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Yamaha Montage M Synthesizer/Workstation | Demo and Overview with Nicholas Semradplay button

Yamaha Montage M Synthesizer/Workstation | Demo and Overview with Nicholas Semrad

Nicholas Semrad Performs “Un” with Yamaha Montage M8x M Series Synthesizer/Workstationplay button

Nicholas Semrad Performs “Un” with Yamaha Montage M8x M Series Synthesizer/Workstation

Yamaha Montage M Introductionplay button

Yamaha Montage M Introduction

Yamaha | MONTAGE M8x Artist Profile | Matt Johnsonplay button

Yamaha | MONTAGE M8x Artist Profile | Matt Johnson

Yamaha

collapse expand iconDescription

The Yamaha MONTAGE synth workstation was conceived as Yamaha's flagship keyboard for synthesis and production. The MONTAGE M Series workstations might as well have been named the MONTAGE M(ore) Series, with more polyphony, more synthesis engines, more memory, more sounds, more control and more creative fun. Plus, expanded integration with virtual instrument plug-ins and a streamlined workflow, it's easier than ever to get the music that's in your head out into the world.

Yamaha Montage M8X Expanded Sonic Capability

Expanded Sonic Capability

The MONTAGE M combines three different sound sources for a total of 400-note polyphony. First, the FM-X provides 128-note polyphony of FM synthesis from an eight-operator FM engine with 88 available algorithms and incredibly fast Smart Morphs for a wide range of dynamic, deeply controllable sounds. The AWM wave-based synthesis engine has doubled its polyphony from earlier versions to 256 notes, with 128 available elements and 10GB of preset waveforms. It also has almost 4GB of flash memory to load your own waveforms. Finally, the addition of an analog engine—AN-X—brings an additional 16 voices of polyphony and provides classic synthesis tools to build sounds ranging from fat, classic, analog warmth to crafting your own, never-before-heard sonic madness.

Yamaha Montage M8X Expressive Control

Expressive Control for Creation and Performance

The original Yamaha MONTAGE offered up powerful control options. The Yamaha MONTAGE M series expands on that with even more access to control for both sound creation and performance. With an updated ribbon, dedicated portamento control and a hold button, plus the ability for on-the-fly customization directly from the keyboard, without needing to access any menus, you have much more ability to create and control on the fly. Plus, with the addition of polyphonic aftertouch to the MONTAGE M8x's weighted-action 88-key keybed, you have access to the expression control that's the holy grail for many synth geeks. 

Yamaha Montage M8X Display Screen

Refined, Streamlined Workflow

The revamped UI in the Yamaha MONTAGE M series is like a GPS for synth programming. For example, the new Display Knobs make for much faster operation and edits. Dual screens make it easy to keep track of what you're editing and what state it's in, helping streamline the process. Add in faster screen response, easy-to-use touchscreen and almost instantaneous Smart Morphs, and you're where you need to be faster than ever before. 

Yamaha Montage M8X Control Closeup

Easy Sync With Your DAW

Included with every MONTAGE M is the Expanded Softsynth Plug-In (ESP) that's like having a MONTAGE M living in your computer. You can run multiple instances of the plug-in for incredible, rich textures. And the ability to sync MONTAGE Performances back and forth begins to erase the line between studio and stage, giving you access to your most creative moments, wherever you are.

Yamaha has always been at the forefront of synth development, and MONTAGE M provides capacities and workflow that push that envelope just a little bit further. It's time to step up to a new paradigm in production workstation.

View Manual

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • AN-X models analog synthesizer sound and behavior
  • 128 Elements AWM2 architecture delivers more articulations, dynamics and high-definition sound
  • 9.97GB Wave ROM Preset Memory
  • 3.8GB Flash ROM User Memory
  • 400-note polyphony (AWM2 Preset: 128, AWM2 User :128, FM-X: 128 & AN-X: 16) for modern music production
  • 16 Library slots for thousands of custom user Performances and waveforms
  • GEX weighted action delivers remarkable piano-like expressiveness
  • Polyphonic aftertouch allows precise control of each held note

collapse expand iconReviews

3.71

7 Reviews

67%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Filters

Best Uses

  1. Accompaniment4
  2. MIDI4
  3. Concerts2
  4. Electronic Music2
  5. Live with DAW and MIDI KB1

Cons

  1. Heavy3
  2. Poor Instructions3
  3. Difficult to Use2
  4. Limited Sound Selection2
  5. Poor Action1

Describe Yourself

  1. Professional Musician4
  2. Experienced2

Pros

  1. Good Audio3
  2. Responsive / Good Action3
  3. Touch Sensitive Keys3
  4. Easy to Use2
  5. Pre-programmed music1
  • One of the Best Keyboards for sure... BUT

