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I know that there have to be differences with the Montage but I'd like to express my big surprise regarding the NO AFTER TOUCH option on my M8. It's quite remarkable for a € 1.800 synth .... Luckily I also own a Roland VR-760 to control the ESP Soft Synth ....
Posted : 06/02/2026 11:27 am
None of the Modx M models have keybeds that can generate Polyphonic aftertouch.
But they can all respond to PolyAT that external devices send them. So you can use an external keyboard/controller to trigger polyAT on the M if that helps you in any way. Unfortunately I think the VR-760 can only produce monoAT.
Posted : 06/02/2026 10:59 pm
MODX of any generation has never had aftertouch (at the keybed level) as a cost savings to bring you to the MODX price point. No poly no channel. These are recognized by the tone generator so if there's an external MIDI device (or PC) that generates these then the MODX will respond.
See Control Interface (section) -> Keyboard -> Aftertouch (line).
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/music_production/synthesizers/modxm/specs.html
Says "No" (no poly, no channel - generated by the keybed)
Compare with Montage M:
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/music_production/synthesizers/montagem/specs.html#product-tabs
Shows the polyAT support for the M8X and channelAT only for the M7 & M6.
I'm not going to argue with your assertions about what you should or shouldn't get for saving $1,500 USD (I'm in the US so I'm using our retail pricing here) for purchasing a MODX M6 versus Montage M6 (just using the "6" for the sake of example). But Yamaha has chosen the keybed as one area which is significantly different between the two product lines and have been doing this since the Motif and MO cost reduced lines have existed. Carried on the Montage (previous gen) and MODX. And now for the respective M models. Aftertouch has always been something you give up by going for the "MO" cost reduced model.
One benefit you get is a lighter device.
Still, I'm not going to get into the opinions of what music companies should or shouldn't do with their product portfolios because this is a personal matter and your opinion is valid for you.
Just as long as you can recognize that this feature has always been how it is with these two related product lines and hasn't been hidden in the top-line spec pages.
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 07/02/2026 6:15 am
Glad there is at least something I won't have to turn off then 😀
Posted : 09/02/2026 12:47 pm
According to my brother Jimmy DiPaolo, aftertouch requires the key bed to be significantly beefed up adding to weight and cost. At my age I went from the 33 lbs 61 key Montage down to the 14 lbs 61 key MODX Plus. Tradeoffs are inevitable.
Posted : 10/02/2026 5:52 pm
@Peter - does that mean you won't be moving up to the 63# Montage M?
Posted : 12/02/2026 12:31 am