What arranger(s) and non-arranger(s) do you think are (or have been) the best for live performance?

The two I've owned and liked are:
Korg iX300 - just didn't care for the thin sounds.
Roland VR760 - it's the best all-around keyboard I've owned. It's so simple to use, and the B3 sim is the best.

------------------
Cass Pawlowski - Motown
PSR2000, VR760, SC88
Cakewalk, PowerTracks, BIAB

Cass,

As you know, I'm a Yammie person, and though I've owned a few other brands, I've always been confortable with the Yammies for live performances. I really like the ease of navigation, great styles and love the voices. Right now, I believe the PSR-3000 and Tyros would be difficult to beat for live work, but I'm sure some of the other folks here will have different opinions and preferences.

Gary

The Yamaha Tyros (at least for now) is defintely the WINNING Live Performance keyboard (for me), but I guess most everyone here already knew I was going to say that.

Here's why:

1. Nice button size & layout, and lighted too boot. Intuitive navigation with a large EZ view color screen. Great effect especially on a dark stage.

2. Wide variety of impressive preset dynamic voices (sounds) & styles and most importantly, VERY USEABLE in a live GIG situation covering a wide variety of popular styles of music.

3. THREE (3) separate programable foot pedal controlers for convenient 'on the fly' arranger control, allowing you to focus hands on playing the kb, plus foot pedal support (MFC10) for a wide variety of midi functions as well.

4. Lightweight & Portable (27 lbs) assuring convenient & quick transport.

5. Cool visual onstage look with keyboard shape reminescent of the flying wing type jet: http://www.photovault.com/Link/Military/AirForce/show.asp?tg=MYFVolume12/MYFV12P12_19

6. Unique Music Finder database feature & song registration setup suitable for spontaneous (request) performance as well as scripted song setlist.

Scott

------------------
http://scottyee.com

The Tyros is deffinitely not good for Live playing for the simple reason that it is bulky and on top of that you need to shlep along that monitoring system (sub and 2 spkrs).

I, personally therefore, am seriously considering trading it for the 3000, as apparantly there aren't any major differences.

Chony

The best live keyboard to me is the Roland G1000[what did you think I was going to say}..After you guys play the Tyros and 3000 , six or seven years..see if the feeling is the same[if they last that long] ..by that time I will have the G1000 for more than a dozen years, and it will stil be a great "live keyboard"...I only hope I will..

Cass, the VR760 is definately one of the best playing keyboards I ever played...I probably will pick another one up someday..unless the G70 meets all my needs..

Chony, you got to be kidding, right? Have you compared it to the other 'top of the line' arranger models out there from: Korg, Roland, GEM, & Ketron? It'lighter and less bulky then the rest of the pack.

Chony, the keyboarad feel is one the primary reasons I decided to stay with the Tyros vs downgrading to a PSR3000 for it's slightly lighter weight & size & speakers. Other important differences (to me) is that that the Tyros has 3 vs 2 foot controller outputs, 3 RT live panel voices vs 2, dedicated 3 intro/3 ending buttons vs having to go into the screen, separate conveninetly located mic volume KNOB in addition to mic trim on the back of the kb. The 2000 only includes the mic trim on the back of the kb. Another thing I appreciate about the Tyros over the PSR3000 is that the physical arranger buttons themselves are larger, and more ruggedly built to withstand the rigors of gigging than the PSR3000. I can atest to the durability of the Tyos because I've had mine & played it daily for nearly 2 years without any problems. The ONLY thing I initially missed was having onboard speakers, but I got over missing that real quickly, especially considering the other MORE IMPORTANT performance benefits I get from it.

Chony, the PSR3000 is an excellent keyboard too, if you don't mind the spongy (less responsive imo) keyboard feel. When my Tyros was in the shop for the USB warranty upgrade a few weeks ago, I had to borrow a PSR2000 to play, which has the SAME keys as the PSR3000. I have to admit that it's SPONGY (less responsive) keyfeel limited my ability to produce as much 'musical expression' in my playing as I had grown acustomed to on the Tyros. In addition, others here reported that there is no difference in sound, when auditioning the Tyros & PSR3000 side by side, I definitely noticed a DIFFERENCE in the overall sound of these two keyboards. Scott Langholff had also auditioned the PSR3000 & Tyros together and observed the same thing. Perhaps it's just because we're both named Scott. Then again, the PSR3000 is considerably LESS expensive than the Tyros.

Scott

chony

My suggestion to you is the same as my last reply. I would try the 3000 before I got rid of the Tyros.

If one is going up from a PSR2000,2100, that's one thing. BUT, if you like your Tyros and are used to the extra nice feel of the keys, the rich tone and some of the other things ScottY has mentioned like the 3 layered right hand voices. You may regret getting rid of the Tyros before auditioning the 3000.

Once you are used to the button layout on the Tyros you will feel incredibly cramped on the 3000.

I was going to get a 3000 to play out with, leaving my Tyros at home. But they were soooo much different that I wouldn't consider it for myself. My wife who also plays, took about 60 seconds to size it up and walked away. I gave it a longer trial trying to use the mixer to match the sounds that I use on the Tyros and it never came close. I really, really wanted to like the 3000 , but it would prove unsafisfactory for me.

I bought the Technics KN2600 because it was hailed as the mini KN7000, using the same nx sound engine. Yeah, right. ha! BS! Not for me. Some may like it. But not me.


But, that's us. Maybe you'll like it. A lot of people do. But, it seems like about everyone that got one went up from an older, lower moder, not down from the Tyros.

One thing for sure is the tone is not identical between the 3000 and the Tyros. Great for what it is and what is was intended for, but no contest. Some have said the PSR2100 sounds just like the Tyros. I think they should have their hearing checked. Seriously.

If you try it out first you're playing it safe.

Scott

[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 10-26-2004).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Scott Langholff:
[B]chony

Some have said the PSR2100 sounds just like the Tyros. I think they should have their hearing checked. Seriously.


Wise Words.

The best LIVE keyboard is my old Roland XV-88!

And I almost forgot to say the best Arranger keyboard for live playing is my Ketron SD1!


Luis Santos

[This message has been edited by Luis.Santos (edited 10-27-2004).]

I really liked using the Roland XP-60, and the Yamaha EX-7. It was nice being able to set up numerous 16 part performances, and having 16 buttons on the panel to select the voices in each performance on the fly.

Squeak