OK, I have finally found the time to post some short demo's of the Tyros 2; they are meant to give an idea of some of the new sounds and also of the new styles. They can be found on this page of my website.
The first demo is an example of the new Bossa Nova style, that makes use of the new super-articulation guitar for the rhytm part (in variation 1 of the style there is just the acoustic guitar playing). You can also hear the SA Acoustic Guitar playing the melody of the song.
The second demo portrays the Harmonica and the Super Articulation Sax.
The third demo shows again the SA Acoustic Guitar; I really love the overall atmosphere of this song and frankly don't believe that could have attained the same result with another arranger (sorry, folks...)
The fourth demo is for oriental music lovers: there is just a loop and the SA Sax playing: anyone can guess the title of the song?
Enjoy!

Sorry, here is the link to the webpage:
http://andrearotolo.tripod.com/dreamer/id16.html

Andrea, nice acoustic guitar work..

Andrea....
Thankyou for the Great assorted T2 Demos I enjoyed them & your playing as well......
But honestly to my ears the more I hear the T2 the more I am not convinced that aside from the real nice SA sounds & a few convience features that it would motivate me to think of gettng one when I feel I can do very close to the SAME thing with my 3k, or T1......to me it sounds just simply Yamaha as usual.......dont get me wrong & this is my own personal opinion looked at in a way for MY uses in MY acts on stage alone......

I wish your much sucess with your new Keyboard, enjoy it, make beautiful music, & hope to hear more form you always.

Ciao

Great demos dreamer! I liked the fourth one, what IS that called?

I agree with you DNJ that there's no big differences besides the SAs, but for me that is good enough because I just purchased the Kontakt 2 sampler and was about to put the time and money into recording my own trumpets and saxes to get the SA effect - and here Yamaha has done it for me!

Chony

Andrea, could you PLEASE put on a demo that would showcase the new drum kits? Yamaha didn't put any decent samples on their website. Thanks a lot! Chony.

Andrea . . . Wow awesome! Your impressive LIVE PLAYED song demos come thru not only with astounding realism, but are captured with much instrumentally moving emotion, especially your guitar playing on Chega De Saudade. I've honestly NEVER heard a better guitar emulated rendition of this song on a keyboard in my entire life. I believe Tom Jobim himself would be astounded to learn this was performed on a keyboard. BRAVO!

Andrea, your LIVE demos demonstrate what ten thousand words cannot do justice to. For the most realistic sounding acoustic music emulation . . . . Tyros2 RULES ! I also appreciated your demo of the T2 'oriental style' . How many Oriental styles & instrument (other than GM/XG) voices does the the T2 include? This offers a great opportunity (at least for me) to finally easily experiment with fusing Eastern grooves with Western melodies. Andrea, your demo not only displays what the Tyros2 offers, but how much you have grown (since you became a SZ member here) as a musicianship yourself. I look forward to our 'next visit' and the opportunity to have fun again playing music together with you again. Berkeley awaits your return.

In closing: To any continuing Tyros2 skeptics: time to visit your local audiologist to get your hearing checked.

Scott

Andrea

Even on my mac laptop the the T2 sounds great. I wish you much luck with it. You play beautifully... enjoy.

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Lou

Oh your demos were awesome, but I was more blow away by your photography!!

Excellent photo's. What kind of camera do you have? Are they digital?

Al

Scott my hearing is more then fine...please come up for air, I know your excited about T2 but to push enthusiasm to the point to belittle peoples opinons and beliefs doesnt effect my T2 opinion one bit, The greatest KB of all time senario is kind of silly isnt it? Yes its good but its NOT for everyone... Then to add the Master Carlos Jobin's name for comparison also? ....
I hear what I hear & thats what I go by...thats my final answer gumba



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 10-27-2005).]

Andrea,

Those are beautiful demos. I especially love the guitar sounds. Truly, lifelike.

-Linda

Donny, geez, I was only stating my opinion, as you too, so oftenly express as well. As far as saturating people opinions & beliefs, Andrea's demos imo speak for themself. I NEVER once suggested that the T2 is the greatest KB of ALL time. I reserve that honor to the Steinway B. As far as Jobim (not Jobin), I stand by my remark. - Scott

Dreamer. . .

