I would be interested if any of you would recommend using the T2 in a worship band setting, or for that matter in a church setting. I am asking because I love the voices and the HD option, but we wouldn't use the arranger section much because of it being used with a live band. Is it worth buying for a church? Is there another keyboard you would recommend for church music ministry? Would a Motif be more suitable or is that too deep?
Tim

http://www.rolandus.com/products/details.asp?catid=11&subcatid=46&prodid=V%2DCombo


Great keyboard!
no need to pay for an aranger you'll never use with a band as you mentioned!



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 01-14-2006).]

Hey Tim, Donny has a point..The VR760 may be perfect for church needs...All you have to do , is pretty much play it..The best organ module and the pianos are great too, and you still have a selection of top quality synth sounds..Check it out..I have noticed some dealers have dropped the selling price[maybe Roland reduced the dealer cost]..

The chief advantage of going the arranger route, is for its ability to fill in for: missing (sick) band member(s), solo songs, and/or smaller venue or solo situations. The arranger keyboard offers flexibility. another thing to consider is that Yamaha offers arranger STYLES specifically geared for worship music:

Worship Med
Worship Slow

Scott

Worship arrangements are often rubato, making a pre determined style, not the best way to go...I think the advantage goes to a basic type keyboard...I know we can turn off the arranger...but a VR760 for less than $1,800 sounds better than the cost of the Tyros ...and it will sound better with the type of sounds usually used in a service...

Perhaps (or not), depending on the domination & type of worship music we're talking about here. Southern gospel, evangelical rock, protestant hymns, and traditional catholic mass call upon different styles of music. - Scott

Hi Donny...I live In Nortwestern, Pa and Just Sold my Tyros2, Great Keyboard...I'm 57 a retired Church Sound tech and worked with My former Church Worship Band for 10 Years,Outside Music Ministries(Coffee House settings,etc... My Wife was a Church Pianist for 40 Years...Now in our New Church, It's large enough to Let the Younger People use their Musical Talents and energy!..We finally get to sit Together and enjoy what They do....
I see Your Church has the XV-88 Stage Piano and the XP-80 Synth Workstation For Sale...A Hammer action 88 key and a 76 key Semi-weighted Synth action...May I ask what is your Musicians looking for? Maybe that's You?...Are you using more than one Keyboard in Your Band?,or Only one to cover everthing? Is all Your Services All Contemporary Worship?...If You can Answer these questions, I will be glad to give you my opinions and Idea's...And Prices You Should Expect to Pay...You Should Buy at 30% off Retail price and Tax Exempt...Even in Pa. .......Sincerely, Harold 814 786 9038 or E-mail sherry1@zoominternet.net....God Bless!

If I may, I would like to offer my experience with Praise and Worship, as well as being organist/keyboard/music director of many churchs over the past twenty years.
Believe me, I am not a know it all, but have run accross many situations.

If you are playing praise and worship, and you always have drums,guitar, or even a good gospel piano player, you probably don't need an arranger. However, I have been with groups and turned on a simple 8 beat, for example, and they loved it. Like Scott said, it gives you flexibility. I have played at many churches that didn't want drums, but wanted my accompaniment instead. If you are playing service music, that is a different story. There are plenty of praise and worship, or Southern Gospel groups that plain get down.

The bottom line is, if you will always have full backup, then you are wasting your money. If you think you may hit other situations, the arranger is always there if you need it.

Thanks for letting me share.

Bernie

Harold, that is Tim , not Donny associated with the worship service..

Scott of course you are right..it does depend on the situation..

Also the VR760 has a built in drum pattern player, that will handle those simple beats...and still have great sounds plus the best organ..

Personally if I was the player, I would want to cover all the basses and go with an arranger[It would be a Roland G70]..but from what I have seen, an arranger in most cases would be a waste of features..

Fran and Scott, By the way Fran thanks for correcting me,I've got the flu Bug! I'm waiting for Tims return remarks still But I'll add lib some now...It's still hard to recommend not knowing if The XV-88 Stage Piano or The XP-80 Synth was the Main keyboard or both. I assume both were being used...And if the Worship Band Is Guitar oriented,(Electric and accoustic over electric) Piano Secondary or just the reverse?...and Most Important I hope STEREO Pa...
First arranger recommendation at this time...and if that is his only choice Keyboard.
Roland G-70 Only...76 keys(Must Have),Best Keyboard action of any Pro Arranger,Best Build Quality,Excellent OS system,Excellent Screen(touch is very easy and responsive) unlike Korg products,Best 4 layer Sampled Stereo Grand piano of any arranger,Best Organs of any Arranger,Can be expanded with one Expansion bd...Roland has the most complete line of Expansion bds of any manufacture and used in more pro Studios than any other Period!...Has a Vocal Harm. on par with the Korg Pro and better than the others.Styles are good to Excellent and easily edited.The New OS has Improved the keyboard ALOT!
Weakness:As George Kaye stated, Roland is not Supporting the Keyboard in regard to new styles in the US...Other countries it's better, etc.
Second after the G-70 would be the Korg PAx1 pro...76 Keys, very alive board, styles,Touch screen needs improvement.
Tyros2 I would not recommend as an only keyboard, SORRY!
First 61 Keys just does not cut it for serious piano playing...Southern Gospel musicians use every bit of real estate possible on a 88 board..and HARD...Their organ players..Hammond B-3s with Leslies, maybe a Hamond X-3.
Allthough the Tyros2 is built somewhat better than the Tyros the Pop up screen is Fragile somewhat for multiable users. The Super Articulation voices are Great but have to be Mastered for best results...Not every Player is going to acheive this.
Roland VR-760...Great Board, Expandable, etc, Great Organs, 76 Keys, Excellent...But Correct me Fran...Missing a Transpose button?, can you split the keyboard?(bass left Piano right?...Transpose is VERY Important in a band setting with amature Musicians, etc..

As we all know the Synth type actions will not be as Expressive as the Hammer action Boards for PIANO!...So if that is Important.
Roland RD-700SX Stage Piano...$1725.00
Roland FantomX8...$2200.00
Roland RD-300SX...$1100
Yamaha P-250 Stage Piano...$1700
Yamaha Motif ES Series has a HARD OS System and small screen..unless someone has one at home also..Great Bd though!

Heres a nice Combo for on top or seperate use with a Stage Piano which gives you both with the Cost being $2500-$3500!!! ALOT Lower if the Casio Previa 310X Stage piano was used!

Add a Yamaha PSR-3000 $1400 used $1000
Add a Korg PA-50 $1000
Or even a Great value Casio WK-3700 76 key

Don't forget the Casio Previa 310X or 110X Stage Piano's..($400-$600) rated very good!
My Sister in Law just Purchased the 310X to use in Music Ministry...(26LBS) Wow!..Nice Action...




[This message has been edited by Harold (edited 01-14-2006).]