Not sure if this link has been posted before, but if you have an E80 you might find it useful. http://www.roland.co.uk/E80/
Merry Christmas

Bill

Here is the link for the USA: http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=825
Bebop

If you have an E80 (or any other Roland arranger), THIS is the 'real' site you should visit...
http://www.roland-arranger.com/smf/index.php

More tips, styles, and info than Roland EVER give you... (But you already knew that, didn't you )

Hey Guy`s

Thanks for that link "Diki" , I missed that one,

Now if someone would just describe the keybed , how it feels , how it reacts and interacts with the player that would be so great.

I would like it described in minuet detail , the way Hemmingway would describe a "pear".

"It`s sweet , with a slightly granular texture , although it melts in your mouth."
"A very good fruit and an experience I must try again sometime"

Just in case , thanks

Later,
Gary

Gary what have you done so far in regards to "REAL HANDS ON" experience if any in regards to deciding on a keyboard to buy after all this time?
I'd be interested in hearing your results in minute detail please.

Gary,

The E-80 has terrific keyboard that reacts to EVERY nuance of the players technique...absolutely superb!

When are you getting one?

Too bad you don't like rubber buttons, or the S900 would be a good buy for you...Zuki, Beakybird and I are using them, probably far more intensely than you ever would, and the keyboard is performing flawlessly...and sounds exceptional.

And the Korg PA-800....many great recommendations from the pros here on Synthzone...so it must be good, right?

Personally, I don't believe all the descriptions and testimonials in the world are going to convince you about ANY arranger...no matter what it is...so, until you get to try....you won't ever buy....hey...that rhymes!

Ian

Hey Donny & Ian ,

Thank for the help , again

Hands on so far , hey , well ok !

Have played the Motif XS and the Tyros once , no matter same key-bed , and I like it.
It has a solid feel , not H&B of course , but good none the less.
And the keys don`t feel like they would break if you wanted to do a drum solo.

From the time when I had the Y2k , all upper end PSR`s have had the lazy C-6 , so not only do you have a key-bed that really isn`t all that user friendly , the price is very right and it has some of the best sound out there and there is plenty of web support.

By lazy C-6 , I mean that the Y2K / thru the S900 , the last white key ( C-6 ) is lower than all the others , and for some reason that bugs me as much as the rubber buttons.

If you want to work on voices or styles you are going to need to press a lot of buttons , there is just no way around that , heck just to input your name is a pain !!

That brings me to the E-80.
I have never seen one , no where in my area has one.
That is a shame Roland expect to sell them ???
I have read all that the web will allow , and it does sound and read like a very good A/KB albeit grossly over sized for a 61 key board.
Another down side is no flash drive support , but thats minor.
A huge plus is that it has expandability , by way of sound cards m big plus for down the road when you want new sounds.
PCMCIA slot for Micro Drive , they are harder and harder to find and most are refurbish , although I could use an adapter and use a SD card , so there again , can be worked around.

All too confusing , really , if I was to use it has a tool to earn a living , then the choice would be easy.
Least amount of overhead with the best results , kind`a sounds like the S900.

But this board will be a home-KB only , for my own use.
E-80 one button guitar , where I have played guitar that would be another plus for the E-80 , and of course organ as well.

S900 , very good organ sounds , good usable styles multi-pads , all pluses for that one.

So as you can tell , I have thought too long and way too hard over a very simple purchase , but it`s not like I`m going to be buying another, at least not for awhile.

I must make the right choice , and I truly thank you all for your help and advice , without it , I might end up with an electric harmonica !! So thanks again ,you guy`s are great really mean that.

As I have said before , it will take time and maybe I`ll wait , but wait for what ?

Tyros 3 is a given , but when ???
I think it will be 61 keys and have just about the same design with no speakers , and I think it should have built in speakers , but can also see why Yamaha left it without , so you could had far better speakers than you would ever get in an all in one KB.

So that is about it , atleast so far.

Take care
Gary

How very strange! I have had two 2k, two 3k and the S900...never had that happen, nor have I had a customer/client ever mention it...of course that's not to say it didn't happen to you.

Oh well Gary, sounds like you're no further ahead than you were several months ago...I wish you luck.

Ian

Hi Ian,

WOW !! That is strange

So far every upper end PSR from the Y2K that I have seen or played has had that same slightly lower C-6 key.

Mind you it is not off by much , and most people would never see it , but none the less it is there.

I would say 1/32" to 1/64" of an inch lower than all the rest of the white keys.

The PSR-640 and 740 were ok , it started with the Y2K.

It really is nit picking , I`ll admit , but it is there.

If yours does not have that problem , then you truly do have a one of a kind !!

Take care my friend , and you are most correct , I am no closer today than I was 3 months ago.

Later ,
Gary

O-- Ian ,

I forgot ( keyboards on the brain > LOL )

Thank you for your explanation in regards to the key bed of the E-80.

Later,
Gary  ( forgot my apple too ) 

Actually, Gary...I have had five of them: two 2ks, two 3ks, and an S9900... plus all the others I have played in the stores over the last several years...never actually witnessed that phenomenon.

Yep, you're having a tough time getting the perfect arranger, at least for you...good thing you're not anxious to get one.

Now, back to the S900 and my morning practise.

