Hi Gary,

Your explanation hits it squarely on the head. I think the Audya sounds more crisp, clean or whatever one would call it. It's like the individual instruments each stand out on it's own.

In my opinion at least, the Yamaha sounds more "muffled". I do not know how else to describe it, so this should suffice for now. The styles on the Yamaha are AWESOME!!! No argue there. I think I've grown too accustomed to the overall sound of the Audya over the two years I've had it.

It's NOT specifically the drums on the Audya as I've come to the conclusion that many styles that I've converted and tweaked to the Audya sounds just as good as those with the default audio drums.

I'll give you the best example I can. I've downloaded some of the songs recorded by Eileen on her Tyros. I do not know how she does it, but her recordings (at least those I've listened to) sounds much more "clean" and better processed than any others I've heard from over there. There is a distinct difference. It is some processing she does to the overall sound. I do not know what she uses or how she does it.

It seems that the Audya has this built in as standard. I say again, I do not know how or what, I just know that it's there.

My next test will be to route the S950's "out" to the Audya's "in" and hear if there is any difference. I'll put a dummy plug into the earphone jack to kill the Yamaha's sound. I'm also going to hook the mic to the Audya's input and try playing the S950 on it's own. Yes, I realize I won't have harmonies, but it'll be worth the try.

Once again I say & I want to make this perfectly clear to all: I have absolutely nothing bad to say about Yamaha, this is purely my perception of what I currently hear. I have absolutely no intention to get rid of my S950. Maybe I'll still get to the bottom of this...

The modern recording companies do some wonderful tweaking to the later recordings. They create an "ambience" to it that was not there during the recording. It sounds "warm" & pleasing & "natural" to the ear. (note, I'm a novice to this - I try my best to describe what I hear only). It must be some special software they use. Well, I think the Audya does this by default - I have no other way to describe it.

Either this or they've found a way to alter how their midi voices sound and also a way to make definite distinction between them. I'm sure someone like AJ would be able to explain the technicality behind it - I can only testify to the fact that it is there.

Cheers,

Henni