I'm just wondering if any of you have bought or played a Yamaha MOX8 yet?
The reason I'm asking is because I have a Yamaha CP33, who's action and sound I LOVE; and an M50, who's sound is "fine", and to be honest, the less I say about the keyboard action, the better Let's just say "it's not for me".
I discovered a MOX8 in a nearby music shop today, and had a quick play with it, as the shop was about to close. The shop may take my two boards as a trade against the MOX8. I'm considering this as I don't like "playing" the M50, and... well I guess you could say the only thing I don't like about the CP33 is it's not a CP300 It's limited in terms of sounds and function, and on a few levels, it would be a big improvement for me to have a combination of those two instruments.
I know I'd be taking a big hit in terms of polyphony (- 80) and losing the versatility of having two boards (not to mention that lovely joystick!), but..... if any of you have spent some time with the MOX8, I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Thank you.
My boards: Korg M50-61 & Yamaha CP33
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Have you thought about using the CP33 as a MIDI controller for the M50?
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
Sorry, I could perhaps have made that clearer, as that's what I've been doing since I bought the M50 about a year ago.
To elaborate a little on the reasons I'm thinking of doing this:
A) I'm a little stuck for space (aren't we all!)
B) If I want to play elsewhere, I'd have to either bring both boards, or one I don't like playing but which has all the bells and whistles, or one I like playing but has no midifile player/seq etc. And bringing two boards to jam at a friends has a touch of overkill about it.
My boards: Korg M50-61 & Yamaha CP33
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
I own both an M50 and a MoX6. I am mostly a hobbyist player, so I have not explored even 5% of the possibilities of the Mox series. It certainly looks awesome! I believe it to be a stunningly powerful keyboard in terms of flexibility and in sounds. I am always reminded of how far we have come in 10 years when I think back to my Korg X3, which cost me second-hand over $1000. Now I sit and listen to the M50 and the MOX, and I can't believe my ears. What will we have in another 5 years?
I guess to try and summarize what I feel you may be missing if you give up the M50?
- The M50 Clavinets are unsurpassed by any other manufacturer I am aware of.
- The M50 has a different feel of animation (or character) in a lot of it's sounds. Orchestra and worldly sounds have such life to them, that some of the MOX sounds feel a bit two-dimensional in comparison. (this is a subjective opinion)
- I love the drum-track button on the M50
Primarily I am interested in the "sounds"of the keyboards, as opposed to functionality such as DAW control, sequencing, etc..., and both of them are fantastic for different reasons. My main interest is in the ability of the synths to recreate real instruments. (Pianos, Clavinets, hammonds, acoustic guitars, wind instruments)
Of less importance is their ability to sound like real "synths" (is that a contradiction of terms?) And for that reason, I am always pleased with synth pads, solo sounds, stabs, comps...they always sound great!
I too was very disappointed in the action of the M50. But I made sure it was my primary instrument when playing, and I have gotten quite used to it. Such that when I got the Mox6, I missed the action on the M50. (I can't belive I'm writing that)
The two instruments have very different takes on sounds. Pianos are so subjective that I almost hesitate to talk about the issue, but here I go...the Korg pianos I thought suffered in some small way. I ordered the Kim Lajoie collection of pianos which added more to the palette and an improvement. However, after owning the KL collection, I returned to the Korg M50 pianos and found them quite pleasing. It might be a phenomena of ear fatigue? After playing one sound for a while, a new or different sound is pleasing to the ear?
Anyhow, the point I am making here is that it's nice to have a variety of sounds to choose from. Having owned a Motif ES6 years ago, I felt that the Motif pianos were the standard of acoustic pianos. If you like your CP33, you will probably love the MOX pianos. In contrast to the Korg they might suddenly sound somewhat clinical...I am always going back and forth between the Yamaha and the Korg. The Korg pianos have a lot of character and movement to them. Rhodes sounds are an improvement on the MOX, and Hammonds are great as well (much better than on the Motif ES keyboard.)
