Hello Everyone........Well I have performed with the T2 Five times since I got it this past week & all I can say is WOW!!!
I will admit I had to do some of my editing magic just to get it all setup for my style of playing but that was very easy & similar to me especially since I am a previous 9k/2k/21k/3k user. But the T2 is Soooo Much more sound wise then that for sure....the realism is astonishing, but believe me you MUST BE A PLAYER to really appreciate this wonderful instrument in regards to the SA sounds which really need to be played as they were created to do. Attack, Pressure, Amplitude all come into the limelight when playing this baby to get the most out of its sounds, without that you will not get the pleasures that the T2 offers sound wise...especially in the Guitars, Brass, Trumpets etc etc .....I will try to showcase these sounds & styles, vocals in a few weeks as soon as I get a bit of time & a HD to record them sought of like my own short 2min T2 Demos. Also I’m loving the key feel also a very nice improvement for sure better resistance they seem tighter too. The Lyric display is another really nice feature for those rare times when you get a mental block & need to read the words or get a request for a song you haven’t done in a while, I love being able to change the FONT size with the touch of a button smaller or bigger to fit text on one page !
Most of the OTS sounds are spot on and very well thought out.....although some had to be redone. or copied from other styles which is very easy & saved in user bank for use certain songs that I do.....I love the big square lit buttons , super sturdy, big & bright for working in the dim lit areas.
They Styles on the T2 are so much improved in that now I only have 5 CUSTOM styles in user from other KB's vs. about 20 that I used to use in the 3k......IMO Yamaha really took a good look at the styles & fine tuned them with great new Intros /Endings sometimes on all Three versions......& also I noticed that many styles now have a more Family orientated variation progression that stay in line especially the bass lines.......I pretty much now can do almost any genre with the "onboard styles" no problem which naturally sound better because they were specifically made for the KB........Its a pleasure to play Im already feeling at home like I had it for years......I know I'll have more thoughts to share once I get my new Sound system this week also......meanwhile I'm out of here to a double gig today....

so until next time my friends......

"Play Music Every Day".....

Ciao




[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-07-2006).]

Dnj - Glad you like the T2, for me it's a piece of cake to use and I've not had a Yamaha since the old V50 days. The T2 simply ooses class when played correctly and the SA sounds/styles are fantastic

WOW...you guys make me wish I had one!!!

I just read your post and was getting ready to head out the door to buy a tyros 2 when I looked down at one of the stands and realized I already have one
Indeed it is the best of all the keyboards currently in here and there are 11 at this time. I am super pleased with it. I say this after admitting that I could never get into the PSR9000 I have in here and it still sits unused.
I think the difference is that I quit using all the Technics keyboards with their opposing operating systems and concentrated only on the Tyros 2 and I find that although it is totally different I was soon able to work and live with it. I am now hooked and no longer using the 4 Technics keyboards.
Thanks for your post,
Bebop

Donny,

I feel the same way. Since so many people have purchased a T2 and shared their demo's. I have to agree that not everyone is using the T2 SA voices to there potential. They are really quite amazing if used properly. Heck! there really amazing even when used improperly. I continue to love this board more and more each and every day and feel very blessed to have been able to get one. You can honestly lose yourself in the wonderful sounds that it allows you to play. I loved my PSR 9000. However, this T2 really does make a quantum leap above it. Considering that I gave up playing professionally due to the horrible hours that it took (weekends & evenings) I still feel justified in spending the money to have (arguably)the best keyboard available for instrument simulation and aticulation. Sufice to say...I LOVE MY T2.
My 2 cents on the matter.

Dennis L. Almond
aka...TwoNuts

Thanks DNJ!good review.

[This message has been edited by jamman (edited 05-08-2006).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fran Carango:WOW...you guys make me wish I had one!!!

[B]

No way Fran,you are forbidden to get a T2.
Sorry but you'll be stuck with G1000 since it's your best KB of all time( past ,present and future).(or what was the word-this KB is not for me,t has snare drum picture under the key).You are not welcome to join the T2 club.

well,just kidding.



[This message has been edited by jamman (edited 05-08-2006).]

Yes i agree, Tyros 2 is amazing soundquallity wise as are their synthesizers.

But i really need 88 weighted keys, for my setup, and i don't wanna take more then 1 keyboard to a gig.

