Yamaha MM6 Review

Let's cut to the chase on this one. If you're buying Yamaha's hype, that is calling this synthesizer a, "Mini Mo" (that is, mini Motif, named after their highly-regarded line of Synthesizer Workstations) you're probably going to be disappointed.

If, however you're like me and were just looking for the best of the Motif sounds packaged in a lightweight synth (that's < 15lbs, folks) you've come to the right place. I suppose if you really want a synth workstation worthy of the Motif namesake, then you should buy one like the XS, or even the lower cost MO series. You're going to pay from 2x to 15x more for one of these than you're going to pay for the MM6 - and trust me, if you already have a workstation from Korg or Roland, you may still want the MM6 - just for the sounds.

I play in a blues band and use the MM6 for the great piano, horns and strings sounds. The organ sounds leave a lot to be desired so I use software (NI B4 II) to emulate the Hammond B3, but I use the MM6 to control it. The MM6 is not a great MIDI controller in itself - there isn't a lot of adjustments you can make to anything with regard to MIDI, but I get along with it fine.

Playing the piano sounds in the MM6 with a nice hammer action 88 key MIDI controller is shear joy - the sounds are worth the $5-600 you're going to pay for this synth. You'll pay more for a cheaper sounding PSR series or any number of other synths that may have more features, but just don't live up to the realistic sounds of Motif.

One nice feature is that the MM6 is bundled with Cubase LE. Nice, that is, if you're using Windows XP. Cubase LE doesn't run on Vista. I highly recommend dumping Cubase anyway and going for something that works better with the MM6 (there is a complete device map written for it) and that's Sonar 6 or 7. FL Studio also works well with the MM6, but the included software Cubase doesn't live up to it's potential. Still, it is free.

So, in summary, it is what it is - and what it isn't is a workstation, so don't expect it to be one. If you do, you will be disappointed. Then again, for it's low price, it does a lot.