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Dear Yamaha Engineers,
I have been a Yamaha synthesizer user since the Motif series and over the years I have owned almost every major model. I was also one of the early users of the original Montage, and for the past few months I have been using the Montage M.
Unfortunately, I must honestly say that I am deeply disappointed that since 2007 Yamaha still has not significantly improved the so-called XA Control behavior, especially regarding mono playing and legato performance.
At this point, I almost feel anxious every time I need to recreate a monophonic lead sound from a song, because such an expensive flagship synthesizer still lacks basic modern functions like proper mono legato and smooth crossfade behavior.
Today, even very inexpensive synthesizers and VST instruments offer:
true mono legato,
proper glide behavior,
retrigger OFF options,
smooth note transitions,
realistic portamento,
and natural legato response.
Meanwhile, on Montage M, creating expressive mono lead sounds still requires complicated workarounds and compromises.
Every time I try to recreate a specific lead sound or instrumental solo, I spend days experimenting just to achieve a partially acceptable result — and even then, the instrument is still difficult to play naturally.
My sincere question is:
Are there any plans in upcoming firmware updates to improve:
true mono legato behavior,
crossfade transitions,
portamento logic,
note priority handling,
and overall XA Control functionality?
Many professional users and long-time Yamaha supporters would greatly appreciate a modern implementation of mono legato and smoother articulation behavior. These are no longer luxury features — they are standard expectations in modern synthesizers.
I apologize for the strong tone of this message, but it comes from years of loyalty to Yamaha instruments and from a genuine desire to continue using and supporting the Montage platform instead of moving to other brands.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards
Posted : 11/05/2026 10:35 am
This idea did finally make it to the 'Assessment' stage on IdeaScale.
https://yamahasynth.ideascale.com/c/yamahasynth/idea/191675
https://yamahasynth.ideascale.com/c/yamahasynth/idea/190961
Have you no patience? LOL! You've only been asking for this since 2018 so it hasn't even been 10 years yet.
https://yamahasynth.com/community/montage-series-synthesizers/legato-single-voice/#post-27847
Just kidding - there is no way to know if this is being considered or not since some ideas have been in the 'Assessment' stage for years but haven't shown up in an update.
Please consider visiting those two ideas and adding your vote. It might help keep them alive.
With Montage classic the solution was to use FM-X when you can since it's easier to get something expected with FM when it comes to these things. Now there's AN-X which also fills in the gap somewhat and is a bit better suited for some of the sounds that benefit guide/portamento.
Unfortunately, AWM2 has to use special samples that play nicely with the legato and related features since AWM2 doesn't try very hard to take a generic sample and find the loop points that remove the attack inside the sample.
I don't have an M to see if things are any different this round, but I assume it's the same. And so the legacy continues. Cut/paste a past message that itself refers back to a motifator post that goes back to a long standing complaint of how this could work better for all samples.
If Yamaha was interested in solving this they would likely need to put it at the ASIC level (although, there's some things they could do to manipulate the waveforms without this, but history tells me they have to do it at a lower level before it'll get done). So once we start to see next gen TG chips roll out maybe we'll see some of this kind of thing.
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 12/05/2026 6:15 pm
Mihail reacted
Topic starter
I've been waiting for 20 years for a basic function! That even the cheapest synthesizers from competing brands already have! I'll just sell the Motage M and end this pain once and for all 😒😒😒
Posted : 14/05/2026 11:54 pm
If you sell the M you'll be walking with a limp since your wallet will be a lot heavier with all that extra cash!
Posted : 15/05/2026 12:31 am
Mihail reacted
If you want to paint inside the lines of what Yamaha currently provides you, then there is applicable advice in this previous thread (and a success story of someone creating buttery legato from custom samples).
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 15/05/2026 2:13 am
Mihail reacted
Topic starter
thank you very much for the offer but from motif es I have all models to montage M and I am fully aware of absolutely everything related to making sounds! The truth is that there are no articulations strokes to be able to recreate them! It is impossible for 2026 naturally monophonic to be presented as polyphonic! The following synthesizers can load user samples and play them in mono or legato mode (mono legato articulation based on samples):
• Korg Kronos
• Korg Nautilus
• Kurzweil PC4
• Kurzweil PC4 SE
• Kurzweil K2700
• Roland Fantom (6/7/8)
• Roland Fantom-0 Series
• Nord Wave 2
• Nord Stage 3
• Nord Stage 4. some even load vst we are still at the dawn of articulations
Posted : 15/05/2026 8:23 am
Cool.
Current Yamaha Synthesizers: Montage Classic 7, Motif XF6, S90XS, MO6, EX5R
Posted : 16/05/2026 1:49 am