Customer Reviews

Yamaha DVDMOTIFXS Motif XS Series DVD

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would recommend this DVD if you just bought the MOTIF XS without owning or playing the older model (ES).

It is arguable that everything in this DVD is in the manual. Technically, that it is true. However, this DVD approaches the concept from another prospective and sometimes it helps to look at the concept from different angles. I think both DVD and the manual compliment one another.

After you watch this DVD, you should visit motifator.com There you will find more documents for advance usages as well as the forum. Yamaha personnel also frequent in the forum and are extremely helpful.

First and foremost, this DVD is now included in most Motif packages. So if you are in the process of buying a Motif, do not buy this DVD until you check your box. The probability is high that it will be included.


This DVD provides a useful introduction to the Motif XS, albeit at a very superficial level. However, when you are just getting started, this introduction will help compliment the manual. And if you prefer to get information from a video than reading the manual, this is for you. Just wait to buy to make sure it is not included in your motif box.

I do recommend this DVD as a general overview of the possibilities of the instrument. On the jacket of the DVD, it says "exploring the creative possibilities" of the Yamaha Motif XS, and that's exactly what you get: possibilities. It's NOT a "how to" program, but it is a very good summary which all Yamaha XS owners know are need to know. I recommend it for beginners. It's a comprehensive list of "look at this, and here's this over here, and don't forget this, and what about this, and here's another thing, and here's even another thing, and . . . . etc." with very brief explanations. It's a survey of many of the features. High quality production, except many times he's pressing buttons and they are not shown, or changing things that have apparently no effect. If you're looking for WHAT the Motif XS is and what its many features are, this is a great 3+ hour introduction. If you're looking for how to do things on the Motif XS in more detailed and explained format, purchase "Yamaha Motif XS Masterclass".

Yamaha makes great keyboards the XS7 is one of the best sounding keyboard on the market and will retain it value for years to come. That said the Yamaha product manuals are the worst. One will spend countless hours visting web sites and trying to fiqure out how to make it work. Midi is also not explained correctly especially if you want to hook it up as a master controller or slave sound module./ Even the yamaha tech rep could not help me out. Manuals are poorly written and hard to understand and need much improvment. What I would like in the future manuals is learning by example. Each example should show a step by step instructions, controller key inputs, and all info until the final outcome is understood. No jumping back and forth across pages and chapters.

This dvd is very helpful for someone who has never used the XS. If you buy an XS it comes with this dvd plus Cubase AI5, XSpand Your World and Xfactor(vst dvd). I asked a guy at musicians friend if the XS came with the dvd? The dummy said "no it dosent", I will be selling the extra dvd online.