Hi all,
After listening to some demos of The Tyros 2 and what I have read so far I haven't found it so much different in some sounds. The guitars are the same as in T1, the harmonizer seem to be the same, and the grand piano as well. Some of the styles also sounded exactly like the T1.
However, the super articulation voices and the new organ voices are definitly good, but is it really worth upgrading for them? What do you think?
If I buy a keyboard/workstation for that high price I want something new.

It is not the same. 100 more styles. More Mega voices, SA voices, Sample player, HD recording and more and more.

Hi Christian,

I think you ask a very good question.

There are a few other compelling reasons to "update" to the T2. The new keyboard, Text Display, USB and Internet Access, HD Recording, Sample Playback, etc.

The one thing that struck me about the T2 demos in comparison to the T1 was the "Groove Factor". The T1 had a good groove factor in that you felt compelled while you played. I think the T2 builds on that with the updated styles, use of Megavoices, and the SA voices. If you feel the groove during a performance, you will play better and give a better show. I think the drums are a little punchier which is a good thing. I still would like to see the T2 styles a little "edgier" and grittier more like a live band rather than a studio mix. I'm wondering if adding some warm samples to those styles would accomplish this? Anyway, you have this option with the T2, more so than the T1 and thus why I think upgrading to the T2 is a worthwhile venture.

Al

I think Christian has a very good point here. The real question is "are the additional features worth the difference in cost".

Although these seem abundant, if you take these one by one then a little doubt may creep in. Look at the following examples:

There are 100 more styles but I am led to believe that many of these are ones contained in the T1 premium pack or are already available on the latest Clavinova. I accept that some of them are re-worked to take advantage of the new megavoices though. I have edited many of the factory styles to "lift" the drums using EQ, overall volume and alternative kits. This is personal to me for the type of music that I play (and my never ending quest to make it sound more like a Ketron - lol)

Hard Disk Recording - Well it's not as convenient but my laptop gives me many more than two tracks even with a budget software product. Plus I get editing of WAV files that isn't on the T2.

Text display - Thanks to the fidgity workaround that Scott Yee and I eventually got to grips with this is just simpler to achieve on the T2 - I presume that text lyric files will load automatically for a registration song file like on the T1 workaround otherwise it's not nearly as useful for me.

Voices - Well the demos sound great but will they benefit you as much as the top players who recorded them. I use aftertouch and the wheels to add istrumental realism - I don't think I want to cope with another pedal as well. Also, I think that the SA voices sound better in isolation. In the mix I don't notice fret or valve noise much.

The improvements to the Music Finder will please Scott I'm sure but they are not enough to persuade me to use it over registrations - I think that a music finder that indexes your registration files by name, tempo, style etc would be much more useful.

I would still like a T2, The organ voices seem much improved as do the drums and now they have a trumpet with shake (as has Ketron, Technics and others for quite a while)the big band stuff sounds great.

But - How much will it cost me. You probably recognise me as the meanest, tightest guy here and my initial research shows that I can get a T2 for £2050 cheapest (From Europe not from the UK though)- I am likely to get £1000 most on Ebay which then leaves £1100 to pay. If I p/x it is considerablly more. For our chums across the pond this equates to $1952 at today's exchange rate - Are these extras worth it? Only you can answer that for yourself.

I will look at the T2 and if it means I can get rid of my XD3 as well as the T1 then I will probably do the deal but I will first look at the G70 again when I can find an upgraded one along with another look at the PA1X

Anyone know if Ketron is bringing out a repolacement for the SD-1 - we're never satisfied are we?

Regards to all - KFingers

Hope you don't mind if I chime in with a few reflections; Tyros 2 has not only the new SA voices: many of the other sounds as well have been re-sampled. I have read on the Yamaha website that, to record the new strings, they hired members of the James Last orchestra (and this makes me think that the recording sessions happened in Germany). This means that the T2 is different from evey other keyboard on the market, including the T1.
You know what I mean: the PA1X pro has many of the Triton sounds, the G-70 has many of the Fantom X sounds, some V-accordeon sounds and the organ sounds of the VK8, and I agree that they both sound great, but here we are facing something new, that took a great effort, even from a financial point of view. So, if you ask me if I think that it was worth the while to pay what I paid for my Tyros 2 (and I still have to sell my Tyros 1), the answer is "yes", but to each one its own, I guess...
Speaking of styles, the 100 new styles have never been released before and so they are really "new"; of course soon they will be available on the net, like happened for the Tyros 1, but only the Tyros 2 can take advantage of their programming subtleties (many of the strumming guitars now sound completely different, because they make use of the SA sounds).

Hi kfingers and all others,
I am also going to check out the T2 when it is available in the music store but as a previous T1 owner I really hopped that the vocal harmonizer was improved and that the grand piano would have been replaced by a better one.
To me is not the Internet connection feature very important since I can connect to the Internet through my PC and connect the kb through USB. And yes, it some times sounds studio mixed and not live like the Korg PA1X. I have not used the music finder very much, only a few times. And also, no XLR input like the PA1X/G-70. It's not very important, but it could have been there.
One thing I like with the G-70/PA1X is the expansion capabilities with the expansion boards. And at least Korg seem to update their kb's with new features.
I had also been interested in trying out the Lionstracs Mediastation, but it's not available over here just to see what it is.
Regards,
Christian

Ketron were supposed to be bringing out 2 models from what I've heard.
One is basically a keyboard version of the Midjay and the other I have no idea at all.
Hope its 76 note with features to kick all the other manufacturers butts to the moon and back lol.
Why are Ketron keeping quiet about this. Surely with the G70, new Korg, Tyros 2, Wersi Ikarus out there (oh and I daren't forget the Mediastation) Ketron need to get something out to compete. Are Ketron actually still in business?

