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Yamaha MODX M8
The Yamaha MODX8 is a powerful synthesizer designed for musicians who want both expressive performance and deep sound design capabilities. It features a full 88-key, fully weighted GHS keyboard that feels remarkably close to an acoustic piano, making it ideal for both studio and stage use. At its core, the MODX8 combines Yamaha’s AWM2 and FM-X sound engines—the same technology found in the company’s flagship Montage series—offering a vast sonic palette that spans from lifelike acoustic instruments to richly layered digital textures.
With more than two thousand preset performances, the instrument covers virtually every genre imaginable. The intuitive touchscreen interface allows musicians to quickly navigate sounds, layer voices, and fine-tune parameters with ease. A standout feature is the Super Knob, which can control multiple parameters at once, enabling dramatic real-time sound changes and expressive transitions during live performances.
The Motion Control Synthesis Engine ties these features together, allowing dynamic, evolving soundscapes that respond to your playing style. Despite its extensive capabilities, the MODX8 remains surprisingly lightweight, making it an excellent choice for gigging artists. It also serves as a USB audio and MIDI interface, seamlessly integrating into any modern studio setup.
The synthesizer
Image: Yamaha MODX 8M
Gallery
GHS Keyboard
A fully weighted GHS keyboard refers to Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard key action, a type of keybed designed to mimic the feel of an acoustic piano.
- Fully weighted means that each key offers resistance similar to real piano keys — heavier when you press the lower notes and lighter as you move toward the higher notes.
- GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) is Yamaha’s specific technology for achieving that realistic feel. It uses graded hammer weights (not springs) inside the keyboard to replicate the mechanical response of a piano’s hammer action.
In practice, this gives pianists a more authentic and expressive playing experience, especially for dynamics and touch sensitivity. It’s not as heavy or expensive as Yamaha’s higher-end key actions (like GH3 or NWX), but it provides an excellent balance between realistic piano feel and portability — which is why it’s commonly used in instruments including the Yamaha MODX8 and other stage pianos. See also [here].
Synthesizer Setup
Block diagram
Image. This instrument consists of eight main functional blocks: Controller, Motion Sequencer, Tone Generator, Effects,
Sequencer, Arpeggio, Envelope Follower, and A/D Input.
Sound Engines
Image. AWM2 sound engine (Normal Part). The AWM2 sound engine features waveforms containing sampled wave data you can assign to each element, and then modify the sound by using Filters and EGs (envelope generators). The Normal Part uses up to 128 elements to generate a wide range of rich sounds that help you create expressive sounds. The “raw” waveforms sampled from acoustic instruments are processed to be compatible with various different types of music, enabling the realistic reproduction of piano, wind instruments, and so on. You can also try creating new sounds using functions such as Filters and EGs.
Image. AWM2 sound engine (Drum Part). The AWM2 sound engine features waveforms containing sampled wave data you can assign to each element, and then modify the sound by using Filters and EGs (envelope generators). For the Drum Part, you can use up to 73 drum keys to assign the waveforms of percussion sounds to each key on the keyboard to create a desired drum kit.
Image. FM-X sound engine. The FM-X sound engine produces sounds with complex harmonics by frequency modulating (FM) eight waveform generators called “operators.” The arrangement of the eight operators is called an “algorithm,” and there are 88 different patterns available. An operator has two roles: “carrier” and “modulator.” A modulator modulates the operator it is connected to, and sound is ultimately output from the carrier. It also has a “feedback” function that allows the operator to modulate the sound itself. The harmonic structure of the operator’s waveform can also be controlled with parameters, allowing to apply the same high-quality filters, effects, EQ, etc. as the AWM2 sound engine to create expressive sounds that are difficult to create with conventional FM sound engines.
Image. AN-X sound engine. The AN-X sound engine is a virtual analog sound engine that fully digitally reproduces the behavior and characteristics of analog synthesizers. The AN-X sound engine consists of three oscillators and one noise generator. Each oscillator is equipped with waveform control functions such as Pulse Width, OSC Self Sync, and Wave Shaper, allowing for great freedom in sound creation. In addition, Oscillator 3 (OSC 3) can modulate Oscillator 1 (OSC 1) and Oscillator 2 (OSC 2) using FM or ring modulation, and the output destination of each oscillator can be set to before or after Filter1 or Filter2.
Internal Memory
The internal memory of this instrument holds the saved Performances, Live Sets, Songs, and other settings. Thisimage shows the data flow between the internal memory and the external device.
Image. MODX Internal Memory.
Expanded softsynth plugin (ESP)
The Expanded Softsynth Plugin (ESP) replicates MODX M in your favorite Digital Audio Workstation (DAW; e.g., Cubase). ESP lets you to create, edit and mix performances anywhere you happen to be – without the hardware – offering an unprecedented level of stage and studio integration.
Image. The expanded softsynth plugin.
Specifications
Keyboard & Action
- 88-key fully weighted GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) keyboard with Initial Touch sensitivity.
- No aftertouch
Sound Engines & Polyphony
- Three sound engines:
- AWM2 (sample-based)
- FM-X (8-operator FM)
- AN-X (virtual analog)
- Maximum polyphony: up to around 268 voices (128 AWM2 + 128 FM-X + 12 AN-X)
- Waveform memory: ~10.7 GB preset (when converted to 16-bit linear) and ~1.9 GB user flash memory for samples.
Controls & Interface
- 7″ TFT color touchscreen display.
- Top-panel physical controls: 8 faders with LEDs, 4 assignable knobs, 8 Scene switches, Super Knob, Pitch Bend & Modulation wheels.
- Arpeggiator with 10,922 preset patterns, and 16-track sequencer for 128 patterns / 128 songs.
Effects & Filters
- Multiple effect types: e.g., 13 reverb types, 91 variation, insertion effects, master effects, etc.
- Filter types: 18 different types.
I/O & Connectivity
- Main outputs: 2 x 6.3 mm TRS jacks (L/MONO, R).
- Audio inputs: 2 x 6.3 mm A/D inputs (L/MONO, R).
- Headphones output: 6.3 mm stereo jack.
- USB to Host (for MIDI/audio) and USB to Device. The USB audio/MIDI interface supports up to 10 audio outputs / 4 audio inputs via USB.
- MIDI In/Out; Foot controller and foot switch inputs.
Dimensions & Weight
- Dimensions (W × D × H): approximately 1310 × 391 × 152 mm.
- Weight: approx. 13.6 kg.
Videos
References
Documentation