Finally, somebody "real" playing the real thing. Nice work, and I'm more convinced than ever that the T2 is a big step forward for those of us who appreciate the Yamaha "thing." DanO says I should get mine next week or maybe the week after.
Thanks, DerfM

1. I don't know but Scott Yee says Chega De Saudade.

2. House of the Rising Sun (Animals)

3. How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees)

4. Hava Nagilah (Jewish traditional)

Excellent sounds. The lead instruments are very prominent in the mix (to me). Is that intentional? I mean, did you turn the volume down on the accompaniment? Regardless, thanks for the real-world demos, great job!

-mike

Maybe Steinway should come out with an Arranger eh? The T2 is a very good sounding arranger KB Scott....But the total package is just not my cup of tea for my needs either was T1 sorry.But for your needs it will suit you fine....enjoy

Good demos. I'm with Chony here as well. Could you post some demos with the drum kits??? I can only hope that Yammie didn't cheeze out on the drums with this model (especially considering the price). The SA sax sounds very nice. I also like how they programed the sound of sliding from one fret to the next while playing the guitar sounds. The way they programed this effect sounds so much more natural and isn't over done.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 10-27-2005).]

Dreamer,
beautiful played, thanks for sharing!

Have to agree with kbrkr: Awesome photos!
But I don't think it might be the great camera. These pictures were taken by someone really talented.

-Sun

hey - i wanna hear andrea playing, too - can i ?

Thanks to all for taking the time to listen and also for your words. Really, these were not meant to be "songs" of which I could be proud, but mere demo's of some of the new sounds and styles of the Tyros 2.
Just to tell you how much I like my T2, I was right now playing all my old bossa nova songs with the new SA Acoustic Guitar and I almost wept with joy! For the first time in my life I feel I am able to fool myself into thinking that I am playing a real acoustic guitar, but at the same time I realize that not everyone likes this kind of music (some people even call it "elevator music" ) , so what's the point to persuade everybody that the Tyros 2 is a great keyboard?

Chony, the best I can imagine right now in terms of "drums" is a style called "Jazz Pop", that has some really nice and crisp drums, but right now I feel kind of tired (had a very hard week and it's not over yet), so please give me some more time, at least till the week end.

Lou, thanks again; you like Enya, so I know that you have a delicate soul.

Al, the greates part of my pics were taken with Nikon cameras (F3 and 801) (they are not digital, so I had to scan every single slide afterwards). Right now I have a Nikon D 70 (digital) and I love it: really made my life much easier!

Linda, it's great to hear from you!

DerfMusic, thanks! I am sorry for not being able to put out better demo's, but today I feel really drained.

who took those pictures ?

omg you travel a lot - and WHAT IS IPANEMA AND WHO IS THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA ? who composed that song ?

Just saw the other replies...

Mike, yes I tried to raise the volume of the lead instrument in the mix to give a good idea of how it sounded. That's the reason why I recorded "Hava Nagilah" with just Sax, Percussion and a bit of choir.
May I congratulate you for guessing right even the title of the song #4?

Squeak, same reply as Chony: I need a bit more of time (and inspiration) to come up with a "funky" demo.

Sunfactor: wow, what a compliment! Thanks!

Claudiu: it's not difficult to listen to the songs: just click on the links. Are you kidding us all maybe?

Andrea i'm starting to envy you ! Doctor, music, travelling - that's great. Congrats for a super life.

Dreamer - do you sequence trance-house, too ? just a question -

Now you are talking...

I'd remix chopin's nocturnes - turn them into something trance

Never tried that and -if I ever would- don't think that a Tyros would be the right keyboard.

lol and you're online, too. Hi - che fai ?
you know i'd like to talk to you on yahoo messenger - you seem the type of the "perfect person to talk to" - even if i'll get sick sometimes ))) you might give me some advices..

what kind of music do you play ? my generation loves rap - hip - hop and i pretty much don't like that type of music - i've been playing the piano for 16 years - what about you ?!

Dreamer. . .

Hey, don't be sorry. The demos are outstanding. There are a lot of keyboard players out there who would like to have your chops. Thanks again. DerfM

Hi Andrea,

thanks for those great demos.

I'm starting to get anxious too.
Forget the hype about the bird flu, the T2 is much more infectious.....

I envy Donny and Fran because they must have had their T2 shot (vaccine) prior to the T2 release and have immunity now

Anyway I'm fully infected: symptoms include: sleepless nights, fast heartbeat, sweaty hands, headaches, bodyaches and the list goes on.

I better see a music doctor now

Eric

Eric,
it's great to see you so excited; are you going to keep your 9000 pro or will you sell it?

hey - back

now let's hear some demos

Dreamer = Outstanding

Claudiu = thanks!

Dreamer try SA Acoustic Guitar song with a Sax instead of Guitar -

Hi Andrea,

yes eventually I will sell my Pro.

I'm going to keep it until I have all my data (styles, regs., sounds etc) transfered.
It took me a long time to make the Pro mine and to program it the way I like it.

But yes it will be up for sale in the near future.

Eric

Eric,
LOL - well said.

Hi, Andrea
Congratulations on your new keyboard. I enjoyed your demos.
My comment is regarding the pizzicatto of guitar which imo sounds too indistinctly. This may be because of the compression.
A better sax sound could be prodused only by a sax player.
Regards,
George V

George V: thanks!
I am right now thinking of your comment about the guitar "pizzicato" and the compression; I guess that will experiment a bit to see how different settings of compression affect the sound of the guitar.

Andrea,
The demos are wonderful. I enjoyed them a lot.
The guitar sound is very very very impressive.
Stam

Mamma mia, Andrea!!!

The guitar sound is astonishing.
I would like to hear live. If in mp3 is already so realistic...

Thanks for sharing these great demos.

Um abraço
Armando

Andrea,
Great stuff!

I like your playing!!!
I absolutely love number 4!!!

Sometimes less is more.


As far as the Tyros 2 goes, it sounds like a very good keyboard.
I am sure in the right hands lots can be done with it.


However, I still don’t think at least IMO that it tops any of the other flagship arrangers on the market notably the Korg pa1x and the Gem Genesys in terms of sounds styles and features.

I think in the right hands, lots can be done with either of them.

I just wonder how much of an effect would the SAV have in a live mix? Also, some of the articulations could sound monotonous after a while.
From the drum demos I have heard so far, other than the oriental percussions, the drum sounds on the Tyros 2 leaves much to be desired.


Again, this is not to say that the Tyros 2 is not a good board. I think that Yamaha now has an arranger that can compete with the Korg pax1 and the Gem Genesys.


Andrea, have fun with the Tyros 2. At the end of the day it really does not matter what keyboard or other tool we use to make music; as long as we could make it work for our individual needs and make like what you just did, good music!


BTW
After listening to the demos, in a strange twist, I could see the SAV coming handier in a studio setting rather than a live one.

When you are on a gig by yourself, the audience knows it is just you and would think that any thing that sounds like a live instrument is not you but more the keyboard. However, if you use some of the SAV in a studio, you could probably get away with fooling some people that it is a live guitar (or what ever instrument) when you know in fact that it is the Tyros 2 SAV

Stam, Armando and To the Genesys: thanks!

I have just recorded another demo, with a style called "Jazz Funk", because I think that it shows how good (and natural) the T2 drums are, but was unable to upload it because my website has been temporarily suspended due to excessive bandwidth usage, so I will have to try again later (or tomorrow?)
Anyway, just listening to this demo I came to the conclusion that maybe we are spoiled with what we hear everyday on the radio: drums and bass heavily equalized (the so called "Ghetto Blaster" effect..) and so maybe we cannot appreciate anymore the sound of a "natural" drumset?
I will try again to upload my MP3 later, but without much hope...

OK: I was able to upload the file. It's called "Jazz Funk Demo". Hope you will enjoy it: if you still think that these drums are not enough "in your face", then we have different tastes for drums...

Dreamer,
Nice job on the T2, i must wait a week than i can taste the T2.
Have a lot of fun on the T2 !
BestRegards,
Arno,

Arno: thanks! I will do my best to enjoy my Tyros 2!

Eric, alright you guys convinced me..as soon as Claudiu figures out the VA 76, I'm going to get a Tyros 2..

