Scott ...we all wanna hear about the MIDJAY awaiting your review.

Donny

Would you belive I just spent a LOT of time typing out a review, went to post it, and guess what?????????? there's a little storm going on here and I guess I got disconnected! And, guess what.....................it's gone. haha

It's midnight, I'm going to bed.haha grrrrrrr

Scott

Scott,

The other board I bring is a Triton Extreme 76 key board. The Triton sounds are very different from the Motif/Tyros sound engine, but complement it nicely. I have dabbled with triggering the Tyros from the Korg through MIDI. I would assign the right C voice to the Korg and play that from the Korg. It actually works, but when I need the Korg voice, I have to turn off midi signal recognition on the Tyros or de-select the C voice on the Tyros so that both sounds don't trigger as I play.

I know there is no perfect board, but the Tyros comes close for me; about 15 keys close!!!!!!

Can't wait to hear your review of the MidJay, that is another alternative I wish Yamaha would go; a Tyros Sound Module.

Regards,
Al

Here's how the BRAND NEW Tyros-2 "Super Articulation Voices" feature supposedly works. Tyros-2 includes (not just one), but 'multiple' sound samples per note. Which specific multiple sound sample is triggered is dependant upon the preceding note played. This promises to further enhance the realism & depth of the instrument voice's sound. I for one am very anxious to check out this new Tyros-2 feature.

Scott

Given the improvement of the sounds from the first Tyros, and the interest in a Tyros 2 module, I sincerely hope that Yamaha would give the module option another thought and make a Tyros 2 module.

It doesn’t even have to have every feature of the Tyros 2 (for example, hard disk recording) but the sounds, styles and creation tools are the most important things to have on the module. On the other hand, if you want to have every thing on the module, that is fine with me just don’t make it too too expensive.

I guess the reason is those other X brand 76 note boards ARE 50 lbs Scott. Or at least around that much..

What I want Yamaha or any other Brand manufacturer to do is create a 76 note high end Arranger that weighs around 30 lbs or LESS. That's when things will get enticing for even die hard 61 note keyboard fans like yourself and you may find it worth your while to get the 76 note board.

I realize I'm a little hard on Yammie and I vent my concerns on this and other keyboard Forums, but tell me (OT) one Drill Instructor in any branch of Armed Services that is 'soft' on their recruits. They are DI's because they are the ones that "drill" instruction into the recruits. And they do it for their own good. They go in boys and they come out men. Or so is the intention anyway. If we don't tell Yamaha like it is (at least from our view point and or perspective) how are they going to know what we as consumers of their products want in a keyboard? They are professionals, and believe me they can take the flak. If they couldn't they would have been out of business years ago.

I don't think the problem is with Yamaha U.S. btw. Their support staff has been very willing to relay our suggestions and concerns to the corporate headquarters in Japan. The problem is getting the higher up's in Japan to listen and then implement our requests. Roland has done it with the G70 and Korg has done it with the Pa1XPRO. Why is Yamaha still unwilling to take that same venture? Because I think they still have misgivings about the PSR 9000PRO, which they themselves pronounced as a 'failed experiment'. Maybe also they don't have the technical know how to pull it off successfully, who knows? Although I find that highly unlikely myself. Maybe the water is too cold and they don't want to get their feet wet again. But I think the market is ripe for a lightweight high end cutting edge 76 note Arranger. And as they say failure is the back door to success, and nothing ventured nothing gained.

The incremental upgrade thing doesn't really appeal to me. Give me something that will make it worth my while to upgrade. Not same o same o with a little dash of this and a little sprinklin' of that added.

But it is true that Yamaha isn't necessarily looking for people to sell their Tyros I and get the Tyros II. They are looking to grab the attention of first time customers who own a PSR 550 or something similar and other Brand consumers looking for a high end Board that appeals to them. And I think the most enticing feature on the new Tyros will be the Mega Voices that will be playable in a live situation. And also the Sampler and the nicer keybed, although the keys will be the same width as the original Tyros from what I understand.

In conclusion, Yamaha has at least two Tyros II's that they know they will sell. One to you Scott and one to Scott Yee.

Beyond that I'm not too sure how well the Tyros II will be received by the general public. Because, in my opinion, it is an incremental upgrade to the Tyros I, it will cost more than the original, and if it's not secured at all time it may up and fly away on its owner.

Best regards,
Mike

Light weight and 76 notes is a hard combination to pull off - the key-bed is longer, so more strength is needed to stop it from flexing, and usually one wants a more solid touch from a keyboard this large, to make piano playing more expressive.

Both of these things will add weight to a keyboard.

But isn't it strange that the same people who'll bitch at the 10-20 lbs extra for a 76-note key-bed, can't get over the sound of a real B3, or a Rhodes73, and probably gigged with one in their youth!!

As to the 88/76/73/61 note debate - well, if you're happy with 61, good for you! who needs to play arpeggios and still reserve two octaves for the Chord Recognition area? (well, me for one!) - if you like 73 (a la Nord) you don't play left-hand Bass, because missing that low E is a BAD THING!! 76 noters seem to be the best compromise between weight (most people want the weight of an 88's touch, not just the number of notes) and ability to play with a good range and still have notes left over for the Arranger Recognition (or split the Upper area and still have range in both sounds). Piano players could argue that 76 with a low C at the bottom might be better, but they aren't likely to be happy without 88, even though most piano literature before the 19th century (and much after) can be played on 76.

" but when I need the Korg voice, I have to turn off midi signal recognition on the Tyros or de-select the C voice on the Tyros so that both sounds don't trigger as I play."

You could just have each keyboard on it's own volume pedal.
DonM

"Light weight and 76 notes is a hard combination to pull off"

Ketron SD1 does it nicely.
DonM

Hi
Given your discussion above, it would be interesting to get your opinion on this 76 key controller that has its key range from A-C
http://www.music123.com/CME-Controllers-UF6-61-Note-USB-Midi-Keyboard-Controller-i159498.music