It is also a powerful piece of music technology which requires some practice and guidance to leverage fully its capabilities. To help you make the most of your MONTAGE, Yamaha’s own Bad Mister has provided this deep diving “Mastering MONTAGE” series. If you have not had an opportunity to learn from this master musician and synthesizer guru, check out his recently completed 14-part series:
Mastering MONTAGE: Getting Started
This article sets the stage for the series and introduces major concepts for MONTAGE owners. You’ll learn about how to use the various reference materials available, “out of the box” functionality, including factory presets for Live Sets, and defining features. It will also introduce you to some of the “Do’s and Don’ts” – without putting limits on your imagination.
Mastering MONTAGE 1: The Super Knob
When you look at your MONTAGE, one of the first things you probably noticed is “The Super Knob”. Though visually eye-catching, it is your ear that will benefit most from this feature. It enables you to dive deeper into the world of motion control synthesis. Music is motion – and this lesson begins your journey into how The Super Knob helps you put your music in motion.
Mastering MONTAGE 2: Super Knob Common
Continuing your foray into the power of The Super Knob with how it controls performance architecture and all Parts in common, this lesson provides a combination of insight and hands-on experiments for you.
Mastering MONTAGE 3: Super Knob Unipolar
Taking the next step into the complexities, you will have the opportunity to learn about assigning a Part’s parameters to The Super Knob. You will learn through specific examples – and for those of you experienced with Motif, you will find how to adapt your knowledge to the MONTAGE.
Mastering MONTAGE 4: Super Knob Bipolar
The Super Knob can be used bi-directionally – or “Bipolar” – allowing you to change the minimum or maximum of the speed from the initial setting. In addition to providing you with the “how-to” for using this capability, this lesson also provides guidance on when best to use Unipolar or Bipolar with The Super Knob.
Mastering MONTAGE 5: Super Knob Morph
Smoothly morphing between two different parts is one of the most important usages of The Super Knob. In this lesson you will practice specifically fading in and out of these different parts to create a coherent sound. Also, there are some fun “Extra Credit” examples for you to experiment with morphing between other curve types.
Mastering MONTAGE 6: Super Knob Complex
If you are creating EDM, this is the lesson you have probably been waiting for – using The Super Knob to modulating synth chord sequences. Using what you’ve learned in the first few lessons, this programming is more complex and multi-dimensional than anything accomplished yet.
Mastering MONTAGE 7: Super Knob Values
If you want to more closely target your modulation, this lesson will help you do just that. You will learn how to set limitations on the modulation ranges – and store your Performance for future use.
Mastering MONTAGE 8: Assignable Knobs
Combining The Super Knob assignments in conjunction with individual assignments to selected Part Assignable Knobs is possible. Learn when and how this works in this lesson where you are starting to integrate the more complex concepts into producing your sound.
Mastering MONTAGE 9: Controller Box Switches
When you need to make control assignments only to specific elements, you can use the Controller Set screen. This lesson takes you through how to make that happen – and use for future.
Mastering MONTAGE 10: Side Chain Modulation
The Side Chain function can be used multiple ways to modify one Part with another. This lesson takes you three possibilities including Side Chain Compression – and beyond.
Mastering MONTAGE 11: Envelope Follower
Shaping sound and transferring the rhythm from one Part to another can be done with the Envelope Follower. This lesson helps you translate how this works into practice.
Mastering MONTAGE 12: Motion Sequence
Motion Sequences provide incredibly creative new ways of programming sound. They are tempo-synchronized, completely customizable control sequences, and in this lesson, Bad Mister provides insight into how to use the MONTAGE to produce – and reproduce.
Mastering MONTAGE 13: Assign Switches 1 & 2
In this final “deep dive” lesson, learn how the Assignable Functions introduced in the Motif XS have evolved and been enhanced in the MONTAGE.
With each article, you can find a corresponding discussion stream with the same name as the article in our Forum. Join the conversation and get more ideas for putting the music in motion with your MONTAGE!