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.

------------------

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.

------------------

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

------------------
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

------------------
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!)...