One of the girls in my band would like to buy an arranger to start playing, and her budget is $700.00 she only wants 61 keys [small keyboard so she can carry it] so the Casios are out.
We want to be able to mute instruments like if we have a bass or guitar player we just mute it that instrument on the keyboard

Like always, your input it's greatly appreciated.


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Cass, has a Roland E09 for $400..almost new..Check the SZ for sale items the last few days..

How is the E09 compares to the EXRs series?

Thanks for the heads up fran!

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The styles we are looking for are mostly ballads, all kinds of them,so if the E09 has them maybe we got a deal.

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If the EXR5s is the same or similar to the EXR5 that I remember when I was working for a Roland dealer a couple of years ago, and it was between that and a PSR-S500, I would without question go with the Yamaha. As far as easily muting tracks, if it works like the other previous models, then muting tracks would be super easy. I did that all the time on the fly with my PSR2000/3000/Tyros 1 and now Tyros 2.

As far as the EXR5. If somebody had one for free to give me across the street, I'd have to think about it before I walked that far. In other words, not a terrific keyboard. I am not saying for the right hobbyist that it wouldn't be a great little keyboard, but again, comparing with the Yamaha and what you want to do with it, no contest.

Scott
http://ScottLMusic.com

ViLo,
I don't believe you can mute tracks with the PSR-S500. It doesn't have a full 16-track sequencer, either. Not sure about muting tracks, but I know you can't import styles or create new styles on the E09.

If you can live with the spongy key feel (and slightly smaller keys), the PSR-1500 has a TON more functionality than the PSR-S500. Since the s700 is in the pipeline, sellers might be willing to make a deal on the PSR-1500. Even a used PSR-1100, PSR-2000, or PSR-2100 would be a better choice than the s500.

But don't take my word for it. Go to the Yamaha and Roland sites, download the manuals and see for yourself!

Ted S.

[This message has been edited by TedS (edited 06-25-2007).]

The PSRS-500 can't mute tracks. This is unfortunate, but true! The PSR1500 is the firs Yamaha that has this feature. All the Casio WK models can do this but have 76 keys. Too bad you can't spend about $1200.00 and buy the Roland E50. It is far superior to the EXR series.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, Ca.

Thanks Guys!!

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I agree with George. Move up to the E50 - the EXR5S is a toy in comparison. My vote would be the S500 over the EXR series.

zuki

Maybe you should listen to this.
http://www.ke-musik.dk/Upload/HtmlArticles/Article1284/index.htm

Then clonk:
Lyt til de indbyggede demoer (MP3)

I don't know if Roland ever resolved the sequencer issues but I always thought a keyboards *sound* was item one.

How about the GW-7?
Thanks



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Sorry to be joining the discussion late, I was out of town. Thanks Fran for mentioning my E09. As for comparison, see below. The EXR5s is more keyboard, but twice the price than the E09. Arrangements can be drums & bass, trio or combo. You can also have A/B which again strips down or adds to the arrangement. For $400 it is a nice keyboard. Mine is brand new, demoed for about an hour in my home then boxed back up and ready to ship. My ebay listing ends Sunday, so check it out if you are interested. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200123670149&rd=1&rd=1

EXR-5s: Interactive Arranger
Features
The EXR-5s boasts a powerful 64-voice sound engine filled with great sounds. Its 510 onboard Tones, based on high-quality waveforms, as well as its powerful built-in speaker system, create power and realism never before heard in this price range.
• 61-note touch-sensitive keyboard
• 4MB of built–in Flash memory
• USB port for MIDI communication and data exchange
• 164 Styles covering many musical genres
• 100 User Programs and 126 Music Assistant for instant settings
• Pitch bend/modulation lever
• 16-track sequencer
• GM/GM2/GS/XG song data playback
• AC adaptor included
More Info
Outstanding Sound Quality
The EXR-5s provides 510 high quality instrument sounds and 20 drum kits, which come from Roland professional sound library.

