Puts breakthrough sounds and tools for making music in your hands.
The MOTIF XS8 is a powerhouse 88-key synth workstation from Yamaha. It comes with a mind-blowing 355MB of wave ROM which combines with the Expanded Articulation tone generator for previously unheard levels of expression and sound quality. Also key to the XS experience is the easy-to-use performance recording for capturing ideas as you play—voices and effects intact. Over 1,000 voices (plus 64 drum kits), 4 musical arpeggiators, over 6000 phrases, a sampling sequencer, studio-style mixing, a color LCD, and assignable knobs and sliders for hands on control. Computer connectivity via USB, Firewire, and Ethernet. Includes Cubase AI, optimized for seamless integration with the MOTIF XS.
Instant inspiration, infinite possibilities
With the Yamaha MOTIF XS, 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 XS will soon be your go to instrument—whether youre composing at home, recording in the studio, or playing live. It's got absolutely everything you need to make professional quality music.
High-quality sounds to spark your creativity
The MOTIF XS provides an exceptionally broad selection of realistic sounds to spark your creativity, with 355MB 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 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.
The sound engine has been upgraded with 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 realtime—for example, playing a classical guitar voice and switching 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 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, 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 for live performance, song creation, and arranging
The MOTIF XS has lots of sophisticated features to help jump-start your creativity and live performance potential. One of the most powerful of these is the arpeggio phrase function, 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 phrases—playing four different instrument parts—running simultaneously and in perfect sync. 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 1GB) 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.
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 XS is exceptionally intuitive and easy to use. It gives you a large, full-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 realtime.
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 play—right down to the newly designed expressive keyboards. The MOTIF XS6 and XS7 have an FSX keyboard (61/76 keys), while 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 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, IEEE 1394 (standard on the MOTIF XS8 and available on the MOTIF XS6/7 with the optional board) and two USB connectors, compatible with the high-speed USB 2.0 standard.
The comprehensive set of connectors—ethernet, IEEE 1394 (FireWire, mLAN), and USB—make interfacing with computers and your favorite software exceptionally easy. In particular, the ethernet connection gives you fast transfer of your MOTIF XS files to and from a computer on the same network. The IEEE 1394 interface (included on XS8, optional expansion for XS6 and 7) gives you a one-cable, one-network solution for high speed, realtime transfer of multi channel digital audio and MIDI data.
Software integration
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 XS—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 XS 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.
If Cubase is not yet part of your software arsenal, a copy of 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 recordings—quickly and easily—with 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 (& 5) Steinbergs 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 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 (& 5) for further editing and mixing.
Yamaha MOTIF XS8 Music Production Synthesizer Workstation Keyboard Features:
88 keys
355MB of wave ROM
Xpanded Articulation (XA) tone generator
Instant Performance Recording
Updated interface
Large color LCD screen
8 knobs and sliders
Studio-style mixing environment
Virtual Circuitry Modeling effects
4 intelligent Arpeggiators
Integrated Sampling Sequencer with 1 GB of optional memory
Total Computer Integration
Cubase AI software included
Ready to musically MOTIFate your ideas and performances? Order now!
Yamaha MOTIF XS8 Music Production Synthesizer Workstation Keyboard Specifications:
Multi-timbral capacity: 16 parts; 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)
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), 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: 32MB mono, 64MB stereo
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
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: realtime replace; realtime overdub (with the exception of the Pattern Chain); realtime 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); 256 measures (maximum); 16 Voices per Pattern, up to 256 Voices for all Patterns; 32 mixing templates for all songs and Patterns
Phrases: 256 User Phrases per Pattern
Songs: 64 Songs; 16 Mixing Voices per Song, up to 256 for all Songs; 32 Mixing Templates for all Songs and Patterns
Arpeggio: Approx. 6,000 Preset types; 256 User 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: 128 User (8 Zones (Master keyboard settings), Assignable Knob/Slider settings, Program Change Table)
Sequence Software compatible with the Remote Control function: Cubase 4, Cubase AI, SONAR 5.2 for Windows; Cubase 4, Cubase AI, Logic 7.2, Digital Performer 5 for Macintosh (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 (available on the MOTIF XS6 and 7 when the mLAN16E2 has been installed)
Power Consumption: 30W
MOTIF XS8: 1,457 (W) x 466 (D) x 168 (H) mm, 28.6 kg
Yamaha MOTIF XS8 Music Production Synthesizer Workstation Keyboard
This Keyboard/Workstation is absolutely the best...It does everything... records vocals, V-Coder, Sampler, The Piano is Great, Strings, Synth. sounds are the best, and the electric and Acou. guitar (Please go to your local music store and check them out) WOW!!! etc... I could go on all day. Roland (electic piano, Rhodes) and Korg only come close... But the Yamaha XS8!!!...Its number one. Warning: This keyboard is Pro level... It you don't have previous Yamaha Keyboard experience... IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE YOU ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS TO LEARN EVERYTHING THIS BABY CAN DO!!!
