Yamaha MX49 is a nice music keyboard with excellent features and produces fantastic sounds. If you’re a beginner looking for a board that will help you master your skills, go for the Yamaha MX49. Music pros also have a lot to gain when they use this board as it has a wide variety of stellar sounds and is highly portable for those who need to easily move around. Just like any other music board, the MX49 has its own pros and limitations depending on individual user preferences. In this Yamaha MX49 review, we take a closer look at the board and unveil its specifications and features.
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Our Ratings
PROS:
Yamaha MX49 is a powerful synthesizer that exceeds expectations of many users. Nowadays, many keyboard users prefer to have a light and portable music board that can be easily carried around, the Yamaha MX49 does exactly that. You can never run out of factory sounds that are highly customizable with this piano. Yamaha MX49 scores highly in affordability considering the awesome specs that accompany the board. The Performance section is an excellent advantage for the MX49 as every performance stores a total of 16 voices which can be played from keyboard itself or via a DAW/computer in different ways. The music board’s Effects are versatile and are of good quality. You can also increase the volume of every part by using “Reverb” and “Chorus” without having to add effects. The inclusion of Cubase AI6 as well as two VST’s (Virtual Studio Technology) significantly improves the value of the output. Cubase A16 sequencer program, Prologue soft synth and Yamaha YC3B greatly boost the value of the keyboard especially for newcomers in digital recording. The top panel of MX49 has a superb master volume as well as four assignable knobs that enable you have real-time control over volume, resonance, reverb, pan, chorus, attack, cutoff, release, decay and sustain among others.
CONS
Yamaha MX49 has its own shortcomings depending on what you’re looking to achieve with the music board. MX has latency issues which causes delays in transmission of data even after a transfer instruction has been issued. Whether the MX49 is connected via MIDI or USB, signal exchange isn’t professional. Additionally, the keyboard has low output volume which makes it difficult to balance the patches and achieve consistency across the board. Depending on your electricity, MX49 experiences noise and interference via its USB port.
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Features
Over 1000 MOTIF Series Sounds
The MX49 series sources over 1000 sounds from Yamaha’s MOTIF XS series. This keyboard allows you to enjoy all your favorite MOTIF XS voices allowing great diversity in your sound. The streamlined interface makes it easier for you to instantly find and select sounds. Yamaha MX49 makes it possible for you to edit and store your own sounds.
VCM Effects
VCM effects help bring back the beats of the yesteryears to life by simulating vintage effectors at the circuit level.
128-note Polyphony and 16-Part Multi-timbral
Every performance has settings for a total 16-part Multi setting for play which allows you to comfortably switch between any of 16 parts without losing sound. With 128 polyphony notes, there are numerous notes you can play including dense sequences from DAW. This feature makes Yamaha MX49 a good choice for superb tone generation.
Easy Split/Layer Performance Mode
Easy Split allows you to easily combine two voices and play them on the keyboard with the help of dedicated Split and Layer buttons. Each button has its own arpeggiator as well as a dedicated Part which makes you feel as if an entire band is playing. The synchronization and blending of voices is amazing. All the 128 performances that comes with the MX49 are user editable and have the latest beats.
Extensive DAWs and VSTs Hands-On Controls
The MX49 has solid knobs that facilitate control of VST instruments, internal sounds and DAW parameters. The pleasantly simple interface is combined with a template editor to allow for convenient set-up for both your own VSTs and the ones you buy.
Full Suite of Music Production Software
The MX49 comes with a variety of music production and software tools which include Steinberg Cubase AI featuring 48 audio tracks and 64 MIDI tracks, built-in VST effects and notation among others. Other suites include Yamaha YC-3B organ emulator and Steinberg Prologue among other third party developers.
Final Thoughts
Yamaha MX49 sounds are nice but be prepared to put in a little effort to get the appropriate balance out of the patch levels in order to get a good sound. The portable keyboard is loved by many and it’s a great investment especially for new talents looking for an affordable yet reliable and performance oriented keyboard.