OK, I'm 67, looking for a keyboard to last my remaining gigging years.

I've been using my Tyros 4 for gigs(about 10 a month). It's become my trusted friend when gigging.

Thing is I bought my Tyros 4 for a good price as a used demo and it's time to replace it...time for it to become my backup.

So where to next?

I tried the PSR series...great keyboards but(as much as I wanted my PSR's to be) just not in the same league with my Tyros

I have the opportunity to buy a PA 4X but I can't decide if it's a PSR S970 on steroids or a Tyros wannabe.

I'm seriously leaning toward a Tyros 5, 61 key. But I've heard the Tyros 4 sounds better than the Tyros 5 gig wise.

Like others, I thought about waiting for the Tyros 6. But there's some clues here...and all the clues lead to a $6K+ Montage type keyboard. Not at all practical, price wise, for those of us who play for old folks.

Thing is, whatever I get. It will be my main keyboard...and if it lasts 8 or 9 years....well I'll be asking Garyif I can cruise on out with him on his boat.

Stick with what you have for now T4 or S970 is more then enough to gig with, 10 jobs a month isn't alot at all,...technology will change faster then you can blink and eye, these kb's are just tools to enhance whatever talent you have inside you,...just wait and see what comes out next and if it fits your needs or not you can decide then,..what's the rush you have the rest of your life to buy gear...
or try something totally different like the vArranger with a Laptop and controller KB this way Dan is always upgrading it and you'll have an arranger to gig with for years to come..or give a shot to KORG pa4x, Pa900, KETRON Audya or SD7, Roland BK9, there isn't that much left to choose from these days in an arranger KB





have fun

PA4X is definitely NOT a wannabee. It's the best all around arranger I've ever had. Your mileage may differ.

Donny, good point.

Thing is by by noon each day, I have three(sometimes four) gigs in as a teacher....15 -20 gigs a week before noon, all paying more than if I was doing music.

Thing is, I'm soon to be done with teaching I think.

I'm looking toward my last career before I sail off into that sunset with Gary.

TX Don, like everyone else here, I trust yor judgement.

Ever owned or used aTyros?

Just found out(phone call), Tyros 5 not available until August 5th.

I can't agree YOU the player make any arranger sound better...
T4, T5, S970 all do a amazing job not too much difference sound wise especially in the trenches if you know what your doing,...and size/weight matters in that respect also reason I use a S970...

Donny is right on the money - 10 jobs a month is about 25 percent of what he does now and what I did until health issues caused me to retire. It's not the keyboard, it's the person behind the keyboard. If that person is a good entertainer they can work as much or little as they wish.

I still have my gigging rig, which consists of a PSR-S950, Bose L1 Compact and all the accessories that make it easy to set up, tear down, and get to the next job on time. From your posts, I'm assuming that you rely heavily on your vocals, which is what most of the more successful OMB entertainers do. The PSR Series does an excellent job of providing outstanding backing for your vocals, it's relatively lightweight, easy OS, and sounds incredible. Even Don Mason will tell you that, though he has jumped ship for a Korg.

If I were in your shoes, I would concentrate more on my vocals, add a lot of variety to your play list, and go from there. You have the hardware, and apparently, have the talent. Just expand on what you now have and you'll do just fine.

All the best,

Gary

Guipic1
Over the last 3 years I have tried the S910, S950, and the PA900 thinking I could lighten my load and be a happy camper. All three got sold and I returned to my Tyros 4. I have also spent about 2 hours with a Bose L1 Compact hooked up to a S970 at the Guitar Center store and I can assure you that it does not have the same quality of the Tyros 4. For this test I took a thumb drive with me with all my gig setups so I would be hearing the same things. I also did tweak a few with S970 sounds but still did not gear the T4 quality.

Maybe someday we will see a lighter TOTL system but for now I would not move away from my Tyros 4. Oh yes, you say you are 67, well I will be 76 in June and gig about 12-15 times a month.

Deane

No, atleast not a Tyros 5...


Both are awesome instruments, personally i think i would even prefer pa4x for gigs ( better styles, better build quallity, better vocalizer, equall sound quallity, better piano sound).. In the end you build your own performances and sounds..

Tyros 5 however definately has more to offer for advanced hobby players. Ensemble voices, sa2 sounds, expansion packs... In the end, this is perfect for sit and play and use the content others created..

So choose your poison, or do as Donny said, stick with what you have as thats more then enough for gigging and making money..

Here my 2 cents

I had Tyros2,3,4 and now the 5(I have the 61 keys version), simply the Tyros 5 has the new better DSPs(versus the T4), and make it sound like......well, heavenly.
The T5 is like High Resolution TV vs conventional TV.
There is nothing wrong with the Tyros4, but, there are Many features and new technologies that the T4 does not have.

I had the first two Tyros models. I've also had nearly all the PSRs, several Ketrons, including the Audya and the latest SD7, six Rolands and four Technics. And one Casio. I have a close friend with a Tyros 5 and have played it a lot. I prefer the Korg for many reasons, almost all of which I've listed several times in the past. After seeing and hearing my Korg, and realizing all the amazing real-time controls it has, my friend sold his T5 and bought a PA4X.
Don't get me wrong, the Tyros line sounds great and has a plethora of styles. I consider controls, weight, size, vocal processor, harmonizer all extremely important. Plus I love the new sound engine on the 4X, and I have all the styles I need and many, many more. I also love the touch screen, which is now adjustable on all models of the 4X.
It doesn't matter to me what model anyone else uses, I'm just relaying my own impressions.

Although I don't own or have even played a Pa4x, I own a PA3x and a T5-76, ( a great combination!!) we've been away from home the last few months I only had room in the van to transport the Pa3x, but have to say I have not missed the T5-76 one bit. ( can't believe I just wrote that)..... At least I'm thinking there could be a Pa4x in my future and then again maybe not, I'll check which way the wind is blowing tomorrow

Tx all for the many good replies. There is a lot of wisdom and experience on this forum and I appreciate you all sharing that.

Take care

There is so much redundancy in these arrangers... i dont see any reason to own both..

Hi guitpit,

It sounds like T4 is fine for your needs but maybe your a bit bored with it? That's fine, it happens... So if your're going to keep the tyros 4 as a back up, why not get non Yamaha keyboard? That would give you more variety. When you gig choose what you think would fit best. Variety is the spice of life!

Steve... I would be happy to take the ride to Frank's with you to test and bring the Pa4X back to RI ...

maybe bring TWO Pa4x's back..just sayin'

Tony, do NOT spend an hour behind the PA4X. You will buy one.

A OK Tony!!

There's a lot of redundancy in Ice cream too, but some days I like "Mint Chocolate Chip" other days I prefer "Vanilla"..........and for those who drink booze, maybe some days people would prefer Gary's Green Coconut Maragaritas other days maybe a Martini, they all get you loaded but do it with different flavors.

Deane,

There is zero doubt in my mind that the Tyros is a step ahead. And I'm reminded of that every time I switch between the two keyboards.

If I was gigging every day, I might be tempted to go the S970 route.

Rog L