Yamaha Motifxs7 76 Keys Music Workstation

YAMAHA MOTIFXS7 Details

Key Product Features Summary

Huge 355 meg of sounds with Xpanded Articulation Large color LCD and 8 knobs and sliders Studio-style mixing environment with Virtual Circuitry Modeling effects 4 intelligent arpeggiators with instant Performance Recording 18 simultaneous effects 3 band EQ x 16 parts plus master effects Integrated Sampling Sequencer with 1GB of optional memory Total Computer Integration and Cubase AI software included Linear and pattern midi recording Approx. 6,000 ARP Phrases and Motifs (midi snippets played by real musicians - violinists, guitarists,..to put into sequences) Dimensions 50" (W) x 15.5" (D) x 5" (H) • Weight 38lbs Bottomline: A real 'studio in a box' with superb sounds and the best features for composers

 

Please note: The XS series does not have expansion card slots see www.motifator.com  for info on RAM expansion requirements.

What's the difference vs. the MotifES series?

High Quality and Inspired Sound

• New A.Piano with new soundboard resonance and EP waves
• Orchestral including most strings/violins waves improved
• (KeyOff/Legato/Cycle wave/RANDOM/AssignableFunction...)
• 8 elements per VOICE vs. 4
• Keyboard Mega Voice MEGA VOICE (for Preset ARP Trigger)

Song Making Assist (Performance/Arp+Sequencer)

• 4 part intelligent ARP PERFORMANCE with Realtime CONTROL i.e the bass will follow left and right hand movements
• Direct “PERFORMANCE RECORDING”
• Approx. 6,000 ARP Phrases
• SONG/PATTERN storable on board flash memory
• 1GB (max) DIMM for Sampling(OPTION)

Computer Integration (Studio Connections)

• Firewire mLAN jack on MOTIF XS8/ High Speed transfer mLAN16E2
• Ethernet File Transfer
• USB2.0 (USB TO DEVICE)
• SPD I/F (COAXIAL) OUTPUT on board
• Vastly improved DAW Remote Control
• Studio Connections
• RECALL/Audio Integration/Easy Setup
• QUICK SETUP Function
• MOTIF XS Song Import to Cubase4

Intuitive User Interface

• SELECTED CHANNEL UI (SINGLE part / MULTI part)
• Full-Dot Color Graphic LCD (320x640)
• 8 Knobs and 8 Faders
• ASSIGNABLE FUNCTION buttons(1 and 2)
• Category Search(Dual category search)
• New FSX keyboard(61/76keys),BH keyboards(88keys)

* Sounds that inspire you, Performance Recording to instantly capture your ideas and an Integrated Sampling Sequencer to create complete MIDI/audio productions. With the large color LCD, making music has never been easier.

* Xpanded Articulation sounds inspire your creativity. Performance Recording with 4 intelligent arpeggiators instantly capture your ideas. An Integrated Sampling Sequencer with studio style mixing and VCM effects let you create complete MIDI/audio productions. Computer connectivity and Cubase AI software expand your possibilities. With the large color LCD, making great sounding music has never been easier.

* Xpanded Articulation sounds featuring 355 MB of wave ROM will inspire your creativity. Performance Recording with 4 intelligent arpeggiators and over 6000 phrases instantly captures your musical ideas. An Integrated Sampling Sequencer with up to 1GB of memory lets you create complete MIDI/audio productions. Studio style mixing and VCM effects from the Yamaha DM2000 let you master your music right on board. Firewire and Ethernet computer connectivity and a special Yamaha version of Steinberg software- Cubase AI expand your possibilities. With the large color LCD and 8 knobs and sliders for hands on control , making great sounding music has never been easier.

* New UI with large color LCD and 8 knobs and sliders
* Xpanded Articulation Synth engine with 355 MB of wave ROM
* Studio style mixing environment with Virtual Circuitry Modeling effects
* 4 intelligent Arpeggiators with instant Performance Recording
* Integrated Sampling Sequencer with 1 GB of optional memory
* Total Computer Integration and Cubase AI software included

The Yamaha Motif XS7 synthesizer features Xpanded Articulation sounds that will inspire your creativity, and Performance Recording with 4 intelligent arpeggiators instantly captures your ideas. The new large color LCD is an attractive addition to the Yamaha Motif series.

