Hello all -

I still check in at least a couple times a week but I have noticed a shift in the member postings. It used to be Scott Yee, Donny, Don M, Uncle Dave, Fran, etc., and now it seems that a whole new crew have arrived and the "old guard" seem to have vanished. I know that I have also stopped posting and seem to only occasionally browse the forum.

I guess these things are cyclical and somebody is going to tell me I'm completely wrong.

Just an observation, and maybe an incorreect one at that.

Tommy

Scotty = Flu, should be back shortly
UD = Lady freind stuff

Thats all i can explain They are all still around and post often. Maybe a little less than before? I havent been here very long.

Phil



[This message has been edited by Pennywizz6 (edited 03-15-2005).]

Still here, but not really interested in software synths, sound fonts, non-arranger workstations, etc. Still it's fun to read what the new guys are into.
Have you visited the Bar? There's a link at the top of the page.
DonM
P.S. Uncle Dave's in LOVE, he doesn't have much time for us right now. DNJ is moving to a new house. Gary has gone snow-crazy and is sitting in the yard with a PSR3000 under each arm, whistling "When It's Springtime in Maryland, it's 20 Below".


[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 03-15-2005).]

Very true DonM,

I used to be on a lot more often (not as often as you, but still...) and it seems that the topics of discussion have changed. It used to be a lot more arranger keyboard orientated, and particularly the Tyros.

I think that most of us with the Tyros have already become comfortable with them and have no more questions regarding them... hence no need to discuss it any longer!

I've become a lot more involved in my studio as well, but the options on a studio are very wide ranging and it is hard to find somebody who has the same equipment, software and setup as you.

Chony

Once again I have to agree with Don

The bar, I believe, is the most serious antagonist of this forum.
Irony: there were people who complained about posts like "Detroit Pistons win again" (I was one of them, never told anyone though) or whatever, now people find there is a lack of posts (which I have noticed too).

Squeak_D is also missing I think

Heloooooooooooo!
Uncle Dave here ... still "sans wife" ... at least for two more weeks. Maureen and Zack move up here THIS Friday, and the wedding is Easter Saturday.
Don's right .... I have very little time to hang out with the "zoners" while all these wedding plans are taking over, and I too, have little interest in softsynths and sound fonts etc.
I check in almost daily, and if I see something interesting .. you can bet that I'll chime in!

IMO all the Off Topic posts have taken a toll on the disolving memebership....sad. ;(

There just isn't much going on right now. The introduction of the G70 didn't generate nearly as much discussion as some keyboards have in the past.

I check in a couple times a day, but synthsofts, sound fonts, etc, pose very little interest for me as well. Not much snow left Don, but this morning's temperature was a brisk 28 degrees--not my kind of temperature.

I'm currently working on a miniature, stereo, pre-amp that can be used as an interface between a laptop's headphone output and keyboard's auxiliary input. Something about half the size of a pack of cigarettes that runs on a small battery and puts out sufficient power to match the keyboard's normal levels. Hopefully, I'll have it ready in a couple weeks.

Guess I'll go back to being a lurker,

Gary

You didn't miss me, Tommy, but I do really understand your request. I am one of the newer posters. I came to visit this forum because I had and have trouble with my synth. I've got some really good advisements in here but nevertheless it will last a while until the trouble will be shot. If the trouble will be shot I will leave this forum for a longer time because I'm in progress of recording.

Maybe the threads will go better again then...

------------------
Greetings from Frankfurt (Germany),
Sheriff ;-)

Posted by Trident:
---------------------------------
"Squeak_D is also missing I think"
---------------------------------

I'm still here, but like others have said I'm not interested in some of the topics that have come up lately. I pop in from time to time now to read the posts, and if one catches my eye I'll read and possibly post if I have something to say on the issue. The forum has gotten a little dry lately, but I've seen this happen before. I've been a member going on five years now, and over that time I've seen it happen a few times.

Squeak


[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 03-16-2005).]

My Youngest grandaughter Grace at the G1000

Maybe she will be the next piano star in 2020!?
A very nice photo - she's really examining the kb - what a sweet child!!!

------------------
Greetings from Frankfurt (Germany),
Sheriff ;-)

...and she'll still be playing that G1000 in 2020. But she'll have to have a boyfriend to carry it for her, cause grandpa will be too old.
DonM

Grandpa's too old now!

Yeah .. the psr3k's aux inputs are VERY weak. Lemme know how you make out - I'm a customer if you can make it right !

No problem Dave. I'll post the photos and results.

