Rikki, the Pa4x had three assignable buttons, (left side bottom)
I set the them to:

1-Accomp. off
2-Bass off
3-Drums off

I would use the buttons to vari the sound of the style, wile adding pads too fill in. Examples would be, adding a pad with a strong bass drum beat on the beat of each measure. Or adding a pad with a strum on all four beats. Arranger keyboards become boring when we allow the style to be just a style as is.


Let’s use Big Band as an example. The trumpets do not play all the time, neither do the woodwinds. The band is constantly changing. A great example would be Count Basie, when he solos with the piano the band takes on a different color. The Sx900 gives 8 regs to create the above.

The assignable Live Control knobs (left side bottom) have taken the keyboard one step further. The Live Control button removes parts gradually. If I want Count Basie, turn the knob to the left and you get drums and bass. I little further, and you get just drums – add some pads – wow, boring is leaving my keyboard. The combination of Live Control, pads, and variations brings us closer to sound like a live band; Yamaha just made it easier to do. Most of the Yamaha pads are too busy, gotta write my own.

I’m really enjoying my Sx900, it’s just waiting for me to come up with some new ideas. It’s like watching an artist creating a beautiful country scene with his paint and brush. The he calls it my creation!

John C.