The Motif XS7 also has an Integrated Sampling Sequencer with studio-style mixing and VCM effects that let you create complete MIDI/audio productions. With computer connectivity and Cubase AI software you can expand your musical possibilities.

Yamaha Motif XS7 synthesizer - making great sounding music has never been easier.

Yamaha Motif XS7 Profile:
76-touch sensitive keys
New UI with large color LCD and 8 knobs and sliders
Xpanded Articulation Synth engine with 355MB of WAVE ROM
Studio-style mixing environment with Virtual Circuitry Modeling effects
4 intelligent arpeggiators with instant Performance Recording
Integrated Sampling Sequencer with 1GB of optional memory
Total Computer Integration and Cubase AI software included

Get inspired!
With the new Yamaha MOTIF XS, inspiration is just a key press away. High-quality sounds to inspire you,
Motif XS Models
intelligent arpeggiators to fuel your creativity, recording features to capture every idea, built-in sampling to create full audio/MIDI arrangements, rhythmic Patterns to compose with, studio-style mixing controls and versatile effect processing to master your final productions. With all this and more, the MOTIF XS will soon be your favorite go-to instrumentwhether youre composing at home, recording in the studio, or playing live. Its got absolutely everything you need to make professional quality music.

Close your eyes, play the gorgeous sounds and rhythms of the MOTIFXS—and feel the inspiration.
Hign Quality Sounds to Spark Your Creativity
The MOTIF XS provides an exceptionally broad selection of realistic sounds to spark your creativity, with a massive 355 MB of high-quality waveforms and samples on board. A single Voice can have up to eight separate sound Elements, enabling composite sounds of remarkable complexity and nuance. Among the standout Voices is a resonant, meticulously recorded concert grand piano sound that is practically worth the price of admission by itself. New acoustic piano, electric piano and orchestral samplesnot to mention the richly textured and distinctly electronic synthesizer wavesgive you the sonic tools to fully realize virtually any style of music and any instrumentation.

Another new feature is the Expanded Articulation (XA) tone generation system. Using the eight available Elements, XA allows you to more effectively recreate realistic sound and natural performance techniquessuch as legato, staccato and key release soundsoften used on acoustic instruments but unavailable or difficult to realize on electronic keyboards. It also lets you assign Elements to on/off panel switches, and change sounds within a Voice in real timefor example, playing a classical guitar voice and switch between playing normally and playing high harmonics. XA also offers other unique modes for random and alternate sound changes as you play.

        click to enlarge
A wide selection of special Mega Voices provide even more expressive nuance, when used with sequencer tracks or the special Mega Voice Arpeggios. Mega Voices are not meant to be played from the keyboard because of their complex velocity layers, but have special expressive sounds that are designed to be precisely triggered by recorded datafor example, letting you create an acoustic guitar track with authentic sounding muted playing, slides and bell-like harmonics.

Other Voice-related features include a uniquely natural half damper effect for acoustic piano sounds. This gives you nuanced control over the sustained sound when pressing the damper pedal, depending on how far down you press the pedal. The MOTIF XS has a full complement of effects, both insert (Insertion) and send (System), and includes a special set of VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) effects that authentically model the elements in analog circuitry, realisticallyrecreating the uniquely warm characteristics of vintage processing gear. Speaking of vintage, the instrument also includes a sophisticated Vocoder effect that produces classic robotic synthesizer sounds, molded by your speaking or singing voice through a connected microphone.
Ideal for Live Performance, Song Creating and Arranging

The MOTIF XS has so many sophisticated features that help jump-start your creativity and live performance potential. One of the most powerful of these is Arpeggio, which lets you trigger a variety of sequenced phrases from the keyboard. There are approximately 6,000 different Arpeggio phrases on board, and you can have four different Arpeggios, playing four different instrument parts, running simultaneously-in perfect sync, of course. The music making possibilities are virtually endless. Have a drum Voice play an automatic rhythm, add an Arpeggio bass phrase, and fly in other instrument phrases as the inspiration hits you. Everything stays in sync, and everything follows your chord changes.

