know how good the onboard arpeggio phrases of modx are, compared to the factory patterns of the new fantom?

  1. I have the MODX and the big thing that makes me wanna upgrade to the Montage is the 8 knobs/sliders and the push button access to the 16 channels. I find it cumbersome to have to switch between banks of four for the knobs/sliders that I customize for my modulation purposes. And having to resort to the touchscreen for channel selection is cumbersome as well.

    The 2.0 upgrade is HUGE and much appreciated personally and I am sure other Montage/MODX users would agree. Yamaha listened to the customers delivered the goods on the phrase sequencer imho. Last night I was jamming on it in conjunction with my other gear and I was so liberating not having to fire up a computer based sequencer to drive the MODX.

    BTW, those additional effects in 2.0 are phenomenal as is the high frequency LFO. Tasty.

    The FANTOM is something that appeals to me in a major way…in particular, the dedicated real-time control of the filter section and the like. Having had the FA-06 those controls are an improvement because one doesn’t have to scroll through banks of preset controls to get to what one may need. Plus, Roland is going for raising the prices of their latest offerings (FANTOM 6 for $3300…really?)…what the hell happened to 61 key flagship workstations being $2400? I don’t wanna hear the trade war bit either…I call BS on that excuse. I also am under the assumption that the sampler is still the weakest link for the FANTOM (as it was with FA series)…kinda like just there and that is all you can really say about it. In that respect, I am gearing up to drop money on the MC-707 very soon for all that it is (could be about $100-200 cheaper though).

    As for Korg Kronos, they need to stop the shit with Red Marble color options and introduce a new monster.

    Regardless, workstations really need to stop being looked at with contempt because they have always been the DAWless solution that’s all the rage with the ‘influencers’ now. My buddy has the Sequential Ob-6 and the Sub-37, and yes, they sound fantastic along with tank-like build quality, but give me 16 channel multi-timbral full synthesis any day. That same buddy just got the Kyra with 8 channels…now he gets where I am coming from all these 20+ years in collaboration…he vaguely remembers with his old XP-60 back in the day.

    Kyra-built like a tank and is what the Blofeld should have been. It is a phenomenal piece of gear in case anyone is wondering and need a little push to get their hand on one.

    On a side note: I see a price drop on the Circuit. Could Novation be on the verge of that Circuit 2 people have been clamoring for? Maybe with a screen and thus zero dependence on a “Components” editing paradigm because even the MC-101 and Electribe have a screen and it does make a hell of a difference. Happy accidents are novel to be sure but shouldn’t be the foundation when you need to program with intention.

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