Motif 6 vs Motif ES6

yes if u can afford it buy the ES

Big difference.

the mo series is basically an ES minus the sampler and a few other features. if u r just looking for a sampler I wouldn't buy a brand new keyboard for that. Look into the akai S series samplers they are like mpcs but they dont have the sequencer or the pads they are racks. I own an S3000 and I dig it very much its very similar to a mpc 2000. Or if u prefer having a keyboard to work with ur motif look into maybe an asr 10 or a eps 16 those are dope keyboard samplers and you can use them together with ur motif as well.

Yes, they are both based on AWM2, but the two units don't sound exactly the same. I'm not saying the Motif ES sounds better, I'm just saying they don't sound the same. Other differences are no PLG expansions for the MO8, no sampling for the MO8, number of onboard patches and drum kits, synthesis and sound manipulation (number of filters and waveforms) etc.

I own an ES and a Fantom x, they are both excellent workstations and while they both do certaint hings the same way, they both have features that are exclusive to it. Personally, I find the X to be easier to use, but my first workstation was an xp-60 so I know how to get around roland products. The arpeggios in the ES are killing the ones in the X, and the Remix feature allows you to make crazy patterns and loops out of the stuff you've already recorded. In terms of sound quality, they both have their own sound, and I can't say this board sounds better, or that one sounds better, because they both have their own sound. In every category, there were some that sounded good on the X, not so good on the ES and vice versa. However, I do notice a difference in the sounds coming out, and the ES has a more compressed sound to it. On the X, some of the patches jump out at you and you have to really turn the volume or gain down, but the very next patch might be something you have to turn up.

Making patches is very easy because you have a patch edit button on the board. Press that button and everything needed to edit or make custom patches will be at your disposal. In regards to the arps, there are many arps on there, not as many as what is on the motif, but you can do whatever you want with them from limiting the key range, to changing the velocity, to having it play back according to whatever note or rhythm grid you choose. Getting to the arp screen is also easy, just hold down SHIFT and press the Arpeggio button and everything will pop up.

Also, hit the roland site and download the latest OS if you don't have it. Be sure to snatch the 5080 patches that are on there but dont install them unless you aren't feelin the user patches because these overight them (but you can always reset the board and get them back.)

^ My homie was sellin his ES rack and Proteus 2000 (a couple of roms installed) cause he copped a Niko. You want me to check and see if he still has the rack? If he still has it he'll let it go for a player price.

If you can get me the es rack for under 600 I'll buy it cash today!
i got rid of my xs, but now I'm regretting it but can't find a plug on one so I think I'm gonna save a buck and look for the ES rack

I'll hit him up asap.