I of course still LOVE my PSR2000, but I'm now seriously considering adding the Tyros to my setup. Here is my list of reasons (from a PSR2000 owner's perspective) to upgrade to Tyros:

1) Intro (3 ea) & Ending (3 ea) variations are now directly accessiable
via buttons instead of having to go into a sub menu.

2) COLOR 'moveable tilt' screen LCD easier to view than fixed
monochrome flat screen

3) Tyros: more foot control pedal configration options: Supports
multi pedal foot controlers. It even includes a dedicated screen
page for configuring the Yamaha MFC10 Midi Foot Pedal Controler
directly from the Tyros. The PSR2000 only supports limited functions
of the MFC10.

4) Keyboard action much better than flimsy kb feel of the PSR2000

5) The new Mega Voices (Strings: Bass, Guitar, violin, etc) sound
INCREDIBLE ! All the other sounds have been re-mastered as well.

6) Styles, though similar & many the same as on the PSR2000, have
been re-recorded at a higher midi resolution providing more punch &
realism, and sounds utilizing string instruments have been replaced
with the new mega voice samples.

7) Mic input volume knob has been moved from the back of the
keyboard to next to the Master Volume knob (a much more convenient
location to afford easy on the fly access).

8) Onboard USER Memory is now 3 MB rather instead of 1 MB on the
PSR2000. Still Would have preferred more, but . . .

9) Tyros supports an optional 'off the shelf' hard drive which
solves the limitation of #8

10) Tyros is relatively lightweight: 27 lbs

11) Real time Dynamic control of accomp parts volume. PSR2000
doesn't have this.

12) USB port to transmit data directly to/from your PC: no more
floppy disk transfers

13) Ability to access & edit Tyros control panel & instrument voices
& efx from your PC computer via Tyros PC software. COOL !

14) Yamaha 'Open Plug Technology' support allows Tyros sound editing
to be performed via 3rd party software like: Cakewalk Sonar &
Cubase.

15) The Tyros loads & plays PSR2000 format Styles w/OTS, as well as
well as loads PSR2000 Music Finder files (abeit minor tweaking)

16) Tyros board looks sleek: the rounded look is out and the angler
look is back.

Downsides to upgrading:

1) Tyros doesn't have on board speakers !
2) Though Tyros is only 3 lbs heavier, it is considerably larger in
size: length, depth, height, so not nearly as portable as the PSR2000
3) Two to three + times more expensive $ than the PSR2000 costs.

Anyone have anything to add, both pro/con?

Scott

Key feel is a big key for me Scott. When playing live stuff, using arrangements for backing, and emulating solo's in particular, I actually preferred softer key feel. Now that I am trying to play other parts in real time, and in particular more backing tracks and rythyms I find that the stiffer action of my Motif is more to my liking. In fact, I have gotten used to it to the point that I play a lot less on my PA80's keys nowadays.

Styles are also an important part. I like the PA80 styles ok, but when I take any of the individual style parts out of the mix, they still sound too mechanical and quantised. If the Tyros resolution can help overcome that, I'm all for it. Equally important, if I want to add backing to a style via my own live play, I would expevt that beter resolution would give a more realistic reproduction as well. That kind of "shortcut", which would prevent me from doing a whole lot of editing to the resulting midi file later in, would be a welcome feature for me.

I didnt like having to do that sub menu thing to change the intro's / endings in the 2000 at all.

It also sounds like Yamaha may have added some ability to transfer files and data via direct connection to the computer. I like this. The Motif has this capability, and it has been a blessing for me. When I had the 2000, I was able to use XG works to edit sounds and other parameters, but I could not share files. Having similar capabilities to what exists on the Motif is certainly appealing.

AJ

[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 10-11-2002).]

Unfortunately, number three on this list makes this keyboard a non-option for me.

Angelo

You forgot one major reason to upgrade from a PSR2000 to a Tyros Scott: double the polyphony!!!

If you can afford the Tyros, the choice between that and any PSR is a no-brainer (eBay will be loaded with used PSR's I predict). Undoubtedly the Tyros is a worthy succesor to the PSR line... now I'm looking forward to see what will replace the 9000 Pro in turn.

HI: Pro
I agree with you, I can't wait to see what
they will replace the PRO with.
All of the features of the Tyros, plus
sampler, 76 keys, expansion board slots &
much much more.

I Hope
Denny

[This message has been edited by dlstarry (edited 10-11-2002).]

Scott,
another real pro to me....just getting a new board re sparks inspiration for me.
Terry

Pro: You're absolultely right! 128 note polyphony is definitely a MAJOR reason to upgrade. I don't know how in the world I forgot to include that one at the top of my list.

Btw: The other COOL Tyros feature I forgot to include in my list is the ability for the Tyros auto-accompaniment to actually 'follow' your voice (speeding up or slowing down). This could prove to be a very useful feature as I frequently like to sing the verse of a song in 'rubato' fashion.

OK, now I got 18 reasons to upgrade to the Tyros:

17) 128 note polyphony (Tyros) vs. 64 note polyphony (PSR2000)

18) Tyros has auto accompaniment 'voice follow' capability

Hmmmm... are we sure the auto-accompaniment can follow the singer's tempo or is it only midi files as they play back that can do that?

