What do you make of this? Synthesizers - Synthesizers & Music Production Tools - Products - Yamaha USA
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MX49/
It is a Rompler, with a built in Audio Interface, that is loaded with about a thousand sounds, “from the flagship Motif,” ( organs, pianos, cellos, etc," )
A. It works as a VST plugin
B. Is 16 part multi-timbral
C. Has great arpeggio functionality
D. Make custom controller templates for your vst’s.
E. and plenty of other features…
Yamaha is billing it as a Synth/Workstation, “their entry level Keyboard Product.” I stood next to one in GuitarCenter today. It caught my eye. I glanced at the price, $599. Because it was next to all the other Motif’s, and I had no idea what it was, I dismissed it. After I left the store, I really wondered what it was. So I researched it tonight… Pretty cool. You really have to analyze it, and make your own desicion, as it might be “overpriced,” in one eye, and “great deal,” in the other.
I don’t think it is, “overpriced,” I am not exactly sure it is, “incredible value.” It certainly is a less expensive synth/workstation, and you certainly do miss the big features of, “the $3,500 Motif,” at this price point.
I looked at many Synths/Controllers in Guitarcenter today, as this is my mission for this month!! I thought about this thread because, “wow!! The Novation Impulse, and the mk II felt great to my hands.” I thought they were awesome!! But I am not sure if I want to deal with Automap. I looked at the Casio XW G1, as I had been considering a hardware synth, that was in my budget, and I was a little, “less than impressed.” I did not see a Roland A500 Pro in the shop, which blew my mind, as I had specifically went to the store to, “showroom,” the Casio and that Roland. However, I realized that my thoughts about the other controllers on the market haven’t changed much over the years; which is, “the controllers priced below $200 seem to fall apart easily. One is better off saving up for something that they only have to purchase once, rather than purchase several of these disposable products.” I have been having this huge problem, “with audio cards falling apart, controllers falling apart, I am tired of it.” All over again, I am ready for a new audio card + a controller.
“So the Automap,” I agree its not great; although their controllers are well made, and feel awesome, compared to what else is out there.
Then there is this brand new, just released this month, or last Yamaha MX 49. Interesting!! Rompler, Controller, Audio Card, and??? Multi-timbrel VST… Wow!! Btw, it also has a bigger brother, “Yamaha MOX,” you can google… its nice too.