Today I received my official announcement of the release of the new Yamaha Tyros2. Availability will begin October 2005. MSRP will be $4095.00 with the optional TRS-MS202 speakers continuing at $299.00 and the optional L7S stand at $249.00. MAP price for the Tyros2 is $3495.00.
Here is the exact information I received from Yamaha in a email sent directly to me from the Marketing Manager of Portable keyboards:
"Bursting with innovative new features, TYROS2 is a true musical powerhouse. Revolutionary Super Articulation Technology delivers the best and most expressive voices we've ever put into a keyboard. 400 dynamic accompaniment styles meticulously recreate every nuance of the world's most popular musical genres. With the brand new Hard Disk Recorder, you can record what you play and what you sing, including vocal harmony, to an optionally installed hard disk drive.

Super Articulation Technology -40 playable Mega voices

Audio Rendering: optional hard drive recording at CD Quality

Newly-designed high quality keyboard action

Up to 1GB Custom Voice sample/playback (Wave, AIFF)

Internet Direct connect: connect directly to Internet Content

RGB/Video out: connect to a computer monitor or display device

USB "To Device" Storage devices and USB "to host", 32 midi channels

Text file viewer for lyrics, song or Registration information

More Mega Voices and Super Articulation equals even more realistic styles.

There is a picture of the Tyros in black and white and it looks the same as the current Tyros. 61 keys, same display and attachable speakers and music rack.
This letter is dated September 4, 2005. This is everything I know as of now!

George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Thanks for the info George.
I particularly like the sound of the features above which I have extracted from your report.
cheers
Eddie



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Eddie from Rotherham
Skype:eddiefromrotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

"Up to 1GB Custom Voice sample/playback (Wave, AIFF)"

Wow!! that would make the Tyros II an endless sound resource.

Thanks George,

So no cutoff corners??, still with a place for the coffee cup??

Thanks George. Not for me though--they still use the same, damned lousy LCD display that's not sunlight-viewable. For that kind of MSP you would think they would have at least improved the keyboard's LCD to 20th century technology. I sent Yamaha a letter about this more than a year ago, sent another follow-up letter, and after about 6 months recieved a form type of reply that essentially said "We have received your letter. Thank you for your interest in Yamaha products." BIG DEAL! I tore up the letter and tossed it in the trash where it belonged.

I'm still searching for a reasonably priced sunlight viewable display to replace the one in my PSR-3000. When I find one and get it installed, I'll post the information here.

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Probably not for me either Gary, but perhaps it'll be a wait and see for me, much like the PA1x deal. There may be a few new features that would make me want this more than a Tyros "classic", or a 3000 but it's also a little steep for me for an arranger, for as much use as I'll get out of it.

I do like the USB to midi, works great with the Motif ES, but it certainly isn't a must for me on a board that won't see much studio use. New and more realistic styles sounds nice, I guess we can judge that later. Better key action sounds good, I'm guessing maybe like the Motif series boards.

I couldn't care less about the internet connection or sampling, pretty much a waste of money for me on an arranger. I rarely use the sampling facilities in the Motif, as I much prefer a dedicated sampler. I don't care much about the video facilities, might be nice for some of you guys though. I can already play the megavoices on the Motif, but I also have vst apps that work better for playing similar multisampled parts, Real Guitar for example. I'd probably never use the CD / Audio option, though some live players might like it for capture of a performance.

AJ

You mean there are NO angled edges?

If George is saying it looks 'just' like the Tyros I assume it won't have any angled edges?? Right or wrong?

Boy would I like to see a pic right about now. Any way you can scan that B&W and post it on the Forum George? If you want you can send me the email and I will print and then scan it.

Or if you could just tell us if it has the angled edges or not would be sufficient.

Okay, my impressions so far. No 76 keys... What a bummer!! 40 PLAYABLE Mega Voices!! Finally!! That's a BIG +(plus) in my book. Thank you Yamaha! Up to 1 Gig of Samples. Wow!! That's a Big bonus! I wonder what the load time is for 1 Gigabyte though?? If it is similar to the Motif ES' load time you're in for a loonnnggggggg wait. Hopefully it is much faster than the Motif ES' load time. I know that's a technicality but it's an important one, especially if you you're gigging with it or even in the studio and want to load large samples.

A better keybed. That's good news if it comes close to the Korg Pa1X or Roland G70. Maybe it will surpass both of them who knows?

