It's a pity that there are a lot of rumours about it, but no specs data to seriously talk about and make comparisons.

76-Note Semi-Weighted Fluid Keybed
With the same feel as an acoustic piano, the semi-weighted keybed provides fluid playability for all players. The specialised keybed not only feels good to play but it also adds expression to your playing.

In total, the MODX7 provides up to 192-notes of polyphony, comprised of 28-note polyphony for the AWM2 engine and 64-notes for FM-X section. The SSS technology (Seamless Sound Switching allows for performances which include up to four parts. This can be highly useful for live performances and studio sessions.

Advanced Memory Wave 2 Synthesis Engine
The 2nd generation synthesis engine provides faithful recreations of classical instruments, synths sound and percussion. The cutting-edge engine emulates organic sounds with exceptional attention to detail, taking your sound design abilities to the next level. The AWM2 engine is specially made for Yamaha synthesizers, giving you the ability to process both samples and sounds.

FM-X Frequency Modulation
The unique frequency modulation technology within the MODX7 gives you in-depth control over your sounds. It features an 8-operator FM architecture with 64-note polyphony. The FM-X section features deep programming abilities, allowing you to create everything from classic pad sounds to in-your-face EDM basslines. The comprehensive range of filter types provides you with immense control over your sounds, allowing you to create any tone you desire.

Built-In Studio Effects
The MODX7 also features a wide variety of high-grade studio effects. The effects range from modern-day reverbs to emulated analog effects. At the core of the effects section is the powerful DSP engine. This helps to provide the highly detailed effects and exceptional audio quality. Everything is included from virtual circuit modelling effects to modern-day effects such as Bit Crushing and Beat Repeat.

One of the most unique effects included is the Spiralizer. This one-of-a-kind effect provides the illusion of a tone rising or falling in pitch. To top it off, the synth also provides sidechaining abilities for added flexibility.

Faders, Encoders & Other Performances Controls
Unleash your creativity during live performances using the integrated faders, encoders and more. Four faders and encoders can be used to control a variety of settings and functions. Use them to control automation, pitch, tone and many other parameters.

The Super Knob acts as a virtual music conductor. It works by channelling individual dynamic elements into one control. You can use the control to shape the notes from long to short or bright to dark for a uniformed change in sounds. It provides simultaneous control of up to 128 parameters in a single performance.

Performances are used like user-created presets, allowing you to save and recall sounds and settings for live performances. There are 2,00 preset performances in total, with 640 user programmable performances and 5,120 library performances.

Integrated 2-in/10-out USB Audio Interface
Computer-based music production is the standard within the industry today. The MODX design incorporates a multi-channel USB audio interface to communicate and process sounds to your computer.

The interface is coupled with two A/D inputs, making the MODX7 the perfect keystone to any studio or live setup. An integrated USB volume knob allows you to control the volume of the USB audio stream for added flexibility.

Versatile Envelope Follower
Envelope Followers are used to convert audio files into a control source for various synth parameters. The versatile envelope follower within the MODX7 provides in-depth control. For example using a vocal recording to control multiple parameters can turn the MODX into a talking synthesizer.

Integrated 1GB Flash Memory
The MODX features 1GB of non-volatile low-latency flash memory. The flash memory allows you to store and recall sounds, settings, performances and more. It boasts high-speed reading/writing for optimised performance. You can also use your own custom Sample or Synths libraries from the Yamaha website.

Features
AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2) sample and synthesis engine
76-note semi-weighted keybed for fluid playability
In-depth sound design capabilities
Ideal for studio and stage use with versatile performance controls
FM-X Synth Engine
LCD-Touchscreen 7"-Colour-Wide-VGA-TFT
Waveform-ROM expanded from 741 MB to 5.67 GB
2,370 new Waveforms, 6,347 total in ROM
1 GB Flash-ROM built-in
Ca. 2,000 preset performances
640 user performances
5,120 library performances
Seamless Sound Switching “SSS“ for Performances with up to four Parts
13 dual insert effects (12 Parts + A/D Input)
Over 256 preset live set slots, 2,048 User & 2,048 library live set slots
10,239 arpeggios
Eight arpeggio Parts simultaneously
Eight Scenes per Performance
Master keyboard functions for each Performance
Multichannel USB Audio Interface, 2-in/10-out

USB Volume knob :), that would be handy on the Montage 6. Not sure what the list is in US. I am in Love with Montage and I have a MO6 zoned in when I am DAWless. Eventually I will get a 2nd board to the Montage, and the Zone to Zone mappings on the Yamaha will probably keep me in the family.

I lusted for the Montage but couldn't rationalize another big heavy board that while better, is still similar to my Motif XF7. My most prominent Motif XF7 problem is it's too long and heavy in an ATA case to fly on commercial air at standard baggage rates (which depending on carrier is free for me). So I use it less and less for gigs. I added a MOXF6 that is under both max weight and length limits (inside an SKB molded ATA case). Its great, allowed me to transfer the same voice and performance program files from my XF to MOXF so I have the same sounds (Custom designed voices and performances) for either road or in-town gigs. However, the 61 key cuts me short on alot of parts.