Also, it doesn't make any difference to PSR2000 owners because they can already do this, but the Scorch XF function on the Tyros would be another reason all other PSR owners would have to upgrade. That's the ability to display real sheet music on the display from Scorch XF music files. That feature will hook a lot of potential buyers if they know about it.

Bluezplayer,
I agree with key feel.. These PSR's are pretty flimsy... If I'm not mistaken I think the Tyros has the same keybed as your Motif 6.. Oh yeah AJ, I got to take a Motif for a spin not too long ago.. WOW! what an amazing synth... Totally better than the older model I had (Yamaha EX-7).. The patches in that thing are awsome.. I love how they used the arps on some of the preset guitar patches too.. Even the patterns were really good.. They really nailed it by adding the 4 sliders too. The only gripe I had with the board compared to the previous EX model was that they dropped the numeric keypad, 2nd modulation wheel, and the ribbon controller... Other than that I thought that board kicked some serious butt...

Squeak

Hi Pro, you're right, I stand corrected. I just confirmed that indeed it's midi files (and only a specialized type at that), and not the arranger auto accomp, that will follow your singing or playing.

Squeak & AJ: I concur with your concerns about Tyros' keyboard action, but no matter what, I'm guessing that just about anything is going to be better than what I got now on my PSR2000.

19) Tyros supports keyboard after touch, the PSR2000 does NOT.

just adding to the list. - Scott

Scott..
"15) The Tyros loads & plays PSR2000 format Styles w/OTS, as well as
well as loads PSR2000 Music Finder files (abeit minor tweaking)"

Your #15 suggests that registrations created on the PSR2000 will read correctly on the Tyros. According to the specs I read, only registrations from the 8000 and 9000 will read correctly on the Tyros. Or did I misunderstand you?
Eddie

Eddie: I didn't think I suggested in any way that PSR2000 'registrations' are recognized by the Tyros. In fact, I don't know the answer to that.

I am able to confirm that the Tyros can load PSR2000 MusicFinder files, but only after making a small change to the file's header title: from PSR2000 to Tyros. I sent my PSR2000 MusicFinder Files to a friend (overseas) who already owns a Tyros and he toldl me that he was able to successfully load it into his Tyros (abeit a few style match inconsistancies). I hope to receive more details on this from him soon.

In the meantime, I will send a couple PSR2000 registrations & PSR2000 styles to my friend overseas and see if he might attempt to load them in his Tyros so we can get some definitive answers.

Scott

Hi Scott
The PSR2000 DOES have this feature. You can only turn it off or on, no "fine tuning" or tweaking of it like on Roland's arrangers. And the way Yamaha has set it up, the effect is subtle. But it's there and it works, and it makes for more variation to the canned sound of the styles. I use a volume pedal to vary the accomp/style parts for an even better result.
Tom G.

Hi Tom: You're absolutely right. Thanks for pointing this out I guess I never realized the PSR2000 included this feature because I had associated with the name 'Dynamic Arranger'. Anyway, I finally found what you are talking about. It's located in the "Style Settings" window under a thing called:'ACMP Touch' and like you said it's just got a simple on/off switch.

I'm wondering now if the Tyros' (or even the PSR9000/9000pro) 'ACMP Touch' might include MORE enhancements than on the PSR2000. Hopefully 9000pro or Tyros owners will check their keyboards and report back.

Scott

It is not possible to use the megavoices in
a userstyle that you have allready.For me
that is a negative point.
The Tyros sounds very good in the preset-
styles but not better than the Roland VA7/76.
The VA has guitar sounds with all these extra
effects, at least you can add them to the
sound if you want.
New styles for the Tyros you can get in the
future from professional stylemakers because
they will have the right computerprograms.
The Tyros is a very good instrument but is
has a few limits.

Deb,
"The Tyros is a very good instrument but is
has a few limits."

I don't know of any piece of gear that doesn't have limits.
jam on,
Terry

Hey Terry,
I went to my local GC this afternoon and asked if (and when) they were getting in a new Tyros to demo.

"Tire-ass, what's that ?" was the response I got... LOL. Shows how much those guys keep on top of stuff. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to go further afield to find one.

Regards,
Steve

[This message has been edited by S0C9 (edited 10-12-2002).]

Steve,
LOL.....Sounds like Tehjas as I remember it.

I hammered GC up here for quite awhile and the final I got is they were not even going to look into carrying them until November,so said the corporate offices.
Terry

HI: Scott & everyone
With the 9000 PRO you can assign different things
to the volume pedal, such as, acmp., left voice,
multi pads, Rt1, Rt2, Rt3 voices.
I don't know about aftertouch as far as controlling
volume or what ever didn't check on that.
Denny

Scott
Correct me if I'm wrong...take a look at page 112 of the Tyros manual @ the very bottom. I believe they have addressed the issue of the left hand freeze a little more directly...
Lou

Lou, Wishing you a big WELCOME to our little corner of the world: arranger keyboard heaven.

