KN2600 or PSR3000

After hours aand hours browsing the internet in order to decide what to buy I finally want to ask this forum for advice.I am not a pro keyboard player but I'd love to start learning how to play like one. I want to use any new keyboard in conjuntion with Cakewalk and my pc. It would be my first arranger keyboard I have. So which one suit me better, Technics KN2600 or Yamaha PSR3000 ? Please give me some advice or opinions...Thanks a lot...Fathan

No contest--the PSR3000 is tons better. Technics no longer makes keyboards and the KN technology is several years old now.
The 3K is undoubtedly the best bang for the buck in all arranger-land.
You can do a search on this forum, or go to the PSR Tutorial site and get all the info you would ever want about the 3K.
DonM

Ditto!

Gary

Ditto!

Gary

The KN 2600 is certainly not a bad board. But, I have to agree with DonM and Gary. Another added plus for the 3000 is all the resource info available from actual users who are so willing to share their knowledge.

Eddie

For sure go Yamaha. Forget Technics. There're all done with.

I had a KN2600 and I can honestly tell you it really sucked. Awful tone. No where's close to the PSR2000.

For me it was a big waste of time. I sold my 2000 to get the KN. I have since sold the Technics and am looking to get another PSR2000.

The PSR3000 ought to make you VERY happy.

Scott

I just got my 3000 and although I never played the Technics, I'm very glad and happy about my choice of the Yamaha 3000...

Hi ,
I've been a Technics fan since 1989. Unfortunately they stopped making them last year. Due to those circumstances,if I had to choose now, I'd be buying the PSR3000.

best wishes
Rikki



[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 01-25-2005).]

Dear all
Now I am sure that Yamaha would be the right choice for me. I considered KN2600 because the seller tried to convince me it better than PSR3000 for a beginner like me. I doubted his judgement cause he is "the seller"(who might think what is the best for him not for me).But you are all just trying to help me sincerely. Thanks a lot guys.... Fathan

Given that the PSR3k has one of the more intuitive menu systems, then what does the KN do to make things easier for "beginners"? I agree with the theory that the salesman is trying to unload the KN because he can't actually sell it in face of the competiition.

3k...& dont look back

Hi Don.

Congrats for your short and perfect comment.

Chico

Between the two choices, I'd go with the PSR3k. Don't limit yourself to only two choices, check out the Korg PA60 and PA50 as well as the Roland VA series, they're less or in the same price range as the PSR3k and have some features that the PSR3k doesn't have that may interest you.

Synthguy,
There were many features about the PA80 which I liked, including sounds (especially drums). However, there is quite a learning curve and quite a lot of setting up to make the Korg do what you want.
For a newcomer to arraners, the 3K, imo, would be far easier to setup, learn and play right away.
DonM

I agree with Don, Gary Scott, Dnj, etc....the Yamaha PSR 3000 is not just matter of features & sounds per $, but also user friendly and one often overlook matter, support, like PSR tutorials, Scotts web site, and here, all the 3000 users,so...Ditto.

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mdorantes

I bought a KN2600 when it came out as a back-up. The worst move I have ever made keyboard wise.. It has only one advantage over the PSR3000 and that is the SD card which will have a much longer life than that which Yamaha uses. My advice , like every one elses, is don't touch it with a bargepole.
Your dealer is just trying to get rid of dead stock.

Trevor

buy psr 3k and you will not need to update say 3 yrs.other gear FD based(swapping)will start to bother you when you start to gig.(also VH and weight,3rd party style support and so on)without a question PSR 3k is the king for arrangers under 2000$.

Most certainly the PSR3000 vs the KN2600

However I do disagree a little with Don when he said
"Technics no longer makes keyboards and the KN technology is several years old now"

The KN2600 is a little brother of the KN7000, both were one of the first to have SD Card capapblity, and the power to play mp3's via Jukebox software conversion. This is rather high tech, and quite amazing to boot.

Let us not confuse the fact because of Technics demise, that they made inferior keyboards. Quite the contrary, they were ahead of the times in many aspects, and made outstanding keyboards. I still have a KN3000, now almost 10 years old, and I'm still amazed at the quality and the amount of technology for a board this old. If anything I would say that Technics strived to be ahead of the times.

What I do not like about Technics is that recorded songs are saved in Technics Format, and the resulting file is not compatible with lower end keyboards. Songs recorded on a Yamaha are saved as midis and will play on almost anything. However, the Technics has a powerful 16 track sequencer, which allows one to edit songs much more so then Yamaha. Many PSR'S have Vocal Harmony(including the 3000)while the Technics mic was..well ...bad. Trade offs in all keyboards.

So again, easy call.. the PSR3000 is newer, and Yamaha is here to stay, while Technics is now gone.

Now a bigger a question would be the KN7000 vs the PSR3000. Tough choice. Mine would again be the PSR3000, but, man the KN7000 is really good !

Larry Hawk

Hi Larry, surprisingly enough, I would choose the KN7000 over the PSR3000 without blinking an eye, but then again, I ALREADY own a Yamaha keyboard, the Tyros . The KN7000 is truly an amazing keyboard especially if you're into realistic sounding acoustic instruments & swing, jazz & big band. I actually prefer the KN7000's Steinway acoustic Grand sample over the Yamaha acoustic Grand sample on the PSR3000 and Tyros. Technics keyboards also include the BEST "full keyboard mode" chord recognition (including rootless jazz chords) as well. On Yamaha keyboards you're limited to split mode (left hand voicings) to play pro sounding jazz chords. Another advantage of Technics keyboards which I miss on the Yamaha (and other arrangers) is Technics very cool 'Technics format' sequencer feature which allows you to easily step insert, audition, change, and then remove if desired, arranger functions (intros, fills, endings, instr voice changes, etc) in a recorded song file without having to go into midi. This makes for a very flexible method of sequencing not possible recording when recording straight to midi.

I still prefer the Tyros in many ways (one of which is mandatory for me as a vocal entertainer: its far superior sounding vocal harmonizer), but If I could own a second arranger keyboard right now, and could get it at a BARGAIN price, I'd probably choose a used KN7000, 'even if' Technics is no longer in business.

Scott

I was a long-time Technics user too, starting with KN800, 1000, 2000 and 5000. I switched when the other companies brought out the microphone and harmonizer features.
KN2000 was one of the all-time great arrangers, and was indeed ahead of it's time.
DonM