Is it me, or is the quality of an instrument far better in Voice mode compared to the same instrument in Multi mode?

We merged your previous question here in the S90 XS/S70 XS forum....

In general, a different mode means different things are in play. To get you started, single mode (Voice) is the sound all alone with sole access to all the synths resources. In Multi mode, as name implies, it is one among many and therefore must share the resources with 15 other sounds.

If you play an acoustic piano alone, then are joined by a full orchestra or band, the piano will sound different to the listening audience because you no longer have sole access to the resources (room acoustics)!

Apply to your instrument... Which we now know is an S90 XS... So there are now shared effects... In Multi mode all 16 Parts are connected to the internal mixer, the mixer has two Send/Return buses (like Aux Sends on any mixer) one feeds the Reverb chamber, the other a Time Delay effect (phase, flanger, chorus, delay, or echo). These are the Reverb and Chorus and are considered SYSTEM EFFECTS. So where in Voice mode each Voice can select any two SYSTEM EFFECTS, when you place the Voice in a PART (either in Performance Part or a Multi Part) it must now enter this mode via a single channel on the mixer, where it shares the System Effects with the other musicians. The mixer's settings on each channel default as follows: the EQ is flat, the Pan position defaults to Center, Rev Sends are 12, Chorus Send is set to 0, Volume is set to 100.

Also only eight of the Parts can recall their dual Insertion Effects from Voice mode. Insertion Effects are those programmed to each Voice in Voice mode and are routed "inline" instead of via a Send/Return scenario. This means they are like the personal effect belonging to the selected instrument alone (not shared with anyone else; like the Rotary Spkr and Overdrive on the B3, or distortion and wah pedal on a guitar).

So yes, your Voice (no longer alone) has joined a band/ensemble, and certain settings on the band's mixer have necessarily changed to accommodate 15 other musicians... So first of all your volume might well be reduced - after all everyone cannot be at 127 (maximum). And all 16 Parts share the System Effects, each has an individual send to these effects... This is guaranteed to be different from when you were in Voice mode.

Thinner, sure that might be, certainly different. Nothing wrong, you simply need to "mix" - the art of combining two or more instruments so that they can share the same acoustic space. It's more than just adjusting the volumes so they work together, it can be the effects, the EQ, the Pan location... Etc. etc. etc.

Thank you so much for clearing this out. You've been very helpful;)