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Value
Amazing!
Posted by Keyboardude from Wisonsin on May 7, 2009
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Active Musician
Reviewer's Play Style: Rock-Alternative
This keyboard is simply amazing! I find new features about it everyday! I play live in a band, and it sounds incredible! The Piano sound is to DIE for!
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motif xs8 review
Posted by Devin Albrecht from Shavertown, PA on Feb 3, 2009
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Home recording artist/performer
Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Pop, Funk, Jazz
Fantastic keyboard!!! I only play yamaha products and also own a yamaha studio upright and have found myself playing the motif more than the upright! The action is perfect and the sound possibilities are endless. This keyboard is perfect for the recording/performing musician.
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I like this keyboard for a number of...
Posted by ChrisSilva666 from Charleston, SC on Jan 13, 2009
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Home Recording Artist
Reviewer's Play Style: Pop/Alternative/Dance
I like this keyboard for a number of reasons, The first and foremost being its ease of use-I have been sequencing with workstations since 1998 and have yet to find a composition and performance tool so easy to compose and program with. The grid style sequencing makes writing verse, chorus, verse, outro pop songs a breeze, and if I want to spice things up with alternate parts/sections there are plenty of options (check out the pattern chain feature). Sequencing fans will love being able to write say a four measure drum loop and then "unloop" it allowing for say an 8-measure bassline by simply adjusting the length of the pattern! This is just one example of how the Motif is a powerful writing tool yet easy on the newbie. The sound ROM provided is more than adequate, I especially love the brass collection which features not just traditional horns and ensembles but also classic synth horns such as the Oberheims. The only category that I think needs a few more patches is the piano bank but there must be hundreds of patch upgrades in this category so no biggie. The arpegiators and provided genre-specific beats are cool but I wish that I could use more than 4 arpeggiated parts per song part. I just got this board a few months ago and so far the Motif is helping me expand my musical horizons without forcing me to think too much. I haven't even started using the sampling, vocoding, or sample-sequencer-integration modes but I'm sure they will prove to be valuable in the future. Be sure to check this board out if you are shopping for a workstation.
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Unmatched Performance
Posted by Tommy G from Saginaw, Michigan on Sep 9, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: 10 years piano and recording
Reviewer's Play Style: classic, country, rock, jazz
I purchased the XS8 several months ago and play it every chance I get. The XS8 is an all in one
production workstation that is right at home in live gigs too. The on board sequencer allows me to create my own music and record to 16 tracks, then edit the mix onboard without having to use any computer software. You get Cubase AI with the XS which does expand the ability to add other sounds in the band. The sliders also act as a remote DAW system when running software computer programs, which makes it very user friendly and quick. The sounds are remarkably real, and you have tons of arpeggios that can be changed on each instrument in the performance mode, along with any instrument in that preset. You can really get deep into all the features of the XS, but I didn't find it overly complicated to figure out-which hasn't been the case with less feature rich synthesizers out there. I did purchase several tutorials from Yamaha that did speed up the learning process, but there is also a lot of online help available too. The SX8 has an excellent set of weighted keys that come very close to the feel of my Yamaha acostic grand, and very good touch response as well. The quality build of the XS is excellent and very typical of Yamaha's professional high end keyboards. The price is also very resaonable with all the performace this board gives you, and the ability to add new samples will keep it from becoming an old out of date synth years down the road. Check out the Motif XS on You Tube if you are still undecided, and that should really get you excited and on your way to becoming a one man band.
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