Dave and Rick,
Man, you guys really keep me on my toes!
I just got off the phone with the tech guy Uncle Dave just spoke with at Yamaha (Dave) and then I spoke with the assistant product manager to get some answers for you guys.
First, Uncle Dave, the tech support guy you spoke with didn't know that there was a 2000 at Yamaha right now. They are not supposed to talk about new products until after the NAMM show in July. He spoke with the product manager and was led to the room where the 2000 is. A new operating system is being loaded into their unit as I write this post. Before the load began he found pages in the 2000 which allow for individual adjustments per section of different parameters. His guess now is that you can do the sustain seperately like the 9000 but he has to wait for the new operating system (5 disks) to finish loading and then he'll call me back with a definite answer.
Next, there is an onboard sequencer like the 9000. Unlike the 740 you can record internally and it will be there when you turn it back on again.
There is sound editing available and there is also the ability to display the music you record or songs you play back on the built in screen.
There is no audio recording, just midi recording. Even though it says "Digital Recording", they mean midi tracks. This "digitial Recording" on the front panel is the same as the writing on the 9000.
One more thing. Yamaha is releasing a Version 2 for the 9000 series which will sell for about $59.00 which will be an upgrade including chain song play mode, a new style data base and new styles available for the 9000. This will not be included in the box with new keyboards. It will only be an upgrade for purchase only. I would have like to see it free, but the new styles and data base are extra and above what comes from the factory so there will be a charge for this.
I'll let you know more as I hear from Yamaha.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566

[This message has been edited by George Kaye (edited 07-06-2001).]