The Motif Rack features full 128-note polyphony and, like its keyboard counterpart, 48MB wave ROM. An intuitive user interface provides quick access to all functions and includes a 160 x 64 dot LCD.

The Motif Rack contains 896 normal preset voices (including the General MIDI bank) and 65 preset drum kits; user voices include 256 normal/32 drum kits, plus 128 user multi setups. In addition to the same high quality chorus and reverb as found on the Motif Synthesizer, a significant new feature is the expansion of Insert effects in Multi Timbral mode so that up to four Voices can have their Inserts Effects enabled.

Two expansion slots will accept Yamaha's PLG Modular Synthesis Plug-in Expansion boards, resulting in new sounds, effects, additional notes of polyphony and new synthesis engines. Connections include a built-in USB MIDI interface and MIDI IN/OUT/THRU connections, Stereo OUT, four individual OUTs and a Digital OUT. A bundled application CD-ROM contains a Voice Editor and Multi-part editor for Windows and Mac platforms.