Looking at spec sheets, both show Semi-Weighted (Initial Touch) as the designation for the keybed. There's nothing, from the literature I found, to indicate there is a difference. Obviously, the 76 keyboard is a new beast in terms of the lineage of the "MO" family. Not that this couldn't be the "same" in terms of underlying construction -- only that there hasn't been a 76-key version in MO's past.

That still has the door open for the possibility of differences. "Semi Weighted" is not exactly specifying a part number as much as it designates a class of keybed. The service manual, should someone have this, or any other method to get replacement part numbers may be illuminating. Or stay tuned for the official response from Yamaha.

I received my MODX6 and to be honest I was very disappointed in the keybed. I quickly did a side by side and realized that the MODX6 felt lighter and not at all the same feel as my MOXF6. Am I imagining this? I am very tempted to return it to Sweetwater and maybe even get the MODX8. I am very upset.

Hard to say. There is a lot to be said about perception too. Even if you feel a difference between the two with power off of both and only pressing keys without sound - you may still be able to affect perception by changing the velocity curve.

EDIT: Follow-up - looks like the keybed is different than MOXF according to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfH4NFvuJzU&feature=youtu.be&t=66

If it is better or worse is a matter of opinion.

Yamaha has been building their own keyboard actions for 131 years (next month). The action of the MODX6 and MODX7 is a new, different keybed from that which was found on the MOXF6. The specification does not mention a model number (that simply can mean that this action is found only on this Synthesizer model at this time).

When there are discussions about keyboard action it quickly gets very confusing because “feel” is so very personal... and folks wind up talking at odds without any facts.

Fact: MODX6/7 are definitely different from the MOXF6. You can look at it and see that. Right away, the black keys have a matte finish that changes how they feel when you play versus the high gloss black keys on the MOXF-series. The weighting of the action is very similar to the MOXF6... It is the keyboard action that Yamaha has developed for the second tier Synthesizer line. The MONTAGE6/7, like the Motif XF series, have the top-of-the-line synth action. The MODX6/7, like the MOXF series, have the second tier action.
Both the MOXF8 and the MODX8 feature the (best selling weighted action in the world) the Yamaha GHS (Graded Hammer Standard).
Top-of-the-line synth action features Channel Aftertouch and Ribbon Controller.

Because the feel of any keyboard action is influenced by many factors, these discussions always come down to: you should try it out for yourself.

Other people’s comments are as good as other people’s comments, they really only address personal preference. If you can stipulate at the start that a company with 130 years of experience in designing and manufacturing their own action, is going to have quality of a certain grade... it really only comes down to your personal reaction... which no one can do for you. Please visit your local music store and play one, loud, for yourself!

Highly recommended: learn how to (at least) adjust the overall Velocity Curve to your playing style... when a seasoned keyboard sales person observes a person with an extremely light touch, or they encounter a heavy-handed player, they will offer to adjust the Velocity Curve. Why? Most players are unaware of how much that can change the perception of “feel”...

There is nothing wrong with having a light touch or being heavy handed, as long as you know that you are... (you’d be amazed at how many players live in denial) . Not knowing that the response of electronic keyboards can be adjusted and that this can make a HUGE DIFFERENCE in how the keyboard plays/feels, is also a major set back to “knowing what you’re talking about” when it comes to keyboard actions.

I had the MOXF6 and I hated the keyboard action. For my perception it was really bad, cheap, undefined. I have the Montage 6, now. The keyboard is really good - for me. Dom Sigalas writes that the MODX6 action is between the two. That sounds like an improvement for me. I also have the MODX8, like the keyboard a lot. Just to give additional datapoints. But BM is right: try before you buy!

The action of the MODX6 and MODX7 is a new, different keybed from that which was found on the MOXF6. The specification does not mention a model number (that simply can mean that this action is found only on this Synthesizer model at this time). ...Fact: MODX6/7 are definitely different from the MOXF6. You can look at it and see that. Right away, the black keys have a matte finish that changes how they feel when you play versus the high gloss black keys on the MOXF-series.

Even if a specification does mention a model name, it doesn't mean the actions are necessarily identical. For example--and exactly paralleling the obvious difference you mentioned between the MOXF6 and MODX6--the P85 had glossy black keys, the P95 (and later GHS models) have had matte black keys, yet they're still all called GHS. So it's certainly possible for Yamaha to have an action with a given name that says something about its general characteristics, without it having to mean that every aspect of every action with that name is identical. They could also tweak the design to improve it over the years, and not necessarily change its name.

Which brings me to my question: I've read different reports to whether the MODX8 action is or is not identical to the MOXF8 action, regardless of the fact that they are both called GHS. By sheer coincidence, I played a DGX660 at a store last week, also GHS, and I could swear it felt noticeably different (and to my fingers, better) than the action in the MOXF8. So now I'm hoping that the MODX8 GHS feels like the DGX660 rather than the MOXF8! Now, maybe you'll tell me I imagined it, and they are all the same action. But, maybe not...? Bottom line, can you tell us for sure whether the MODX8 action is or is not the same as in the MOXF8 (and or DGX660)?

