I was planning to hang on until the summer and buy a new Yamaha PSR 3000. However, I have seen a secondhand 9000 Pro advertised.

Might this be worth snapping up instead ?

I would like a keyboard to create things with rather than a performance model and I'm interested in the best possible quality voices and ease of sequencing. I think, of the two, only the Pro allows sampling.

What are the drawbacks of the Pro ? Has it been discontinued ? If so - what is its replacement ?

To me voices are the most important aspect. And in this case I'm sure the PSR3000 sounds will put the 9000PRO to shame because PSR3000 has even more mb to the sound than the Tyros. A color screen is nice too 9000 pro getting old now. PSR3000 is also cheaper.... I would go for PSR3000 in a heartbeat if i had to choose between those 2. Good luck!

One major thing to consider is how important to you is key feel...not forgetting 76keys. The key feel and response of the 9Kpro is excellent. The PSR3000 is stated to have 2100 type keys which to me have a very cheap key feel.
Yamaha could not afford to make the 9000Pro now. Its build quality is very high and manufactured to last, (metal base) However this makes it heavy to transport. I use a 9000Pro at home, so weight factor is not important to me.
I play a local friends Tyros every week and its a joy to return home to the 9Kpro again (say no more).

Don't put off with it being an older model.You can now pick up a 9Kpro for acceptable price, (PSR3000 Price), so my suggestion is give it serious consideration.

Graham UK

Ease of use, color screen, USB connectivity and the MegaVoice sounds give some edge to the 3000, especially if you really just want a nice 61-note keyboard with built-in speakers for home use. It's a new keyboard that will be supported for a least a few years to come.

The 9000 Pro is discontinued but it has far more pro-level features than any other Yamaha arranger, hence the "pro" name - including options for an internal hard drive, lo-z XLR mic input, voice expansion cards, and LittleLites. It does have sampling but it's mono only. I use my 9000 Pro on stage 4-6 nights a week and have no trouble transporting it at 45 pounds, but that's hefty for many users. Great keyboard feel and the sounds are excellent (taken from the Motif) - even the guitars are very good but they are not "megavoice" variety like the Tyros and the 3000.

Overall the 9000 Pro is one of the most versatile and powerful stage keyboards ever made, but frankly Yamaha never supported it well whereas lots of nice goodies come with the Tyros like OPT panels for voice editing when sequencing - I assume the 3000 will have the same level of support. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the 9000 Pro for stage and the 3000 for home use. And I still think that some day a "3000 Pro" keyboard would be a great concept.

Buy them both, then sell the one you don't like.

Graham and I are both old codgers, therefore, weight is a factor. The 3000 has lots of new features, but I will not rule on it one way or another until I actually get to see, touch, feel, play and smell the keyboard. The owner of a local music store just retured from NAMM and said it was probably the best keyboard he has ever encountered, and he hopes to have them in stock by July. It's difficult to pass judgement on something that is not yet available. As for the key feel, the only person that knows is the demo-guy at the NAMM show, and the few others that may have touched them. To my knowledge, no one on the forum actually played the board and compared it side by side to anything else.

Cheers,

Gary

Graham and I are both old codgers, therefore, weight is a factor

Gary. Speak for yourself I will be doing my every Sunday 30 miles on the cycle in the morning...Ha!!!

Graham UK

Graham,

The only way I could do 30 miles on a cycle was if it was a motorcycle!

Just sold the 95-pound Peavey speakers, 32-pound PA amp head, and loving life with the Barbettas! Oh Yeah...

Gary

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I will wait and buy a PSR 3000 - if its Megavoices can TOUCH the Tyros guitar samples I found yesterday on the web I know I will get countless hours of enjoyment from it.

Does anyone know where there is a FULL list of the voices it will offer ? I expect Yamaha will release some new mp3s nearer the time of release.

One other thing I'd like to know about the 3000 is with regard to its USB-to-Device feature.

I already have an Iomega USB zip drive and an Iomega USB external hard disk drive. Would I be able to plug either of these units directly into this keyboard to save compositions to without needing any drivers or software ??

Tatterdemalion. Do you realise that the Mega voices on the Tyros are basically impossible to play live, they are for use in the Style arrangements, so we can assume that the PSR3000 will be the same.

Interestingly the new Korg PAX1Pro has Mega quality voices that you can play live.

Graham UK

[This message has been edited by Graham UK (edited 02-02-2004).]