The glorious Yamaha Montage M8X 

When the blue adidas tracksuit top comes out you know Matt loves the gear.

Regarding Yamahas not going wrong. I can attest to this. They really are the Chuck Norris’s of synths/keyboards. I have a Yamaha EX5 that was in a fire. It survived. It was soaked in a flood. It survived. It got bashed around to hundreds of gigs without a case for decades and has never not worked 100%. Me and my band members used to joke about it and say that ‘we just can’t kill it’. Same goes for any other Yamaha synth I’ve ever owned.

I tried this one today. Everything I was doing made me feel like I was Vangelis or something. It was ridiculous how gorgeous and intuitive everything is. Absolutely blown away.

Lazing on a sunny afternoon (wink, wink) and browsing matt's videos over and over again for sound gems and artful playing - thanks for sharing all that with us!

I have never been as stoked in years for a Yamaha synth.

Absolutely loved this overview of the M8X! The Rhodes with strings gave me goosebumps … well done! 💯😀

Not sure, but yamaha m8x is honestly, one of the best workstation keyboards i have ever played in my life. It may sound like a weird statement, but this keyboard is absolutely phenomenal. The action is brilliant. I was playing the stock piano, and i was blown away by the delicate touch achieved by the action. Honestly, it was the best digital piano i have ever played. So, yea, yamaha has really done it here. The E.P.s sound great, the bass’s also. But the drum voices really impressed me also. I didn’t get a chance to play everything, but i need this board.

Grateful to hear and see the love for Yamaha. They really help hold the Music technology world together. Bridge the gap over the generations. The SeqTrak really brings it back around to the RS7000. Really is a beautiful time to be making music. Sounds so good. Grateful as always. Cheers ✨

I used to have a Motif ES7 several years ago and had to sell it when the studio monitors needed replacing. Over the years I've desired to get another good Yamaha synth and after watching this video and seeing it at Namm I pulled the trigger on the Montage M8X. My 1st synth with true hammer action! We're blessed to be living in such great times for synthesizers!

I love Yamaha too! The sound design on it always incredible!

What a keyboard! It seems expensive but it’s really not at all if you use all the capabilities. It’s less than a Mini Moog, which although a beautiful thing, is just mono. I recently watched your video on your journey in the music business, which I found very good viewing and now I’m jumping through your videos. A very well put together and professional channel.

Played on at the Yamaha store in London at the weekend. Absolutely fantastic synth.

You've been a Yamaha shill for nearly as long as I've been alive!! I love them too. I've been a fan ever since I was 4 years old playing a 1989 Yamaha PSR-6 toy board. I have a MoXF myself and I just love the Motif engine. They make excellent instruments as a rule.

Not only do I love your playing, I love that this review focuses on the exact things I care about in the upgrade from the original Montage.

That synthesizer is so awesome looking & sounds fantastic! Thank you, Matt!

It’s a real joy just to watch you play Matt.

Much love for Yamaha. Innovative and rock solid reliability.

Stellar ! I was literally waiting for your demo, Matt. You Never disappoint !

You make every synth sound great. Nice demo.

Beautiful sounds 👍👌

Thank you so much for the nice sound🎵🎹✨👍👏👏👏

"I never use sequences", and despite of that the sequence you did was totally amazing, what a vibe!

I bought 22 years ago, my Roland RD-700 digital stage piano, to use it as a mother keyboard in my studio and it still serves me well. Maybe it's time to upgrade to the Montage M8X....

I really like your keyboard playing. Been a jamiroquai fan since I saw the Return of the Space cowboy video in 95!!!salute!!!

Fantastic vid mr J and a good insight into my future synth 😊

Thanks for sharing your experience. I ordered the M8x the day it was released and haven’t looked back. It really is an endless set of possibilities. The GEX keyboard is great, the nicest I have felt. Admittedly I don’t have much experience with high end key beds. Well, I do now. I certainly would love to see and hear more videos and your experience with the Montage M8x. Thanks again!👍

Matt, 15:15 is one of the most beautiful sounds I have heard in a long time, it really touches me, I love your programming choices. And the way you play on this beautiful synth! I really enjoy your content! Thanks .