I have to agree the MOXF8 GHS action is the best action especially for synths.

Also agree yamaha leads the pack in anything keybed action related

I played the MOXF8 before buying the MODX8. But I could play the MODX only a few days later. So no direct comparison. But while I found the MOXF8 okay, I seem to like the MODX8 better. Might be an illusion. However I am certain that I like the MODX action much better than the Nord Piano 2 HP keyboard (Fatar TP40) which I played for a long time.

I played the MOXF8 before buying the MODX8. But I could play the MODX only a few days later. So no direct comparison. But while I found the MOXF8 okay, I seem to like the MODX8 better. Might be an illusion. However I am certain that I like the MODX action much better than the Nord Piano 2 HP keyboard (Fatar TP40) which I played for a long time.

IIRC, among the reports here and other forums, there are people who say the MODX8 feels better than the MOXF8, and people who didn't notice any significant difference, but no one who thought the MOXF felt better, so that's encouraging. But the Nord PIano 2HP is a Fatar TP100, not a TP40. That's a lower bar, most people agree that the TP100 is not a wonderful action, but it is useful for keeping the weight of the instrument down. (Take a look at how much lighter the Nord Piano 2HP is than the 88 key version which has the TP40... It's a much bigger weight difference than what you'd expect by simply taking off an octave of keys and width.)

Opinions do not serve a function of establishing trust - so I wouldn't put much weight into them. The best suggestion comes from Yamaha. To go into the store where the new products are on display and try the keyboard out for yourself.

If you look hard enough, you'll find opinions all ways. Ones that lament changes because they're accustomed to the previous keybed which feels better to them. Ones that love the new keybed because it's night-and-day difference. Ones that cannot tell the difference. None are wrong. All are best aligned with the hands and arms of the reviewers. Not -- if I was trying to make my own determination for myself -- mine.

I was not asking for opinion, I was hoping Bad Mister might know, factually, whether the actions were or were not identical. (Though it is possible for even an identical action to feel different in a different chassis.)

Meanwhile, I got a chance to play the MODX8 next to the DGX660 in a store. They did not feel identical to me. I preferred the feel of the DGX, but of course, these things are subjective and someone might prefer the MODX. But to me the DGX felt a little lighter/quicker, a little "snappier" if you will. This was not due to different velocity curves or the presence of the vibrations of the built-in speakers, as I did this comparison with no sound. Though I would not say this necessarily means the actions are different... the MODX had just been on display for a matter of days, the DGX could have been there a year for all I know, and it could feel different after a lot of in-store playing.

I have the moxf6 and the modx6 and the keyboards do feel different to me. As I'm not a performer I can't really describe the difference to be honest but I know there is a difference. I've only had the MODX a few days so can't say if I prefer one over the other - I do know that I prefer the black keys on the MODX as I've always found the ones on the MOXF too slippy!

I've using a different velocity curve on the MODX to what I use on the MOXF but that might be because I'm not used to the MODX and/or that it's on the top deck of the keyboard stand and so when sitting down to play, it's at a different angle. I have 6 synths in total (yes I'm an obsessive synth head 😉 ) and every one of them feels different so I wasn't expecting this to feel exactly like the MOXF.

My conclusion so far is that I don't dislike the keyboard and I'll get used to the differences - it's worth it just for the sound and modulation possibilities 🙂 As others have said though, try it out yourself. I personally wouldn't just try it for an hour in a shop, I've have a few plays with it just to get the 'feel' of the thing.

I have played the MODX7 next to the MOXF6, and to my fingers, the MODX is similar but not identical. Obviously, there's the matte finish. But there's also something more "solid" feeling about the MOXD landing. It felt to me like maybe the throw was a bit shorter, but measurements did not bear that out. Maybe something about the way it mounts in the chassis is different, I don't know. It also felt to me like the feel of the key through ts travel was a bit more consistent, with less of the "bump of resistance" you get toward the top of the MOXF's travel. (If you're trying to see what I'm talking about, pressing the keys very slowly helps.)

I have played the MODX7 next to the MOXF6, and to my fingers, the MODX is similar but not identical. Obviously, there's the matte finish. But there's also something more "solid" feeling about the MOXD landing. It felt to me like maybe the throw was a bit shorter, but measurements did not bear that out. Maybe something about the way it mounts in the chassis is different, I don't know. It also felt to me like the feel of the key through ts travel was a bit more consistent, with less of the "bump of resistance" you get toward the top of the MOXF's travel. (If you're trying to see what I'm talking about, pressing the keys very slowly helps.)

Scott - this is my perception as well. They are similar, in the same range of a synth type action. But MODX7 (in my case) feels more solid and sturdy than my MOXF6. Its subtle, not a huge difference - but imo it feels slightly better / more “professional”.