2nd Keyboard - Tyros or Roland

Hi Folks , this is still a great forum to read, i look two or three times a day if possible... However i am looking to get another keyboard as a 'Spare' to my kn7000 , also it would be nice to play other makes as well ,, but i am not sure if the Tyros 2 which i have played several times ( it has some good ballroom dance styles as well as the theatre organ sounds )is as good as the Roland G70 ? , playing for dancing most of the time... Would love your views please... or maybe wait until tyros 3 comes out??... But my kn7000 still is the Number one for me...
Thanks all.
Chris....

I recently sat through a lengthily Tyros 2 demo and Roland G80.

The G80 seemed to have many nice features – but it was not, in my opinion a good comparison for two reasons. Tyros 2 used the Tyros speakers, two small satellites and a small sub. Roland used a heavy-duty 15” speaker with tweeters. Second and most important The G80 is a newer keyboard, Tyros 2 has been out for a while. It would be fair to see what the Tyros 3 is equipped with. (Features)

Now that will get you nowhere because ----- You have not stated your needs and desires. Any one of the top keyboards can do a great job. And they will all come with a strong challenging learning curve.

Good luck, good choice, John C.

My 7000 has been repaired and I sold it. Parts are hard to find and I don't want to go through the hassle when it breaks down. John C and I both have the PSR S900 which is newer than the T2 and half the price. Many great features and it communicates with the computer better than the 7000. Tyros 3 will be introduced in October in Europe. By that time I will make a decision. Keep what I have or move to T3 or Roland. I do not need a backup anymore.

Fran in SC

I will share with you my experience and thoughts.
I have owned 6 Technics keyboards, buying them as they came out. the last two were KN7000 then the KN2600.
When Technics pulled the plug I read the writing on the wall and sold the last three Techics to a dealer.
I bought the Yamaha PSR9000 and didn't like the Operating system very much after years of technics. I next bought the tyros 2 and I enjoy it quite a bit.
then I bought the Roland E 80 and I concluded that this will likely be the board that many KN7000 technics owners will migrate to when their KN7 is repaired for the last time.
But...... be aware it weighs 50 pounds, primarily due to its great onboard sound system. It will do small room gigs by itself.
Price is aother factor as list is 4490.00 USD.
I have found the E 80 to have most everything I want but I am also considering buying or trading for a Korg PA2X Pro that is about the same weight and cost but with 76 keys and a MP3 recording system.
Best to all in this great Technics Forum.
Bebop

Thanks so far for your thoughts.... My main desire for the keyboard is my profession as a Dance musician.... as i have said i use the 7000 at present but need to expand more into different sounds and the T2 i think has that potential , the T3 is going to be in the region of £3000-00 . But will linger on with my 7000 until i find what i want and the price is right... Cheers all. Chris.

I have a KN7000, which I'm keeping. I also had purchased a Korg PA800 6 mos ago, and just traded it for a Roland G-70, In my opinion, I am much happier with the obvious difference in the quality of the keybed and sounds. In my case, I didn't need the dual sequencers and MP3 and I was not very proud of the light plastic keys and case. I don't use MP3, but do use SMF files. There is no keyboard that can match the SMF capability of Roland. I like the E-80, but prefer the G-70 ver 3.00, which is the same engine, as I use my Bose with it anyway. Of course, there is a cost factor to be considered, also.

Hello,

In my retailer shop I have played on E-80, G-70 and Tyros-2. When considering sounds quality and styles quality, of course matter of taste, but Tyros-2 is by far my favorite! Listen my music of my site where I ahve put all my mp3's I played on my KN7000 and my Tyros-2. Hear the differences.

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The question here is which is the best keyboard for dancing?

I have listened to many organs, keyboards and pianos over the years and I still think Technics is THE best. However, I also love dancing, and have to say you cannot beat Yamaha's ballroom rhythms, the strings and choirs for sound. Whilst Technics are very good, in this area I do think Yamaha have the 'edge' on Technics which is why I am also considering purchasing the Yamaha PSR 900 as a second keyboard.

Just my opinion. - Audrey

Audrey,

At 82 yrs old, 50% of the preset styles are not my generation. But I have two CD's with 3500 styles from all boards including the 7000 to use. The built in speakers are not to my liking but at less the $1500.00, I had room to add externals (Z5500).

I would call the PSR S900 the nearest replacement for KN 8000 at less than half the price.

Fran in SC

Audrey,
What type of dancing??

