Since you do not hear any real piano sounds in Hip Hop or Rap, I can see no reason to purchase a Yamaha PLG150-AP plug in board, to be utilized in a Motif ES rack system. The Motif XS series now has sounds specifically sampled for those who like Hip Hop and Rap. There are many people who simply purchased the Motif/Motif ES and now the Motif XS, simply for sampling in Hip Hop and Rap. Well I guess that would depend if you are an actual musician using it to compose with and perform, or someone simply sampling for Hip Hop, or Rap. Many claim they were too 'complicated.' Many users of the ES claims it was too complicated. Yamaha states it decided to not support plug in boards on the XS and it was a difficult decision. That sounds nice, however it implies the XS is obviously not 'expandable.' I remember even a music reviewer stated it was unfortunate that plug in boards will no longer be supported on this system. XA also offers other unique modes for random and alternate sound changes as you play.' It also lets you assign Elements to on/off panel switches, and change sounds within a Voice in real time. Using the eight available Elements, XA allows you to more effectively recreate realistic sound and natural performance techniques -such as legato, staccato and key release sounds - often used on acoustic instruments but unavailable or difficult to realize on electronic keyboards. The Yamaha XS stands for,Īnother new feature is the Expanded Articulation (XA) tone generation system. The Yamaha 'ES' stands for Expanded System.

The Motif ES sounded just as good and is more expandable. I did manage to check it out at Guitar Center before purchasing the ES. Perhaps I may buy one 3 years down the road. They only had the demo left after I purchased it. I was lucky enough to purchase a Yamaha Motif ES8 just last month from Guitar Center for $1699. There are several plug in boards with sounds that the XS does not have and will not have! You could expand the ES series boards hundreds perhaps a thousand or so sounds that the XS can not produce! You can have the original sounds of the Yamaha DX 7-FII D and a host of analog sounds of which the XS can not produce.

Me myself, I love the 1980's sounds and analog synthesizers. As every last one of you should know by now, the Yamaha Motif XS does not support plug in boards! This means that the ES series has tremendous potential to exploit. While it is a great instrument, many keyboardist do not realize that the Yamaha Motif ES has more potential than the XS! Understandably, Yamaha Corporation, as well as, the many musicians, service reps, music stores and salesmen/women, push the XS now. There are several videos on You Tube, as well as, perhaps thousands of links to information on the Yamaha Motif ES and XS now as well.

Yamaha motif es 8