That Mick Karn impression was spot on for a keyboard ! Impressive !

top of my synth dream list, going to take bit fo saving for this awesome machine

100% getting this, thanks Matt !

OMG 15:17-16:25 took me back to another dimension - 1980 something - or as you Brits would call it - the "eigh ies"

Right on time, I was trying to figure out if I should get this. Matt thanks for helping making that decision!!!!

Thanks! Loved that.

Awesome sounds!!

Lovely playing as usual Matt 👍

So glad to see polyphonic aftertouch become more available again!

Honestly love the Montage series of Yamaha. Hard not to. 🤣 you definitely were the right pick for a Yamaha sponsorship. You got mad chops on the keys.

Yes, it sounds powerful!...

Love the felt and upright pianos Matt! Happy to see those included, as opposed to the always too perfect and in tune grands. Gimme some that character.

I have the Yamaha modx6 but I'm drooling. Thanks for the amazing video.

I’ve got to get one of these added to my set up . Great video Matt very interesting ! Very true about Yamaha gear not going wrong also . I’ve never had a single issue with any Yamaha product I’ve owned over the years .

Terrific video. I’m a Roland fanboy at heart but Yahama is unquestionably a close second for me. My first real synth was a Yamaha s80, and the YM2612 chip from the Sega Genesis has some of my favorite sounds in all of synthesis. I work for a major music retailer and on our sales floor we have a Montage and a Fantom directly next to one another - I play the both of them so much and eventually I’ll decide on one or the other and this video is a strong argument for the Montage. Cheers!

Nice Video, Matt 👍🙋‍♂️

Lots of interesting programming ideas here, great demo!

Great demo!

SUPER !!!

That swirling/rotating sound at 7:52 is just so lovely. 🙌🏻 I've heard that in other videos you've done I'm sure.

I just got one of these I wish I had some of those sounds you made they are very good

Great video!

Matt your never boring when it comes to showing off keyboards 😎🎹

that fret bass was giving me expose-when i looked at him kinda vibes. love the demo!

Please do follow-ups! Beautiful custom sounds! There's a 3 month wait for the M8x here in Norway, so this is a great way for me to get to know it's outs and ins before it's in front me 🙂

great synth and playing….. and sporting a tag carrera to boot !

Hey Matt, this beauty is still on my wish list, 😍 Yamaha gear!!! (yes I've never had any Yam studio gear issues ever, over past 30+? years now .... others Brands have though is all I'll say!!). You moved Scala gig from April to May ....... so we pressed the button on those tickets! - can't wait to see you & the guys, since Jazz Cafe Oct-23. 😎👊🎹🎶🍻

Thank you! Convincing.

Sounds like you (Matt obviously) can score a Nolan Film with that. That min 13 bell chord should be a complete song! Amazing sounds!👌

as usual, fantastic playing and fantastic sounds. also, kudos for still rocking the emagic mt4, that would be 24 years old now, still looks like a current product. :)

All bar 1 of my keyboards are Yamaha’s. The oldest being an SY55 and it’s absolutely mint. Still sounds really good to this day. One of my old arranger’s had been to hell and back condition wise yet every single thing still works as well as the day it was made over 20 years ago.

great synth - big money too

After watching your videos (your own lo-res ones) I did have a look at that Yamaha, just because it sounds really good and versatile! 👍 But I'm sticking to my trusty Rolands (various generations from XP's, XV's, Fantoms to 2 current FA's) that are all still functional 😎 And 2 vintage Korgs (MS20 & Poly61) for additional stuff, and if all else fails: My biggest beast, the legendary Kurzweil K2600X. Plus, there's no Yamaha I've ever heard (yet!!) that can really replicate a Hammond - which is one of my first influences to start playing many moons ago.... 😀👍🙏