Dear Craig_UK;

How is your assesment of the x-76 coming? Are you close to a review & possibly some demos ( of sounds and styles)?

Thanks
Regards;
BN

The Mediastation is boxed up waiting for Lionstracs to pick it up as I type.
It arrived faulty and after numerous updates and even being forced to do a reformat and fresh installation it was still faulty.
Don't want to go into all the bad points (eg. sounds sticking, then cutting out, having to reset about 4 or 5 times even before the sound is routed through its outputs, touch screen disabled, usb not working for mouse and keyboard, midi and mp3 files jumping, vst plugins failing....)as there were far too many.
As for the sounds and styles and for how upset I am, it is not typeable on this forum otherwise I may get banned lol.
Oh by the way, the keys do not even have aftertouch either.
Big mistake on my part buying from abroad but to give Dom and Lionstracs credit, Dom did try his best to get things working and he did offer me a refund (after speaking with the European trading standards and the Italian one which he doesn't know about, he didn't have much choice as faulty goods are their responsibilty and not mine. I even sopke with a lawyer in Italy to find out if it was their responsibility to pay for it going back as Lionstracs said it was mine!).
By the way Dom if you see this I am not having a go at you. I didn't mess about with the hard drive as you think. How could I when the keyboard never worked and I spent the last month typing to you on Yahoo every night. My patience ran out as would anyone elses.
Other owners of the Mediastation apparantly have working models so maybe some of those on here can state more about it as I refuse.

Greg sorry to hear about your misfortunes with the Mediaastation.....that really stinx.....
I hope its resolved soon and you can aquire what you want asap.

good luck

Thanks DNJ it's appreciated.
I'm finally getting over a months worth of grief from the Mediastation and my Tyros 2 should be with me mid to end November. I've checked all of the competition out there (already got G1000, SD1 and VST synths for PC). Didn't like the styles on the Korg PA or Roland G70, didn't want a Wersi as since it's software based I didn't want something else happening like it did with Mediastation, so Yamaha it is.
Not had a Yamaha since the old V50 I think it was in late 80's early 90's?

From your description of the problems you say you had with your Mediastation, I would say it was a faulty hardware component, and it can happen to any keyboard.
When the Wersi OAS instruments were launched in 2000 (OAS 2) there were a few software glitches, with update CDs being sent out to solve the problem, but with OAS 6 and now OAS 7, providing you don’t start messing with the Windows software it is as stable as any Yamaha, Roland, Korg etc.
There is also a dealer and an agent in this country, as well as engineers that know the instruments, and if you are not sure how some thing works you could just post on the Wersi Oas forum, and one of the members would be able to help.
Anyway I hope you get full reimbursement for your problems, but don’t rule out all Software based instruments just because you have had a problem with one.
Interestingly if the predictions hold true, (And I cant see anything that will stop it) then in 5 years or so, all instruments from all manufactures will be software based.
Whichever instrument you have though, just remember the music comes first.

Bill

Thanks Abacus.
Wersi are great sounding instruments and I know which dealer sells them in the UK.
I've already spoken to them and got all the information I need. I really like the Ikarus but for me it's too expensive for what it is and the dealers will not come down in price for a cash payment either.
I've got a great deal on a Tyros 2 with speakers and stand and having already played it I'll be more than happy with it.
If I sell my SD1 then a Wersi may be on the cards for a purchase next year, but since you don't see Wersi in the UK it puts me off regarding support if its required.
The Tyros 2 is also the first 61 note keyboard I've purchased for years, will take a bit of time to adjust to less keys lol

Dear Craig_UK;

It is unfortunate about your troubles Craig. I wonder if Fillipe Tomas has had the same difficulties as yourself. It would be interesting to hear from him, since he obtained his X-76 ~ 1 week prior to yours.

I mirror your sentiments regarding the Ikarus. I to like this KB, but I feel it is too expensive for what one obtains from it & dealers are not willing to negotiate the price.

PS--I am curious as why Lionstracs just didn't take back the KB and repair the problems , or to just replace it with a new one.
I would like to discuss your experience regarding the X-76 if you wouldn't mind. Do you have an email address that I could contact you at?


Thanks in advance
Regards;
BN

Since the keyboard arrived faulty and didn't do what is was supposed to do there was no way I would have accepted another anyway.
I was perfectly in my right to ask for a refund but Lionstracs offered me one even before I thought about asking.
Filip (pardon spelling) if he is the guy in Portugal has no problems as I spoke to him most nights for over a month.
Anyway, bye bye Mediastation I'm sick of even thinking about it now

Accepting that a lot of the T1 styles have been tweaked, the 100 new styles may be new to the Tyros, but I think a number are already present on and from the CVP3XX & PSR3000.
Can someone please list the said 100 completely new styles.