MODX M has arrived, delivering significant Sound, Control and Workflow improvements. The MODX M story started with MONTAGE M, our flagship Music Synthesizer. MONTAGE M provides major upgrades over the original MONTAGE like:

• An all new AN-X modeled analog synth engine.
• A massive AWM2 update in both content size and the number of Elements per Part (from 8 to 128 Elements per Part).
• The Expanded Softsynth Plugin (ESP) bringing MONTAGE M sound to your favorite DAW.
• A major UI redesign and useful control improvements.

Because MODX M comes from the MONTAGE M DNA you get these improvements too. And best of all, you get it in a lightweight package designed to be taken anywhere. Let’s get into it.

MODX M Models and Front Panel Overview

MODX M comes in three models. They all have the same technology and feature set, and the only differences are key count and action type. MODX M6 and M7 have a semi-weighted synth action called FSB that feels fast and solid under the fingers. This is a great improvement over the previous MODX and MODX+. MODX M6 is built for synthesists, featuring 61-keys and weigh in at just under 15 lbs:

For keyboardists needing more key range, the 76-key MODX M7 weighs in at 16.5 lbs. and offers more room to stretch out:

MODX M8 features the tried-and-true GHS graded hammer action, a favorite of piano-focused players needing a solid and light 88-key weighted action:

Check out the MODX M Front Panel:

In comparison to the original MODX and MODX+ there are several big updates:

• Eight faders (vs four on MODX) and dedicated Part Select Buttons: This is great for controlling Part levels, AWM2 Elements, FM-X Operators, AN-X Oscillators and tracks in a DAW. You can choose between PART control and EL/OP/OSC control with the top button directly to the left of the Faders. When PART control is selected the Fader lamp glows blue as in the above image. Press the button again select EL/OP/OSC and the Fader lamp turns green. This small feature lets you know exactly what you’re controlling. The button directly below the PART button toggles between Part Control and external AUDIO control. When AUDIO is selected the Fader lamp turns red along with buttons 1 (DIGITAL IN level), 2 (USB MAIN coming from a connected computer or iOS device) and 8 (A/D INPUT level).
• Dedicated Scene Select Buttons allow Part parameter control of Arpeggio On/Off, Motion Sequences, Super Knob position, Reverb and Variation effect send levels, Keyboard Control status and more. This gives tons of sound variation at the touch of a button. Here’s a screenshot of “Mixing 1” settings in Performance Scene 1:

• Keyboard Hold and Portamento Controls: Direct access to Portamento puts classic synth control on the front panel. Keyboard Hold is a useful feature for holding chords between changes. This frees you up to change Quick Edit parameters like filter cutoff/resonance, effect sends, EQ changes, etc., while the chord continues to play.
• Expanded Quick Edit: The original MODX/MODX+ gave 16 controllable parameters addressable via the Control Knobs. MODX M gives you eight more parameters for a total of 24. When you move a Control Knob the selected parameter pops up in the Touchscreen. In the screenshot below Part 1 is selected when Knob 1 is moved. The related parameters pop up in the Touchscreen:

Additionally, MODX M adds the PAGE JUMP button for moving parameters from Quick Edit to the Touchscreen for deeper editing.

• Super Knob and Knob Position Buttons: MODX M improves Super Knob functionality with three Knob Position buttons that snap the Super Knob to Left, Mid and Right positions. Also, the number of LED Patterns and colors are expanded.
• Display Knobs: MODX M features six physical Display Knobs below the Touchscreen. The parameters controlled by Display Knobs change depending on the mode. The screenshots below show how the Display Knobs interact with three different screens:

• The [NAVIGATION] Button: In addition to the Display Knobs, the [NAVIGATION] button streamlines MODX M operation. The screenshots below show how [NAVIGATION] works with a single AN-X Part. Note the arrows showing Modulation Points (green arrows) and Signal Flow (orange arrows):

SOUND

AN-X recreates the warm sound of analog synthesizers with a unique and sophisticated Virtual Analog modeling engine. The engine features three Oscillators with five waveform types:

1. Saw1: Short for “Sawtooth” waveform. Saw1 features all harmonics. It’s great for brass, leads, basses, pads and comping sounds.
2. Saw2: Like Saw2 but with a thicker sound.
3. Square: This waveform type contains odd harmonics only. Great for leads, pads and comping sounds when you’re looking for mellower sound.
4. Triangle: Like the Square waveform type in that it contains odd harmonics only, but with a brighter sound. It’s an excellent choice for leads when you need something that cuts better than the Square waveform but is not as bright as a Sawtooth waveform.
5. Sine: The Sine waveform features only the fundamental and no other harmonics. This is a very pure sound that’s great for pads, comping textures and smooth basses.

