Old Motifator threads are available in the Archive.
shuebler@wi.rr.com
Total Posts: 2
Joined 12-21-2014 status: Newcomer |
I’m not sure if I’m losing my hearing or my mind! The first time I heard the Motif piano was 10 years ago and I found it amazing - the best piano ever. So I finally bought the XF7 last year without listening to it first and that great Motif piano is simply not there. I bought the Epic Grand from KSounds and that is not what I’m looking for either. The keyboard player in my band has the Motif XS and yes that great piano is there - so maybe this is not my ears. Thanks for listening! |
5pinDIN
Total Posts: 11891
Joined 09-16-2010 status: Legend |
Welcome to the forum. Sound is very subjective - it’s in the ear and brain of the listener. That’s especially true for piano, due to the wide range of frequencies and dynamics.
For some alternatives to the XF pianos, see:
Hopefully you’ll find one that’s “great” for you. |
meatballfulton
Total Posts: 3022
Joined 01-25-2005 status: Guru |
Ask him what voice he is using. |
anotherscott
Total Posts: 653
Joined 06-30-2010 status: Guru |
All XS voices are in the XF. The original Motif has a piano sound called Power Grand that some people liked. It could *optionally* be loaded into the XS, so maybe your keyboard player did that. You can likewise load it into your XF. It’s part of the free “Inspiration in a Flash” download from Yamaha. |
sarmad_dehnadi
Total Posts: 85
Joined 01-17-2011 status: Experienced |
I think there is lots of free and third party piano patches that you can upload to your motif and I am sure they will satisfy you. |
shuebler@wi.rr.com
Total Posts: 2
Joined 12-21-2014 status: Newcomer |
Thanks for the help 5pinDIN, meatballfulton, anotherscott, and sarmad_dehnadi! I have learned a lot. The original sound I was looking for was indeed the Power Grand. Having also recently moved to non-weighted keyboard to help wrist and forearm pain after many years of 88-key weighted keys I do recognize a difference there as well. If I use Power Grand or Rock Grand and set the velocity I can almost get there, but there is still something about that XS piano sound. |
MrMotif
Total Posts: 1122
Joined 10-02-2002 status: Administrator |
If you’re listening to a preset sound on two factory-set instruments then, any variation between how it sounds on an XF or an XS will be beyond most mortal’s powers of distinction I think. If either sound has been tweaked in any way then there is your culprit/answer. You might want to first check that the sounds themselves are indeed preset versions. Then maybe check Master EQ settings. You have already checked velocity response, so that was smart. Unless you really want to drive yourself bananas a/b-ing cables, headphones, loudspeakers and rooms I’d suggest you are by now probably ‘close enough’ and you will soon be back focusing on the music you’re creating with it. There are tons of pianos out there but I personally do agree, that original Motif piano still ain’t too shabby. |
Boardman
Total Posts: 21
Joined 04-01-2005 status: Regular |
I asked the same question “shuebler@wi.rr.com” asked when I joined the forums. For stock sounds, I honestly perceive a better quality sound on a stick XS (and MO8). The quality of the XF sounds to me does not sound as good as the videos online etc. Even heard them in live bands and sounded way better. But as 5pinDIN says, sound is very subjective. However, recently I keep on seeing more people having the same issue. Maybe the XF sounds need to be slightly tweaked, but I definitely agree with . |
anotherscott
Total Posts: 653
Joined 06-30-2010 status: Guru |
When comparing the sounds on an XS to an XF, make sure you’re playing them from the same action. If one is an 88 and the other is a 61/76, there will be a difference introduced just from the different velocity responses of the different keys (and it can not be fully accounted for by altering the velocity settings in the board… the actions simply play differently.) You could also try running a MIDI cable from one to the other, and try playing each from the other’s action, to confirm whether the difference you’re experiencing is from the action or not. |
chasmanian
Total Posts: 319
Joined 01-27-2014 status: Enthusiast |
anotherscott, that is such a great point.
I prefer playing piano on my Kawai digital piano. that instrument is designed for playing piano on.
now, the Motif XF8......whole different animal.
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