I am stuck between both of these arrangers, which one to buy?
I want a portable keyboard to hash out songs when I'm away from my home studio as well as having a good keyboard to take out of the house to jam with ome of my friends. I have owned the PSR 540 and currently have a home studio with a bunch of other keyboards but I feel that one of these is what would suite me for this....My question is this both of these are the same price and I understand that the roland has more sounds and more poly. other than that which one should I get. I'm interested in others comments.

No contest here - PSR1000 is the winner !

I also faced with similar dilemma not too long ago. I owned PSR1000 for 2 weeks. Also tried EM55 for an hour or so at the store. The store had both and YAMAHA wins hands down. The EM55 is like a lousy toy in comparison.

In my opinion, EM55 is a piece of TRASH compared to PSR1000.

The internal speaker is lousy in comparison with PSR1000.

Also, the button access is confusing compared to the YAMAHA.

Quality of sound - YAMAHA better !!

If I were you, check my post on CASIO WK1800 for only $300. Better piano sound in my opinion. LIGHTER and has 76 keys !!

I think it's acceptable even for the pro's ! But because CASIO had a cheesy reputation in the past, this amazing cheap keybd does not get noticed. Good for me, huh !

Hi madsynthman,
I have a "Y2K" (PSR2000) I`d say get the "Y1K" (1000)
The Casio is indeed a good KB. My first "arranger KB" was a "Casio" and I enjoyed it for a number of years. A-side from some voices and "vocal" the 1000 is just about the same (only 32 poly). Have you checked 2000 prices? I think for the extra $$ you might enjoy the "Y2K"
O-BTW, Welcome to our family and the best corner of the web
You could not have found a better place !
Great "bunch" of people and we are here for each other, so let us know how you made out !! Good luck
jedi

Welcome.
I would agree with Jedi here. I also have a PSR2000. I started by looking at the 500 series then up and up until I purchased the PSR2000. There are many that recommend if you can afford to go from the 1000 to 2000 it is worth the difference. Both of them would satisfy your requirements that you listed.
I would echo Jedi's sentiments on the group here too. A great resource of great people. Good luck on your purchase.

- Brian

I find the styles in the PSR 1000 to be much more to my liking that the EM55...but for just a few more bucks the PSR 2000 is head and shoulders above both.

A used PSR2000 will probably be cheaper than a new PSR1000. Lots of people are probably selling theirs because of the new TYROS.

But before you buy, I would recommend to go to GUITAR CENTER and hear with your own ear without any prejudice the CASIO WK1800 versus YAMAHA PSR1000/2000. Particularly on the piano sounds and maybe others and also the key feel. I think you will like the CASIO better. YAMAHA key feel is LOUSY !!!

Don't be fooled by MORE sounds. Think quality, not quantity. Who cares if there are 20 accoustic pianos, you only need a couple of good ones not 20 mediocre. I like Roland and have a Roland keyboard, but the EM55 did not impress me, go with the Yamaha 1000.
Starkeeper

Hey lukitoh, does the Casio WK1800 have a better sound quality then your PSR2000?
Starkeeper

Lukitoh,
Glad you found a board to fit your current needs.. However I have to disagree with you on the sound quality of that Casio.... If there is any Casio keyboard I'd compare to the sound quality of the PSR1000/2000, it would be the MZ-2000. The WK1800, still used the same sound source from the earlier models which was also used on the CTK series. I honestly think it's not a fair comparison between the two models and the PSR1000/2000 would fair better to the MZ-2000.. Now I can see comparing the PSR-540 and below to the Casio WK1800.. Granted the Casio has 76 keys, and better action I think it greatly pales in camparison with the PSR-1000... I've played my PSR-550 side by side with the WK series and I think by far even the PSR-550 beats it in terms of sound quality.. There are many sounds on the PSR's that cannot be matched by Casio.. Especially in the acoustic department. Now if the WK1800 utilized more sounds from the MZ-2000 then I think it would make a far better comparison.. However this is just my opinion

Squeak