Below is a short audio example. This is the “Init Normal (AN-X)” Performance Waveform type, so all you are hearing is Osc1 without modulation, filter or effects. I played a short chord progression five times changing the Waveform type in the order above (Saw1, Saw2, Square, Triangle and Sine):

The AN-X engine offers extensive ways to shape these waveforms:

• Two resonant filters with 10 filter types:
  • Low Pass Filters: LPF6, LPF12, LPF18 and LPF24
  • High Pass Filters: HPF 6, HPF 12, HPF 18, and HPF24
  • Band Pass Filters: BPF6 and BPF12
• Pulse width modulation per Oscillator
• Oscillator Self Sync
• Ring modulation (Oscillators 1 & 2)
• Frequency modulation (Oscillators 1 & 2)
• Wave shaper
• Wave folder
• Voltage drift and aging settings to simulate vintage synth behavior
• Noise Generator

Apart from these parameters there are more sound shaping tools available. Let’s refer to the [NAVIGATION] view of an AN-X Part:

1. Two Part Insertion Effects with over 80 different effects are great sound shaping tools. Effects like the VCM Mini Filter, Dynamic Ring Modulator, Control Filter, Spiralizer and more can drastically shape the sound and offer unprecedented real time control. And the 3-band EQ with a parametric mid band and configurable 2-band EQ offer frequency shaping tools.
2. Parts have sends to the Performance Variation and Reverb effects, and final details can be added with the Master Effect (MFX) and 5-band fully parametric Master EQ (MEQ).
3. Arpeggios are often thought of as simply note generation tools, but there are many control Arpeggios too. Things like Filter, Modulation, Pan Position, Modulation, Pitch Bend and more don’t generate note data, but they can dramatically shape the sound. And because they are Arpeggios, they are tempo syncable. 
4. Motion Sequences are control sequences that you can create. They are great tools for creating interesting rhythmic textures or dramatic panoramic sweeping effects. Like Arpeggios, Motion Sequences can be tempo syncable.
5. The Motion Control Synthesis System introduced in the original MONTAGE allowed simultaneous control of up to 16 parameters. MONTAGE M doubled that number to 32. Since MODX M is built on MONTAGE M DNA you get this amount of real time control. This allows for lots of deep control of AN-X parameters, Part parameters and Effect parameters.

The result of all these sound shaping tools, effect processing, and dynamic control is a synth engine capable of producing a diverse range of sounds. Below are audio examples of my favorite AN-X Performances:

AWM2

AWM2 is a subtractive, sample-based synth engine for recreating acoustic and electronic instruments you can name (If you’d like to learn more, check out the “Subtractive 101” article series here by music technology expert Howard Massey). This engine excels at creating sounds like acoustic and electric pianos and guitars, solo and ensemble strings, brass and woodwinds, drums, percussion and more. An AWM2 Part uses building blocks called Elements. Elements contain a sampled waveform (acoustic pianos, guitars, basses, strings, brass, drums, synth sounds, special effects, etc.), and each Element has its own tuning, pan position, velocity and key range limit, pitch envelope, filter type and envelope, amplitude envelope, EQ and LFO. Each element is a component of the sound, and multiple elements can be combined to create a playable sound.

The original MONTAGE featured 5.67 Gb of Preset AWM2 Wave memory. MONTAGE M features 10 Gb, nearly doubling that amount. Since MODX M is built on MONTAGE M DNA you get all 10 Gb of Preset AWM2 Wave. You also get 1.9 Gb of User Wave memory. And since MODX M is compatible with existing MONTAGE content, Libraries like Chick’s Mark V will load right in. But wait: There’s more!