So please mister yamaha make us an 88 key weighted arranger, Tyros 2, with some perfect piano sounds added (aka S90ES) and the option to add some of the expansion boards. put some programmable sliders and knobs on it and the option to controll a daw(and so vst's) remotely.

So basically mix S90 ES and Tyros 2 in one keyboard and its mine to buy.

I doubt Yamaha (or any other arranger manufacterer) is going to release an 88 note portable arranger, but I predict that Yamaha's 'Clavinova' Digital Pianos (with 88 fully weighted piano action keys) of which includes complete Tyros auto accomp arranger featues and Tyros' sounds PLUS some even better acoustic piano voices, will in next years model, include "Super Articulation" Voices as well. - Scott

I think you are right scotty, but these are kinda hard to gig with....right?

I know Roland has a didgital stage piano variant of their KR series pianos, lets just hope Yamaha will see the light too

I can't ever see Yamaha doing an 88 note arranger keyboard, they still seem to think arrangers are for home users and didn't have the sense to release the T2 as 76 notes when loads of original T1 owners cried out for 76 keys. Please Yamaha have the decency to make the next Tyros or whatever it will be called come in a 76 option.
PS USB1 went out with Noah and his Ark

we have got to give yamaha, korg and Roland etc a break! you all seem to want 76 keys, some want in built speaker some dont. But you all want it under 40lbs!!! 76 -88 note keyboards wont sell mass market. 76 Keyboards almost invariably have to be piano action semi weighted because the purchasers are usually piano players who need the range as opposed to arranger keyboard players who most certainly do not need the range ! If you need 76 keys then look to Ketron or Roland but from what i see , Ketrons latest board is 61 keys and the New flagship Roland E80 (which i am keen to hear ) is also 61 keys. I think the manufacturers produce what the market most wants and the priority is not 76 or 88 keys. Its predominantly less weight . Until the technologyg produces lighter weight materials you will never get an arranger keyboard 76 keys under 40lbs !!! it just aint gonna happen folks!

Good point Spalding.

I went from the 9000Pro which has 76 keys to the T2 61 keys.
At first I was concerned, because I have gotten used to the 76 keys, but after rethinking my style of playing I'm quite happy with 61 keys.
I use the octave up and down button or program the octave for each voice seperatly in registration memory.
This works actually very well for me.
The wheight is currently more important to me then 76 keys.

Eric


[This message has been edited by Eric, B (edited 05-08-2006).]

Has anyone tried adding a midi controller to a T2? The M-Audio 88es is 88 key semi-weighted, weights only 17 lbs and cost <$200. They also have it with excellant basic keyboard sounds unit (88sx) that sells for <$400. More money can get you weighted keys in either (along with more weight).

I know multiple keyboards are not ideal. But for me, many times 60 keys will cut it (would always like 76), and only sometimes are 88 keys needed (like playing a broadway show).

I would love to see Yamaha come out with a Tyros module that could integrate (sit on top of) the keyboard controller of your choice (like MidJay). I don't know if Yamaha sees the arranger market as a good place for a module . However, I hope that their alliance with CME is a potential step in that direction. Note that CME is one of the few (only?) controller that lists aftertouch as a feature. I wonder if that is why Yamaha is partnering with them.

I am using my Tyros 2 with a Roland A-37 (76 keys) and am very satisfied with the results.
I would be even more satisfied if the A-37 had the keyfeel of the G-70, though.

You can always get a G70 to control your Tyros..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 05-08-2006).]

The Roland Fantom x 7 is less than 40lbs (32 LBS). The Korg TR 76 is 20LBS.
So the technology is here today to make a lightweight 76 keyboard arranger.
Unless styles weigh 10-15LBS?

I don’t think arranger manufacturers should be given a break with respect to 76 keys arrangers especially if they are not going to make arranger modules. They should be made aware and reminded that there are persons who want a 76 key arranger. Even some of the ones who have 61 key arrangers would prefer 76 keys. If you read a lot of the posts and have conversations with people, there are really no objections to having 76 keys on arrangers. In fact it is the opposite. Most persons want and would like to have 76 keys. There only concern is the size and weight.


I can not see why arranger manufacturers would not want to make a light-weight 76 key arranger. After all, it’s not like it would negatively affect their sales?

