MC-808 vs Yamaha Motif XS
22 Oct 2007, 16:21I bought the 808 as a (relatively) inexpensive way to make electronic music for my own amusement. I am not a keyboard player, so it seemed like a good product. And I really liked it.
This is not a review really, it's one (talentless
man's experience with trying to move from the 808 to a workstation while doing the same thing I do, make music for my own amusement.
I started looking at a workstation keyboard for (hopefully) more sounds, and ease of use. I did not care for hooking up a keyboard to my MC-808 for those parts which were easier to play on a keyboard than on the 808 pads.
I bought a Motif XS, and almost returned it at first. The difference in learning curves was amazing.
I include this information for any casual music makers interested in the merits of a workstation keyboard (in particular, the XS) over a goovebox.
* Cost
The 808 wins, hands down
* Learning Curve
The 808 wins hands down. I was making music within hours. The Motif XS lacks a grid editor, a real pain. I was not able to really get much done for a month. Partly because the performance mode on the XS was way too fun to mess with, but also due to the learning curve
* Ease of sampling
I don't really sample - so I can't give a good reccomendation here. The Motif seems to have more hands on capabilities though
* Ease of voice editing
No contest, the Motif XS wins simply because you don't need to mess with a computer
* Ease of sequencer use
For percussion, the 808 wins hands down. No grid style editor on the XS. For non percussion, I give the XS the edge. It's easier to edit events on the XS. The XS's supports multiple sections per pattern, with a chain mode. Basically you never need to go to song mode to chain your patterns, and you can make multiple patterns in the same pattern by using pattern sections
* Sounds
They are both good. The XS has a wider variety, with amazing accoustic instruments. It has more sample ROM (300+ MB), more voices, and more expressive voices with easier editing of voices, effects etc. I would give the XS the edge.
* Effects
The XS has a complex and versatile effects section. I am pretty sure I can duplicate most 808 effects. It's easier to work with 808 effects IMHO, but the 808 is deeper. It's also reputed to have filters that behave more like analog filters, though technically those are not effects. It VCM effects (virtual circuit modeling,) which some people seem pretty happy with - I am still learning or I could say more on this.
* Keyboard
I am not a keyboard player, but I can manage chord progressions and basic melody lines. I am very impressed with the keyboard. Fixed velocity on the 808 is workable, you can always edit the events, but a velocity sensitive board is nice.
* Real time control
This is like comparing apples and oranges in some ways. The controls on the 808 are closely grouped, and easy to tweak while in real time control mode. The XS has more control features, which can be overdubbed in real time similar to the XS, but for some reason I don't find them as easily accesible - I have to think about it more. The XS has the classic pitch bend wheel and modulation wheel along with a ribbon controller, various knobs (cutoff, resonance), faders, foot controller inputs, etc. The XS ultimately has more options.
* Summary
I find it harder to do anything with the XS. It has Cubase integration, but it's too painful to work with for me. I believe it has better sound overall. It's more than twice as much money, and I was struggling to make it do what I wanted it to do - I almost returned it. It's potential is amazing though - if I had talent, I could probably do so much more
I think someone could do the same sort of things they do on an 808 with it. Unfortunately, I feel like I have to talk myself into making stuff with it - I found the 808 more natural and easy to use. I put this down to my lack of familiarity with it, the complexity of the product, and my lack of skills. I will keep at it, and hopefully will find it as easy to use as the 808.
Other people may have a easier time of it.
Keep in mind that the XS is only the second sophisticated music production equipment I have owned, I found the 808 much easier and pleasant to use. But I also hope that in the future I can take advantage of the XS's deeper capabilities.
This is not a review really, it's one (talentless
man's experience with trying to move from the 808 to a workstation while doing the same thing I do, make music for my own amusement.I started looking at a workstation keyboard for (hopefully) more sounds, and ease of use. I did not care for hooking up a keyboard to my MC-808 for those parts which were easier to play on a keyboard than on the 808 pads.
I bought a Motif XS, and almost returned it at first. The difference in learning curves was amazing.
I include this information for any casual music makers interested in the merits of a workstation keyboard (in particular, the XS) over a goovebox.
* Cost
The 808 wins, hands down
* Learning Curve
The 808 wins hands down. I was making music within hours. The Motif XS lacks a grid editor, a real pain. I was not able to really get much done for a month. Partly because the performance mode on the XS was way too fun to mess with, but also due to the learning curve
* Ease of sampling
I don't really sample - so I can't give a good reccomendation here. The Motif seems to have more hands on capabilities though
* Ease of voice editing
No contest, the Motif XS wins simply because you don't need to mess with a computer
* Ease of sequencer use
For percussion, the 808 wins hands down. No grid style editor on the XS. For non percussion, I give the XS the edge. It's easier to edit events on the XS. The XS's supports multiple sections per pattern, with a chain mode. Basically you never need to go to song mode to chain your patterns, and you can make multiple patterns in the same pattern by using pattern sections
* Sounds
They are both good. The XS has a wider variety, with amazing accoustic instruments. It has more sample ROM (300+ MB), more voices, and more expressive voices with easier editing of voices, effects etc. I would give the XS the edge.
* Effects
The XS has a complex and versatile effects section. I am pretty sure I can duplicate most 808 effects. It's easier to work with 808 effects IMHO, but the 808 is deeper. It's also reputed to have filters that behave more like analog filters, though technically those are not effects. It VCM effects (virtual circuit modeling,) which some people seem pretty happy with - I am still learning or I could say more on this.
* Keyboard
I am not a keyboard player, but I can manage chord progressions and basic melody lines. I am very impressed with the keyboard. Fixed velocity on the 808 is workable, you can always edit the events, but a velocity sensitive board is nice.
* Real time control
This is like comparing apples and oranges in some ways. The controls on the 808 are closely grouped, and easy to tweak while in real time control mode. The XS has more control features, which can be overdubbed in real time similar to the XS, but for some reason I don't find them as easily accesible - I have to think about it more. The XS has the classic pitch bend wheel and modulation wheel along with a ribbon controller, various knobs (cutoff, resonance), faders, foot controller inputs, etc. The XS ultimately has more options.
* Summary
I find it harder to do anything with the XS. It has Cubase integration, but it's too painful to work with for me. I believe it has better sound overall. It's more than twice as much money, and I was struggling to make it do what I wanted it to do - I almost returned it. It's potential is amazing though - if I had talent, I could probably do so much more
I think someone could do the same sort of things they do on an 808 with it. Unfortunately, I feel like I have to talk myself into making stuff with it - I found the 808 more natural and easy to use. I put this down to my lack of familiarity with it, the complexity of the product, and my lack of skills. I will keep at it, and hopefully will find it as easy to use as the 808.
Other people may have a easier time of it.
Keep in mind that the XS is only the second sophisticated music production equipment I have owned, I found the 808 much easier and pleasant to use. But I also hope that in the future I can take advantage of the XS's deeper capabilities.