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Average Price: $4,166
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$500
$1501+
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Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Yamaha Montage M8x". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your creativity with the Yamaha Montage M8x, a next-generation flagship synthesizer designed to elevate your soundscape to new heights. With its 88 fully weighted keys and polyphonic aftertouch, this powerhouse integrates seamlessly into both studio and stage environments. The Montage M8x is equipped with three robust sound engines: the AN-X for vintage analog warmth, AWM2 with a 128-element architecture for high-definition realism, and FM-X for cutting-edge digital synthesis. Together, they offer a vast spectrum of sonic possibilities.
Experience the innovative Motion Control engine, which adds a unique layer of dynamic expression, allowing you to sculpt sounds with unprecedented precision. The Montage M8x's intuitive 7-inch TFT color touchscreen and performance controls, including a 5-segment ribbon controller and dedicated buttons for portamento and keyboard hold, make complex sound manipulation a breeze. Enhanced with Yamaha's Pure Analog Circuit 2, it delivers crystal-clear audio quality, offering pristine harmonic reproduction and a rich, immersive sound experience.
Designed for modern musicians, the Montage M8x includes deep computer connectivity, featuring USB-MIDI and a multichannel 6-in/32-out audio interface, streamlining your workflow in any setting. With a remarkable 400-note polyphony and the E.S.P. Extended Soft Synth plug-in, you can bring the full power of the Montage M8x directly into your DAW for limitless creative possibilities.
Key Features:
- 88 fully weighted keys with polyphonic aftertouch
- AN-X, AWM2, and FM-X sound engines
- 7-inch TFT color touchscreen for intuitive control
- Pure Analog Circuit 2 for superior audio quality
- 400-note total polyphony
- USB-MIDI and multichannel 6-in/32-out audio interface
- E.S.P. Extended Soft Synth plug-in for DAW integration
- 9.97GB Wave ROM Preset memory, 3.8GB Flash ROM User memory
- 16 Library slots for custom user Performances and waveforms
Product specs
| Type | Keyboard Synth |
| Sound Engine | Motion Control Synthesis Engine AWM2, FM-X, AN-X |
| Analog/Digital | Digital |
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | GEX, Weighted |
| Aftertouch | Yes, Polyphonic |
| Velocity Sensitive | Yes |
| Other Controllers | Pitchbend, Mod wheel, Ribbon Controller |
| Polyphony | 256 notes (AMW2), 128 notes (FM-X), 16 notes (AN-X) |
| Number of Presets | 3369 factory |
| Oscillators | 128 Elements (AMW2), 8 operators, 88 algorithms (FM-X), 3 x oscilators, 1 x noise (AN-X) |
| Filter | 18 types |
| Effects Types | 14 x Reverb, 9 x Delay, 15 x Modulation, 7 x Trem/Rotary, 12 x Dist, 6 x Compressor, 3 x wah, 4 x Lo-Fi, 17 x Tech, 13 x Misc |
| Arpeggiator | 8 Parts Simultaneous Max |
| Sequencer | Loop-based Pattern Sequencer |
| Audio Recording | 130,00 notes |
| Memory | 9.97 GB Preset Memory, 3.8GB User Memory |
| Audio Inputs | 2 x 1/4" TS (L/mono, R) |
| Audio Outputs | 2 x 1/4" TRS (L, R), 2 x 1/4" TRS (assignable: L/mono, R) |
| Headphones | 1 x 1/4" TRS |
| USB | 2 x Type A (device), 1 x Type B (host) |
| MIDI I/O | In/Out/Thru/USB |
| Pedal Inputs | 1 x 1/4" (assignable), 1 x 1/4" (sustain), 2 x 1/4" (foot controller 1, 2) |
| Power Source | Standard IEC AC Input |
| Height | 6.68" |
| Width | 56.93" |
| Depth | 18.12" |
| Weight | 61.93 lbs |
FAQs
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What type of key action does the Yamaha Montage M8x have?
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The Yamaha Montage M8x features GEX weighted keys, providing a realistic piano feel that is ideal for both expressive playing and dynamic performances.
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Does the Yamaha Montage M8x support polyphonic aftertouch?
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Yes, the Yamaha Montage M8x includes polyphonic aftertouch, allowing for enhanced expression and control over individual notes during performances.
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What sound engines are included in the Yamaha Montage M8x?