ISS
While you experiment and play around with Arpeggios in the Performance mode, the song ideas will come fast and fierce-maybe too many to remember. No worries, though. You can capture them easily and directly by recording them to a Song or Pattern (which can be stored to the built-in flash memory). Since the data is MIDI, you dont have to worry about running out of recording space. You can record your keyboard playing, freely calling up various Arpeggio types as you improvise, then edit the Song later as necessary. You may even want to keep the recorder running as you play, then listen back later and pick out the best parts to create your final composition.

Another powerful feature is the Integrated Sampling Sequencer, which seamlessly combines audio and MIDI recording. Simply install optional DIMM modules (up to 1 GB) and record the audio directly to tracks on the MOTIF XS. Record your vocals or acoustic guitar (with a microphone), electric guitar or bass, or even short rhythm loops from a sample CD. Theres also a Slice feature that automatically chops up your rhythms and riffs into their individual beats and notes, letting you manipulate the component parts of your sample loops as MIDI datagiving you the power to easily change tempo and rhythmic feel, without disturbing the pitch or sound quality.

Intuitive Interface, Easy Operation
Despite all the advanced technology and wealth of features packed tightly into the instrument, the MOTIF XS is exceptionally intuitive and easy to use. It gives you a large, full-dot color LCD that lets you see multiple parameters at a glance, and has clear, high-resolution graphics with virtual sliders, knobs and more.

The panel of the MOTIF XS provides an amazing level of control and flexibility. Eight knobs and eight sliders let you instantly tweak a variety of parameters and effects as you play. The eight knobs are especially versatile, letting you use the knobs to independently control eight different parameters (out of 24 selectable), or use them to control a certain effect setting (reverb, chorus or pan) for up to eight different parts (in a song, for example). The knobs can also be used to change the rhythmic feel and other settings of Arpeggios and Patterns while they play back. Two Assignable Function buttons give you added control over the sound of the new Expanded Articulation (XA) Voices, letting you change sounds within a Voice in real time.

Other convenient operation features include the improved Category Search function, which now is organized with Dual Categories that help you find the Voice you want. Calling up the Guitar category, for instance, gives you access to the Dual (sub) Categories, such as Acoustic, Electric Clean and Electric Distortion. The Mega Arpeggio Voices also have their own Dual Category for easy selection of those unique Voices.

The MOTIF XS is not only exceptionally intuitive and easy to operate, its a true joy to playright down to the newly designed expressive keyboards. The MOTIF XS6 and XS7 have a new, natural FSX keyboard (61/76 keys), while the MOTIF XS8 features the grand piano-like BH (Balanced Hammer) keyboard (88 keys).

Computer Integration Software Integration
A full-featured music production synthesizer in every way, the MOTIF XS comes equipped with a variety of connectors and interfaces-for virtually any application and any studio situation. These include independent Assignable Outputs, A/D Inputs (for recording external sources), S/PDIF Digital Output, MIDI, Ethernet, mLAN (standard on the MOTIF XS8 and available on the MOTIF XS6/7 with the optional mLAN16E2) and two USB connectors, compatible with the high-speed USB 2.0 standard.

The comprehensive set of connectorsEthernet, mLAN and USB TO HOSTmake interfacing with computers and your favorite software exceptionally easy. In particular, the new Ethernet connection gives you fast transfer of your MOTIF XS files to and from a computer on the same network. The mLAN interface gives you a one-cable, one-network solution for high-speed, realtime transfer of multi-channel digital audio and MIDI data over a 1394 FireWire connection.

Todays music production is highly dependent on software, and the MOTIF XS is designed to work seamlessly and transparently in your computer-based environment. The Remote Control mode lets you control your DAW software right from the panel of the MOTIF XSfor example, starting and stopping playback/recording with the special transport buttons, changing track levels with the sliders, and tweaking parameters with the knobs.