If you were to ask persons who have the Tyros 2 if they would still buy it if it had all the same features and sounds but had 76 keys, was 35LBS or less and was $200 more I am sure that all of them would still buy it. Also, they would get more sales of persons who need 76 keys on arrangers (like me).


When arranger manufacturers say that they don’t make money off of 76 key arrangers it is probably not because it is 76 keys but because of other factors.


For example, if Roland were to say that they are not making money from the G70 so they are not going to make any more 76 key arrangers that would be suspect. The G70 has other issues like availability of the keyboard to dealers, marketing strategies and the preset sounds.

But I think the real problem is the arranger manufacturers are not making and marketing the keyboards with everyday gigging musicians in mind. They are making arrangers for the home enthusiast in mind where weight is not a big issue. That is they buy the keyboard and it stays in one place for the most part.


I think arranger manufacturers ever so often need to be reminded and shown that there are persons who want a 76 key arranger. So we need to all voice our opinions and let them know what we want and that we are not just going to take any thing that they give us and let them dictate the way we play our arrangers.

You are kidding, right?

Only thing I'd do if I had a G70 would be to keep it in it's carrying case. I'd be too ashamed to sit it next to a superior T2 on a stand lmao - joke for all you serious G70 users by the way (well just the 2 who we all know and love on here)!

I am sure someone at Yamaha, on occassion, reviews forums such as this. However, to have a more direct voice, does anyone know of a good email address of someone at Yamaha who matters, to let them know we really do want 76-key arrangers?

I'm sure Steve Marsden visits SZ so let's hope he reads this and feeds it back to the big guys at Yamaha.

[This message has been edited by Craig_UK (edited 05-09-2006).]

theres no way that you are going to convince me that the manufacturers make arranger keyboards heavier just because they want to !Do you think the likes of Korg are not aware that their top of the range aranger keyboard (which i own) breaks peoles backs ? if they could have made it lighter with the same build quality, they would have. Both the fantom x 7 and the korg tr are synth keyboards with synth action keys.My brother has the triton extreme and although i have not checked myself he informs me that that the extreme and the tr casing are made from the same materials. Its cheap plastic and the casing on his is cracked and flaking just from leaning the keyboard on its side when packing away.it is currently being held together with masking tape..... Not great build quality by anyones standards.... Like i said if the market wanted 76 note synth action arranger keyboards then the manufacturers would make them. I've said this before the majority of arranger keyboards and in fact keyboards in general are not purchased by pro musicians. They are purchased by hobbyists and enthusiasts. There are simply not enough enthusiasts that want a 76 note arranger keyboard or it would happen.

[This message has been edited by Spalding1 (edited 05-09-2006).]

The Tyros 2 could have and should have been 76 keys under 35LBS.

It does not use the heavy materials like Korg Roland and Gem but it is probably the most popular and best arranger on the market.


The fact that the Korg TR 76 and the Roland Fantom x7 are synths with synth action does not make the possibility of having a lightweight 76 key arranger any less. In fact, it only supports the point that the technology and the know-how is their to make a 76 key arranger. The problem is that in each manufacturer company, there is a workstation division and an arranger division most of the time in different countries, and doing their own thing. They don’t seem to talk to each other and exchange notes.

I can not speak to the build quality of TR76 and the Fantom x7, but as the Tyros 2 and PSR 3000 have shown, people are not as concern with build quality as they are with other features on an arranger.

I am not really trying to argue with any one on this topic, but I just don’t think that manufacturers should get away with just putting anything on the market and think that everything is OK.

They must be made aware of the needs of gigging musicians and make the arrangers accordingly so we can buy and support their products. Especially when implementing some of the features that the gigging musicians need would not adversely affect overall sales.

Look at the sample play back and the audio recording features on the Tyros 2. Before the Tyros 2 came out, there was lots of discussion about whether an arranger should have sampling capabilities and audio recording. Some of us gigging musicians were advocating for such features (like what the Gem Genesys had) there were others who said that those features are not needed on arranger, it will drastically increase the price, and there is no market for it, get and external sampler and audio recording device and so on. Now look at the Tyros 2 the value of the sampling playback and the audio recording capabilities is being realized and appreciated. And from Yamaha’s perspective, those features did not decrease sales or drastically increase the price. Quite the opposite, the Tyros 2 is probably the hottest new keyboard on the market today.

Just my $0.2