Hey folks--I know I left the forum a ways back due to several things, but a few weeks ago I had the chance to really dig into the PSR-3000, and the PSR-1500. I wanted to share my thoughts with members here (even though I've switched back to synths--I was quite thrilled to give these models a good test run).

Off the bat I have to say I went in with high expectations. I literally was expecting to be blown off my feet with this new 3000 and 1500. After my extensive run with both models I left with much disappointment

I can't see where all the hype is.... I truly thought that with all the rave reviews here on the Zone that I'd wet my pants and be licking the keyboard from end to end by the time I finished.

I'll start with sound quality: Right off the top the sweet, cool, live, and mega voices are without a doubt exceptional. The 3000 shines in terms of these special "signature voices" of Yamaha. However, that's where it stopped for me. Outside of the "signature voices" and when it came to the panel voices all I could say was blahhhhhhhhhhhhh. The panel voices just seemed so lifeless, and the preset acoustic piano voices were (in my opinion) quite bland.

Now I didn't just take the presets as they were in default. I edited some, and even messed with the global EQ, and and was very disappointed in the presets. The acoustic piano sample is VERY dated and needs updated (hopefully with the PSR-3100) Personally I think I'll "always" favor a Roland piano sound on both arrangers, and synths over Yammie every day of the week, and twice on Sunday

The drums---boy oh boy Yamaha what a let down. I think the ONLY kit on the 3000 even worthy of an honorable mention was the studio kit (which it too lacked in several areas). Why Yamaha continues to use such lifeless drums is beyond me.

Of course the drawbars (as usual) were stunning. Great presets, and great results from user settings as well.

The harmonizer was alright to me. I still think it could use some changes (but many others here feel the same way too)

The styles: I thought they weren't too bad to be honest. Some were quite nice, and really stood out with the new mega voices Again my biggest gripe with Yammie styles is they lack that "live feel". They're over quantized--ya know...,just too perfect.

Here's my BIGGEST problem with many of Yammies styles (and what I often find on other arrangers as well). Styles on arranger keyboards (in my opinion--have "always" been geared toward the older crowd). Many of the styles on arrnagers are your traditional ballroom, jazz, rock. Arranger are and have "always" been "very" weak in terms of more modern styles. Quite the bummer if you ask me.

About build quality: Honestly...., I wanted to curse at someone for this! How Yammie can pack all those features into this unit, and give it the construction quality of a $200 Casio is beyone me--and yet still have the balls to sell the thing for $1,500

The construction just feels so darn cheap. Of course the action (I won't even start with--since that has been beaten to death already). I will say I did like the color screen--didn't think I would, but did--which is probably a big chunk of the street price as well.

In terms of the sequencer--I'm going to be very fair with this section. For an "arranger specific" sequencer it is quite good. The style sequencer is also very acceptable--but again in the arranger sense. I find that I myself and others often compared the sequencers of arrangers to synths. Which I now feel is really quite the unfair comparison. They are two different keyboards, and both two completely different sequencing platforms. I'll just leave it at that

The PSR-1500, I can sum that puppy up quite easily.. The shell of the 3000, and the guts of the PSR-2000 However, I feel more of a "deal" in term of price, features,ect.

Overall, I'm not feeling the "WOW FACTOR" here. I don't want other to think the PSR-3000 is crap..., because it really isn't. It's just not the board for "my needs". Many of you here make the 3000 shine because it fits your style--and I mean literally your "styles" of music. For someone like myself who does like traditional styles, but is also a modern music freak, this is where the "synth" fills my needs.

I will say this in closing about the preset voices of the PSR-3000. I now have several synths in my studio. One of those is a simple yet basic Roland RS-70. It has neither sweet, cool, live, or mega voices, but the preset voices on this synth (in my opinion) dance circles around the PSR-3000. Plus this is a "budget synth". I have and probably will always be a "Roland" fan at heart. Even though I have a Yamaha MO8 in my set up

Well that's about it..., sorry to jump in out of no where, but I wanted to share my thoughts on this topic with you guys, because lets face it.. The Zone is really the "only and best" place in the world to talk arrangers

Best regards to all...peace out [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/smile.gif[/img] Oh any old heads (and new heads) feel free to drop me an email. I still read the Zone even though I have stopped posting regulary.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 05-29-2006).]