The rendition I saw shows the mod/PB wheels above the keys, not to the left. That effectively reduces length - i'm dying to learn how long and heavy the MODX7 will be. I had expected the "MO'd" version to be another year in waiting - sounds like its almost ready to launch.

MODX

There is a precedence for this level of image leak and information hitting the streets and a product. GenOS followed a similar path. Took a month or two before the first teaser videos starting coming out. Maybe my memory is failing - but I don't think it was a year between initial leaks and product availability.

I had already read through what was available prior to this post. I was looking for "new" things in the MODX which would possibly offer a firmware update on Montage. I didn't really see anything - looks like there isn't anything "new" to drive changes in Montage. I do think new DAW transport modes may have been influenced by the marketing bullets MODX is trying to hit. There's a blurb about the sliders being able to be assigned to "functions" and to control "parameters" - which got my hopes up - but I really think this is just referring to how the sliders have different functions depending on the mode (volume of PARTs vs. elements, etc) -- and then the parameters are really volume parameters for one -- or I think you can use the sliders currently to change the user curves using sliders instead of the DATA DIAL - for example. I do not think this means there is any more coming for the sliders -- but who knows.

Certainly the MODX will be a great utility board. Maybe the price-point will support volume which may bring in its own wave of user feedback from a different group.

... maybe this is related:

https://www.yamahasynth.com/yamaha-synth-rss/something-new

That sounds very likely, Jason! Yamaha have a habit of doing this - launch a very expensive device, and then follow it up with far cheaper derivatives a couple of years later. From what I've read, the MODX7 would have suited me better (because of my limited technical knowledge), but its release encourages me to think they'll do the same with the Genos in due course - I just hope they'll incorporate support for an external monitor! If they don't then I'll pass on that as well.

I'm not as "connected" with the arranger legacy. There are PSR units that may be considered the lower-end cousins of the flashship arranger.

For the synth/"workstation" (or - just "not arranger" ) flagship line - the lower-end cousin has been the "MO" series. They've always offered a lot of bang for the buck - having most of the controllers (just no ribbon primarily) as the higher-end board. Less sliders - but that was in a world of only 4 voices.

This MO is even a bit lower featured. I suppose they figure the touchscreen is good enough to ditch the right-hand buttons. The right hand buttons (Number [A] through Number [C]) no longer give you direct access to Performances (by just pressing a few buttons and no screen interaction) - so maybe it's fine they ditched those.

Still having superknob and the control matrix is fairly cool. And that knobs of the MOXF have returned back to sliders is a big thumbs up. Knobs are difficult to do the "slide one up, slide the other down" trick that can help you manage having only 4 scenes available at once.

... getting off the mark here - by way of Japan - I'm trying to say:

There's nothing surprising about the introduction of a "MO" series to complement the product line. Back when the Montage was introduced - knowing a "MO" type device would eventually come could have been assumed. For me, I decided to upgrade then to the flagship. I'm more likely to keep this board through the next flagship iteration and would be ready for either that keyboards' MO series or skip two generations for another flagship.

You're right Jason. Hard to peg the Montage - it's not a synthesiser per se, although it can act like one. Neither is it an arranger per se, although it can be made to act like one. Also about the Tyros series - the budget end of those is indeed the PSR series - but there's no way I'd have bought a PSR instead of a Tyros. Maybe the MODX7 will be like that, but I'm hoping not.

Hi all,
I wrote the interesting features and find something in there that the Montage will not have at this moment.
If I'm right it says there is a talking function in the MODX series.
If it is what I think about, it works the same as the GenOS with speech for blind and visually impaired users. I hope Yamaha put in this mile stone for us and give us a chance to put hands on all parameters in the machine.
If they can to that for the MODX series I think they can do it for the Montage series too.
Hope that the next firmware update will bring up this function.
All the best
Rainer

Hey Rainer! I missed that! I'm afflicted with 'low vision' which gives me probs at short range, which is why I'm so keen on (large!) external monitors. Not sure how spoken instructions would help, but if they do then I'm all for it!

On another unofficial Yamaha forum, there's some talk about the MODX's "'Rhythm Pattern" button. There does not seem to be any reasonable conclusion there about what it may be. I personally do not think that there is anything new about this button or different from Montage.

Notice the MODX has no arpeggio buttons. My thought is that this button replaces all 8 arpeggio buttons - so you can cycle through each ARP.

The lack of buttons may bring some new touchscreen features to Montage which are shared between the MODX and Montage platforms. Or maybe MODX will branch off.

It is strange that the terms borrow more from GenOS nomenclature than Montage - but I don't think that means anything.

The owners manual for MODX are now online at the Yamaha Manual Library.
The URL is https://uk.yamaha.com/en/support/manuals/ for those in UK.

I´m watching this demo right now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjzwYd0MlvI
and I wanna know why this one costs a third of the Montage. I don´t see a difference that warrants the Montage to cost 3 times more. I feel cheated. I mean ok, it can cost less but a third is uncool to all montage owners. it´s almost the same! the fact that there are only 4 faders and knobs, well, as far as I see there is only a minor difference and inconvenience, pushing a button to switch between faders and knobs 1 to 4 and 5 to 8. so, yamaha, why is this one priced only a third of the montage? why? tell me, what is the huge difference I´m missing between the 2 synths?