In regards to page 112 of the Tyros Manual, this covers something different than what I was referring to. Page 112 covers the settings for the type of accomp section sound heard when the auto accompaniment is stopped ("Stop Accompaniment).

What I wanted to do is Freeze the 'left voice' when the auto accompaniment is on: 'running'. The GOOD news is that I recently found out the TYROS in fact DOES allow you to accomplish this. Claude (France), actually tested it out on his new Tyros and confirms it WORKS !

Here are the procedures:

1) Select (checkmark) only the STYLE parameter in the Freeze Parameters Window. Be sure to leave the VOICE parameter unchecked.

2) Turn on (activate) the Freeze button

After performing the above, you can select any Style and any of its 4 OTS registrations and all OTS voice setups will change EXCEPT the 'left' voice.

NOTE: Not only the Tyros, but the PSR2000 & 9000pro as well, allow you to freeze just the 'left voice' in the same manner. What I find strange is that this doesn't appear to be covered in any of the Yamaha manuals. Can anyone else find it?

- Scott

Hi all,

It seems Tyros is a good replacement for PSR9000, but not more. It has more Mb, but it seems those Mb are only for guitar megavoices. And, as some of you said, these megavoices aren't new on arrangers: ketron, roland have it.

But it seems to me Tyros is too high priced, I don't know if it is really a great buy for its price (comparing with PSR2000).

I like PSR2000 a lot, except for cheap keys and piano voice. I see some of you like that piano voice, but I don't, sorry: for my ears, Roland, Technics or Ketron do better. Similarly, I think Yamaha is the king on strings, woods, etc.

I have a remaining question. What is about piano voice on Tyros? Has Tyros a better piano voice than PSR2000? Better than PSR9000? Similar to 9k pro?

Is piano voice another reason to upgrade to Tyros (paying like 2 and half PSR2000 for it)?

tracknet,
"Is piano voice another reason to upgrade to Tyros (paying like 2 and half PSR2000 for it)?"

If this were the only criteria for upgrading probably not. However there are alot of new features on the Tyros that other boards do not have or at the very least Tyros has done differently. While other boards may have similar to "mega voices" Tyros is different, because it is done the way Yammy does them. The color screen that is tiltable, music registration, music finder, the way the fills intros and endings work. While all boards share some things in common, they all do it differently and sound differently.

Is it worth $3K? Probably not, but I'm not sure I am convinced any board is worth any of the prices they get for them. The bottom line though, is that is what it costs if you want one (which I do) so each has to make their own decision as to relative value of any of these boards and whether or not we're willing to spend what it costs to buy in.

All the pros and cons posted so far is really all of us thinking out loud trying to convince ourselves as to whether the Tyros is worth it or not. For some it is for some it is not.

For those that just post to be nay sayers, I believe that is just them convincing themselves that the board they own is the right board, or are just sick of Tyros this and Tyros that......which I think they should be a bit more supportive of those that are excited about getting this new board, because their turn will come around when their cool new board comes out and they'll want us to be happy and supportive of them in their choice too, rather than just a bunch of negatives, just to be negative.
jam on,
Terry

Ok Scott, I understand now. Maybe it wasn't covered in any of the manuals because it was a fortunate glitch.
Lou

To all you "Tyros slammers",
suggest you hold your judgements until you've actually tried it, agree with Terry!
SD1 is a great board, the reason I didn't buy it; the bass. It has a hard, "metallic" sound. Owned a MS100, and hoped for the bass to improve on the SD1, but it didn't. However, I still think Ketron make great boards, styles and sounds are in general very good!


------------------
Roy-Andrè

Having seen the spec, reviews etc for the Tyros then the wife's going to have to hide the credit card when my 2000 goes funny, or the peer presssure gets too great!

There are places in the UK advertising the Tyros for <1700 pounds (eg www.musicalinstrumentmegastore.co.uk) which is only twice as much as I paid for the 2000!

(and thanks to Tony below for the fixed link!)

[This message has been edited by MacAllcock (edited 10-15-2002).]

Mac, It is quite cheap there isn't it, and as low as £1625 if you use DEBIT card (£1657 with credit card) Link doesn't come out quite right Mac, so I've put a link direct to the Tyros itself from the same shop

Yamaha Tyros At Musical Instruments Megastore


Tony

Scott,

Do you know if the Tyros has separate volume controls for the melody and the accompaniment like the Technics KN6500? I like to be able to control the volumes of each with readily available controls from the keyboard without having to go into the menu. I think its a nice feature.

Thanks for the information you've been posting on the new Tyros. As always, your insight is greatly appreciated.

Peter

Hi Peter: Yes, on the Tyros you can quickly & easily adjust the volume levels for all parts separately: melody (rt1,2,3), left voice, and auto accompaniment. The mic volume, multipad volume, and song volume can also be adjusted here. All these volume level balances are conveniently located on the main window screen (not in some sub menu) and easily adjusted by physical buttons directly below. Another nice touch about the way Yamaha designed their volume balance feature is that you can QUICKLY get it to pop up any time from ANY other sub menu screen you might be currently in, by just pressing the BALANCE button. Very useful.

Thanks Scott! The Tyros sounds like a really nice keyboard. I'll keep my eye out for one in this area.

Peter