Money no object?

1. Roland Atelier AT-900C

2. Hammond B3 Ultimo

3. And I'd keep my E-80

The "perfect" arranger KB for ME hasn't been made yet. Although for now Yamaha is coming close with each release for my needs.

Your off topic again...

Ok let's make it easy....

Yamaha S900
Yamaha Tyros 3

what more does anyone need?.Just listen to Ian's song on the eJAM post and I havn't heard any other arranger that could sound that good, including piano, which I enjoy on all Yamaha instruments. But if there is I'd love to hear it instead of this crazy wish list scenario.
http://www.4shared.com/file/112020540/80ccf16b/NearnessOfYou1.html



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-20-2009).]

Some folks need more keys...and a good piano sound..

As I mentioned before Ian's tune was the best I heard from the S900..to date....but it wasn't the piano that stood out, in fact even layered with strings it is one of the weaker sounds...The stand out was the guitar, and also Ian's guitar work...

Not many "piano" players would want to play "naked" piano on a s900...

Thankfully we are accordion players..

and it still bugs me..

I certainly can't say the S900 has the "best" piano sound...Tyros, especially Tyros2/3, and G70, have it beat, but it works perfect for me, even solo...I like using the P85 to control it for solo piano.

I play around with the filter to take some brightness off to soften it for jazz.

It's not actually meant to be a solo piano...it just has to work well within the arranger accompaniment, and it does that perfectly.

With my Jupiter 8 I have about the best analog sound I could want, and with a Tyros3 (or even S900), I've got excellent digital (realistic) sounds...the B3 on the Tyros3 is incredible so I wouldn't lust after a Hammond anymore.

I may look into an S70 XS in the fall.

Ian

Ian, that is why I mentioned more keys...illustrated by your use of the P85 for piano /controller..

BTW: I always thought the S series Yamaha synths were the better value, rather than the Motif stuff...I will check out the new S70 model too...not that I need it, but have to shop/buy...it is my hobby..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 06-20-2009).]

I see your point Fran...61 keys aren't enough for playing just piano....especially if they aren't hammer action.

I don't like playing solo piano on unweighted or even semi-weighted keys...they work fine for arranger use, but they feel terrible to a piano player...probably because they feel nothing like a piano.

I really don't mind the lightweight action on an arranger...it's no worse than, say, going from acoustic guitar to electric when I play guitar...guitarists have to deal with all kinds of different actions...so do us keyboard guys as well; and, since my personal gigs are "arranger" type, I don't have any problems with using a 61 note flyweight.

The Jupiter 8 has no velocity sensitivity at all, and I'm soon comfortable with it after a few minutes adjustment.

If the S70 XS works out, I can sell my P85...I only use the weighted action stuff at home anyway, and I also like the idea of the aftertouch on the former, and I'm pretty sure it's MIDI specs far more extensive.

It's certainly a lot lighter than the CP-300 I had here...the MIDI specs on that were awesome, but so was the weight (and it didn't have aftertouch).

Ian

Since I have all I need in arrangers;

Steinway B
Hammond B3 in Cherrywood
Roland KRM117M
Roland V Piano
Roland RD700gx

As I look at my choices I think back to 1974 when I worked for the Steinway dealer in Providence. At the time the owner's 2nd store geared toward the rock musician carried Roland electronics pianos. We use to laugh at what junk they were. Amazing how Roland products have exceled thru the years.

Hey, Cass Pa2xPro eh?