I've been wondering if it were possible to load voices made for MOTIF XS into the MX88.
AFAIK the sound engine is the same in both so theoretically this should be possible, shouldn't it?

No, I’m afraid not. While the MX is based on the Motif XS, it is not compatible with the Motif XS sound library.

The MX88 (along with its siblings the MX49/MX61) are based on the sound engine of the Motif-series, but does not have the same hardware, does not feature Sample expansion memory, etc.

You can download (free) a Bank of 128 Performances that recreate the “Best of Motif Bank” (B.O.M.B.) version 2. This will give you the Yamaha programmer’s version of the Motif sound library… but for your MX …

Link — MX - Best of Motif Bank 2

Thanks Bad Mister. I already regret buying this thing.

The reason I asked is because I was looking for a decent piano sound. I used to own a DGX-660 which had an amazing selection of amazingly sounding pianos including the Grand. I fell for the advertised "workstation" and "MOTIF" sound and got the MX88. To my horror the piano voices of the MX88 are no better than any Casio toy keyboard. The sustain is a joke too. It sounds like there is about 1 second of sampled piano for the C key in every octave and the rest is synthesized. Maybe it's even less than that. And now I find out there's no light at the end of the tunnel because this junk is not compatible with anything. It doesn't even accept the MIDI files the DGX had no problems with, so it's no fun for the kids at all.

The MX88 piano sounds are so shockingly bad my gf cried and wanted the DGX back. At least the kids, who are just learning to play the piano, didn't notice the difference but man, what a scam and a waste of money.

I managed to adjust the envelope for the default piano to make it sound better but there's no way to store it and have it available instantly after switch on. Even dialing away from the adjusted voice and dialing back resets the adjustment. This synth must have been designed by programmers with zero understanding for user friendly design, or its just an outright scam. I'm shocked at how bad and useless this so called workstation is. The DGX can also be connected to a computer and become a workstation with better quality voices than the MX88. Who cares about using the 4 knobs when you have to press a million buttons to adjust the parameter you want in the DAW? You're better off using the computer's trackpad, which really turns the MX88 into an insanely overpriced MIDI keyboard. And then there's the useless 2 row LCD 🙁

The worst part is I cannot return the synth, as I would loose over €100 and I don't have what it takes to sell it on. Why would I do that to anyone?

It's my first "synthesizer" and definitely the last thing that says Yamaha on it that I paid for. I expected the controlls wouldn't be as straight forward as on the DGX but I never expected it would be such a nightmare in all imaginable ways.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSYpADuayIg

The S90XS is also based on the XS (Workstation) sound set. You can hear the core of the sounds are the same. There is a difference in some sound shaping between the two which makes the S90XS sound "richer".

With some external conditioning, it's possible to dial in the MX sound.

Speak(er)ing of - the DGX has built-in speakers tuned to the instrument while your MX requires you to supply the sound reinforcement (monitors). Your selection of studio monitors makes a big difference to the perceived sound quality.

The sound is about how the pianos are sampled, not about speakers. I use Bose headphones and Edifier r1700bt speakers. Both are better than the DGX built in speakers.

EDIT: I just watched the video. One would have to be hearing impaired to not hear the difference. The sounds are totally different and it's not about "richer" sound, it's simply that the MX hardware is vastly inferior in all aspects.

But more importantly, the MX88 is supposed to be a synthesizer. Where is the sine wave generator or any other wave generator? You need a DAW for that, which reduces this €1000 "synthesizer" into a glorified €250 MIDI keyboard.

If I knew that I wouldn't sell my DGX. The MX88 is a scam. It's way inferior to the DGX in terms of sampled sounds, controls, keybed feel and build quality, yet the DGX is cheaper and far more useful as a stand alone instrument.

Yamaha went Apple with the MX line. Inferior device for premium price like the iPhone 5c.

The real entry level synth starts with MODX line, but no musician in those videos on the internet tells you that. They're all paid for saying all the right things about the MX88 and not saying anything that is important, like that it is a useless piece of ugly plastic that doesn't even touch the competition in terms of usefulness in this price range. The rest of the reviewers are musical instrument shop owners, so they also have a vested interest in saying the right things about it. And the poor customers better keep quiet about their mistake buying it.

Yamaha, like Apple, doesn't care about 1 customer, or about one line of product. But for what it's worth, I used to like Yamaha a lot. I used to own their DSP amplifiers, two digital pianos and now the MX88. No more Yamaha for me after this experience.

Yamaha, show some decency and refund me. Take this joke of a synthesiser away. I'll buy the Juno and you'll be rid of me.

Wishful thinking, I know. But it's Christmas soon, so I'm allowed.