Studio Connect
the MOTIF XS is also compatible with the MOTIF XS Editora comprehensive, easy-to-use editing software program that lets you edit (via USB connection) the Mixing setups and Mixing Voices to be used for Song/Pattern playback directly on your computer. The MOTIF XS Editor is free and can be downloaded from the Yamaha website. Naturally, the editor can be used within Cubase as part of Studio Connections, and all settings can be saved with each project for instant recall.
If Cubase is not yet part of your software arsenal, a copy of the new Cubase AI is bundled with the instrument, letting you dive in and start using the versatile features of Studio Connections right out of the box. Cubase AI is a full-featured music production software that integrates fully with the MOTIF XS, and can easily be upgraded to Cubase 4. It gives you all the tools to produce professional level recordingsquickly and easilywith a system that you can expand into the future.

The Cubase Connection — and Studio Connections
The MOTIF XS is specially designed to function seamlessly with Cubase 4, Steinbergs powerful DAW software—giving you a comprehensive, all-in-one music production system in which both hardware and software are fully integrated.

Cubase 4
With our Studio Connections system (created jointly with Steinberg), you can effectively bring the MOTIF XS into the Cubase environment and use it just as if it were a plug-in software synthesizer—no complicated connections or complex setup necessary. Whenever you open a project, your MOTIF XS is automatically enabled as well, with all the custom settings you previously saved. You can use the convenient panel controls on the MOTIF XS to remotely to control a wide variety of operations on Cubase 4. And since song files on the MOTIF XS are in Cubase format, you can create material on the MOTIF XS and easily import it to tracks in Cubase 4 for further editing and mixing.

The Enormous Power of Cubase 4
Cubase 4 is the cutting edge, professionals choice in digital audio workstations. It now features the new SoundFrame universal sound manager, a powerful system that manages all your sounds, presets and loops-including your MOTIF XS voices-in one centralized database. This is the heart of SoundFrame and is called MediaBay. Combined with the comprehensive integration features of Studio Connections, SoundFrame and MediaBay.
MediaBay help make your MOTIF XS an inseparable part of the Cubase 4 studio. Track Presets add further flexibility and save huge amounts of time. For example, you can call up a vocal track and instantly have your favorite EQ and compressor loaded automatically, with all your custom settings. These organizational tools radically speed up your workflow and even help in the creative process.

The mixer in Cubase 4 has been expanded with a powerful Control Room section, allowing you to connect multiple sets of control room monitors and external sources directly to your audio hardware and switch between them from a convenient Control Room panel. Theres also a talkback channel, a headphone bus, and you can create up to four studio mixes (monitor mixes), with a separate studio send section on each mixer channel for controlling those mixes.

Other new Cubase 4 features include a revamped VST3 plug-in set with over thirty new plug-ins including StudioEQ, Cloner, AmpSimulator, a new Multiband  VST3 Instroments Compressor, and many more. New VST instruments include three outstanding new synthesizers, as well as the HALion One sample player, with hundreds of new instrument sounds. Cubase 4 also provides full surround sound capabilities, with a full-fledged multi-channel audio path from input to output. The Score editing facilities have also been enhanced, not only extending the functionality but also making it easier to use.

Cubase AI4 (included with the MotifXS) is based on the latest generation of Cubase and provides extraordinarily close integration between Yamaha hardware and Steinberg software. Using technology from Cubase 4, Cubase AI4 provides a powerful yet easy to use a set of advanced software tools that together offer a uniquely integrated solution for the MotifXS.

Cubase AI4 is a music production workstation that offers audio recording and editing, MIDI sequencing, an entire suite of VST effects plug-ins and a HALion One sample player featuring selected waves from the Yamaha Motif. Users of Cubase AI4 can also dramatically enhance the music production capabilities available with upgrades to the full Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4 versions.

Advanced integration functions bond the Yamaha hardware and Steinberg software together to form one, integrated system, including Studio Connections technology which recalls settings for Yamaha digital audio hardware with a single mouse click. Integration with the new Motif XS is even more advanced, with automatic VST audio and MIDI connection setup providing a true Plug and Play experience.

