Back in the early 2010s, this series brought flagship Motif sounds to a sleek, affordable package that gigging musicians and studio producers snapped up for its no-fuss power.
Powered by Yamaha's AWM2 tone generation with 128-note polyphony, it packs over 1,100 preset voices including 61 drum kits, drawn straight from the Motif XS/XF libraries, plus user slots for 128 voices and 8 drum kits. It's 16-part multitimbral for complex layering, splits, and zones, with dedicated Split/Layer buttons, dual arpeggiators, and 128 editable Performances that feel like instant band grooves. Hands-on controls include four real-time knobs for filter cutoff/resonance, ADSR, effects sends, and more, alongside pitch bend/mod wheels, an LCD screen, and USB audio/MIDI for plug-and-play DAW integration or iOS apps. The 49/61-key versions offer velocity-sensitive synth action (aftertouch on 61), while the 88 has weighted keys; all are compact at around 3.8kg for the 49-key model, with stereo outs, MIDI I/O, reverb/chorus/48 insertion effects via VCM modeling, filters, and envelopes per voice.
Players loved its versatile, pro-grade sounds for live sets and production without the bulk or price of higher-end Motifs, though some noted solo strings could feel limited by fixed vibrato. The built-in 16-track sequencer and remote DAW control made it a workflow favorite that still holds up.
