Hello all!

I have been so out of the arranger keyboard world for such a long time that I don't even know which is which anymore!

Perhaps some of my friends here could give me a rundown of which one is the hottest right now with the best feature-set and sounds?

I do remember a time when the Tyros was kind of the valhalla of arranger keyboards. As some of you may know, I used to have a Generalmusic SK76, which was really at the top of its game in the late 90's but seems to have disappeared almost completely.

Best regards,
J I N X www.jinxchin.com

[This message has been edited by dongggoi (edited 03-17-2010).]

DUCK!!! ...
t.

I'll give it a shot!!!

Top of the line models will always be the best...

Ketron: SD1 plus, Audya..

Korg: PA2X

Yamaha: Tyros3 (only 61 keys).

Roland : G70, E80 (only 61 keys).

Technics: KN7000

Upper Mid Range:

Korg;PA800 (only 61 keys).

Yamaha S910 (only 61 keys).

Ketron: SD5 (only 61 keys).


Mid range:

Roland: Prelude, GW8 (both only 61 keys).

Roland: E60..

Feature wise:

Key feel....G70, PA2X, Audya.

Harmonizer....G70, Audya, PA800..

Drums and tones....G70, Audia, Tyros3,PA2X..

SMF play and edits: G70

Styles; G70, Audya, Tyros3..

Drawbar organ: G70..

Guitar mode: G70, PA2x..

Sequencer: G70, PA2x..

Mp3 player: Audya, PA2X...E80..Prelude, GW8

This should give you a good comparison..

Best bargain prices....the discontinued G70 or E80...Both can be found under $2,000..and have few if any compromises..

Sounds /styles; The Audya, at the highest cost $5,000..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 03-17-2010).]

Hey, no kidding!

Donggoi, do the time-honoured thing and put your hands on all the bigs. Then you and you alone can decide.

If that was you playing the songs you recorded--DON'T CHANGE! It's the player that really makes the difference--not the keyboard.

Cheers,

Gary

Super comprehensive Fran! Thanks!

And some good words of wisdom there 124.

The problem is, I live in Malaysia and so the only brands available here for arranger keyboards are Korg, Roland and Yamaha. No Ketron here.

so get a Roland E 80 like I have and it will last you for life because you will never figure out everything in it or how to use it all.
besides that it plays and sounds pretty good.

Just realize there is no best outside of your own opinion.
Bebop

Woah!

I think that's the wisest comment I've ever read in these Forums...(except for all of mine.... )

You might consider letting us know what type of music you intend to mostly play, what are your favorites, whether you are an experienced (if out of touch) synth and MIDI programmer or just a 'turn it on and play' kind of guy.

All of those things can influence a recommendation. Certain arrangers play bigband best, certain play smooth jazz the best. Some are best at Latin, some at Rock, etc., etc....

Some are easy to operate, others take a cerain degree of expertize. Some excel at Asian and ethnic styles, others don't.

There's a multitude of 'bests'...

Best at WHAT?

But there is no BEST ...

But if you liked the GEM back then, i think you might like Korg PA2x nowerdays for its interface...

Its the keyboard arranger that gives you as much sound design options as those old GEM's had..

I can't however tell which ones sound you liek best, thats what you need to find out yourself... So try and find a shop that has most of the TOTL arrangers setup for demonstration and play your heart out till you made your decision.

Hi dongggoi,

If you've used GEM in the past, I'm surprised that the GEM Genesys hasn't been mentioned, I know it's discontinued but maybe it can be picked up at a good price now? I think there's a 76 and 61 model.

As for me, I own a T3 and I am more than happy with it, estatic actually, it was either this or the Audya those were the only two that caught my eye from owning the Korg PA1x for 5 years. Still have the PA1x though and it isn't going anywhere, it's a beautiful machine and I think it will be a rare model as it uses high quality components and great sound system for a 61 key model.

Good Luck,
Danny.

Hello Jinx:

I took a moment to listen to your latest song and it is impressive. Great vocal and backing. Really nice.

Back to arrangers. Only the user can decide. There are so many good boards out there today... it will be a tough choice. With your existing gear and vocal capabilities... it's not gonna matter all that much. You have all the tickets right now!

Dave Rice
http://www.ShowCaseYourMusic.com/DaveRice

Hi Ricerone Dave!

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I am amazed at how prolific you are coming out with so many cool tunes a year! I need to step up my game!!

j i n x