Gary

I would think this would be one quick and easy solution for those wanting a pre-amp.

I bought a few several years ago for my phono's. Don't have a need for them yet, but heck, I bought them at the Dollar Store.

Let's see. How much did I pay for them yet? Hmmmmmmmm..............

Sorry, I used to go into the Dollar Store and for fun I'd go up to the girls at the counter and ask them how much some item was. Cheap humor.
http://pcworld.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=431107/

Best
Scott

I fully agree. Seems like half of the topics here aren't about arrangers anymore.

There isn't much happening in arrangers lately anyway, and I was very disturbed by Yamaha's draconian approach of asking independent forums to remove the pix of the Tyros II that were leaked out. I seems that even if something juicy comes along to see and talk about in arrangers, it'll be removed. I feel like our hands were slapped. Plus the guy who was claiming to have the inside track on Yamaha's new stuff, "tigerfool", has also disappeared.

It was Nigel's call and I respect that, and other forums also cooperated with Yamaha's call to remove the Tyros II pix, but I'd like to have seen someone stand up to Yamaha on the basis of free speech - if they let a prototype keyboard out for use at a performance (as the pix appeared) then we should have every right to post pictures and discuss it. It's not like the pictures were taken inside of their secret corporate test labs or something. What good is an open forum if manufacturers can effectively censor it?

Well it could be worse - the discussions on Yamaha's own ArrangerWorkstation.com are pitiful. But this incident sure put a damper on my enthusiasm for talking about new arrangers and the Tyros II in particular.

I have to agree with you there Pro. I think Yamaha was out of line requesting the pics to be removed. What the hell happened to free speach? Obviously this keyboard was demoed somewhere and pics surfaced. It doesn't make any sense to me.

A good example of how Yammie acted like "jerks" in this is MotorTrend magazine. I've read that magazine many times and seen snapshot photos of the next SUV or Sedan, or Sports Car where the photographer caught a sneak peek of the vehicle being tested. GM, Ford, and other makers don't make them remove their pics from the magazines (and these are publicitations in the millions).

The Zone has been about a lot of other stuff not related to arrangers. I too am at fault for it as well. The addition of the "Bar" by Nigel was a good idea in my opinion. It's a good place to talk about everything else. I too think that there hasn't been much hooplaaa about arrangers lately. Roland's G-70 (from what I've read on the Zond) fell short with reviewers. Plus Yammie balling out on the next Tyros seems to have pissed off a lot of dedicated Yamaha fans as well.

Squeak

Most other foums have moderators.......posts that are deemed "OFF TOPIC" ae simply removed by the moderator....after awhile people learn.

maybe yamaha was behind the expose themselves,after all there was alot of interest coming out of the G70,maybe yamaha was hoping that this would holdup sales of the roland until the tyros 11 comes out,give you a sneaky peak to see if you will bite,mike

Sorry Scott, but phono preamps meant to be used with magnetic cartridges probably wouldn't fit the requirement. They're far from flat; the RIAA equilization provides a lot of bass boost (about 20 dB), and a similar amount of treble cut. But if you got them for a buck each, you certainly didn't overpay.

My apologies in advance to anyone who thinks that *this* post is OT.

--Barry


[This message has been edited by quietDIN (edited 03-16-2005).]

I understand why some folks don't find the need or desire to talk about softsynths and soundfonts, because for the most part they have no real relavance in a hardware based system. Much like a discussion of "Tyros vs PA1x vs etc etc" or "Can PSR3000 use PSR 1000 styles" likely has little relevance to someone using One Man Band or one of the other soft arranger programs. ( not picking on your particular topics guys, just making a point ). Doesn't make any of these bad or irrelevant topics though right ?

In my software based hybrid arranger / workstation / analog modeling system, sound fonts and Vsti's have all the relevance in the world, because the system itself is software based and is very flexible.

I have no desire to discuss or comment about arrangers that I will likely never own, including the Tyros, PSR3000, PA1x, G70, and so on and so forth. For one, as far as playing experience with them, I'm a model or two behind, and have little if anything useful to add. I also don't feel any need to discuss my only hardware arranger, the PA80, since it has always worked pretty much just as advertised, and just as I have expected it to. It's an old model now, and I doubt That I'll ever see new aftermarket products that I can use with it. That said, I'm always happy to answer any question about it ( If I can ) that another member might have.

So yes, many of the topics aren't about the Tyros, or the PA1x, etc. I happen to think that's a good thing btw. I think the title of this forum legitimizes the discussions from those of us who use or prefer to discuss the use of a software arranger system, or am I reading it wrong ? Is it because it says "keyboard" in the forum title ? If it helps, my controller is a keyboard.....

