http://download.yousendit.com/B267DF604D5FA34A


up for 7 days take a peek

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 03-21-2007).]

I can't wait to see a feature list.

I'll second that.

Hopefully the built in speakers will also deliver more than the 12 x 12 watts that the 3000 has - also hoping they are of better quality. The distortion at high volume levels on the 3000 always bugged me. I know built in speakers are never going to be the best option anyway, but I hope the s900 will be an improvement in this respect (sure it will).

Wonder what the wave rom will be on the S900 - I'm hoping we will get at least half the SA voices from Tryos 2, perhaps even some new ones. The new styles should also be great.

Hopefully full specs next week......

Regards
James

I hope they are of better quality then the pictures, as in the pictures they look really cheap and nasty, (A bit like the updated BMW 3 series and the soon to be launched updated Mercedes C class) the older models seeming a lot more professional.
Hopefully we should be able to get full hands on experience of them at the upcoming UK keyboard festivals.

Well if you want to get an idea of the build quality look towards owners who have the S-500. They'll be able to at least give a general idea of how well they're built.

I think the new design is interesting, but geeez oh man Yamaha. How much longer do buyers have to put up with those shitty pitch bend and mod wheels???? Even the new MM6 synth/arranger (which at the core is a PSR), has good pitch and mod wheels.

Based on the looks at the moment my only gripe is with the wheels.

Squeak

it's going to be hard to judge the build quality from those small pics - I personally think the 3000/1500 are starting to looked slightly dated, and the design of the S Series brings it bang up-to-date.

I admit the buttons look rather small, but I think that is just a compromise that is needed to provide a better sound system and sleeker design. If you look at the S500, it is very compact compared to the 3000/1500.

My only real gripe so far is that the display looks identical to the 3000 - I was hoping for a better (larger) quality screen along the lines of the Tyros range. So long as the diplay on the s900 can be tilted, I'll be happy to overlook this.

At the end of the day, the sound quality will be the most important factor for me, and just so long as the build quality isn't dreadful and the specs add up, then I'm getting one of these on launch day in the UK - which will hopefully be soon

Regards
James

You guys are pretty special...never knew you could tell the quality of an instrument by looking at a picture.

I'm impressed!

Ian

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.

That we are

So what are your initial impressions of the new keyboards then Ian?

I can usually tell the quality via photo...the logo

I can usually tell the quality of the post by the poster.

Ian



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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.

In regards to the new keyboards?

I know very little...just looking at the pictures, and waiting for a sample to be sent.

Ian

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.

Any idea on a release date Ian? Must be good to finally see the new boards - I think it was you that broke the news about the S700/900 on this forum last year (if memory serves).

My contacts tell me to look for them at the dealers in late July or early August in the U.S., and a couple months earlier in the U.K.. And, anyone that has any bitches or complaints pertaining to the design, technical aspects, or any other feature they did not like or would have liked to have seen, should probably have sent letters, or taken the time to call Yamaha and express their opinions. Believe it or not, most manufacturers will listen attentively, then if your concerns are valid, most will take steps to address those concerns. The manufacturers, IMO, have done an outstanding job in producing an incredible array of arranger keyboards at very reasonable prices. The technology advances over the past decade alone are mind boggling, and with all the user options offered, the versitility is beyond the comprehension of even the most estute performers. Hopefully, this will not turn into another pissing contest--I've seen enough of them during the past year to last a lifetime.

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

No release date as of now, F161, but I suspect the fall MIGHT be realistic...CVP products should be out around the same time.

We usually have a "dealers only" show sometime in June...maybe that will be my first "hands on"...time will tell.

My take on these 'boards is that you are getting most of the Tyros2 features at a fraction of the cost.

Probably will be some new styles and at least the same easy navigation...if not better.

Quality? Who knows...I've got a VERY early production PSR-3000 that's been through the mill, and still has worked flawlessly....easily one of the most reliable keyboards I have owned...if the S900 is on par, I'll be happy.

No word on key action or if it will have aftertouch.

Ian

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.

I agree, if there is something you want, then tell the manufacture about it, as although it seems at times that they do not listen, it is in actual fact the opposite. (A lot of features added by manufactures come from the uses requests)
However there is one thing to remember, the large manufactures are global and consequently get feedback from all over the world, which means it takes time to assimilate all the information, before they can add the features that the vast majority of uses want. (Also new instruments normally have at least a 2 year development before being released onto the market, so the technology used is also about 2 years behind the currently available technology)

Bill

Excellent post Gary and very well put :tu: I agree completely.

Also, cheers to Gary and Ian for the info on release dates - it's going to be a great year for arranger keyboard fans everywhere

Regards
James

I kind of like the design. I do like the colored screen vs the 3000 (hard to see). It appears to have an updated speaker system?

I read the comments and complaints about this and that, but I have to say Kudos for the people that write these on-board styles - and sounds, totally awesome. They sure make life enjoyable and the songs great.

This mind boggling technology, played professionally, can be very rewarding.

Thanks Yamaha.

zuki

Judging by the pics I see different speakers & tweeters on each, The button layout is pretty identical on the deck they eliminated the below display rockers & put buttons.....
I wonder what the real differences are between the s700 & s900 looks like the internal features could be the answer? New styles, SA sounds,Polyphony, Ram, Hard drive, New Vocalizer, Lyrics TXT reader, Rear panel routing's, dual Mic Inputs with seperate VOL controls, AUX in/outs, Mixer & CMP settings like the Tyros????????????

From what I can tell from those pretty poor photos, the only difference I can see between the two models, apart from the previously noted tweeters, etc., is that extra light-coloured button to the right of the black knob or wheel at the far left hand side of the control panel. I'm not familiar with the way Yamaha lay out their panels, so I'm just curious what that extra button might be.

As soon as they release the manual or specs I will know right then if I order one or keep searching. Im only interested in what improvements "I need" on the S900 vs the Psr3000 at this time.

I doubt the s900 will have aftertouch

Me too.

Ian

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.

Dont doubt anything ....just wait till we have concrete specs.

That's the "Korg" button. Push it and it turns (internally) into a PA1X Pro. Of course, this triples the price of this model but is well worth it.

chas

PS: There is also the Econo model where the button turns it into a G1000 (HUGE rebate on this option).
........you out there, Fran


[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 03-23-2007).]

I sure hope it will Even the lower end home keyboards in the Yamaha range have initial touch these days. Would be a shame to reserve aftertouch exclusively for Tyros 2.

Regards
James

I certainly hope i am wrong because it would be a shame not to have aftertouch on the super articulation sounds of the s900

It's highly probable there will be no aftertouch.

Remember, the S900 will be less than half the price of a Tyros2...they gotta give up something....and they still want to sell T2's.

Ian

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.