Gar: I assure you that several of Yamaha Corporation's 'key' arranger keyboard 'product team developers' are 'actively reading' our forum on a REGULAR basis. In fact, while at NAMM, I was surprised to learn that several of these guys immediately recognized me, knowing who I was (both from my posts & visitng my website) and were very interested in talking to me (as a pro player) to discuss my opinions of Tyros2, my likes disklikes about it, and how I'd like to see the future of arranger kb development take.

On a related note: I was recently paid by a local consulting firm, of who was hired by Yamaha Corporation, to participate in a 'one on one' focus group session, to provide my feedback re Tyros2 & Yamaha arrangers in general, sharing my arranger keyboard product development wishes, as well as provide my candid impressions of new proposed arranger keyboard features currently in development, or on the drawing board. I can't share any more about this though, because I've signed a confidentially agreement, but asssure you that Yamaha is definitely listening to the user community. I'm grateful for having had the opportunity to take part in this study, and to have been paid well for my input as well. Because the doors of communication are open now, I see a promising future with Tyros2 and Yamaha arranger keyboards in general.

Though I appreciate the different features each of the current top brand-model arranger keyboards have to offer, I still think Tyros2 heads the pack, particularly for sound & style quality, and ease of use. In addition, via IDC, you can download brand new styles of comparable quality equal to (or better) than the preset styles in the Tyros2 itself. The only drawback is that they cost 6.95/each. I've downloaded several myself and very impressed. In fact, the Bossa Nova style I utilized on "Nice 'N Easy" is just one of these new downladable impressive styles, so this being the case . . . I feel Tyros2 continues to offer exciting: "New" News, as I've been assured Yamaha style programmers will be continuing to release new impressive sounding Premium Styles via IDC on a regular (monthly) basis as well. - Scott