Yamaha has released the PSR-SX920 ($2,300) and the PSR-SX720 ($1,600).

Here is a fantastic demo of the Super Articulation 2 voices on the PSR-SX920.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXmpdnx6tbw

The PSR-SX920 presents an incredible value when compared to the Genos2 ($5,700).

Thanks for that update Tapas. The SX920 seems like a nice upgrade especially if they improved the keybed from the SX900.

Perhaps it’s just me getting old, but does anyone else find it a bit incongruous to have two older geezers do the demo, but both the first two style examples are EDM?!

Rather the mixed message…

I think that there’s a definite market for less technical young players to use arrangers rather than loopstations for creating modern dance and pop music, but trying to think from a kid’s perspective, would I be interested in watching a couple of guys old enough to be my grandparents do the presentation? From what I remember of being a kid, probably not… 😂

If I were any arranger company looking to the future and wanting to get younger players to take the product seriously, I’d probably have two separate demo teams, one with these guys showing off the older styles and sounds, and a completely different bunch showing off the modern stuff comprised of twentysomethings…

I definitely remember that it was young players playing synths (Emerson, Wakeman, Banks etc.) that fired my desire to own my first ARP’s and Yamaha’s etc.. I’m not sure how I’d have reacted if I’d seen them played by an old geezer..! Now I am one 😂

I also like that idea !

It took me quite an effort, but I finally got comfortable creating music on a computer, so I totally get now that young people will most likely buy a $100 MIDI keyboard, download (buy) some software and will proceed this way.

The companies like Yamaha see it as well. In fact, Korg hasn't replaced their PA1000 for 7 years now, Roland is out of the game; Casio introduced their CT-X models years ago, so SX920 doesn't really compete with other arrangers.

Although PA1000 is still a competetor, but an old one. SX920 sounds quite similar to SX900, and SX900 is not so different from S970, and so on, but small improvements gradually lead to a major difference between, let's say, PSR-3000 and SX920, although as for physical quality, I witness quite a regression - buttons on my S950 are unresponsive, keys on my SX900 are noisy and service doesn't fix everything. PSR-3000, meanwhile, works fine (changed contact strips).

There are two reasons why arranges aren't exactly for younger music (EDM, trap, hip-hop, etc). The sound itself is actually a second one: it's just not arrgessive/dark/solid enough for these types of music, besides this people always keep looking for new ones. The first reason it that this type of music is based on MIDI editing, not recording audio signal from your keyboard. All the notes have perfect timing (quantized), otherwise this type of music won't work. Yes, you can connect you PSR and use it as a sound engine, but it doesn't worth it.

There is a nuance, though, it is that not all young people actually like young music, and limiting yourself only to working with a computer means missing a great deal of emotions which playing an arranger can provide, but all in all I think Yamaha is being pragmatic by keeping PSR the way it is, they are willing to lose some battles in order to keep winning certain others.

I have watched nearly every SX920 video that has been uploaded to Youtube...

I still cant believe they persist with the FSB keybed - it kills me. It has been one of the biggest disasters of the SX900 / SX700 range...

I sold my SX 900 a few months ago after 3 years of ownership (from new), I just simply couldn't handle it any longer. I am not a gigging musician - I only play at home for a hobby.

The only thing preventing the keybed from rattling and clacking is some grease that they apply underneath the keys to lubricate them. The grease wears off within a few weeks... at least once a year I opened up the keyboard and replaced the grease. And when I did replace the grease - I packed in ALOT of grease - as much as I possibly could... but rest assure it eventually wore off and the clacking / rattling came back.

No other keyboard I have ever owned has EVER had this issue... even my 25 years old technics Kn6000 has held up - the keys have some rubber underneath them (which is still intact) instead of grease...


To discuss the demos of the PSR SX920 - I feel like watching "Arranger keyboards for dummies", seriously - its become so basic!! They arp on about features that have existed in arrangers for 20+ years (including older Yamaha PSR and Tyros arrangers).

I notice a lot of talk about how beautiful the keyboard casing is... ITS THE SAME as the previous models... the ONLY change is they have added white indicators on the 2 assignable live controller knobs...

In all honesty the only real feasible features that set the SX920 apart from its predecessor is the SA2 voices (and they have only added a small selection of them), AND the CFX concert piano (which really should have been in the SX900 to start with).

It really needed the new reverb system they added into the Genos2 in my opinion but I wasn't expecting that - we probably need to wait for another 10 years of PSR evolution for that feature to trickle down...

I agree Nick.
It sounds exactly the same as SX900, and I dare to say exactly the same as my s950.

As far as the demonstrators looking too old to perform EDM, you should consider that EDM has around since the 80’s, so some of the genres original practitioners could surely be senior citizens now. But I understand the sentiment, as it’s always amusing to me to see elderly musicians performing music originally marketed to youth culture. Look at the surrving members of The Rolling Stones for example. Aren’t they in their 80’s now?
They’re still rockin’, so more power to them

I agree with Nick on the unsatisfactory feel of the FSB keybed on the SX900/SX700 range.

I am sure customers would have gladly paid an extra $200 for the superior FSX keybed featured on the Genos/Genos2.

Obviously Yamaha makes these marketing decisions to urge customers to move up to their flagship line.

The SX920 is priced at $2,300.

One can find a used Genos on ebay for $3,000.

It is a far better option to spend the extra $700 and get a used Genos with a FSX keybed with 76 keys and better buttons, sliders and knobs.

The FSX keybed is Yamaha’s best synth action keybed featured in the Tyros, Genos, Motif, MODX line.

Having said that, the SX720 offers an incredible bargain at $1,600.

For a beginner learning to play the piano on a Yamaha P225 88-key graded hammer action GHC keybed, the SX720 offers the most economical way to bring Arranger capabilities. In this setup, the SX720 is used merely as a sound module. The essential arranger functions can be triggered with a Behringer FCB1010 or a Nektar Pacer MIDI Foot Controller.

For an advanced Piano player who uses a Yamaha CP88, Roland RD-2000EX or a Kawai MP7SE Stage Piano, the SX920 can be mounted on a tier to get instant access to the 575 accompaniment styles.

You would need to purchase this K&M 18953 Table Style Stage Piano Stand.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/km_18953.htm

Then add the K&M 18952 Stacker to support the SX920.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/km_18952_aufsatz.htm


Incidentally, the price of the Yamaha CP88 ($2,600) + Yamaha SX920 ($2,300) is $4,900.
This is $800 less than buying a Genos2 ($5,700), plus you get to enjoy the premium Natural Wood Graded Hammer Action NW-GH keybed.

For beginners, there is yet another option – the Yamaha DGX-670 for $850.

This features a decent 88-key GHS weighted action keybed with full arranger capabilities. It offers an unbeatable value.

Yamaha has carefully introduced each and every product to cover all the bases from beginner to advanced.

When you look at the big picture you will see why certain features have been intentionally dropped to attain certain price points.

The whole point is to get a beginner hooked on a basic model and gradually entice them into trading up to a better model as their skill levels advance through the years.

Best,

David

Tapas - just to correct you on that - the FSX keybed is not on the MODX... it is on the Montage range but not MODX... the MOdx has a unique key bed which is still not that great but definitely better than the FSB on the PSR SX series as it doesn't suffer from the grease issue...