AJ



[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 03-16-2005).]

I'll check on the forum couple of times of a week... As was said, not much more to know about my arranger or any other, so I'm in to making Original music and started hanging in forums, like Terry's, where that is discussed... This is the best place to post for help.. Need a complicated new arranger with a $1000 below price tag to get this forum moving... By the way if anyone is in to making originals, you might want to visit us at http://www.clubchops.com been getting pretty active as of late.
DJ

[This message has been edited by beachbum (edited 03-16-2005).]

I don't know if this "identity crisis" has hit this forum before, or if it is just a byproduct from slow news in the industry, but for all it is worth, I wouldn't like this forum to become an "arranger only church".

I believe the purpose of a forum is the exchange of views, ideas, some fun, on a specified topic.

If you then broaden the view just a little bit and include arranger "systems" as well as keyboards (can't find a better word now), then softsynths or OMB like programs will fit the bill nicely.

The Bar is a wonderful addition for people who would also like to share their opinion on sports, weather, or the most wonderful invention ever made, women

Limiting the discussion only in hardware arrangers will make the forum more sterile, less fun, like some other forums I have seen around. The more "niche" the category, fewer people will talk about it, few will have interest, and fewer will post.

And then of course, when the Roland GW-5 or the new Tyros or whatever next hits the news, there will be a surge of posts and topics like these will be forgotten, right?

Or we may just wait for Scott Yee to recover from the flu and Uncle Dave to finish doing better things than posting here. Sometimes, half of the posts were theirs.

It too, shall pass.

I am mostly a guitarplayer, but have used the Tyros to play polkas and marches and sing-a-longs at weddings. I have also built midifiles with the styles and onboard sequences quickly. But now I am into studio backings and loop sequencing. Drums on demand and now bass in demand make fabulous live drum and bass loops built up as style sections. This gives me a backing with a sound quality that unfortunately the arrangers of today can't match.
Also, Yamaha is so anal retentive with their new stuff, ie. Digital Music Notebook which is very limited to what you can do with it, and no sequencing software like XG Works to edit yamahafiles and styles. It's a protectionism that I can't be bothered with anymore. I hope the forum will continue to evolve and also include not only keyboard arrangers as this market has tapered off a bit.

My feelings exactly royandreno.
I had hoped Arrangers might evolve a little more than they have, but other than better samples and better storage capabilities, I don't see a lot of significant changes as new models arrive to replace old older ones.

I had hoped someone would be innovative enough to incorporate similar technologies used by Steven Kay in Karma, but with better control so that a user had a choice between using the locked patterns that exist now and algorithims like those used in Karma. It never happened, and I don't see any signs that it will.

Rayzoon's Jamstix has exactly the type of features I would like to see in a new arranger. It lays down drum tracks instantaneously as you play, and it can create them interactively, based on midi or audio input, or it can lay out predetermined patterns, or a combination of the two. A bit surprisingly to me, from the demo I tried, it works quite well. That is exactly the kind of functionalty I hoped to see an arranger have, but I just don't see Yamaha, Korg, or anyone else doing it anytime in the near future.

AJ

Enough already! (I learned that from DNJ) The last time I looked at the top of the page it said General Arranger Keyboard Forum. However, the forum has over the years, gradually transformed into a general music forum, of which the arranger keyboard is the centerpiece. We've discussed the merrits of every concievable speaker, amp system, mics, tyles of wires, recording devices, diagnosed computer problems, evaluated nearly every piece of recording software available and even advised folks how to transport their gear in a safe, secure manner. Synths are, like every facet of music, just another component of a very complex, but enjoyable profession, and for many, pastime.

Despite the fact that there hasn't been any lively discussions about amps, mics, etc during the past few weeks, it does not indicate the forum is gasping its last breath. When someone discovers a new, exciting, inovative product and posts the information, the responses will once again be lively.

Keep those creative juices flowing guys and gals, look for new and wonderful ways to make music. That's what makes this a great forum. Narrow it down to just one or two areas of expertise and I'll be among the first to seek greener pastures.

Cheers,

Gary

Yikes!

AJ, are you reading something between the lines? I didn't see anything negative in Gary's comments..
Sure Gary is a Yammy guy, but he is always open minded or at least tolerate to guys like me[Roland guy].
Gary, like many others here are always willing to help you out with a problem solution, even if it isn't their cup of tea..

