The Yamaha Motif (stylized in all-uppercase MOTIF) is a series of music workstation synthesizers, first released by Yamaha Corporation in August 2001. The Motif replaced the EX series in Yamaha's line-up and was also based on the early Yamaha S series. Other workstations in the same class are the Korg Kronos and the Roland Fantom G. The series' successor is Yamaha Montage, released in 2016, followed up by the Yamaha Montage M in 2023.

Products

First generation Original MOTIF series, now called "MOTIF Classic", were released in four variants in 2001:

Model Year Number of keys Key action Polyphony Waveform ROM Waveforms Memory MOTIF 6 2001 61 FS (semi-weighted) 62 48MB chip-ROM or "84MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 1,309 384 presets + 48 kits, 128 user, 128 performances, 128 master MOTIF 7 2001 76 FS 62 48MB chip-ROM or "84MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 1,309 384 presets + 48 kits, 128 user, 128 performances, 128 master MOTIF 8 2001 88 Balanced hammer effect 62 48MB chip-ROM or "84MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 1,309 384 presets + 48 kits, 128 user, 128 performances, 128 master MOTIF-RACK 2001 128 48MB chip-ROM or "84MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 1,309 640 presets + 48 kits, 256 user + 32 kits, 59 performances, 65 multis

The balanced hammer effect action is the same action found on Yamaha S90 series keyboards.

MOTIF Rack is a sound module (with no keyboard) that is controlled by external MIDI instruments. It can be expanded with two Modular Synthesis Plug-in boards but has no sampling capabilities.

MM In January (2007), Yamaha introduced two "retro" models; the MM6 (61 keys) and MM8 (88 keys), both based on the original 2001 Motif sound set and samples, with polyphony greatly reduced to fit the lower specifications. This synthesizer comes default with 418 patches and 22 drum kits. Aside from basic Motif samples, most of the other available sounds are based on the lower-end Yamaha PSR electronic keyboards.

Model Year Number of keys Key action Polyphony Waveform ROM Memory MM6 2007 61 FS 32 70MB 418 presets + 22 kits, 64 user MM8 2008 88 GHS 32 70MB 418 presets + 22 kits, 64 user

GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) action is the same action on Yamaha's high end digital pianos.

Second generation: MOTIF ES MOTIF ES, a successor to original MOTIF series, debuted at the NAMM Summer Session in 2003:

Model Year Number of keys Key action Polyphony Waveform ROM Waveforms Memory MOTIF ES6 2003 61 FS 128 96MB chip-ROM or "175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 1,859 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis MOTIF ES7 2003 76 FS 128 96MB chip-ROM or "175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 1,859 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis MOTIF ES8 2003 88 Balanced hammer effect 128 96MB chip-ROM or "175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 1,859 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis MOTIF-RACK ES 2003 128 96MB chip-ROM or "175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 1,859 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis

MO In January 2006, Yamaha launched two entry-level variants of the MOTIF ES - the 61 key MO6 and 88 key MO8. Though containing half the polyphony and fewer preset sound programs, these models contain all the MOTIF ES sample sets, along with arpeggios and a song and pattern sequencer. Lacking are the professional MOTIF ES features such as mLAN connectivity, Yamaha PLG integration, sampling and multiple foot controllers.

Model Year Number of keys Key action Polyphony Waveform ROM Waveforms Memory MO 6 2006 61 FS 64 175MB 1,859 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis MO 8 2006 88 Balanced hammer effect 64 175MB 1,859 768 presets + 64 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 performances, 128 multis

Third generation: MOTIF XS The XS versions were announced at the NAMM Show in 2007:

Model Year Number of keys Key action Polyphony Waveform ROM Waveforms Memory MOTIF XS6 2007 61 FSX 128 128MB chip-ROM or "355MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 2,670 1,024 presets + 65 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 384 performances MOTIF XS7 2007 76 FSX 128 128MB chip-ROM or "355MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 2,670 1,024 presets + 65 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 384 performances MOTIF XS8 2007 88 Balanced hammer effect 128 128MB chip-ROM or "355MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 2,670 1,024 presets + 65 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 384 performances MOTIF-RACK XS 2008 128 128MB chip-ROM or "355MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 2,670 1,024 presets + 65 kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 128 multisMOTIF has a mLAN connection for transferring MIDI and sound to a PC.

The MOTIF XS operating system is based on MontaVista Linux.

MOX In 2011, Yamaha introduced an entry-level variant of the MOTIF XS: the 61-key MOX6 and 88-key MOX8. Though containing half the polyphony and fewer insert effects of the XS, the MoX series contains all the MOTIF XS Wave ROM and voice presets, along with arpeggios and a song and pattern sequencer. The number of performances in the MoX is reduced to 256. The MoX does not support user sampling, nor does it support the mLAN/FireWire expansion. The MoX feature a built-in 4-out/2-in USB audio interface users can use to record audio directly from the keyboard or an outside source to a computer, as well as play and control VST instruments directly through the keyboard via USB.

