Biggest reason - TOO DARN WIIIIIIIIIDE!
It's a full inch wider than the 3k, and that means a new case, a new setup on my stand, new viewing angles ......too much change for something that is too similar to what I replaced.

The key feel was just like all the PSRs have been. The case was just too bulky for me to get excited.

If you want a Tyros and can't afford one - I guess this is the poor man's version, and it's priced right ( especially the s700! ), but if you already have a 3k ...... better play it a lot b4 you decide that you need the upgrades.
Some nice things were the extra buttons that have been missing for DSP and ensemble, and it IS pretty. Just too thick for THIS uncle !

Good for you Dave...the PA-800 seems to be the ticket for you.

Is it actually the same size as the 3k?

For me, the S900's "extras" more than justified the upgrade, as I really wanted to have Audio to USB and the SA voices(especially the sax) but couldn't justify the Tyros2 for many reasons.

I'm also glad the extra buttons were added for the DSP ,Harmony, Mono, etc...frees up my second footswitch for other things.

Fortunately for me, my keyboard case was a little to large for the 3k and the S900 fits very nicely.

Good luck with your new keyboard...it's a great instrument.

Ian

Ian, you're right - there are plenty of reasons why a 3k lover would want the new model. Trouble is - I was never a LOVER.... just a user.

The recording option did not interest me because I have many other devices, but that alone might be worth the upgrade for some !

OK - I gotta get back to Korg-ville b4 I get too tired.

What case did you try with the PSR-s900, Dave. I tried a Guardian hard-shell case that fit the keyboard very snugly, but it wouldn't fit my accessories or sheet music. I could accept that, but then it wouldn't fit in the trunk of my car - a 2001 Kia Optima.

I used the Kaces 9KB with the PSR3000. It fits the PSR-S900 too. Inside the gig bag, I have a rectangular piece of foam from a mattress pad that goes over the top of the keyboard. On top of the foam I keep the music rest, sheet music, and footswitches. I have a small piece of foam on the side of the keyboard that is laid on my dolly. And then to the right I have a tupperware container with my adapter, mic cable, and headset mic inside.

The keyboard fits just as nicely on my x-stand as the PSR3000 did. I didn't notice any new viewing angle.

Are you playing the PA800 now?

I admire people who can switch arrangers at the drop of a hat. I am so dependent on my registrations and styles. I would feel so lost having to adapt to a new OS and having to scramble to find new styles for each song that I do.

Beakybird

my biggest complaint with the s900 is that the keys feel like a fisher price toy.
..can't wait

I ordered a Tyros 2 and will have it on wednesday

Mmmmm....

The road case for your "Laugh and Learn Baby Grand Piano" may be too small for your Tyros2, mikey, but I'm glad to see you've finally graduated to bigger and better toys.

Hope you enjoy your new Tyros2...it's a great keyboard...and the large colored buttons are very pretty.

Whilst I can't agree that the T2 keyboard is any "better" than the S900, I will say that it is different, and may appeal to a certain type of player.

The S900 definitely looks sleeker and more mature...don't you agree?


Ian



[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 08-26-2007).]

Yep, Donny that statement is my own opinion...the T2 has a great action, but I prefer the lighter and faster(to me) action of the S900...I guess it harks back to my B3 days..probably why I never really cared much about aftertouch as well.

To each his own.

BTW...the action in the Fisher Price "Laugh and Learn Baby Grand Piano" is called the FSF keybed...For Sticky Fingers...great for those who work in bars and have the occasional drink spilled on the keys.

Ian

Now thats a True statement baby!!

Hey Beak - to answer you case question ....... I need cases that fit like gloves. I don't want ONE ince of excess anywhere. I have good, solid, padded bags for everything I own and I love that there is no "slopping around" inside the cases!

This PA800 will fit nicely in the GroovePac with wheels that's made for the 61 note kbs. I'm sure there are other good ones, but this one is perfect.

You mean the type of player that prefers a decent action over a toy...?

You may finally be right, Ian...



[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 08-26-2007).]

I have to give you points for your doggedness, Diki...and, it is far exceeding your cleverness at this point.

"Toy" isn't too bad...we all have our toys...you must try and do better...

Ian

PS...you DO know what bubbles are full of, don't you?

Alright now, children ..... fight nice!
( puttin' my teacher hat back on ! )

Awww golly geee, Dave...and I always thought you were a child at heart.

I hope you don't think for one minute that this is serious...I know I don't take it that way...it's just a bit of fun...and it gives Diki some much needed practice...nothing wrong with that, is there?

Ian

Give me plastic, cheap toy keys that allow me to make thousands of dollars a month..........and I make a lot of people happy in the process

Serious? ME?
Naw ..... check out the smilies !

