![]() ![]() ![]() Sound structure-wise, Yamaha has simplified things compared to the outgoing Motif, so now there are just three levels Performance, Part and Element. You also have to remember that controller assignments are made not just on a common/overall level but also at part level where all the real-time controllers are available for each of the 16 parts and more besides it's essentially a super-complex digital modular! Be sure to read the manuals and the excellent programming tutorials (under articles>resources at and official/user video tutorials on YouTube). ![]() We also wish the assignment system was more straightforward (like Nord's 'morph' system or DSI's simple source/destination assignment system on the P12/Pro2) but as we are dealing with a largely screen-centric interface here with a ridiculous number of editable parameters, it's a fair compromise. However, with this comes some inevitable head-scratching and, while Yamaha has gone a long way to making the system as intuitive as possible, it can feel overwhelming at times. It really feels like there are no bounds to the Montage's control and sound design possibilities which is great (yet scary too)! It can also be controlled via a foot pedal for hands-off control over many parameters simultaneously - you could morph from one sound into another, fade in an FM-X layer over an AWM2 layer, control several layers' volumes or filters or effect levels/parameters, with some going up and some down simultaneously. The knob glows several different user-definable colours and flashes in accordance with the overall tempo. Now the SuperKnob! While it may seem gimmicky at first, it serves a very important function as a central 'macro' knob that enables control over a huge array of simultaneous parameters manually, or via the 'motion control' function which allows automation of the knob via motion sequences (or over MIDI). There's also a pop-up numeric keypad to speed up programming. Navigating the OS and selecting/editing is simple - use any finger to select functions/parameters and change values using the data wheel. There's also no apparent way to adjust the screen's brightness, though viewing is easy at all angles. It feels like there are no bounds to the control and sound design possibilities which is great (yet scary!) Regardless, the screen feels generally snappy with little lag (there's seamless sound switching too) and it's easy enough on the eyes, though we would have liked to see even more contrast/colours/graphics along the lines of the Korg Kronos 2/Roland Jupiter/FA-series. The heart of the Montage's programming system is the full-colour touchscreen plus data wheel/cursors, though surprisingly the plethora of real-time controls (faders, knobs, SuperKnob etc) don't really get involved with the editing process. ![]() One downside is that, while the part/function/element selector buttons on the right side of the panel glow orange and speed up programming/navigation massively, it's hard to distinguish when (for example) a part is muted or unmuted as this only involves a subtle change of brightness - multi-coloured LEDs to show different states would have been clearer. It certainly feels tank-like and the controls are very solid with nicely stiff and positive selection buttons, rubberised Nord-style knobs with LED ring dials (that relay knob position at a glance) and eight plastic-capped faders with LED meters that can be assigned to various duties including part volume levels and organ drawbars once set up. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |