Hi all!
I have in mind to upgrade my PSR 740. I was looking up at the PA80. Would it be a better upgrade than the tyros. Also how good is the Vocal Harmonizer on the PA80 compared to the Tyros. Also Im a veteran Yamaha Man very much used to the styles of the Yamaha. Would the PA80 styles be better sounding or worse. Please help.

THANX

Get yourself a Yamaha PSR2000 and save some money for a great KB.

You're probably not going to like the PA80, if you are a Yamaha man. The fill-ins and intros are limited. The Vocal Harmonizer sounds o.k., but only has one mode, with no options to select different settings.
It does sound good, but you will need quite a long time to become comfortable with the operating system.
If you can afford it, get a Tyros. If money is tight, get a 2000 or 2100.
DonM

The PA80 will drive you nuts, considering how you just described yourself. I think the Korg is a superior synth, and handles smf playback better than the Yamaha, but geting around on it is a different story. The Mic input on the Yamaha has more gingerbread, and the harmonizer is more refined.
I just traded my PA80 for a Tyros, and I'm still uncomfortable with some areas, but overall...the styles are what I was after, so I'll try to adjust to the shortcomings.

For those of you snickering in the background ( you KNOW who you are ) this was not a move to attempt to make me happy. Just to make me some $$$$$$$. The Tyros is brand new and hot right now, and I can turn it around in a second. It's just a profit deal. I can play anything at work...this is just the KB du jour.

I sell all 3 of these keyboards being discussed at my store and I agree with all the above posts, the Tyros should be your first choice, followed by the PSR2100. I find the PA80 a more complicated keyboard to use and the vocal harmonizer just can't compare to the Yamaha's.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566

Am I the only one or does anyone else really really want Uncle Dave to fall in love with that Tyros

I know that it ain't going to happen this side of paradise but I would love Dave to find that special keyboard he could be passionate about!

Sunster I would go with the Ty or the 2000 but you will only know what is right for you if you go and play them all.

Best to all
Tony W

Tony,
It's not likely that the "L" word will creep into my vocabulary anytime soon, but I will admit - the sounds and feature of the TY will be most welcome in my studio. (NOT on stage)
Falling in love with inanimate objects is a waste of time. They change so fast and have no staying power. The closest I came was with the X1, because until then - no one had really, really realistic solo voices with sampled vibrato and great attacks built in. When I found out how poorly it handled polyphony, and how erratic the mic settings were ...... the love affair was over. It was a great ride for a while though !

I have to be honest - the Tyros is impressive in many ways, as is the kn7000 and the ........ (you get the idea)

If I HAD to really pick one to stay with at this point, I'd be inclined to get the kn7k because of the marvelous sound system. I prefer to carry an outboard harmonizer anyway, so that's not an issue.
Until someone makes the BEST harmonizer in the BEST sound set, with the BEST speakers, with the BEST patterns......my search continues, while I continue to pound the keys of whatever plastic hunk suites me this week.

I tell you right now.....even with the awkward chord fingerings, I prefer playing the Yamaha patterns and fills over the Korg's. I just miss a few things about the PA...but I'll get past that very quickly.

For now - it's the Tyros in the studio, and the 2100 on stage (with laptop and harmonizer)

Sigh...... when will it end?

Never, it will never end!

What speakers are you using with the Ty?

Not sure if this is even a consideration (for you) but I don't remember it being mentioned before...Because the Ty's keys bottom-out sooner, do you find you can play riffs faster (or maybe I should have said, easier)? I kinda thought that when I messed around with it at GC a while back. It seem to me that it was very easy to perform glissandos and such (almost like an accordion)(but not quite).



mike



[This message has been edited by msutliff (edited 09-08-2003).]

Sunster, if you're really a Yammy guy, then stick with the 2100 or the Tyros. The 2100 is a fantastic keyboard for the money. The Korg is equally great, but the styles are much more intricate and seem less universal. The Yamahas have a simpler rhythm IMHO and fit more songs easier. I had a Korg and loved it; I now have a 2000 and love it. Apples and pears here; but unless you're looking for a break or change from Yamaha, just move up.

Does anyone know which keyboards Dave, DNJ and Fran play??? It must be close to where they are confusing each other.

As of this week...Dnj [2k] Dave [Pa80 with a possible Tyros very soon] Fran [G1000/Psr2100} this information is tentative and can change without notice...

I officially traded my PA80 for the Tyros. It was too good a deal to pass up. No money changed hands, and i got into a new ride for a while. The Ty will sit in my studio because of it's "mute" status - played through the studio monitors only. (Event 2020's)
For live work...I had to resort to the 2100 for a while because of the speakers. I hate the chord fingering designation, but I'm being forced to adjust. Luckily, September is a little slow starting so I have time to make the changes I need to. By mid October..... I won't have time to open the case unless I'm at work.

Fran and I gave the Ty and the 21 a workout tonight and found the keys to be the same size. (UNDERsized, at that!) The downward throw on the Ty is very short...like the 9000 was, so it may seem easier for some to play faster licks. So far, it's not a factor for me. I wish they use the same keybed that the 9kpro has. That was sweet.

As a studio sound source .... I am very pleased with the Ty so far. It triggers my Roland JV1080 and 4 exp cards, so sounds are a plenty !

I'm still contemplating a swap for a pro or a kn7000..... I'm just not in love, you know what I mean????? I'm always thinking.

Dave,
it takes some time to fall in love with the Tyros, but later...it looks like it's going to be a lasting relationship...VERY dangerous for someone like you!!!
(I warned you!)

Sunster

I had a PSR740 and now PSR2000. For me there was more than enough new features and incredible sound improvement over 740.
In few words, I am extremely happy with my PSR2K!

Uncle Dave said, "I hate the chord fingering designation". What's up with that? When I play a suspended chord in any inversion on my Roland it plays the expected suspended chord. On my Yamaha PSR550 it says its a major chord and does not play the suspended chord unless it's in root position. I take it this happens on the PSR2100 as well?
Hey Yamaha, fix that hey.
Starkeeper

I admit to being a bit anal where chord fingerings are concerned. I play manual bass most of the time and I never learned to use fingered chords with my left hand. This is why the Roland/Korg method of EZ chording has been great for me. When I do kick on the arranger, I can trigger a maj chord with just one finger and a minor by adding the appropriate minor third interval. More complex chords require more fingers...I can deal with them as they arise.

The Yamaha has only ONE 1-finger option and that includes a weird, non theory based fingering to get minors and sevenths...and NO way to play dim or aug in that mode. UNusable, unless your music has only maj/min 7th chords.

The closest thing to comfort in the Tyros is the AI-fingered mode. This requires 2 notes at least, and when I forget to play the major third in a chord...it makes a hollow, NO designation open chord. Same thing if I play an octave. Weird sound.

If I use fingered mode...then I NEED to play at least 3 notes all the time, and that takes all my concentration away from where my head SHOULD be.
This is my quandry.
sigh....

Dave,
If you insist playing in this mode, the troubles with your concentration will go away little by little. And this will bring a lot of benefits to your overall sound and musicianship!
-- José.

I'm sure I could learn the new technique, but the more automated we become, the LESS musical we actually are. I can't get excited over pre-programed style patterns night after night. I just want a diversion now & then to fatten up the mix. Generic backings really get monotonous after a while.

I love orchestrating the piano, bass and drum fills in real time as I compliment my vocal arrangement. that's WHY I play. To accompany my singing. I refuse to get too chummy, accompanying an auto keyboard pattern.
No offense to your intent, but getting LESS automated is my real goal. I just want a good, solid speaker system and a versitile drummer......housed in a small, sturdy, playable package. The arranger is just fluff. I take it out for a spin on nice days, that's all I want it for.

We'll get there someday. If not....maybe it's time to get a real job. Being a slave to an arranger is not in my plans.