What's the deal with the price on the S-500? Why does the S-500 cost $700, and is $100 more than the MM-6. That just makes no sense.

-They both are arrangers
-They both have 32 note poly
-They both have the same 8 track sequencer
-They have the same screen
-They both have USB
-Both have the same keybed
-They both have styles

Now the MM6 outshines the S-500 in many areas.

-Motif based sounds (S-500 based on PSR's)
-MM6 has Mega Voices
-MM6 has real-time control
-MM6 has modulation wheel
-MM6 has wheels from MO 6/8
-MM6 has over 200 arps--good ones too
-MM6 also has standard midi jacks along with USB
-MM6 ships with Cubase LE software
-MM6 has controller jack
-MM6 has 1/4" stereo outs

So what gives??? Why in the world is the Yamaha S-500 $100 more?? Don't tell me it's because of those speakers because that would be utter bullcrap! The MM-6 has features that outweigh having internal speakers big time and it's $100 less...

Ask the marketing department.

My explanation is that there are more people who are likely to get a PSR S500 that the baby Mo.

I'd take the baby mo because of the reasons you mentioned above. Surely it has a greater potential. And can play styles via Jos Maas OneManBand.

George

I don't think that will be the case George. The MM-6 has caused quite a stir. It not only caught the interest of the synth owners, but is has also sparked the interest of arranger players too.

Just doesn't make sense for this model (clearly have less features) to sell for $100 more.

i have a question re the mega voices on the MM6 and the Motif XS

Tyros 1 only had about 10 mega voices.
Tyros 2 has much more example - mega nylon, mega sax, mega brass etc

does the MM6 and the XS have the new mega voices that the Tyros 2 has??? becuase i dont think the MOTIF ES or the MO has these new mega voices...

Hi Squeak
Have been checking prices here in the UK and the S500 is about £20 – £30 cheaper then the MM-6, (Pre-Order Price) also after reading the specs and information provided by Yamaha, I don’t think the pattern mode on the MM-6 is anywhere close to styles, and therefore I don’t think you will be able to use it like an arranger, (I may be wrong) so make sure you try it before buying.

Bill


[This message has been edited by abacus (edited 01-23-2007).]

Abacus,
The MM6 (is) an arranger. I got that confirmation from Yamaha quite a few days ago (maybe even a week ago).

Yamaha confirmed it is an arranger, and it's made in the arranger factory (or same factory as their portable keyboard line).

Yamaha isn't calling them styles on the MM-6. In synths they're called "patterns". These pattern on the MM-6 use the auto accomp feature. I also got confirmation that the MM6 does share some similarities with the S-500 in that they have the same sequencer and a few other things.

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 01-23-2007).]

Squeak,
I've played both. You are very excited about the MM6 but let me clear something. Many of the styles in the MM6 are bass and drum only. There are many with some other tracks as well, but you can't add or change any of these styles
On the PSRS500, all the styles are orchestrated tracks and you can load any other 1 style you wish into the internal memory. Also, although the MM6 can be used as an arranger, there are no intro's, no endings and many fewer functions available as in the PSRS500. I've not spent alot of time with the MM6, just at the NAMM show, but I was expecting more orchestrated tracks then I found during my quick trial run.


------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

Squeak,

There is absolutely no comparison between the two boards. Check the specs closer and you'll see there are significant differences. The S500 is a lot like the 3000 without a vocal processor.

Is there a GC in WVA near where you live? If so, give them a call and see if they have both in stock--it would be worth the trip just to test drive them first hand.

Cheers,

Gary

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

George Kaye already said all.
I would compare MM6 with Juno-D and X50 in its feature and price range. Also it has 8-track sequencer that makes it workstation. For the price $600 it makes an attractive when prices of competing workstation start from $1000. The 213 "Arps" are actually phrases and for me the 6000 phrases of MOTIF XS are more attractive for the composition purposes.

The MM6 is a new concept in terms of an arranger and I guess yamaha are not really sure how it will sell so it makes sense to have it a little cheaper than an entry level arranger that has a proven market.

The MM-6 really isn't a new concept for Yamaha at all. They've already done something like this and is sold "big time". The MM-6 is a essentially what the original DJX was with some improvements.

Just because some of the patterns are just drum and bass, doesn't make it any less of an arranger as the S-500. They're both arranger, but each has a different platform. It's good that some of the patterns are just drum and bass. This allows the player to utilize the arranger function, but also keeps the style simple enough so that the player can do more and not be locked in to a the style itself.

You have to have owned or spent a good deal of time with the original DJX to see my point. I owned the original DJX. That board was way ahead of any arranger for modern music, and even today it's styles would still give current arrangers a good run for their money. Yamaha shot themselves in the head (not in the foot), but the head when they released the DJXII. The things they did and and left off on that unit was not taken well by consumers.

knowing that some of the styles(patterns) are d+b only, actually makes me more keen to own one...i often find that with some of the "full" styles on the arrangers,they get so busy, i have to end up muting out a few parts..they really are 2 different boards for different markets imho, but i also reckon anyone with an arranger board would get great benefit from the mm6....and at THAT price....i for one can't wait for it to hit OZ..
dennis

Hi

Has anybody extracted a "pattern" from MM6 to a file ?
I will gladly analyse it to check if "paterns" are "styles".

Mail me at js@jososoft.dk

Regards
Jørgen

------------------
The Unofficial YAMAHA Keyboard Resource Site