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The Yamaha Montage M8x integrates three sound engines: Motion Control Synthesis Engine AWM2, FM-X, and AN-X, offering a wide range of sonic possibilities from traditional to cutting-edge sounds.
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How many factory presets does the Yamaha Montage M8x come with?
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The Yamaha Montage M8x comes with 3,369 factory presets, providing a vast array of sounds for immediate use and inspiration.
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Is the Yamaha Montage M8x suitable for live performances?
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Absolutely, with its 88 weighted keys, robust sound engines, and polyphonic aftertouch, the Yamaha Montage M8x is well-suited for live performances, offering expressive control and a wide palette of sounds.
Videos
Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech
Mike Patrick is Blown Away by the NEW Yamaha Montage M8X!
Mike Patrick is Blown Away by the NEW Yamaha Montage M8X!
Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech
Yamaha Montage M (M6, M7, M8x) Synthesizer/Workstation | Demo and Overview with Nicholas Semrad
Guitar Center
Yamaha Montage M8x: 3 Sonic Engines & Endless Worlds of Sound
Sweetwater
Yamaha Montage M8X Synthesizer/Workstation sound test
Buono Studio
Yamaha Montage M8x Demo | With Michael Patrick
GUITARGUITAR
Matt Johnson on YAMAHA Montage M8x - Gesprächskonzert at SUPERBOOTH24
Superbooth Berlin
YAMAHA MONTAGE M8x DEMO with TONY ESCUETA
Palen Music Center
Reviews
PROS
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Authentic piano feel, comparable to a baby grand
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Excellent quality of piano, organ, electric piano, rhodes, wurlitzer, strings, and brass sounds
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FMX engine surpasses vintage DX7 capabilities, easier to program
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ANX engine delivers amazing sound quality and is fun to use
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Polyphonic aftertouch enhances expressiveness
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Significant improvements and helpful changes from older Montage models
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High audio quality and dynamic range, especially noted in person
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Requires extensive playtime to fully explore its capabilities
CONS
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Expensive, may be a significant investment for some
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Size and weight could be a drawback compared to M6 or M7 models
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha Montage M8x.
Features and functionality
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The Yamaha Montage M8X offers poly aftertouch, allowing independent pressure control for each key, enhancing expressive playability but does not support true MPE.
Source -
The M8X has a secondary screen and UI updates, which improve navigation and responsiveness compared to the original Montage 8.
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The M8X features an ANX engine, offering a virtual analog sound, though some users find its sound less appealing.
Source
User experience
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The Montage's keybed is noted for superior piano and EP feel, described as heavy with aftertouch, while being cumbersome to transport.
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The M8X is noted for having a clearer sound compared to its predecessor, although the difference is subtle and subjective.
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Owners who've tried both suggest the M8X keybed offers enough comfort and expressiveness even if it feels mushy to some, with polyAT as a distinct advantage.
Source
Comparisons
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The Nord Stage 4 is favored for live performance due to its intuitive knob-per-function interface, making it easier to program on the fly compared to Yamaha's menu-heavy UI.
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The M8X offers a fake wood grain texture on black keys, providing a unique tactile experience not present in the original Montage 8.
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Unlike the M8X, the Montage 8 might miss certain user sample space and polyphony features essential for some users.
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Some users find the M8X keybed mushy on release compared to the CP88, which feels better but lacks polyAT and advanced synth workstation capabilities.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Nord's organ sounds are praised for authenticity and performance-ready drawbars, making it ideal for B3 organ emulation, unlike Yamaha which uses fixed presets.
Source -
The M8X is favored for those interested in music production, offering more features than a typical stage piano like the CP88.
Source
Software and compatibility
Build quality
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Owners highlight the lightweight keybed of the Nord as feeling "toy-like," which might not suit players accustomed to a more substantial feel.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
729
The keys feel fantastic, the sound is great a lot of capabilities
I don't like the terms "Flagship synth" or "Studio centrepiece" because music should be centre, not the tools, but if ever there was such a thing, this would be it. The keys feel fantastic. I already own over 6 semi-weighted Fatar keybeds which are my main way of playing. A Polybrute with an unweighted keybed that's great for fast synth parts or pads with after touch. The M8x is my only 88 fully weighted keybed and nothing else inspires to write a grand piano song like this one does. I think the keys are not too lightweight for me and they feel premium. A bit sluggish because of the hammer action, so for faster parts I switch back to my other keyboards. The After touch on the M8x is superb. Infinitely better than that of my Fatar Keybeds, that feel like you're pressing a button once you hit the after touch, while the M8x (and Polybrute) are smooth and gradual.
