Very true, Chony...best to quell the uprising whilst it is small.

Perhaps when the instrument has been actually played, there will be a change of heart in even the most die hard rebel.

The tougher the audience...the sweeter the applause.

Time will tell.

I know I'm looking forward to trying it.

Ian

[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 09-03-2008).]

Well.., at least the UK Yamaha page always has things up to look at (unlike YamahaUS).., remember how long it took them to even get the info on their site about the S-900..... Anywho.., here's the Yamaha UK link that shows the new releases (the Tyros and the new S550 are there-full specs, ect)
http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_euro...ries/index.html

Info from Yamaha UK website:

FSX keyboard

THE TYROS3 FEATURES THE HIGHEST QUALITY SYNTHESIZER KEYBOARD WE'VE EVER MADE : The FSX keyboard. Physically, the keys are of high-precision manufacture and offer greater durability than conventional models. Most importantly, however, the keyboard has enhanced touch response, making it the most expressive and musical keyboard in its class.

TFT LCD Display

Tyros3 is the first Yamaha digital keyboard to feature a high-resolution, 640x480, color TFT (Thin Film Transistor) LCD screen. Big and bright, the 7.5 inch display shows all important settings and parameters with crystal clear clarity, even under extreme lighting conditions. The TFT display has a hugely wide viewing angle which means the content is clearly visible whatever your playing position. The entire display panel is 5-point adjustable; flat for storage or tilted up to enhance visibility during performance.

Super Articulation 2

Mainly for wind instrument Voices, a special Yamaha technology called AEM has been used, which features detailed samples of special expressive techniques used on those specific instruments - to bend or slide into notes, to "join" different notes together, or to add expressive nuances at the end of a note, etc.

Articulation Element Modeling (AEM)

Articulation Element Modeling (AEM) is the technology for simulating this characteristic of instruments. During performance, the most appropriate sound samples are selected in sequence in real time, from huge quantities of sampled data. They are smoothly joined and sounded - as would naturally occur on an actual acoustic instrument.

Intuitive, Quick-Access Sliders

Eight sliders have been provided just below the LCD display let you conveniently and quickly adjust all parameters shown in the display. The additional ASSIGN slider allows you to assign a desired function (volume, reverb, etc.) and control it in real-time during your performance. These nine sliders function as footage levers when the Organ Flutes display is shown.

Two-track Hard Disk Recorder

The Hard Disk Recorder lets you record your performances to two audio tracks - Main and Sub. A Bounce recording feature lets you record even more tracks, allowing you to easily record multiple parts in layers.

Massive 80GB HDD

Staggering amount of MIDI data, style data, wav files and the like can be stored on the keyboard's internal hard disk.

Convenient Multi Pad Sync function / Registrations and OTS Information

You can embellish your performance as you play with several preset phrases by using the Multi Pads. These can even be synchronized with Style/Song playback. The information displays for Registration Memory and One Touch Setting allow you to confirm the registered panel setups easily.

Voice Expandability

Download additional Voices from the website and load them to the Tyros3 - and increase your selection of available voices.

High-Speed Communication

The built-in LAN terminal lets you easily connect your instrument directly to the Internet. The USB terminals compatible with USB 2.0 High-Speed enable high-speed communication with USB storage devices and computers.

Specifications for HDD:
80GB 2.5 inch IDE (Included, Internal)



[This message has been edited by sunny152 (edited 09-03-2008).]

Ok, I'm done now. I'll join the SZ-specific grumbling and nagging. Yamaha's marketing crap is too much to ignore.



Yeah! Motif users, you're pathetic losers! You fell for our trick! Harharhar!



Well, let the end-users decide about that, shall we? Maybe it's the best Yamaha in its class.



Yeah. Don't touch the thing though, we haven't figured out how Korg and Roland make it touch-responsive yet. But hey, it's only a $4000 piece, whaddaya expect?



Massive. U-huh. Went to the store a few weeks ago to get a new HD. Couldn't find anything smaller than 500 GB. Bought it for 119,- euros

But I guess 80GB is "massive" in Japan. Must have cost Yamaha at least a staggering $ 9.95 a piece.

Which reminds me. I have to call Yamaha to ask where they found those tiny RAM-banks. My 11-year old PC needs an upgrade.

...........

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 09-03-2008).]