I buy most anything that plays if I can get it into the bedroom of the motorhome.
HEY I'M TALKING ABOUT KEYBOARDS NOW
BEBOP

I think a few things made the 9000 PRO a failed experiment. One is the weight factor. At a little over 45 lbs. the PRO is not a piece of cake to lug around. And I think the Manufacturers are finally starting to realize that weight is a BIG consideration for Keyboardists and I think Arranger Keyboardists in particular because Arranger keyboardists, being OMB/s in most case scenarios, pack and transport their Arranger keyboards to Gigs multitudes of times a week in many instances. OTOH, regular Synth Workstations and Organ/Combos, etc. are often times setup over long periods in a single spot, not being moved around at all. Instances where that might happen is Churches, Business establishments where a long standing Gig is contracted and the Keyboard or Portable Organ/Combo is simply left there until the contract has expired. Or many times Roadies do the dirty work and the Keyboardist is absolved from lugging his own equipment around.

One fine example of a 76 Key 'Workstation' being fairly light is the new Roland Fantom X7. At only 32 lbs. it would be considered "light" and much more easily transportable when compared to the 9000 PRO or most every other 76 Key Arranger or Workstation keyboard around.

Another reason the 9000 PRO was a failed experiment IMO was at the time the PRO was introduced in the year 2000 Arranger Keyboards still had that "Home Keyboard" image tacked on to it/them in the minds of most traditional Workstation/Synth Keyboardists and because of that preceived notion they simply passed on getting the PRO. As of Nov. 2004 I think the image of Arranger Keyboards (particularly the High End models) preceived as only 'Home Keyboards' is changing. And as word spreads more and more of not only the Professional quality status and Sounds in Arranger Keyboards but of their extreme beneficial functionality on a Professional level in a Gigging environment,etc., then more and more traditionalists will be willing IMO to plunk down their hard earned cash to buy one.

And another big reason I think the PRO was a failed experiment not only in the eyes of Yamaha but in the experience of PRO owners themselves in many instances, is the fact that the Chip[s] used to power the PRO are under powered. This has been acknowledged by Music Industry experts btw. I'm not just pulling that info out of my hat so to speak. They put sooooo many features on the 9000 PRO that the Chip has a rather tough time handling (powering) all of them sufficiently. Different problems have been reported on the PRO that have been linked directly to the Processor's inability to handle all of the instructions appropriately, accordingly, and sufficiently, i.e. with sufficient power and response time.

But todays Chips are much more powerful and efficient and speedier so the only way a 76 Key Arranger would not work in the eyes of Yamaha is that they simply don't want to build it. The technology is there, the resources are there, the market is there, the viability is there, but they seemed to be stuck in a "61 Key" rut if you asked me. But I am still holding out a glimmer of hope that the Tyros II will have the option of a 76 Key Model.

PS: Steve Deming reads these posts, so it can't hurt to voice our overwhelming support for a 76 Key Professional Arranger keyboard. I mean; it's not like we already have a 'currently produced' Yamaha high end 76 Key Arranger keyboard that's available for purchase or on the market. So raising our voices in support of one seems the logical and most effective way of possibly getting one produced.

Btw, I think Yamaha is making a mistake IMO if they don't produce a high end Professional 76 Key Arranger Workstation keyboard. I think they will lose a significant market to the likes of Roland with its new G70 Arranger and Korg of course with the PA1X PRO. I'm looking for Ketron to eventually offer a replacement model to the SD-1 in the near future also, and possibly GEM will get on the band wagon too. But GEM needs to lower their prices significantly IMO if they want to really compete with the Big 3 and Ketron.

I think the "KEY" is the weight issue. If Yamaha makes a 76 Key Tyros II and it weighs in at significantly less than the competition, then they should be able to gain a significant potential market share from Roland and Korg, etc. and they should do extremely well on the sales end of things. A win, win situation IMO. But Yamaha needs to keep the price within reason too. If they beat the competition in the "$$$$" arena also, then that will only add to its attractiveness.

Best regards,
Mike



[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 11-13-2004).]

Only if....

76 keys
Heavy Duty case
Playable Mega Voices

My criteria are similar to Scott's. My present keyboard has 76 keys, and when occasionally playing a 61-key instrument, I keep comeing to the realization of the fact that not having those 15 keys is a huge shortcoming (for me).

