Welcome to Yamaha Synth.

Since there is no way to add new Waveforms and Samples to an MX49/MX61, any "new" anything for the instrument will be a result of programming the already built-in sounds (WAVE ROM). Your definition of getting a "new bank of voices" will never be fulfilled on an MX. You need to broaden your thinking about the contribution of "programming". A basic analog synthesizer comes with two waveforms: a sawtooth and pulse wave, from that you can build hundreds, thousands of different sounds via "programming". If you only equate new banks of sounds with actual new waveforms, then you do not understand or perhaps don't fully appreciate the benefits of synthesizer "programming".

The Best of Motif Bank... Is mainly single Part (1Voice) Performances that shows the MX off from the point of view of a library of bread and butter sounds that have made the Motif-series the world's best selling professional production synthesizer. Rather than the factory bank which shows the MX from the view point of what you can do with combining two Parts, plus a drum groove and a couple of arpeggiators. For those looking to use the MX as a sound module for multi-track sequencing will find this bank very useful; and of course, for those who play out "live" having the best of Motif bank is a must have.

The MX has a fixed set of Waveforms in its 166MB Wave ROM. All Voices and Performances for the MX will always be made from the Waveform data contained in this Wave ROM. The variety of Voices that can be programmed from this ROM data is unlimited

The Motif XF series can create new Sample and Waveform data, and can store that data on internal SDRAM or transfer it to optional FLASH Expansion Memory Modules. The MOXF series can import new Sample and Waveform data that is compatible with the Motif XF series (the MOXF uses the same Flash Board expansion as the XF).

There is a way for you to dig in and edit the MX synth engine thoroughly. The John Melas Voice Editor allows you to program down to the Element level. And the MX can store as many as 128 custom Voices, you can then build your own custom Performances from these. I think those who want to dig into editing will find the MX engine very powerful and for a budget synth, nothing can really compare. You do need to get the VOICE EDITOR, however.

This deeper level if Voice programming is available (but clearly is not for everyone).

We can put together a tutorial about how to proceed - the MX is extremely programmable via the Editor. Part of the fun of having a synthesizer is programming the sounds yourself. Eight Elements per Voice, and you can program as many as sixteen Parts in a Performance. And you can program with the computer then STORE your Performance to the hardware MX. So you can take your superMegaPerformance layer/splits with you!

As a tone engine, the MX makes very few compromises. The Xpanded Articulation Control functions are there to explore. Controller assignments can be used to make this "Motif" sound engine go through its paces.

The B.O.M.B. is firstly, a bank of Performances and is an introductory basic sound set that positively presents it as a part of the "Motif" family. Hope that helps clarify it a bit.

Don't get me wrong. I like the MX.

I do understand it for what it is.
Would always be nice to have an even larger palette of built in sounds but I'm fine with programming the ones provided.
I do think that the advertising for the "best of Motif bank" is a bit misleading but you have explained it quite well here.

"Since there is no way to add new Waveforms and Samples to an MX49/MX61, any "new" anything for the instrument will be a result of programming the already built-in sounds (WAVE ROM). Your definition of getting a "new bank of voices" will never be fulfilled on an MX."

I wish there were videos explaining how to program the MX to create sounds, I find it very interesting and would add value to the MX knowing there is help in doing this.. Especially the articulation aspects. I might be more willing to save up the cash to buy the John Melas software if I know how best to use it.

What is the difference between that software and Vycro MX Pro?
Is there still more that Melas software can do because it's not very clear when trying to learn these things.

Cheers.

I wish there were videos explaining how to program the MX to create sounds, I find it very interesting and would add value to the MX knowing there is help in doing this.. Especially the articulation aspects. I might be more willing to save up the cash to buy the John Melas software if I know how best to use it.

What is the difference between that software and Vycro MX Pro?
Is there still more that Melas software can do because it's not very clear when trying to learn these things.

A video that explains how to program? Hmm! The manual really gives you the information about the parameters, do you mean a basic video on synthesizer programming? Or do you mean one that takes you through these specific Editors. To fully understand what each offers is a matter of first understanding what is available via the front panel parameters and what each of the Editors reveals to the MX user. The MX is a budget conscious product - it is based on the very omnipresent Motif sound engine. Yamaha did not cripple the "Motif engine" in order to accomplish this price breakthrough. Rather the full 8 Element editable engine is there with surprisingly very few omissions, but you are not able to get to all the programming features via the on-board panel controls. Enter the additional Editors!

