Yamaha RM1x

newest os. the preset are not bad-i had a qy70 and there are alittle bit like that.it has 8(x2)knobs for real time editing and also you can edit asdr,ect so it is pretty good.editing patches is dead simple-the edit matrix manual is printed on the right side of the unit-could it be any easier!?!?!?!
manual is ok,this thing is a hell of a sequencer,too!!

the plastic chiclet keys suck,sometimes they "double fire",but i use an oxygen controller.
effects are decent enough-you can edit certain parameters of the effect,too.
the best feature is the disk drive!!!!! save sounds on your mac/pc
no bizzarre 3 volt or whatever they smart cards from roland here...
midid specs are the best out there.
seq rocks

drums are cool,
i make ambient,but electro techno,acid,house ect is good to make o this machine.and idm too

good solid metal casing,but why the plastic keys???(cheap)

???

i'd get it again.
it is great as the center of studio-use it to seq all othere equiptment.
beats mc303,mc505 has more sliders ect,but roland grroveboxes are soo dated sounding -and cheap crap generaly.
they make a product and 6 months later it is gone drom their online database. remember the mc09? yeah neither did i....

Be patient, all traditional instruments take years to learn by comparison.

MIDI filtering of in outs could be improved

forget the sounds, just use the sequencer. a few useful sounds are buried within, most are cheesy. however, I hear more and more cheesy sounds used in hip hop and r n b all the time, maybe some of you wil get lucky.

very reliable, solid metal case, cheap plastic keys, slighter better knobs. case is solid as

yamaha should have updated OS chips out of their own pocket, and made this known to all vendors. yamaha only did free upgrades for a few years and only to those that found out. cost me $80 AUD, I was pissed off.

This is a great hardware sequencer, just forget 90% of the sounds and use an external synth or sampler for you actual sound source.

MIDI sequencing on this thing is seriously good, and at current second hand rates it's a steal.

There are one or 2 MIDI bugs that can switch MIDI presets on external gear while you edit, but this is fixed with the last OS version. you can work around it anyway. overall, one of the best hardware MIDI sequencers ever made.

Had it for 3 years, I've used it to score and sequence music for film and for bands. It's been great value.

It's pretty simple to use. Sometimes you could wish for a software-based editor since it gets pretty tricky to edit patches where more notes are played at once. If you do more complicated tracks, with a lot of automation, editing gets even trickier!

But overall the machine is pretty easy to use IF you read the manual!

Polyphony is 64, which should be enough for most people.

The Rm1x could use some sort of simple synth-part since the preset sounds get pretty dull after some time.

It definately lacks memory expansion capabilities!!! I wanted to use song mode for sequencing other synths. But since it was limited to about 500Kb of memory, I had to forget this idea since my tracks are between 160Kb and 400Kb each (I mainly create psytrance and minimal trance). I could switch to using pattern mode, but since I work faster at a computer than on the Rm1x while building the tracks, I don't want to work in pattern mode. So now I mainly use the Rm1x for percussion sounds.

The Rm1x is pretty good for getting your ideas put to music really quick. The basis for some of my best tunes have been made on apparently an hour on the Rm1x.

More OUTs would be nice for those who use the onboard sounds. Since there are only two OUTs (Left and Right), it is not easy to add external effects to a specific instrument.

The feature of switching to and from record mode while playing is also completely left out. This would be very useful if you work in pattern mode and work within the more rythmic loopbased genres as for instance techno, tribal and so forth. This feature have completely been left out by Yamaha.

I have had some problems with connecting it the Rm1x to a software sequencer, and using it to send midi data further through the midi-out. Even though the onboard sounds on a specific channel were disabled, the Rm1x insisted on playing these sounds when the signal came from outside the box. I never got this fixed, and I'm not sure it can be. So my sollution was to get a midi interface for my computer with 2 midi-outs, so that I did not have to send the signal through my Rm1x.

The floppy drive is a nice feature :c)

The sounds are ok. I have found more than a few that I could use. However, after I have got my hands on a real synth (access virus c), I only use the Rm1x for percussion.

I still think it is good for laying down the basis for a track, but the sounds themselves cannot be compared with those of a real synth. At least not for the genres I deal with.

I have had NO problems at all with my Rm1x. I've played half-way through 3 or 4 gigs with it and it have not crashed on me yet. Only halfway because of my memory problems desriped earlier. :c)

I have never been in contact with customer support.

If my Yamaha Rm1x was stolen or lost, I would not get one again. I only use it for percussion these days, so I would much rather get a sampler instead since the percussion banks are getting somewhat trivial to me.

Had this been a year ago no one could convince me to sell it to them for all the money in the world! I have really had some fun with this machine, and I will never regret buying it!!