If having the weighted action is important to you, I don't think you will regret getting the MOX8 keyboard. It is budget-priced, and almost as up-to-date a synth as you can get from Yamaha. I assume you know about the Motifator forums? Lots of info and ideas there.
I wish I could be more concrete in my opinion, but both the keyboards really shine, and are both affordable which is most important to me. I wish I could tell you which way to go. Could there be a chance you could afford to keep the M50?
You mentioned in your original post that you found the M50 sounds "fine", it's possible you prefer Yamaha voicings over Korg.
I can't make up my mind between the two! Argggh!
Perhaps your music store would consider loaning you the MOX for a day or two? Or could you rent one to try it out? If you have a chance to sit down on the MOX for a while with headphones, that would help.
I don't know if I have been helpful or not, if you have more specific questions I would be happy to try and help.
(BTW, I agree with you - one keyboard is nice to bring to gigs. I have the 2 synths set up at home, but only bring one or the other when I go out to play. The more hassles with the set-up [cables, PA, MIDI routing, etc...] really detracts from the need to simply play music.)
Many thanks for your detailed (and clearly considered!) response. Since posting, I managed to sit down with an MOX8 for the best part of an hour, with a set of headphones, and while I didn't go through every voice/performance, I entirely hear what you're saying about it sounding a little two-dimensional compared to the M50, although that was moreso with pads and synth sounds than orchestral etc.
Likewise, my primary interests lean towards real sounding instruments, although I must say that since playing with the MOX, I'm a little bit more appreciative of the complex/evolving sounds I can get from the M50.
One thing I'm very interested in is the arpegiator on the MOX - the guitar strumming sounds very much more realistic than on the M50. Maybe it's just me, but I can't seem to get anything that could be mistaken for a real guitarist strumming an acoustic from my Korg - but maybe that's just me. (Or maybe not - it sounded awesome pretty much straight away on the MOX!)
And I definitely prefer the Yammy pianos.
Does it sound like I'm sold?? Well I'm not quite! The key action is noticeably lighter on the MOX than I'm used to. I've no doubt I'd get used to it in time, but..... the shop I visited (and there aren't many in Ireland that A) have a MOX8 to sell, and B) will take other gear as part exchange/trade-in) already have both a CP33 and an M50 (both secondhand!) which they've had difficulty in selling. I guess I could look on the bright side and "appreciate" the fact that I don't have to hurry my decision.
What will we have in another 5 years?
Or I could wait another 5 years and see what's on offer then!
Again - many thanks for your response.
Brendan.
My boards: Korg M50-61 & Yamaha CP33
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
So true what you mentioned about the acoustic guitars on the Yamaha - and string instruments in general (dulcimer, 12 string, etc...) - they have so much detail in them!
I am mostly a hobbyist player, and I can tell you that simply playing in the performance mode (with the preset "motif" arpeggios going) I can sit there for hours. Talk about inspiration!
Yes, the MOX is not going anywhere in a hurry, but perhaps the M50 will lose at little value in time now that the Kronos is available? It's hard to say. Possibly not because I don't know of any other keyboards like the MoX and M50 that are so powerful for approx $1100 CAD. Even the Mo6 and Mo8 are still timeless and very contemporary keyboards. Just how out-of-date can great sounds get?
...... I can tell you that simply playing in the performance mode (with the preset "motif" arpeggios going) I can sit there for hours.
Ah yes, I'm only too familiar with losing track of time while fiddling about with my keys. (It's a little disconcerting at times, really, when you see your watch and think "where on earth did all that time go to?!" - and you STILL didn't get the track finished/improved/started! as you had intended.... )
Just how out-of-date can great sounds get?
Well, I guess great sounds don't necessarily become "dated" - we just have to make sure we have our fun with them while they're still fresh. The DX7 electric piano is a great sound, but great as it is, it would be a good way down the list of sounds I might use in any given situation. You'll never beat a nice cello, though!
My boards: Korg M50-61 & Yamaha CP33
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Let's just say "it's not for me". 
