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)!