I doubt if it will have wider keys though which is a disappointment for those wanting wider keys like the Pa1X and G70 have.

I am sorry to inform Yamaha that I will NOT be getting the Tyros2. Due to limitations beyond my control i.e. there is not a 76 key version available, no improvement to the LCD technology as Gary stated, plus the fact it costs about $1,000 more than my current Tyros and I wouldn't be getting 76 keys anyway. So, I will pass unfortunately.

Now OTOH if Yammie did make a 76 key version I would most definitely have SERIOUSLY considered getting one, and if everything else was what I expected I would have DEFINITELY gotten one! No if's and's or but's!! And Yammie would have been roughly $2,000 dollars richer as a result from the profit margin.

Now you multiply that by another 5 to 10 thousand (world wide) who also would have purchased it because of a 76 key version and you can see the vast amount of 'extra' loot they could have taken in. I guess they don't need the extra cash??

Oh well, hopefully the Tyros2 will be a hit nonetheless. Being able to play the Mega Voices in a Live setting is a huge bonus. Plus the Sampler, plus the Hard Disk recording, plus the better Keybed.

Now if they only had made a 76 key version.... I am dumbfounded as to why they didn't seeing Korg and Roland already anted up with the Pa1XPRO and G70. A majority of Yammie employee's may be thinking the same thing, along with the rest of us. Don't they want to stay competitive with the rest of the market place? Maybe not...

Best regards,
Mike

I can't stress enough that unless Yamaha has made huge strides, the megavoices really aren't anything special when you play them, not when you measure them against apps like Real Guitar or BFD drums. I can't agree more about the sampling either Mike. Nice feature to have, pretty much useless on the Motif, hopefully better for the future Tyros owners. Doing it in a dedicated sampler, even a software one, is so much easier, quicker and more intuitive.


My laptop always accompanies me now when I play out, so it really isn't very hard for me at all to turn the lead voices down on my Motif or PA80 and load up Real guitar or even the Plugsound Fretted module and get a better and more realistic guitar sound than is available on either of my kbs.

Certainly to me, the megavoices and sampling capabilities aren't a good reason to drop an extra grand on a kb. Now if these and the other features are worth it to someone, I can definitely see that.. Maybe the combo of having new styles, maybe the USB connectivity, the video thing, the text file capabilities.. etc. As I said,I don't see it for me personally, but everyone has different needs.

AJ


[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 09-03-2005).]

Though I didn't see the b&w flyer pic George received, my confidential (yet reliably verifiable) source has ASSURED ME that Tyros2 DOES INCLUDE the 'cut-off' corners, and looks just as shown in the Tyros2 photo below. I believe the pic in the flyer doesn't include the actual pic of the new Tyros2, because Yamaha wants to keep it under wraps until its officially premiered publicly at the 'European Dealer' TYROS2 PRESENTATION this coming week. Impressive online Tyros2 'audio demos' should quickly follow.

As far as the price of Tyros2 goes. I was assured that Tyros2 will be going for nearly the SAME price as Tyros1, even with all the new Tyros2 features & enhancements. Considering the Yamaha MSRP & MAP prices cited by George, we'll have to wait to see what the actual Tyros2 'street price' ends up being.

Ok folks. Stay tuned. - Scott



[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 09-03-2005).]

It sounds like the Tyros 2 doesn't have multitrack hard disk recording otherwise Yamaha would certainly have used that feature to promote sales since it would be a very beneficial new addition. What does "Audio Rendering" really mean? My guess is that the HDR will be a very rudimentary 2 or 4 track recorder that only allows you to record basic audio probably with no editing either. We will soon see and hear when Tyros 2 is released to the public.

I also didn't read anywhere in the press release that it said the Tyros 2 has "Sampling", just the ability to play back WAV and AIFF files. That means its sample editing features will be minimal at best. Probably very similar to the sampler the 9000 Pro had but with more RAM storage for samples which was pretty useless if you ask me.

The RGB/Video output will be nice feature if the Tyros supports at least 1024 x 780 resolution or higher. 1600 x 1200 would be even better!

As for the "Super Articulation Technology" and "Mega Voices" ... they are nothing more than multi-sampled, multi-velocity samples that any good sampler can create. Its nothing new and it always makes me laugh when a manufacturer creates a fancy new name and acts as if they are releasing something groundbreaking. I'm sure the new multisampled "MEGA" sounds will be great compared to cheaper arrangers like the PSR3000 but they still won't be on par with the best samplers or arranger/workstations currently on the market.