Hi Fran,

LOL ha, ha, ha

excellent joke

You make my belly hurt.

Eric

Thanks Dreamer for the drum sample. My opinion of it is that its a little heavy on the highs - but then again, it is a Funk kit. Did they make a new Studio and/or standard set as well? Shabbat Shalom!

Fran
I am glad that you finally saw the light!

Chony, no I don't think that they did a new studio kit. If I find another interesting style I will post a new demo.

AMAZING!!!
That sound so real!! I mean, the way you're playing.. I almost thought this is a real guitar... man, you are gifted!!

And also- the 4th song is Hava Nagila, as said.. but the oriental loop is amazzzing!!

i figured out the va76 feel free to order your toy now !

Fran, i figured out my VA 76 - feel free to order your T2 :P

Ok Fran ! TIME to fulfill your promise. We're ALL WATCHING! - Scott

Lol - we're watching!

I love this forum not only is there great musical entertainment on it, but there's comedy as well, can't be beat

Dreamer, nice job with everything. I'm a real fan of Jobim and like your rendtion of "Chega De Saudade"

I didn't see chega de saudate on dreamer's website....where did u listen to it ?!

what's better a motif or a tyros ?

It's the first choice on the Tyros2 demo page, it's titled Bossa Nova and Sa Ac Guitar. The mp3 name is abbreviated and is called Chega.

[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 10-28-2005).]

They do sound awesome. Like Fran I'm an old Roland guy with a G 800 and a G1000. I may have to dig into the well and get a Tyros. Thanks for posting.

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Claudiu, perhaps you should use the Search function (at the top of the page) and go back and read some of the previous posts. I you search for "Tyros Motif", you should find numerous posts on the subject.
The Motif is a true Synth, and has no Arranger Functions. They are two different animals.
DonM

lol @ comparing the Tyros 2 to a Gem Genesys above. I was one of the first people in the UK to have a Genesys for 8 months, before part exchanging it for a Ketron SD1.
Genesys does have some good styles and some amazing sounds, it's easy to use/edit, great MP3 playback if you use it and the keyboard is spot on, but they Tyros 2 is in a different league, shame it's not 76 note though
(I'm ready for an ear bashing now from all Genesys owners haha)

thanks man ! :P

what do you all think about casio products ? - just a question

Omg - school is so long - can't wait till i'll get home

Hi Craig,
This is not an “ear bashing” as I believe different keyboards are made for different people.

The Tyros 2 may be better for some persons while the pa1x may be for others, or the G-70 and SD1 may be for others and the Genesys would be for others.

The fact is only certain keyboards can be used productively buy certain people. Variety. That is what makes the keyboard world an interesting place.

BTW There is a new Genesys called the Genesys S. If you were one of the first persons that owned a Genesys in the UK, the Genesys S is probably much different from when you had the first Genesys. So I guess Tyros 2 is a good response to it.

Isn't it GREAT to have so many wonderful choices. I could be perfectly happy with any of them. I could make a living with Casio WK3700 if I had to!
DonM

Bomba 6, Stephen and Songman55: thanks! I am really glad that so many Forum members are enjoying the demo's; now that the working week is over I hope to record a few more demo's with more styles and sounds.
I am still trying to learn the best technique to play the SA Tenor Sax pretending that I am a real sax player. The possibility is there, because Yamaha did a great programming job and now it's up to us players to take advantage of it, without screwing up everything and sounding cheesy...

Dreamer - what style do you use when playing " the shadow of your smile " ? Bossa Nova ?

i'm glad to see you all enjoying the T2 so much - what should i pull out from that ? Dump my VA-76? Dreamer, again I LOVE YOUR " EUROPA " the guitar is excellent ! GREAT !

Probably you could make a living with a PSR-295! Just heard your demos for the first time. Awesome voice - what a great perfomer you must be...



[This message has been edited by sunfactor (edited 10-28-2005).]

I have just added two new short demo's to my site: they are called "Ballad Tenor" and "SA Acoustic Guitar and SA Sax".
Guessing the right title isn't difficult, but adds fun to fun...
Enjoy!

