ROLI and Yamaha Montage M: Six Dimensions of Expression Meet Three Engines of Power

Six Dimensions in the Air: ROLI Meets Yamaha Montage M

The collaboration between ROLI and Yamaha is more than a handshake between brands—it’s a bold architectural experiment in expressive control. By pairing the ROLI Airwave, a device that senses gestures above the keyboard, with Yamaha’s Montage M, the video sets the stage for a new paradigm in performance. The Airwave doesn’t just add another layer of MIDI CCs; it introduces six distinct gestural axes, each mapped to different sonic parameters.

Dom Sigalas, acting as both guide and architect, immediately frames the Airwave as a tool for elevating the Montage M’s already sophisticated sound design. The focus here is on how these new dimensions of control can fundamentally reshape the way a player interacts with the instrument, moving beyond traditional keys and wheels into a space where gestures in the air become compositional tools.

"This allows you to take the sounds you create with your Montage-M to a completely different level of expression."

© Screenshot/Quote: Weareroli (YouTube)

Montage M: Triple Engine Powerhouse

At the heart of this collaboration is the Montage M, Yamaha’s flagship stage keyboard, renowned for its three advanced synth engines. While the video doesn’t deep-dive into each engine’s architecture, it’s clear that the Montage M’s polyphonic muscle and responsive keybed make it an ideal platform for expressive sound design. The instrument’s architecture is built to accommodate complex modulation and layering, which pairs naturally with the Airwave’s multidimensional input.

The video positions the Montage M as the canvas, with the Airwave as the brush. The combination allows for nuanced control over pitch, timbre, and dynamics, leveraging the Montage M’s extensive onboard controls and synthesis capabilities. This synergy is especially apparent in the way performances are constructed—each gesture is mapped to a meaningful musical transformation, rather than a simple effect toggle.

Exclusive Presets: Designed for Airwave, Played on Montage M

One of the video’s highlights is the showcase of exclusive presets crafted specifically for the Airwave-Montage M pairing. These sounds aren’t just repurposed factory patches; they’re architected to respond dynamically to each of the Airwave’s six gesture types. Sigalas demonstrates how each gesture—raise, tilt, glide, slide, and flex—triggers a distinct musical response, from orchestral swells to evolving timbres.

This approach transforms the Montage M into a multidimensional instrument, where performance modes are not limited to velocity or aftertouch but extend into the air above the keys. The result is a set of presets that invite exploration and reward nuanced motion, making the Airwave a true extension of the player’s intent.

From Orchestral Voyages to Horror Boxes: Gestural Soundscapes

"This really makes you feel like an orchestra conductor because you can really bring in the sections exactly how you want."

© Screenshot/Quote: Weareroli (YouTube)

The video’s most compelling moments come from the hands-on demonstrations of these new sounds. The “Orkestral Voyage” preset turns the performer into a virtual conductor: pizzicato strings, brass, woodwinds, and choir are each brought in with a different gesture. This isn’t just a layering trick; it’s a real-time orchestration tool that lets the user shape crescendos and transitions with natural, intuitive movements.

Next up is the “Horror Box,” a theremin-inspired patch that leverages the Airwave’s gestural vocabulary for cinematic effect. Here, tilt controls volume, air raise manipulates pitch, glide introduces vibrato, and slide and flex add atmospheric and gritty textures. The result is a sound that’s both playful and haunting, demonstrating the Airwave’s ability to turn abstract gestures into concrete musical outcomes.

Finally, the “3D Analog Bass” preset showcases how the Airwave can be used for electronic textures. Flex adds vibrato, tilt and raise open the filter, glide widens the sound, and slide increases resonance. Each example underscores the potential for deep, real-time sound manipulation, all without touching a knob or menu.

Creative Workflows: New Horizons for Performance and Sound Design

The video closes by emphasizing the creative potential unlocked by this collaboration. By combining the Montage M’s synthesis engines with the Airwave’s gestural control, musicians are encouraged to break free from conventional workflows and explore new sonic territories. The integration is presented as seamless, with each device enhancing the other’s strengths.

While the walkthrough focuses on preset demonstrations, it’s clear that the Airwave-Montage M pairing is designed to inspire experimentation. The architecture invites users to map gestures to their own parameters, suggesting a future where expressive control is limited only by the imagination—and, perhaps, by the depth of the menu system, which remains to be explored in further detail.