I played the predecessor and it sounded great, but the keys were way too much like real piano keys and my hands cramped up in no time at all.

Good luck,

Gary

Graded hammer action would be a different experience after using arranger keybeds.
Charles

I’ve played this model, and while it’s graded, I wouldn’t say it’s on the heavier side. It’s a fairly decent graded action too. If it had a mod wheel Yamaha would have sold a large number just from consumers buying it to use as a midi controller.

Sqk

So far really good....

Hi Donny,
I had a DGX a few years ago, must have been the prior model or even earlier.
Don’t know if it’s changed, but I remember it couldn’t play a complete psr style,
I don’t think it had all the style parts ie maybe only a couple of variations or a couple of intro’s, either way, I didn’t keep it for long, having the weighted keys back then , ended up not that important to me.

Think I bought the psr1500 instead.

Rikki thanx.....was a unaware of it's potential and features so I asked here. thanks all for the excellent info. It is really nice to play....spent an hour auditioning it..

Looks like a nice home practice board but nothing serious as an arranger. Too heavy for gigging. If the price is right it would be nice in a corner of the studio .

Hi Donny,
I half considered one again, choice between p121 and a dgx, but , I decided against it, wasn’t really worth paying for the arranger functions, because I was buying the sx900 regardless.
Initially I was planning on having a piano in the living room, and sx900 in my bedroom / studio, but, I managed to sell my 3 korgs , plus the s950 , I had heaps of room left, so piano was going in studio.

I really wouldn’t imagine you’d be happy with one, I think of it more as a piano with styles as an add on, rather than as an arranger.

Rikki and you would be correct with that statement....
just something that passed by my desk.....
Glad your enjoying your SX900 & P121 units...

take care

Not really a full blown arranger.( only 2 variations), and of course heavy.

Wait for Korg Xe20 ( still not full blown but 4 variations, basically EK 50 with 88 keys plus additional piano sounds and super light with speakers).


http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/488548/Re:_New_Korg_arrangers_-_i3__a#Post488548


http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/488548/Re:_New_Korg_arrangers_-_i3__a#Post488548

jamman thanx for the info...
but I'll pass now that I am aware of its features, etc...

take care..

Donny, Back in 2005 I had one of the older DGX pianos it was too big and did not do enough as an arranger for gigs. I had been playing a DGX620 in the lobby of the cancer center where I play piano solo every Monday afternoon. I was trying to sell them on the merits of the DGX660 but they didn’t bite instead replaced it with an Roland FP4F ( I think that’s the model). They would have been better off keeping the DGX620, I really enjoyed playing it I liked the piano type action and if every once in a while I wanted to play it like an arranger I could.

No problem.
Please be aware that all new 88 keys arrangers ( XE20 and DGX) are entry level without user editing/ style writing features.

The last MOTL 88 keys were Havian ( Pa 300 board) or PA588( Pa500 board). Both keyboards have user style creation/ full sound editing, etc.
Their sound chips / ROM were bigger and newer than recent EK/XE ( PA80) repackaged marketing.

As I can judge, DGX650/660 are very successful on the market and well-priced. The initial DGX-620 (there also was DGX-520 with lighter keyboard) had only 32 voices of polyphony, which seems ridiculous for a such big keyboard, but as Stephen says, he enjoyed it anyway.

As I see it, Yamaha targets people who don't want to adjust a lot of things. While we are used to keyboards like PSR, we often forget how frightening it can look from outside dealing with all these menus, mixers, tabs and so on.

The crucial thing to me is an ability to mute parts of an accompaniment and DGX doesn't have it. As I believe, too many parts playing together is something which makes an arranger to sound cheap.

this is the previous model and it sounds excellent....

Steve many features are nice on the DGX-660....
your right for sure enjoying it as we speak

Well unboxing is finished ....
and a 1hr piano kb stand assembly was easy following the instructions.
Some screws and brackets all pre drilled. I have the Black version.
Played for a half hour, feels good ...looks good...
now to explore & dig in deep.

... keep the box

Enjoy Donny.

Thanx for the kind words...not

Enjoy it Donny,

You know I love you .... but I DO know you.

Enjoy the keyboard-but keep the box.

Gracie paisan...appreciate it!!

Nice instrument, my neighbor has one...Great keybed action!

