Yamaha Montage M - New Montage series with AN-X VA engine and Poly-AT (but only on the biggest one)

[t-sun]

The most recent Montage series was retired over the summer, but Yamaha appears to still see some life in the workstation market. They have also apparently heard from enough people asking for a new CS-80 to take a stab at it.

https://yamahamusicians.com/yamaha-mont ... d-pricing/

Yamaha Montage M:

Sound

• The 5.67 GB of preset waveform memory on the original MONTAGE has been increased to 9.97 GB. The 1.75 Gb of internal user memory has been increased to 3.8 Gb. This massive memory allows for deeply detailed samples creating impressive new sounds!
• The MONTAGE M is the next generation with THREE sound engines included. The AWM2 engine has been refined even further to provide high-definition emulative sounds like piano, strings, and drums.
• The AWM2 and FM-X are now complimented with a NEW AN-X sound engine that re-creates the sound and behaviour of an analog synthesizer. This engine provides the warm, classic sound and behaviour of an analog synthesizer.
• The polyphony of these three engines has been increased to 400 notes (128 AWM2 preset, 128 AWM2 user, 128 FM-X, and 16 AN-X)!
• The MONTAGE M is rounded out with an upgraded pure analog circuit that reduces noise and improves the dynamic range, crosstalk, low-frequency phase, and distortion rate, resulting in clearer sound at all volumes. The sound has more detailed low-mids and presence than the previous circuit.

Control

• The MONTAGE M8X (88-key model) features a NEW GEX action with Polyphonic Aftertouch. The GEX action provides enhanced key repetition behaviour that is typically found on grand pianos.
• The MONTAGE M8X action is elevated with the use of Polyphonic Aftertouch, which was a control feature that was offered in the legendary Yamaha CS-80 and DX-1 synthesizers. It allows players to individually modulate held notes with additional pressure.
• The MONTAGE M adds new performance controls with a five-segment ribbon controller, a new keyboard HOLD button for sustaining chords while using knobs to edit, and a Portamento on/off button and dedicated time knob. These features all make the MONTAGE M even better when performing live.
  

All Model Features:

• AWM2, FM-X, and AN-X sound engines
• 128-element AWM2 architecture for higher-definition sound
• Pure Analog Circuit 2 for clear harmonic reproduction and even frequency response
• 7” TFT Full-color wide VGA LCD touch display screen with streamlined workflow
• 512 x 64 pixel LCD quick edit display screen
• The super knob (or assigned expression pedal) allows the control of eight real-time parameters with one motion
• 9.97 GB of internal waveform memory
• 400-note total polyphony with 128 notes for AWM2 presets, 128 notes for AWM2 user memory, 128 notes for FM-X, and 16 notes for AN-X
• 3.8 GB of internal flash memory for custom samples or synth library downloads
• Virtual Circuitry Modeling (VCM) recreates the sound and behaviour of vintage effects and signal processors
• Send 32 channels and receive 6 channels of audio and send 16 channels of MIDI through a single USB cable
• “Live Set” allows for easy organization and access of the most used performance voices
• “Seamless Sound Switching” allows changing performances instantly without any cut-off in envelopes and effects
• Modeless operation ensures all modifications to performance voices can be made quickly and easily
• 8 faders and rotary encoders allow deep real-time control editing
• Integrated 16-track sequencer and performance recorder
• Full metal chassis with IEC power supply

MONTAGE M6

61 full-sized touch-sensitive synth-action keys
Non-leaded Fast Spring (FSX) key action for a lightweight feel with the exacting amount of resistance
Channel aftertouch allows control over held notes

MONTAGE M7

76 full-sized touch-sensitive synth-action keys
Non-leaded Fast Spring (FSX) key action for a lightweight feel with the exacting amount of resistance
Channel aftertouch allows control over held notes

MONTAGE M8X

88 full-sized touch-sensitive piano-style keys
GEX weighted action with Polyphonic Aftertouch

Montage M8x
Pricing & Availability

The recommended retail prices are as follows but, do bear in mind that street prices may be considerably lower.

Yamaha Montage M6: $3,999.99

Yamaha Montage M7: $4,499.00

Yamaha Montage M8X: $4,999.00

Priced way out of the range of anything I'll ever be interested in and they only put the Poly-Aftertouch in the highest end model, but the AN-X synth engine could trickle-down into something more accessible and I think this is the first Poly-Aftertouch keybed with a full 88-key, piano weighted range. The 'ribbon' is a cop-out though, it's tiny and next to the pitchbend and mod wheels instead of being longer and above the keybed.

Anyone know what this 'GEX' thing refers to? I'm wondering whether this is another licensed ASM keybed, the Fatar one or something Yamaha developed in-house. My guess is that they're all Fatar keybeds, but the pictures aren't good enough to see whether the little ASM 'Polytouch' logo is there as it is on the recent Korg controllers as a clear giveaway.

[Wonks]

I'd imagine it's something carried over from their digital piano range. A variation on "Grand Expression Modelling" available on the more expensive pianos (hence GEX), where I believe they have three velocity sensors (rather then the more normal two for a digital piano) to model a more authentic piano keyboard action and the way it affects the piano sound.

No idea how they'd apply that to a synth sound though, and the extra nuancing may only apply to the piano sounds.

[t-sun]

Huh, so that might mean that it actually is an in-house development? It's not like polyphonic aftertouch is a new tech that companies have to figure out how to implement, it's just expensive to develop and test for reliability - nobody wants to run into the problems Ensoniq had.

[Wonks]

It's been on their top digital pianos for a while now - if it is the same thing. I'm only surmising that this is the case, given that there's only so much you can do and I can't see them reinventing the wheel.

But it makes sense that it's only on the weighted action keyboard.