I'm on the same page as you Beaky - sounds like we have much in common I spend countless hours on each song and registering the settings respectively. I might have to stay with Yamaha forever because of that reason.

zuki

Oh Boy, Bragginb' again Zuki?

Maybe show us a 30 second demo song of those countless hours? ....Whooops sorry asking is not allowed ...I forget....
My bad !

Years ago, Fran and I decided that we didn't need to have hundreds of styles to get through a job. It's NICE to have variations, but all we really NEEDED was a thing that Roland called the "Easy 8".

This was a plug-in card for their RA50, the only real arranger module of it's time, except for the Wersi, but that was not marketed as well, and WAY more expensive.

The EZ 8 had the 8 basic styles needed to play most any generic song style with. Over the years, I've come to reinforce the need for these styles, and even with new additions ...... if i have these 8 staples, I can entertain ANY room for hours and hours.

1) 8bt - slow for ballads, fast for pop
2) 16bt - slow for R&B, fast for funk
3) Rock - nuff said
4) Disco - Motown, Rock and Disco
5) Latin - generic for chacha, rhumba etc
6) Shuffle - slow for 6/8 feel ballads
7) Jazz - softer, hipper swing version
8) 2bt - Polka and Bluegrass

Now, the only blatant omission is the 3/4 for waltzs, but they were usually done at a tempo that did not require a strong drum beat. A good, solid bass and chord pattern could handle most pop and country waltzs.

Now, sure "serious" ballroom dancers crave more specific beats, but the good ones will adapt.

In today's market ..... ad another 10-15 beats and you'll be hard pressed to find a song that won;t fit into one of those catagories!

****DISCLAIMER ****

Using those same 8 beats all night works BEST when you are NOT tied to an arranger pattern. Back in the day, I played nothing but manual bass and RH chords, so there was NO repitition when using the same beat. Think about it - there has to be 30 or 40 songs you can do with EXACTLY the same drum beat, as long as the rhythm and accents change according to the song style.

That's my madness, anyway!

eg:

Rock, or 8bt:

My Way
Mustang Sally
Brown Eyed Girl
Margaritaville
American Pie
Always On My Mind
yada, yada, yada ........

See?

No, not bragging Donny - just pointing to a fact that plastic and lighter action keybeds are not inferior. That's all. Besides, "thousands a month" could mean $2K - $10K - I didn't elaborate.

And some day when I have time, I will make a video tape just for you on how I utilize the full functions of my 3K. You might be surprised.

zuki

"Spongy" is the best way I can decribe what I don't like about many kb actions.
I like fast. I like light. I hate spongy.
BTW - I LOVE the action on this PA800. Absolutely LOVE it.

Ever play the guitar solo from Rock Around The Clock at 180 bpm (as written). No sponginess for me....keyboard reacts perfect.

Glad you're liking your PA UD. I must admit, I'd love to explore the money boards too

zuki

Mmmmm...I fondly remember the "Easy Eight" card quite well, as it was the card most used in my old Roland E-70...although I did end up buying the "Super Card" which a friend sold me at a great price...it also had the "Easy Eight" styles.

I need only two registration banks for my S900...one for the laid back stuff...the other for the more aggressive tunes.

Generally I find Dave's selection of basic styles very close to what I tend to use...mine are custom styles, but they still conform to the basic format.

I have a folder on my Flashdrive for these styles, and since I know where the styles are located on the screen, and what sounds are in my two registration set ups, I can easily make very quick setups between songs.

Regardless of what brand of keyboard I play(ed) I find using the same setup technique a comfortable continuity.

Ian

Wow ..... any of those "Bandstand kids" that remember dancing to that one in the 50s, would LOVE you to slow that one down ... just a tad ! ( I tend to pep up alot of my jitterbugs too, but the dancers' breathing tells me otherwie ! )

170 bpm

Now that I will wait for for sure.....then I can sit back with a nice Spanish Brandy like Gran Duque D'Alba & lite up a nice Macanudo while I watch & listen to the demo...


"A modern expression of the heroic strength and courage shown by the Gran Duque de Alba, Don Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, Grand Duke of the Regiment of Flanders.

The firm of Williams & Humbert dates back to 1877, when Alexander Williams entered his father-in-law's family wine business. Although the main branch was based in London, the company also owned bodegas in Jerez de la Frontera. The firm eventually expanded to worldwide export of their premium sherries and brandies. Today, it is owned by Royal Bols Wessanen N.V., and Luis Páez S.A. The brand Gran Duque de Alba was acquired in 1993. The pale bottle of Gran Duque de Alba Solera Gran Reserva has an unusual, voluptuous shape. On the center of the label, circled in gold, is a portrait of the famous Duke.