The sound is great and very inspiring. Even though everything is digital, it never sounds dull. The designers did a great job bringing the sounds to live and make the raw and gritty of emotional and evolving. They all have a lot of depth to them. This is a premium sound worthy of high end productions. The only downside is that it's not quite my own sound. I often use a more lo-fi worn out sound. The Yamaha sounds are often a bit too high end and overbearing. I often find it difficult to match the sounds of the Yamaha and the sound of the other instruments I use in my mixes. That's a challenge.
The virtual analogue sound is very good. Much better than in any of the previous Montage and MODX instruments. I still prefer to use real analogue instruments, but I shouldn't try to avoid the virtual analogue in the M8x. If it works it works. The wave table instruments sound very impressive. I prefer Kontakt libraries or other soft samplers, but the samples on the M8x are very usable in a production. The FM engine is great as it has been since the early 80s. There's an effect section that's better than ever before. You can put these effects on any external instrument as well, which doesn't quite fit my workflow. I prefer to use a computer. But for live situations this could work very well. The best thing about the sound though is when all of these elements come together. I'm just completely blown away by the sounds that can come only out of this instrument. It's also just very nice to have one instrument that can basically do every type of sound there is. If you don't have a specific instrument or sample or you don't know how to create a certain sound on a synthesizer, you can always fall back on this instrument. That's also good to have in a live setup. To have all the sounds you need at your fingertips. In that sense it really is a "flagship synth".
I haven't completely figured the instrument yet, but so far the UI is a lot more intuitive than my Fantom EX and certainly more than any Elektron gear that I have. I will be able to learn this instrument and do a lot with it eventually.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
The Tyrannosaur preset is cool. An in your face cinematic braaam sound. I don't think I've heard that type of sound in other hardware synths.
Artist usage
Add artist
At 20 minutes into the video "I'm back on YouTube!!" by SteveWillDoIt, Scott Storch can be seen performing live on a Yamaha Montage M8x 88-key Synthesizer. This is a screenshot from the original video here.
In the YouTube video titled "Yamaha | MONTAGE M8x Artist Profile | Matt Johnson" by Yamaha Synths Official, Matt Johnson is shown playing a Yamaha Montage M8x. Throughout the video, he discusses the instrument's features, including the 88 keys, superknob, sliders, and the secondary screen, all of which confirm that he is indeed using the Montage M8x.
In this video he introduces the M8x. (From 02:30) He explains that he plans to use it in the band he formed with former Cassiopeia members ("Katsushika Trio").
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Similar
Add recommendation1 alternative for Yamaha Montage M8x, curated by the Equipboard community.
$1,799.00 - $2,169.99
The MODX M6 can do all of the M8x sounds, but has fewer keys a plastic body instead of aluminium as well as other cheaper components making it a much more affordable alternative. It's also much easier to take to gigs.
I don't think it's possible to find higher quality alternatives. Yamaha is a top notch but expensive brand. At the moment of writing the M8x is their biggest most expensive synthesizer of their current line-up. There are countless cheaper alternatives or similar sounding items though:
- There are versions with less keys that are therefore cheaper. The Montage M7 (73) and M6 (61) have less keys but are also semi-weighted instead of fully weighted and are therefore cheaper.
- The MODX M line is a cheaper alternative, because it has plastic bodies, less buttons and other cheaper components that make it more fordable, but retain most of the sound. They also come in different numbers of keys (61, 73 and 88).
- There are older models of both the Montage and MODX line (without the M) that you can get for cheaper nowadays. Before that Yamaha had released synthesizers that in many ways sounded similar, but the further you go back the more complicated the differences become.
- There are different brands like Roland that is slightly cheaper and Korg that's even cheaper that make similar instruments (61, 73 and 88 key workstations with both expensive versions as more budget friendly versions) but with a sound that's slightly different. In my experience Roland sounds a little less upfront than Yamaha and sits easier in the mix. They also focuses more on virtual analogue recreations of Rolands old analogue instruments. Korg sounds even more restrained and has a less mainstream sound. It may be more appropriate if you're looking for an synthesizer to support a metal band for instance. I've worked with all 3 of these brands and this is my impression. Your's may differ. There are other brands I don't have a lot of experience with, like Kurzweil and Nord (maybe). I suggest you try out different brands for yourself to find out what's the right sound for you.
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