Cubase AI4 feature overview:

* Cubase 4 audio engine

* 48 audio tracks and up to 64 MIDI tracks

* HALion One software sample player with selected Motif waves

* Plug and Play VST/MIDI setup with new Yamaha products

* Studio Connections Integration and product-specific advanced integration features

* 25 VST effect plug-ins, including 15 new VST3 plug-in effects

* File Interchange between Steinberg software and Yamaha hardware

* 20 MIDI music styles and 480 audio drum loops included

YAMAHA MOTIFXS7 Specs

Keyboards
MOTIF XS8 88 keys, Balanced Hammer Effect Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)
MOTIF XS7 76 keys, FSX Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)
MOTIF XS6 61 keys, FSX Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)
Tone Generator block
Tone Generator AWM2 with Expanded Articulation
Polyphony 128 notes
Multi Timbral Capacity 16 Parts (internal), Audio Input Parts (A/D, mLAN*)
*1 stereo Part
Wave 355MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format),
2,670 waveforms
Voice Preset: 1,024 Normal Voices + 64 Drum Kits
GM: 128 Normal Voices + 1 Drum Kit
User: 128 x 3 (selected and copied from Preset bank) Normal Voice + 32 Drum Kits
Performance User: 128 x 3 (up to 4 Parts)
Filter 18 types
Effect System Reverb x 9 types, Chorus x 22 types, Insertion (A, B, L) x 53 types x 8 blocks,
Master Effect x 9 types, Master Equalizer (5 bands), Part EQ (3 bands, stereo)
Sampling block
Samples Up to 1,024 Waveforms (Multi Samples)
Up to 128 Key Banks per Waveform
Up to 4,096 Key Banks
Sampling Sources Analog input L/R, Stereo output (Resampling),
Digital output mLAN (available on the MOTIF XS6 and 7 when the mLAN16E2 has been installed)
A/D Conversion 24-bit, 64x oversampling
D/A Conversion 24-bit, 128x oversampling
Sample Data Bits 16
Sampling Frequency 44.1kHz, 22.05kHz, 11.025kHz, 5.5125kHz (Stereo/Mono)
Sampling Frequency via mLAN (when the mLAN16E2 has been installed):
44.1kHz (fixed)
Sampling Memory Optionally installed, expandable to 1GB (512MB DIMM x 2 slots)
*DIMMs are not installed to the instrument when shipped from the factory.
Sample Length Mono: 32 MB
Stereo: 64 MB
Sampling Time 44.1kHz: 6 min. 20 sec.
22.05kHz: 12 min. 40 sec.
11.025kHz: 25 min. 20 sec.
5.0125kHz: 55 min. 40 sec.
*Mono/Stereo
Sample Format Original format, WAV, AIFF

Sequencer block
Note Capacity Approx. 130,000 notes
Note Resolution 480 ppq (parts per quarter note)
Maximum Polyphony 124 notes
Tempo (BPM) 5 300
Recording type Real time replace
Real time overdub (with the exception of the Pattern Chain)
Real time punch in/out (Song only)
Tracks Pattern: 16 Phrase tracks
Pattern Chain: Pattern track, Tempo track, Scene
Song: 16 sequence tracks (Loop on/off can be set for each track),
Tempo track, Scene track
Track
Patterns 64 Patterns (x 16 sections),
Measures: 256 maximum
Mixing Voices: 16 Voices per Pattern and up to 256 Voices for all Patterns
Mixing Templates: 32 for all Songs and Patterns
Phrases User Phrases: 256 per Pattern
Songs 64 Songs
Mixing Voices: 16 Voices per Song and up to 256 Voices for all Songs
Mixing Templates: 32 for all Songs and Patterns
Arpeggio Preset: Approx. 6,000 types
User: 256 types
*MIDI Sync, MIDI transmit/receive channel, Velocity Limit, and Note Limit can be set.
Scene Memory 5 per Song
Sequence Format Original format,
SMF format 0, 1 (Format 1 load only)
Others
Master User: 128
*8 Zones (Master keyboard settings), Assignable Knob/Slider settings, Program Change Table
Sequence Software
compatible with the
Remote Control function For Windows: Cubase 4, Cubase AI, SONAR 5.2
For Macintosh: Cubase 4, Cubase AI, Logic 7.2, Digital Performer 5
*Functions to be controlled differ depending on the software.
Controllers Pitch Bend wheel, Modulation wheel, Ribbon Controller,
Assignable Control Sliders x 8, Assignable Knobs x 8,
Assignable Function buttons x 2, Data dial
Display 320 x 240 dot, 5.7 inch graphic color backlit LCD
Connectors OUTPUT L/MONO, R (standard phone jack)
ASSIGNABLE OUTPUT L, R (standard phone jack)
A/D INPUT L, R (standard phone jack)
DIGITAL OUT
PHONES (standard stereo phone jack)
FOOT CONTROLLER 1, 2
FOOT SWITCH x 2 (SUSTAIN, ASSIGNABLE)
MIDI IN/OUT/THRU
USB (TO HOST, TO DEVICE)
AC IN
ETHERNET
mLAN (MOTIF XS8 only)
Power Consumption 30W
Dimensions, Weight MOTIF XS8: 1,457 (W) x 466 (D) x 168 (H) mm, 28.6 kg
MOTIF XS7: 1,252 (W) x 391 (D) x 122 (H) mm, 17.0 kg
MOTIF XS6: 1,045 (W) x 391 (D) x 122 (H) mm, 14.8 kg
Specifications and appearance subject to change without notice.
All trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