Roland’s Best Piano Sound
Great piano sound is a key feature of the EXR-5s, as it comes with an amazingly realistic stereo piano sound that responds to the most subtle nuance and delicate touch.

Wide Variety of Styles
The EXR-7s features 164 fresh music styles created by top international musicians for a truly live feel. An innovative Cover function allows the player to choose from five presets for instant, real-time Style re-orchestration. Imagine creating new arrangements with one touch of a button!

USB Ready
With the built-in USB port, you can quickly exchange Song and Style data between the EXR’s internal Flash Memory and your PC. It’s easy. Just connect, drag, and drop! The USB-MIDI functionality also gives you the possibility to interface with various computer software programs.

Flash Memory
The EXR-5s is well stocked with Flash memory, which can hold up to 4MB worth of your own songs and styles (2.5MB is filled preloaded with bonus styles and songs). Add new Songs and Styles to keep your EXR-s up to date with your musical tastes.

E-09: Interactive Arranger
Price-Defying Performance
Features
Its price might say “low end,” but the E-09’s sounds and styles are nothing but first class. Building on the success of Roland’s popular E-series arranger keyboards, the E-09 ushers in a brand-new look, feel, and sound for the family. With its new high-quality sound engine, pro-style appearance, and powerful specifications — including a newly designed library of sounds and interactive styles — the E-09 raises the quality standard for entry-level arrangers.
• New high-quality sound engine; GM2 compliant
• Newly designed Musical Styles, including Western, Middle East, and Asian
• 64-voice polyphony
• 800-plus tones, 70 drum kits
• 47 Multi-FX plus reverb and chorus
• 16-Track recorder with Easy Mode
• Friendly Music Assistants, One-Touch settings
• High-performance speaker system onboard

I have a chance to get the GW-7 for $400.00

But looking @ the Yamaha PSR S700, for $999.99, We are seriously thinking about it...just save some more money, maybe G.Kaye can give me a good deal
96 notes polyphony? is this true?
193 styles?
* Mega Voice Technology for the most realistic sounds and styles
* 10 MegaVoices, 11 Sweet!, 18 Cool!, and 14 Live! Special Voices
* 317 Voices + 16 Drum + 480 XG + 265 GM2 + 235 GS
* USB To Device: connect storage devices like FDD and hard drives
* Lan Port Internet Direct Connect (IDC) for on-line, on demand music
* Modeled Organ Flutes feature 9 Virtual Drawbars
* Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels for more expressive playing
* Interactive help In 6 languages

The PSR-S700 looks and sounds great, thanks to Yamaha's MegaVoice Technology, 96-note polyphony, organ voices that use Modeling Technology, USB jack for connecting peripheral devices and an LAN Port for connecting directly to the Internet.
# Keyboard: 61 full-size with T Response
# Display: Large 320x240 backlit LCD
# Voices & Comp.: 813 GM2/XG/GS Compatible
# Dual/Split: Yes-L1, R1, R2
# Polyphony: 96 notes
# One Touch/Reg.: 4 per style/8 pads x unlimited
# Music database
# Y.E.S./Lessons
# Styles: 193 Pro + 12 Session + User
# Style Sections: 3 Intro/Endings + A-D + Fill x 4
# Sequencer: 16-track/SmartMedia/30,000 notes
# Broadband: LAN Port
# MIDI: In/Out + USB Slave
# Storage Device: USB Device, 560KB Flash
# Effects: 34 Rev/29 Chor/191 + 106 x 3 DSP
# Harmony: 17 types
# Multi Pads: 4 x 80 Banks + User
# In/Out Jacks: HP, FS x 2, L/R Out+Fixed, AUX in
# Speakers: 12x2 cm/5x2 cm
# Amplifier: 12W + 12W

Te me, the specs sound pretty good..But we'll see..

Thanks for all the help and info. Guys!

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