Korg Triton or Yamaha MX61?

[Arpangel]

Pssst? Is their anyone there?
It’s still here.
It must be good.

[Eddy Deegan]

I like Yamaha stuff a lot as a rule, especially when it comes to how it sounds, and the MX has a good pedigree insofar as it's related to the Motif family so I'm not surprised you're happy with the sounds!

Coincidentally a friend of mine has one of the new Montage M models (specifically the M6). I was very impressed with it and am seriously considering replacing two or three of my synths with a single Montage M8x at some point going forwards.

We'll see. The main point I'm making is that pretty much anything with a Motif pedigree is good stuff IMHO

[adrian_k]

Pssst? Is their anyone there?
It’s still here.
It must be good.

This is the ultimate accolade. I must buy one!

[tea for two]

There is a single Mx61mk2 in cex 2 years warranty £375 purchase online only.

SY85 and W7 were the last Yammy workstations I had around 2001.
That's when I thawd to gingerly tread water in pcs daw.
I dream of some manufacturer ASM pleeeease bringing out a 37key battery operated all singing dancing sampler workstation mic in hi-z in with a breath controller talk box type thing built in.

[Arpangel]

I like Yamaha stuff a lot as a rule, especially when it comes to how it sounds, and the MX has a good pedigree insofar as it's related to the Motif family so I'm not surprised you're happy with the sounds!

Coincidentally a friend of mine has one of the new Montage M models (specifically the M6). I was very impressed with it and am seriously considering replacing two or three of my synths with a single Montage M8x at some point going forwards.

We'll see. The main point I'm making is that pretty much anything with a Motif pedigree is good stuff IMHO

It’s good, what more can I say, I have no reason to send it back, it does all I wanted and a lot more, that I may or more likely, probably won’t use.
The actual keyboard is a lot better than I thought it was going to be, the Rhodes sounds are fine, absolutely fine, they have that Yamaha quality that I like. Plus, it has some really nice ethnic sounds, and some reedy organ-ish things that are a very welcome bonus.
This is going to be a studio board, gigging, jams etc, it’s fine, nothing else to say, and it’s great actually having an "instrument" again, that’s also very light (unlike my DX7) that won’t strain my ageing legs.
Eddy, if I had the space, an overriding yearning for a better keyboard and hadn’t lost all desire to program "anything" I’d have got the Montage, but it would be wasted on me, totally, nice board though.

I dream of some manufacturer ASM pleeeease bringing out a 37key battery operated all singing dancing sampler workstation mic in hi-z in with a breath controller talk box type thing built in.

Can we make that a 49 keyboard, ands some built in speakers please.

[tea for two]

I dream of some manufacturer ASM pleeeease bringing out a 37key battery operated all singing dancing sampler workstation mic in hi-z in with a breath controller talk box type thing built in.

Can we make that a 49 keyboard, ands some built in speakers please.

I was looking at 49key Mx49 in blue if it had speakers battery operated would be purrfick for me.
Basic Home arranger keyboards are my faves because of speakers and battery. I can take my Casio sa50 to the bog where my best stuff happens.

[Arpangel]

OK, first hurdle, some of the sounds have excessive panning and tremolo, I’m having trouble finding out how to lower it, I’m guessing it’s LFO's at some point, I’ll have a go tomorrow, but any tips appreciated.
But, the pianos and Rhodes on this are truly beyond, and are going to come in very useful for gigs and jams, I’d have bought it for those alone, the rest is a huge bonus.

[Eddy Deegan]

OK, first hurdle, some of the sounds have excessive panning and tremolo, I’m having trouble finding out how to lower it, I’m guessing it’s LFO's at some point, I’ll have a go tomorrow, but any tips appreciated.

If it is an LFO modulation then pages 50-51 of the manual might help:

• Press [EDIT]
• Select “02:Part” with Cursor down button
• Press [ENTER]
• Select the Part (voice) you want to edit, using the Category buttons ([1] – [16])
• Select a screen for editing from 05 – 08 with Cursor up/down buttons (you want the one called "Voice LFO")
• Press [ENTER]

Editable parameters are shown in the selected display, and one of those is called "Dest1/2/3". These are the (up to three) parameters that the LFO for the selected part is modulating.

Page 52 of the Data List document shows that the available destinations for LFO modulation are:

Number: Name
0: Insertion Effect A Parameter 1 (Common)
15: Insertion Effect A Parameter 16
64: Amplitude Modulation (Element)
65: Pitch Modulation
66: Filter Modulation
67: Resonance
68: Pan
69: LFO Speed

So I'd start there

[Arpangel]

OK, first hurdle, some of the sounds have excessive panning and tremolo, I’m having trouble finding out how to lower it, I’m guessing it’s LFO's at some point, I’ll have a go tomorrow, but any tips appreciated.

If it is an LFO modulation then pages 50-51 of the manual might help:

• Press [EDIT]
• Select “02:Part” with Cursor down button
• Press [ENTER]
• Select the Part (voice) you want to edit, using the Category buttons ([1] – [16])
• Select a screen for editing from 05 – 08 with Cursor up/down
  buttons (you want the one called "Voice LFO")
• Press [ENTER]

Editable parameters are shown in the selected display, and one of those is called "Dest1/2/3". These are the (up to three) parameters that the LFO is modulating.

You’re a gem Eddy, thanks, I’ll look tomorrow.
But, I have just downloaded the full manual, and I’m going to read it from cover to cover, I’m really into this, once I’ve decided it’s my instrument, I want to know everything about it, and more.

[Eddy Deegan]

You're welcome Tony. It seems to be a trend that the workstation-type offerings from the big vendors are making a Performance (or the equivalent) the main 'object' which users interact with as opposed to maintaining separate Performance and Voice modes, which I think is a bit of a shame.

In Yamaha speak, a Performance is a number of Voices (aka Parts) grouped together with splits/layers but as a rule I tend not to use them, preferring to work with individual Voices.

I'm not sure if the MX61 has a dedicated Voice mode (judging from the manual it would appear not) but you can still use individual voices by initialising a Performance and then assigning Part 1 to be the single Voice you want.

On the older Motif-family synths there are also Elements (effectively waveforms in the AWM2 architecture), a number of which are grouped to make a Voice but the word 'Element' only features in the MX61 manual once, and it's not in that context. I'm sure they're still in there though, and I note that one of the LFO destinations appears to be able to affect an individual Element.

I may be telling stuff you already know, but Yamaha also use the word 'Common' a lot when it comes to parameters. Any parameter that is Common will affect all the Voices within a Performance as opposed to any of them individually.

[Arpangel]

You're welcome Tony. It seems to be a trend that the workstation-type offerings from the big vendors are making a Performance (or the equivalent) the main 'object' which users interact with as opposed to maintaining separate Performance and Voice modes, which I think is a bit of a shame.

In Yamaha speak, a Performance is a number of Voices (aka Parts) grouped together with splits/layers but as a rule I tend not to use them, preferring to work with individual Voices.

I'm not sure if the MX61 has a dedicated Voice mode (judging from the manual it would appear not) but you can still use individual voices by initialising a Performance and then assigning Part 1 to be the single Voice you want.

On the older Motif-family synths there are also Elements (effectively waveforms in the AWM2 architecture), a number of which are grouped to make a Voice but the word 'Element' only features in the MX61 manual once, and it's not in that context. I'm sure they're still in there though, and I note that one of the LFO destinations appears to be able to affect an individual Element.

I may be telling stuff you already know, but Yamaha also use the word 'Common' a lot when it comes to parameters. Any parameter that is Common will affect all the Voices within a Performance as opposed to any of them individually.

Thanks Eddy, the saviour is that you can use "common" editing to treat a performance like a single voice, in a way.
It doesn’t bother me as a lot of the time I’ll just be selecting presets as they are so good, maybe a little tweaking with the knobs and all is fine. I’m putting this through a few pedals to add more character sometimes, so the source sound isn’t naked as such.
I’m really surprised, maybe because I haven’t been involved in modern workstations, but as an entry level board, it’s way beyond my expectations.
On the other hand, buying it wasn’t straightforward, it wasn’t in the shop on the day they said it would be, when I arrived they couldn’t find it, and were very vague as to its whereabouts, and what they were going to do about it, they immediately said we'll refund your deposit, I said no, I'd rather have my keyboard please.
I sat in the car for a hour, then went back in, miraculously, they had found it ???
The box looked like a B Stock item as it had been opened, and was badly dented, covered in old tape, I complained, but after a good inspection it was resolved, all-in-all not really a good experience.
Another sketch, I spoke to a "synthesiser expert" at Yamaha Music Soho to ask if they could do a price match as it looked like my previous one wasn’t going to turn up. The person there said they couldn’t do a match on the model I was asking for, as it was an old model, the current one is called an MX61 V11 the one I was looking at was the MX61 11, an outdated machine that didn’t have all the "professional" (please) features if the V11.
I politely said I think your mistaken, there have only been two models, the MX 61 and the MX61 11. This person was adamant that wasn’t the case, and couldn’t do a price match.
This is bad, uneducated "experts" and possibly a ruse to get me to pay more.
I called Yamaha in Milton Keynes, just in case I was going completely crazy, and the chap there was amazed too, we both agreed that some shops just use "V" or Version 11 just to emphasise it’s the latest version, and he said V or Version wasn’t an official Yamaha description.
I wouldn’t deal with either of these places again, but at least I’ve got my keyboard.

