Tyros2 Dealer Premiere Show Report + "new" Detailed Tyros2 Pictures!

Tyros2 was officially unveiled for the first time to retail dealers in Europe a few days ago, Sunday, Sept 18th, 2005, in Tyrol, Austria. Peter Baartmans and Michel Voncken wowed the audience with an impressive live Tyros2 show demonstration:



Here's what Patrick Piens, head of Pien's Music (MusicPlanet) had to say after having attended the event:

"When I first saw the Tyros-1 some years ago, I was stunned. My first thoughts were then : this instrument is so good and sounds so pure that nobody will ever be able to do better ... Tyros-1 was indeed a big improvement compared to its predecessors, the PSR-9000 and the 9000 PRO.

This time however, the step forward is indeed much more impressive ! How is this possible ! With this technology, Yamaha takes a giant leap of 10 years into the future of the electronic keyboard ! The improvements in its functions and sound quality are so big it is almost unbelievable ... ! You close your eyes and you hear a live band !

The newly developed Super-Articulation-Voices Technology takes the YAMAHA TYROS-2 to the Top of the keyboard instruments. This instrument is so good that it will find its way to not only 'Entertainers' and 'One-Man-Bands'. Every Cover Band, Rock and Pop Band, and indeed every Recording Studio will buy this new-generation instument.

The design of the new graded hammer keyboard with both velocity sensitivity and aftertouch allows an unprecedented level of expression. The instrument will behave completely different when played 'staccato' than when played 'legato'. This lets you control the YAMAHA TYROS-2 samples with amazing details : if you play the saxophone sounds, you can actually hear the keys open and close ... !

All the styles are either new or completely revamped to make sure all the details in the Super-Articulation-Voices make the difference. And it is indeed a real difference !

Also, the Music Finder has been re-invented. There is also a very interesting new button in the Style Selection Menu : I saw a "Repertoire"-button that brings up a list from the Music Finder for the Style you have selected. Very convenient ... !

I also saw a real-time test and demonstration of the Hard Disk Recording function. This is easy as 1-2-3 and it works flawlessly. Files are writen in .WAV format. The Tyros-2 Disk Management System supports Hard Disk up to 200 GB ... !

For me personally, it was a pleasure spending some hours with Martin Harris, Global Content Planning Manager for the TYROS-2 Project, Simon Inkley, Project Specialist Global Content Planning and Yasushi Sakurai, Manager - Content Group from Yamaha's R&D Centre in London. They explained a lot of details and shared some really interesting inside stories on the making of Tyros-2 ... !

The guy responsible for the sampling of the YAMAHA TYROS-2 sounds explained that Yamaha spent astronomic amounts of money for voice sampling. And indeed, if you hear the instrument, you can tell Yamaha did not save on the budget : they even hired the accordion player of the world famous Malando Tango-Orchestra to record different accordion sounds and flew in the James Last String Section to get some good violin-samples ... !

The result is absolutely astonishing : Every sound I heard, every note I played is the best I have ever heard ... !"

Detailed POV shots of Tyros2:



















[img]http://images.piens.be/yamaha/tyros2/images/6.jpg[/img]

[img]http://images.piens.be/yamaha/tyros2/thumb/15.jpg[/img]


Scott [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/smile.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 09-23-2005).]

Thanx for the info Scott

Thanks Scott, I'd love to see the video of Peter and Michel playing. That should be a real treat!! Hopefully, it will get posted sometime, someplace.



[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 09-23-2005).]

I was soooo excited about this thing coming out, but why oh why would they have cut such basic corners? Let's repeat a few of these:

-Why is there still NO XLR input w/phantom power? $3500 and more for such a board, with a ton of stuff for vocalist, but yet no industry standard XLR? Even Roland added an XLR combo jack to their lastest board...Simply dissapointing.

-Why go to the trouble of including a HD recorder if it is only to only allow 2 or even 4 tracks (which I don't believe it even will do that)...You have now got things out there like the Fusion that has at least 8 tracks and it's only selling for $1600...How much more would it really have cost them to allow this new Tyros the ability to do 8 tracks rather than 1, 2, 3 or even 4...8 is a minimum standard as far as I would be concerned...and they already have all the technoligy to make this happen...I can't imagine that it would have cost them a dime to implement more tracks...I hope they are able to resolve this with a future OS update...taking it from 2 to 8 tracks...a huge blunder...some don't even care if it has a HD recorder, so they think it's a waist anyways, but those of us who would love it and would buy it due to this addition also will not be happy because the number of tracks makes it a waiste as well...come on Yamaha, step up to the plate on this one or simply leave it off the board...don't tease us with such a great feature, and then completly limit it.

-As MANY have stated...76 keys

-How about either a nice touch screan or use more of the space provided to enlarge the screan...that flip up screen still has A LOT of black space that could have been used for extra screen real estate.

-And one last thing...how about a good cup holder attachment for my coffee mug and tip jar

[This message has been edited by acoustictones (edited 09-23-2005).]

Scotty....Thanks for the info....likewise, I also would love to hear and see the show..
if you find it first, post it for us all to enjoy...thanks again.....
Tony Rome

thanks Scotty, my appetite is getting whetter and whetter. I am starting to look at the calander already and everyone knows I never get excited about a new keyboard
Bebop

If your excited for more than 4 hours, you may want to consult a doctor.

