Yamaha MOTIF XS8 Synthesizer Workstation, 88-Key

The Yamaha MOTIF XS8 Music Production Synthesizer: Sound and Control to Spark Your Creativity

With the new Yamaha MOTIF XS8, inspiration is just a key press away. High-quality sounds to inspire you, 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 XS8 will soon be your favorite 'go-to' instrument - whether you're composing at home, recording in the studio, or playing live. It's got absolutely everything you need to make professional quality music.

Close your eyes, play the gorgeous sounds and rhythms of the MOTIF XS8 - and feel the inspiration.

Features of the Yamaha MOTIF XS8 Workstation

High Quality Sounds to Spark Your Creativity

The MOTIF XS8 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 samples - not to mention the richly textured and distinctly electronic synthesizer waves - give 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 techniques - such as legato, staccato and key release sounds - often 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 time - for 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.

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 data - for 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 XS8 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, realistically recreating 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 forLive Performance, Song Creating, and Arranging

The MOTIF XS8 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.

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 don't 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 XS8. Record your vocals or acoustic guitar (with a microphone), electric guitar or bass, or even short rhythm loops from a sample CD. There's 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 data - giving 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 XS8 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 XS8 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 XS8 is not only exceptionally intuitive and easy to operate, it's a true joy to play - right down to the newly designed expressive keyboards. The MOTIF XS8 features the grand piano-like BH (Balanced Hammer) keyboard (88 keys).

Computer Integration

A full-featured music production synthesizer in every way, the MOTIF XS8 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/P DIF Digital Output, MIDI, Ethernet, IEEE 1394, and two USB connectors, compatible with the high-speed USB 2.0 standard.

The comprehensive set of connectors - Ethernet, IEEE 1394 and USB TO HOST - make interfacing with computers and your favorite software exceptionally easy. In particular, the new Ethernet connection gives you fast transfer of your MOTIF XS8 files to and from a computer on the same network. The IEEE 1394 interface gives you a one-cable, one-network solution for high-speed, realtime transfer of multi-channel digital audio and MIDI data.

Software Integration

Today's music production is highly dependent on software, and the MOTIF XS8 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 XS8 - for example, starting and stopping playback/recording with the special transport buttons, changing track levels with the sliders, and tweaking parameters with the knobs.

The MOTIF XS8 is also compatible with the MOTIF XS Editor - a 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.

Cubase Included

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 XS8, and can easily be upgraded to Cubase 4. It gives you all the tools to produce professional level recordings - quickly and easily - with a system that you can expand into the future.

The MOTIF XS8 is specially designed to function seamlessly with Cubase 4, Steinberg's powerful DAW software - giving you a comprehensive, all-in-one music production system in which both hardware and software are fully integrated. With our Studio Connections system (created jointly with Steinberg), you can effectively bring the MOTIF XS8 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 XS8 is automatically enabled as well, with all the custom settings you previously saved. You can use the convenient panel controls on the MOTIF XS8 to remotely to control a wide variety of operations on Cubase 4. And since song files on the MOTIF XS8 are in Cubase format, you can create material on the MOTIF XS8 and easily import it to tracks in Cubase 4 for further editing and mixing.

Cubase 4 is the cutting edge, professional's 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 XS8 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 help make your MOTIF XS8 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. There's 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 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.

The Yamaha Story

Yamaha has been serving the needs of the music community since they manufactured their first reed organs in the late 1800's. Since then, they have expanded their vision to encompass every facet of the music industry. Their holistic approach includes musical instruments, live sound and recording equipment, and music instructional materials.

As one of the few companies to produce both instruments and recording/sound reinforcement products, Yamaha Corporation is in a unique position to improve the overall quality of their line. Their technological advancements in engineering and design can be incorporated into their musical instruments for improved functionality. Similarly, they can ensure their live sound and recording gear is designed to take advantage of the enhanced functionality of their instruments.

High quality standards are apparent in every product Yamaha manufactures. Guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, effects, cables, monitors, digital workstations, mixers, control surfaces, PA speakers, headphones, and more all receive the same attention to detail, for years of trouble-free use.

Technical Details of the Yamaha MOTIF XS8 Workstation

Keyboard

• 88 keys, Balanced Hammer Effect Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)

Tone Generator - AWM2 with Expanded Articulation

• Polyphony - 128 notes


• Multi Timbral Capacity - 16 Parts (internal), Audio Input Parts (A/D, mLAN)


• Wave Memory - 355MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format),
  2,670 waveforms


• Preset Voices - 1,024 Normal Voices + 64 Drum Kits


• GM Voices - 128 Normal Voices + 1 Drum Kit


• User Voices - 128 x 3 (selected and copied from Preset bank) Normal Voices + 32 Drum Kits

Effects System

• Reverb - 9 types


• Chorus - 22 types


• Insertion (A, B, L) - 53 types x 8 blocks


• Master Effect - 9 types


• Master Equalizer - 5 bands


• Part EQ - 3 bands, stereo


• Filters - 18 types

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

A/D Conversion

• 24-bit, 64x oversampling

D/A Conversion

• 24-bit, 128x oversampling

Sample Data

• 16 Bits

Sampling Frequency

• 44.1kHz, 22.05kHz, 11.025kHz, 5.5125kHz (Stereo/Mono)


• via mLAN (when the mLAN16E2 has been installed) - 44.1kHz (fixed)

Sampling Memory

• Optionally installed, expandable to 1GB (512MB DIMM x 2 slots)

Sample Length

• Mono - 32MB


• Stereo - 64MB

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.

Sample Format

• Original format, WAV, AIFF

Note Capacity

• Approx. 130,000 notes

Note Resolution

• 480 ppq (parts per quarter note)

Maximun Polyphony

• 124 notes

Tempo

• 5-300 BPM

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

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

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)

Master

• User - 128


• 8 Zones (Master keyboard settings), Assignable Knob/Slider settings, Program Change Table

Controllers

• Pitch Bend wheel - 1


• Modulation wheel - 1


• Ribbon Controller - 1


• Assignable Control Sliders - 8


• Assignable Knobs - 8


• Assignable Function buttons - 2


• Data dial - 1

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


• Headphones (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

Power Consumption

• 30W

Dimensions

• Width - 57.36 inches


• Depth - 18.35 inches


• Height - 6.61 inches


• Weight - 62.9 pounds

Product Rated 8.3 Out of 10 (16 ratings)

Read 1 Full Yamaha MOTIF XS8 88-Key Workstation Review >>

• "Most overrated synth in existence - get the ES" - Read More