Model Year Number of keys Key action Polyphony Waveform ROM Waveforms MemoryMOX6 2011 61 FS 64 355MB 2,670 1,024 presets + 64 Kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 256 performances, 128 multisMOX8 2011 88 GHS 64 355MB 2,670 1,024 presets + 64 Kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 256 performances, 128 multis

MX The current version of the entry-level Motif lineup, also based on the soundset of the Motif XS. It features the same voices as the XS, although with less WaveROM (166 MB vs. the XS's 355 MB), fewer performances (128), fewer arpeggios (999), and fewer editable parameters. The MX series also has no sequencer. It featured a similar USB audio/MIDI interface as the MoX series. The MX is playable in 16-part multi-timbral performance mode, configurable with the third-party Vycro editor. It is also the only keyboard in the Motif family available in a 49-key model (alongside the 61-key MX61).

A version with 88 GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) weighted keys, the MX88, was announced by Yamaha in April 2017.

Model Year Number of keys Key action Polyphony Waveform ROM Waveforms Memory MX49 2012 49 FS 128 166MB ? Preset: 1,106 Normal Voices + 61 Drum Kits, GM: 128 Normal Voices + 1 Drum Kit, User: 128 Normal Voices + 8 Drum Kits MX61 2012 61 FS 128 166MB ? Preset: 1,106 Normal Voices + 61 Drum Kits, GM: 128 Normal Voices + 1 Drum Kit, User: 128 Normal Voices + 8 Drum Kits MX88 2017 88 GHS 128 166MB ? Preset: 1,106 Normal Voices + 61 Drum Kits, GM: 128 Normal Voices + 1 Drum Kit, User: 128 Normal Voices + 8 Drum Kits

Fourth generation: MOTIF XF The XF versions were announced via www.MOTIFator.com on August 2, 2010:

Model Year Number of keys Key action Polyphony Waveform ROM Waveforms Memory MOTIF XF6 2010 61 FSX 128 256MB chip-ROM or "741MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 3,977 1,024 presets + 64 kits, 512 user + 32 kits, 512 performances MOTIF XF7 2010 76 FSX 128 256MB chip-ROM or "741MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 3,977 1,024 presets + 64 kits, 512 user + 32 kits, 512 performances MOTIF XF8 2010 88 Balanced hammer effect 128 256MB chip-ROM or "741MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (i.e. decompressed) 3,977 1,024 presets + 64 kits, 512 user + 32 kits, 512 performances

While the preset voices in the MOTIF XF are the same as in the previous XS model, the XF includes an extra user bank containing 128 brand new voices. Also, eight new drum kits are also included in the user bank area. The biggest addition in the XF is the 512MB / 1024MB flash memory, which users can use to instantaneously import or load samples and sounds. In 2014, Yamaha announced the 40th anniversary white versions of the MOTIF XF called the MOTIF XF WH Series, which are available for all three models—as MOTIF XF6, MOTIF XF7 & MOTIF XF8.

MOXF In 2013, Yamaha launched two 'lite' versions of the MOTIF XF - the 61-key MoXF6 and 88-key MoXF8. The MoXF series contains all the MOTIF XF WaveROM, polyphony and voice presets, along with arpeggios and a song and pattern sequencer. The MoXF does not support on-board user sampling, nor does it support the mLAN/FireWire expansion. It features one slot for a flash memory board (versus 2 on the flagship XF), allowing users to load additional sample libraries from third-party sources. The MoXF also features the same USB MIDI/audio interface seen on the MoX series.

Model Year Number of keys Key action Polyphony Waveform ROM Waveforms MemoryMOXF6 2013 61 FS 128 741MB 3,977 1,152 presets + 72 Kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 256 performancesMOXF8 2013 88 GHS 128 741MB 3,977 1,152 presets + 72 Kits, 384 user + 32 kits, 256 performances

Software architecture Starting with the third generation (Motif XS), Yamaha transitioned the series' operating system to a Linux-based architecture, specifically utilizing MontaVista Linux. This architectural shift continued through the Motif XF and into its successors, the Yamaha Montage and Yamaha MODX series.

In compliance with open-source licensing, Yamaha maintains a public repository of the GPL and LGPL source code used in these instruments. This allows users and developers to access the source code for the open-source portions of the firmware for models including the Motif XS, Motif XF, and the Rack variants. This transparency distinguishes Yamaha's implementation from other proprietary workstations in its class, as it provides documented access to the underlying system software for a period of at least three years after the latest factory shipment.

Specifications

Comparison

Feature Original MOTIF MOTIF ES MOTIF XS MOTIF XF Tone generator AWM2 (complying with the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System) AWM2 with Expanded articulations AWM2 with Expanded articulations MIDI sequencer capacity 110,000 notes @ 480 ppq 226,000 notes @ 480 ppq 130,000 notes @ 480 ppq 130,000 notes @ 480 ppq Polyphony voices 64 128 128 128 Sample formats compatibility Original, WAV, AIFF, Yamaha A3000/A4000/A5000 (load only), Akai S1000/S3000 (load only) Original, WAV, AIFF, Yamaha A3000/A4000/A5000 (load only), Akai S1000/S3000 (load only) Original, WAV, AIFF Original, WAV, AIFF ROM size, MB 48MB physical-ROM or "84MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (aka decompressed) 96MB physical-ROM or "175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (aka decompressed) 128MB physical-ROM or "355MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (aka decompressed) 256MB physical-ROM or "741MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (aka decompressed)

MOTIF Classic AWM2 PCM tone generator 110,000 note MIDI sequencer @ 480 ppqn Sample engine (4MB built-in, expandable up to 64MB of user RAM) Compatibility with common sample formats such as Akai, WAV, and AIFF 48MB PCM physical-ROM or "84MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format)" (aka decompressed) 62-voice polyphony