You voiced my sentiments exactly with the "Yamaha's styles sounding more like a CD than a live band" comment!

...I've never seen a Roland arranger in a music store, but I've read one of the threads about the GW-8 here. This might be what I'm looking for, and at a very good price point too; but I don't want to bite on anything unless I play it first!

By the way, so far, everybody's responses so to my question are very good! I'm duly impressed!

So again, I find myself wondering if I could get any of the Yamaha praise and worship styles for the Korg PA800 or PA500. This for me, would be the best of both worlds--assuming the Yamahas styles sound "more live" on the Korg keyboard. (I kind of doubt that this would be the case, but then, even having those worship styles would make the Korg keyboards "a good thing" as far as I'm concerned.

Have I considered computer software arranger programs? Yes, but I don't like the idea of having to take the time to set up my music in advance on the computer. I guess I'm spoiled by my Yamaha DGX 300 in that regard--give me a chord chart and I'm good to go.



[This message has been edited by polarshift (edited 11-12-2008).]

I think most anything will do a good job if YOU like the styles...

But I feel that, in a church, there is a little extra you need to do to the styles to make them work in a large environment. You mention the washed out sound of the Yamaha's, and yes, while on the whole I would tend to agree to a degree, I think you would be pleasantly surprised at how better they can sound by removing ALL the reverb (you are already in a large space - why add MORE?) and punching up the drum levels and bass (if needed) and removing any compression from within the arranger if it has one.

You should also take into account any compression that may be being applied to the church's sound system, and see if overly aggressive guitar playing, or singers that 'eat' the mike are ducking down the backing from the arranger. Compress those separately from the arranger...

Lastly is the matter of monitoring... to play well, to FEEL that the arranger IS a drummer, bass player etc., it needs to be as loud onstage as if you had a real one. Allow others to ride on top of the sound, rather than sit within it (as they would if you had real drums) will always change the dynamic, and the whole FEEL of playing music. Care needs to be taken here, or everything will sound 'flat' and uninspiring.

Best of luck with your search...

Thanks for the suggestions Diki (and everyone else)! I think I'll cart my DGX-300 over to the church and give your ideas a try. But I still want to upgrade to a higher-grade arranger in the relatively near future.

I called Guitar Center and asked if they were going to be getting in the new Roland GW-8. They told me this would be an "order only item," as they are not planning to stock it. (Maybe because their Yamaha PSR 550's and 700's won't stack up so well against it?)

I then called Sweetwater and asked if I could order a GW-8, and then return it if it wasn't what I wanted. They said that I would have 30 days to try it out and then still get my money back if I decided to return it--as long as I paid the shipping costs--theirs and mine ($19.99 each way). Not a bad deal for a 30 day "rental" if I decide I don't like keyboard and/or the styles.

But then I read on one of the GW-8 threads that this keyboard only has 130 basic styles (plus 100 “regional styles,” which I think may be referring to the Latin styles that this keyboard ships to North America with). This would be a problem for me, since I’m used to the larger selection of styles (especially ballads) that come with the Yamaha keyboards, plus I’m not a Latin music player.

So I'm thinking I might just wait for the new Yamaha PSR S950 to make its debut (supposedly they'll be shipping in Feb. 09') and then try one of them out at my local Guitar Center before I order anything on-line. But then again, I might get a serious case of “keyboard fever” and order up a GW-8 to preview right after the rest of the family gets their Christmas presents….




[This message has been edited by polarshift (edited 11-14-2008).]

polarshift,
I would not consider the GW8 TOTL arranger, even though it seems to be a very nice sounding board. Maybe in a few monthes you will have some new choices for TOTL arrangers. Roland is overdue due and Ketron Audya is comming?

Yamaha S950??? I have not seen the announcement on that yet??
Lee

The best styles are the ones YOU edit & PLAY

I'd see about getting an S900 again for a few days, and trying those edits out. From what I have heard, there's a larger selection of Praise and Worship styles for Yamaha (and possibly Korg) than any other (you won't easily find them for GW-8, that's for sure!).

The DGX is probably a lost cause, sadly. A very washed out sound, IMO...

If the church can afford it, a T3 might be an excellent choice, with some better drums than the S900, and the possibility of later adding more if Yamaha make an expansion pack for the sampler, or a PA800 might also be something to check out. Lively drums, for sure!

I chose Yamaha because it has the MOST available styles. If you cannot find a stylr you need in Yamaha's library you won;t find it. The Yamaha library is extensive and has a huge support base of websites and people that create styles. AS far as sounds go, Thats a subjective area. Either you like the "signiture sound" of a Manufacturer or you don;t/ They all have their own idea of what a flute sounds like, or drums, bases on and on.

Yamaha samples their own Pianos, horns as well as others. My wife preferred the Roland Digital Piano for years. Now shes torn between the CP300 and her RD700. I am not as astute aurally. I can make one sound like the other using post recording tools. She's a live player, IM a Studio Rat. After having a PA2x and now a Tyros 3. I prefer the sheen of the Yamaha sound over the "live" Korg sound. But I rarely just use the Yamaha voices in their own styles.

The Yamaha has far less "features" meaning its easier to get up and running. You really have to hear the M3 then the Motif and Fantom to get an idea. most MI stores wont carry TOTTL Arrangers.

Hi,
I converted a few of my yammie styles across to pa800 format, including a couple of worship styles.

Al has them for download at
http://www.arrangerworld.com/dl.asp?cmd=2&cid=17&sid=23

You have to join to be able to download stuff from the site. ( it's free)

Personally I don't think onversions are ever as good as originals, but they may be worth trying before you decide what keyboard to get.

best wishes
Rikki


[QUOTE]Originally posted by polarshift:
[B] So again, I find myself wondering if I could get any of the Yamaha praise and worship styles for the Korg PA800 or PA500. This for me, would be the best of both worlds--assuming the Yamahas styles sound "more live" on the Korg keyboard. (I kind of doubt that this would be the case, but then, even having those worship styles would make the Korg keyboards "a good thing" as far as I'm concerned.