This has been discussed extensively around here. If you do a search you can find all of it. The consensus seems to be that it’s not going to happen. If you want sequencing beyond what’s already in the Montage Performance Recorder, you will need to use DAW software like Cubase.

No, we don't. Montage needs things to simplify synthesis, such as not automatically returning to Square One every time you press 'Category Search'. Or more flexibility in managing Libraries. Perhaps use a connected computer memory instead of, or as well as, a USB stick. What it does not need is any further bells and whistle not required by a synthesiser in the first place.

https://yamahasynth.com/ask-a-question/it-s-time-to-drop-a-real-sequencer-into-this-thing
https://yamahasynth.com/ask-a-question/montage-sequencer-vs-motif-xf-sequencer
https://www.yamahasynth.com/ask-a-question/sequencer/latest
https://www.yamahasynth.com/ask-a-question/clarification-about-montage-midi-sequencer-editing-capabilities
https://www.yamahasynth.com/ask-a-question/so-how-about-that-sequencer
https://yamahasynth.com/ask-a-question/sequencing

... and so on

What happened to the sequencer? This is not a full sequencer. We need a full sequencer in a software update!!!!!

Yamaha by now realize they've failed the users by not carrying over the Motif XS/XF sequencing feature-set. Thing is, they don't care, which is why this is my last Yamaha product. You don't support me, I sure as hell won't support you. Luckily I have the best keyboard ever made by Yamaha- the Motif XF, so when I sell the Montage I won't miss it. I still don't understand the name either...'Montage'? Considering they left out the most important feature for any modern keyboard/workstation, not sure how 'Montage' was the final name given. No matter how you look at it, this keyboard is much more like a workstation than it is a synth...a workstation that's missing it's most important feature. Epic fail.

Here's another person who does not want valuable design effort spent on another sequencer I won't use when I sequencer everything on a DAW. 🙂

We won't see a full sequencer on the Montage or MODX. The Genos is the right 'Workstation' for that.

I would far rather see Yamaha spend all that time & effort they can on features/enhancements for other things, and leave the sequencing offloaded to a DAW. Although I do hope they provide a few enhancements to the Performance Recorder for punch in/out on specific tracks, etc.

I think Yamaha are pioneers that see the big picture whereby most synth players are not using the onboard sequencers and are moving that workflow to a DAW. We also won't see an onboard sampler, as they have that offloaded to a DAW as well. Everything can be sequenced or sampled on the DAW in the most efficient and highest quality method, and then loaded back into the Montage/MODX to play the sequencing or the sample sounds in a Performance.

I would suggest not to write generalizations like „we need...“ or „Yamaha needs to...“ or “Yamaha failed the users”. You certainly don’t speak for me. The recorder is very fine for me as is, much _better_ than the complex full blown sequencer I had in my MOXF. They did not fail me in any way.

I would like to see certain usability improvements. I would not say no to an additional VA engine. But I would buy the Montage again as it is today even if I knew for sure that there will never be any update.

Yamaha did not fail anyone because they did never promise a sequencer. They clearly state there is no sequencer and no plan for one. Everything which needs to be known to make a concise decision is there in the open to read before buying. If someone bought it and is now disappointed then I guess they did not do their homework before buying.

If there would be substantial bugs like crashes etc they would be obliged to fix them. They are not obliged to add major new functions. I still hope they do but if not the Montage is still the best synthesizer in existence... for me!

I really think that all Yamaha´s employees, pseudo employees, trolls(?) and any other persons related with the marketing department should stop bullying the customers that disagree with their criteria and respect equally each opinion.

Not only there are deep and significant critics to many of the decisions that Yamaha take with the Montage design, but also there are a lot of lies and confusing concepts in the public publicity of the Montage, before and after its realease to the market.

Yes, I'd like to see a more open mind when it comes to customer feedback. Negative and positive. There are signs of improvement in this department - with room for more (as with anything).

Hooray! Signs of support that Montage is a synthesiser and NOT a workstation, arranger, stage piano or even a gigging machine. There are computers and DAWS for all that stuff - even a dedicated instrument called a Genos. Yamaha have done us all proud - but made the Montage too much of a hybrid in the process. It's probably too late to revert to being just the world's best synth - too many people have bought it for entirely the wrong reasons - so maybe a MODX type launch of a dedicated synth with all the unwanted bells and whistles cut out but the synth tools improved ... oh, the only change to the recorder would be to make it record everything received at the A/D inputs.

I certainly did not buy the Montage (and a MODX in addition) for the wrong reasons. I bought because it is what it is. Almost exactly what I need.

I really think that all Yamaha´s employees, pseudo employees, trolls(?) and any other persons related with the marketing department should stop bullying the customers that disagree with their criteria and respect equally each opinion.

Not only there are deep and significant critics to many of the decisions that Yamaha take with the Montage design, but also there are a lot of lies and confusing concepts in the public publicity of the Montage, before and after its realease to the market.

Pablo, I am not affiliated with Yamaha in any way. Still I think that the Montage is exactly as it should be (minus some smaller improvements I would like to see): a really good instrument for live performances. The only problem I have with my MODX is that the keyboard failed very fast, which is apparently relatively common. Hope that after the repair it will work for longer.

I can totally understand that people want something different. I totally agree that differing opinions should be respected. But the Montage is what it is. Looking at the MODX which people believe was or is the world’s best selling synth for some time, there are apparently many who like it as it is.

You are talking about wrong information and even lies. Can you give examples for that with sources? I read about the Montage upfront and tried it and found exactly what I was expecting.

I also forgot to say above, that when I do do sequencing on stage, then I do that in my notebook sized gig pc that is sitting in my gig rack. Once you have experienced the power of Cantabile and all that it can do, then no Workstation based sequencer could match it.

• It is my MIDI router and processor (which gets around the insane Montage MIDI channel limitations - that is what I care about more than a sequencer!)
• It runs VSTs so I can complement my live keys with the best of the virtual world
• It runs audio and MIDI backing tracks
• It triggers my DMX light show
• It triggers my video laptop
• I can change all sorts of sequencer states depending on what we are doing, in a way that would be very difficult in a worstation

So, yes, I am one of those who don't want Yamaha to waste time on sequencing. I appreciate that others will have a different view on that, and are free to lobby Yamaha as they see fit, but please don't assume we all want the same as you. 🙂

@Derek: Thumbs up. Like.
And to all others: buy a looping station and you can sequence anything. Polyphonic, stacked, the sky is the limit.