 

YAMAHA MOTIFXS7 Downloads

Cool New Downloads
New extensions for Steinberg DAW V1.1.0 for Windows Vista/XP (4.27.07)
Enhance your software and take advantage of the advanced integration features
“Extensions for Steinberg DAW” is a set of program plug-ins and project templates developed by Yamaha to enhance the functions of Steinberg DAW software. By installing the “Extensions for Steinberg DAW” and connecting the MOTIF XS to your computer, you can take advantage of the advanced integration features which enable you to easily link Cubase AI (and Cubase 4) with the MOTIF XS.

MOTIF XS AI Driver for Windows Vista/XP (4.26.07)
AI driver enables you to connect a single mLAN16E2 to a computer and transfer audio/MIDI signals via an IEEE1394 cable. The MOTIF XS8 is equipped with the mLAN16E2 as standard.

MOTIF XS Editors (4.18.07)
Edit and save the various parameters of your MOTIF XS
MOTIF XS Editor is a convenient tool which lets you edit and save the various parameters of your MOTIF XS
synthesizer. Thanks to the easy-to-understand graphical interface, you can edit various parameters of
the MOTIF XS right from your computer—using the mouse to adjust the virtual knobs, sliders, and buttons and
entering values from the computer keyboard. Finally, all the changes you have made can be saved to your
computer or transmitted to the MOTIF XS instrument. You can use this MOTIF XS Editor as a plug-in for the (standalone) Yamaha Studio Manager and any Studio Connections compatible DAW software such as Steinberg Cubase AI and Cubase

YAMAHA MOTIFXS7 Video

YAMAHA MOTIFXS7 Documentation

MotifXS Brochure (pdf)

YAMAHA MOTIFXS7 MP3

Xcellent Session download: europe mp3 128 KB/s = 2.58 MB
MOTIF XS ROM-Demosong


Memory of the King download: europe mp3 128 KB/s = 2.94 MB
MOTIF XS ROM-Demosong


Rain after the Game download: europe mp3 128 KB/s = 2.19 MB
MOTIF XS ROM-Demosong


Jazz, Funk, Blues, R&B download: europe mp3 128 KB/s = 3.74 MB
Performance Demo produced by YAMAHA MUSIC CENTRAL EUROPE, featuring performances with up to 4 arpeggio-parts, played absolutely live without any sequencing and quantizing.


Dance download: europe mp3 128 KB/s = 2.72 MB
Performance Demo produced by YAMAHA MUSIC CENTRAL EUROPE, featuring performances with up to 4 arpeggio-parts, played absolutely live without any sequencing and quantizing.


Electronic download: europe mp3 128 KB/s = 3.72 MB
Performance Demo produced by YAMAHA MUSIC CENTRAL EUROPE, featuring performances with up to 4 arpeggio-parts, played absolutely live without any sequencing and quantizing.

 

Other views of YAMAHA MOTIFXS7 (Click to enlarge):