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Yamaha MX49 Synth/Controller - Blue

49-note Synth/Controller with Full-size, Velocity-sensitive Keys, 1000+ MOTIF XS Sounds, VCM FX Engine, and Bundled Software - Blue
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Item ID: MX49BU
Yamaha MX49 Synth/Controller - Blue
Price:$649 and 99 cents
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Yamaha MX49 Synth/Controller - Blue
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Killer Motif Sounds, Controller Integration

The Yamaha MX49 synthesizer/controller rocks more than 1000 killer MOTIF XS sounds, a class-compliant USB audio/MIDI interface, and deep controller integration with your favorite computer and iOS music software, including Yamaha's new FM Essential iOS synth app. With MX49, you don't have to sacrifice sound and playability for portability. The keys are full-size and velocity sensitive. Bring this lightweight, compact synth/controller to the studio or a gig and deploy its potent patch arsenal. From amazing acoustic pianos, EPs, strings, and drums to evolving 8-element synth textures, the MX puts it all right at your fingertips.

Yamaha VCM FX engine onboard

In addition to a massive MOTIF XS soundbank, MX49 is equipped with Yamaha's VCM FX engine, which meticulously models vintage effects at the circuit level. EQs, phasers, flangers, wah-wahs, and more are all on the menu here, letting you instantly tap into the coveted sounds of the 1970s.

16-part multitimbral, 128-note polyphony

Your MX49 is 16-part multitimbral and spec'd with 128-note polyphony. Electronic musicians at Sweetwater know how critical this is. These features let you build up dense sequences and play them without fear of dreaded note-stealing or sounds cutting off. This makes the MX an ideal tone generation solution for onstage performance and live playback of MIDI tracks off your DAW.

Real-time hands-on control over DAW and VSTs

The MX's top panel is equipped with solid, great-feeling knobs and buttons for real-time hands-on control over its internal sounds, external VST instruments, and DAW parameters. The streamlined interface lets you quickly find, edit, and store your sounds onboard. The MX49 comes with template editor software, so you can customize the interface to your preferences. There are advanced integration templates for most popular DAWs, and when used with Cubase, an AI knob lets you control any parameter with the MX's large rotary encoder simply by mousing over it.

Included music production suite

Yamaha's MX series ships with a complete music production software suite that includes Steinberg Cubase AI. Cubase AI gives you 64 MIDI tracks, 48 audio tracks, built-in VST effects, and even notation, so you can build complete productions with just the MX and Cubase AI. The MX49 also comes with Yamaha's YC-3B organ emulation to get you rolling.

Yamaha MX49 Synthesizer/Controller Features:

  • 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys
  • FM Essential expands your sonic arsenal
  • Free iOS FM synthesizer app with drum loops, FX, and more
  • Class compliant USB audio/MIDI for plug-and-play connectivity
  • Yamaha's powerful MOTIF sound engine:
  • Layer, zone, cycle, switch, randomize, and control up to 8 elements per voice
  • VCM (Virtual Circuit Modeling)
  • Re-creates the sound and behavior of vintage signal processors and FX
  • 128-note polyphony for dropout-free live performance or with full 16-track sequences
  • Damper Resonance DSP models grand piano sound with dampers off the strings
  • Record/play back stereo audio and 16 channels of MIDI
  • With a single USB cable and no external devices
  • DAW Remote controls transport, mixer, and software instruments from the MX top panel
  • USB-to-device port for connection of USB flash drives for loading and storing data
  • 1/8" aux line input for connection of tablets and mobile devices
  • Auto power off shuts down after period of inactivity, saving energy
  • Bundled software: Cubase AI and Yamaha YC-3B

