A friend of mine at Generalmusic emailed me with a good overview of the Genesys Operating system. I would like you to all read this a learn more about the Genesys. No other keyboard today uses it's internal memory in such a way.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
"The Genesys is unlike any other keyboard because it has no ROM. There is nothing within the instrument, no sound, style or system function, which cannot be replaced. Consequently, our idea of an "O.S Disk" is quite different from the competition because the disk will also contain the resources - sounds, styles, demos songs etc which would normally be found in the ROM of most other instruments. This is not to say that the actual O.S cannot be replaced without changing the resources but all O.S releases from Generalmusic also contain the latest version of these resources in case the user wishes to update these to the newest level. This allows us to improve and refine the actual sounds and styles over time because they are not locked into ROM (where any such problems on other products, if found, could only be rectified with expensive chip replacements). This system also allows the same Genesys to be customized for different markets by simply loading a different CD before it leaves the factory.

So keeping this in mind, the current Genesys "O.S and resources" CD is around 110 Megabytes total size. The actual O.S portion is only around 3 Mbytes in compressed form. The remainder is comprised of system resources, (sounds and styles) plus around 10 Mbytes of demo songs in WAV and MP3 format. To replace the instrument's O.S and resources, just slide the CD into the integral drive and switch the instrument on while turning the dial. Loading the entire CD takes around 4-5 minutes. If the process is interrupted for any reason, it can be re-started in exactly the same way because the basic start-up system is located in a small internal ROM-BIOS (like a computer)."

very Smart! that tells me that Gem is going to have the keyboard for a long time.

George,
Thanks for the info. That is a cool way to do it.

What is the MAPP price of the Genesys?
Terry

George,

That is truly updatable keyboard. I believe all keyboard manufacturers should follow the same concept. By the way, can the user update his own resources? For example, If I do not like Funk/disco styles, Can I remove them and place other styles instead? Or only the factory is allowed to update the resources through their factory "os and resources" CD?

I will try to get a response about loading in resources for you and as far as MAP price goes, Generalmusic does not publish a retail or map price on Genesys. I can only tell you that I sell the genesys for $3495.00.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

I've heard the Genesys and it sounds wonderful and is filled with great features. But for the price you would think it would have at least 128 note polyphony. Some people might not mind 64 note polyphony but from my experience with a 64 note arranger dropouts are a common occurrence on complex compositions if your not careful, at least on my arranger. Maybe General Music routes their polyphony in such a way that it might not be such a problem on the Genesys.

I believe all of these polyphony problems on Arrangers will be solved in the not to distant future especially with the vast increase in the Arranger market worldwide and Manufacturers wanting to capitalize on it and satisfy the end user with a "fully" usable product.

Regards,

Mike

Mike
64 note can be a real problem on all arrangers....lush strings fat piano and push the sustain pedal and it can be a problem.
Terry

Thanks George for the info on the Geneys.
It Sounds like GEM might have there heads on straighter
then Yamaha, or any of the other manufactures as far as
the OS, & the upgrade system, being sounds & every thing
can be upgraded with the CD.
The idea of having the startup separate looks like the best
I have heard about. At least if some thing would interrupted
the upgrade you wouldn't have to send it back to the
factory. Very Good GEM.

George how would you rate the voices & styles & user friendliness
of the Genesys vs the 9000 PRO ?
Denny
PS: How about the 64 note polyphony is there
much problem with note drop out?
Is it any worse then the 9000 PRO ?
I don't have much trouble with drop out in
the PRO.

[This message has been edited by dlstarry (edited 10-19-2002).]

Comparing the Genesys to a Yamaha 9000 pro doesn't bare thinking about. The Genesys is in a totally different league!
The styles and sounds are superb and it is very easy to use. Genesys is far better than Tyros and KN7000, go and listen to one immediatley. As for dropouts, I've not had on yet and my sustain pedal gets used constantly on large pads using more than one sound layered.

QUOTE]Originally posted by dlstarry:
Thanks George for the info on the Geneys.
It Sounds like GEM might have there heads on straighter
then Yamaha, or any of the other manufactures as far as
the OS, & the upgrade system, being sounds & every thing
can be upgraded with the CD.
The idea of having the startup separate looks like the best
I have heard about. At least if some thing would interrupted
the upgrade you wouldn't have to send it back to the
factory. Very Good GEM.

