It is refreshing to see that we have had some good and diverse opinions on this topic.

Just to be sure, I don’t mean to say that one keyboard may not have features and ways of doing things that may be better and easier than other keyboards.
For example, the Tyros 2 may have SA voices and rootless chord voicing recognition. The Genesys may have a 32 track sequencer and styles with 4 intros, 4 endings 4 fills and 4 variations, the G-70 may have 76 keys, the Wersi may be able to use VSTs and so on.
However, the value of those features on each manufacturer’s keyboard is only valuable to those who need those features. Rootless chord recognition and the ability to play high quality VSTs sounds may be of value and necessary to some but may not mean anything to others and the same thing can be said for a harmonizer, 32 track sequencer, a style creator, 76 keys, CD burner and lots of other features.

Arrangers have come a long way over the pass 10 years. Each manufacturer is trying to out do each other with new and innovative features. Those innovative features may not be wanted by all.

This is why I don’t think there is a universal “best” keyboard from any one manufacturer. It is the individual keyboard player that makes a keyboard the best for his or her self.

Excactly......
"What good is a Full Tool Box.......
If you dont know how to build a house"

My Hohner Clavinet D6 is best for me because I always wanted to be a guitar player.
BEBOP

Hmmmmm! Sounds like having lead in your pencil, but not remembering how to write!

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

From a newbies perspective I am about to buy my first keyboard. I'm exited, passionate and hesitant that I get the most suitable product for my money for me. Reading who thinks what is best and their experiences is great! I check out the posters profile see if they have a web site, listen to any of there music look at other posts by the same user to try and work out their credibility. Similar keyboards are "recommended" and armed with all of this new info I feel a lot more educated before I head out to the retail shops, I have auditioned my list of keyboards and have now narrowed it down to 2. The learning curve is great fun and the forums are part of it.

Just one more thing this web site plays havoc with my PC I go on plenty of other surf, windsurf and yahoo forums and no problems but every time I have used this forum, my web browzer Firefox has frozen up ! everytime !
anyone else have this issue?

Mozilla FireFox has been given a few people here many bad problems also ... I deleted it long ago & stick with MS Explorer!

Easy way is the best, but you must have opportunity for future. Simply changing thinks in future. I like keyboards from past that are also good now with sounds. But for all of us it must be future well known.

Good topic.

What colors many peoples' opinions here depends on their experience as keyboard players.........

Have you ever played in a REAL band?
Have you ever played in a GOOD live band?
Were you the best player in a good live band?

Different (honest) answers to these questions can color your opinion of an arranger.

If you've never played in a full band, you're probably trying to sound like a CD.
If you've played in a live band, that's probably the dynamic you are looking for.
If you weren't the best player in the band, you are probably looking for an arranger that takes care of nearly all the parts for you, and provides inspiring accompaniment.
If you were the best player in the band, you are looking for more supportive, sideman accompaniment, not overwhelming your contribution.

Different needs take different arrangers. None are 'best', just some are 'best' at a particular task.

Far to many Tyros2 owners claim their 'board rules because when they sit down and play it, no matter what skill level they are at, it sounds fantastic. Never mind the fact that the machine is doing nearly all the work - you could virtually get a gig just playing chords and singing, you don't need a right hand at all! You sound just like a CD......... brilliant!

However, for many of you with greater skills, the Tyros' ability to overwhelm you is an obstacle, not a benefit. You want to sound like YOU, not a Tyros.......... You want to sound like a band, NOT a CD..........

But for each type, THEIR choice is the best keyboard. The hard part comes in acknowledging the other's point of view and needs........... Perhaps if we were more honest in posting our skill levels and experience, these pissing contest here would fade to a distasteful memory, and we could get on with the task of helping each other become better MUSICIANS, not keyboard salesmen.

Diki puts
However, for many of you with greater skills, the Tyros' ability to overwhelm you is an obstacle, not a benefit. You want to sound like YOU, not a Tyros.......... You want to sound like a band, NOT a CD..........

Fair comments there, most arranger keyboards especially when using the latter variations can have far too much going off in the accompaniment department to make the styles unuseable, however as with all arrangers you can simply edit the styles or create your own registrations etc so the song you're playing contains as much fancy backing as you the user permits.
I've edited all of the sounds and styles that I use so I have customised my Tyros 2. I know what you mean by saying you want to sound like you and not a Tyros. 2 people who I listen to when I get the chance use the same Tyros 2 presets and other than their different playing abilities sound almost identicle, it gets boring after a while just listening to them.
Each individual should always customise their instrument and develop their own style of playing. What is the point of being a carbon copy of someone else? I loved Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre when I was young but there is no way I ever wanted to play like either of them, even though I can play all of their songs. I'm perfectly happy with the way I play and always will be. As long as you all continue to enjoy making music it doesn't matter how it's performed, how skilled you are, or what instrument you use. It's when you stop enjoying what you're doing when you should start to worry