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#250443 - 12/07/08 09:40 AM Yamaha PSR S550B Review
George Kaye Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/24/99
Posts: 3305
Loc: Reseda, California USA
I received my first shipment of these arrangers last week and I've had a few days to play with one.
Unlike the PSRS500 from last year, this model allows you to record your own styles from scratch or from an existing style.
The sounds and styles in this model are from the Yamaha PSR700 but unlike the 700, the Interface is brought over from the YPG and DGX series.
Like the 700, there are 2 USB ports on the back. One to hook to a computer and the other for direct USB connection to a thumb drive, floppy drive, hard drive, etc.
You can play styles and Standard midi files directly from the USB drive. Lyrics and Score can be seen as well.
There are 3 intro's, 4 variations, 3 endings, just like the 700.
There are no Mega or SuperArticulation sounds but all the sweet, cool, and live sounds are here.
64 voice polyphony, 16 track sequencer, pitch bend wheel, multi effects, dedicated octave buttons, harmony button, dual and split modes are all included.
This model is also being advertised as a "world" keyboard and I am very impressed by the addition of several Arabic Drum kits, an India Drum Kit and a Chinese Drum Kit.
In addition to all the standard Yamaha great sounds, there are middle eastern sounds including Ouds, Neys, Arabic Strings, Mizmars, etc. and great India sounds including Tablas and Harmoniums.
I copied styles from my Yamaha PSR700oriental keyboard and all the factory middle eastern styles play in the PSRS550B keyboard.
Oh, did I mention this new model is Black and the built in speakers have a white cone woofer (like the old Yamaha NS10 studio monitors!).
For outputs to an amp, there is not a pair of stereo line outs, but rather a single stereo headphone/output 1/4" jack. I've put mine through a Yamaha Stagepas500 and it sounds great.
At first, I thought this was just another low end arranger without a lot of features, but now that i've got my hands on it and realize it's capabilities I'm very impressed.
When playing factory styles, you can adjust volumes, mute, pan, reverb and chorus parameters. If you want to change the voices, unlike the Roland GW8 which cannot do this at all, you must enter the Style Record mode and it's here that you can select new voices, volumes, etc. and then save as a new style.
This keyboard has a retail price of $999.00 and a MAP or street price of $749.00. A good value for many needing something in a programable full featured Arranger at a good price. It's also very light (although I don't have the weight available right now), and Yamaha is supporting this model by providing immediately, a free download on their music.yamaha web site when you register your keyboard.
Additional Russian, Polish, Arabic/Turkish, Slovak and other Ethnic styles are free to download and load into the user area or just play them direct from the USB flash drive.
I also forgot to mention that there is area inside for loading and keeping dozens of user styles for when you don't have your USB drive handy.
Let me know if you have any questions.



------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com
_________________________
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene (Closed after 51 years)
West Hills, California
(Retired 2021)

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#250444 - 12/07/08 09:44 AM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Dnj Online   content
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
http://tinyurl.com/6j2e86



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 12-07-2008).]

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#250445 - 12/07/08 02:02 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
I don't know about you, but I think that's quite a good looking keyboard, there.

Nice design.
_________________________
An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#250446 - 12/07/08 02:02 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
Even WITH the silly pictograms above the notes...
_________________________
An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#250447 - 12/07/08 02:07 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
ianmcnll Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 07/27/05
Posts: 10606
Loc: Cape Breton Island, Canada
Quote:
Originally posted by Diki:
Even WITH the silly pictograms above the notes...


Hey, I love the pictograms...imagine if it was text...

At least they are above the keys...too hard to see when under them.

I find them extremely handy.

Ian
_________________________
Yamaha Tyros4, Yamaha MS-60S Powered Monitors(2), Yamaha CS-01, Yamaha TQ-5, Yamaha PSR-S775.

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#250448 - 12/07/08 02:15 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
Quote:
Originally posted by ianmcnll:
Hey, I love the pictograms...imagine if it was text...

At least they are above the keys...too hard to see when under them.

I find them extremely handy.

Ian



You mean text like A..B..C..D..E..?

Like for it's target demographic?

I thought you already knew the names of the notes...

Anybody spending more than a month programming drum tracks already knows where the main GS drum mappings are. Trouble is, as GS, GM, XG, and everyone else is diverging, more and more kits don't conform 100%, so a preset layout like that is going to either restrict the kit makers, or not be correctly represented (kinda defeating the whole point, IMO), and also (OK, I conceed the point!) it makes me feel like I'm playing one of those beginner keyboards with lights under the keys!
_________________________
An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#250449 - 12/07/08 02:23 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
ianmcnll Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 07/27/05
Posts: 10606
Loc: Cape Breton Island, Canada
Quote:
Originally posted by Diki:
You mean text like A..B..C..D..E..?

Like for it's target demographic?

I thought you already knew the names of the notes...



Well...I know some of them...mainly the ones that sound nice.

I do love the drum icons on my S900...I don't program drums often enough to remember them...I generally change bass lines, chords, phrases and pads when editing styles.

I don't think it makes keyboards look uncool...they are just more user friendly.

