Draft:Yamaha Montage

The Yamaha Montage (stylized in all-uppercase MONTAGE) is a series of music synthesizers by Yamaha Corporation, first released in June 2016. It replaced the Motif XF/MOXF music workstations. The most recent version, Yamaha Montage M, was released in October 2023.

MONTAGE
The original Montage was released in 2017 in three versions having 61- and 76-key semi-weighted FSX keyboard action, and 88-key version with weighted Balanced Hammer Standard (BHS) keyboard action. Comparing to the Motif series, the preset wave ROM has been increased to 5.3 GBytes, with 1.75 GBytes reserved for user samples. The AWM2 engine has a maximum polyphony of 128 voices.

FM-X sound engine, a 8-operator FM synthesis engine, similar to Yamaha FS1R but without formant shaping, has a polyphony of 128 voices.

The user interface presents only one single Performance mode, which can inclufr to 8 individual Parts (programs).

The rotary knobs in the realtime control section are replaced with endless encoders. The Motion Control knob can be uses to interpolate several parameters assigned to control knobs. Motion sequence adds modulation of realtine synthesis parameters with predefined sequences of controle events.

Seamless sound switching allows the user to select a new program but have the held notes from previous program stil sound until release. This feature is available for programs consisting on up to 8 individual parts.

LED strips were added alongside control sliders and realtine control knowst to indicate the current value of assigned parameter.

MODX
In 2017, two entry-level variants were introduced, 61-key FSX action MODX6 and 88-key BHS action MODX8. They come with halved polyphony for AWM2 and FM-X engines, half of user sample ROM, 4 knobs and sliders instead of 8, seamless switching for 4-part programs, and less buttons.

MODX+
MODX6+ and MODX8+ were released in 2022, increasing maximum FM-X polyphony to 128 and user ROM size to 1.75 GBytes, same as the Montage.

MONTAGE M
Released in October 2023 in three versions, FSX action 61-key Montage M6 and 76-key Montage M7, and new GEX action Montage M8x.

AWM2 polyphony is increased to 128+128 notes for preset user data and user wave data. Preset wave ROM is increased to 10.2 GBytes (compressed with LPC-derived algorythm) and user ROM to 3.75 GBytes.

Virtual analog AN-X sound engine with 16 note polyphony, an enhanced version of Yamaha AN1x.

The GEX balanced hammer keyboard action supports polyphonic aftertoch, implemented with Hall sensors.

The user interface is revamped with the addition of a secondary monochrome display for realtime editing, six rotary knobs under the main display, and rearrangement of buttons.

The keyboard contro section adds portamento control and parameter hold for the ribbon controller which has 5 LED-backlit zones.

A VSTi softsynth version named Expanded Softwynth Plug-in (E.S.P.) is available as a digital download for owners of the Montage M.