hi guys, I have to a adquire a new arranger soon and I have to choose in this week. Who can recommend me to buy? PSR-E403 or Roland E09?
Thanks!!

You will pay more for that Roland model...but on the surface the E-09 looks better on paper..One thing that stands out..Roland 64 polyphony and Yamaha 32..I have had too many problems with PSR models with only 32 voice polyphony...No hands on experience of the two models...but I would go with the E-09..

Got the E-09 recently from George Kaye. Plugged it in and played it for 5 minutes. I'll put another 1/2 hour or so on it and let you know. Already know I like it more than a Yamaha.

good luck!

R.

I had the PSR-403 for several weeks, and I must say I was quite pleased with it...especially the analog controls for the sounds.

The E-09 is a lot more money, and not worth it IMO.

Ian

2 to 1 ..so far

That shouldn't matter.

thank you for the replies. I only wanna know if there is a great difference between the quality instruments from the two arrangers. I like the E403 for the controls and the arpeggiator. Poly is not a problem for me

Krondor,

I was impressed with the quality of the PSR-E403, considering it's modest price.

I forgot about the arpeggiator...it's pretty cool...especially when combined with the other real time controls.

Ian

Oops! The board I got from George is a GW-7, not an E09. Good sounding board, though (never was good with numbers)!

R.

Big difference between a GW-7 and an E-09. I have not played the Yamaha in question, so I cannot speak to it. But, the E-09 is not worth $500 IMHO. I bought a new one on ebay. The keys are small and light. The sounds are very good and the rhythms are not bad. My complaint is mostly with the fact that sounds and rhythms are accessible numerically and only one item onscreen at a time. That means you must either have a list on hand or know the sound or rhythm - way too much trouble if playing at the same time. If you've ever played a more advanced arranger, you will not be satisfied with the E-09. If this is your first foray into the arranger market, you'll like the sounds and rhythms. My suggestion is to spend an extra $100 and get a used PSR 2000, 2100 or 3000. Look for a good deal on one of these and you'll be much happier and won't be looking to upgrade in three months. Good luck.

Cass had an E-09 and did not like it because it was too entry level...but both of these models are entry level..If polyphony doesn't matter ... go for what sounds best to you..

mmm guys, my last keyboard was a Casio CTK-650.
It was the last keyboard with ALL the instruments/rythms index printed on the cover made. XDDDD
Now I think the best choice is PSR E403 or Yamaha MM6

[This message has been edited by krondor (edited 07-30-2007).]

Krondor,

I'm looking at about the same things you are. I haven't played an E09 yet, but am not seeing the most postive comments lately. May be a great entry into Roland sounds, but the baggage (lack of USB, one user song memory, complex UI) to me outweighs that benefit. I'll still try one, just to see - who knows, one or two things just might click and put it back in the chase.

I've had a chance to mess around quite a lot with the Yamahas - E403, S500 and MM6, which impresses me most for sound and key quality. If that's on your list and you're sure it's up to what you want to do, there are two between $350-400 on eBay right now, ending tomorrow.

Good luck!


------------------
Kelly J