Hopefully Yamaha will support the Tyros 2 and actually improve it over time, not drop it like they did with the 9000 Pro. With Yamaha's track record of poor software support I wouldn't count on it though. I myself will likely never own another Yamaha product again after getting the run-around on support for my 9000 Pro.

For what it's worth department, someone from France had this to say on Bob Gelman's Yahoo Yamaha style forum:

"yamaha is supposed to make a "de luxe" edition with 76 keys later, but not confirmed"

I will keep hoping but I won't hold my breath. If they do make a 76 key version I also hope they will give it a more 'professional' look instead of those: "what were they thinking when they did that!" @|@ ugly angled edges.

Sorry but I can't fathom how they ended up with a design like that. They could have come up with something much more original and unique and most of all better looking if you ask me. Well... maybe not.. Just look at all those Japanese cars on the road! They all look the same and most of them are uglier than a mud hen.

These are my opinions of course. Sorry if you have a Foreign Import from you know where. My deepest apologies.

Best regards,
Mike

I looked at the picture I have and it does have the angled corners.
George Kaye
kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Might make it easier to fit into a tight carry bag.
I like the way it looks.
George, does it give the weight?
DonM

People that buy the Tyros2 may want to keep an extra pint of blood on hand just in case something goes amiss. The point of those angled edges look really sharp, if you know what I mean. If someone's not careful when hoisting it around you may lose an eye or some other important bodily function or feature. I hope the person's Medical Insurance is up to date and with sufficient coverage also. You may also want to have good standing with a competent lawyer just in case the person you injure is someone other than yourself.

I know I'm just funning but I think the risk of injury is quite a serious and real threat. All I can say is BE CAREFUL! Especially if you start swinging it around and there are other people in the near vicinity. I know I wouldn't want to get bashed by those pointed edges. I don't think others would appreciate it either.

I suppose a person can modify it if they want to. Like maybe cut holes in a couple of tennis balls and insert them over the pointed edges. You might need some velcro to make them stay in place though.

Best regards,
Mike

Promising.
Missed this link in this thread though:
http://www.tyros2.net/news.php

Additional feature TYROS2:
Higher level of protein equivalents than found in TYROS 1 (Low Phe/Tyr Diet Powder)

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drdalet

[This message has been edited by drdalet (edited 09-04-2005).]

I'm not too sure about the new model. I'm waiting for the release of the Tyros two so I can see where the prices go to with the current Tyros. Right now the arragner on my list for my new set up is the Tyros 1 Yeah the new model has more megavoices (playable), new styles, large sample storage capacity, HD recording, but I don't know quite yet if the price is worth it. I too am curious about the HD recording. It doesn't say if you can multi-track with it.

Here's how I see it, if you want a good board that has a good sequencer, good sampling, good sounds, and internal hard disk (multi-track) recording that is integrated with the internal sequencer, then buy an Alesis Fusion Synth. Hell that board is only $1,699.

I do like the specs on the new Tyros, but I'm with AJ on a few things here. Can't really see the need for sampler on an arranger other than to load in new voices (if it reads specific formats), and maybe new drum kits or loops, but this feature makes more sense on a synth considering they're designed and better suited for this feature.

Again I'll wait until the new release to see what they current Tyros price will go down to. I'm not thrilled with the 61 keys, but I can always midi it up to another board.

Squeak



[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 09-04-2005).]

Please don't toy with my emotions so...

If Yamaha comes out with a 76 key deluxe version, I will be a very, very happy camper.

However, empty promises have been made before.





[This message has been edited by kbrkr (edited 09-11-2005).]

Hi All
The Caister Organ & Keyboard festival UK is coming up at the end of the month, when Tyros 2 gets its World Premier, so I will have a word with Yamaha to see if there are any possibilities of a 76 Note Tyros.
One thing I would say though is that in the UK at least, Yamaha tends to promote the Tyros more to the Home User, rather then Professional User; so 76 Notes are not a priority.

Bill

Doesn't look like they've changed the Music Rack Brackets at all on the new T2. I thought I saw that feature listed somewhere?

Al

Al,
What I heard is, the brackets are (kind of) inserted in long holes. The brackets have long metal pins..... so no screws needed.