On keyboard-vocal gigs, where I'm the solo act, I usually limit emulation of non kb instruments to an 8 bar solo because unless I actually 'point out' to the audience that I'm playing these parts live they usually merely assume it's a pre-recorded midi or audio backing track playing. I think Ian's humorous method of introducing the idea to the audience both entertaining and educational for them as well.


Utilizing the new Tyros 4 SA voices, I'd say all these sound pretty convincing with a minimal of effort. In fact, I rarely have to utilize the SA art buttons1/2 to get a convincingly realistic sound because expressively playing the keys alone seems to naturally trigger the SA sound realism because depending how hard you press the key or play from note to note (legato vs staccato, etc) seems to bring out the SA instrument's realism. Adding the SA buttons of course further enhances it, but even without calling on that, the expressive instr sound is pretty decent for most live situations.



On the Tyros 4, probably an instrument voice that doesn't incorporate SA2 technology.


SA Guitars.



SA Pedal Steel. Though it sounds impressive compared to other non-SA pedal steels, the emulation isn't authentic to the way an actual real steel is played (steel techinque) and heard. Yamaha needs to work with a real authentic steel player pro to support a more realistic emulation.


Saxophone ( for fills and solos) , probably because it's so similar and expressive like the human voice.