Received a PM from Ian earlier today to tell me that his long awaited Tyros 4 delivery finally arrived today. I phoned him and he sounded quite ecstatic. He's got his fridge stocked with plenty of food so I'm sure once he's able to pull himself away from his new toy, he'll be sharing his thoughts here.

Very Happy for Ian. It may be awhile till we hear from him.

Scott great news ....BUT shouldn't you have waited so Ian himself could have ecstatically posted this good news himself?...in any event glad to hear Ian has a chance to try a T4 out for a while.

Why? He's posted about all the weather related shipping delays he's had to endure so what's wrong with spreading the happy news of its arrival?
I'm sure Ian will have much more to share with us soon.

But the initial announcement should have been his alone IMO....;)

Congrats Ian.....We are near 2 weeks apart, I got mine then....I am a happy camper....I know you will too.

First thing, update the OS, I already had purchase the 1 gig Memory (thanks Frankie), I installed, then proceeded to play for a while, then to transfer all my T3 Data, Registrations, Pads, UVNs, etc.....
I started a total new folder with registrations made from the T4, and I started touching up with changing some of the sounds, Volumes, etc.....for the T3 registrations, basically to update them with better sounds, etc.
The important thing is that the people HAVE notice the difference, on the sounds....that in a very positive way.

Hey guys...I mentioned to Scott about him posting about me getting my Tyros4, if he had time.

I've been so busy with updating the OS, trying out all my styles, and, all the great new on-board styles, plus answering many, many client emails about the instrument and how it performs, plus, setting up clinics and demo dates.

Of course, we all know I'm very biased towards Yamaha, and I have every reason to be...first of all, I do a bit of work for them regarding clinics and demos, which i really enjoy, and, perhaps more importantly, I love the Yamaha "sound", and have been using it for many years, the latter being a major reason why I accepted the job with the company when asked.

So far, I am very, very impressed...perhaps the "honeymoon" will wear off, but I have a feeling I'm in for the long haul.

I am really getting to appreciate the FSX keybed and it's intimate relationship with the SA/SA2 sounds...I still like the keybed on the S910, but the FSX's longer throw really allows more expressiveness...and, it is very, very quick and responsive.

I thought the vocal patches, and the styles with vocal patches, might be of limited use to me, but, after playing around with them all afternoon, I can see many possibilities, plus, they will help me branch out into genres I don't usually spend much time with...they are inspirational, in other words.

"HollywoodGospel" is a real standout in the styles that feature vocal patches.

The new drum kits, to my ears, are excellent...certainly far more "live" than ever before...the jazz kits are so cool (the brushes are astonishing), and several of the jazz styles themselves were pure joy to play along with, "CoolPianoJazz", "TheJazzSingers" and "LACoolSwing" being notable initial favorites...the walking bass line in "CoolPianoJazz" was beautifully programmed.

I'll probably be up till the wee hours just exploring...and, since I've already had a Tyros3, and an S910, it may seem strange that there would be that much new stuff to explore, but there is plenty.

I intend to try the VH-2 tomorrow or Saturday...I'll try to answer any questions as unbiased as possible, but don't expect any miracles...I'm pretty smitten with Yamaha arrangers, and this one in particular has smote me quite hard.

Thanks Scott, for letting fellow SZ'ers know about my getting the Tyros4.

mdorantes, I too have started fresh on my registrations, although, I don't usually use that many, but rather rely on edited OTS in the styles, plus a few banks of registrations that are intended to cover the genres I play.

The Tyros4 sounded great right out of the box...all I did was update the OS...I'm playing the T4 through the same speakers as I used with the Tyros3, which are Yamaha MS60S powered monitors with AST. I will also get to A/B the Tyros3 side by side with the T4 next week, as I'm doing a clinic at the home of the client who bought the Tyros3 from me.

The Tyros4 has more "sparkle" to my ears, and I wasn't quite able to get the same sound on the T3, no matter what I did with EQ and/or Compressor.

Maybe the Tyros4 is using different D/A converters? Whatever the case, the sound appeals to me, and has the sweetness I liked on the Tyros2.

Now, back to work, if you can call playing a terrific high-end arranger, "work."

Ian

Hi Ian,

Enjoy your newest acquisition, the Tyros 4, and the moose (stocked in the fridge).

Taike

Ian,
Congrats on the new arrival...
Wish I could come over and spend some time checking it out with you....:-)
A little too far, especally this time of year...so I will be in touch...for now I leave you to it, rather than bug you...
But, 'I'll be back'

NO DONNY Ian had asked Scott to post about it if he had time. Who cares who posted it anyway. Sounds like Ian is just having too much fun with it.