    5

    submitted2 months ago

    byNathaniel

    fromCO

    This Keybord was desighned to have 1500 notes of polyphony, so if you put 6 times more polyphony in this box it will be all it is obviously supposed to be. It can play 16 sounds at once but when you are playing supper fast it only has enough polyphony to play 3 sounds at once. all of the best keyboards, The Korg Kronos, have this same problem Kurzweil K2700, Roland Fantom, and Jupiter 80, all have this same polyphony cap, that cripples keyboard innovation, when it comes to taking Keyboards to the next level the sky is the limit, anything is possible unless you have a Polyphony cap. Computers can ezily give you that much polyphony so we know its possible, IF you remove the polyphony cap and let the operator select different fade outs for each sound, with daper pedal down and up, you could mix sounds never heard before, you could hear 16 dirrent sounds fade in and out of each other, you could also make poliphony drop outs fade out instead of abruptly cut off. of you put different selected effects like an octive up fade out on the way sounds end, you could really make great use of those 16 tracks the software is programmed to handle. That and double up the bending controls so they are on both the left and right. and you have actually broken through the cap and made the best keyboard on the planet. If the high end keyboard actually enable the player to do stuff they could not do before than they sell. All these keyboards would have sold allot better if someone in charge would stop pretending there is a Polyphony cap on this tech. Computers have been getting more powerful and more affordable every 6 months. we all know there is not polyphony cap. I love this machine but its time to dish out the polyphony so it can be what its actually desighned to be. right now its a mighty battleship with 16 guns but it can only fire 3 of them at a time. Lets get all 16 firing at once shall we. : ) there is not reason to nerf your flagship keyboards, but every company has agreed to do so. if there must be a polyphony cap it should be 1500 not 250. Otherwise these machines are all phelomenal. they really deserve the 1500 notes of Polyphony they are disighned to make use of.

  • Awesome beyond words. Very flexible.

    5

    submitted3 months ago

    byC.L.

    fromHampton Roads, VA

    It has a plugin for your DAW with ALL of the MONTAGE sounds. Who else does that? You could leave you Montage at home and take a laptop, MIDI keyboard and go through keyboard aux or monitor. Weight issue resolved!!! For what you can't just stumble through, there's You Tube. Too easy🌟

  • Not a Quick Start Machine

    3

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byYoda

    fromBoston, MA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Overall there is a huge library consisting of 90+% sounds that you may not want -- and everything drowned in reverb. Yamahas is not alone in this approach. Also the marking materials place a huge focus on the technology. For example, you might se mention that a given sound has 200+ modifiable parameters there is a dearth of straightforward instruction on getting it to work with Logic.

  • value vs price not good

    1

    submitteda year ago

    bybilly

    fromlos angeles california

    not much different than last version and this version we waited 7 years. buy used montage 8 for professional stage and church work. the extra gizmos are not worth it, still have the small 7"screen, no ssd internal drive, still no xlf out-ins, synth 88 keybed is still slow not fast like the cp88 keys, the organs are still the same as before not good, worthless you spend on this money and no 9th drawbar, disappointing that it is not 15" depth, and less than 40lbs, cannot gig with this 18" deep 65lbs behemoth and buy the time you put ata tsa gator case and travel it is 110lb load. the pianos, other sounds have not been upgraded at all.. buy a used montage 8 for around 1400 you are better off. churches buy a cp88 you are better off... professional keys man here...

  • Yes, good quality from Yamaha

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byLeo

    fromNew Jersey

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Very advanced synthesis,

  • Amazing Keyboard! Possibilities are Endless

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byMax

    fromNew York, New York

    I've played on a ton of keyboards (nord, korg, roland, moog) and I have to say that the action on this specific model is the closest to that of a real piano. I've never owned a montage previously but I did own an MOXF8, and I have to say the differences are stark in contrast. This board has one of the easiest user interfaces I've ever engaged with and I love how there's a sub-panel display that can be integrated into the main one seamlessly. I'm a huge fan of ANX and FM synth engines on this thing, it shows through once you start messing around with the parameters (Filter, Envelop Generator, ADSR, etc.). To think that the sound bank hasn't been upgraded or has remained the same is not true in the slightest. I've been delving into each bank category for HOURS. Plus the scenes for each patch are versatile and allows very fast (and seamless) transitions. THE MAJOR THING that I love about this board is the flexibility you have between being a performer, composer, synthesist, and sound designer. I wouldn't recommend hauling this around to gigs because it's 60 lbs, but for a studio or as the in-house board definitely. Also when recording MIDI, being able to turn off local control and assign a channel takes me less than 5 seconds to do--that's massive for working with multiple parts. The price on this unit is hefty but when I think of Nord this to me offers way more for less the price. But it's silly at this price point why yamaha didn't include polyphonic aftertouch to the Mx6 and Mx7 (those are more for gigging because they're easier to carry, just less keys and semi-weighted action). Overall, it's worth the investment, get it you won't regret it!

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byBob

    fromAlabama

    Does it have speakers?

    Does it have speakers?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, the Yamaha MONTAGE doesn't have speakers.
  • asked bySeth

    fromRandolph MA

    What's the package size

    What's the package size

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    I’m sorry, I don’t know. Perhaps an inquiry to IYamaha.
  • asked byLee

    fromPort St. Lucie

    How much does it weigh

    How much does it weigh

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The Yamaha MONTAGE M8x 88 is 62 lbs.