http://www.purgatorycreek.com/index.html

The new PA800 and the T2's pianos are compared on the New Entries page (along with MotifXS), and some other arrangers' pianos can be found on their manufacturer's pages (G70 is the FantomX Ultimate Grand patch).

Apples to apples....

Try downloading a few of the files and listen to them randomly (without knowing which is which). Give your prejudices a rest, and actually just use your EARS for a change....

You'd be surprised by what your ears and not your arrangers logo tell you...

T2 Warm - WOW

after listening to that AcustiX Boesendorfer sample, which imo blows away everything else on the page, by a huge margin (btw can I get that into my E60?) it's harder to compare the t2 and pa800..but after listening closely to the 2 pa800 and 3 T2 samples, I'd have to say the T2 has an advantage, if only because in accomp arranger play the brighter-edge usually is desirable to cut through, and there still is a fullness to the T2 sounds. The pa800 has a very pretty sound, on the mellower side. If it was just for solo piano, would be more just a matter of taste, neither is obviously superior. both are really nice as arrangers go.

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Miami Mo

I really can't say I like one over the other...they both have their strengths...the Yamaha being brighter and more animated(or as Diki says, "phasey")and the Korg a bit more static but still full and rich.

Each would serve a different purpose...the Yamaha more for pop and jazz, whilst the Korg would be more suitable for classical.

Ian

Warm? What part of that did you think was warm?

It's a great sound, don't get me wrong, but warm? The PA800 sounds a LOT warmer. IMO.

But you want REALLY warm... Try the FantomX Ultimate Grand patch. Listen carefully during the quieter passages. Warm enough to toast marshmallows on!

BTW, I don't love this sound BECAUSE it's in my G70. I love my G70 BECAUSE this piano is in it!

We all have a different idea of the perfect piano sound, but warm has always been my main criteria in choosing them. As nice as Yamaha's are (probably the best choice for most R&R and pop stuff, perhaps), warm is the last thing I'd call them, and so far, have not managed to pull the trigger and get a Yamaha keyboard primarily because of how bright (or brittle, in less flattering terms) the pianos are.

At the moment, for brighter pianos, I go with my K2500 w/daughter card piano, but warm... G70 every time.

Remember, all this is just OPINION. But I LOVE Purgatory Creek, as direct A/B comparisons can be made in seconds... Play the T2 Warm straight after the FantomX Ultimate Grand, THEN tell me how warm it sounds!

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 09-04-2007).]

Whilst the Fantom X Ultimate Grand is very nice and fairly warm (and a bit dry)it is, like the Korg, probably more suited to classical than pop, jazz or R&B.

BTW, I was under the impression that this comparison was between the Tyros2 and the Pa-800...not an opportunity to extol the virtues of one's own keyboard.

Why not stick to the topic?

Ian

Actually, Purgatory Creek is all about comparing ALL pianos... The PA800 and T2 are up on their respective maker's pages too, along with Roland and Kurzweil.

It isn't (as you might have noticed) REALLY a shootout between T2 and PA800...! They just happen to be on the same 'New Entries' page for now (along with several others), but will get bumped soon enough. So comment on ANY piano seems appropriate, especially with the fact that you can immediately go to the relevant demo and actually LISTEN for yourselves.

BTW, I use the same piano in the G70 for pretty much everything other than Honky-Tonk. You only have to adjust the velocity curve and add a bit of low-cut high-boost EQ to get something that cuts just as well (or at least, close enough for jazz, as they say!) as the Yamahas.

And once again I repeat, these comments are just OPINION... not facts. Just like yours, Ian.

At least (for once!) everybody can go and listen for themselves, and make their OWN mind up...

Sorry Diki...perhaps the topic's title was what misled me.

Ian

I'd like to see if others agree with me re the AcustiX Boesendorfer..and if anyone can help me get that sound (or one like it) into my E60. thanks

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Miami Mo

http://www.vanbarel.com/acustix/

It's a software piano, Mo. You really want to go down that path? Laptops, audio interfaces, MIDI interfaces, latency and streaming issues?

You can't get ANYTHING into your E60. No sampler, no SRX slot, no nothing... (like most arrangers in that price range).

But if you ARE willing to do the laptop thing, go back to P.Creek, check the software Pianos page... PLENTY of killer piano sets there. Ivory is a favorite of mine. Steinway, Yamaha and Bosendorfer, all in one package (that will run standalone if you want).

But, unless you are a computer whiz, you are going to need to get someone to make it into a turnkey system for you, and that usually costs extra...