I've been avidly performing and recording with the 2000 for some four years. I recently sold it (got $700 -- not even $300 less than what I paid!) and replaced it with a 3000 (for the record, Guitar Center in Totowah NJ gave it to me brand new for $1279 plus tax, but it seems the salesman ended up getting hit over the head by the manager for that one....). I've been trying it out now for about two weeks and just did a short gig with it this morning for the first time. All I can say is that in my opinion the 2000 was a great keyboard, but the 3000 is FAR superior to it in terms of voices as well as styles. Is it built like a tank? Of course not. But then it doesn't weigh 50 pounds. Maybe it's just me but I find the key action to be excellent. All in all, even for $1,500 I don't think there's another unit on this planet that can compete with the 3000. (Except perhaps the original TYROS but even that is not so clear.)

Squeak,
All I can say is that you are lucky you didn't buy a PSR-3000.
I had a Tyros(1) that I got rid of to get my 3k.
I love everything about it...the very light weight,the terrific action,the great sounds(Piano,Guitars,Organ Strings and more) and also the 128 note poly.
It is by far the best arranger keyboard for the price...nothing comes even close.
It is perfect for me.
It is also not for everyone...but very few,if any,instruments are.
Sure glad to see you posting again,and I hope things are going well for you.
All the best,
Ian

When I read this review posted by Squeak, the first thing I did was to look at the date postsed. I thought that perhaps this was a review done at the very beginning release of the PSR3000 and perhaps without really spending much time with this keyboard.
I have been selling the PSR3000 now for just 2 years and for almost everyone wishing an arranger keyboard with styles and recording this keyboard has the designation in my store as the overall "winner" since I've been selling arranger keyboards since the early 1080's.
Everyone is entitiled to their opinion but I have to totaly disagree with your verdict. I think the sounds are wonderful, the styles are live and in your face and the large variety of features, including 128 note polyphony is all alone compared to others out there in the marketplace, even these two years later.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Squeak,

I couldn't disagree more with your assessment of the 3000. There are a few things that must be done in the Globab EQ in order to tweek the over sounds, but once this is done the sounds are alive, vibrant and IMO there is nothing short of the Tyros or Tyros2 that even comes close. Two years of gigging with this machine and like Fran with his G-1000, you would be hard pressed to come up with something better.

Good Luck on whatever keyboard you eventually decide upon,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

To be honest.. I hated the 3000 for the first month that I owned it... However, i'm on my 6 tune using this board and I get a lot of compliments on the bass and drums and how pro all the sounds are.... It took me a while to change to a new board but now that I have... I really love the 3000.. Even had it up on Ebay till I came around.. This board just needs time...

Now, it will be hard to change to another board!!!

Squeak I personally think judging by your post that you DONT need an arranger KB at all for the kind of music you looking to create, BTW didn't you buy a 2k & didn't like that either? did you actually buy a 3000/1500?....I'm led to believe you would be better off using a Synth Workstation like the Fanthom X or Motif, etc .. would be better fit for your needs...great sounds & more importantly more flexibility & on-board features to CREATE your own styles & sounds.
In this game you really need to get what you specifically need to accomplish the job at hand. The 3k is an awesome unit in so many ways for so many players for many reasons, I hope you find what your looking for down the road.

good luck

Squeak:

Different Strokes for Differnt Folks. I love my 3000. I also have a Clavinova CVP 307 that's a great instrument. Strangely enough I spend more time at the 3000, because that's what I gig with. Hope you find a board that fits your needs.

OH let me clarify something here. I have more than found my happy place with my keyboard needs.

My set up is "all" synth/workstations. I figured out a long time ago that arrangers would not work for me.

My current set up is a Yamaha MO8, Roland RS-70, and I'm waiting for my Roland Juno-G to arrive I did have the Alesis Fusion 6HD, but man that synth was a NIGHTMARE! The WORST , and "choc full'o bugs" OS I've ever seen. Alesis should be ashamed of themselves.

I just wanted to post a review on the 3000/1500 since I had a chance to really dig into them. Also to Gary, if you read up in my review you'll see I did adjust the global EQ I still wasn't pleased

However, just because I don't like it really means nothing I guess. We all have our personal tastes. Well cheers folks. Back to "Synth Heaven" for me. Keep rocking out those arrangers.

Squeak

Squeak,
We couldn't agree more on the Alesis Fusion keyboard. Several months back, my Alesis rep and a keyboard specialist from Alesis paid my store a visit. I was so excited to see the finished product because when I saw it at last years NAMM show it was only partially completed. It looked pretty good.......but when I plugged it in a listened to the sounds, I think I've never heard a worse sample base instrument. I asked what happened to the QS6,7 and 8 sounds? Did they completely put new samples into this instrument? The answer was yes and I said if they expect to sell any of these they would have to go back to the drawing board. I don't think anyone could listen to the Pianos, Strings, Guitars, Brass, Woodwinds and like what they hear. On paper the machine is awsome for the price, but in listenening, I gave it an "F".
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California