Scott,
The 3000 has those 3 dedicated intro/ending buttons like the Tyros.
Also, the key feel is NOT the same as the 2x00 it even has a longer throw.

I'm not nominating the 3k as top dog....just setting the facts straight.
If I had to take one kb out to play in a LIVE band ..... I think the 9k pro is my answer to most questions.
Actually, the Korg PA1x is a close second. The key feel on the 61 key model is different than the pro model, and I prefer it. I also like the layout of the drawbar/sliders. I'd be real happy playing the PA1x in a band situation.

I personally don't gig with my Tyros. It seems far too delicate and the keyboard action and response is only just about ok for me. I still gig with either of 2 Studiologic semi weighted keyboards with a Ketron XD3.

However, It's not just about keyboard action for me because I know that if I only ever play the Tyros (or a 3000, 2000 etc) I would get used to it.

One of the things I am really really bad at is remembering words to the songs I play. Sure I can rememember all of the words to some of the songs and some of the words to all of the songs. I could of course practice more and perhaps I should but I really enjoy having a very big repertoire and for some reason I can always remember the melody and chord side of things but not the lyrics.

On the XD3 you can have individual registration files on disk that load instantaneously, and I save these as individual song titles. If you also save a text file with the same name (just a different extension) then the words also load automatically at the same time as the registration. This is absolutely invaluable to me with my lame memory

Although the Tyros shows Lyrics these are just for midi or karaoke files. I'm not interested in using Midi files but it may be possible to somehow create midi/karaoke files with lyrics but no music. However, I still havent the control of which words are on the screen at any one time and they don't load automatically.

I have gone into detail above really to show that the size/ weight and lyric display are perhaps the most important for live performance considerations for me. Good voices, Rythmns and styles, acceptable on board VH, navigation and control are all important as well but some are more so than others to each of us.

Like many have said before - whatever is best for each person's varies according to their individual requirements. Having said that, I'm not sure that everyone is sure what these are until they have bought the wrong thing a few times - lol

KFingers

Well, everyone thinks their keyboard is best for live use, and so do I! In fact, my Yamaha 9000 Pro is so invaluable for stage use that I own two of them, one of which stays pretty much on stage or in the car and the other in my practice studio. I've owned many instruments including Kurzweils, Korgs and Rolands but the Yamaha 9000 Pro is the most useful and versatile keyboard of them all. It has many of the arranger features of the Tyros such as the Music Finder database, vocal harmonizer, internal hard drive, great sounds etc. but then it's unique features are:

* 76-keys and one of the best-feeling keybeds of any arranger - an absolute must for me as a pianist. This single feature alone eliminates much of the competition for my use, and what competition that remains is overpriced and has less features.

* Expandable polyphony - accepts PLG-series voice cards including the new PLG150-AP triple strike acoustic piano. My current configuration has 208 notes of polyphony. No other arranger can claim this honor.

* LittlLite Plugs - better than light-up buttons IMHO because the entire surface of the keyboard and the music stand is fully illuminated. It even helps illuminate the performer.

* Low-impedence mic input... which should be required on all arrangers but isn't.

* Sampling - I use this only occasionally but better to have than not.

The 9000 Pro is the most practical keyboard I've ever owned because it can cover any gig situation I can throw at it. Since it's an arranger it can even allow me to improvise on stage - even my Motif ES 8 can't do that as effectively. And it looks great... I still get a lot of admirers who've never seen anything like it. I couldn't stand a smaller or less capable keyboard so until someone makes something much better then this'll be my primary stage instrument.

Oh, one other thing - since it's no longer made the prices of used 9000 Pro's have dropped to around the price of a PSR3000.

[This message has been edited by The Pro (edited 10-27-2004).]

I find it interesting that most of you choose your current keyboard as the best live board you've had. I have a 2k and it's easy to use and has a great sound, but it's not what I think is one of the best. I'm surprised at how many actually and truly love their Tyros (I haven't gotten but 5 minutes to try it out, so I have no real opinion of it). I can remember working at the Wurlitzer store in the mall. The boss and I would do dueling organs on the 4600's at the entrance. They had that chicka-boom drum machine, but they sounded great. We sure brought in the customers with those babies. Sorry, just rambling...

As you know, I like Ketron keyboards the best. It's part experience, familiarity and a prefernce for Ketron sounds.

Russ

The Best live keyboard for me is the Gem Genesys Pro.
It can cover every live situation from solo gigs to playing in a band. The hard drive and sampler gives me instant access to any sound I would need in a live setting. The onboard MP3, Wave and CD player makes my setup complete. I don’t have to carry any extra stuff other than a PA system.

The only thing that would have made it totally complete is if there were a 76 model or better yet a module.


[This message has been edited by to the genesys (edited 10-27-2004).]

Hi guys...
why don't will value for another real possibility?
The MEDIASTATION is available to order and not only for looking in the webpage.
here some news: http://www.lionstracs.com/~demos/video/berndesktop.WMV
http://www.lionstracs.com/~demos/video/berndsounds.WMV
http://www.lionstracs.com/~demos/video/berndstyle1.WMV
http://www.lionstracs.com/~demos/video/berndplayer1.WMV

Enjoy it and any comments are welcome
cheers
Domenik

Uh Oh, here we go...

It's pretty simple really: if there was a better keyboard for my performing needs than what I currently use, I would buy it. I think that goes for many of us. In fact, I own a Yamaha Motif ES 8 which is newer and in many ways more powerful than my 9000 Pro, but I still prefer my 9000 Pro for live use. I seriously considered nearly every keyboard and arranger on the market before buying my second 9000 Pro but nothing could beat it for my needs or for the price.

UD, true, but the PSR3000's key still feels rather spongy (=less responsive) than on the Tyros. Quick 'key response' is IMPORTANT for producing 'musical expression' especially when playing & articulating melodic phrases , especially on uptempo tunes. I'm not knocking the PSR3000 (great sound & features, especially considering its bargain price), and also acknowledge shared key feel gripes I have with BOTH the Tyros & PSR3000 (namely Yamaha arranger's smaller key 'size'), but for whatever reason, I've been able to adjust (adapt) to 'that', but NOT with the prior.

As far as the key throw (distance between the un-depressed key position & the key fully depressed), has anyone here actually made measurement comparisons? I'm curious to find out what the real measurable difference is in inches.

Scott