I , like you are also interested in the soft synth world and it's capabilities, although currently I still have to depend on hardware stuff..

AJ , re think your comments about Gary..I don't think there is any malice in his words...or for that matter..yours..

The one thing that has always been a constant with this forum is that the discussion has been about arrangers, even when talking about softsynths or amps or midi files or live performance or whatever, it always came back to how these thing related to the core topic. And that's important because arrangers are the one thing that brought everyone here in the first place. This is the only active arranger forum I know of, and I've found that arranger users are different from the other keyboardists out there. There's plenty of other keyboard forums that would either poo-poo arrangers or would just be so flooded with other types of discussions that you'd have to weed through the forest to get to the arranger topics. I wouldn't be here if I didn't own an arranger and was interested in topics specific to how to use it.

I just bought a new keyboard that I'm very excited about to go with Reason v3.0... I'll be talking about it on Harmony Central's keyboard forum or Keyboard Magazine's Expert Forum or on the alt.music.makers.soloact newsgroup, but not here because it's totally off-topic. Is it so wrong to want to keep arrangers in the arranger forum? I would vote in favor of stronger moderation if it meant that arrangers would continue to be the primary focus of this forum.

I have to believe that the recent obsession with all the questioning of what is on and off topic has happened largely because there isn't all that much that is new and exciting to report about arrangers. Of course that's just my opinion, but it certainly affects what I will consider purchasing in the future.

I have no interest whatsoever in discussing A / B comparisons of hardware arrangers, speakers, drum machines, etc, but I think these things are relevant to an arranger setup for someone else, and I don't complain if that's the topic of the moment. If it doesn't interest me, I simply don't read. It really isn't that hard to do. So if I discuss what I use in conjunction with One Man Band and my soft arranger system in general, I would like the same courtesy.

I respect what everyone is saying, but I don't want to see this become a place where forum cops abound. I think Nigel does the job just fine, and he always has. it isn't like folks are coming in here and discussing analog synths or workstations on a regular basis, but if it somehow ties into my overall setup, then yes, I think it's relevant. I have been here for over 4 years now, and I never remember so much quibbling over what is and what isn't topic. It's getting old guys and gals.

I've also seen many "regular" members ( including and especially me ) at one time or another take a thread and run a completely different way with it. It happens. No need to fret about it.

Fran, after rereading over and over, I am quite sure you called it right. My apologies to Gary, as I'm sure my initial reaction was totally unwarranted. I now think I completely misread what he was saying.


AJ




[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 03-17-2005).]

How about renaming the forum to:
"Keyboard Arranger and One Man Band forum "?
That would incorporate and include many more and maybe silence the critique?

GREAT IDEA!! Or rather, add a discussion group with this name.

I really don't have a problem with software arrangers being discussed on this forum. Even if people are using a software arranger I bet they are using a keyboard to program/trigger it anyway. Hey this is an arranger forum whether you use a hardware or software arranger. If you don't wish to participate in a thread ... then don't. It's not a problem one way or the other. I'm not about to exclude ANY arranger users just because they are using software. Face it, software tools are going to become much more prevalent as computer power increases. And even if you are using a dedicated keyboard you must realize it is simply a keyboard with a software arranger on board. In my mind there is no distinction between the two. They both run on software be it in the the computer or in the keyboard. Face it, all digital keyboards run software.

All users are welcome here.

Of course they are! One of the great things about this forum is how welcoming and inclusive it is - and noone would suggest otherwise!

I think that the suggestion was, that considering so many of the topics lately have NOT been about arrangers - but about studios, workstations, software DAWs etc, it might be an idea to separate these two subjects (studio / arrangers) into two discussion groups (or which I would be an active member of both!)

Whichever way you decide though, I'll be happy . As far as I'm concerned you've done an amazing job and service building and upkeeping this forum - and whatever the king says - goes!

This thread has really wandered off topic in parts, but that's good too. To reply to the original question: I still read the Arranger Forum posts daily, but find things have taken a slant (subject wise, not opinions)that just doesn't interest or involve me as much. I know the familiar names are still around, and like them I also frequent "The Bar" for more discussion. As far as new topics are concerned, I'm kind of burned out in that area right now.

The administrators of the Keyboard Forum at Harmony Central said they were directly contacted by Yamaha and asked to remove the cross-post of the Tyros II images. The guy who actually cross-posted the pix was never contacted (that was me).

