Yamaha Montage M8x 88-key Synthesizer

Please note: This Montage range is sold on behalf of Yamaha Music Europe. As such, they are subject to Yamaha's 'General Terms' and also the 'Yamaha Data Protection Information' policy.

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featuring Motion Control for expressive sound-shaping possibilitiesThe MONTAGE M8x is the flagship of Yamaha's MONTAGE M range, combining an 88-key GEX keyboard with three powerful synthesis engines and a comprehensive set of hands-on controls. It's built to cover everything from detailed acoustic instruments and classic FM tones to analogue-style synthesis, while offering the depth and control expected from a serious stage and studio instrument. The standout feature is the GEX keyboard, which gives the M8x a fully weighted 88-key action with both initial touch and polyphonic aftertouch. Unlike conventional channel aftertouch, polyphonic aftertouch lets you apply pressure to individual held notes, opening up much finer control over modulation, vibrato and other assigned parameters. It's particularly effective for expressive synth playing, where you can shape individual notes within chords rather than affecting the whole sound at once.

Under the hood, Yamaha's Motion Control Synthesis Engine brings together AWM2, FM-X and AN-X. AWM2 handles sampled and waveform-based sounds, FM-X provides eight-operator FM synthesis with 88 algorithms, while AN-X is Yamaha's virtual analogue engine, featuring three oscillators, a noise generator and extensive oscillator and filter options. The M8x offers up to 256-note AWM2 polyphony, 128-note FM-X polyphony and 16-note AN-X polyphony, giving it plenty of headroom for complex Performances and layered sounds. Motion Control provides a more immediate way of getting into the M8x's deeper sound-shaping capabilities. The Super Knob, eight assignable knobs, eight sliders, ribbon controller and Motion Sequencer can all be used to manipulate multiple parameters in real time, making evolving textures and complex changes part of the performance rather than something that has to be programmed in advance. There's also a 7" colour touchscreen for navigating sounds, editing parameters and managing the instrument's extensive functions.

The M8x is equally well equipped as the centre of a studio setup. Balanced main and assignable outputs, A/D inputs, MIDI I/O and USB connectivity provide plenty of options for integrating external hardware and recording equipment. Its USB audio interface can provide up to six input channels and, at 44.1kHz, up to 32 output channels, making it possible to record multiple parts separately into a DAW rather than simply capturing a stereo mix. With 16 internal Parts, 3.7GB of user flash memory, 11.29GB of preset waveform memory and more than 3,400 Performances, the MONTAGE M8x has the resources to act as a complete keyboard rig in its own right. The 88-key action also makes it a natural choice for players who need proper piano-style range alongside the flexibility of a modern synthesizer.

At 28.1kg, it's certainly not a lightweight board, but that's the trade-off for the full-size GEX action and the amount of hardware packed into the chassis. For players who want an expressive 88-key instrument without compromising on synthesis, sound design or live control, the MONTAGE M8x is Yamaha's most comprehensive MONTAGE yet.

at a glance • 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 behaviour

EXPANDED SOFTSYNTH PLUGIN (ESP)A game-changer for musicians, the Expanded Softsynth Plugin (ESP) replicates the MONTAGE M in your favorite Digital Workstation (DAW). Free for all registered MONTAGE M owners, ESP allows you to create, edit and mix MONTAGE M Performances anywhere you happen to be – without the hardware – offering an unprecedented level of stage and studio integration. The first version will have all the MONTAGE M sound while being limited to basic editing. The full version will be available in Summer 2024.

FASTER, MORE INTUITIVE NAVIGATIONUpgraded navigation enables quick, intuitive sound editing and operation. You’ll find features like a new 512 x 64 LCD screen, 6 touchscreen display knobs, and a PAGE JUMP button that moves what’s in the LCD screen over to the larger 7” TFT Color touchscreen for deeper editing. And the dedicated Navigation button shows an overview of a Performance. Just touch a graphical object in the screen to jump to that parameter for deeper editing. The dedicated Navigation button allows you go directly from the “surface” of a sound to the deepest part.

USB MIDI AND MULTICHANNEL AUDIO INTERFACESimplifying your studio setup, MONTAGE M offers a USB MIDI and multichannel 32 output/6 input audio interface. Streamline MIDI recording, virtual instrument monitoring, and multi-track audio recording through a single USB cable, so you can spend more time being creative.