Korg Forums

EvilDragon · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 11:06 am Post subject:

I like the single Performance mode thing. No way to mess your combis when you change programs that way. It's better in the long run.

chilly7 · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 12:35 pm Post subject:

aron · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 6:38 pm Post subject:

>Performance mode thing. No way to mess your combis when you change programs that way. It's better in the long run.

There are advantages but let me ask you, what keyboards do you personally use that are like this?

It doesn't have to be this way, the PX-5S stores local copies in the performance. Several other older synthesizers also stored copies in the edit buffers for performances
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Korg Kronos, RD-88, Yamaha VL1, Deep Mind 6, Korg Kross, author of unrealBook for iPad.

apex · Platinum Member Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 2340

SanderXpander · Platinum Member Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 7860

aron · Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 12:49 am Post subject:

>What's the harm in it though?

That's why I asked if he had a keyboard like this. I do, do you?
If you have one like this, there are advantages and disadvantages. Yes, all things being equal if you have lots and lots of space to "share" performances and voices - no problem. But if it's limited there are tradeoffs. I'm not talking about the Montage - no one has one now, but I have a keyboard that is like this and the other user has a Jupiter that does this. Until you have a keyboard that does this, you realize the tradeoffs.

I already posted a few examples of some tradeoffs. There are more.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, I actually have a keyboard that is like this and I am saying that it's not all lovely and solves all problems. It solves one problem and adds others.
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Korg Kronos, RD-88, Yamaha VL1, Deep Mind 6, Korg Kross, author of unrealBook for iPad.

Bachus · Platinum Member Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 3127

Kevin Nolan · Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 10:22 pm Post subject:

The original poster doesn't really do justice to the Montage in their review.

Firstly, while you perform through Performances, it provides for great flexibility, without the overwhelming confusion of the Jupiter 80 Registrations setup (hugely powerful but very complicated because there's an interim layer called Livesets that burdens the programming).

In Montage, a Performance is simply a grouping of up to 16 Parts. If you only want one Part, only assign one and you'll play only one sound! But the Performance is quite traditional otherwise in that it allows you to build Multi-sound Performances based on layering, keyboard splits, velocity layers or arpeggio assignments. All very straight forward. And - there are 1900 of them - pretty generous. Coupled to SoundMondo, this is a VERY sophisticated way of managing Performances.

Where this is potentially extraordinarily sophisticated (and potentially cumbersome in the same way as Kurzweil VAST is amazing, but tricky and cumbersome) is that a Part can itself be up to 8 elements - where an element is a single synthesizer sound (AWM Waveform - Filter- Env - Amp.. or FM-X Algorithm - Filter- Amp ...)

For example - it is possible to layer up to 8 different FM sounds in one Part, and 16 FM Parts to one Performance. In the extreme you could layer 128 FM-X sounds on one note!

And the original poster forgets to mention that these are 8 oscillator Algorithms - so anything from layering 128 FM Programs to using an FM Algorithm of 8 oscillators in parallel and no FM implies up to 1024 oscillators playing - on one note!

So the scope is staggering beyond comprehension.

And then there's 5.6 GB of inbuilt PCM waveforms - that is impressive by any standards.

Couple to that the capability of live input Envelope Follower affecting ANY synth parameter you want, Motion Sequences arguably as capable as wave sequencing the Super Knob offering similar Scene Morphing as on the AN1x - and I think we're in for the trip of a lifetime sound creation and design wise.

I don't suppose the original poster spent any time on any of that??

Coupled to a stated development program through the life of Montage by Yamaha, meaning there will be new features either through updates or new models; and I think you have to conclude this is a pretty earnest instrument.

I'm convinced Smile

SanderXpander · Platinum Member Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 7860

I hate to disappoint you Kevin, but a "part" is either eight AWM2 elements OR up to eight operators of the FM-X engine. I really don't see why you would ever need 1024 voices on one key anyway.

burningbusch · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 12:52 am Post subject:

A few things:

The 5.6GB of ROM does sound impressive, but remember the entry level Korg Krome has 3.8GB (most used for the piano). I wonder how much of the Yamaha ROM is dedicated to the new each-note-sampled, multi velocity layered piano.

The 192Khz sample rate is available when using USB. At 44.1K, you get 16 channels stereo (great) but as you go up in sample rate you go down in channels, which is expected.

I believe the free Bosendorfer is loaded into user space. Realistically, most users will want this, likely leaving maybe 1GB of user sampling area remaining.

Busch.
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Kevin Nolan · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:16 am Post subject:

aron · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 3:53 am Post subject:

Of all the things listed, none are beyond comprehension or unexpected, except this snippet:

"stated development program"

I've been trying to find this. This alone - an upgradeable Montage would be a welcome change. When I mean upgradeable I mean something like the amazing additions we saw with the Kronos.

The live mutes alone made the Kronos something special.

Can you point us to where Yamaha states this? I looked at the NAMM blurb from Yamaha but that wasn't stated.
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Korg Kronos, RD-88, Yamaha VL1, Deep Mind 6, Korg Kross, author of unrealBook for iPad.

Bachus · Platinum Member Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 3127

aron · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:01 am Post subject:

Lots of good points. You would think that Yamaha would move the Tyros and other tech into their flagship synthesizer, but maybe the departments are separated.... Some of the Tyros sounds are outstanding.

Maybe the Tyros should become the live performance/music production keyboard (replacing the Motif) and the Montage line would be some whacky experiment into synthesis?
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Korg Kronos, RD-88, Yamaha VL1, Deep Mind 6, Korg Kross, author of unrealBook for iPad.

SanderXpander · Platinum Member Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 7860