I having serious thoughts about purchasing an S-950 when I get home in mid April. Naturally, Frank Vestra will be the first person I call if I decide to go in that direction. While my aging PSR-3000s still are in mint condition, there are some things I really like about the S-950, including the new features. Take a look at the ensuing three clips on YouTube and you'll understand why.



Cheers,

Gary

Gary ... only one clip showed ...
... and on the subject of style creation:
http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthread...been#Post358504

Gary....was wondering why you didn't like the previous Yamaha S 900 models verse verses this new S950..?

The S-900 had some issues with display failure, and the sound quality has really improved with the S-950. That, with the addition of some new drum kits, some incredible instrument sounds, a handful of new styles, makes the S-950 very attractive.

Tony, after the first demo plays, there should be more links that show up at the conclusion of the first. Try using this link it may work better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKPaMVjJqqQ&feature=share&list=UUG_GruQL_aP3QrS_zJQf7Kg

Cheers,

Gary

... yes, there ARE some cool features there ...

how many how many you I'm not thinking of getting a Yamaha now are you??

It's a really nice board Donny.

Joe

It might be interesting to see if the S950's sound improvement is more a result of tweaked styles and Mastering effects than anything in the hardware itself. Load an older S910 style, turn off the Master EQ and compressor (and turn it off on the S910) and see if there is any difference at all.

It might be possible to copy those same EQ and compression values to an older S910, too... I have certainly found that taking some of the EQ values of newer BK styles (which even Ian admits is noticeably improved over the G70 with respect to sound balance and fullness) and copying Mastering presets, you can come quite close to the newer sound on my ancient (ha!) G70.

New wine from old bottles...!

Joe, .... I saw it at Dave's studio a week or two ago,.....
just sounded to me like a Black S910 honestly it didn't get ME excited at all,...but as always enjoy what you choose to play. Unless Yamaha changes it's drums, MFD, VH, and OS navigational features, I will stay the course after having so many Yamaha arrangers,.. and keep enjoying my KORG..

The new drum kits make a big difference, plus the Vocal Harmonizer is now useable. The speakers are loud enough to play small house parties. Love the guitar sounds!
DonM

Gary I watched the video, and I also read this thread:
http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthread...been#Post358504

Did Yamaha add anything to Style Creator in the s950 compared to the s910 (or even the PSR-3000)? I have created styles on these boards, and I'm pretty sure the workflow and options demonstrated were present back on the 3000. Is there anything specific that's new or different?

From what I've read the style creator is about the same, with some minor exceptions. However, you can now add audio voices to the styles as well by inserting them via the multi-pads, which is a really neat feature. Big changes, at least from what I've heard so far, are big improvements in the drums, vocal processor, and many of the individual instrument voices. Some of them are absolutely stunning.

Cheers,

Gary

no way, Jose... I am getting this KORG rockin... and how many of us oldER players are going to use some of those features...

HI all,

I guess the changes are significant from the S900 than the S910. Also the new tools like Vocal Cancel (of course not 100% effective), audio multipads, VH2, MP3 playback with pitch and tempo adjust etc are quite nice and useful. I would have appreciated a nicer display though with a better resolution. Im sure the S950 is quite a nice upgrade!! Im looking to buy one too upgrading over my existing S900!!

Cheers

Sunny

Tony, I'm sure I'll be using most of them, but I'm a bit crazy, so it doesn't count.

Gary

From reading this and other forums it seems that if you have an S910 then the S950 is not worth the upgrade, however if you have an S900 or earlier then the S950 is the best thing since sliced bread. (Even though one of the features (Real Audio Drums) is limited, and way behind manufactures who had them on-board their instruments well over 10 years ago)

Bill

I upgraded from the S910 and I thought it was worth it. The upgrade cost me $700 per keyboard. Over the next three years, that comes to $233 a year. I think that $233 per year is a very meager investment in a hobby, let alone in my case, a profession.

I really enjoy the new sounds and the slightly better styles and vocal harmonizer. If I were hard up, I would stick with the S910, but otherwise, I'd upgrade.

Bill, having played with the S-910 for a couple days, I assure you that there is a world of difference in this upgrade. As Larry said, the new sounds, better and improved styles, plus as others have noted, incredible right-hand voices(instruments), makes this a big bang for the buck keyboard that is more than worth the few hundred dollars it will cost for the upgrade. There are lots of full-time entertainers using the S-950 now, and nearly every one of them provided glowing reports.

Gary