IMO, the SD1's form factor is optimal for an arranger keyboard - for the most part we are not synth players, who make extensive use of the modulation wheel or pitch bender, but those who do need it to play guitars, etc. should have no problem finding it above the keyboard. I also hope that Yamaha have realized from their experience with PSR3000 that it is OK to build a keyboard without a floppy drive, but with proper USB implementation & memory card storage.

I don't know what is the likelyhood of this happening, and perhaps our thoughts are totally ignored by Yamaha and are nothing more than wishful thinking.

In a way of wishful thinking: I use a lot of brass and wind sounds in my music, and for me one feature that would really benefit a new keyboard would be a breath controller input (the kind like DX7 had).

Of course, not being a full-time professional, I would not buy two high-end instruments. Therefore, to answer the original question of this thread, I would definitely buy a light-weight, 76 key Tyros2, but only if I have not bought a Roland by the time Tyros2 is available.

REgards,
Alex

I have a psr9000 and a 9000 pro. The 2 together is perfect board for me. I never play the pro, I don't like the semi weighted keys, cause I use a lot of guitar voices and want the speed. I can't see any keyboard not having 76 keys. We're probably talking less than 10 bucks for the material and labor at the factory. and probably 6 to 10 oz. in weight. taking maybe 8 inches more in length that could be arranged not to add hardly any to the case length.

The psr is a great sounding and easy playing machine, but sure needs more keyboard. The pro has the length but I have never been able to get the sound from it that comes thru my 2 keyboard amps as I get from the psr 9000.

Acouple of years ago I drove down to sacramento 400 miles round trip and tried a tyros. Not enough keys, owned a casio 20 years ago that had a better case, and the sound they had coming out even on the demo's was'nt enough for me to give up my psr9000. I'm not bashing the tyros, everyone seems to love it, and most has it at the top. I was'nt giving up close to 3 grand for half a dozen mega voices. I've been waiting for three years for yamaha to get their act together and make one for the lyzard, but I suspect it will be 61 keys with a better case and maybe 15 mega voices.
and Yamaha if you're listening I love what you've given me to use so far, BUT! have you heard the little rumble of the words G70.......


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Cheers....Pose

So many refer to the SD1 as a standard to reach. Maybe Ketron will bring out a new board soon?!!
I have yet to hear the Korg PA1, the GEM, the SD1 (although I've heard the module) or the Roland. I will no longer buy something I can't try out first, so it seems Yamaha has the inside track by virtue of their dealer network.
DonM

Don,

Living in a major metro area, I should be in a better predicament than you are, but alas, the one dealer that was carrying Ketron and Korg arrangers has closed, and to visit the GEM dealer (whose main claim to fame is sky-high prices), I have to take 3 hours of my day, which I have not been able to do so far.

Yamaha is indeed the leader in market penetration in large part because of their extensive dealer network (but also because their professional products are not too expensive).

I did have a chance to try the Korg, and found it quite underwhelming. The SD1 sounds great, but has the usual Ketron quirks, plus if you follow the Ketron Forum discussion, they seem to have trouble supporting their customers. GEM I have not heard, but the speakered one is too heavy, and the "PRO" only has 61 keys - unacceptable for the pro keyboard. All of them have low polyphony which concerns me. The new Roland gets a lot of things right, but still appears to be touch-screen based.

I think that Yamaha has a real opportunity here for Tyros II. As far as a longer keybed goes, I know that not everyone uses it, or says they have need for it. Nonetheless, I bet no one here would complain about having the 76 keys, if that did not make the instrument bigger and heavier.

Regards

Eric,

I think I would buy a Tyros II --> PRO <--
I'm not fussy.

A lighter 73 keys would be fine!

I'll consider the Tyros II if it has 76 keys. (no 76 keys not purchase!) The ability to use the Yamaha PLG boards would be real nice. Additionally, the Motif patches - especially the Vintage Keys and BKnees from KeyFax are outstanding. The organs of the Tyros really need improving and a selection of better vintage synths as opposed to all the "trance" stuff would be welcome for my particular line of music. It sure would be nice if they could be interchangable with the Tyros II. Fat chance probably.

I'd love to see a psr3000 pro.
61 keys, better keybeds, stronger speakers ... yeah - that's the ticket!