Yamaha Montage 8 Manual

							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual21
Quick Guide — Selecting Performances
Playback Audition phrase
You can hear a sample of Performance sounds. The sample 
sound is referred to as “Audition phrase.”
1Touch [Audition] in the Category Search 
display.
The sample of the currently selected Performance plays.
If you select a different Performance during Audition 
phrase playback, the audition phrase switches to that of 
the newly selected Performance.
2Touch [Audition] again to stop playback.
NOTE
• You can also playback/stop the Audition phrase by pressing 
the [AUDITION] button on the front panel.
• You can playback/stop the Audition phrase by pressing the 
[AUDITION] button on the front panel while the Performance 
display or the Live Set display is shown.
Selecting an Initialized Performance
Follow the steps below to select an Initialized Performance.
1Touch [Init] of the main category in the 
Category Search display.
2Only initialized Performances are 
displayed in the Performance list.
The Initialized Performances are divided into three 
categories: [Initialized Perform] for the normal Parts 
(AWM2), [Initialized FM] for the normal Parts (FM-
X), and [Initialized Drum] for the Drum Parts.
3Select the desired Performance.
Selecting only Single Part Performances
You can filter out the Single Part Performances by using 
the Attribute function.
1Touch [Attribute] in the Category Search 
display.
2Touch [Single] from the menu in the left 
of the screen. 
3Only Single Part Performances are 
displayed in the Performance list, letting 
you select the desired one.
[Audition] 
						

							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual22
You can mix several different parts together in a layer, or split them across the keyboard, or even set up a combination layer/
split. Each Performance can contain up to eight different Parts. Press the [PERFORMANCE] button before playing the keyboard.
Performance Play display
In this condition, playing the keyboard sounds the Performance indicated in the display. The parameters shown in the 
Performance Play display are briefly explained below. You can operate the icons by touching on the display.
Performance name
Flag
Functions assigned to knobs
Part names
Switching Motion Sequencer on/off for Parts
Switching Arpeggio on/off for Parts
Note Limit for Parts
Switching Keyboard Control on/off for Parts
Switching Mute on/off for Parts

Switching Solo on/off for Parts
Volume of Parts 1 – 8
!Meter (Audio Output Level)
Quick Guide — Playing the Keyboard

!








 
						

