Hi George:

Thanks for the extensive review. Does this unit come with Vocal Harmony features... and, if so, how do you compare it's VH with the VH of other Yamaha Arrangers?

Is it possible to add a hard drive? Is the display about the same size as the old PSR 2000 and with only two contrasting "colors?"

Finally, can you give us the approximate dimensions (L x D x H) in inches?

Thanks, Dave Rice
http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/DaveRice

http://tinyurl.com/6j2e86

I think the S550 looks great in black. This silverish craze is so played out now. EVERYONE and their grandmother has jumped on the wagon with this color scheme. I think we can blame Korg for it That Trinity was pretty ahead of the times when the silver monster was released..., and ever since then the market has been stuck on this silver scheme. It's not even just keyboards.., you're seeing it everywhere on many types of electronics from computers to electric can openers.....

In regards to the little drum pics. I guess you have to look at the targeted market for this keyboard as well. It's a lower end budget arranger.., so naturally this could easily be a first keyboard for someone. If they're not familiar with the standard drum layout on a keybed.., they pics could help them. I agree with Diki that they maybe could have blended the pics into the body better with a softer color.

I think the S550 is going to be a pretty big seller for Yamaha. When I look at the spec list.., I would have to say the two main things that jumped out at me would be the lack of modulation, and basic synth editing (I say basic synth editing because Yamaha has added this feature to models much lower than the S550).

However, when I look at the things Yamaha did add to this model..., makes me then think "so what..., lose that feature, but gain some very useful ones".

The poly took a huge jump and has now doubled over the S500. Seq tracks are now doubled, The mixer feature has been added, and a HUGE feature that IMO really ices the cake for the S550 is the STYLE CREATOR! I think the addition of the style creator is a big one. Plus the body is now black. Looks very sharp IMO. I think Yamaha did a good body design on the S550.., it's more sleek and looks more pro. Remember the earlier PSR-540/550??? The 540 looked like a video game with keys.., and the original 550 cleaned up a little, but still wasn't quite there yet (I owned them both by the way)

Maybe next a .....

BLACK TYROS 4

Wait until you play an outside gig in sunlight with a black keyboard... or leave it in a car without a box on a sunny day.

Lighter colors (silver was great) helps enormously keeping your arranger from baking too badly.

Yea once in a blue moon outside here & if so ALWAYS a cover guaranteed & provided contractually by the client ....never had any problems at all. Black is beautiful.

quote:
posted by Nick G:
Bring back black keyboards I say!
black looks more pro
--------------------------------------------They should have never changed from Black Keyboards of years ago eg: M1/T1,2,3, G1000,....these Silver/Champagne things look horrible & Scream "SISSY" not "PRO" imo..and the Blue one?.. Pllleeeeeaaaaaasssseeee!!
============================================
Yes scrap that current scheme of well worn!
Nothing beats that black mysterious serious look..long live the now extinct rubber buttons too!I like the fact the rubber acts as a semi damper cushioner if you hit to hard by accident.

There's only ONE thing that screams 'Sissy' or 'Pro' onstage...

HOW YOU PLAY...!

Looks got NOTHING to do with it...

Even though i cut my hair with a weed wacker,i still have the most beautifully crafted nose!

Seven donkeys and a concubine cannot compare with the tarnished sheen left in your path of combustion.