Yes, I played one! Let’s handle a few easy observations first.
If you don’t currently own an all-rounder keyboard, you owe it to yourself to try the new Yamaha MODX M. Be sure to set aside 2 to 3 hours to try all three engines: AWM2 (sample playback), FM-X and AN-X. It’s a solid citizen although the $1,800+ price may be off-putting.
If you have an all-rounder, you should give it a try anyway. Folks with a Yamaha CK should definitely consider the upgrade.
If you own an original MODX and you already have the freebie pianos, give the MODX M a try at your leisure. No hurry unless you desperately crave the new APs and EPs and/or AN-X. $1,800+ (depending upon model) ain’t chump change.
Yamaha MODX M6 synthesizer [Yamaha]
I spent about an hour with a Yamaha MODX M6 at Guitar Center Lynnwood, WA. To be fair, I didn’t deep dive the revised user interface (UI), FM-X or AN-X. AN-X is not a biggie for me. I’m sure there are AN-X patches and a world of sound to explore. However, AWM2 sample-playback and organ are the earners.
Yep, the CFX is improved and I like having the Bösendorfer Imperial in factory wave memory. The Hamburg (Steinway) offers real heft and is a lovely option. Oh, the felt piano, U1 upright and Nashville C3 are in factory memory, too.
Per SOP, I brought along this week’s music and a bunch of gospel selections. Thus, I devoted much time to organ and the new electric pianos.
The FSB keybed is a slight improvement over the original MODX6 keybed. GC had an original MODX6+ and a CK61 right next to the MODX M6. Yes, FSB is an improvement, however a few Web posters need to rein in their expectations and hopes. Playing EP is a little more pleasant, but gosh, it’s still a semi-weighted synth action.
I had the most fun playing drawbar organ. The FSB keybed has a decent feel for organ touch and hand swipes. Of course, you don’t get any of the specialist stuff like multi-trigger. Having eight sliders is nice although nine would have been better. Still, the sliders have a solid feel and I quickly adapted to their placement. Good ergonomics. In fact, I’m amazed at how many extra gizmos Yamaha were able to add to the front panel vs. MODX.
The new VCM rotary speaker effect and organ Performance voicing are a big improvement over MODX. I enjoyed digging into the sound and experience. To me, the best reasons for upgrade are the FSB keybed, sliders and VCM rotary speaker.
The new EPs are welcome, too. They are good, but not enough to put me over the Moon alone. As I said earlier, the FSB action makes EP tolerable on MODX M.
In a few cases, I A/B’ed MODX M6 against the CK61. The M beats the CK hand-down for sound. The CK’s FSB keybed felt a touch (pun) lighter, but the CK floor model may be “played in”. The CK’s organ is way too bright and the rotary speaker effect emphasizes a cloying chimey-ness. [I can’t stand the Reface YC fast speed and never use it anymore, either.] I also ran through several acoustic instruments (woodwinds and horns) on the CK. Listening confirms — the CK’s acoustic instruments are old PSR tones and are not nearly at MODX or MODX M quality level.
So, why did I consider the CK at all? Money. The CK61 streets for $1,000 and MODX M6 is $1,800. For $1,800, I expect a life-changing experience. 🙂 A $1,000 all-rounder is an attractive value-proposition. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can build gig-ready layers with the CK’s acoustic instruments. For me, the CK is a hard pass.
There is another Yamaha hope at the $1,100 price point: PSR-SX600. Much stronger in the acoustic instrument department although the built-in organs are less than MEH. A new 600-level model is expected — perhaps with enough expansion memory to add pipe organ and B-3 samples?
I’m sticking with MODX6 for the time being. MODX M6 is a solid instrument and a worthy contender as my MODX6 ages and wears. I’m going to keep my eyes open and if a bargain comes along…
Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski
