Yamaha, the world’s largest musical instrument manufacturer and the leader in synthesizer technology, proudly introduces the MO Music Production Synthesizer. Targeted to semi-professional musicians and home/project studio owners as well as songwriters and performers, the MO provides a full set of authentic sounds and comprehensive music-making features—including an emphasis on contemporary styles and voices. Highly portable and compact, the MO also serves as an ideal keyboard for live performance situations.

Extended information

The MO contains many advanced music production tools. These include a built-in Song sequencer, and a useful Pattern mode that allows you to build complex rhythmic/chordal patterns by using preset Phrases—or Phrases of your own creation. Moreover, the powerful Arpeggio feature gives you over 1700 sequenced phrases that you can trigger at the touch of a key.

The MO also seamlessly integrates into computer music systems, with special remote control functions that let you operate your favorite sequencer software from the instrument itself. In addition, the MO is the latest instrument in the Yamaha line to feature compatibility with the convenient Studio Connections system; it also supports the new Audio Integration features in that system. Studio Connections lets you make and save MO settings to a song within your DAW application (such as Steinberg’s Cubase SX and Nuendo), and use the Total Recall features to instantly restore those settings when you reopen the song. Audio Integration takes this hardware/software link a huge leap further by allowing you to assign and seamlessly access the MO right from the sequencer, just as if the MO were a plug-in synthesizer.

Drawing on the technology and sounds of the professional level MOTIF ES, the new MO features an expanded sound set, with an exceptionally large internal wave memory capacity. The keyboard has a full complement of realistic instrument Voices (total 512) and Drum Kits (64), and includes many modern and vintage synthesizer sounds, making it well-equipped for current dance, club and techno music styles. For sound shaping and signal processing, the MO features sharp, responsive filters (with real-time knob control from the panel) and an extensive set of high-quality effects.

Introducing the direct descendant of the pro-level MOTIF ES. The MO’s amazing Voices, high-quality effects and powerful filters derive from the same technology and feature the same memory capacity as the MOTIF ES—including the stunning Mega Voice technology. With an emphasis on modern styles, the MO has all the sophisticated synth sounds and drum kits used in today’s popular music—dance, club, urban pop, hip hop, R&B, techno, electronica, and more.

Built-in Phrase-based sequencer gives you an exciting set of tools to create your own music—more quickly and easily than ever before.

•Trigger the Arpeggios and generate new, creative ideas on- the-fly. Use them along with the Mega Voices to create exciting, unusual phrases.

•Combine the pre-programmed Phrases into complete Patterns.

•Use the Pattern chain functions and track looping to quickly craft your own songs.

•Generate an unlimited amount of Pattern variations, using the semi-random Remix controls•Remote Control functions give you hands-on control over your favorite DAW/sequencer software—right from the panel.

•Remote Control functions give you hands-on control over your favorite DAW/sequencer software—right from the panel.

•Compatible with Studio Connections—for comprehensive hardware/software integration into your music production system.

•Light, compact keyboard—easy to carry to your gigs and performances.

•Master mode lets you easily and instantly change the settings you need for each song.

Technical specifications

MO6 61 keys, LC Keyboard (Initial Touch)
Tone Generator
Tone Generator AWM2
Polyphony 64 notes
Multi Timbral Capacity 16 parts (internal)
Wave 175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format), 1,859 waveforms
Voice Preset: 512 normal voices + 64 drum kits
GM: 128 normal voices + 1 drum kit
User: 128 x 2 (Bank 1: Original, Bank 2: Picked up from Preset), Normal Voice + 32 drum kits
Performance User: 256 (up to 4 parts)
Filter & Effect System 18 types (Filter), Reverb x 20 types, Chorus x 49 types, Insertion (A, B) x 116 types x 3 blocks, Master Effect x 8 types, Master Equalizer (5 bands), Part EQ (3 bands, stereo)
Sequencer block
Note Capacity Approx. 226,000 notes
Note Resolution 480 ppq (parts per quarter note)
Maximum Polyphony 124 notes
Tempo 1 - 300
Recording type Real time replace, Real time overdub (with the exception of the Pattern Chain), Real time punch (Song only), Step (with the exception of the Pattern Chain)
Tracks Pattern Mode: 16 phrase tracks
Pattern Chain Mode: Pattern track, Tempo track, Scene track
Song Mode: 16 sequence tracks (Loop on/off can be set for each track), Tempo track, Scene track
Patterns 64 patterns (x 16 sections), Measures: 256 maximum
Phrases Preset Phrases: 687 phrases, User Phrases: 256 per pattern
Songs 64 songs, Mixing voices: 16 per pattern (256 maximum)
Mixing templates: 32
Arpeggio Preset x 1787 types, User x 256 types
MIDI Sync, MIDI transmit/receive channel, Velocity Limit, and Note Limit can be set.
Scene Memory 5 per Song
Sequence Format MO6/MO8 Original format (compatible with MOTIF ES)
SMF format 0, 1 (Format 1 load only)
Others
Master User: 128
*4 Zones (Master keyboard settings), Assignable Knob/Slider settings, Program Change Table
Sequence Software compatible with the Remote Control function For Windows®
Cubase SX 3, SQ01 V2, SONAR 4, MO6/8/MOTIF ES/MOTIF-RACK ES/MOTIF-RACK/S90 ES Multi Part Editor

For Macintosh®
Cubase SX 3, Logic Pro 7, Digital Performer 4.52, MO6/8/MOTIF ES/MOTIF-RACK ES/MOTIF-RACK/S90 ES Multi Part Editor
*Functions to be controlled by the MO6/MO8 differ depending on the software you use.
Controllers Pitch Bend wheel, Modulation wheel, Assignable Control Sliders (4), Assignable Knobs (4), Data dial
Display 240 x 64 dot graphic backlit LCD
Power Consumption 13.5 W
Dimensions, Weight MO6: 1,023(W) x 382.7(D) x 101.9(H) mm, 10.4kg