							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual23
Quick Guide — Playing the Keyboard
Switching a Part on/off
You can turn the eight Parts of the current Performance on or 
off as desired.
Turning specific Parts on/off (Mute 
function)
You can turn individual Parts on/off by using the Mute 
function.
1Press the [PERFORMANCE CONTROL] 
button.
The button lamp lights, indicating that each Part can be 
turned on/off.
2Press any of the Number A [9] – [16] buttons. 
The corresponding buttons [1] – [8] of the 
pressed button will light dimly and the Part 
will be muted.
Press the same button again to turn the button on and 
disengage the mute function for that Part. You can turn 
multiple Parts on/off by pressing their buttons.
You can also mute parts by using the [PART CONTROL] 
button with the operation below.
1Press the [PART CONTROL] button.
2Press the [MUTE] button to turn the button 
on.
Among the Number A [1] – [16] buttons, only the buttons 
whose corresponding Parts have sounds assigned to 
them will light.
3Press the desired Number A [1] – [16] button 
to mute the corresponding Part. The pressed 
button will change from fully lit to dimly lit.
You can turn multiple Parts on/off by pressing multiple 
buttons.
4Press any of the dimly lit Number A [1] – [16] 
buttons. The pressed button will fully light 
again and the Mute function for that Part will 
be disengaged.
Soloing a specific Part
The Solo function is the opposite of Mute, and lets you 
instantly solo a specific Part and mute all others.
1Press the [PERFORMANCE CONTROL] 
button.
2Press the [SOLO] button.
The [SOLO] button lights, indicating that Solo is enabled.
3Press any of the Number A [1] – [8] / [9] – [16] 
buttons.
The pressed button will light and only the corresponding 
Part among the Parts 1 – 8 will be sounded. (The 
Number A [1] – [8] and [9] – [16] buttons work in 
conjunction with each other.)
You can also solo a part by using the [PART CONTROL] 
button with the operation below.
1Press the [PART CONTROL] button.
2Press the [SOLO] button to turn the button on.
Among the Number A [1] – [16] buttons, only the buttons 
whose corresponding Parts have sounds assigned to 
them will light dimly.
3Press any of the Number A [1] – [16] buttons 
to solo the corresponding Part. The pressed 
button will change from being dimly lit to fully 
lit.
You can change the solo Part by pressing any other 
Number button.
4Press the [MUTE] button to disengage the 
Solo function.
2
1
3, 4
1
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							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual24
Quick Guide — Playing the Keyboard
Using the Arpeggio function
This function lets you trigger rhythm patterns, riffs and 
phrases using the current Part by simply playing notes on 
the keyboard.
It not only provides inspiration and full rhythmic passages in 
your live performances, but it gives you fully formed 
instrumental backing parts of various music genres for ease 
in creating songs. 
You can assign the desired eight Arpeggio Types to each 
Part and play back the Arpeggios of up to eight Parts 
simultaneously.
You can also set the Arpeggio playback method, Note 
range, Velocity range and Play Effects to create your own 
original grooves.
NOTE
For details about Arpeggio, see the Reference Manual PDF 
document.
Turning the Arpeggio on/off
To turn Arpeggio playback on or off, press the [ARP ON/
OFF] button on the panel.
Changing the Arpeggio type
You can change the Arpeggio type by pressing the Number 
C [1] – [8] buttons as desired.
1Press the [PERFORMANCE CONTROL] 
button.
The [PERFORMANCE CONTROL] button lights, 
indicating that Arpeggios can be selected by using the 
Number C [1] – [8] buttons.
2Press any of the Number C [1] – [8] buttons to 
change the Arpeggio Type.
NOTEFor information on setting the Arpeggio Type, refer to page 37.
Turning Arpeggio playback on/off for 
each Part
You can turn Arpeggio playback on or off for eight Parts of 
the Performance as described below.
1Press the [PART CONTROL] button.
The [PART CONTROL] button lights, indicating that 
Arpeggio playback for each Part can be turned on/off by 
using the Number C [1] – [8] buttons.
2Pressing each of the Number C [1] – [8] 
buttons toggles Arpeggio playback on and off 
for each Part.
When Arpeggio playback is turned on, the 
corresponding button fully lights, and when turned off, 
the button lights dimly.
NOTE
You can turn Arpeggio playback on/off for each part by touching 
the [ARP ON/OFF] button on the display as well.
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2
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							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual25
Quick Guide — Playing the Keyboard
Using the Motion Sequencer 
function
The powerful Motion Sequencer feature lets you dynamically 
change sounds by operating Parameters depending on 
sequences created in advance.
It provides real time control for changing sounds depending 
on various sequences such as Tempo, Arpeggio, or the 
rhythm of external connected devices.
You can assign up to eight desired Sequence types for one 
Lane.
You can also set up to four Lanes corresponding to the 
Motion Sequencer function for one Part. Up to eight Lanes 
can be used at the same time for the entire Performance.
For the Motion Sequencer function, in addition to being able 
to set the Arpeggio playback method, you can also set the 
Velocity range, Play Effects, the amount of steps, and so on, 
to create your own original grooves. 
NOTE
For details about the Motion Sequencer, see the Reference Manual 
PDF document.
Turning Motion Sequencer on/off
Press the [MOTION SEQ ON/OFF] button on the front panel 
to turn the Motion Sequencer on/off.
Changing Motion Sequences
Press the Number B [1] – [8] buttons to switch among the 
Motion Sequence types.
1Press the [PERFORMANCE CONTROL] 
button.
The [PERFORMANCE CONTROL] button lights, 
indicating you can select the Motion Sequence types by 
using the Number B [1] – [8] buttons.
2Press the Number B [1] – [8] buttons to 
change the Motion Sequences.
Select the desired Motion Sequence type assigned to 
each Number B button.
NOTE
For details about Motion Sequence edit, see the Reference 
Manual PDF document.
Turning Motion Sequencer on/off for 
each Part
Motion Sequencer can be turned on/off for each Part as 
follows.
1Press the [PART CONTROL] button.
The [PART CONTROL] lights, indicating that you can turn 
the Motion Sequencer on/off for each Part by using the 
Number B [1] – [8] buttons. In this condition, you can 
turn the common Motion Sequencer on/off by using the 
corresponding ELEMENT/OPERATOR [COMMON] 
buttons. 
2Press the Number B [1] – [8] buttons to turn 
Motion Sequencer on/off.
When Motion Sequencer is on, the corresponding button 
fully lights; when off, the corresponding button lights 
dimly. When all Lanes for the Part are in off status, the 
corresponding button lamp is off and is not active for this 
operation.
NOTE
You can also touch the [MS ON/OFF] on the screen to perform 
the same operation.
To turn the common Motion Sequencer on/
off, press the ELEMENT/OPERATOR 
[COMMON] button.
When Motion Sequencer is on, the corresponding button 
fully lights; when off, the corresponding button lights 
dimly. When all Lanes for the Part are in off status, the 
corresponding button lamp is off and is not active for this 
operation.
NOTE
You can also touch [MS Cmm] on the screen to perform the 
same operation.
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							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual26
Quick Guide — Playing the Keyboard
Using controllers to change the sound
The MONTAGE gives you an amazing amount of control options. In addition to the conventional Pitch Bend and Modulation 
Wheels, it also features an extensive array of special real time controls—including the Knobs, Super Knob, Sliders, Ribbon 
Controller and Assignable Switch buttons.
Ribbon 
controllerPitch Bend wheel
Modulation wheel
[ASSIGN 1]/[ASSIGN 2] buttonsSlidersKnobs Super Knob 
						