Ian,
Congratulations on eventually getting your Tyros4.
Pretty sure any initial misgivings you may have had will now be a thing of the past.
Look forward to hearing your personal assessment regarding the Tyros4 and the comparisons between the Tyros3.
Certainly agree with you on the vocals,there are so many ways they can be used without being intrusive or overbearing. I think you hit the Nail on the head with, inspirational.
ENJOY

Gilbert.

Ian, Congratulations, now try to get some sleep.

Enjoy Buddy!

Congratulations!

Now that you've tasted fillet mignon could you ever go back to ground beef?

Ha Ha...you are a good judge of tastes, Beaky.

I've got two flat spots on my behind from sitting at the Tyros4 so long...even the padded bench doesn't help.

It sure is a beauty...I'm really getting hooked on the FSX action.

I didn't play the Tyros3 all that much, as I was focused on the S910 for some time due to the way clinics were being set up.

The FSX...man, what a terrific feeling keybed...the SA/SA2 sounds just have so much more response.

I'm trying to get away from just playing it at every opportunity, and check out the VH-2.

I'm on my second pot of tea.

Ian

Ian, Scott, and other T4 owners ....sorry but I'm not totally convinced yet or sold on T4....I need to hear more REAL PEOPLE playing...Ive heard enough pro demos which are very good but for me I want to hear it from the public masses...especially the VH2, and styles that you would use on a gig not all that Movie theme stuff although nice I have to be exposed to what I would use it for in my work....I'm not saying I wouldn't buy one but I learned from my T2 that I need to SEE MORE and Hear More... talking about how great it is doesn't do anyone any good ....bottom line is what does it sound like in the hands of us mere mortals Since I can't find any T4's around here to try in the biggest tri state area in the country I'll have to rely on my SZ friends to share their T4 music somehow, please,.... is that too much to ask? I don't think I'm alone on this, I guess I just have the cujones to ask


Congrats to all T4 owners !

Sounds like there could be a tiny, wrinkled, little T5 arriving (by stork) at Ian's house in about 9 months .

chas

No amount of recorded demos, by me, Scott or any other SZ'er, are going to sway you enough to buy a Tyros4, Donny.

Bottom line is that you'll really need to play it yourself, and spend some quality time with it.

I believe the most important thing for you is the performance of the VH-2 Vocal Harmony, and, you've actually got to try it yourself, with your own voice, doing your own material.

Personally, I think the Tyros4 is more than what you need, unless you do a lot of RH solos. You also use quite a few SMF...the S910 already does a great job with the bread and butter RH sounds, and the SMF, and you already have an outboard harmonizer that works very good.

The T4 still doesn't do what you want regarding the Music Finder.

The S910 is lighter, has speakers, is much cheaper.

If it was me, I'd wait for the next generation S-series.

As far as me recording demos, I may do so after I'm comfortable with the Tyros4, and I've caught up on the work load that developed because it was so late getting to me. Also, I'm not going to record a vocal based demo, as I'm not a singer.

Strange that in a big city like you live in, that the Tyros4 isn't sold and displayed...where do you and Fran buy your stuff?

Ian

Ha ha...please, no comments about inserting devices in USB ports...

Ian

Ian judging by your reply I sense that your feelingness for the S910 havn't changed at all even after the T3 or T4....the honeymoon is wearing off and you start to realize the S910 is more then adequate in many ways FOR NOW...nothing wrong with that....

We purchase our gear at many outlets thruout the USA....I'm in no rush as for now the T4 doesn't really do much more for my needs then the S910.....so whenever I get to try one ...
I get to try one....no biggie. As we are all operators triggering SMF 's in some way thru either styles or SMF sequences & beyond the job gets done.

Carry on

Actually, Donny, I will always think of the S910 as a terrific mid-range arranger, with excellent "bang for the buck" value, but, I think I have found the instrument I want for my personal use.

I've downloaded the complete Tyros3 styles, and now I have basically a Tyros4 AND a Tyros3.

Perhaps the Tyros4 won't appeal to you once you've played it and spent some quality time using it.

I do know that it appeals to me...more than the Tyros3 did, and more than the S910...some of the reasons are tangible, but some are hard to explain...basically, it just feels right.

I start doing clinics next week, so I best get more familiar with this beauty. Time for more tea!

Ian

Ian, (or others)
If you buy a T4...are 'ALL' the T3 styles and sounds in there as well?...or do you have to go get them and load the ones you want..
Did they rework the T3 styles and not give us the old original ones?
Thanks,

If you check on PSR Tutorial you can find out what Tyros3 styles were left off the Tyros4.

You can download the complete Tyros3 styles, which work in the Tyros4 unedited.

