Yamaha Motif XF6From real comments

Name: Yamaha Motif XF6
Rating: 3.2 (16 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 16 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment64%

PROS 64%

CONS 36%

Rank based on 16 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want deep multi-layered piano, pad, organ and brass sounds for live worship or band playing
You need a workstation still considered a 'PA destroyer' years after release
You value a broad, versatile factory sound library over choosing a newer competitor

What users love

Rich, layered sound palette0 mentions

Strongly positive

Enduring desirability and inspiration0 mentions

Strongly positive

Strong PA/live performance reputation0 mentions

Strongly positive

High-quality headphone/DAW output0 mentions

Strongly positive

Good keyboard feel0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You're sensitive to output sounding weaker or 'hidden' through a PA/amp versus headphones
You expect ongoing software/editor support and affordable expansion hardware from Yamaha
You've compared it directly and found the tone too thin next to something like a Roland FA06

What users complain about

Weak output through PA/amp0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Some find the tone thin0 mentions

Generally negative

Disappointing long-term support and add-on costs0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Preset loading can be slow0 mentions

Generally negative

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31Premium

Yamaha Motif XF6

Enduring desirability and inspirationRich, layered sound paletteHigh-quality headphone/DAW outputWeak output through PA/ampDisappointing long-term support and add-on costsPreset loading can be slow

Yamaha Motif XF6

Enduring desirability and inspiration

Rich, layered sound palette

High-quality headphone/DAW output

Weak output through PA/amp

Disappointing long-term support and add-on costs

Preset loading can be slow

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

A deep, versatile sound library built for real playing. Commenters highlight the breadth of usable sounds - acoustic piano, electric piano, pads, organs, brass, guitars and synth leads - often combined in layered patches for church worship. One user layers 3-4 sounds at once (Rhodes, organ, accordion, brass, synth lead) and still finds the XF6 capable. Others simply call it their dream keyboard, citing how inspiring and complete the sound engine feels compared to rival workstations like Kronos or MODX.

Output can feel underwhelming once it leaves the headphone jack. Several owners report that sound quality is excellent through headphones or a DAW like Logic, but becomes quieter or 'hidden' when run through cables into a PA or external speaker. One user specifically measured recorded piano peaking around -18dB, well below digital standard, and had to ask how to boost loudness without added plugins. This routing/output quirk is a recurring frustration despite the underlying sound quality being praised.

Long-term support and pricing left some buyers frustrated. One detailed comment criticizes Yamaha for abandoning tools like the S90 voice editor after purchase, and for pricing sound modules and LAN connectivity expensively, plus requiring extra costly hardware to connect to a Mac. The commenter felt lured in by an attractive initial price only to face ongoing costs and unresolved issues, concluding they'd never buy Yamaha again. This stands in contrast to the otherwise positive reception of the instrument's sound itself.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

pianoRich, layered sound palette

3 mentions

Strongly positive

Users praise the breadth of piano, electric piano, pad, organ, brass, guitar and lead sounds, often combining several in live church layers. This versatility is repeatedly cited as a strength for worship and band contexts.

@shirlybergma9220

Malen I play in church and I make layers of 3 to 4 layers. I use pads, Rhodes, organs, accordion, brass, sometimes a solo guitar with distortion, synth leads and electric pianos. Do you think this or a Fantom G could help me? I have the opportunity to make a down payment on a Juno DS 61+ 2k on one of these two machines in your opinion is it still worth it the motif xf or Fantom G? I know they're heavy but where I live the church is close to home

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May 27, 2022

@marceloaugusto1345

Great video great arrangements beautiful keyboard! Keyboard of my dreams!!! Congratulations for the demonstration of this machine!! Hugs!!!!

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September 21, 2019

@SandroGiovanni

Motif to me is very complete!!! From Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano, Pads, Organs, Lead to Guitars are amazing!!! Beautiful harmony in \"Jesus Cristo mudou meu Viver\". Congratulations for the initiative Thiago!!

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February 16, 2019

favoriteEnduring desirability and inspiration

3 mentions

Strongly positive

Several commenters describe the XF as their 'dream keyboard' and say it remains inspiring to play, with some still preferring it over newer models like the MODX or Fantom.

@samuelcarrillo2914

Greetings and blessings Tiago. Great demonstration of these powerful sounds... It would be difficult for Korg Kronos and Yamaha Modx to equal this beast!!

