Here's what I just sent to Yamaha, along with previous correspondence. I don't expect at this point to get any satisfaction. I hope they prove me wrong. I doubt that it will help. But if they would just level with us and tell us what is going on. . .I have run out of patience.

Another month has passed. No upgrade, no chip, no explanation.
Probably no more Yamahas for me.
You may tell whomever that I am seriously considering turning this entire thing over to my attorney.
Of course there is a disclaimer, but I feel quite certain that a catch-all disclaimer does not cover an integral feature that was
widely advertised as a selling point (the capacity to upgrade via software).
I have been quite patient, but one of the reasons I bought this keyboard was to use certain vocal harmony features that do not work correctly. It is setting in my living room while I use the PSR8000 on those occasions where I have to have that feature.
Can you please tell me--does Yamaha intend to correct the flaw in the vocal harmonizer?
That is a simple, straight-forward question, and I expect an answer.
Thank you,
Don Mason

-----Original Message-----
From: YCASupport Support YCA [mailto:yamahasupport@y...]
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 4:15 PM
To: dmason43@b...
Subject: Re: YCA Customer Request


Hi Don,

Still waiting to get the info and update chips from Japan. They've
been informed. Sorry it's taking so long.

Dave

>>> dmason43@b... 01/27/02 11:39PM >>>
Request Type: Technical Support
Don Mason
Benton
LA, 71006
USA
dmason43@b...

Model: PSR2000
Serial#:

Several of the Vocal Harmony settings do not function properly on my
PSR2000. I phoned customer support and they agreed with me. That
was several weeks ago.
The settings in questions are Karaoke Girl and Speedy Mouse, and
there may be others. The problem is that the lead voice is NOT
eliminated on these settings. Why would you want a Mouse to sing
harmony with you?
Also, you should be able to save the intro and ending preferences to
Registration. Also the Fingering Mode.
My OS is version 1.0. We really need upgrade!
Thanks,
Don Mason

Hi Don,
Sorry to hear that you are having a hard time with your 2000. I had one and had to return it because of a ton of problems. After I returned it I decided to write a letter to Yamaha to let them know that they were about to loss a long-time customer.
3KB`s and 2 audio Amp`s, Any way they did get back to me and I`m not totaly happy with responce but they did clear up the issue of saving to Registration Memory. Sorry I get carried away, Try writing to a : Mark Anderson, Product Marketing Specialist @
Yamaha Corporation of America,
6600 Orangthorpe Avenue
PO: Box 6600
Buena Park, Ca 90622-6600
Att: Customer Sales or Service
Best of luck,
jedi

Mark is definatly the man to speak to, Don.
You want my honest opinion on the psr2000? It's TOO cheap. They goofed when they put so many features into a mid priced unit, because alot of us are playing the crap out of them on a daily basis, and finding out that some things are just not ready yet.
This keyboard should have been at least $500 more BUT - it should have had a hard drive option, better keys and NO bugs.
I spoke with Mark Anderson at length, during the "Ryan's Hope" deal, and told him that, as a pro - I wanted to see Yamaha build the line upo like the car manufacturers do. Small medium and large, but all available with good engines and tires!
For example:
1)psr1000 - scaled down, home user oriented. Great sounds and styles, good solid keys, no disk drive, no mic input, and low power speakers.
2)psr2000 - same sounds & styles, same solid keys, but add a disk drive, mic input, line inputs, and a better sound system.
3)psr3000 - Pro model all the way - Hard disk and harmonizer added, more ram for styles and upgradable slots, option of 61 or 76 keys.
See the pattern?
Kinda like that - upgrade each model as it goes higher, but all have the same, basic starting block.
Makes more sense to me, anyway.

Hi Uncle Dave,
PSR-3000, you just described the prefect KB. Now do you think we can get them to build it? If they do I will play_ "Field of Keyboard Dreams". BTW during your talks with Mark A. did he give any hope at all of Yamaha making somthing like that?
Anyway- Take care and Thank`s
jedi

Uncle Dave...
While I had many compliments on my "imporoved sound" using the PSR2K tonight (from an average audience of regular dancers), I agree with you whole heartedly. Those of us that make a living with Yamaha keyboards would gladly pay another $500 for the benefits you mention. I was really surprised at the minimal difference between the 1K and 2K... not only in price, but features, when they were introduced.

I am generally happy with the PSR 2k, but have had to adjust or eliminate some of my material or the way I play it because of limitations which I had not anticipated in this "upgraded product".

Eddie

Well, the original reason I purchased the PSR2000 was just as a secondary 'backup' board. Funny thing is that I take it out most of the time now. I guess the weight issue is a REAL BIG consideration for me, and the PSR2000 really does sound great. Even with the recent problems (no flash rom update etc), I don't regret purchasing the PSR2000 whatsoever. It's certainly exceeded my initial expectations and paid for itself many times over.

I had Mark on the line for almost 90 minutes last week, and we spoke of styles, sounds, features, bugs - you name it. He listened as I described the "dream machine" (that doesn't exist, of course) and I asked him to build the "Uncle Dave" model. Wouldn't THAT be a gas! Shak and Kobe have shoes, why can't I have a keyboard, huh? HUH?
I think the "powers that be" are finally aware that the modern gigging musician needs a certain tool, that is NOT the keyboards of 20 years ago. I used to stay setup for months at a time, and never take my gear out of the club, so it didn't matter how big, or bulky they were. Today's player needs to be portable or die, basically.
There is NO ammount of money that will make me take an afternoon to set up for a gig again. I need fast. I need small, and I need good quality. Like everyone else.
We've turned some heads at Yamaha this month with the discussions about the 2000. i HAVE A GOOD FEELING THAT (damn caps lok) a change is gonna come.
Until then - I am carrying an outboard mic processor, and a laptop. When they find a way to put these items into a 35lb package that WORKS - I'll buy it.
What should we call it ..... how 'bout,
The "Uncle Music Machine"?
naw.

It still doesn't make sense to me that they advertised one thing and delivered another. I love the keyboard for its weight, sound and ease of operation. I might have bought it even if I'd known the OS was not in Flash Rom, but the fact is when they sold it to me they represented it as having that feature.
It is also not unreasonable to expect all the harmonizer functions to work correctly. Nor is it unreasonable to be kept abreast of whatever it is that is delaying the fix--IF there is a fix.
The customer service rep was very nice and I believe he did all he could. But so far that is far from enough.
Maybe Mr. Anderson will contact me, but I won't sit here holding my breath. I'm going to give it a little more time, then decide what to do. In the meantime, I am covering the name on the back of my keyboard, and advising anyone who asks to NOT purchase one.
And a lot of people ask.
DonM

That won't discourage anyone. You are the biggest endorsement Yamaha can ever hope for. You're OUT tHERE man ! In the public eye. Like it or not - people are gonna want what sounds good first. Sit tight - they'll fix it. If you sell it, you'll just be unhappy again. That psr8000 is more than a few steps backwards. C'mon - buck up.

Maybe they'll fix it, but it's been close to three months now, and the only person that I know of to even acknowledge there is a problem with the harmonizer is Dave, the CS guy I talked to. He says he advised "Japan" about it and said they are waiting for chips. I can only guess that since they have to make upgrades by chips that they are trying to incorporate everything into one upgrade. But that's strictly a guess, because they are certainly not telling us anything.
There are plenty of good-sounding keyboards out there.
Don