I need a month before I am sure I made the right decision.
John C.

But here's why I'm not keeping it:
I have gotten spoiled to being able to have dedicated buttons and sliders for virtually every function I use. Everything is easier for me on both the Korg
It's the LITTLE things, such as printing at the top of the keyboard where the connections are located...having an indicator light to show whether the vocal harmonizer is engaged... a Leslie emulation that works with preset voices...dedicated sliders to adjust style and lead part volumes on the fly...more foot switch connections...location of the USB ports...no XLR mic input...no phantom power...having to go into a menu to adjust the key on audio files, using the transpose button doesn't work there.
Most of these features are on the Korg PA4x, which I admit is twice as much money, so should be better. However the keys on the Korg are heavier than I like, as is the keyboard itself, so I was looking to replace it.


It's great that there are no bad choices, only what works best for the individual!

Good luck Donny! We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire and we live next to a moon that moves the seas, so maybe it's not to much to ask -- OK - here goes -- "NAMM 2020 - please deliver the perfect arranger keyboard!"

Tomorrow afternoon, I get to try out the PSR SX-900. YES! My longtime friend, Helmut Licht, purchased one from Frank and is bringing it to me for an evaluation. I expect to spend at least 3 hours with the board, putting it through it's paces and having lots of fun. When I'm done, I will post my evaluation of the SX-900 and let you know what I discover - good or bad.

All the best,

Gary

When I'm done, I will post my evaluation of the SX-900 and let you know what I discover - good or bad.

Tomorrow afternoon, I get to try out the PSR SX-900. YES! My longtime friend, Helmut Licht, purchased one from Frank and is bringing it to me for an evaluation. I expect to spend at least 3 hours with the board, putting it through it's paces and having lots of fun. When I'm done, I will post my evaluation of the SX-900 and let you know what I discover - good or bad.

All the best,

Gary

My crystal ball is giving me a pretty good idea of what Gary's review will be like ...
Just sayin'

My crystal ball is giving me a pretty good idea of what Gary's review will be like ...
Just sayin'

So for now I'll play the Korg at my regular job and have the EA7 for any extra jobs or when I need to move my "stuff".

yea he will love it being a Yamaha mascot ....
but will he buy one for himself?

Well, I just finished up with the SX-900. And, contrary to popular belief, it's not a keyboard that I would want to use as an onstage performer. I found the changes in the OS were cumbersome, way too many menus to go through in order to get to the next song, and while I had no problem seeing or using the touch screen, I had to use my little finger in order not to hit something I did now wish to select.

The overall sounds were just awesome - some of the best I think I've ever heard. The grand piano was stunning, as were 99 percent of the saxes and strings. I loaded some of the Genos styles into the SX-900 and they sounded excellent. I did not have time to mess with the vocal sounds, Ooohs and Ahhhs, but I did plug in a mic and after a bit of tuning, the vocal harmony sounded as good, IMO, as my TC Helicon Harmony-M.

The song list, to me, was nothing short of a major headache. I much preferred the Music Finder Directory, which was somewhat limiting for some players, but for me, it worked great for a whole lot of years.

When my friend Helmut left, has was astonished at all the things we managed to accomplish during our short time at the board, but I was still scratching my head, especially with the midi player. For example, if I found a song that had embedded lyrics, after starting the song, I could not access the lyrics page unless I went through the main menu and selected lyrics. Two extra button pushes that added to dead time between songs.

So, for me, if I were still able to work, I would stick with my S-950. I sincerely think that ALL arranger keyboard manufacturers should have people on their staff that performs the same program evaluation that every major computer programmer utilizes before they release their software. It would not cost them much to have these individuals on call and probably save the manufacturers a lot of grief in the long run.

Gary

Gary, Just my opinion here but with the number of programmable buttons and customizing you can do I don’t believe 3 hours is enough to get up to speed with the changes to the OS and the Playlist feature. If you had more time and owned the board I believe you could have had a better experience including getting to the next song quicker and to lyrics or anything else you may have needed to get to in a hurry. Although I have not played or own an SX900 the OS pretty much mimics my Genos and from my experience the new way of doing things does things better for an on stage performer than past PSR keyboards. Once you get a handle on Playlist you can’t beat it at least that has been my experience and I too used Music Finder on the older arrangers along with registrations. The new OS isn’t rocket science but like anything else there is a learning curve.

I hear you guys on navigation. But just wondering if, after you set everything up w/the Playlist, wouldn't navigation become less of an issue? I am wondering if the Playlist wouldn't allow you to recall the text displays for a MIDI file associated with a Playlist entry? Haven't even looked into the "Assignable" buttons yet but they may be a great help to eliminate button pushes too, once the settings are made.

So, the Playlist on the SX900 works in much the same way as on your Pa4x. Is that right?

