I've got a digital piano at home with sounds and styles that are boring and outdated to me, so I'm looking for the most effective, economical way to upgrade. My wife would never go for getting rid of the piano.

This Midjay sounds intriguing and looks like a great way to extend the useful life of our piano, but I wonder if you could accomplish the same thing with a laptop and the right synth software. Does anyone know of any synth software that comes close to the sound quality and functionality of this product?

If anyone is using anything close to this, I'd be curious to know how it works.

You can set up a combination of soft synth/program combinations..As an example Hyper Canvas with a host program[Forte]..Winamp for Mp3's and waves..VanBasco for sequences...and Jammer live for arranger...All can interact and be displayed[accessed] on the computer screen..

There are other programs that combine sequences , MP3's and wavs in one program[KaraWin and Karafun]..Arrangers include OneMan Band..

Thanks. I might research that.

Hi RBDeli,

Your best option is to bite the bullet and get the Yamaha CVP-307 Clavinova. If you do this, you will enjoy the finest digital piano that looks and sounds like a million bucks for the next ten years.

Don't waste your money trying to revive your old digital piano with add-ons. It will never bring you total satisfaction. I understand your wife has grown an attachment towards your old piano.

The easiest way to convince her is to take her to a Yamaha Clavinova showroom in your area and let her try out the CVP-307. It comes in two finishes - dark rosewood (307R) and mahogany (307M). Go for the mahogany finish. Once she touches it and plays a few notes, she will be sold.

You have mentioned in a previous post of your liking for the Tyros 2. The CVP-307 sounds equally superb with a much better piano and choir voices. The Grand Piano and the Electric Pianos like Galaxy, Polaris, Venus EP, simply blow the Tyros 2 away. You would love the feel of the GH3 graded hammer action keybed.

The Clavinovas are the luxury version of the PSR/Tyros line. They share much of the same voices and similar user interface/display.

You may feel put off by the price the local dealership may quote you. It is typically around $7000. Do not even bother. There is one honest dealer I know of in the US who will sell you this CVP-307M for $4995 plus shipping.

Call Keyboard Kastle in Omaha, Nebraska, at 1-800-642-1271 and ask to speak with Rick the manager. They have a website:
www.keyboardkastle.com

This is the best deal going on in the US and the CVP-307 is worth every penny.
You can get more information by joining the CVP Users Group at www.cvpug.com

You have indicated your interest in the Tyros 2. This is a $3000 investment. I would say, spend a little bit more upfront, get the CVP-307, sell your piano and you will never look back. The CVP-307 gives you the best bang for the buck in the entire CVP line.

If you are willing to wait of another 6 months, Yamaha is going to release their next generation Clavinovas which would carry the Super Articulated Voices of the Tyros 2. My guess is, it will be priced the same.

Do it right the first time!

Good luck,

Tapas

P.S. I hope you enjoy Peter Baartman's stunning demo on the CVP-307!

Yamaha CVP-307 Demo

Here is another one by Peter on the new CLP 200 series (CVP minus styles)

Yamaha CLP 200 series Demo

RBDeli I agree 100 % with Tapas. I own a CVP 307, everything he's told you about it is the truth. I bought from a local dealer where I live who I worked for and has also been a long time friend. Even at that I paid $5150. Go for the 307!!

I appreciate the great sales pitch from both of you and you really do have my attention. However, I will not be able to settle for the 307 as my current piano is a grand. So, I suspect I will be paying a great deal more than 4900-$5,150.0

I will give this some serious thought in the upcoming months.

Hi,
if your computer is anywhere near your piano,
midi the 2 up and have a look at One Man Band or Livestyler software. They load psr .sty files.
There's a demo version on site, (but I don't think it allows you to load external styles) http://www.1manband.nl/
For the time being you could use the soundset in your piano for OMB, or if you happen to have a creative soundcard like Audigy in your computer, then you could try using some free soundfonts.

Bear in mind, if you decide to go the software route, the psr styles for OMB or Livestyler are going to require some tweaking whereas a Midijay is ready to go.

I have OMB midied to a laptop and a Clavinova CLP170 ( mine doesn't have styles but it does have xg sounds)
I use either soundfonts or the xg sounds in the Clav for the styles.

best wishes
Rikki
[QUOTE]Originally posted by RBDeli:
[B]

Hi RBDeli,

You may also want to consider the KETRON DG100 (Black, Mahogany or white color - www.ketron.it). The sound engine is identical to the much more aclaimed KETRON SD1 keyboard with great piano sounds (hammber graded action and multi sampling technics plus FM modulation bring the best in Natural sounds).

Let me know if interested and I can point you in the right direction for a great deal... with great product support as well (~24/7!!)

Thanks,

AJ