Clash of the Flagships - Analog Audio Output from Yamaha MONTAGE M vs MOTIF XF, MODX M and MONTAGE

How does the analog audio output of today's flagship Yamaha synth compare to previous generations? Here, I pit the MONTAGE M against the original MONTAGE and the MOTIF XF, with the MODX M included too so we can hear the difference between the flagship and its lightweight, lower-cost sibling. All the synths are playing the same MIDI tracks, recorded from the MONTAGE auditions for MOTIF XF performances. Prior to recording the main (analog) audio outputs, all synths were volume matched using a control sound and a LUFS meter. Each audition will play four times: first with the MOTIF XF, then the 2016 MONTAGE, then the MONTAGE M and finally the MODX M. Several of these auditions contain Super Knob movements and scene changes, to which the MOTIF XF will not respond. Therefore, after the performances have all played through, I go back to the beginning again, with Super Knob (cc 95) and scene change (cc 92) messages stripped from the MIDI, so that all four synths are playing exactly the same thing. You can jump to 01:23:58 after you have watched the introduction if you would rather hear this than the (more sonically interesting) versions that play first. So, conclusions? It's difficult to say whether the MOTIF XF or the MONTAGE M are 'better', because they have a very different sonic signature, indicative of a change of intention in the design between the MOTIF and MONTAGE generations. MOTIF XF demonstrates the widest dynamic range, and a particularly raw and aggressive sound, more akin to a vintage synthesizer. Its output is so edgy that it may be necessary to run it through a compressor to have it sit well in a mix with other instruments, and mastering will change its sound considerably. At the other end of the spectrum, MONTAGE M has a sound that is clearly intended to be mix-ready. There is more detail in the high and low frequency extremes, with rich harmonic content. The stereo soundstage is exceptional and it is by far the most revealing of the synths in this comparison. This is particularly apparent in the 'Jazz Lounge' performance at 00:07:39 (and 01:29:54 with no Super Knob or Scenes), where the piano part sounds incredible with MONTAGE M. The classic MONTAGE has a similar signature to MONTAGE M, but it's not quite as pristine and polished. Meanwhile, the MODX M is clearly not in the same league as the others when it comes to its analog output prowess, with an audibly less impressive soundstage and what sounds like mild compression applied across the frequency range. However, MODX M is only the weakest of a very strong field of competitors, and there is absolutely nothing 'wrong' with its output at all - it's just not as good as the exceptional MOTIF and MONTAGE competition. In a live setting, especially with other instruments in the mix, I don't believe that anyone would be able to say whether they were listening to a MOTIF XF, a MONTAGE or a MODX M. 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:57 Round 2 - Super Knob and Scenes Enabled 00:02:13 Altered States 00:05:03 Clavi 70's 1 00:07:39 Jazz Lounge 00:09:54 Fountain 00:12:39 Night Train 00:15:11 Waht's This 00:18:13 Auto Funk 1 00:20:40 Electric Mystery 00:23:02 Complex Beauty 00:27:36 Silent Lake 00:28:33 Fairy Tale 00:30:05 Brazil Pop 00:32:32 Don't Look! 00:35:36 Eighties Dreams 00:39:10 The Birth Of Life 00:40:45 Synthlines 00:43:03 Smooth Guitar 00:45:33 Andy Lucia 00:48:28 Strummin'&Hummin' 00:50:57 Arianes Nightwalk 00:52:05 Lake Side 00:54:50 Piano+Analog Kit 00:58:55 Unplugged 01:01:19 Bossa On the Beach 01:03:48 Natural Woman 01:06:38 Big Apple 01:09:04 Far Away from Home 01:10:34 Blues 01:13:11 Jazz Quartet 01:14:53 Motor City Rules 01:17:10 Bach o' Roll 01:20:09 Slow Blues 01:23:58 Round 2 - Super Knob and Scenes Disabled 01:24:20 Altered States (no SK) 01:27:19 Clavi 70's 1 (no SK) 01:29:54 Jazz Lounge (no SK) 01:32:09 Fountain (no SK) 01:34:55 Night Train (no SK) 01:37:27 Waht's This (no SK) 01:40:29 Auto Funk 1 (no SK) 01:42:56 Electric Mystery (no SK) 01:45:18 Complex Beauty (no SK) 01:49:52 Silent Lake (no SK) 01:50:48 Fairy Tale (no SK) 01:52:20 Brazil Pop (no SK) 01:54:47 Don't Look! (no SK) 01:57:51 Eighties Dreams (no SK) 02:01:25 The Birth Of Life (no SK) 02:03:01 Synthlines (no SK) 02:05:19 Smooth Guitar (no SK) 02:07:48 Andy Lucia (no SK) 02:10:44 Strummin'&Hummin' (no SK) 02:13:13 Arianes Nightwalk (no SK) 02:14:20 Lake Side (no SK) 02:17:06 Piano+Analog Kit (no SK) 02:21:10 Unplugged (no SK) 02:23:34 Bossa On the Beach (no SK) 02:26:04 Natural Woman (no SK) 02:28:53 Big Apple (no SK) 02:31:20 Far Away from Home (no SK) 02:32:50 Blues (no SK) 02:35:26 Jazz Quartet (no SK) 02:37:09 Motor Citv Rules (no SK) 02:39:25 Bach o' Roll (no SK) 02:42:24 Slow Blues (no SK)