Don, Since you (like me) don't move your gear during the week, why not get a light action controller, and modify your stand to tuck it under the PA4X, so all the controls are easy to reach, and the keys feel easier to your fingers. That also gives you a second, and/or third zone to access live for a different solo voice on the fly. I don't "need" a second kb, but sometimes, it'd be nice to have an accent sound all ready to grab (like organs, for me)

Once again just my opinion but if you have used registrations successfully on any PSR or Yamaha arranger for gigs, the Playlist feature brings it up quite a few notches. I liked Music Finder and have used it for live play at gigs but as Randy has mentioned it did lack some flexibility.

Sorry to have to say if anyone thinks Playlist can’t hold a candle to Kong’s Songbook they have not mastered the use of Playlists on the SX900. As I’ve already mentioned there is a learning curve. What I like about Playlist is my registrations can call up the corresponding lead sheet/ lyrics on my iPad Pro and vice versa. I also like Songbook on my Pa4x that it can call up leadsheets/lyrics on my Android tablet. Both Songbook and Playlist do the job equally well in my eyes.

Rikki,

There’s a set of instructions on how to link your registrations to Songbook+ entries. I’ll have to have a look for them then I’ll send a link to them. Once you do the initial set up it’s simply tapping the screen of your iPad then choosing the option save link

To make a long reply short , You all need/or want a Genos :-)

To make a long reply short , You all need/or want a Genos :-)

Impuls :-)

For my needs, the difference is - when playing at home I am investing the time and effort required to discover the styles and sounds that allow me to actually enjoy playing the tunes I am working on (and hopefully which do them justice musically). Once I find the settings (styles, tempos, pads, mixes) that I am happy with, these settings will be saved. In contrast, when I take the keyboard to a gig, all I expect to have to do is press a button to select each song I want and start playing it (with everything recalled to the way I worked it up at home). That's all I ask of the keyboard and the rest as always will be up to me.

Hey folks - when you tried the SX900 did you try assigning VH to an Assignable button? Looks like if you assign it to a button when activated it pops this display up...

Hey folks - when you tried the SX900 did you try assigning VH to an Assignable button? Looks like if you assign it to a button when activated it pops this display up...

Rikki - not sure, but every time you press the Assignable button you toggle it one way or the other and the display reflects the status. Seems like there are many functions that are assignable w/the 6 buttons to eliminate button sequences. I think you can also assign many of the "Assignable" functions to the Live Control knobs or a pedal as well. And apparently you can have "sets" of Assignable settings....still checking that.

Does it matter if your playing at home vs stage?

That's all fine Randy until the requests start coming.. Lol

Wherever - if it works, it works ...



When a request comes in, if the song is not set up in the 'songbook' or whatever, a "Performing Pro" knows enough about his/her KB to pick the right style for the song - or D/L an MP3 on a tablet, iPad, smart phone whatever ...
OR, simply say "I'm sorry, I don't know that one, is there something else you would like to hear?" ...

For requests I don't feel I'm ready to try, I always say "If you come back the next time I am here, I will have the song ready just for you". Have done that with several customers and some of the folks now come every time I am there just for "their song". Got a few nice tips out of the effort too!

Rikki that's is where your Mp3 player or laptop comes in..

not playing requests could lead to a disgruntle fan.

Can I start a topic or what??!!

Can I start a topic or what??!!

so what did we actually learn from this topic?

so what did we actually learn from this topic?

This topic and responses has got to be in the top 5 most informative threads I have read. Thanks to all who have participated. I've learned a lot

so what did we actually learn from this topic?

[quote=travlin'easy]
When my friend Helmut left... I was still scratching my head, especially with the midi player. For example, if I found a song that had embedded lyrics, after starting the song, I could not access the lyrics page unless I went through the main menu and selected lyrics. Two extra button pushes that added to dead time between songs.

Gary

For any who may still have an interest in this discussion, I checked out Gary's concern and the Assignable buttons make viewing the lyric and other displays or functions easy. Using the Assignable buttons, I was able to quickly display the score and lyrics just by pushing a single Assignable button. Also you can immediately jump between the displays, including displaying the VH status over whichever display is up.

SX900 Assignable Button Demo

Hope this helps others who may be wondering about the utility of these buttons.

Rikki - it works for me. I initially could not get it to work and regenerated the post.... if the link is not working, I will try uploading it to YouTube. I used the "Create Link" button in the message tool here and the link works for me.... Others please let me know... just a video demo of me jumping between the displays using Assignable buttons...

If genos is all you need.. Why the Nord?

Great choice, Donny! You're in an enviable position! I hope you enjoy it to the fullest! Auguri!

Mike gracie my friend...this should be a fun and productive opportunity
I think I made the right choice. Stay well.

Randy, I knew there was a workaround using the assignment buttons, but I didn't get that far in the short time I had to work with the keyboard.

My friend, Helmut, called me this morning and said I should buy the SX-900 so I could post lessons on the PSR-Tutorial and Synthzone on how to use all the features. I turned him down - just one more thing for the kids to sell after my untimely demise.

Gary

Rikki and others... try this one...