I'm more then happy with what instrument facsimile technology has given us today, more then close enough to the real thing,I don't see what all the hub bub is?........on top of that you can easily manipulate the KB sounds to what ever you want to sound like in so many ways...IMO forget the sound, arps, and styles, sequences, etc,.. & concentrate on better features, navigation, design, utilities,
that players are all asking for to make it easier to play, create, and enjoy. And do it before we're all gone please!!

Ian, over the years I've found that all Yamaha instruments responded well to editing, but the best ones, at least from my experience, to edit were the old midi pianos - now they really can be tuned to become a fantastic sounding piano. The one I posted at PSR Tutorial has been downloaded thousands of times.

Gary

A piano alone is one thing but a piano in an arranger KB mix really is not appreciated regarding it's nuances...

So what about authentic styles ? Drums - Guitar Emulation - etc..

It looks to me that audio tracks are the thing manufacturers are going for. Agreed ? Audya - Korg - Yamaha

I've been digging the PSRS950 a bunch. I like using the guitar strum offered with the multipads with styles.

Gary, I'm more than happy with the basic Live!GrandPiano, which goes back to the PSR-3000 (and the even earlier 9000Pro and PSR-2100), I believe.

Like you, I get a lot of mileage out of it with a bit of simple editing, mainly in the Filter section. With appropriate "adjustments", that piano works well for all genres...from brightly bangin' out old Rock and Roll to softly sensuous jazz and classical ballads...and everything in between. It's a real work horse.

I tried loading in some allegedly "great" third party piano samples in my Tyros4, but I still go back to the versatile Live!GrandPiano and my simple edits.

Ian

So much of a piano sound is in what you like to hear. There are vast differences in the way real pianos sound. Yamahas sound different from Stienways, Busendorfers still different, grands sound different from uprights, etc.
I tend to get used to whatever piano sound my latest arranger has and then when I get a different one, it sounds strange for a while.
I actually like the grand pianos on Yamaha arrangers. They are bright and cut through the style as solo instrument.

I've no complaints with the all midi styles in my Tyros4, although I tend to heavily edit them to suit my manner of play. The biggest advance, in my opinion, and in regards to Yamaha's styles, was the introduction of Mega Voices in the style engine...and, with the Tyros4, one can also use SA/SA2 voices in the styles...pretty cool, and very realistic sounding. Also, the style engine has been recently updated and offers even more realistic guitar strums and arpeggios.

As far as Yamaha's audio drum based styles (Tyros5 and S950), I have mixed feelings, mainly due to their very limited editing and restricted sharing/storing of said edited styles.

I can work with the midi based drum kits much better, but I do see the attraction of the audio based styles, especially in the Audya.

Ian

I really love the sound of those S-950 audio drums, but apparently I'm in the minority with this one.

Gary

I agree with you Gary. Very nice improvements on the 950.

I think the S950 (and Tyros5's) audio drums sound great too, Gary...I'm just disappointed in their limitations as far as editing and storage.

I'm probably in a further minority in that I heavily edit my styles, so my needs are also quite different than most.

Ian