Claudiu, the style used for "The shadow of your smile" is the Guitar Ballad; for "Europa" I used the Power Ballad instead.
Glad you like them.

i don't have a guitar ballad style - gimme a substitute

Andrea, nice demos. The T2 sounds a whole lot different to my ears than does my T1
thanks for the demos,
Terry

------------------
jam on,
Terry
http://www.musicchops.com/forums/

you guys - how is that guitar called on the va-76 - you play normally a solo and when you push harder on the key it makes some kind of "glissando" upwards and then comes back - i can't really explain it. I hope you kow what i'm talking about - i'm working at a song right now and i need that. Best wishes ~

Eric,
Come on down to my store and try out the new Tyros2. It is in stock and you can see it for yourself!
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Terry, thanks!
Yes, I have tried to use the sounds/styles that are different, compared with Tyros 1, but it's true that even the sounds that are the same (like the electric pianos) now sound better.

The drumkit on the hardrock style doesn't sound like any of those on the Ty1 -- is it new; or is it my imagination?

Thanks, Chony.

OK, I have posted two more demo's: they are called "Bluegrass Demo" and "Country Rock Demo".
Enjoy!

Chony,
you are right: the drumkit on the HardRock style is called "Power Kit 2"; on the Tyros 1 the same style used the Studio Kit 1. Tyros 2 has two Power Kits: 1 and 2.

dreamer, my dad came home and i'm showing him your songs on your website - gongrats again ! p.s. the pictures are greattt. Best Wishes.

Thanks, Claudiu!

you're welcome

Dreamer, will you marry me ? ))))) ))) ))) ( kidding )

Hi George,

thanks for thinking of me and inviting me to your store to check out the T2

I thought since I bought my Pro from you last time it's DanO's turn to get my business this time.
Plus he gave me a price I couldn't refuse....

However after my honeymoon with the T2 I'm interested to check out the Midjay and the PAX-1 which I thing would make a powerful addition to the T2.

As you know I'm a Yamaha kinda guy converted from the Technics realm (I used to sell Technics way back when in Germany ) and never really liked the sound of Ketron but was always intrigued by their grooves.

However listening to the Midjay demos, I must say they do sound very good.

As I say maybe after my honey moon I'll come down and we'll talk shop.
It's always good to see you and your enthusiasm for the arranger KB world.

Eric

Hi Andrea,

Congratulations with the exellent demo's on your website. Your great performance of "chega de saudade" (in typical brazilian style) is very good and love this manner of playing (the melody playing with not much in the background of the style.)

I must repeat what i earlier had written about your performances : Every time i hear new stuff of you. I realize that you are playing better and better!! You must have doing much and hard working all this years.
If i hear some demo's of many years ago from you on this forum and at this time you have made a great progressing work doing this years !!!

Your feeling for Brazilian melody-playing is fantastic !! You have the feeling to play this music in a good way!! (I think many Brazilian members here will say this also !!)
Many thanks for the exellent demo's of the Tyros 2.

Regards,

Notlos
www.notlos.com

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Dirk, thanks!
Coming from you that's really a great compliment!
I am planning to record a CD made only of songs recorded this way, more or less "unplugged".
Hope to hear new songs from you soon!
Andrea

Andrea - how long have you been playing ? Do you play classical music, too ? If so, please tell me 'cause I have something to ask you ! Best Wishes - and Congratulations for all the beautiful work you've done so far.

Claudiu,
my first instrument was the guitar (together with a little accordeon); I used to play a piano in my grandfather's house, but not much. I have started playing arranger keyboards only late in life and... no, I don't play much classic music.
How's the weather in Michigan?

thanks for answering - the weather in Michigan is ok - it's a little bit cold and it gets dark faster than usual because the winter is coming. Nice autumn though.

Hi Andrea - Great playing and terrific sounding demo's!! Hearing them makes me happy that I ordered a Tyros 2. I have a PSR 3000 now and am upgrading to get the new sounds and hard drive recording features. You did a super job of displaying the nuances of the T2! Thanks again!


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PS - I'm an experienced sax player and I am very impressed w/the articulation sax voices. They are as close as (I hope) they can get! HA HA - don't want myself (completely!) out of a job!!
Randy

Randy,
thanks for your words; I have to confess that it takes some time to play the SA Sax in a realistic way, but for the first time in my life I feel I am finally close to be a real sax player.