Yamaha Synths Official Unveils the MONTAGE M Series: A Flagship Synthesizer Reimagined

Flagship Ambitions: The MONTAGE M Series Arrives

Yamaha Synths Official introduces the MONTAGE M Series as their next-generation flagship synthesizer, targeting both stage performers and studio producers. The video opens with Tobias Leo, a Swedish producer and sound designer, setting the scene at Superbooth24 in Berlin. He positions the MONTAGE M as a versatile instrument, designed to meet the demands of modern keyboardists, synthesists, and pianists.

From the outset, the emphasis is on the MONTAGE M’s adaptability and breadth. Yamaha’s presentation style is direct and focused, with Leo highlighting that the sounds demonstrated are not just presets, but custom performances crafted for the instrument. This approach underlines Yamaha’s intent to showcase the MONTAGE M as more than a preset machine—it’s a platform for deep sound exploration and expressive play.

Three Engines, Infinite Possibilities

The MONTAGE M Series stands out for its triple-engine architecture, each engine tailored to a different sonic domain. According to the video and supporting metadata, these engines cover ultra-realistic acoustic instruments, vintage analog synth sounds, and advanced FM synthesis. This blend allows for a wide palette, from lifelike pianos and orchestral textures to classic synth timbres and cutting-edge digital tones.

Tobias Leo’s demo leans heavily on the FM engine, but he also references the virtual analog side and the new Shimmer Reverb effect. The combination of these engines is presented as a core strength, enabling users to layer, morph, and sculpt sounds that cross traditional boundaries. While the video doesn’t dive into menu structure or detailed engine parameters, it’s clear that Yamaha is positioning the MONTAGE M as a multi-faceted tool for sound designers and performers alike.

FM Engine in Focus: Custom Sounds and Performance Techniques

Tobias Leo’s performance is a deep dive into the FM engine’s capabilities, with a series of custom sounds that go beyond the typical bell and electric piano clichés. He repeatedly mentions his focus on FM development, demonstrating pads, leads, and evolving textures that leverage both classic and experimental FM synthesis techniques.

One highlight is a pad sound where aftertouch is mapped to the chorus effect, allowing real-time modulation by pressing into the keyboard. This kind of hands-on control is a recurring theme, with Leo showcasing how expressive gestures can be tied directly to sound parameters. He also references using frequency modulation within the FM engine itself—what he calls “double FM”—to create complex, layered timbres.

Throughout the demo, Leo alternates between FM and virtual analog sounds, but the FM engine remains the star. The video provides a taste of the sonic range achievable, though it stops short of revealing the underlying programming workflow or deeper modulation matrix. Still, the focus on custom, studio-ready sounds gives a clear sense of the engine’s creative potential.

"I've been doing mainly development in the FM engine and I want to play you some of those sounds."

© Screenshot/Quote: Yamahasynthsofficial (YouTube)

Performance Tools and Customization: Aftertouch and Beyond

"This is a pad where I make use of the aftertouch controlling the chorus."

© Screenshot/Quote: Yamahasynthsofficial (YouTube)

A key takeaway from the demo is the emphasis on performance controls and user customization. Leo demonstrates aftertouch as a tool for expressive modulation—such as controlling chorus depth on a pad—showing how tactile input can shape the sound in real time.

He also notes that he has customized the controls on the MONTAGE M, allowing him to “trim” sounds to taste during performance. This suggests a flexible interface where users can assign parameters to physical controls, though the video doesn’t detail the process. The overall impression is that Yamaha has prioritized hands-on workflow enhancements, making the MONTAGE M adaptable to individual playing styles and live tweaking.

Sound Design and Expression: The MONTAGE M’s Creative Canvas

The latter part of the video shifts toward broader sound design and musical expression. Leo introduces sounds like the “black hole pad,” a lush virtual analog patch, and cycles through more FM-based textures, illustrating the instrument’s versatility.

While the demo is performance-oriented and doesn’t delve into patch editing or menu navigation, it clearly communicates the expressive range available to keyboardists and synthesists. The MONTAGE M is presented as a creative canvas—one that rewards both deep programming and spontaneous play, though the specifics of workflow integration and advanced editing remain to be explored in future videos or hands-on reviews.