I am with Gary. That is why I have an S970. My Audya and Pa4x may have a few things the S970 doesn't, except for on board speakers, but the difference in weight and bulk alone is worth it for small in and out gigs. Besides that, the people won't hear any difference anyway. The Yamaha is a great board, considering.

yes Bernie I am thinking the same way here it just for quick in and out gigs .

I am keeping my T5 76 for biger gigs it just when i got to set up T5 76 and 2 powered speakers 2 twice at many gigs over kill want a very lean small rig 2 min set up and break down and on to next many paces are small and it would be perfect for those days kind a little T5 just what I am looking for now jus t need to find one I got a guy who has one but does not want to keep it I might work up a deal with him maybe 500 cash and my T4 for his mint 970 ???

500 cash coming to me

If you want a light weight 17 lbs arranger KB with speakers get a Roland EA7 and it has a much better I'd say the BEST SFM player then the S970 and many others for that matter for many reasons..too...





https://www.roland.com/global/products/e-a7/specifications/

Yes, there are many fine boards in the mid range, but the OS is so familiar. One of the reasons I take my S970 is that it is so familiar and easy to operate. I guess it depends on ones priorities.

Hi,
I did exactly what you want to do for the same reason.
I love the 970 for what it is and I was able to EQ it to sound 95% like my T4.
However; Here is what you will be missing:

- Keybed, but you already know that.
- Only 2 right hand voices instead of 3. I had to program my own OTS to make up for it, but it works.
- Midi files are fine except if you have vocal tracks from the T4.
- You have much less effects blocks. That could be a problem if your midi files are using a lot of effects. I had to reprogram some. Some of my styles needed some work because of that.
- You only have SA1 not SA2 voices. Miss some of those.
- Last not least: no aftertouch. Miss that on my guitars and synth sounds.

Other than that, it's a great sounding board and with some work arounds it comes very close to the T4.

Hope this helps.

Eric

I played it at NAMM I think it was just ok Donny S970 much better

yamaha midi file format does not tranlate very well on other units

I played a G70 for years did not like bk9

I think I will stick to Yamaha for this job

nothing against Roland love there stuff but hard to beat Yamaha and pretty commited to there os and midi format .

I do think 970 is best in it class for my needs

thanks , I am still keeping T5 76 for most big jobs this 970 will be for in and out quick jobs or piano toper keyboard I play a lot of grands and put keyboard on top use a s back up band to my Piano playing or guitar playing

i get complaints for some about silver color and size on piano .

this might be a smaller and black in color solution to my issue

it stupid but cost me a gig

size and weight and on board speakers seem to be good thing

still my T5 76 is my go to but this could serv a good purpose

in the multi set up jobs assisted and alt wings 2 set ups in many spots and one could just be onboard speakers people in very close to me situation

Just confirming your lightweight SMF needs,....enjoy your S970, the keybed is gonna be an issue for you also.......personally Id just use the T5 for everything whats a few pounds more to carry anyway?

I really wouldn't consider a change due to weight if the T5 weighs the same as the T4 which I believe it does the difference in weight is only 6 or 7 pounds. The weight issue is one that I always chuckle about when I hear that one.