New KB was delivered this afternoon, spent about an hour or so exploring...

This was not a serious attempt to set up the board, rather just to hear the samples, voices, and begin to get a feel for it...

A few thoughts...

Why did the multipads get moved all the way over to the right? I usually fire them with my left hand....that now has to change...

Listened to it via the on board speakers which sound ok, but I didn't try running a mic thorugh it yet. The speakers sound fine, nice wide range of frequencies, output is hard to gauge...

The action is lighter than my T2 is, for sure...but I can roll with it, no problem...

Concert Grand piano is especially impressive...saxes are too, the guitars, especially distortion ones sound vastly improved from the T2 and should be a lot of fun to use...

I'm going to have to import a lot of styles I think. No biggie...

The display is as nice as everyone said it was...

The Live Control knobs seem cool...the one on the right seems to bathe everything in reverb the further I move it to the right...I'm sure I can address that in the settings somewhere...

QUESTION: I recall after getting my T2 years ago, Gary Diamond sent over some suggested EQ settings that really brought the board to life. Curious what Gary is doing in that regard, if anything for the 970?

Appearance wise, I really like the black over the old grey color of the psr 3k...the 970 looks good...

More later...

Bill good luck with the S970 I'm sure in time you'll make it your own....the control knobs have a menu for all their uses also you can set them any way you want..
Gary doesn't have a S970 yet, just sayin'...Experiment with the settings on the EQ..I would use your own ears to get the sound YOU need thru YOUR PA system..

Bill, with the S-950 I set the Master EQ at:

EQ1=3
EQ2=2
EQ3=4
EQ4=4
EQ5=3

This seems to work very well for me using a single Bose L1 Compact PA system. It sounds ever better when I connect the second Bose L1 Compact and really enhances the stereo effects of the new piano voices.

Hope this helps,

Gary

Factory default settings are different on S970, so those settings will be raising different parameters than they were on S950.
And there is Master Compressor as well. I'm still experimenting, but so far not a lot of e.q. is needed. They did a better job with default settings.

I just checked out the user manual and there is an 8-band EQ system that really looks neat, plus the Master Compressor, which apparently provides a lot of latitude with the overall sound quality that you can manage with the S-970. Donny's gonna go nuts with this one.

Gary

Gary I look forward to it for sure....

Be aware that this is a parametric e.q. You can not only change the levels of each band, you can change the frequency range and width of each band as well.
To arbitrarily boost every band doesn't really accomplish anything except increase the volume, unless there are significant gaps between the affected bands.

I left the EQ section alone on my S970, after some experimentation. The default settings sound good through my system; even tho’ I occasionally tinker with the EQ on the outboard mixer when it’s used. Most of the time I go straight from the keyboard outs to powered speakers.

"Why did the multipads get moved all the way over to the right? I usually fire them with my left hand....that now has to change..."

I concur.. far right side for multipads is ackward.

Is the USB stick still on the back side of the unti ?

I think they had to make room for the new knobs.
It is awkward.
USB is still on the back.

I love all the buttons for my right hand, sounds, OTS, MP included on my right side ....
I'm sure you'll adapt the more you play it..each unit has it's own navigational layout each isn't for everyone.

Haven't had any issues with multipad buttons on the right.

Love the live control knobs.

Anyone looking for a Tyros 4 in good shape?

Hi Bill, Donnie, Don and all:

The USB location is a problem but can be solved by purchasing a
USB cable and Taping it (Duct Tape, etc.) to a convenient location on the bottom of the board... extended to the front or possibly attached to your KB Stand for better rigidity.

The 970 sounds nice but, like Bill, I would not be happy about the Multi-Pad Buttons being moved further to the right.

Best of luck with it Bill... you too, Donnie when it finally arrives. ----Dave Rice

Thanx Dave,......
Personally once I insert my Nano USB in back it never gets touched unless I add or edit data on it. For ME the s950/s970 "Button Layout" is a piece of cake performing with.
I will surly report back with thoughts in the coming week as it will come out of the box and right onto the stage..

Take care

Multipads are really no problem. I don't use them as much as I could. I do use them for Christmas bells and for drum endings after a song is over.
I am having to make a lot of compromises after being spoiled by the plethora of live controls that the Korg offers.
As much as I love the guitars, pianos, even organs on the S970, I can't see myself playing it long term.
I change my mind every morning. At least once or twice.
I need to start playing golf again.

Probably would be a good idea to dust off that old fly rod of yours too. If you want, I can drive down and give you some fly fishing lessons on how to catch redfish with a big streamer fly, or maybe we can slip over to the Florida Keys and do some tarpon fishing, which is just getting good on the Gulf side of Marathon right about now.

Gary

I used to fly fish a lot. Now I want 50 pound braid, 200 horses, GPS, power poles, soft seat, and fully-packed ice chest!