Ian
_________________________
Yamaha Tyros4, Yamaha MS-60S Powered Monitors(2), Yamaha CS-01, Yamaha TQ-5, Yamaha PSR-S775.

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#250450 - 12/07/08 02:29 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
Well, if it's GOT to be there, how about a MUCH more subdued type color, so that it's barely noticeable until you look?

I swear, that look (especially that white on black thing) makes me expect the keys to light up! Why not dark greay on black? Why not slightly embossed onto the plastic and no print at all?

Apple wouldn't make it look like that, that's for sure! (although they might have made the basic design... that's pretty stripped down and elegant))
_________________________
An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#250451 - 12/07/08 05:26 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Nick G Online   content
Senior Member

Registered: 11/16/05
Posts: 1107
Loc: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Bring back black keyboards I say!

I reccon black looks more pro and elegent than the silver. there was a time where silver looked nice and modern but I think now its been over killed.

the Motif XS 6 is till IMO the best looking keyboard I have ever seen (wish I still had one).

And now I own an ugly blue PA 800 to me its a very ugly board but the sound and functions were the deal breakers for me!
_________________________
Yamaha PSR SX900 / Roland G70 / Roland BK9 / Korg PA700 / Roland GW-8L / Roland Fantom O6

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#250452 - 12/07/08 05:48 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Dnj Online   content
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Quote:
Originally 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!!
I also like the RED Nord's second to the Black.

Ahhhhhh what's the use?



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 12-07-2008).]

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#250453 - 12/07/08 06:12 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Riceroni9 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 1298
Loc: TX, USA
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

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#250454 - 12/07/08 06:54 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Dnj Online   content
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Quote:
Originally posted by Riceroni9:
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

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#250455 - 12/08/08 05:19 AM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
squeak_D Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 10/08/00
Posts: 4715
Loc: West Virginia
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)
_________________________
GEAR: Yamaha MOXF-6, Casio MZX-500, Roland Juno-Di, M-Audio Venom, Roland RS-70, Yamaha PSR S700, M-Audio Axiom Pro-61 (Midi Controller). SOFTWARE: Mixcraft-7, PowerTracks Pro Audio 2013, Beat Thang Virtual, Dimension Le.

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#250456 - 12/08/08 07:39 AM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Dnj Online   content
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Maybe next a .....

BLACK TYROS 4

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#250457 - 12/08/08 12:22 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
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.
_________________________
An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#250458 - 12/08/08 12:27 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Dnj Online   content
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
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.

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#250459 - 12/08/08 01:01 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
mr9000 Offline
Member

Registered: 01/14/05
Posts: 318
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.

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#250460 - 12/08/08 01:07 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
There's only ONE thing that screams 'Sissy' or 'Pro' onstage...

HOW YOU PLAY...!

Looks got NOTHING to do with it...
_________________________
An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#250461 - 12/08/08 01:40 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
mr9000 Offline
Member

Registered: 01/14/05
Posts: 318
Quote:
Originally posted by Diki:
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!

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#250462 - 12/08/08 01:46 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
ianmcnll Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 07/27/05
Posts: 10606
Loc: Cape Breton Island, Canada
Quote:
Originally posted by mr9000:
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.
_________________________
Yamaha Tyros4, Yamaha MS-60S Powered Monitors(2), Yamaha CS-01, Yamaha TQ-5, Yamaha PSR-S775.

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#250463 - 12/08/08 02:15 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
George Kaye Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/24/99
Posts: 3305
Loc: Reseda, California USA
the PSRS550 is 37" long, 15 3/4" deep and 4 3/4" high.


------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com
_________________________
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene (Closed after 51 years)
West Hills, California
(Retired 2021)

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#250464 - 12/08/08 04:26 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Nick G Online   content
Senior Member

Registered: 11/16/05
Posts: 1107
Loc: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Quote:
Originally posted by Diki:
There's only ONE thing that screams 'Sissy' or 'Pro' onstage...

HOW YOU PLAY...!

Looks got NOTHING to do with it...


True True but everyone always wants their tools / instruments too look cool
_________________________
Yamaha PSR SX900 / Roland G70 / Roland BK9 / Korg PA700 / Roland GW-8L / Roland Fantom O6

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#250465 - 12/08/08 04:31 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Riceroni9 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 1298
Loc: TX, USA
Thanks, George and Donny. This unit will be on my list of "boards" to investigate further. Best, Dave

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#250466 - 12/08/08 05:44 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
George Kaye Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/24/99
Posts: 3305
Loc: Reseda, California USA
And the keyboard weighs 16lbs.


------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com
_________________________
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene (Closed after 51 years)
West Hills, California
(Retired 2021)

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#250467 - 12/08/08 07:59 PM Re: Yamaha PSR S550B Review
Dnj Online   content
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Quote:
Originally posted by Riceroni9:
Thanks, George and Donny. This unit will be on my list of "boards" to investigate further. Best, Dave


Your very welcome Dave maybe you'll have it when we meet next month at the Shreveport Louisiana Jam January 18,19,20,21,....we can check it out.

Good Luck

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