All the best,

Ian

By lazy C-6 , I mean that the Y2K / thru the S900 , the last white key ( C-6 ) is lower than all the others , and for some reason that bugs me as much as the rubber buttons.
-----------------
I guess i fall into the 'must be rare' catagory also..my 9000 has no such 'laziness', and if i noticed that on the showroom floor it would of been a reason would'nt of bought it.

Thanks a lot Jedi! Now I have to take my S900 out of the car, bring it into the house, look to see if the C is drooping, then take it back to the car.
On second thought, if I haven't noticed on PSR2000, 2100, Tyros, Tyros2 and S900, then it doesn't matter!
Good luck in your search. Sometimes the pursuit is more fun than the capture, as in girls.
DonM

There's more truth in that than I care to admit

Hi Guy`s ,

It really is there , it is not off by much , but the C-6 is very slightly lower than the rest of the other white keys.

I have seen this on the following:
PSR-2000 / 1000
PSR-2100
PSR-3000/1500
PSR-S900 / S700

The Tyros of course it not affected by this flaw because it has a different key-bed ( FSX ).

I have seen this problem first hand buy owning some of the above ( PSR-2000 ) and I have seen it on a number of keyboards listed above in various music stores , both new and used.

I always take a look whenever I see on of the above , and sure enough C-6 is always slightly lower than the rest.

Most of you know me and I would not make something like this up !!

The reason most of the owners don`t see it is because it is really very slight and does not effect the playing aspect of the KB , it is strictly a cosmetic issue.

I thank you all for looking and if you are not bothered by it then that is great , or maybe it IS just the ones that I have seen or owned ( enter "X-Files" music >LOL )

Take care,
Gary 

Me again !!

I just didn`t want you guys to think I`m nuts , a little crazy yes but , nuts , no way !!

Here is a good link , just click on the link and then click on the picture of the S900 to blow it up and you will see that the C-6 is slightly lower ( very slightly lower ) than the rest.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/closeup/PSRS900--Main

You must please understand , this is very nit picky , I know , but it should have been caught by Yamaha by now.

Take care,
Gary 

So true Don , maybe the best part !!



Not doubting your word, Gary...but my S900, and the PSR-3000 I have for a backup, do not exhibit any lazy C-6.

Ian

Thanks Ian , I appreciate you taking your time to respond.

It really is a very small differential , normal people would not notice it !! >> LOL

Take care ,
Gary 

Gary,

I hope you're not insinuating that I'm normal.

Ian

LOL

Heck Ian , someone has to be !!

Later ,
Gary 

I'm Unitarian. One of the jokes around our "church" is that you can always pick out a Unitarian as follows....... if you see a line of people come to a fork in the road and one sign says "HEAVEN" and the other sign says "DISCUSSION about Heaven" ,........ well you get the idea.

Sounds to me like Gary is more interested in keeping his post alive than in acquiring a keyboard. There IS a point where it starts to become annoying.

chas

Well, I must confess, the last C key on my PSR S900 DOES sit a little lower than the rest. Doesn't bother me though. You have to look pretty hard to see it. Not too sure the last key to the extreme left isn't a little HIGHER than the rest, but maybe not.
Just for the record.
DonM

Well, that made me check my S900 and 3k again...this time with a tape measure...still no difference in the last key.

Strange!


[Later edit]...I did find a VERY slight difference in the last key on both the S900 and the 3k...so small it doesn't come to 1/64th of an inch.

Okay, Gary you're right...there is a difference...can't FEEL any difference in the key itself on either instrument, but it is there.

Again, very strange, but not a problem, at least for me.

At least you know you're not seeing things, Gary.


[Later later edit] I am assuming by the fact that if Don's S900, my 3k and my S900 all have this infinitely small dip in the key, that it must be common to the PSR range...kudos to Gary for spotting it...although, Gary...I think you have entirely too much time on your hands.

Ian

[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 12-29-2007).]

Hey Don & Ian,

Thanks for checking , like I said it is not off by much and it really is nit picking , but why has Yamaha not addressed this very small issue ?

In a way , I`m glad the you found it , I was beginning to think I was seeing things after all !!

I do think your right Ian , in away , too much time without an arranger !!

Thanks again guy`s .

Later,
Gary 

*************************************************
I really don`t care where this thread goes or how long it takes to get there

Gary, I guess the reason Yamaha hasn't addressed it is because it hasn't been a problem...key feel and response are not affected, nor is reliability.

Ian

Not to nitpick, but I can't help but feel that this thread is revealing more about Gary than the need for a keyboard.

There again, I can't believe I just blew ten minutes I won't get back reading through this thread - maybe that reveals something about me. Yikes!!

Hey Ian ,

Right you are , but it still needs to be addressed by Yamaha IMO !!

Take care,
Gary 

the keys on my new Roland E 80 are all level with each other but I did just notice something strange:
IT IS TWO DIFFERENT COLORS.
Now lets all rest till next year
Bebop

Yes, Gary, but I seriously doubt they will...if it works, don't fix it.

You are the first person I've run into that it bothers...or even noticed it.

Yep, you're probably nit picking, since you say so, but I guess it's easier than making a commitment and actually buying an instrument.

Good luck.

Ian

I agree, Renig...I think you're on to something.



[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 12-30-2007).]

Actually, I remember discussing this key issue a couple of years ago, now that I think about it.
I didn't have a Yamaha at the time, but I'm pretty sure it was on this forum that it was discussed.
It certainly is a non-issue for me.
DonM