I stumbled onto some information about the old VA series (a VA-3 is on eBay at $260) and they seem to be pretty powerful arrangers. I listened to the style and instrument demos of the VA-3 at www.rolandkeyboardclub.com ,
very impressive, but I noticed the demos of the VA-7 were the same, so they're probably from the latter.

Anyway, for a beginner whose only choices new and < $500 are the entry-level PSRs and Casio WK series, would this work for a year or two?

While on the subject of Rolands, I've also run across a good price on an EXR-5s. It seems to have most of what I'm looking for, but notice a lot of derision from others concerning this series.

So far, here's what I've seen, either live or by on-line research, and my thoughts:

Yamaha PSR-e403 The first arranger I played around with.
SOUND: OK, some are really quite good, drums are 'small' sounding.
FEATURES: USB, upper harmony options. I like it's arppegiator and adjustable cutoff/resonance/attack/decay control, find these lacking on most arrangers at any price.
SEQUENCER: Weak, six tracks and no editing.
ARRANGER: Also weak, 2 variations, light on memory and the styles are very basic.

PSR-740 and 550 No hands-on with these.
SOUND: Online demo MP3's, most voices seem similar to the e403, drums included. Some Cool! sounds on the 550.
FEATURES: "Organ flutes" (740)
SEQUENCER: 16 track, punch-edit capable, but must have live floppy disk to record or play back.
ARRANGER: Sounds more convincing, 740 has 4 variations, 550 has 2, a little dated, though. The style creator/editor looks very interesting.

Roland EXR-5s No hands-on, surprized that I can't find a local dealer who has them here in Dallas!
SOUND: Online demo of the EXR-7s is very impressive. Beats Yamahas drums (pun pntended :=)
FEATURES: Upper KB harmony, USB, but NO DATA WHEEL!
SEQUENCER: 16 track, punch-edit, seems very straightforward.
ARRANGER: Sounds pretty good, choice of orchestration and 2 variations, more modern styles.

Roland VA-3
SOUND: See above.
FEATURES: Upper harmony based on split chords, D-Beam (what fun!) There's a lot on this machine.
SEQUENCER: 16 track with punch edit, loop, quantitize, insert, etc. Looks like it's quite powerful.
ARRANGER: Style 'morphing' creates a hybrid of two separate styles, but those are dated. 2 variations, variable orchestration. Not bad, given it's age.

CASIO WK-3800/3300 Brief live experience, but in a VERY noisy Guitar Center.
SOUND: The MP3's I've heard seem to sound better than it does live.
FEATURES: Plenty. 76 keys, USB, organ draw-bars and synth-type voice editing. DON'T like the keyboard, keys hit bottom hard
(and loud).
SEQUENCER: 6 track with step or realtime recording, no editing.
ARRANGER: 2 variations, doesn't seem much better than the e403.

If you've made it this far, as always your suggestions are welcome. I realize much of this has been covered before and that many of you play much better instruments than these, but my comments may be of use to other beginners or those looking to spend a modest amount on an arranger.
The replies I've received to my posts have been very helpful and appreciated.

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Kelly J

You know how I feel about the Yamaha e403 - cross it off your list.

I have a friend who has a PSR 550 and it is actually pretty good. Similar but a few less features than the PSR2000.

EXR5s - no experience, but I did play one when they first came out. The Roland sounds are great. Can't speak for arranger features.

The VA series was very powerful, but not well circulated. Whenever you buy the lowest model in a series, you miss out on some features that are true selling points of the more expensive models. Compare features to the VA-5 and see what you don't get, then decide. Especially check the soundset; if they match up,this could be a good choice.

Casio 3300-3800. Surprisingly good sounds and many features other brands charge more for. If you can get past the Casio moniker there's a lot of bang for the buck. To my ears the sounds are good, but different than other manufacturers. Many sounds seem to have lots of processing FX.

Cassp, thanks again. I appreciate your recommendation away from an entry-level keyboard such as the Yamaha. I'll take a second look at the Casio, but my first impression is that beyond additional sound manipulation, there wasn't much more to it in the way of arranger / seuqencer functions.

That VA-3 is still up for bid. Based on the users manuals for that and the VA-5/7 (number of keys and the 'Variphrase' vocal synth the biggest, if not only difference between those two):
8 vs 16MB voice ROM
Identical voice list
64 vs 128 built-in styles
32 vs 64 note polyphony
Additional MFX
Zip vs. 3.5" disk drive

I'll let you know if I bid and if I get it. If not, I'll keep researching and looking for the others.


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Kelly J

I have a WK 3700 that was used as a back-up for two weeks while my Tyros 2 was being repaired. I don'tknow what section ofthe country,but i'm asking $300.00 plus S&H. I purchased the keyboard from George Kaye, so if interested, email me. ( rcl1935@hotmail.com Bob L.

Search ended! (for now...)
I bought a Yamaha PSR-740 on eBay tonight, "buy it now" for $250. I'd seen one previously for sale and did a lot of research, generally liking what I found. I'm aware of it's limitations (largely due to it's age), but I think it will outperform anything new I can afford right now.

Even though I have no hands-on experience with one, I do like the 'better' PSR's I've played, namely the 1500 and 3000. I guess at it's time this was the 3000. BTW, the other 740 eventually sold for $716! I don't expect to make a profit, but think I'll be able to move it on to another when I'm ready to upgrade. Then, the search begins anew!

Thanks to all of you who'd provided some ideas and opinions. I'll post my thoughts after having some time with my new keyboard.



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Kelly J