I would have thought this forum would be giving the launch of the Tyros 5 a standing ovation during it's release. After all, there were many posts here lamenting the demise of the one man band player and questions regarding the future of TOTL arranger keyboards.

If anything, the research and development along with the product release from Yamaha reaffirms arranger workstations are alive and well and as popular as ever.

I don't get the anti-Tyros sentiment on this forum. Is it really boiling down to the fact we are just grumpy old farts?

Many don't get it but I truly believe they are "Grumpy Old Farts"

Great post, Al.


Al, I've been retired from Yamaha since April this year, and my email is flooded with queries about the new Tyros5's and, appreciatively, my personal opinion on the instruments.

I won't be seeing one for a little while...a friend who lives nearby, and who has a 9000Pro (and a Tyros3) has ordered a Tyros5-76, and I always help him set up his arranger to suit his way of playing. But, at least I'll get to spend a bit of quality time on it, and be able to express a hands on opinion.

Someone had said on another thread that the Yamaha Tyros (and PSR) are more than just arrangers...there is a sense of community and fellowship that goes with the purchase, especially now since we have so many great Yamaha-centric forums, both old and new, that bring players together in order to share their music and tips and tricks.

This is certainly not meant as a slight against the company, but Roland would kill for one-quarter of the excitement that gets generated when Yamaha launches a new arranger. The BK-9, which is an excellent little keyboard, and despite the fact that it is considerably cheaper, barely got a blip on the radar, compared to the big splash created by Tyros5.

Why? It's an excellent product, as we have heard by the demos, and, by those who use the instruments.

Perhaps it's marketing? Or maybe it's that certain feeling I mentioned above? Korg is catching on quickly, and we see big numbers on their arranger forums since the release of their last models. I suspect the PA4X will make a bigger splash that the PA3X, as Korg are very competitive, and want more and more of the juicy arranger pie. A music store has to sell a lot of guitars to make the same amount of profit that one TOTL arranger generates. I worked in retail for several years, and doubt things have changed much since I was there.

I honestly can't understand the anti-Tyros sentiment displayed here. We are all lucky enough to find a bunch of people who play the same type of instrument as we do, and let's face it, some people (who imagine they are pros) look down on arranger players, as we have seen that here on SZ more than once. We have to stick together.

And then there are those who only (or mostly) focus on the negative, and, you rarely see an encouraging, supportive, happy, or even humorous post by them...my old aunt used to say, "When these kind of people die, even heaven won't meet their expectations."

The S950, and especially the S750 have been selling very well, according to what I hear from friends in retail, on the Yamaha forums, and also judging by my emails. The Tyros4 sold more than the first three models combined. The success and subsequent exposure of one (or any) arranger maker definitely spills over to the others, as everyone has their favorite brand.

So, I believe you are right, Al...the popularity of arrangers (of any brand) shown recently, definitely reaffirms these instruments are more than just alive and well.

Ian

I would say the price is a KEY factor mainly in todays economy.

That old saying springs to mind.
You can please all of the people some of the time and you can some of the people all of the time but you can't please KB's.
baz

Price is important, but VALUE is more important, and it is usually perceived value that matters most.

We buy something because the product we want has a higher perceived value than another ware that may have a lower price.

When you buy a Yamaha arranger, you buy more than just the instrument, as I stated above.

Ian

Great Post Ian, and I agree wholeheartedly.

The only reason I don't think price is an issue is because once you enter the Tyros (or 950) price point, it becomes a reasonable incremental increase to the next version. When you consider what it costs to get a Ketron Audya, I think the T5 is very competitive.

I'm not grumpy, old or a fart and that's why I see so many missed opportunities with the T5. I use the keyboard for modern dance and although this keyboard is strong in SO many areas, there are features a modern dance musician needs that aren't here.

For example, I feel that Yamaha made a half hearted attempt with the Midi-Audio player slider. What if I want to play 2 audio tracks in a row? I mean what's the point in a slider if it forces the musician to play Midi, audio, midi, audio, midi, audio, never changing the order? Who wants to be boxed in like that? What's the point of the slider if it can't be used freely? Korg was able to do that since the Pa2x.

That's just one example of the frustration at Yamaha missing opportunities to lure the young crowd and really enliven the future of OMB.

I'm curious: who over here would use the midi audio slider in a professional setting, and how would you use it?

From THIS OLD MAN'S perspective, today's arranger keyboards are absolutely phenomenal! I'm in love with the PSR-S950, my audiences absolutely love what they hear, including the younger audiences. The vocal processor has really improved dramatically, I've never heard more realistic voices in any keyboard I've owned in two decades, and if what I'm hearing from the T5 demos is what audiences and performers can expect, what more could anyone want. To this old fart, today's arranger keyboards provide us with the ability to become a one-man-orchestra - which to me is just phenomenal!

Gary

Personally I don't care what age group any of these arranger companies are targeting...the bottom line is, does the model/brand I buy work for my needs?

If it does, then that's all that's important to me.

I bought my Yamaha Tyros4 over two years ago, and it's sounds, styles, and features, still impress and please me when I sit down to play, do some recording, or customize styles to give my music it's own stamp.

What matters to me is the enjoyment I get from playing it, whether it's for personal use, or out making money on gigs. Reliability and factory/third party follow-up/support are also high on my list of requirements, and the Tyros4 meets or exceeds them in all areas.

To me, it was an investment...the return on it has been more than substantial.

Ian