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December 16, 2023

@nina-yg5xo

Wonderful keyboard. Dear friend, what do you do for us subscribers to listen with such quality? All keyboards that you play reach us with such sound quality. Have you ever stopped to listen to the quality of your recording lol. When I turn on my keyboard, it's actually discouraging because it doesn't have this quality lol. I have a Roland Juno Gi. I play in Church. My dream is a Yamaha Motif XF7. Man, I always see your video of the Yamaha Motif XS (What timbres are those, (perfect)) and I never get tired of rewatching...... Hug, stay with God.

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July 5, 2020

@marceloaugusto1345

Great video great arrangements beautiful keyboard! Keyboard of my dreams!!! Congratulations for the demonstration of this machine!! Hugs!!!!

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September 21, 2019

speakerStrong PA/live performance reputation

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple commenters call the XF6 a 'PA destroyer' and say it's still worth buying today, underscoring its power and presence on stage even years after release.

@neiwtonpereira

PA destroyer 😅 even nowadays it's still worth buying one of these for sure

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May 19, 2024

@rosineipeixoto1529

My friend got motif xf6 said it's not coming with PA weight why. Motif my dream

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February 16, 2019

headphonesHigh-quality headphone/DAW output

2 mentions

Strongly positive

When monitored via headphones or recorded directly into a DAW like Logic, users describe the timbral quality and power as excellent, suggesting the sound engine itself is well regarded.

@danielfigueiredo8207

Thiago, I've already noticed that when I'm using the headphone output from the Motif XF itself or it's connected to a DAW like Logic, it comes out with excellent timbral quality and power... but when it's connected by cables to a speaker or PA, it sounds kind of \"hidden\"... do you know what exactly that is and how could I fix it? Hug!

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July 27, 2019

@sagone1674

HI AMAZING PERFORMANCE AND VIDEO!! Love it!!! I have a question that maybe you could help me. I also have a motif xf7 but when I export a solo piano \"romantic piano\" recorded track to audio for cubase per example, its a bit low of volume, like -18db is the highest pic in the digital standart. Is there any way to make it louder without adding any external pluggin, (in the motif the volumen in the track is 127 and in the mix also 127) thank you so much bro!!

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July 7, 2019

touch_appGood keyboard feel

1 mentions

Widely praised

An owner of the related XS6 notes the keyboard feel is amazing alongside good sounds, and other commenters reference solid key quality when comparing models.

@macavree9464

I have the Motif XS6, the keyboard feel is amazing. The sounds are very good also.

smart_display

October 2, 2024

volume_downWeak output through PA/amp

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

Several users report the sound becomes quieter or 'hidden' when routed through cables to a speaker or PA compared to headphone output, and one measured recorded audio peaking well below standard digital levels.

@danielfigueiredo8207

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July 27, 2019

@sagone1674

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July 7, 2019

trending_downSome find the tone thin

1 mentions

Generally negative

At least one user explicitly found the Motif's sound too thin and was hesitant to switch from a Roland FA06, questioning whether the upgrade is worth it.

@maisdicas2065

I found the motif sound too thin, I'm in doubt if it's worth switching my Roland FA06 to invest in a Motif XF 6.

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August 26, 2020

warningDisappointing long-term support and add-on costs

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One detailed complaint describes Yamaha abandoning software tools like the S90 voice editor, and charging high prices for sound modules, LAN connectivity, and Mac connection hardware, leaving the buyer feeling misled after the initial purchase.

@idmusicando

Yamaha did't does a good job when they abandoning think like S90 voice editor and relative upgrade people spend mony and time and hope ecc.ecc.\nPluss Yamaha thing they are the only one! sound module was to expensive, lan connection was also expensive and plass to connect to a Mac needed another expensive Yamaha hardware.\nThey fish people with the initial price and than...Problems\nI Love to think at people make the best for others and not use tricks\nNever Bay Yamaha again on any directions

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March 24, 2025

hourglass_emptyPreset loading can be slow

1 mentions

Generally negative

A related model (ES6) is noted as taking too long to load presets from a pen drive, a workflow frustration relevant to the Motif line's preset management.

@xirka9237

Thiago do you think it's a good keyboard the motif es6 I had one but it took too long to load my presets from the pen drive

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May 25, 2019

Yamaha Motif XF6chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Yamaha Motif XF6From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression