Scott’s Synth Stuff Unleashes the MODX & Montage’s Secret Live Weapon

Scott kicks things off by pointing out a feature lurking in every Yamaha MODX and Montage since day one—a trick so obscure, even seasoned synth nerds miss it. No, it’s not another pointless menu dive; it’s a function that actually matters for live players. While most manufacturers are busy adding more flashing lights, Yamaha quietly slipped in something genuinely unique.

This isn’t just another firmware quirk. Scott makes it clear: this is a live performance game-changer, not some studio-only gimmick. The fact that no other hardware synth does this should make every gigging keyboardist sit up and pay attention. As always, Scott’s style is direct—if you want to stand out on stage, you need to know about this.

Scott isn’t just talking theory—he’s all about practical hacks. Want a click for your drummer? Route a drum pattern to a separate output, or pan your click hard right and your synth hard left. Even if your PA is mono (because of course it is), you can still get your drummer a private metronome without wrecking the crowd’s mix.

If you’re feeling extra, Scott suggests using a MIDI click generator or even a spare keyboard to spit out the pulse. It’s all about keeping the rhythm section honest, and Scott’s not shy about calling out the hacky solutions when there’s a better way. This is the sort of advice you wish you’d heard before your last trainwreck gig.

Here’s where things get spicy. Scott reveals that the MODX and Montage can use their analog/digital inputs for more than just slapping effects on your SH-101. Plug in a mic, stick it near your drummer’s kick, and suddenly your synth is listening to the band—not the other way around. The synth can literally derive its tempo from whatever’s coming in those inputs.

This isn’t just a party trick; it’s a way to make your electronic rig play nice with humans. Whether it’s a live drummer or an electronic kit, your arpeggiators and patterns will follow the groove, not fight it. It’s the sort of integration that turns a pile of gear into an actual band.

Scott puts his money where his mouth is with a hands-on demo, finger-drumming his way through a pattern while the Montage keeps up—no matter how much he speeds up or slows down. The arpeggiator follows every twist and wobble, proving this isn’t just marketing fluff. Even with less-than-perfect timing, the synth stays glued to the beat.

But it doesn’t stop there. Scott shows how the MODX or Montage can spit out MIDI clock at the tempo it’s hearing, letting you sync up the rest of your rig—Summit, grooveboxes, whatever—so everything marches to the drummer’s pulse. It’s a full-on live rig revolution, not just a party trick.

Honestly, words don’t do it justice. You need to see (and hear) the demo to appreciate how tight this setup can get. If you’ve ever wanted your synths to actually follow the band instead of dragging them along, this is the video to watch.