Warranty Info

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Keyboard Synthesizer
  • Sound Engine: AWM2
  • Analog/Digital: Digital
  • Number of Keys: 49
  • Type of Keys: Synth Action
  • Velocity Sensitive: Yes
  • Other Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
  • Polyphony: 128 notes, 16-part multitimbral
  • Number of Presets: 1,106 voices, 61 drum kits; 128 user voices, 8 user drum kits
  • Effects Types: Phaser, Flanger, Wah, Vintage modeling, Reverb, Delay (expandable via iOS FM app)
  • Arpeggiator: Yes
  • Sequencer: 208 patterns, SMF Format 0 (playback only)
  • Audio Recording: 2-track stereo
  • Audio Playback: USB Flash (SMF, WAV)
  • Memory: 166 MB
  • Audio Inputs: 1 x 1/8" (aux in)
  • Audio Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (main out)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • USB: 1 x Type B, 1 x Type A
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
  • Pedal Inputs: 2 x 1/4" (sustain, controller)
  • Software: Cubase AI included, FM Essential iOS synth app
  • Power Source: 12V DC power supply (included)
  • Height: 3.58"
  • Width: 32.68"
  • Depth: 11.7"
  • Weight: 8.38 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: MX49BU

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Reviews

Proofs in the Pudding - Listen to an Organ Patch in Attached Video
I'm a guitar player and I needed to good board. We use one of it's organs sounds to perform Green Eyed Lady. It has the Motif sound bank with many many killing patches and drum kits. My friend Kelly, in the video, is accustomed to a 110 key board, but she the MX 49 was easy to adapt to, and had a great feel, better than her Roland boards. So you can take that for what it's worth.

For me, I use Q-Base and this puppy can be configured as a direct controller for Q-Base functions, so it is a compositional workstation. I'm sure a real synth dude could do a lot more, but if a humble guitarist and figure this out, you can too !
Music background: Geezer Rocker - semi professional - guitar, bass, vocals, cello
Great board!
Such a great synth! The motif sounds are amazing and it's great to be able to access them at such a small price tag. Very powerful unit, and the interface is so easy to use. As far as voice quality, I would say that the pianos are great, keyboards are good, organs are good, guitars are, well, what they are (like any synth guitars lol) and that goes for the woodwind/brass/strings as well. Bass is good, leads are great, pads are amazing, percussion is great, and the effects aren't bad. Overall, a great board and at such a low price!
UNBELIEVABLE!!!...(truly)...
OK, I've been in rock & pop cover bands since 1978. Had to play EVERY major hit imaginable! As any keyboard player knows, this entails a LOT!-- Lots of parts, lots of sound designing, sound creation, and covering for MANY different instruments (some acoustic & some purely synthetic/electronic)... Here's where the Yamaha MX49 comes in-- suffice it to say that, if I'd had this baby way back "in the day" life would have been SO much easier for me!!!... This little synth is one of the BEST sounding instruments I've ever owned (and I've had/still have nearly every "classic" synth out there- from Roland to ARP to Oberheim, etc.) and the MX49 simply WORKS! I use it as "satellite" instrument on top of the larger keys and it works, sounds, plays, operates and programs FABULOUSLY! Remember, all this praise is predicated upon the SUPER SMALL price tag! If you think you wouldn't be "getting much" because of the low price point-- THINK AGAIN!!! Do yourself a HUGE favor and pick one of these babies up while you can- you WON'T regret it! After over 45 years in the rock game I can easily say the Yamaha MX49 is a veritable steal... try it for yourself -- you can thank me later!!!... Peace...
Music background: Rock & Pop Piano/Keyboards for 40+ years. Piano & Keyboard instructor...
Yamaha MX49
This is probably the best keyboard I've every purchased. Bought it around 3 years ago. So full of every sound you will ever need. Use it for top tier board and in other words, I love it. It goes well with my Yamaha MOXF6.
Cost efficient and useful!
I found this item during my search for a Wurlitzer voice keyboard and I am very pleased. Aside from that particular voice, it offers a plethora of other instruments which comes in quite useful; while I only use it for more rock oriented music this is easily capabale of fulfilling a full spectrum of genres. The lightweight packaging, vibrant blue exterior, and low pricing make this quite the bargain.