[Arpangel]

Update.

Things aren’t what they seem to be, I think I may have a B-Stock machine, I didn’t think a printed manual would be included these days, but apparently there is one that comes with the MX61, also, there isn’t anything in the box about the free software.
The box was very tatty and the PSU was rolling around inside out of it's packing, and the wrapping around the keyboard was loose just roughly wrapped around it.
I’ve asked for a new unopened machine, or a refund.
Because I’m not using the software I didn’t bother to check, and I thought that the lack of a printed manual was quite usual these days, but not in this case as I’ve just found out.

[tea for two]

Oh dear woot a palaver.
Cex still have at £375 Mx61 mk2 V2 it is B grade.
2 years warranty. Purchase online only they deliver within 4working days. It's in Croydon cex store.

I have purchased nearly all my audio gear from Cex online as well as laptops, imacs, macbooks, digital cameras.
As well as returned instore in person gear I purchased online that I didn't gel with wasn't suitable for my requirements.
Just last week after purchasing online I returned instore inperson senny hd599 has a boxy smartphone speaker type sound, senny hd560s supposed to be a close relative of hd600 butt this hd560s was muddy muffled.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Update.

Things aren’t what they seem to be, I think I may have a B-Stock machine,...

Arrrggghhh! You knew that when you took it out of the shop!

The box looked like a B Stock item as it had been opened, and was badly dented, covered in old tape, I complained, but after a good inspection it was resolved....

I didn’t think a printed manual would be included these days, but apparently there is one that comes with the MX61, also, there isn’t anything in the box about the free software.

You don't read manuals, and aren't a fan of software... but both will be available online should you really want them...

The box was very tatty and the PSU was rolling around inside out of it's packing, and the wrapping around the keyboard was loose just roughly wrapped around it.

Who cares? The box and wrappings will go into the recycling anyway.

Can I remind you of your previous statement:

It’s good, what more can I say, I have no reason to send it back, it does all I wanted and a lot more, that I may or more likely, probably won’t use. The actual keyboard is a lot better than I thought it was going to be, the Rhodes sounds are fine, absolutely fine, they have that Yamaha quality that I like. Plus, it has some really nice ethnic sounds, and some reedy organ-ish things that are a very welcome bonus. This is going to be a studio board, gigging, jams etc, it’s fine, nothing else to say, and it’s great actually having an "instrument" again, that’s also very light (unlike my DX7) that won’t strain my ageing legs.

I’ve asked for a new unopened machine, or a refund.

Is this just Buyer's Remorse? Are you fretting that you haven't got the latest versions? Or are you actually completely bonkers?

Second thoughts, don't answer that, I know already

It's a great keyboard. It does exactly what you want and need. It's in your hands now. Just play it and make music. Life is way too short for this nonsense....

[resistorman]

Dang, here I was, beginning to believe that Arpy was going to make it to the finish line

BTW, the MX is a very powerful synth under the hood when you use a software editor to get at it!

[Arpangel]

Update.

Things aren’t what they seem to be, I think I may have a B-Stock machine,...

Arrrggghhh! You knew that when you took it out of the shop!

The box looked like a B Stock item as it had been opened, and was badly dented, covered in old tape, I complained, but after a good inspection it was resolved....

I didn’t think a printed manual would be included these days, but apparently there is one that comes with the MX61, also, there isn’t anything in the box about the free software.

You don't read manuals, and aren't a fan of software... but both will be available online should you really want them...

The box was very tatty and the PSU was rolling around inside out of it's packing, and the wrapping around the keyboard was loose just roughly wrapped around it.

Who cares? The box and wrappings will go into the recycling anyway.