							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual27
Quick Guide — Playing the Keyboard
Using the Knobs to change the sound
Knobs 1 – 8 let you adjust a variety of parameters for the current Performance or Part, such as effect depth, attack/release 
characteristics, timbre, and others. The functions assigned to each Knob can be alternatively selected via the Knob Function 
buttons, the Multi Part Control button, or the Assign buttons. There are basically two ways in which the sound can be controlled: 
controlling the entire Performance or controlling the specific Part.
For controlling the entire Performance
Move the cursor to the desired Performance name from the Performance Play display. Or turn the PART [COMMON] button 
on and operate Knobs 1 – 8.
For controlling the desired Part
Move the cursor to the desired Part name from the Performance Play display. Or turn on any of the Number A [1] – [8] 
buttons and operate Knobs 1 – 8.
1Press the knob function [TONE]/[EQ/FX]/[ARP/MS] button or the Knob Assign [ASSIGN] button, so 
that the button corresponding to the function you want to switch is lit.
[TONE]: Switches to functions related to sound settings
[EQ/FX]: Switches to functions related to EQ and Effect settings
[ARP/MS]: Switches to functions related to Arpeggio and Motion Sequencer settings
[ASSIGN]: Switches to preset functions designed to bring out the best characteristics of each Performance
The functions currently assigned to the Knobs 1 – 8 and the parameter values of the functions are shown.
2Turn a desired knob while playing the keyboard.
The value of the corresponding parameter changes and the function/effect is applied to the sound.



Knob 1
Super Knob Knob 2 Knob 3 Knob 4 Knob 5 Knob 6 Knob 7 Knob 8
Functions assigned to Knobs 1 – 8.
The current values of the functions 
						

							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual28
Quick Guide — Playing the Keyboard
Using the Super Knob to change 
the sound
The Super Knob lets you simultaneously control all 
parameter values of the functions assigned to Knobs 1 – 8. 
You can create complex sounds by using the Super Knob 
together with the Motion Sequencer.
The Super Knob is always available for use. You don’t have 
to press the Knob function button or the Knob Assign button 
before using the Super Knob.
This section covers the procedure to check the parameter 
values changed by the operation of the Super Knob.
1Press the PART [COMMON] button.
The button lights, indicating that you can make common 
settings for all Parts.
2Press the Knob Assign [ASSIGN] button to 
make the button light.
The functions currently assigned to Knobs 1 – 8 and the 
parameter values are shown.
3Turn the Super Knob while playing the 
keyboard.
All relevant parameter values simultaneously change 
and all assigned functions are applied to the sound.
NOTE
For details about the Knob assignment and the Super Knob 
setting, see the Reference Manual PDF document.
Mixing
Each Mixing can contain up to 16 Parts and a separate 
Mixing can be created for each Part. You can adjust the 
various mixing related parameters for each Part: volume, 
pan, etc.
Basic procedure for Mixing
1
Touch the [Mixing] tab on the left side of the 
Performance Play display.
The Mixing display appears.
Main category for each Part
Switching displays between 3-band EQ / 2-band EQ
EQ setting for each Part
Parameter values for each Part
Changing the display for Parts 1 – 16
Changing the display for the audio Parts (Parts 9 – 16 
are not displayed)
2Press the [PART CONTROL] button  
Number A [1] – [16] buttons to select the 
desired Part for which you want to adjust the 
parameter values.
NOTEBy touching [Audio] () on the screen, the audio Part are 
shown. You can set the parameters relating to the audio data 
(AD Part) input from the A/D INPUT [L/MONO]/[R] jack and the 
audio data (Digital Part)* input from the [USB TO HOST] 
terminal.
*The audio data which is set as “Digital L/R” among device ports
3Move the cursor to the parameters for each 
Part and change the parameter values by 
turning the Data dial.
NOTE
• For more detailed parameter settings, press the [EDIT] button 
in the Mixing display to open the Edit display.
• For details about the Mixing parameters and Mixing Edit, see 
the Reference Manual PDF document.
Controlling the Super Knob by using a foot 
controller
You can control the Super Knob by using a foot 
controller (FC7).
1Connect the foot controller (FC7) to the 
FOOT CONTROLLER [1]/[2] jack.
2Move the cursor to the Performance 
name on the Performance Play display 
and then press the [EDIT] button.
3Touch the [Control] tab in the left of the 
screen 
 [Control Number] tab.
4Set “Foot Ctrl 1” or “Foot Ctrl 2” to 
“Super Knob”—depending on which jack 
you connected the foot controller (FC7).





