Looking for experienced user tips on starting with a Montage....

[pax-eterna]

But it's not what you think...there are loads of how to and why videos, I am after something different.

As this is such a complex bit of kit, and as I really do not want to start setting up only to find I probably should have started somewhere else.

So what I am after is experienced users tips on:

Should I go through and select all my favourite sounds and performances first? or...
Should I start editing sounds/performances to suit, going through all the libraries and then set up my own user banks of sounds and then set favourites? or...
Should I just start setting up for song based setups to be used at shows? or...
Should I set it all up running in conjunction with a PC/iPad...
Should I create a whole bunch of User Libraries?

And ANY other "this is how I started with my montage" suggestions and tips that apply.

So many ways to approach this instrument and to save some time and mistakes, I am asking those "gun" users how they did it. Not necessarily to copy, but to help me formulate my own system, that will not require dismantling and starting again somewhere down the track.

Been scratching my head for a few days and tinkering around the edges, and can not come up with a definitive plan

Thanks

[StuartR]

Grab (or print) a copy of the Yamaha Essential Knowledge Guide and read it while sitting at your M. You can follow that up with the Yamaha New Features Guide.

https://yamahasynth.com/learn/news/mont ... dge-guide/

[Davelet]

I had the same question. I've had my Montage M8x for 3 weeks (upgraded from a MOXF, yes a MOXF not a MODX) and apart from a random play through of some performances (and getting "hooked" on a few and wasting time improvising with them!), installing the ESP, and setting up a few performances to allow control of my rackmount modules, I don't really know where to start.

I had planned to just go through the operation manual (like I did with my MOXF) but at 655 pages and with the style its written in, that's going to be one hell of a slog. So, I've decided to do two things: (i) work on setting up performances for a few songs, dipping into the manual as I need it (ii) work through the essential knowledge guide (as mentioned above) 10-20 or so pages at a time while sat at the Montage.

I also have a more long-term list of bigger jobs which I look at at the weekend. The above is Monday-Friday really and i've been doing it since the middle of last week and feel like I'm making progress now.

[mx49]

It depends on where you are coming from, and what you are trying to accomplish.

My general advice is: Set short-term achievable goals. Do not procrastinate. Do not make up reasons for not making progress. Be pragmatic. It is okay to make mistakes.

There is no need for going through all the presets and marking some of them as favorites. The Montage has a good category system. If you need a specific tone for a cover song, it is likely that it would not be in your favorites anyway.

Similarly, I would not block progress on watching Youtube playlists or reading through manuals. There is no need to worry about how to organize the internal memory slots for performances and samples as long as you only have a few of them.

If you are preparing for a gig, then I recommend to start with one performance per song. Do not share performances. Create basic performances for multiple songs before going into detail. When you are rehearsing/performing, pay attention to what works and what does not work, and improve on the most important aspects.

[pax-eterna]

Thanks folks, some good stuff in those replies!

[ChrisDuncan]

Grab (or print) a copy of the Yamaha Essential Knowledge Guide and read it while sitting at your M. You can follow that up with the Yamaha New Features Guide.

https://yamahasynth.com/learn/news/mont ... dge-guide/

Thanks for that, Stu. I'd downloaded the manuals but I didn't know about this one.

[TooTone]

Are we talking about Original Montage or Montage M here?

My suggestions would be

1) Learn the Heirarchy of Sound for each Engine. When I first got my MODX, something that confused me was the difference between Edits at the Performance (Common Audio) Level, Edits at the Part Level, and Edits at the Element Level (AWM2) or Operator Level (FM-X).

Example: 8 "Elements" in an AWM2 "Part". Up to 8 AWM2 Parts (under Keyboard Control) in a Performance. 8 Operators in an FM-X Part, Operators can be either a "Carrier" or "Modulator" depending on the Algorithm. Up to 8 FM-X Parts in a Performance. Any mixture of up to 8 Parts in general, in a Performance. Additional 8 Parts for external "MIDI Control"

2) Learn the "Control Assign System". In essence, this is how you control Synth Parameters on-the-fly during a Live Performance. Whether it is via Top Panel "Physical Controls" or via Automation (Motion Sequencer). It's a deep and broad subject, but IMO very high priority. It's the most common source of early confusion, when attempting to start creating your own sounds and Presets.

3) Learn General Subtractive Synthesis and FM Synthesis. Understanding these concepts is key to understanding AWM2 & AN-X (Subtractive Synthesis) and FM-X (FM Synthesis). The "concepts" are not unique to the Montage or MODX. However, Yamaha's implementation is. Knowing the background will help you understand all the whistles and bells on a Yamaha Synth.
For example, on yamahasynth.com, I was extremely surprised to find a few self-proclaimed experts, without any understanding of its core "Synthesiser" framework. Envelopes, Filters, LFOs etc.

Envelopes are extremely important in Synthesis. Their usage differs greatly between Subtractive and FM, although their "appearance" is very similar.