I own the Psr-S900, which I like the Styles very much but key-feel and vocal-harmonizer don't suit me. A music store offered me a good deal trading my Psr-S900 for the Roland e-80 adding some cash on top of that. The problem is, since it's an on-line store located in another state, I can't test the e-80 in person.I know it's supposed to have a better vocalizer and key-feel. My main concern are the styles.Those of you who own or played the e-80 could give some comparisons between the S900 and e-80? Any comments are well appreciated. Thanks, Telmo.

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I haven't played the E-80, but I have extensively played G70 and E-50 which use the same styles. The styles are simply wonderful. The vocal processing is also great. The E-80 is much heavier than S900, and bigger.
Only thing I didn't like about the styles is that there is no effective Break/fill. You can program a break, but it just stops--nothing plays for a beat.
There are PLENTY of extra styles available also.
The key feel on the G70 is among the best of any arranger on the market. The E-50 is lighter. I'm sure the E80 is similar to G70.
DonM

Thanks DonM and Dnj.On the net we can find some styles from the G-70, G-1000 converted to be played on the Psr line. Can we also find converted Yamaha styles for Roland Arrangers? That would solve my problem cause there are some great Yamaha styles I'd like to play on the e-80.

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Yes, conversions are readily available. Some adjustments are usually necessary.
DonM

Telmo,

Forget about the lighter keyfeel--you'll love it when you get old and joints in the hands go to hell.

Now, the vocal processor is not great, but none are nearly as good as external or stand alone processors. However, you can make it do some wonderful things if you take the time to tune it to your voice. One of the forum members on the PSR-Tutorial has posted step by step instructions on how to really make those vocals shine using the onboard processor. Spend some time there, use the search engine and check this out. It could save you lots of money.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary, I believe the Roland G70 harmonizer is as good as it gets...just as good as the best stand alone units..and better than Digitech...

Fran,

I gotta' admit the G-70's harmonizer sounds darned good, better than most. I think the stand-alones have the edge, though, but much of this depends upon the voice the singer, and his or her ability to use complex, right-hand chords. Uncle Dave is the master at this, either with onboard of stand alone systems. My right had only has 5 fingers--his has 7 or 8. If you can't carry a tune in a 5-gallon bucket and don't have the magic hands, no harmonizer sounds good.

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

To try to answer the initial post...

Yes, and no...

Which styles? Every single arranger has got some styles that are better than other's, and some worse. If you narrow down the range of genres, perhaps we could be more specific.

But you ARE comparing a $4000+ arranger with a $1600 one. Build quality, key-bed, weight ( ), sounds and OS differ radically between the two, but styles is a matter of preference, and no two people universally agree on what is 'superior' across the board.

My take on this is that, on the whole, Yamaha's styles are quite complete, whereas Roland's are designed to leave room for you to play. Both sound excellent (I would give the edge in drums to the Roland's, but guitars go to the Yamaha's), but their approach differs. Me, I like to play as much as I can, so the Roland styles work best. Others just want to sing on top, or play a lead line, and the more busy Yamaha styles work better.

But you have to make your own mind up, or at least narrow down your question for this to be more than a cheering section for the arrangers we already have (you'll rarely get a recommendation for an arranger from someone who uses something else!)...

Well,

I have no experience with the E80, however, I have played the S900, G-1000, G-800 and lots of others. For MY needs, the S900 would more than fit the bill. I like the fullness of the Yamaha styles, and yes, I am primarily a singer, so that would make sense. I perform a fair number of instrumentals too, mainly when folks just want background music during dinners. Again, I find it tough to beat those wonderful instrument sounds that I enjoy with Yamaha. When I want subtle styles, those with just drums and bass, or sometimes just bass, I usually use the lower variations, which quite frequently are not busy in comparison with the upper variations. And, when necessary, it's real easy to just turn off the segment of the style you want to customize it the way you want for a particular song, or medley.

Diki, Have you ever played an E80? Just curious.

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 02-24-2008).]

Ok Diki, let me elaborate easier for you.I really love Yamaha Ballad styles and Latin and World. Will I also find those beautiful evolving Ballad and Latin-World Styles on the E-80? I play mostly sacred gospel, Ballads, and New age.A little bit of Oriental flavor styles is also part of my repertoire like Kitaro, Yani...

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Don, I had G70 for a week, and the same reason in your quote made me traded it, while I love everything else. Heck, I traded for PA1XPro, and I,m not happy with the fill in either, still keep it, but back to SD1 for me.

Telmo,

The beautiful strings/styles in Yamaha are tough to beat

That said, I will be getting a G70 in the next few days and will report back on how the string arrangements are. I know what you're asking for because I really love that Yamaha feature and use it all the time on ballads.

zuki

MY 2 cents worth.
I have both the tyros 2 and the roland E 80.
I play one for a couple weeks or more and then go to the other one and I like it better. I play it for a couple weekes or more and go back to the first one and then I like it better.
Both have great things to use that the other doesn't have.
You have to decide which is more important to you.
I would sell one but can't decide which one I would sell
best to all,
Bebop just back from 10 days at the beach in the motorhome It was great

Bebop,

You really know how to hurt an old man. All the beaches here are darned near frozen! I gotta' move farther south.

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary we got sunny 70's today so the pool here at home is nice too, (for sunburn)
C'mon over. I been to your shore in the wintertime and no thanks,
Bebop
Telmo, I got your email and will try to write you in depth this evening or tomorrow as time permits. Tomorrow is my birthday # 76 and time may not be available until the following day, but i will respond to your inquiries ASAP
Best to all,
Bebop

Hey Gary !
Thanx for the kind words... I just saw your post ! If the G70 harmonizer is the same as the Dicover-5, then I belive I can make a better sound with the Digitech VR. My PA800 is simplu heaven though !

UD -

Sounds like you didn't care for the DisCover harmonizer? Uh oh.

zuki

Zuki.....having second thoughts already?

Dave turned it on for 7 seconds..and didn't know how to use it....You want that to sway your opinion..

Maybe it is time for an old fashion shoot out..

Bring the Digitech VR over here and we will run it through it's paces along side the G70...

And you may as well bring the PA800 too...put that to rest too..

.

Guys, I'm looking forward to the G70 - excited as can be.....

zuki

Only if you buy the gas and margarettas--it takes both to get me to Philly!

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary thats no problem, Fran got plenty of MooLah

From the Roland Arranger site:


As explained previously the OS3.01 was initially sent out solely to Roland Germany as a bugfix aimed directly towards an specific bug claimed by Roland Germany. Therefore the release was initially not an official release. However, the version 3.01 has now become an official version, because the Roland Service Dept. officialized it.

I have this confirmed information about the content of the version 3.01: the update only fixes a specific bug in the harmonizer section; there are no new data, no new feature, no improvements in sounds or other.