I agree Lee the keybed is really nice to play with on the DGX660 reminded me of Genos, ...
I found out that Yamaha musicsoft sells extra styles too for this model...

Hi Donny,
you may be able to edit some of the psr styles to suit ,

I think I used to use this software, if not it was one man band.

http://www.jososoft.dk/yamaha/software/sremix/index.htm

Rikki thank you for the info. I read more about it on PSR tutorial..
seems like a excellent tool to make styles convert
to DGX format.....I'll try it down the road when needed.

Here it is explained the differences between the two models..

I hope enjoy your DGX as much as I enjoy my Korg Havian. I mostly play it as a piano but it’s great to add rhythms or styles when needed, plus it looks pretty good in the living room, meaning no complaints from my wife!

Thank you Paul it's nice to just sit down and just
simply play music & sing on the DGX-660 at home.
Experimenting with the TC Helicon Perfrom VK also
for added vocal harmonies too..
I have come to the conclusion my needs need three things the
DGX-660 Digital Piano Arranger KB, Novation LaunchKey 49 Midi KB Controller
for DAW input, editing, etc, & possibly
a lightweight smaller 61 Yamaha Psr arranger to take out
if the need ever arises.

Take care

Sooooo, how are you handling the weighted action on that beast? Do you think it’s the same as the P series pianos?

Thank you Paul it's nice to just sit down and just
simply play music & sing on the DGX-660 at home.
Experimenting with the TC Helicon Perfrom VK also
for added vocal harmonies too..
I have come to the conclusion my needs need three things the
DGX-660 Digital Piano Arranger KB, Novation LaunchKey 49 Midi KB Controller
for DAW input, editing, etc, & possibly
a lightweight smaller 61 Yamaha Psr arranger to take out
if the need ever arises.

Take care [/quote]

I’m glad to hear you’ll be getting something potable too. I’m sure plenty of opportunities will come up to play out. Why would anyone that is still able and talented as yourself want to completely abandon performing? You have a gift Donny, share it!

Dave like I said in a previous post the keybed reminds me in between a Genos/Pa4x & Digital Piano action, took some getting used to
but certainly a pleasure to play you just have to think differently when your playing vs the featherweight plastic keys of the
S-series & Pa-series units..
So far I am exploring all features within the OS.....I was happy that it plays SMF directly from a USB without any limitations to folder size just scroll thru the songs, hit song play and play and sing on top.
What is already has inside style wise gives you enough to cover most genres easily even with the limitations of 2 variations
& 1 Intro/Ending which I don't need as I play my own most times anyway. Speakers & Vol are excellent too. I like the rubberized buttons too and navigation is easy as pie. The simplicity is enjoyable not having to worry about all the arranger stuff I'm used to....with the DGX660 you just play and enjoy....
most of the styles are the most popular Yamaha ones most players will surly recognize from units like the Psr S950 etc..I did have to buy a larger cover my AX stretch dust cover for 88 keys....
old one only fit 61/76 keys no big deal..
More to come ..

Take care..back to fun

Dave .......RED Head ....just sayin'..

Great voice too

DGX-660 .....Red Head magnet

I watched this 5 times already...just fantastic..

Where's the DNJ plays the DGX-660 video?

Gary

Naw - that one is strawberry blonde

Redheads or not ... can't watch videos in languages I don't understand. That's one reason I never grew to like opera.

Gary your not going to see or hear that from me anymore sorry .....
After being accused of faking it
I'm done with posting any of my music.
I'm quite happy playing, singing & writing music here for myself.
Hope your feeling better Buddy

Take care.

“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.”
“Where words leave off, music begins.” “Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.”

Good luck with it Donny. I like your idea of having a portable also. You'll get used to the keyboard in time and may come to prefer it. I think weighted keys let you play more expressively and get into the music better.
Have fun with it.