If Yamaha didn't want their prototype keyboard seen then I still don't understand why they allowed the keyboard to be used at a performance and photographed, unless it was stolen. If the pix had been taken inside the factory and smuggled out illegally then that would be a clear infringement of Yamaha's product secrecy, but that didn't appear to be the situation in this case. Yamaha's good representatives could've come forth and provided a little explanation as to what happened, either here or at HC where they also participate, but I guess they are content to just look like they've lost control over the release of their products.

The draconian impression remains the same - Yamaha can and will use it's influence to have open forum posts it doesn't approve of removed, and that is an infringment on the concept of an open forum.

[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 03-18-2005).]

Thank you for that clarification Scott (Yee)... and good to see you back.

This confirms my worst suspicions about Yamaha - they threatened a SZ forum member in order to get a post here removed. Perhaps we should be more guarded with our online identities and contact info if we're going to be sued for talking about the Tyros II or other arrangers before we are "officially" allowed to.

In other businesses new products are quite often photographed and published online and in magazines before the products are officially released, especially if those products appear in public. I'd like to know what is so threatening about an overpriced repackaged arranger keyboard to the Yamaha corporation that they felt compelled to resort to this kind of action?

[This message has been edited by The Pro (edited 03-18-2005).]

I wonder if they (Yamaha) would have felt the same if the responses to it (tyrosII) were positive instead of negative.

I'm with you on this one Scott, 100%. If the pic(s) was taken in a private setting, such as their lab or at a closed manufacturers / retailers only display I would gladly respect their wishes. If the pic was taken in public, then a free speech / press issue definitely exists.

If we can definitely determine that the pic of the kb was indeed taken at a public display and someone wants to send me the pics or I find them elsewhere, I will gladly make a post somewhere inviting those who want to see them to email me. I may even post them on my site. Out of respect for Nigel and his relationship with Yamaha as a supporter here or as a potential advertiser on the main site, I won't make a post about it here.

I will then also gladly give out my phone number to Yamaha if they want it, and then they can contact me with any comments that they would like to make.

Of course, all this is based on the presumption that the original story ( from tigerfool ) was actually even true.


AJ



[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 03-18-2005).]

It has been brought to my attention that Scott Langholff and tigerfool are definately not the same person.

I sincerely apologize to both Scott Langholff and tigerfool for my mistake. I wasn't being critical of anything but I had mistakenly read a previous posting with Scott's website posted with a reply from tigerfool and I had thought they were one and the same. They definately aren't.

Sorry for the confusion. I'll leave this posting up for a day or so but I will be deleting/editing postings related to my error. There is NO reason to leave them up.


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 03-18-2005).]

Hi Nigel, many thanks for setting the record straight, that our good SZ buddies, Scott Langholff & Tigerfool, are NOT the SAME person afterall. Because I've gotten to know ScottL pretty well thru the years from our many conversatins (and often humourous to boot) on the telephone, it's a relief to discover now that he hadn't pulled the wool over my face afterall (this time ). In regards to Tigerfool, this has RESTORED my respect for the integrity of one of my 'fellow' chinese country man.

This said, I'm wondering now if I should post those Tyros2 pics or not. I suppose I best not stir the pot 'so soon' after this Tigerfool/Scott confusion (confession? ) dust has finally settled.

Scott

Still I am very puzzled on how Yamaha could have contacted tigerfool by phone about his thread when there is no info on his profile that could possibly provide them with that. Very strange. I would think that Yamaha would simply email me if there ever was a problem knowing I could take care of it.

[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 03-18-2005).]

You stir ??? Nah not you Scott.

Yeah, forget stirring things up.

It's a lot more fun to
Whip-It! instead.



Scott

Is this the Tyros you're talking about???

http://www.musik-schmidt.de/osc-schmidt/catalog/images/YAMAHA_Tyros.jpg
http://www.audio-electric-shop.de/shop/catalog/images/Yamaha-Tyros.jpg

...or this one???

http://www.yamaha-tyros.de/bilder/testbild.jpg
------------------
Greetings from Frankfurt (Germany),
Sheriff ;-)


[This message has been edited by Sheriff (edited 03-19-2005).]

Those three are all the same. They were talking about two pictures that were leaked of a FUTURE model.

Did anyone really get a 'close' look at the 'supposed' Tyros II pics? I for one think the Pics were doctored and I'm talking major surgery here.

No reputedly respected Manufacturer of Keyboards, like any one of the Big three as an example, would IMHO even think about releasing such a weird looking Keyboard to anyone, let alone the masses.

Yamaha did the right thing in requesting the 'supposed' leaked pictures (heavy on the 'supposed' btw ) be removed at there behest.

