I noticed it for about $1000, how does it compare to the other arranger keyboards in its price range and the more expensive boards?

Thanks in advance!

Hello

Do you need 76 keys? If so, I would strongly consider getting a Yamaha DGX505 instead for almost half the money. Why? It sounds better, is easier to operate and has a lot of support on the internet.

If you don't need 76 keys and you want to spend around $1000, then I suggest the PSR2000 for around $600-700, a PSR2100 $700-1000 or shop for a good price on a PSR3000.

In the long run if you need 76 keys I suggest the DGX505, if 61 keys is ok and you don't mind spending just a little more,get a PSR3000. I guarantee you'll be a happy camper.

These are my opinions from my playing and teaching experience and also being in music retail since 1976. Sound is very subjective, so try to find a way to test drive the one(s) that you are interested in. Many places will give you 30 to 45 days to return. This way you'll know for sure which one YOU like the best.

Scott Langholff
www.ScottLMusic.com

[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 04-02-2005).]

[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 04-02-2005).]

Shop around for the EXR7, it gets really cheap, especially if you trust ebay.

Phil

Hi, there is another option in it's price range, the Korg PA50 (for around $995.00), it's user interface is not as friendly, but as you learned,(ask Don Mason and UD) is a great arranger, more "pro" features, like you can have 48 user styles, and also reads styles direct from floppy without loading, while in the lower price (is almost unfair to compare) you need to load ONE style at the time, (and is not easy, unlike the higher end PSRs), also only has 2 variations, one intro/ending vs. 2 and 4 variations in the PA 50.....perhaps you can twist the arm of a dealer, the slowest selling PSR1500 for about the same price of the PA50....you can get 3 intros/endings, 4 variations, user friendly interface, and almost forgot, you get a 16 track secuencer in the PA50 adn PSR1500 and only 5 tracks in the DGX. Hope it helps, this is my opinion, I been playing professionaly since 1969 and in the retail since 1980.

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mdorantes

Scott suggested the DGX505 if you need 76 keys, but actually it's the DGX305 which has 76 keys. The DGX505 has 88 keys.
I sell both the Yamaha and the EXR7 and because of price I sell more of the Yamaha's but I personally like the EXR7 alot for many reasons. First, the EXR7 has a 16 track sequencer to record your own songs and the DGX can only record 6 tracks. Next, there is a section in the styles called "flash" memory where you can store about 100 of your favorite styles taken from the internet or any style disk available. The EXR7 features both a floppy disk drive and USB. I also like the cover band feature on the EXR7. You can play a style and with the touch of one of 5 buttons you can change all the voices associated with a particular genre of music. And, you can also do this while playing a midifile. I also think the acoustic piano sound in the EXR7 is a warmer piano then many of the lower priced models. As to the user interface, both the DGX and EXR7 are about the same in learning how to use.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

And EXR-7 have a far better key feel.
And EXR-7 keys are standard size, while Yamaha keys are smaller.
But you can't edit styles into EXR-7.

hmm thanks for the comments so far...very imformative,,

Ill give a bit more info on my playing style...I do need 76 keys, I play live and use the lh for the bass quite a bit.. I don't make or edit patches or really mess with the preset sounds but I do make recordings using the sequencer sometimes. and I love! using the intros/endings,and variations features. plus its important to have registration banks where I can just hit a button and instantly swith to the next patch/drum setup for live performances..

Thanks in advance..

I own the EXR-7, so if you have any questions I can (hopefully) answer them.
It seems like the EXR-7 should fit you right, except one thing:
There's only one variation of each style (1 intro, 1 ending, 2 variations of the "main" part).
The registration banks are not really "one button press away" but they're pretty easy to call up.
Other than that I can't see why the EXR-7 shouldn't be perfect. The sounds are good, the keys are good and the sequencer is also good (and very easy to use).

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Robert.

I would highly suggest getting an EXR-3 from Sweetwater for only $495.

for 1000$ nothing beats PA 50.period.