In the original MONTAGE, MODX and MODX+ a single AWM2 Part has up to eight Elements. The MODX M AWM2 engine features a significant update, dramatically increasing the maximum number of Elements per Part to 128.  This dramatically improves the expressiveness and playability of sounds and optimizes how those sounds can be realized. Here’s the perfect example. Below is my one of my favorite all-around grand piano Performances, “CFX Concert”. In the original MONTAGE, CFX Concert uses 18 Elements across four Parts to make maximize dynamics and expressiveness. In MODX M, those 18 Elements now appear in a single Part (with 110 Elements to spare!) You’ll see the Element count in the center of the screen highlighted by the red box. On the right is the Extra Element Switch (Ex Elem Sw). This is found in Edit/Part 1/Common: General/Pitch, Element Settings. Here you can set how many Elements make up your Part:

Here are several of my favorite MODX M AWM2 Performances:

FM-X

FM-X is a sophisticated and expressive synth engine. The eight Operator, 88 Algorithm architecture is further enhanced with the Motion Control Synthesis System offering up to 32 assignable Part destinations for lots of FM synthesis modulation:

Add to that two insertion effects and a resonant filter with 18 types and you get serious sound design possibilities. FM Synthesis is central to the Yamaha Synthesizer story—explore our FM Synthesis Article Collection to learn more.

Here are some of my favorite MODX M FM-X Performances:

Effects and More

When it comes to effects, MODX M has much to offer. Performance Common Effects are effects that apply to the entire Performance, across all Parts. They include:

• Reverb (13 types): Hall, Room, Stage, Plate, Space Simulation, Shimmer, and more.
• Variation Effects (88 types): Delay, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Amp Simulation, Rotary Speaker, Compressor, Wah, Bit Crusher, VCM Mini Filter, Vocoder, Wave Folder, and many others.
• Master Effects (26 types): VCM Compressor 376, Multiband Compressor, Parallel Compressor, Lo-Fi, Slicer, Beat Repeat, and more.
• Master EQ: A five-band parametric EQ for shaping the overall sound.

Note: Reverb and Variation levels are controlled by each Part’s send level, while Master Effects and EQ apply globally.

In addition to the Performance Common effects, 12 Parts of a MODX M Performance feature two Part Insertion Effects. Use them for adding distortion to an electric guitar sound, processing a drawbar organ sound with a rotary speaker simulation or adding a phaser effect to an electric piano. Check out the MODX M Part Insertion Effect Screen below:

• Left screenshot: On the left is a screenshot of an AWMs Part’s Insertion Effects.  Note that each AWM2 Element can be routed independently (Yellow Box with Arrow in the image on the left). You can choose InsA, InsB or Thru per Element. AN-X and FM-X Parts are routed from the Amplifier output. There are 88 effect types to choose from, and they are routable in series A▸B or B▸A) or in Parallel.
• Center screenshot: Shows the new VCM Rotary Speaker. Only InsB appears because this effect uses both Insertion Effect Blocks. The VCM Rotary Speaker effect is available for Part 1 only.
• Right screenshot: MODX M features 12 Insertion effects. Eight for Parts 1-8 and four freely assignable to Parts 9-16. A quick note: MONTAGE M features Insertion effects for all 16 Parts.

MODX M effects are an important component of the overall sound. Apart from conventional effects like reverb, delay and chorus, you also have unique effects like Spiralizer, Bit Crusher, Dynamic Ring Modulator and Filter, Beat Repeat and Shimmer Reverb.

Below are Performances using several of my favorite effects:

CONTROL

MODX M makes it easier to control and shape your sound in real time, improves data entry and streamlines parameter access in many ways.  Below are my top five Control improvements:

1. Eight Faders vs Four on MODX/MODX+: Improved Performance Part level control is just the beginning. In addition to controlling Part volume, the eight faders:
   • Control the drawbar levels of an AWM2 organ part. MODX M feature Slider Direction control allowing the faders to work like organ drawbars.
   • Control Carrier/Modulator levels of an FM-X part for real time sound shaping.
   • Control Oscillator levels of an AN-X part.
   • Control incoming USB audio from a connected computer and A/D INPUT level by toggling to AUDIO with the lower button to the left of the faders.
2. Dedicated Part Select and Scene Select Buttons: On the original MODX/MODX+ this control was shared across four buttons. MODX M provides eight separate Part and Scene buttons for improved Performance Control.
3. Six Display Knobs: I was so happy to see this MONTAGE M feature appear in MODX M. The Display Knobs make all operations easier, from basic exploration of the main Performance (Home) screen to deeper Part editing, Category Search access, Utility setups, etc.
4. Performance Controls: Keyboard Hold and Portamento are located above the Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels. The physical Portamento control switch and Time knob give more synth lead expressiveness. Keyboard Hold is great for playing or tweaking held chords.
5. [NAVIGATION] Button: As I mentioned above, [NAVIGATION] makes it easier to get to every parameter with a graphic overview.

