About a year ago, Yamaha came out with 5 sets of "Power Styles." These were excellent styles. A lot of them were used as internal styles on the Tyros that came out soon after, but many of them don't exist on any Yamaha keyboard that I knew of.
I was optimistic that these styles would be a harbinger of future style offerings by Yamaha. Now, after a year, I am pessimistic. It doesn't seem like Yamaha plans on supporting their keyboards with style software. If you want new styles, it seems like we'll have to wait for the next keyboard to come.
Steve Demming, why doesn't Yamaha come out with more of these Power Styles? I would think that at least once a year, they can offer their consumers the opportunity to purchase more styles.
Here here....can't really figure out why none of the manufacturers offer styles for sale on a continuing basis. If they do not want to get involved there are several 3rd party companies that would do it I'm sure. Yamaha could just take a few points off the top and do nothing for it. Terry
Registered: 10/24/02
Posts: 238
Loc: Buena Park, CA, USA
I am reluctant to address this type of questions, because it falls outside of the Tech-support arena. I know for a fact that style sales in the U.S. have been far from spectacular. When we offer a product for sale and no one buys it, we won't be offering the same type product again next year. I've been pushing for more styles for years, but the people in marketing look at me like I'm crazy. I'll pass along your comments, and then we'll see what happens.
------------------ Steve Deming Assistant Manager Customer Support Dept. Pro Audio & Combo Division Yamaha Corporation of America
That is for sure, disappointing news. The styles are really what makes these keyboards tick. And no one makes better Yamaha styles than Yamaha. In my opinion, no one comes close. And with converted styles from other professional keyboards, something is almost always lost in translation.
The Powerstyles were IMO extremely well made. The only one that come close is Styles&Music. I can also recommend Peter Solley's for blues and shuffle styles. http://www.petersolleyproductions.com/ They are among the best I have found. Plus, they have excellent midifiles, unfortunately without lyrics, but still. So if you're looking for some Texas style blues or shuffle, or any other file for that matter, this is a good place to start.
------------------ Roy-Andrč
[This message has been edited by royandreno (edited 08-08-2003).]
Registered: 03/24/99
Posts: 736
Loc: Half Moon Bay, CA, USA
Hi Roy
Thanks you for pointing out the Peter Solloey website. I had never heard of it before. You're right, some of the styles sound pretty good. But at $9.00 per style - WoW! At those prices, I'd like to see the styles specifically made on the PSR2000 or Tyros, both of which have the higher sequencer timing resolution. I'm afraid these styles might sound a little weak if they were made on an older Yamaha. Maybe I should get a few friends together to chip in for one to try out!
Interesting that no-one buys them because they sure clamour to d/l them for free. It's the number 1 thing everyone seems to be looking for, more styles. It really is the lifeblood of an arranger, without them, it's just a Motif, with a better screen.
I realize free vs $ but there must be a compromise on both sides. Terry
I think they should make it much easier to create or cutomize styles on the KB ....this is another reason people are always looking for new styles versus making your own...it seems like the least used feature.
I've started making my own "morphed" styles on the Tyros and once one gets the hang of it, it's not too bad at all and makes styles every bit as good as factory. Terry
I listened to the Peter Solley styles. I ordered one, but it hasn't come via email yet. The site states that the styles have 2 intros, 2 endings, 4 variations, and 4 fills. Very good. Listening to the midis and checking the voices, the default piano voice is the Live! Piano, and the Cool! Jazz Guitar and Cool! electric guitars appear, so the styles were made on the PSR9000 Pro or Tyros. The styles don't sound as good as Yamaha styles, but some sound very good. If I like the one I purchased, I'll probably purchase another 4 or 5.
Hi, actually the style assembly feature on the yamaha 9000pro is pretty handy for creating new styles. I also have a similar feature on the kn7000. The only problem I found, is that a lot of the styles use the same phrases ie it uses the same bassline in 2 or 3 of the variations, so you keep dialing up the same parts. At the moment I'm going thru the whacky process of identifying the individual style parts and cataloging them for my kn7. In short, if I'm looking for a string part, it will save me scrolling through piano's brass etc , I'll know which style parts are strings. Hopefully will take help shorten the process of actually coming up with a worthwhile style.
Actually the style is derived from the midifile: on Yamaha keyboards Intro # 3 corresponds to the complete intro of the midifile, while intro 1 and 2 are simplified variations.
[This message has been edited by Dreamer (edited 08-10-2003).]
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Registered: 06/25/99
Posts: 16735
Loc: Benton, LA, USA
Some of the songs seem to have that annoying handclap when played on VanBasco. Somehow the correct drum sound isn't being interpreted. Might be o.k. if played through Yamaha. DonM
Scott, someone else beat me to the S&M address! (Out of town playing a wedding last night.) Free or not, I personally think in general, the styles I,ve paid for are the best. Peter Solley have the best blues styles I,ve ever found anywhere. A couple of the styles I hade to edit, (making the part follow chord,) apart from that, superb!
I received definitive word from Yamaha's software department that there are not going to be any more Power Styles. They mentioned, to my surprise, that these styles were made by an outside contractor. I asked Yamaha for contact information but they haven't provided this to me.
Yamaha recommended that I purchase Midi Spot styles. These are pretty good, but definitely amateur compared to Power Styles and internal styles.