Motif

Back in 2001, this workstation burst onto the scene as Yamaha's flagship, packing a groundbreaking all-in-one design that blended high-end sampling, sequencing, and synthesis into a single powerhouse—redefining what pros expected from a stage keyboard.

At its core sits the AWM2 tone engine with 84MB waveform ROM holding 1309 samples, delivering 62-note polyphony across 16 multitimbral parts, each Element featuring a sampled oscillator, 18 filter types with dedicated EG, amplitude EG, LFO, and full mod matrix for deep sound sculpting. Controls shine with an intuitive front panel of knobs, sliders, and buttons for real-time tweaks, plus velocity-sensitive keys (76-note FS action on the 7 model), aftertouch, and 4 stereo outs feeding reverb, chorus, insertion FX, and a 5-band master EQ. It includes a 16-track sequencer, 16-bit stereo sampler (4MB RAM expandable to 64MB with A-series loop tricks), and memory for 348 presets, 48 kits, 128 user voices, performances, and masters—ideal as a 4-zone MIDI controller too.

Over two decades on, players still praise its robust build, timeless sounds, and workflow that holds up in modern rigs, though some note the fixed polyphony feels dated next to newer models; it's a vintage gem for those chasing that classic Motif vibe.