Yamaha might not have as many SKUs (in terms of hardware synths, they have lots of traditional instruments and studio gear) targeting specific parts of the market, like Arturia, Korg, or Sequential has. But the M8x is maybe the most complete digital flagship. It sort of feels like between the Virus and this, nothing falls in the middle. I guess most digital synthesis innovation is trapped in pure software land. Waldorf gets closest but either it's limited in voices, or is something really odd like the Kyra, which nobody really wants... The Korg Opsix/Modwave/Wavestate are the closest things, but that is split between 3 SKUs, which I guess you can now get as a trio of modules which is nice. Still the M8x is the whole package!

I had 2 Yamaha keyboards that survived two tours without issue, you are so correct about that durability and the key touch response. I do however really like the Roland PH4 on my RD88. Of course the RD88 cannot touch the Montage on the navigation and internals.

Matt, great video and sounds. When you played the organic FM arp bells I was thinking Sakamoto/Sylvian and then you suddenly revealed you like Japan and played that awesome little homage with the superb fretless bass. It was one of those surreal moments! You really captured a sense of Mick Karn. Just brilliant! Thanks! Would love a midi file of that. It was genius.

Wow! That Japan demo was pretty impressive. Had to sit up in the chair for that one! I'm sure you probably helped sell a few new Montages for Yamaha.

I'm a Roland guy primarily but I have a Yamaha digital piano that I do all my woodshedding on and I definitely back their key feel, you can tell they've got a pedigree in making real acoustic grand pianos (that grace big-money pop studios and classical concert halls the world over) which carries over to their weighted-action electronic instruments! I've really come to the conclusion that pretty much all of these flagship workstation synths - the Montage, the Fantom, the Kronos/Nautilus and the Stage - are miracles in a box, I'm continuously in awe at how they combine complex synthesis possibilities with great vintage piano/Rhodes/organ tones and have so much functionality for live sound setup, sequencing etc. Cool to see a demo of the Yamaha one as it's probably the one I'm the least familiar with.

Sounds great, especially in your hands!. Regret selling my Yamaha XF6 a few years ago, so I might look into one of these newer ones maybe :)

I'm a bass player , but you are making me want to dig out my old Korg Triton LE . \O/

Glad it gets the thumbs up. My 20 year old Motif ES8 is starting to show it's age now (some dodgy keys) so, when I retire in October, some of my lump sum is going on a new Montage M8X 🙂 (along with a Waldorf Quantum 2)

that flanger at 8 minutes! wow. beautiful. indeed there is so much more details in the sound. A few months ago, I decided to go for the New Nord Stage 4 88 since it was directly available for me, but I must admit after hearing you play Matt,.. especially this aftertouch. I love the Nord, as a concept, free samples, continuitiy I love the accessibility with all the pots, but one thing I cannot do and it's really frustrating me is: Small stone phaser/ orange phase: there is no way I can play a proper Massive Attack "Protection" on it, I am trying to simulate with wha-wha and so one, But I think Yamaha is another level, they know how to program and implement FX, period. Thanks again Matt for this brilliant demonstration.

Yep, Yamaha is best - even my motor bike is Yamaha, my grand piano too and MODX, CP73 - yep, Montage is on my list too. Best review and demo btw, thx Matt

Hi matt - i'm the bloke you met down the Co-Op a few days ago. Now this beast has a corresponding DAW plugin i'm much more tempted to bite ( i tried one at the Yamaha Wardour st store in London last year and was v impressed). You'll recall I mentioned the new MIDI 2.0 standard. Yamaha apparently have support for MIDI 2.0 in the pipeline for MONTAGE M - and thats what i'm really waiting for before I go for this - as then it will double as an excellent MIDI/DAW/Plugin controller and i'll eventually sell my KOMPLETE KONTROL MkII ( which is a parsons egg )

that OBX sound rtowards the end reminded me a bit of a Steve Winwood solo album track

If only there were any in the Uk, great video though, also love the ep playing at the end beautiful

Wow, very nice Video my dear Friend 👍👈👀🎶🎵 Warmest Greetings from Germany to UK 😊

I want one now

It's about time we got someone to do a proper job on this one.

Fab!

Their stage pianos are silly great too. Tons of different Rhodes samples… more options than anyone.

Love this keyboard so much!!! had a chance to play this at NAMM this year. Could you upload all of these patches to sound Mondo? It would befantastic for others who have this keyboard to have access to these amazing sounds. Keepupthe great work.

I got an MODX6+ only (no AN-X : ( Not the most intuitive GUI, but once you get the hang of it, the possibilities are endless. Matt's sounds are amazing examples.

I'm a lifelong Yamaha junkie, addicted to them since my first SK30 from childhood, have watched this video several times now 😅

Was waiting for that. Should get a sponsorship from Adidas as well. Hope I can make it to Utrecht. My son lives there currently ;)

its so true that yamaha keyboards are built like tanks. beautiful demonstration.

I'm a huge Yamaha fan girl!

Hey Matt. awesome playing and video there. Really Gassing for this when I hear you playing it it and see it but this is at the moment most definitely out of my reach budget range. And besides I got a MODX (very happy with that) and the original AN1x (bought in 1997 and still happy living the synth life) one on top. So minus the upsampling and 1 osc more it is more ore less the same palette. On the original AN1x you have the Free EG. A 4 track Motion sequencer which you can record any parameter by moving the knobs in real time which is also a sort of early take on the motion sequencer. I would like to see a video on comparing the Montage AN1x Engine to the AN1x OG just for fun but not in sound quality (Which the M obviously wins due to newer technique) but in terms of difference in features and also feeling because it is a different approach to the same engine.

Hello thanks for this test. I don't have montage 8, but i can implement ideas on my asm hydrasynth. You are always cool!

Bello.🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

Opening jam sounds like a B-side from Automaton I dig it

Nice

Hi Matt I have the m6 and am really enjoying it. The only thing i’m missing on mine is your skills. best wishes.

The sounds you making at begining give me modern shin megami tensei soundtrack vibe

Matt, you could definitely sell me on this particular model if I were susceptible. The thing is, this August will be the 13th anniversary of when I got my own Yamaha synthesizer model, the S90XS. Despite it being discontinued and technically “out of date”, not to mention only featuring channel aftertouch, there are many aspects of it that still seem new to me.

Fantastic sounding board. Seems a lot easier to use than the Roland Fantom too

Intersting how each time someone demos the ANX engine and mentions the ringmod and crossmod - he avoids demoing what it sounds like

One of the things that I consider a huge factor on workstation choice is the piano action. Just wondering if you have had a chance to play a Kurzweil 2700 since that is the other board I’m considering right now because of how impressed I was with my last main unit, the Kurzweil PC3K8.

My first ever synth was CS30. My second was DX7IIFD. My first two rack size sound module was TX802. My only portable sound module was QY70. My first rhythm machine was RX17. My first multi effect pedal was Rex50. I do miss them. I have been thinking buying Korg Kronos (now Nautilus AT?), but Montage could be it. Of course I miss my Korg CX3 and Prophecy and still have M3 with Radias board which I dearly love. About Roland, really no end so I stop here, missing my D110, U110, SC88, JD990 and JV2080. I should not have sold them!

Such a monster of a machine it is! And so cool to see that everyone is diving into the poly aftertouch now. How are you getting on with it? And I bet the girls love it when you brag about your Super Knob eh?

💛💙

Wow, Matt. M8x sounds incredible! What are the BEAUTIFUL 3 bass/rich EP/synth lead sounds at 17:28?? And that synth bass/EP combo at 17:39?? Do you ever share or sell your sounds? Cheers, mate! Benjamin

These AN1X presets you made sound great . I wish the presets that were on the keyboard sounded just as good as the presets built into the board that I have heard through demos don't seem to do it justice.