Can I remind you of your previous statement:

It’s good, what more can I say, I have no reason to send it back, it does all I wanted and a lot more, that I may or more likely, probably won’t use. The actual keyboard is a lot better than I thought it was going to be, the Rhodes sounds are fine, absolutely fine, they have that Yamaha quality that I like. Plus, it has some really nice ethnic sounds, and some reedy organ-ish things that are a very welcome bonus. This is going to be a studio board, gigging, jams etc, it’s fine, nothing else to say, and it’s great actually having an "instrument" again, that’s also very light (unlike my DX7) that won’t strain my ageing legs.

I’ve asked for a new unopened machine, or a refund.

Is this just Buyer's Remorse? Are you fretting that you haven't got the latest versions? Or are you actually completely bonkers?

Second thoughts, don't answer that, I know already

It's a great keyboard. It does exactly what you want and need. It's in your hands now. Just play it and make music. Life is way too short for this nonsense....

Hugh, it’s not good full stop.
I paid for a new machine with all the trimmings, if not then the price should have been reduced.
I “DO” need the manual and I want to read it, it’s a complex board, and the free FM synth app I was looking forward to trying too. I phoned Yamaha and they told me what should be in the box, they could give me download codes if I need them related to the serial number , but owing to the hardware issues that’s not a way forward.
This could be an ex-demonstrator as it’s showing signs of wear, the controller knob selection button is intermittent, and some parameter adjustments are not smooth when using the wheel, also, the output level is painfully low, I’ve checked internal levels and they are fine, I don’t know what’s going on there.
I was tired, and stressed out when I picked this up, plus these are things that you can only find out by playing it.
Tired or not tired, it’s still not right I want a sealed box that’s not damaged, this is selling something that is miss-represented, simple as that. And regarding the box, in the future if I do need to sell it I don’t want something that looks like it’s been pulled through a hedge backwards.
It’s all been resolved amicably, they’ve agreed to send me a new machine, and everything’s “lovely”

[Hugh Robjohns]

You are your own worst enemy... but I'm glad you've got it sorted out.... for now...

[resistorman]

The new one will have unusually low output too, it's a--feature. Still sounds good though. I used a tube preamp on mine to give it some fur.

[Arpangel]

You are your own worst enemy... but I'm glad you've got it sorted out.... for now...

I just can’t go with any of this it’s just wrong.

The new one will have unusually low output too, it's a--feature. Still sounds good though. I used a tube preamp on mine to give it some fur.

The low output is a feature? What next?
Sometimes I think where’s that UFO, just beam me off this earth please, I’ve had enough.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I just can’t go with any of this it’s just wrong.

I get why you want a pristine V2 model.

What I don't get is why you walked out of the shop with a B-spec mk1 when you've said you knew, had a discussion about it, and accepted it wasn't new and pristine.

[Arpangel]

I just can’t go with any of this it’s just wrong.

I get why you want a pristine V2 model.

What I don't get is why you walked out of the shop with a B-spec mk1 when you've said you knew, had a discussion about it, and accepted it wasn't new and pristine.

OK, I accepted that it wasn’t wrapped correctly and the box was damaged, but that’s all.
I don’t think I said I accepted a Mark 1? it’s definitely a mark 2 otherwise I wouldn’t have taken it. The Mark 2 is obvious by the 61 logo being orange and mine is.
But as time went by I got suspicious.
The staff said that boxes are often opened if something is moved from branch to branch, I don’t see the need for this if it’s a sealed box from the factory that doesn’t show any signs of damage, as most customers do want, a sealed box!
But there are operational issues, intermittent buttons and a flakey parameter wheel.
But I’d really like the manual too, I’m inclined to read them more if they’re a hard copy.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I don’t think I said I accepted a Mark 1? it’s definitely a mark 2

Sorry, my mistake. I misunderstood your earlier post.

Anyway... glad you're getting it sorted.

[Arpangel]

I don’t think I said I accepted a Mark 1? it’s definitely a mark 2

Sorry, my mistake. I misunderstood your earlier post.

Anyway... glad you're getting it sorted.

Thanks Hugh, got a mail from head office this morning apologising, just waiting for a swap over date.
They said a lot of stock is taken from the shop floor so it was a demo machine .
Just a reflection of empty stockrooms that they can’t afford to have stock laying about in.

[Arpangel]

Pipe organs !
Reed Organs!!
Accordions!!!

My old Casio piano sound!
Deep dark Prophet-esque pads!!
Rhodes upon Rhodes upon Rhodes!!!

Do I need anything else at all?

[Hugh Robjohns]

A positive outlook on life?
...And Hammond Organs