The answer is for someone to start a custom keyboard modification shop that can install a 76-note keyboard in the Tyros/Tyros 2.

[This message has been edited by Esh (edited 09-22-2005).]

Yamaha CVP-series arrangers have graded hammer action keyboards. For that matter, so does a Tyros midi'd to a CME UF8 on a dual keyboard stand.

Hi Jim, right you are. I suppose I should've been more specific. I was referring to the portable & 'all inclusive in one unit' type arranger keyboards. btw: I see you decided to post under 'Esh' again, and not 'The Pro'. Any reason?

Nice to see you posting here again Jim.

Scott

Right now I am playing my Tyros as a midi slave, using as a master a Roland A-37 (76 notes, with waterfall keys). The difference in key fell is really remarkable (I like the Roland much more than the Tyros); plus, the velocity curves on the Roland allow me to play the Tyros with a lot more dinamics: I guess that not only the Tyros has narrower keys, but suffers also from the same problem as the old DX7, meaning that it's really difficult or even impossible to attain the highest velocities (like 125-127) from its own internal keyboard.

and I live within 5 miles of the store....

but the wife would shoot me if I cam back with one of these baby's under my arm!

Scott, I understand and appreciate your point completely.

BUT, you cannot play left hand bass very well on 61 keys. Many styles just don't fit some of the songs I do and I use UD's method of just turning on the Drum part and playing left hand bass. Can't do it with 61 keys my friend. So that's two types of music a 61 key keyboard cannot handle; solo accompanyment and left hand bass.

I simply do not understand Yamaha's rationale for avoiding 76 keys.

Such a fabulous keyboard in every other sense, but missing 76 keys. Don't they realize they are pushing players away from their keyboards to the Korg and Roland 76 key models?

Aaaaawwwwwwe what's the use!

I think kbrkr is right. I too would play left hand bass on my boards with 61 keys. It got too crowded. There wasn't enough room for both left hand and solo work. 76 keys really changes that.

Squeak

As long as we are saying things we've said before, one can have a lightweight extended keyboard with great action: e.g., the Nord Electro 73, which weighs 22lbs and the Nord Stage (88-key, hammer action) which weighs about 45 lbs. These synths use metal casing, not plastic. It is almost as though manufacturers intentionally make their high-end arrangers heavy to increase their perceived value. The smaller and lighter is better value that applies to laptops and cell phones has not really reached arranger keyboards.

Dreamer, as you know I have used the Roland A37 for a number of years and find it an all around good controller keyboard. This includes the ability to store in flash memory 128 instrument setups (program & effects changes). It works well with my soft synth/arranger setup.

Hi Scott et al:

Just thought it was time for a change. I won't be a regular here but when I think I have something to contribute then I'll drop a note.

I'm serious about the custom keyboard modification concept. I haven't yet had the chance to open up a Tyros and see exactly what is under the hood on either side of the current 61-note keybed (if anyone wants to open up their Tyros and take some pix, that would be helpful) but it seems perfectly feasible that the Tyros/Tyros 2 could be retrofitted with a 76-note keybed. I've read the many comments here about the desire for a 76-note Tyros... seems like someone should tackle this as a customizing project rather than wait/hope Yamaha will make one since they may never. The reality is that if Yamaha thought there was a serious market for a 76-note pro arranger, or even a weighted 88 note version, they could make one with off-the-shelf components. A portable CVP-309 would only require a new cabinet to make and would give you an awesome stage arranger (at a very high price).

If I thought that the Tyros or Tyros 2 was important enough to me to customize it then I'd jump on this, but lately my interests have taken me to working with Colossus. With the coming release of a Muse Receptor-based version of Colossus (Colossus Live) and the wide availability of good 76 and 88 note controllers, I think that Y/R/K (Yamaha/Roland/Korg) and even the Tyros 2 has already lost my interest. In fact I'm looking to sell my Motif ES 8 soon. My two 9000 Pro's will continue to serve my stage needs for as long as I need them, but I rely less and less on arranger functionality these days and am more interested in better sound quality and expression than what typical hardware arrangers/romplers can provide. These are topics that probably are better suited to other keyboard forums so that's why my presence here will be limited.

But I'd love to see someone modify a Tyros 2 with 76 keys just to make the point.