 
						

							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual29
Quick Guide — Playing the Keyboard
Using the Scene function
You can store all parameter settings such as Arpeggio type, 
Motion Sequencer type, and the Part parameter values 
together as a “Scene.” There are eight Scenes and you can 
select them by pressing the [SCENE] button.
This is useful for simultaneously and drastically changing the 
Arpeggio type and the Motion Sequencer type while you are 
playing a single Performance.
Changing Scene settings
1
Touch the [Scene] tab on the left side of the 
Performance Play display.
The Scene display appears.
Switching among Scenes 1 – 8
Turning functions for each Scene on/off
Turning the Motion Sequencer for All Parts on/off
Motion Sequencer type of the currently selected 
Scene
Turning the Arpeggio for all Parts on/off
Arpeggio type of the currently selected Scene
NOTE
Sections 3 to 6 (see illustration above) are displayed only when 
“Arp” and “Motion Seq” are selected in section 2.
2Set Scenes 1 – 8 as desired.
When [Memory] is turned on for the function, the Motion 
Sequencer type, or the Arpeggio type, the 
corresponding function information is automatically 
memorized to the currently selected [SCENE] button. By 
pressing one of the SCENE [1] – [8] buttons, the Scenes 
1 – 8 are switched and stored information for each Scene 
is restored.
NOTE
You can also change Scene Settings from any other operation 
displays. To do this, press one of the SCENE [1] – [8] buttons 
while holding down the [SHIFT] button. Scenes 1 to 8 are 
assigned to each button.
3Store the Performance as necessary 
(page 32).
NOTICE
If you select a different Performance or turn off the power 
without storing your edited Performance, all the edits 
you’ve made for the Scene will be erased.





 
						

							MONTAGE Owner’s Manual30
The Live Set is ideal for live performance situations since it lets you instantly switch among desired Performances. You can 
create your own Live Set by simply grouping together your favorite Performances.
Registering a Performance to a 
Live Set
Follow the instructions below to store Performances to Live 
Sets.
NOTICE
 Before storing the currently editing Performance to the 
Live Set, store the Performance itself (page 32). 
 If you select a different Performance or turn off the power 
without storing your edited Performance, all the edits 
you’ve made will be erased.
1Select the Performance you want to use.
2While any displays other than the Live Set 
display appear, hold down the [SHIFT] button 
and press the [LIVE SET] button.
The Live Set display appears.
3Touch one of the slots and press the [ENTER] 
button. The currently selected Performance 
will be registered in the slot.
NOTEYou can select the slot by using the Number A [1] – [4] and [9] – 
[12] buttons, the Number B [1] – [4] buttons, or the Number C [1] 
– [4] buttons.
Live Set display 
Sorting registered Performances 
in a Live Set
You can change the order of the Performances registered to 
a Live Set on the Live Set Edit display.
1Press the [EDIT] button while the Live Set 
display is shown.
The Live Set Edit display appears.
(The Live Set Edit display will not be shown if a Live Set 
of the preset bank/library bank is open.)
2Select the slot containing the Performance 
you want to move and touch [Swap] on the 
screen.
The [Swap] lights up and now the slot can be changed.
3Select the desired destination slot.
The original slot and the destination slot are switched 
with each other.
Quick Guide — Creating Your Own Live Sets
The performance registered in the slot
An empty slot