For the Fox Trot to Waltz type of ballroom dancing I do prefer Technics. For Latin and Contemporary ect. -- my choice is Yamaha. I fond Roland to be somewhere between both.
The Tyros 3 is expected to make its showing in October, if it is what I feel it will be I will buy it -- as my last keyboard investment. I would stay with my S900 but having played on Technics keyboards for so long I am spoiled. The S900 has filled my every need, it is a good keyboard.

Ah, in search of the perfect wave.

John C.

Fran, If you have not bought a Z5500 yet consider a Z2300. I am using a Z2300 with the two speakers just above my music rack -- the sub on the floor and I have more than I need. The store price of a Z2300 is in the $159 area. Amazon had one on sale for $99 and I was lucky enough to find one with a rebate $69.

John C.

Hi Folkes, Re the comments on the T2 , Roland keyboards... I have to agree to some extent that the Ballroom dance styles on the T2 are far bettes than the 7000 , however that is not to say the kn7000 is not good, it is. I will be spending some more time on the T2 soon to go through more of its contents. The PSR S900 sounds interesting to!.. thanks . Chris.

John,

I purchased the Z5500 ($130.00). For my ears most of the computer or home theatre speakers are a bit to bright. The base and controls are perfect. I am using the base and replaced the speakers with Advent Minis (R-L) and a Jensen Center speaker that I had from a stereo setup. Adjusting the control, with it's many options, the sound is just right for me at home and ample for a small hall like our Jam sites.

Give you a preview at our 2009 Jam. Cannot believe how time flies......this will be our 5th year in a row for the Florida Keyboard Conference.

Fran in SC

Fran in SC

Bruno 123, this at least the second post where I've seen you type G80. I think you mean the E-80; at least I hope so. Over at the General arranger forum people foam at the mouth at the thought of a new board like the T3. A G-80 also is too much to handle in one post.

Hi.

Not easy to decide what to choose when jump from or add something else to the
Technics keyboards...
I think the way of use should be a very high factor, i.e. do you work a lot
and edit styles etc. at the keyboard, or do you just find a proper style, set
some voices and make registrations and save pan.mem. to recall when needed?

If the way of use are "push and play", and then wish that your "band" sounds
live and warm?
Then the Ketron SD5 will be a great partner, the styles/patterns are very well
made, sounds are very good as well as the keyfeel are real good.
The SD5 also have onboard speakers.
Why I say "push and play", are because of the oprating system. To navigate
around in the Ketron OS are sure quite different from the Technics'.
You need loooonger period of training to be comfortable, at least I do....

Roland E-80 will probably be the closest kb to your KN7000 reagrding easy-to-use.
Also Roland (at least my G-70 does) sound more warm and live now when it is
updated and the styles are being optimised from the factory. (V3).

Korg sounds great, so close to Ketron, that I'm wondering if there are any near
releationship/business between the two.

I.m.o. Yamaha sounds cold, and when push a chord with left hand, it sounds like
I'm starting a studiopolished CD on the stereo.

Myself I'm having fun with a Ketron SD1, and lately I added a Roland G-70.
It's indeed two different keyboards, but I'm exploring, and when just sit down
and play, yeah, it's the SD1's who get most of my attention so far.
But I'm still looking for "the final replacement" for Technics, and my eyes goes
more and more in the directions of Wersi. It sure look interesting. Only too bad
it's no dealer in this country, or maybe it's good, because the price is so high
that if getting caught and I buy, it just has to be "the one and only" ?


But again, as said trillions of times before in several posts at the fora:
It's a very personal choice, it's your heart, ears, needs and not to forget your
bank account who decide what to buy.

Happy Playing .... (no matter what brand we're playing)
GJ


[This message has been edited by Gunnar Jonny (edited 03-30-2008).]

The Wersi should give you all that you need, but as GJ says they are expensive, but in the long term work out cheaper due to their upgradeability.
Also remember that if you have bought 2 TOTL Arrangers to help get you what you want, then you will have paid as much (And possibly more) then a Wersi Arranger, which still has more features then the other 2 combined.
A good way to look at it is:
Do you like changing your boards every so often to get new features or would you like to get the same new features without changing your board.
Both do the same job, but software updates (Wersi) work out cheaper.
Whatever you decide it will be a personal choice, as there is as yet (And unlikely to be in the future) no perfect Arranger Board.
BTW the Wersi can now also directly play Yamaha styles (No conversion required) and adds the life back into them that the Yamaha sound system removes.
Also consider Bohm, as these are hardware updatable.
Happy decision making

Bill

Cassip, You're right -- Thank you.
John C.

or.... what about a Yamaha MM6 ??

Amazing what it gives for the money.

Just google to it or search on Youtube. For example:
http://www.dijkmanmuziek.nl/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3374

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[This message has been edited by fmlk (edited 04-26-2008).]