If some software tools that could help me easily set up pattern were available, I would most definately use it for sequencing again too :c)

I have not explored all of the uses this machine is capable of. I have not used it in Song Mode or Pattern Chain Mode. However, I understand how those functions work and others have reported good things about the RM1x as a Sequencer. I use mine as a live performance tool. I like to play along and improvise (guitar, drum triggers, theremin, voice, etc.) with a loop for a while and as I sense the audience getting restless, I can push a button to seamlessly move to a new train of thought. (Try doing that with a full band!) At first it bugged me that it would switch mid loop but now I like that. It means it requires a level of musical skill to operate and also awards you more control on the fly.

I don't like the fact that the quantize function doesn't work on the fly in real time record mode (like Roland Machines). You have to play your part and apply the function after. However I find the Step function to be very easy to use.

Manual was OK.

See other reviews for specs. Also see my "Ease of Use" section since I covered some of the features there.

I got this machine because my Roland MC-303 crashed and I lost all of my patterns. This surpasses that machine in most catigories. It has ample memory and a disk drive so you can back up your work. (Very important!) Lot's more user banks, voices, tracks, everything.

Some have knocked off points for sounds and the keypad. That might be because they have spent more time pursuing Electronica than I have so they have much higher expectations. Even those folks would give it high marks as a sequencer for controlling sound modules they prefer.

That said, I rather like the sounds in this box. Good analog modeling good effects, versitile sound editing functions. I was pleased that the key pad was much more usable that I expected (since I read other reviews slamming it.)

I have been composing for a month and still have not come close to maxing out the memory. I have no fear of crashes and, as mentioned, it has a disk drive to backup my work. I played four gigs so far and it performed flawlessly. It has a very solid feel to it.

Never needed to contact them.

I paid more than I needed to for this RM1x. You'll be able to get them for about $225-$275 on Ebay pretty easy. This one however had 3 total hours of use on it and the guy was here in town so I didn't have to pay shipping. So it all came out in the wash. It was still WELL worth it. This is the most important tool in my one-man-electronica-punk-jazz-rock band. It allows me to improvise while still having composed elements in the music. It has helped my improve my guitar soloing and has provided a fresh palet for composing.

I've never worked with yamaha synth before, so it wasn't that easy for me to handle the manual. I had many Roland machines before (TB303,TR808-909,MC 303-307-505) I think the were much more comfortable to use. But if you take some time to read the manual, it's no problem.

I think you have many real cool features in this sequencer!!! Midi delay, pitch shifter, and the most interisting thing....the disk floppy!!! I like the Grind- and steprecording...Its very easy to add melodys that you have heard somewhere.

Best Hardwaresounds u can get for that price!!!

1000%

#Never had someting to do with them#:-))

It's one of the best things i've ever bougth...especially for Acid, Techno and Hip Hop

usability sucks.
e.g. you can not switch from record to play while the sequence is runnning.
you always have to stop. very annoying.
another example: to undo something you have to press more than 10 buttons if you are in a wrong mode.

features are ok.

sound are ok but you get bored after a while.

Simply, this machine is very easy to use. I score films, and let me tell you, whenever a director needs some techno fast the RM1x is there for me, and quickly!

I have had the RM1x for a while now. It's a perfect fit in my studio. Mostly, when I'm doing films I just need a keyboard and some software but when I need some techno, and fast, the RM1x becomes the most important piece of equipment I own. It's definitly well worth what I paid. The only bad thing about it is that the track buttons get weak with time, If you can, don't use them much except to change tracks and sections-They'll quit working. But overall, you can't beat it, not with the ease of use and the price!

version 1.02 or summat......not upgraded
Presets so so.....
Editing easy and quick.....
Manual ok....covers most angles well enuff

64 voice polyphony if i recall....sorta enuff....
Keyboard sux....non velocity sensitive...
FX ok....quite a few, editable.....bussing a tad limting....
MIDI OK...needs a dedicated THRU ....
Sequencer fine....timing solid enuff.....giggable anyways i rek

Editability renders most presets quickly fixable....and to taste
Most styles addressable....mo' or less.....some authenticity issues tho....fairly reactive playing wise.....a tad fiddly...use master kybd!...Real time FX and tweaking parameters pretty tasty and flexible.....

Still solid after 4 years....no disasters......floppy drive would be first to go i rek......Recommend SysEx Dumps for backup....
Yeah i'd gig with it.......but wouldn't drink near it!

No need for this....but other dealings with Yamaha have been excellent...

Yeah i'd prob buy another but wouldn't pay more than #200 now....lotsa other good options in the marketplace now that supercede this rig...playing over 25 years....lotsa stuff guitars/keys/recording
I do like it's instant editability and reliability....it helps genrate ideas kwik stylee, partic drum loops tho cvant compare sound wise to MPC/sampler type of quality...but fine overall....it enables a song to be sketched out kwikly.....