Tasting Notes: Mahogany color with gold highlights. Complex bouquet of oak, prune and sherry. Velvety texture with flavors of caramel, chocolate and orange, with a long finish"

http://www.clubmacanudo.com/

Please hurry

I can't drink brandy...I break out in spots...bars, pubs, taverns, beverage rooms.

Ian

The original is 180 bpm, but I probably should slow it down. It just sounds natural at 180.

zuki

I agree...I always play it at 180 BPM...it just seems to really have the proper groove at that tempo.

Ian

180? no wonder the dance floor is empty

Well said!!

For a 2-3 hour gig, you can do that with 8-10 styles. With revoicing features and different right and left-hand sounds, you can keep the music going for hours.

And if you make your own user styles that is icing on the cake. If you make 1 style a week, for 2 months, you can have a new batch of styles that are giggerable. The mistake that some people make is that they think a style has to be made complex and use all the style tracks. You only use what is necessary for you to sound good.

It always amazes me when persons would say they would buy an arranger for the “onboard styles”. An arranger does not have to have 200-300 styles for it to be good. You just need 10-15 good ones that work well for you and you create your own to fill the gap.

'Comon, the folks that dance at your performance can't keep up with 120

I know you're joking, but you'd be surprised at how nimble Donny's "old" folks really are !
He's got couples older than my parents that I couldn't keep up with !
( heck - I don't dance at all ! )

I believe a good rule of thumb is that if you can hear them huffing and puffing over your music, it's time to cut back the tempo.

Ian

zuki
anytime you wanna learn how its done ...come see me ....I'll give ya a front row seat at my club....dont be fooled.
& dont "assume"... you'll lose every time.

Listen to my beloved Uncle Dave.....
young or old ...people are people.....
& the "THREE AMIGO" can make em Jump anywhere, anytime, been doin it mucho years !!

I would love to go see your show, Donny...unfortunately the distance is too great.

Sounds like you have a lot of fun, and at the same time, you entertain your audience thoroughly.

Ian

I'm just teasing you Donny. You've been at this a long time and I know your success. I'd love to see you sometime. I know I could learn a lot more - I'm just a newbie at this, after a long absence.

I'd like to sit down and learn more too on the technical side of things - recording, using the mp3, etc. That's why I'm not post-haste in getting stuff posted for everyone.

Maybe one day, but with our busy schedules, it might have to be when I'm retired

You've always helped me out when asked - thanks

zuki

My friend if I can ever help you just email me ok? I'll be glad to offer assistance, tips, or maybe I'll learn something myself....& when ever your in the south jersey area your Table is always ready for you & your lady! !!

Speaking of bragging:

"Who's Giggin' on Mothers Day?....I am!
I have a double ..Two 1 hr shows today,
Oh Yeah ! Holidays = $$$"

(link here

"Who's Giggin on Fathers Day?
I am! "

(link here

"Who's Giggin 4th of JULY?
I have a double BBQ/Pool Party/Dance should be a blast!"

(link here

Zuki, Donny is right: you really should stop bragging like that!

Dreamer.....how about some demos ?

Donny,
I will post them... if you promise that you are not gonna commit suicide soon after...

No, not likeley Andrea only if you do some vocals on them like Come prima, Volare, Mala femina, Imamoratta, Sorrento, Solo Mio etc...

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-27-2007).]

Hmmm... not even if there are more than three chords on them? I have seen what you have posted in reply to Chas...

(BTW, it's Malafemmena, Innamorata and Sole Mio )

THINK WELL before you reply...

So........how 'bout them Eagles last night huh? Sigh .... slow starts are killin me !

3 chords have made millions for many artist ...dont knock it paisan...try it sometime those Bossas get boring after a while.

Eagles? Great group. I like hearing them play "Lyin' Eyes".

Ian

Hey Gumbah ....... calm down !

Ian, Shhhhh...... I was "trying" to sidetrack the Bickersons !

Its only exibition dont worry dave our Eagles will Fly baby !!!!

keep the faith!!

I'll be calm after a Steves Cheese steak (with) .. Pa800 demo & a dip in the pool

Today works for me...... headed out to the diner right now. Call my cell !

UD, hmmmm I'm not a betting man. Never have been. And I do not need anything to make watching "The Pack" any more fun than it is, but....this seasons opener between Eagles and Packers should warrent at least a few posts between us don't ya think?
Jim

Jim - you're on !
Let's talk football !

E
A
G
L
E
S

EAGLESSSSSSSSSssssssssssssssssssss!

http://tinyurl.com/9qa39


clik here!

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-27-2007).]

You guys sure love your soccer.

Ian

Lively post! The only thing we need now is for someone to post a demo of "Ebb Tide" at.... 180 BPM...

R/I