George how would you rate the voices & styles & user friendliness
of the Genesys vs the 9000 PRO ?
Denny
PS: How about the 64 note polyphony is there
much problem with note drop out?
Is it any worse then the 9000 PRO ?
I don't have much trouble with drop out in
the PRO.
[This message has been edited by dlstarry (edited 10-19-2002).][/QUOTE]



[This message has been edited by eyrec (edited 10-19-2002).]

The styles and sounds and ease of use is supurb on the Genesys, but I would not say that the Yamaha or Technics is not great for some. It all depends on what you want to do and how you want to do it. You all know from my reports that the Yamaha has no sampler and the Tyros does and that the Genesys even has a vocal remover to remove vocals from a CD tune and then record your voice or instrument with the song, but.......some will like the mega vocies better in Yamaha, or the styles better in one or the other. It just really depends on your taste. Some customers walk in and say they love the Genesys sounds but don't like the looks, or they love the Yamaha's looks and sounds but maybe not the styles as much (9000 series, not Tyros), but here again, it's a matter of taste and to some extent, many keyboard players have great loyalty to their brands. I sound like a broken record here, but I have the Genesys and I love it and I've played the Tyros and I love it. It's just two different wonderful keyboards and two great choices for you.
George Kaye
Kaye's music Scene
Reseda, California

Thank You everybody
Denny

For your information I think George know about this, In the Genesys MOTHER board there is room for GENERALMUSIC NEWEST CHIP Called DRAKE and once this is installed you'll have I beleive 320 NOTE POLYPHONY... Now How Is that for your taste????? they already have it on Pro Mega 3. here is a link for you to check. http://www.generalmusic.com/eng/news/news_yes2002_wakeman.htm






[This message has been edited by ziggy (edited 10-19-2002).]

I'm sure many of you out there already know the Tyros does NOT include a sampler, and that the above statement was just an 'accidental' typo oversight by George Kaye, but I still thought it worth 'pointing out' to avoid any possible confusion. - Scott

Thank you Scott. I meant to say Genesys has a sampler. As to the Drake chip. There is an open spot in the Genesys for a Drake chip but I'm not certain 320 notes of polyphony could be possible with one drake. The pro mega 3 has I believe 4 drake chips inside. Only time will tell!
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Hey 320 note polyphony WOW this is sounding
better all the time.
How much is the Drake Chip ?
Denny

The Genesys without speakers that is coming
out soon, is it going to be 76 keys or 61 keys ?

Another question, does the Genesys have any
program or style converter to change Yamaha
.sty files to work in the Genesys ?

OH another question how does the vocal genius
compare to the 9000 PRO vocal harmonizer ?

Thank You
Denny



[This message has been edited by dlstarry (edited 10-19-2002).]

How Much Does This Bad Boy Weigh?

59.6 lbs (27 kgs). With a case, it could easily increase the weight to 75+ lbs.

Have to admit it is a bit heavy compared to other keyboards, but you have to keep in mind that is has a SUBWOOFER inside so you can imagine where the wieght is coming from.But I have just recieved the soft case by General music and man these people think for everything, it has 2 Handles on the side so it is much easier to lift and handle. The sound of the speakers is very very good and they serve a good monotor while editing.

Ouch! i would need two servants to lift that thing. I' stick with my 2000 for now. Bob

Yes Bob it is heavy, no arguments about that, but I heard they are launching a new version without speakers so it would be lighter for sure, but you have to keep in mind that the casing is made out of Sheet metal so that add to the wieght, but I have had Plastic casing Keyboards and after a couple of years they start to disintegrate, so I guess in my opinion always I prefer a bit of wieght and know that it will last longer...

Imagine, if it had a touch screen, like the trinity? Wow!!!

Being an ex Trinity owner and VA76, touch screens are gimmicks and to be honest, are sometimes far slower to operate rather than the good old fashioned way of button bashing.
Manufacturers should concentrate on ease of use, quality styles and sounds, good build quality etc and forget about gimmicks.