Hi I am considering buying either a Tyros or a Pa 80.I particularly want an arranger keyboard that enables me to edit my arrangements with a list edit function.ie I want to be able to record my song live in the style and afterwards be able to correct chord entry mistakes (ie chords too late or the wrong one etc).I also want to be able to easily mute tracks in the recorded song and be able to add my own tracks to it.I would also like a style morphing function if possibe.I would also like to be able to change styles within a song if possible.Sorry to be asking so many questions.I recently bought a roland va7 but was dissapointed with its lack of editing functions.Also the variphrase didn't work properly so I am able to take it back to the shop and change to another product.At the moment my choice it between these 2.I have used a korg i5m in the past and really enjoyed using it so am tending towards the PA 80.HOwever the posts about the tyros indicate that this might be a better choise.Thanks Rod

I don't know about the Tyros; others will have to answer, but the PA80 is a very deep machine - and some of it is still proprietary from Korg.

That said, on the IA forum, we are gradually peeling away the difficulties, from PRM to KAT2000 (I just recently wrote a paper to the download section that solved a major issue in Kat's "collected" files for editing in an external sequencer like SONAR).

The USB connection helps a lot also (the Hard Drive upgrade is a no-brainer).

In my opinion, the sounds and styles are gorgeous, with a lot - I mean a LOT - of excellent free styles available from both the Yahoo group and the IA forums.

En fin, I think it is one hell of a bang-for-the-buck, especially with all the help available on the forums.....

Chuck

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www.flamencochuck.com

Rod,
I have not used the record function that much on my Tyros and I did not use it on my PA 80 either as I choose to record externally instead, but.....both have editing capabilities, step recording etc. There is a limit on both machines as to how much in depth editing can be done. You should d/l the manuals for both and read through the record editing functions to make sure they do or do not have what it is you want to be able to do.

Both have style morphing capabilites. I find the Tyros one to be better and more straight forward then the PA was. There are more styles available for free on the net for the Tyros. The Tyros, I believe has a better more user friendly interface for my tastes than the PA has.

Both are very good boards with pros and cons to both. The PA has harder edge sounds to it by a little, the Tyros a bit mellower. The Tyros has a much better fill function that flows better into the styles than the PA has. It also has 4, PA only 2. The PA has the very cool feature of allowing you to overwrite the factory styles and create your own board of styles, the Tyros you can't and have to put them on the hard drive instead.

The Tyros has USB and software to arrange styles and tweek voices (although some feel it's too slow, I don't) Tyros flip up screen in color is very cool. The speaker setup is marginal, if you're going to use an onboard speaker set up.

Of course the best test is for you to go and play them both, because we primarily buy them for the sounds and styles. Buy the one that inspires you the most.

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jam on,
Terry
http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

Hello Rob in Australia !

How's the weather ?
We're expecting more snow tonight here in Baltimore .

I would recommend using a computer and software for sequencing . A $60.00 version of Cubasis software will do more than any sequencer you'll find on an arranger keyboard .

Your statements about morphing I found interesting .

How about having a keyboard that would allow you to substitute a sequenced drum track, with one of the drum tracks of a style ?
This would allow you to have a reggae beat with "yesterday" or a cha cha beat with an elvis song . DRUM REMIX = Ketron XD9

You can edit sequences all in real time as it plays directly from the hard disk (optional) or floppy disk . Save your edits instantly on the hard drive .

You can also removed all parts except for drums and bass with one button . You can also remove the bass part of a sequence all in real time .

See if you can find the Ketron XD9 and compare . If not , I would definately recommend the TYRO's over the PA80 .

Dano in Charm City USA


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Piano Man's Music City
624 Frederick Rd .
Catonsville Md. 21228
410 747 0200
danosmusic@yahoo.com

I would see which one you like the best.

I can say the Pa80 can record a song usinging the styles, it is called backing sequence record. It can also quantize what you play so the chords hit at the right time. It also has a step record for this mode of recording as well.

You can also change the styles while recording.

It does not style morph. That is using morphing in the changing from one thing to another right before your ears.

The Pa does allow you to copy and paste from different styles, so you can manually create a new style from elements of other ones.

Aside from that everyone else has given the best advice, get the one that most inspires you.

I agree. Best for you to try them yourself if possible. Both are quality boards. Depending on what you have played in the past and which Operating systems you may or may not be familiar with, all things being equal most users will probably find the Yamaha O/S a bit easier to learn and understand. That said, a lot of it depends on you and your goals with an arranger and which one has the styles and sounds you prefer.

When you say editing, if you are including sounds, the PA80 will give you the most editing power of any arranger. If you are leaning toward dance / electronica, the PA80 will likely have the edge. Style morphing is a breeze in it too. The sounds inside both boards are excellent. The Tyros has some beautiful acoustic sounds, and the PA80 is not far behind ( if behind at all ). The PA80 lacks a bit in piano sounds vs the Tyros, but using performances ( layering individual sounds ) and the detailed patch editing taht is available on it.. a pretty good piano is obtainable. The styles.. all a mater of preference. Tyros styles sound more alive to me than any of the previous Yamaha arrangers I've worked with. The PA80 has very realistic sounding styles. Again a matter of preference.

I agree also with the thought of using an external sequencer. For about 30 bucks, Cakewalk Express will give you a lot more to work with than any internal sequencer can. It also does a good job with audio as well. N track studio does a great job with audio and from my understanding the midi sequencer is much improved in the latest versions.

AJ

The Tyros is a good board, although weak when it comes to editing on board. The genesys from Generalmusic has a killer sequencer on board and you would not need a computer to clean up your sequence. For those that are use to using a computer, yes, there isn't a sequencer on board that will compete with a computer sequencer, but for those that have trouble jumping from left to right brain activities, a good on board sequencer is the way to go.

Thanks PaulD,Bluezplayer,bitdump3,Dan01,trtjazz and Buleriachk for your replies.I greatly appreciate them and this forum.I am going over to Canberra to the store in a weeks time to try out the 2 machines but I am much more informed now.I am not going to be so dazzled by just the sounds and the salespitch this time.I'll let you know what I come back with although it's clear that either way I can't go wrong.I found that with the VA7 it was awkard using buttons and touchscreen at the same time with the right hand while changing chords with the L hand and I always made mistakes-and always had to redo recordings from scratch because there was no event editor to fix things up easily.I am tending towards the pa80 because it has mostly button control,and seems to cater to dance styles a bit better and seems to have sl more editing capabilities.I only hope I don't then always regret not having the awesome tryos sounds.It may be the case of filling the need rather than the want.Thanks again Rod

I played the korg once and didn't like it at all...
I never played tyros but I'd choose between the tyros and the XD9 (I recommed you this last one).

The Tyros sounds are awesome but I don't think you'll lose a lot in that department at all by going with the PA80 if that's what you decide to do. I'll put it another way. The Tyros is going to be my next arranger purchase unless something else appears on the horizon that I like better ( very unlikely ), but I wouldn't give up my PA80 if that's what it took for me to get one. There are a few sounds I've been able to make with it ( via layering with performance mode and editing of the individual patches ) that I haven;t been able to replicate in my Motif, my soft synths, or my samplers. I am not willing to part with it for that reason alone.

If I had the Tyros, I'd likely say the same thing if I was looking to get a PA80. I wouldn't want to give it up to get the PA80. Either board is an excellent choice. Happy Hunting and enjoy.

AJ