For example, the (Free) VycroMX Performance Editor allows the MX user to get to certain parameters that are not available on the front panel of the MX. Namely: the assignment of MIDI Channels. Via the front panel parameters, each of the 16 PARTS is fixed to its corresponding MIDI Channel 1-16. When you press LAYER you are simply playing the PART assigned to Channel 1 and Channel 2 simultaneously. However, with the Editor you can place as many PARTS on a channel as you desire (yes, you could put all 16 PARTS on MIDI channel 1, if you so desire). you could place 4 sounds on MIDI channel 1 and another 3 on MIDI channel 2, then when you pressed the LAYER button you would be playing 7 sounds... stuff like that. This level of programming is fun, easy and for many is more than enough "programming".

Therefore this (VycroMX Performance Editor) is the recommended place to start - since it requires no additional purchase from you, and for many, this is more than enough programming to satisfy their needs.

The more advanced Editors (the John Melas Total Librarian with its Performance, Voice and Drum Editors) and the VycroMX Pro, add additional parameters that allow the MX user to get deeper into this powerful synthesis engine. I recently received a copy and I am going through it now... What you can expect is that you can get to parameters that are not available via the front panel. The VycroMX Pro is also going to support VST/AU routing when used within a DAW software program. This allows the MX user to process their MX sounds the same way you would an soft synth resident on the computer - even though the MX is an external device.

It would make no sense for me to describe the differences if the terminology is all foreign to you. If you are familiar with the Motif XF or the MOXF - in those products you can get to many of the deeper functions right from the front panel. On the MX to reach these deeper parameters you will need to get one of the (for sale) Editors. Yes, this is part of the design concept. Rather than put out a crippled sound engine, Yamaha choose to offer a powerful engine - and those parameters are addressable for those concerned via third party Editors. The Melas Tools have worked out a way to even convert VOICES made from the resident Wave ROM of the XS/XF so that you can take advantage of them in the MX. And while mileage is likely to vary - because the instruments do have some hardware differences - it greatly increases the number Voice, "new" Voices (in the proper sense), that are available for the MX user.

We highly recommend you start with the (free) VycroMX Performance Editor. Learn all that you can in terms of what it offers - versus what is available from the MX's own front panel. When you have a level of comfort getting around on that Editor (and the MX front panel), you will be better prepared to understand what it means to program with the others. Trust me, you will not appreciate this difference by just the parameters if I were to just list them, the manuals do that.

The MX has room for 128 PERFORMANCES (as you know), but did you know you can program 128 Voices that you can then build your own PERFORMANCES from - that is one of the things you can do with the VOICE EDITOR (Melas), you can get into selecting Waveforms for the Elements, and program how the Elements behave within the Voice. The MX is an extremely powerful "Motif" engine - with all 8 Elements, 8 Filters, 8 Envelope Generators, etc., etc., per VOICE. You can even program the Xpanded Articulation Control function to control how Elements behave within a Voice, to some degree.

When you say "create sounds" - only on the Motif XF can you "create sounds" from scratch - you can record (sample) a sound, build it into a Waveform, assign it to an Element, program timbre control (filter), program pitch and amplitude control, etc., etc., "from scratch". But most synthesizers you begin with a Waveform - take your basic analog synth. You do not build from scratch (really) - you start with a basic geometric wave shape... say a Sawtooth, from this waveform you can build String sounds or Brass sounds, etc. So "create sounds" to some has a distorted meaning. On the MX, like most synthesizers, you begin creating sounds with a preset Waveform... not a big deal. Most musicians cannot sample - most musicians who attempt this learn the hard way, that companies like Yamaha have million dollar facilities to do sampling - and although many feel like they can do better, they cannot! (just the honest facts!). If you want to build 'from scratch' scratch... get a synth with a sampler. Otherwise, with the Wave ROM of the MX you can build an unlimited number of unique Voices (sounds).

On the MX you can take a Waveform from its memory, assign it to an Element, program timbre control (filter), program ptich and amplitude control, etc., etc. with the appropriate Editor. If you know about programming on the Motif XF (or even the MOXF) this can help you greatly in getting the most out of programming with the MX VOICE EDITOR, however, if you are new to programming synthesizers, in general, then this might not be the optimum place to start, simply because so much will be unfamiliar.

Now I do not want to discourage you, only make you aware that while many videos have been attempted specifically tackling "explaining how to program" a synth to create sounds... I'm unaware of any that take from zero knowledge to expert programmer. So again, I suggest start by programming via the on-board system. Get to thoroughly understand the COMMON parameters versus the PART parameters. Then you can tackle the VycroMX Performance Editor (Free) and thoroughly understand what it adds to your programming capability.