Lastly, although MODX M does not have a physical Ribbon Controller like MONTAGE M you have a virtual Ribbon Controller available as View Option in the Touchscreen. It’s really handy for controlling the VCM Rotary Speaker speed in a Preset drawbar organ Performance like “Soft Compin Organ” Note the virtual drawbars too:

WORKFLOW

The biggest workflow update comes in early 2026 with Expanded Softsynth Plugin (ESP). Here is a link to our MONTAGE M ESP Tech Talk showing how it works. ESP for MODX M will work in exactly the same way. Stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, here are a few screenshots of ESP for MODX M:

MODX M vs MODX/MODX+ and MONTAGE M

Check out the differences between MODX/MODX+/MODX M and MONTAGE M:

Blake’s Take

MODX M is a fantastic instrument on so many levels. It’s a solid choice for home studio users needing a wide range of expressive and dynamic sounds, USB MIDI and Audio connectivity, MIDI 2.0 compatibility and more. But where it really shines is on the stage. People wanting MONTAGE M sound in a lighter, more compact, and affordable package can’t go wrong with MODX M.

However, MONTAGE M offers more power and greater flexibility over a wider range of use cases. The increased total polyphony, higher-quality DACs, aftertouch/poly aftertouch, a ribbon controller, metal chassis, more connectivity with 6 inputs/32 outputs, a maximum 192kHz audio sample rate and more. MONTAGE M also features important UI upgrades that I personally use all the time. Take a look at the comparison below. On left is the MONTAGE M panel and MODX M panel on the right:

The MONTAGE M Quick Edit screen and 8 Knobs with LEDs (highlighted in red) are very useful. MONTAGE M Quick Edit offers deep sound editing without deep menu diving. It’s very fast and visual. MODX M does have a useful Quick Edit section but lacks the second LCD screen, parameter Page buttons, four additional knobs and knob LEDs.

Another useful control feature in MONTAGE M is the direct [KEYBOARD CONTROL] button (highlighted in green). This button transforms the Part Select Buttons below the Faders into Keyboard Control On/Off Buttons. When playing live, you can effortlessly switch between different parts using this button. For instance, if you’re playing a layered piano and have [KEYBOARD CONTROL] selected, Piano is on Part 1, and Pad is on Part 2. Play and hold a chord, then disengage Keyboard Control on Part 2. The Pad will hold until you play the next chord. At that point, you’ll only be playing the piano because Keyboard Control on the Pad Part is disengaged. To seamlessly bring it back, simply press the Part 2 button. This feature is particularly useful when playing Multi Part Performances, as it allows you to engage or disengage Keyboard Control state with a physical button. This functionality is only available from the touchscreen in MODX M.

And there are good reasons to consider both instruments. MODX M and MONTAGE M share the same file format, and you can load sounds back and forth, so something like a MONTAGE M8x for the home studio and MODX M8 for gigs makes a lot of sense to me. Need a great-sounding, great-feeling synth with lots of sounds, great connectivity that weighs 30 pounds? If you have to move from a parking lot to a club, ballroom, band room, or place of worship on a regular basis and need something full-size and weighted, MODX M8 is a perfect solution. I really like 88-key weighted actions, and the GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) action is one that I’ve played for years (I’m sure many people reading this know exactly what I mean!). It’s a tried-and-true design that just feels great to play.

That said, I’m amazed at the sleek, compact look of the MODX M6 and M7. The design is modern and ergonomic, and the FSB action is a noticeable improvement. They are super lightweight, weighing in at around 15 lbs. and 17 lbs., respectively, but they feel remarkably solid.  Here’s a quick story: I traveled around the country doing video shoots with a MODX M6 and MODX M8. At the end of the day, I found myself in a hotel room with both instruments, and because of its compactness, I’d end up playing the MODX M6. It fit perfectly on the small hotel room desk.

Backed by flagship MONTAGE M DNA, MODX M gives you great sound, deep control and sophisticated workflow in a compact, lightweight and affordable package and best of all it’s available now! For more information go here.