I hate for my first post to be so negative, but I'm starting to get nervous. My first digital piano (1990ish) was a Korg (DP3000?), which had a decent action, but terrible voices (FM synthesis), low polyphony and only 5 pin midi interface (USB didn't exist). I went with Yamaha for the acoustic voices and action when I bought my second (2000ish) digital piano (P250). I still have the 250 and will never part with it as my go to 88 key piano. It sounds and plays wonderfully. When looking for a small, lightweight keyboard for jamming with friends at other locations I chose the Yamaha MX61 for the voices (would have bought a 76 if they offered it). But it wasn't a "no brainer" like the first time. Korg is definitely catching up in the voice category and their interface is much more advanced.

And, finally, the issue. Yamaha can't seem to get their interfaces/software down. Whether it's a keyboard, or a webpage or even Cubase (I use Cubase 7.5). It's as if the interface is an afterthought. Even the MX software is eclipsed by a third party offering. I remember when I got the P250 and first used the software that came with it thinking how much more they could have done with it. I was truly a weak piece of software for the times. It basically only saved the sequenced songs. But there was no access to the voices that I could figure out, or even a patch file for DAWs. Even now, if I want access to the voices in Cubase I'll have to write my own xml file or use the XG generic file.

So... why post now? I got an email from Yamaha offering "Best Of Motif Bank (B.O.M.B.) for MX" for free with the purchase of an MX. Well, I didn't qualify for the free offer because I got mine earlier and got a case as a free offering. But, I was interested and thought I might like to purchase it and went to the sight.

http://www.yamahamusicsoft.com/en/category/Synth+Voice+Libraries/product/1301259/Best+of+MOTIF+Bank+for+MX/.

I figured for $9.99 I'd order it. Here comes the interface thing again. You must choose your keyboard, and the MX isn't listed! So I couldn't even purchase it!

I'm not done. I figured I'd register on that site to let them know of the problem. While registering they ask the normal questions, some required, some not. One is "what keyboards do you own" with a dropdown list. Neither the P250 or the MX are listed. While not required, it's just an indication of how the software(interface) is taking a back seat.

I'm truly worried about where Cubase is going, also. Some really basic interface issues have been ignored for years. I'm not talking about features here, I mean basic Windows functionality. It's like Cubase is stuck on Windows 3.1 window management. That's not Yamaha's fault (yet) but unfortunately Yamaha isn't a software oriented company at a time when software and music are merging and they just bought a software company.

Will

PS: I also own a Yamaha acoustic classical guitar, an RX777 stereo receiver, and a pre-amp from the same era, all of which were the great at their price for the day and even now.

Rant over