Welcome, Walter!
The world's actual a small place. My first synth also was an Arp Odyssey (which I too, still have) although last time I broke it out, I totally forgot that I needed to let it warm up for 30-45 minutes before the oscillators steadied. 🙂

Glad you are on board with the Montage, and that you're enjoying the support. So you will know what I mean when you see me mention that the Montage comes with over 6,300 source waveforms, my first synth had just two (sawtooth and pulse)! 😉

Hi, Walter!

I saw in another post that your day job was IC designer, and this is your first Yamaha synth. Like you, I was an IC designer, 'way back when lamda was 10 microns! Then I moved halfway into software engineering, developing CAE software and hardware emulators. And like you, the Montage is my first Yamaha synth. My first synth that I didn't build was an Ensoniq ESQ-1, and the synth that the Montage replaces is an Ensoniq KT-88.

I'm really enjoying my Montage (I got a 7, so it would fit in my car). I play almost exclusively live, and when I record, it is straight to "tape", with very little digital tweaking. Now that I have the Montage, I may get more into the messing-around-with-it-on-the-computer stuff, just because it is there. Meanwhile, I'm learning how to design sounds. (I still call them "patches" - is that bad?)

You also mentioned elsewhere that you want a way to control the superknob via MIDI. Although that's not an issue for me, I would like an always-on display of the keyboard offset. When the lead vocalist says "This is in G, but I want to sing it up a step to match my range." I use the transpose mechanism to accommodate her. (The guitarists use capos. The drummer is just confused.) I'm not good enough to transpose on-the-fly; I'll screw something up unless it's simple I-IV-V-vi. But then I have to remember that I'm transposed, because the Montage doesn't display the keyboard shift value unless you go looking for it - either "utility" or by transposing again. Otherwise, I'll be off by a step at the next song.

So, I'm making an Arduino-driven MIDI device that periodically (every 5-ish seconds) does a Sysex bulk-dump request, pulls out the keyboard shift/offset value from the dump, and displays it on a small OLED. The circuit fits under the Montage, draws power from the USB-to-device port and connects to MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT. Only the OLED is visible, stuck on with double-stick tape and connected to the Arduino with four wires (I2C).

I mention that for two reasons: (1) brag, and (2) you could do something like that to control the superknob - basically a MIDI to CV, where you get to define the message syntax. You could use a CC or define a Sysex for the purpose.

Or, maybe Yamaha could implement the feature. (And, while they're at it, show the keyboard offset at the top of the display.)

“I saw in another post that your day job was IC designer, and this is your first Yamaha synth. Like you, I was an IC designer, 'way back when lamda was 10 microns!”

Hi Jerry. It IS a small world! I remember when I could evaluate the first run of product in ceramic packages with no lid where you could put the chip under a probe station with micro manipulators and probe voltages, waveforms etc. Times have changed!
I did Analog circuit design and would only do Digital design under duress. 
Now that I’m retired, I spend most of my free time (other than the HoneyDo assignments!) in my recording studio or what my wife calls “Walt’s Play Pen”. (Click on picture below)

I’m collaborating with my son (he plays trumpet, sax, clarinet, keyboard, and drums. I send him sheet music and he sends back .wave files that I mix in Sonar with my parts. Interesting since he is now living in Japan!

“Now that I have the Montage, I may get more into the messing-around-with-it-on-the-computer stuff, just because it is there.”

You’ll never look back!

“ Meanwhile, I'm learning how to design sounds. (I still call them "patches" - is that bad?)”
I can relate to patches!

“You also mentioned elsewhere that you want a way to control the superknob via MIDI…I mention that for two reasons: (1) brag,”

You have the credentials and are allowed to brag!

“…and (2) you could do something like that to control the superknob - basically a MIDI to CV, where you get to define the message syntax. You could use a CC or define a Sysex for the purpose.”

I thought about that since I’m assuming that the pedal produce a simple variable CV, but decided that it’s not worth it. I bought the Montage for it’s great sounds and less for the Super Duper Knob. I don’t do EDM and at age 72, the only strange sounds you’ll hear come directly from me!
I also discovered that I can record a MIDI passage, optimize it, and then record it on analog track while moving the Super Knob. It records the audio with the SK modified sound. I know that Bad Mister is rolling his eyes if he reads this, but to each his own…

“Or, maybe Yamaha could implement the feature. (And, while they're at it, show the keyboard offset at the top of the display.)”

Okay, that’s two of us! Hey Jerry, nice typing to you!

Walt