The presets on this machine are plenty. I make
mostly rock beats with this unit. And have made
tons of Techno.Drum'n'Bass songs.
The manual is fat.

The effects built in are typical & easy to use.
I like using the drums on the Rm1X for rock & metal.
A monkey could operate this machine and sound like
a master.

The GM sounds are a little cheesy and not very good.
Almost compareable to a PSR unit you can buy at
Circut City for $99 bucks, but the more progressive
snyth and drum sounds are very slick. I know someone
on the Web is selling expandable sounds for this machine
for 30 bucks. I downloaded the Demo, and it was
cool to hear more sounds, but basicly all they did was
edit the sounds themselves. If I had time I could do the
same.

Never had a problem with this machine. Except for
the fact that the more Data you have the slower
the machine moves. But the disk drive is there to back
its all up. The knob are a little cheap, I lost one already
where you change your BPM.

Yamaha always has good product ranging from Motorcycles to
Instruments. A good company.

Here is a link to my webpage. Here I have used
the RM1X to compose my own songs. Go there if you
want to hear the machine hands on. Sorry there are
no Synth sounds. I used it for drums.
http://www.peterice.tk click on MP3. Sorry about the pop-ups.

This instrument is really intuitive to use, it has different ways to let you record/enter your music. After some use the RM1x lets you put down ideas really quick, which makes it a lot of fun to use.

The manual is yamaha style and is allright to lookup some information if you need to, but its not readable like a good book.(some manuals are, like the one that came with my Waldorf micro Q)

There are only a few sound parameters you can change, the most important parameters can be tweaked instantly with the knobs, others can only be changed in the voice edit menu. Although the sound editing is VERY limited, but it is sufficient to addapt the sound a bit to make it fit better with the rest of the instruments in your tune.

For the complete novice the RM1x comes packed with 60 demo songs. This lets you learn the RM1x a little and hear what different tracks of a composition sound like.

It's a REAL SHAME that these demo songs are built in ROM and there for can not be removed from memmory...

I think the polyfony is 64 voices which should be fine for the 16 sequencer tracks.

The sequencer supports everything in the MIDI implementation like CC#'s and aftertouch, SysEx(editing), XG and so on... this makes it a very powerfull sequencer you can also use to controll external synthesizers and samplers with.

The sequencer has 480 parts per quarter note resolution and has overdub/replace realtime and grid(X0X)/step non-realtime record modes.

There are sequencer modes pattern, patternchain and song. Song is 16 tracks of liniear recording. Pattern mode has 16 patterns(with 16 tracks each), you can switch the patterns(called sections) in realtime(you can (un)mute tracks in realtime as well). In pattern mode the RM1x can be a great live performance sequencer.

In pattern chain mode you can program a songs from your patterns(sections).

Each set of 16 patterns(sections) is called a "Style" while you can use more than one style in pattern chain mode there is a noticable delay when the sequencer switches styles. Also you can NOT record which tracks to mute and to unmute. To overcome these problems you will need to convert you pattern chain to a song. In song mode there are no hickups in the playback between styles and you can edit the tracks in superb detail.

The sounds on the RM1x are mainly aimed at dance production. They are not too impressive because Yamaha made compromises by compressing them together in only 4MB of ROM...

They could have included a more complex synthesizer (or sampler like they did in the new rs7000 which is like a RM1x with a phrase sampler built in). But i figure because the sequencer is powerfull enough to controll the coolest synthesizers and samplers you can get, this isn't such a big problem after all. The RM1x sounds all right...

The sounds can be led through 3 effects which like the sounds aren't too impressive but DO feature some parameters, so with some creativity you CAN edit the sounds and effects to create some quite nice sounds/tracks with the RM1x.

The minikeyboard/buttons are not pressure sensitive and they only respond when you press them down quite firm. I needed a bit of getting used to these buttons, they also do feel a bit fraggile. You can always connect a midikeyboard to the RM1x.(like I did)

The RM1x seems pretty well built in it's metal case, most buttons feel great exept maybe the minikeyboard and the rotary knobs(midi controllers) while the knobs under the display are very nice.

The RM1x crashed on me once... I don't know why.

I would use it on gigs even without a backup. The diskdrive makes loading easy/fast and all settings remain in memmory even when the unit is turned off.

I never had anything to do with Yamaha...

The RM1x is a lot of fun for the money. It's the best hardware midi sequencer you can get at it's price.(maybe even the best around)

It's great for starting a hardware/live setup, both as you first instrument or as a replacement for a computer in an existing midi setup.

I would get a new/used one if it got stolen for shure, maybe I would get an Yamaha RS7000(which is almost the same as the RM1x but with integrated phrase sampler)

The RM1x is THE center center of my studio and because it has sounds and effects built in you can also take it with you quite easily.(It's a shame it doesn't run on batteries)