I found for the most part many of the converted styles for Yamaha to be fairly useless in the PSR740. They never sound right. Many non Yamaha conversions won't play on xg works software at all either because the Casm section is missing some data ( I can't specifically remember what the exact set of commands are at the moment ). If I hear a style that has potential for me, and I want to use it on a Yamaha board, I'll rebuild it myself. This entails sending it through XG works xg editor to make some of the voices and effects compatible for Yamaha,. Then I add the missing command via CASM edit software. I have done it a few times, especially with MZ2000 styles, of which there are few conversions available. It works well, but truth be told, it's almost easier to build a style I like from scratch either in Jammer pro, in real time on the board, or a combination of both. One of the styles I liked best was mainly made up on the algorithimic " Music By Numbers " program. That took a lot of editing to get it to sound ok though. I often just save the styles I work on in Jammer as " Jammer styles ". Since I rarely play out as an entertainer, I don't need additional styles inside of the keyboard. I have set the Jammer software up so that the patches are correct for both my PA80 and PSR740, and I know how tro insert a few of the basic midi control change commands as well. I haven't even bothered trying to convert any manufacturers styles for the PA80 since I prefer the Korg styles anyway, although I made a few user styles for it and they sounded pretty good to me ( again after a lot of work ).

AJ, The Solton styles fare no better for me than any of the others. They are a bit more complex than the Yamaha, Roland, Tchnics or Gem styles I've used though, but that only serves to make conversions even more of a labor.

As far as which board works best for a specific type of music, of all the arranger keyboards I've played, the PA80 works as well as anythying I can find for what I like to play and compose. Much of that is Jazz and Blues stuff, but I dabble with progressive rock and synth oriented stuff as well. It may not be the best choice for a lot of people, but I'm very happy with what I can do on it. To be fair though, I have not played any of the latest Rolands ( VA series ) and have I never played a Solton. I have played a KN5000, Yamaha 9000 and lower end PSRs ( I have a 740 ), Gem something or other, I30, MZ2000 and G1000.
It does seem like all of the higher end arrangers would work fine for me though, since the most important point for me is just playing a board to the best of my ability and liking what I can get out of the board and the numerous tools now available in them.


AJ ( Bluezplayer )

Hi all,
Have always thought Technics styles were way superior for big band/ jazz. Loved my 5000 and now adore my 6000. Particularly like the Manhattan Jazz on the 6000...primarily a vocal based style and one of the best I have heard anywhere and on anything.

Now that it is gone and I don't have to negotiate that god-awful OS I will praise the EM2000! At least I will praise the 'acoustic styles'. Particularly the acoustic piano styles which I thought were excellent. If I miss anything about that board it is those styles and the zip drive.

I owned a korg i40m and was not overly impressed with any of the styles save perhaps the gospel/blues. Even then I thought they were way to harsh and constantly detracted from the melody.

Slight digression but.....
I played the yammie 9000 pro the other day at a dealers nearby (they finally got it in), and I have to admit if I could have I would have taken her home. Did not have time to objectively assess the board (at least not long enough for my opinion to count for anything), but you know when you get the feeling......I just got to have this....well I did and I will!!!

....not that I will be getting rid of my Technics....did that with the 5000 and regretted it ever since. Just let's keep that between us for now though. I will have one hard time persuading the other half that it is a good idea to have both boards
ttfn
Tony

I used to be a big Technics fan, until I got my 9000Pro.
The reason why I chose this board were the Dance, Disco, Hip Hop, Pop, Techno, etc... Styles.
I play mostly modern dance music from the 80's, 90's and today, including light Rock, Pop Ballads and Pop. Even though I loved the guitar styles on the SD1 the Yammy gave me more variety in the type of music I play.
Eric