That thing didn't look like a real Keyboard, it looked like a miniaturized version of the B2 Bomber. Up Up and Away!!

And if I happen to be wrong (which I don't think I am btw) I would under NO circumstances buy that Albatross of a Keyboard even if it DID have 76 keys, had a Gigabyte of WAV ROM, and sounded sublimely divine.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WWAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!

Time will tell all... But if Yammie releases something that ugly they have no one to blame but themselves.

Best regards,
Mike

Well, looking at the pics, it's only like a Tyros but with cutted edges,
and maybe it's what a new Tyros will be, cutted down to be a little brother
/sister.
I fully agree, don't look like a beauty in my eyes, but I guess it's not a
beauty contest...
GJ

The pix of the Tyros II were real. Yamaha wouldnt have gone to such drastic measures if they weren't (lots of doctored pix of fake Tyros and other keyboards float around the web all the time and nobody cares).

The only question is whether Yamaha may now decide not to release the Tyros II. Those Yamaha guys are no dummies, despite what I may otherwise claim sometimes... it's not beyond them to leak some info to both build up speculation and to get some initial feedback. In this case, the feedback is bad... a few minor additions have been mentioned such as digital outputs, playable MegaVoices and basic sampling capability, but the major upgrade is the price which has been floated around as $4600 MSRP. If we were all smacking our lips in anticipation and ready to place pre-orders then we'd see a big Tyros II roll out soon, but since we're all wondering "what are these people thinking?" then Yamaha has the option of pulling the Tyros II altogether without the risk of looking bad by putting a turkey on the market.

Mike, Yes, I'm looking at the infamous Tyros2 pics this very second, and convinced that these are NOT doctored shots. Mike, curious what evidence do you see of the pics being altered? Admittedly, when I first saw the pics, I thought the new design a bit odd (ugly), but have grown to appreciate this 'new' trimmed around the edges compact appearance. I for one might eventually get a Tyros2 for the new design change look alone. Even though I still appreciate the innovative look of my Tyros1, as one of the FIRST Tyros1 owners on this forum (2 yrs -4 mos) I'm perhaps ready for a new look. I'm now anxiously waiting to hear what (more importantly) new sounds & features Tyros2 offers. - Scott

"Did anyone really get a 'close' look at the 'supposed' Tyros II pics? I for one think the Pics were doctored and I'm talking major surgery here. "

Err looks legit to me...

"No reputedly respected Manufacturer of Keyboards, like any one of the Big three as an example, would IMHO even think about releasing such a weird looking Keyboard to anyone, let alone the masses."

Hate to break it to you...but the Tyros 2 wasn't all that extreme in the least, there are keyboards out now that make it look downright subcontemporary.

"That thing didn't look like a real Keyboard, it looked like a miniaturized version of the B2 Bomber."

I would love to know what the foundation of looking like a "real keyboard" is :P cause this is just silly.

"And if I happen to be wrong (which I don't think I am btw) I would under NO circumstances buy that Albatross of a Keyboard even if it DID have 76 keys, had a Gigabyte of WAV ROM, and sounded sublimely divine."

Yeah...WAY better ways to spend 3k. Just dont be all whatever in "no way I would buy it" as you already brought the Tyros 1 :P

"Time will tell all... But if Yammie releases something that ugly they have no one to blame but themselves."

Its not a subjective ugly keyboard Yamaha has to worry about...its a lack of an analog or virtual analog synth when everyone else has something to offer...its a lack of a solid workstation ( in light of the offerings from others ). Its the reality that others make "pro" level keyboards for less cash then Yamaha's bottom feeder supposed budget boards. Thats what Yamaha has to worry about.

To each his own I guess Scott.

What I'm thinking and of course I could be wrong is Yamaha possibly released that pic as a kind of gauge or 'barometer' to see how something with a radical design would be received by the public. A prototype if you will which depending on peoples reaction is either given the green light or shelved. I for one hope that turkey is shelved for good.

Steve's eyes are watching closely to our responses and I hope he takes mine and others into consideration when he relays his findings to Corporate headquarters.

Yamaha will do what it wants of course but they will have at least one less sale if they do indeed release it as it stands, if indeed the Pic is real.

Btw, time will tell if that pic was a hoax or not. You would be simply amazed at what you can do with Photoshop besides cunning people intent on pulling off a realistic looking deception.

Best regards,
Mike

http://www.keyboardmag.com/story.asp?sectioncode=29&storycode=5131


Screw Yamaha then :P