At that point you will start to appreciate just what the Melas VOICE EDITOR, for example, brings to the table. Look here in the RESOURCES section as new tutorials and guides are going up regularly - and we will eventually get around to a tour of the Editors. You can start with the VycroMX Performance study link is here:
MX Study: Programming with the VycroMX Performance Editor

Cheers Bad Mister,
Appreciate the above text... It's good that we do this and get it written down by a product specialist.

I still consider myself a beginner but I have been using the MX for well over a year now, playing with sounds, getting familiar with Cubase and Vycro MX - With this in mind I would like to give something back and create performances similar to the B.O.M.B or at least know how such a performance was created and the articulations put in place and why, where did the sound engineer start and what other modifications took place, etc. We all have to start somewhere and I'm enjoying the journey no matter how long it takes.

Do people read manuals???
I do as part of my job as a Software Engineer - however, even I find it easier to watch a video regarding Cubase and synthesizers because you can demonstrate the difference in sound and visually in real time.
"Videos have been attempted in the past"... I still think it would be a great idea for Yamaha to do some videos for the budget conscious individuals like myself that want to learn but haven't got the money to go on training courses (even if there was such a course). Example: unless I can see the benefits of using John Melas Software, how can I warrant the cost of purchase to my wife. lol 🙂

Alternatively, enhance your sales videos and give more tips - or show something not seen before. Just a thought.

Cheers again.

Yes, I truly hope people at least attempt to read the manual. A document that is written to provide information about the product or feature they want to learn to use, gee, I hope so. Any way, points well taken. It's just a very, very broad subject: Programming a Synth... Did you try the VycroMX tutorial linked above? Did you learn some things you had not known before? Were you successful in downloading the free PERFORMANCE example? Did it load easily? Did it give you any ideas for programming your own PERFORMANCES?

We always have a fear in any document or video... the problem with Owner's Manuals is they are not really Application Guides (which is what most people want), and the problem with Application Guides is they are not Videos (so reading is still involved), and the problem with videos is it can be difficult to demonstrate the important concepts and they can lock the viewer into working just one way (because it is difficult to show multiple workflows in a single video) - and often this can happen without the viewer even realizing that there might be other things to explore. But we get it - it is easier to sit back and rewind if necessary... and Free! we get that to...

We will post Guides and Videos with programming tips as we go along. And as always, appreciate your feedback.

My main interest in an editor for my MX is to have more access to the MX synth engine
for making new user voices. I don't want to use Cubase or any other DAW software at this point.
Can you offer any further insight/advice comparing the Melas editor and the Vycro Mx Pro editor for this?

Sounds like the Melas editor is very powerful but haven't heard much about the Vycro MX Pro editor yet.
I do like the intuitive user-friendly interface of Vycro's free performance editor.

Would like some sense of which one would be the best choice for me.

No need to get real technical. Thanks

It's a really good example, and yes I did learn something... I didn't think about doubling up the sound to make it richer and louder. I have tried this in Cubase in the past but I found the sound had a slight echo so I kept away from doing that and used other methods.

The download worked great and really easy to install using the Vycro MX software.

I hope you will cover the dial/button assignments, pedal controls etc.

One thing; a number of people have asked if the octave can be assigned to individual voices or only over the whole performance, ie: could you drop one of the guitars by one octave?

Great stuff Bad Mister... I've put a link on the Facebook page 'YamahaMx49Mx61'

One thing; a number of people have asked if the octave can be assigned to individual voices or only over the whole performance, ie: could you drop one of the guitars by one octave?

Yes, of course, you can.

It's a PART parameter called "NOTE SHIFT" - page 47 of your Reference Manual (no video needed to do that!)

mike wrote:

My main interest in an editor for my MX is to have more access to the MX synth engine
for making new user voices. I don't want to use Cubase or any other DAW software at this point.
Can you offer any further insight/advice comparing the Melas editor and the Vycro Mx Pro editor for this?

Sounds like the Melas editor is very powerful but haven't heard much about the Vycro MX Pro editor yet.
I do like the intuitive user-friendly interface of Vycro's free performance editor.

Would like some sense of which one would be the best choice for me.

No need to get real technical. Thanks

Currently the most complete editor for your needs would be the John Melas MX Total Librarian (Complete Pack) set which includes the in depth VOICE Editor, PERFORMANCE Editor and DRUM Editor. Since you don't want to use a DAW at this point, the Total Librarian is perfect because it runs stand alone and it gives you complete full access to the full complement of parameters available in the MX - going far, far beyond what is available on the front panel. Edits made with the Editors can be stored to the MX hardware itself - so you can take your creations with you.