Yamaha MX61BU 61 Note Synthesizer Keyboard - Blue

Yamaha MX61BU 61 Note Synthesizer Keyboard - Blue

The MX series synthesizers feature carefully selected sounds taken from the Yamaha MOTIF XS. That powerful sonic palette is packed into a sleek 61-key package that fit today's on-the-go life style. But the MX Series aren't just synthesizers; they are designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software. By adding extensive audio and MIDI USB connectivity, advanced DAW and VST controller features and a suite of powerful music production software, the MX integrate hardware reliability with controller flexibility to give you the best of both worlds at a ground breaking level of affordability.

The Yamaha MX61BU 61 Note Synthesizer Keyboard - Blue features over 1000 Voices from the legendary MOTIFseries plus deep computer and iOS integration in a compact, lightweight keyboard. MX61 BU adds a Class Compliant USB audio and MIDI driver plus unlocks the new FM Essential iOS synth app!

The MX series contains more than 1000 Voices derived directly from the world famous Yamaha MOTIF XS series. From realistic acoustic sounds like piano, electric piano, strings and drums to complex 8-element synth sounds, the MX has all of your favorite MOTIF XS Voices right at your fingertips via a streamlined interface. You can even edit and store your own sounds right onboard. The MX61BU's functionality is further expanded via the FM Essential app, which provides for real-time synth performances and also lets you edit voices.

Performance Mode on the MOTIFs has always been the place to find instant inspiration and the MX61BU is no different. You can easily combine two Voices to play on the keyboard using the dedicated Split and Layer buttons each with their own intelligent arpeggiator and a dedicated Part for a drum track to create evocative Performances that feel like a whole band is playing. The 128 Performances on the MX are all user editable, but come programmed with the latest club friendly grooves. Each Performance contains not only the three sounds described above, but all the settings for a complete 16-Part Multi setting for play. You can switch between any of the 16 Parts without the sound cutting off. With 128 notes of polyphony there are plenty of notes to play even the densest sequences from your DAW. These features make the MX the perfect tone generator solution for live performance and live playback of DAW MIDI tracks.

But the MX doesn't just control software DAWs and VSTs; it's an audio interface as well. Just connect a USB cable to your computer and you can monitor all the sounds from your computer via the headphone output of the MX or listen to your DAW tracks by connecting the MX to external studio monitors or PA gear. The audio converters on the MX are made for professional music applications so everything on your computer -- even games -- will sound better when using the MX as the output. The MX interface is bi-directional so you can record the internal sounds of the MX directly to your computer, without ever going to the analog domain, for the highest possible quality.

The MX also features solid knobs and durable buttons for controlling internal sounds, DAW parameters and VST instruments. The deceptively simple interface is combined with a remote template editor on your computer so any VST you own or any new VSTs you buy can be easily setup to be controlled by the MX. There are advanced integration templates for use with a variety of DAWs. When used with Cubase, there is even an AI knob so any parameter can be controlled by the large rotary encoder just by mousing over it. It's never been quicker to take full control of Cubase.

The MX series comes with a complete suite of music production software tools. The included Steinberg Cubase AI features 48 audio tracks and 64 MIDI tracks, notation, built-in VST effects, so with just the MX and AI you can do complete productions. It also comes bundled with Steinberg Prologue and the Yamaha YC-3B organ emulator so you have some compelling VSTs to get started. Plus there are Remote Template editors for setting up controls of VSTs. 

In addition to Cubase AI, the MX61BU can connect to your iPad to unlock the feature set of Cubasis LE. Bi-directional audio/midi interface and USB class compliance enhances the music production capacity of Cubasis LE even further. In addition to the USB audio/MIDI port, the MX has a USB to Device port so you can connect USB devices for storing data externally and even playing back wave files directly from a USB stick. If you want to add a tablet or an MP3 player to your system just connect to the AUX input using a mini stereo cable and you are ready to go.

At RIffs & Licks Music, we think the Yamaha MX61BU 61 Note Synthesizer Keyboard - Blue is a great option for an affordable way to start synthesising and producing music, with a quality, easy to use, and highly integrated synth.