Bill honestly the DGX660 is growing on me. It's comfortable to sit down and play. The keybed is really nice and weighted just right.
I don't think I could ever go back to lightweight plastic keys again eg:sx900,S970,Pa1000,Ea7, etc,etc,... once you get used to these.
Agreed it makes you be more expressive when your playing too.....
and let me tell you it really sounds GOOD. It's like a Swiss Army knife for Piano players, Song Writers, Arranger KB Players,
and so much more all in one unit to play at home.
I'm becoming an 88 key lover! The sounds are truly like
any TOTL Yamaha arranger sounds less the SA voices. Styles were well chosen and even though it has two variations it's more then enough to play just about any genre on any song easily.
Also using the Free STYLE ReMixer Program it was easy to convert all my favorite third party styles to work with the DGX-660. I figured out the registration memory procedure and it works effortlessly too.
Plays SMF files without limits from USB drive on file size which is great. Also with the AUX Input with a Mp3 player/Tablet/etc, plugged in playing & singing along with backing tracks is a breeze.
Mic processor effects are very good also...
gonna hook up the TC Helicon Performer VK for Vocal harmonies also.
Having fun so far....an amazing BANG for the BUCK for sure!!

Take care

So....let me get this straight. A $5000.00 Genos sucks, but a $700.00 board from the same manufacturer is God's gift. Amazing! I guess Yamaha must be confused, I know I am.

chas

Chas I know its early but what don't you understand
about Best Bang For The Buck?
I was having a nice day until I read this...sheeeeeesh

Sorry guy, maybe it just irritates me to have to endure the latest iteration of the weekly 'buy/praise/bash/return' scenario. My bad. Carry on. I'll start the countdown clock. Sheeeeeesh.

chas

Chas how about just go by and don't read it at all less endurment that way just sayin'?
Your obviously obsessed with the topic no matter when it's posted....
That said I am sitting here really enjoying my
Chobani Strawberry Banana Greek Yogurt with sliced Bananas.
Now back to playing my DGX-660

Sounds really good, hope it's low-fat yogurt. You can really put on the pounds just sitting in front of a computer all day, seven days a week. Go play your DGX660 (unless of course, that's changed since your last post, forgot to check the avatar ).

your bff,
chas

Chas I don't know if you know you can post online from your
cell phone when out & about also..just sayin'
Also I hope you won't be traumatized as I don't predict my
Avatar will change any time soon.

Donny, your new approach of having multiple keyboards makes sense. Cover all bases. Enjoy my friend.
Mitch

Thank you Mitch...well I have two of the three so far.
I'm thinking maybe an early model Yamaha S unit arranger Kb
will round out the mix down the road,we'll see ..

take care

Hey Donny, just pulling your chain. We both know that DGX660 ain't gonna satisfy you for long , but in the meantime, enjoy it. I'll still be checking that avatar every day though .

chas

Blows my mind that THIS is the most watched and commented on post of recent times. Go figure.

I'm finding new features
all the time, ...
Split, layers, dual,
and harmony buttons work really nice.

Chas....you blinked...you should have stood your ground. I'm definitely tired of reading the latest keyboard weekly newsletter....same old, same old.

Are my the only one to notice no one posts non-keyboard topics anymore?

This demo really shows off the DGX660 great features..
for example at 6:00 he shows off "SMART CHORD"

https://www.pianodreamers.com/yamaha-dgx660-review/

This article really explains all about the DG660

enjoy

Mark, sometimes for the sake of peace and harmony, you have to 'blink'. Just take a big dose of Kaopectate, lock yourself in the bathroom, and wait for the next wave of tutorials, reviews, promotionals, demos, etc., for a keyboard NOBODY is going to buy. But hey, it's a free country. Someone could be saying the same thing about French musette music or Organ jazz. Luckily for them, we don't put up 100 posts a week about it .

Excuse me, gotta hit the john .

chas

Don't Fall In !!

How about the SX900? I know where one is available

Sorry Zuki I had 2 sx900/1 sx700 ....
for me besides the DGX-660
I always Liked the S970 the best for all around Yamaha
arranger playing.
That said looks like you not going to try the SX900?
and stick with KORG Pa series
What happened to change your mind?
...smart move for you..

Congrats Donny, I love this instrument. In fact a few years ago my sister was looking to buy a piano for her daughter and she wanted some advice so after having a look at a few I recommended her this one. It does sound lovely. Good luck !

Donny...if the shoe fits, wear it. I have more respect for people who "sin" and then "repent" (take responsibility) than those who go into denial.

Mark

I have posted enough of my demos songs vocals etc,
in the past do a search as many already know.....
Only you have ever questioned that it wasn't me playing.
And for that I have zero respect for you
or anything you say and will never again reply to you.