Karma-lab Releases Software for the Yamaha Motif Xs and Xf

BUENA PARK, Calif. — Yamaha and Karma-Lab announces the development and release of KARMA Motif Software for PC and Mac. This new entry in the renowned developer's line of software applications brings the award-winning and patented KARMA algorithmic music technology to the Yamaha Motif XS and Yamaha Motif XF platforms.

"This exciting new collaboration brings the power of KARMA to a completely new user base using the great sounds and features of the Yamaha Motif series," said KARMA developer Stephen Kay, who will demonstrate the software at NAMM. "This will add a whole new dimension to the Motif experience."

KARMA Motif debuts the new KARMA 3.0 technology with a host of new features including eight-track design (six KARMA Modules and two Keyboard Layers) per Performance, per-track Volume and Mute stored in each of the 32 Scenes and the ability to individually adjust the mix of all parts in each Scene. Users are also able to control Velocity Response Curves by individually tailoring the velocity response for the left hand keyboard, the right hand keyboard, the input to KARMA from the keyboard, and the 16 Chord Triggers (pads), without editing the Motif's programs or songs.

A Fill/Stop Feature allows for the use of one or more modules as a melodic or drum fill with the ability to stop and start other modules automatically. The Advanced Stutter Feature lets users retrigger the entire groove at different rhythmic resolutions, from machine-gun stutters to slow triplet hits. It also features a real-time Master Transpose function, Chord Triggers that can activate pre-programmed chords, hits, sound effects and even the Motif's arps. And, with the new KARMA software, all of the buttons and sliders on the Motif's interface (in Remote Mode) can be used to trigger the Chord Triggers and Fills, the Stutter feature, Scene changes, Scene mixes and real-time algorithmic variations.

KARMA Motif's Performances use the Motif's Song/Mixing mode, where each of the 64 songs is a complete KARMA algorithmic music groove with a left hand and right hand zone for controlling KARMA and soloing on top of it. The Motif's arps are also integrated in many performances as additional elements that can be added via the 16 Chord Triggers. While in Song Mode, players are just one step away from recording their KARMA-created musical performances into the Motif's sequencer, or the output can be routed to any DAW for external sequencing. Furthermore, a KARMA Performance can call up any Motif Voice, Performance, Song, Pattern, or Master slot when loading, so that KARMA can be used in any of the Motif's modes.

"KARMA is one of the most innovative and interactive music software programs ever developed," said Athan Billias, Director of Marketing at Yamaha's Pro Audio & Combo division. "Combined with the incredible variety of Motif arps and unique features, like real-time Loop remix, KARMA and Motif combine to create one of the most powerful music production platforms available today." 

KARMA Motif Software for PC and Mac ($199) is scheduled to be available directly from Karma-Lab in April, 2011.

For more information, visit Yamaha at Winter NAMM 2011, Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom; write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; visit www.yamaha.com/press.