Some Tyros4 styles are re-worked Tyros3 styles...generally the intros/endings may be changed, and perhaps some of the new vocal sounds added.

It's simple...put all the Tyros3 styles (or Tyros2 or CVP-509) that you will find useful, in a folder, and you are good to go, as loading time is immediate, even from USB or HD.

All my S910 custom styles work great...sometimes I may need to alter an OTS, as the S910 lacks aftertouch, but otherwise, no issues.

Essentially, regarding styles, the Tyros4 is backwards compatible with the older series...registrations might need to be changed, but I think Michael Bedesem or Jorgan have programs to make it easy.

The Tyros3 sounds are all there on the Tyros4...some are in a Legacy folder, but, you aren't missing any sounds at all.

Ian

Ian,
Great...an excellant detailed answer to my question!
Thanks,

Donny, Go to YouTube and do a search on: "Tyros 4". There are already lots of Tyros 4 video song demos produced by amatuers and pros alike. No shortage of REAL people playing Tyros 4 there. If those don't convince you, short of you playing one yourself, nothing will. I have to concur with Ian that for your type of entertainment, the S910 may be your better match for "you" personally, especially if its built in speakers and ultra lightweight features matter more to you than dramatically improved sound and Tyros 4�s terrific new SA2 voices, so ideally suited for "live play" soloing.

Please don't take this the wrong way, Ian, I'm just trying to point out something you may not even have noticed yourself...

But... After several years of quite vehemently 'defending' the action on the PSR, and saying you prefer it even better than the Tyros FSX while you were playing the PSR, now you have a Tyros with an FSX action, and all of a sudden, wow! That FSX action now is superior to what you have played in the past (i.e., the PSR!).

All I'm trying to do is point out the natural tendency to praise what we are already playing, rather than perhaps keep an open and frank opinion of ALL arrangers, including what we already are currently playing. I have no problem accepting that many arranger features in other arrangers are better than my G70. I also think that the things that are important TO ME make the G70 by far the best arranger FOR ME, but I'm not going to sit there and put down other things on other arrangers that are demonstrably better than the G70.

You put down the T2/3 action while you had the PSR. Now you have the T4 and suddenly, it got SO much better?!

Maybe ALL of us can learn a bit from this, and step back from the reflexive 'defending' of each and every feature on our treasured keyboard, and start to discuss them openly and frankly. I see this as the way to improve the breed, and to get the manufacturers to realize when they are slipping a bit. Having a large percentage of the owners 'defend' poor features simply because they don't want to admit ANY flaw if they can help it sort of skews the manufacturers' (and ours, here) feedback.

Stay brutally frank (no, not YOU, Frank!), and there's fewer things like this about face going on...

Please don't take this as an insult. It honestly isn't intended as such. I really enjoy this place, but sometimes it gets a bit contentious, as we sometimes defend what we play a little TOO vigorously.

I am happy for you and your acquisition of the TOTL Yamaha, and really DO look forward to hearing you do your magic on it, soon. Your PSR demos were some of the best that have been posted here, and I can only imagine how much further you can take this new one. I can't wait!

Donny, I think you and Fran should drive north up to the snow belt and visit the only shop on the east coast that has them. Probably ought to take Uncle Dave along, too--he needs a break from the kids. I'm sure Frankie would love to meet you guys in person.

Good Luck,

Gary

Donny..how quick we forget..

You played the Tyros4 at GC a while back....and let me remind you....you liked the improved sound over the previous models..in fact you liked it..

I rest my case!

I see your point, Diki, I really do, and, no, I take no offence.

My statements back then, were as you said.

The FSX is now my favorite action...it's very simple, Diki...people change.

Having spent a lot of time on the Tyros3 before it's sale, I found I started to really get into the touch. The sound was such that I could never get the overall instrument to sound as "sweet" as I wanted it, but, the SA/SA2 voices were still a joy to play via the FSX, and, it sort of grew on me.

With the Tyros4, I like the way the sound responds even better...again, especially the SA/SA2 voices, and also, the Tyros4 sounds even better right out of the box. I needed to change nothing.

Was I ready for a change in keyboard actions?

Probably.

As I said earlier, some of the reasons for desiring the T4 were tangible, and, some were not.

It just feels right, and it feels right at this point in my life.

I don't expect you to understand...perhaps you've never changed your mind over something that you'd never thought you do a reversal on?

In any case, that's the way it is.

Ian

PS...I still really like the action in the PSR-S910...remember, I like nice light actions...the Jupiter 8 has lightweight keys, the Hammond as well...the S910 is much like the Jupiter 8, only with velocity sensitivity.

Thanks for being understanding, Ian. I didn't want this to sink as some of our exchanges have in the past!

I guess what I tend to do is look at each part of an arranger separately, to better understand and compare them. If you take the whole thing as a 'good' or 'bad', then it's harder to talk about individual issues inside them. It seems as if the sound wasn't as 'sweet' as you wanted it to with older FSX arrangers, and the baby kind of got thrown out with the bathwater..!

I do a lot of playing ALL my different keyboards from each others' actions. Everything is networked together in my setup, so any of them can be the master for anything else. That way, I use the action that suits the sound, or at least the way I want to PLAY that sound. Live, of course, it's just the one thing. But at home, I have learned to separate touch from sound. I guess it helps me get a better handle on recognizing the differences, both good AND bad, of each of them.

Anyhoo... Glad you are excited and enthusiastic, and I just know you are going on to higher and higher things with this one. Enjoy!

WHAT?....man Fran are you losing your mind.....?
GC NEVER had a Tyros 4 ?...........well you know now that I think of it it might of been a T4 or at least a T3 I really don't remember.........anyway I'm glad I didn't rush into anything.....I think waiting a while is the best advice you have given me ....the Old Donny would have already bought the T4 used it and sold it already....I'm still looking forward to the new Roland module also...meanwhile what i have is fine for now.



Dicki...I have to admit I agree with you above ....good post.

That WOULD explain a lot.

chas


Just teasing you, Fran. All those 20-somethings really ARE hot for you .

Diki, I was rather a bit surprised at my own change of heart regarding the FSX action.

A week or more ago, I had just mentioned to Scott and several others I had been talking to on the phone, that I would probably end up buying the S910, because of it's "sweeter" sound (to my ears) and, that I really liked the action.

Then, I took the Tyros3 to Johnny's place, and we spent the whole evening, and part of the next day, going through the Tyros3 (Johnny already has a 9000Pro). I kept thinking, "You know, this action's not half bad at all...in fact, it's pretty darn good, especially on those SA/SA2 sounds.

Yet, the Tyros3's overall sound still didn't quite light my fire, but, Johnny loved it right away...in fact, it wasn't much different than the way I responded to the Tyros4 when it arrived here.

So, sound is definitely personal.

If the Tyros4 had been very much like Tyros3 in overall sound, I would have probably kept to the S910, even though I had begun to like the Tyros' FSX action.

But, as several Tyros4 owners had told me, the new instrument was much different in overall sound than the T3...and it sounded this way, right out of the box.

And, sure enough, it's sound appealed to me a lot...much like the S910, but on steroids....and, the action, which I had already begun to appreciate, seemed to work even better with the T4's SA/SA2 than on the Tyros3 (again, a personal observation and opinion).

So, that's where it stands...certainly an S910 would still be a great buy, and save me a lot of money, but, I'm going to be good to myself, and get the best available...bring on the fillet mignon.

Ian

Ian I hope you feel like this in 6 months from now ...meanwhile enjoy the moment and play your heart out...enjoy.
I'm off to make some $$$$$ tonight with my measly S910 :):)

There's always the Surf & Turf that Korg has!

Ian - congrats my friend! Jumping in kinda late on this one but glad to hear that you have the T4 in your possession! I've been watching the demo's and continue to be most impressed!

Enjoy that terrific board and keep us posted on your discoveries!

Randy

Unfortunately Korg arrangers are as rare as Yeti steaks in my area.

Ah well, I guess they're savin' them for you guys.

You thinkin' about gettin' a PA3X Dave?

For giggin'...er...workin' with?

Somehow I'm thinking you mentioned it would have to have speakers.

I wonder if they will produce a follow-up to the venerable PA-800, or are the PA3X's the only ones?

Ian

Hi Ian!
Well, the 3x will have to sound MUCH better than my PA800 to justify the extra cash, and the attached speaker is a MUST ... so if it isn't stellar - I am not a candidate. My setups are too streamlined to ever rely on a PA system or amp for my personal monitor - I need it in my face at all times, and at a good volume level and quality. The new TC processor interests me more than the kb upgrades ... we'll have to wait to see. I know you'll love that T4 - it's reeks Yamaha, as do you. ( in a GOOD way! )
Now, forget about these posts and go play that thang!!!!!!!

Congratulations Ian,

enjoy your new toy. Yeh

Ian, well done, now enjoy. It might keep you off the streets and out of mischief or it might not. lol

i am very pleased for you Ian. I got to admit the T4 sounds awesome especiallyn those orchestral patches. The drums definately sound much improved and as always the styles are smooth as silk.

But if you keep drinking all that coffee , just remember to take a toilet break :-) No instrument is worth wetting yourself over, at least not more than once ha ha :-)