Yamaha Motif es

Original Motif

• AWM2 PCM tone generator
• 110,000 note MIDI sequencer @ 480 ppqn
• Sample engine (up to 64MB of user RAM)
• Compatibility with common sample formats such as Akai, WAV, and AIFF
• 84MB of read-only memory (ROM)
• 62-voice polyphony

Motif keyboards include three internal expansion slots (two on the rack-mount version). These slots allow one to significantly augment the instrument's soundset through the purchase of Yamaha PLG Expansion Boards--which are available in a variety of sonic flavours. One can also increase the amount of available sample RAM by up to 64MB with the purchase of third party memory sticks. External connectors include a firewire 400 port for connecting an mLANMIDI cable OR for external storage; and a SmartMedia port for storing sequence, voice, and sample data (in which case the purchase of a third party SmartMedia card is necessary). network card; a USB 1 port for connecting the instrument to a computer via a

Motif ES

• AWM2 Tone Generator (complying with the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System)

• 128 note polyphony

• 226,000 note MIDI sequencer @ 480 ppqn

• Audio Input ports: A/D, AIEB2, mLAN, Stereo IN

• Sounds: 175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format), 1,859 waveforms

All Motif ES synthesizers feature a wide selection of high-quality sounds, and use a sample-based substractive synthesis engine. The Motif ES6, ES7 and ES8 feature 16 track sequencers that can use MIDI and sample tracks, and 512MB of sample memory can be fitted for completely new sounds. Physical modelling, virtual analogue synthesis, FM synthesis plus a variety of additional sample sets can be installed with Yamaha's Moduler Plugin Synthesis System.

The ES models features several key improvements over the original Motifs: twice the polyphony with faster envelopes, a massive DSP effects engine (up to 8 tracks in sequencer mode can use independent dual insert effects), USB mass storage support, 8x sample RAM expansion (up to 512 mb via twin DIMM modules), vastly improved acoustic piano sound, twice the storage amount for user sounds, among other enhancements.

The Motif ES range employ the use of "Megavoice" technology from the Tyros; the flagship of Yamaha's performance keyboards. These high quality samples utilise 'velocity switching' to enable greater natural expression over the sounds, expressions such as fret noise, hammer-ons, slides and ghost notes.

Applications and audience

The Motif is generally best suited for the following applications: performance, sequencing, and sampling. The instrument is a worthy investment for those seeking a "band-in-a-box" WORKSTATION for at least two of the aforementioned applications; otherwise, less expensive niche solutions might be considered as an alternative. In general,Motif owners seem to agree the keyboard is not a good "starter" instrument for those just diving into the world of MIDI sequencing (due to its innovative--albeit unorthodox--operating system and poor official user documentation). Fortunately, the Yamaha -endorsed Commanding the Motif (available at motifcity.com and motifator.com) series of instructional books have bridged the learning gap for many users.

Notable users

Scott Storch: The Piano Man Live on Motif es 8





Mysto and Pizzi work with motif es 8

Notable users of the Motif series include Daisuke Asakura, Infected Mushroom, Oliver PalotaiKamelot, Michael Pinnella from Symphony X, Hip Hop/R&B producer K.O.B.R.A. of The Association and Audio Assassins, Paul Wickens from Paul McCartney's band, Stevie Wonder, S R Dhain (soundtrack artist and keyboard player/synthesist)[4]Bob Dylan, John Legend, Aryan Nazari, Alicia Keys' band, Elton John, Robert Lamm and Bill Champlin from Chicago, Green Day, Ray Charles, Chick Corea, Die Sektor, Michael McDonald, Clemo of Calif Records, Kenya, Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey's band, David Bowie's band, Justin Timberlake, Barry Manilow, Gary Numan, Beyoncé's band, Lonestar, Brian Wilson, Scott Storch, Tim Freedman,Pink's band, Rob Parker (video game score writer) and Nick Carter. The Motif is often seen on the stage of the Grammy's, the Oscar's, American Idol, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, and a number of other famous venues. from