Forget the Doctor! Take this instead



Scott



[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 09-23-2005).]

DanO...Find me that rack please or sell me one from a tradein...you do take tradeins don't you....
Tony Rome

Posted by: "acoustictones"
--------------------------------------------
I was soooo excited about this thing coming out, but why oh why would they have cut such basic corners? Let's repeat a few of these:
-Why is there still NO XLR input w/phantom power? $3500 and more for such a board, with a ton of stuff for vocalist, but yet no industry standard XLR? Even Roland added an XLR combo jack to their lastest board...Simply dissapointing.

-Why go to the trouble of including a HD recorder if it is only to only allow 2 or even 4 tracks (which I don't believe it even will do that)...You have now got things out there like the Fusion that has at least 8 tracks and it's only selling for $1600...How much more would it really have cost them to allow this new Tyros the ability to do 8 tracks rather than 1, 2, 3 or even 4...8 is a minimum standard as far as I would be concerned...and they already have all the technoligy to make this happen...I can't imagine that it would have cost them a dime to implement more tracks...I hope they are able to resolve this with a future OS update...taking it from 2 to 8 tracks...a huge blunder...some don't even care if it has a HD recorder, so they think it's a waist anyways, but those of us who would love it and would buy it due to this addition also will not be happy because the number of tracks makes it a waiste as well...come on Yamaha, step up to the plate on this one or simply leave it off the board...don't tease us with such a great feature, and then completly limit it.
--------------------------------------------

AMEN TO ALL THAT! Excellent point about not even including an XLR mic input. You'd think for the price they'd at least include this. Especially considering they always glorify their harmonizers.

Im with you about the HD recorder as well. Why go through the trouble of even adding that if they limit the tracks to a measly (2). I bet when they release the Tyros3, they'll add the extra 6 tracks and completely jack the price for that feature alone.

Granted the board will probably sound great, but man for the price I think the spec list falls short when comparing features against cost.

That's why I'm waiting for the T2 to actually be released. Then I'll buy an original Tyros1 after those prices drop to what's reasonable

Don't get me wrong I still love arrangers, but geeez oh man why in the hell are prices on arrangers so JACKED???

I don't want to piss anyone off (probably will), but Yammie has some nerve selling the PSR-3000 for that price. Especially considering it still has basic voice editing, no aftertouch, cheap (and I mean cheap) construction when compared to other boards in the same price category. Probably the most sorry set of pitch and modulation wheels I've ever seen (they're the same as on the PSR-2000/2100, and they're just crap)

It does however have some killer sounds, great drawbars, and other cool features, but the overall construction quality of the PSR-3000 does not justify its cost. (just my opinion). If they had a rack version (which would sell for less) I'd buy that without batting an eye.

Squeak



[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 09-23-2005).]

Roland added 8 Stereo Linear Audio Tracks just recently with an OS update included in the Expansion Kit for the Fantom X keyboards and the Rack XR Module. You can read about it: Here

So I would think Yamaha could do the same (through an OS Update) for the Tyros2 with its already 2 Audio Tracks Recorder.

That is if Yammie really 'wanted' to, i.e. they probably have the ability technology wise to put it on the Tyros2, but 'will' they indeed implement such an added "feature" for their customers??

If the Tyros1 is any indication of Yamaha's full ,passionate, and highly motivated and unwavering support for a Keyboard product of their's, i.e. the Tyros1, then Tyros2 owners shouldn't hold their breath waiting for them to implement it in my opinion.

For heaven's sake - remember the teeth pulling we had to do for them to give us the "Repeat Self to Fill" feature on the Tyros? What a fiasco!! But to be fair they 'finally' did implement it through an OS update. But like I said don't hold your breath future Tyros2 owners. Yamaha has a tendency in my opinion to ship it and 'forget' it. Or maybe rather I should say 'ignore' it. Getting them to support an already released product is like trying to pull teeth. In other words; it ain't easy!

Best regards,
Mike

I'm right there with ya acoustictones! Great points.

Mike, to your O/S points, don't hold your breath waiting for Yamaha to upgrade the Tyros OS. They completely abandoned Tyros 1. Not one major feature enhancement through software in the last 2 years!

Excellent points there about OS upgrading. Didn't they also pretty much do the same thing with the 9000 Pro as well. I agree when it comes to arrangers it seems that as stated by acoustictones, yamaha just ships then and forgets them.

It's not like their Motif line. Hell just look at Motifator.com. Talk about support.

Squeak

keybplayer,
Didn't Roland also offer that upgrade FREE to all current owners as well?

Squeak

I think that this is going to be an amazing keyboard.

I wish that I could afford one.

I will wait until next summer, and hopefully Yamaha will come out with a midlevel arranger with many of these features.

I hope to soon be getting Tyros 2 styles converted to the PSR3000.

It looks like this is going to be a quantum leap beyond Tyros 1.

Beakybird

Velly intelesting! Hmmmmmmm! NAH--I'll stick with the 3K until Yamaha comes out with a sunlight viewable display and speakers, maybe they'll be available with the next PSR series. Nope, they didn't call me this time either!

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Customers who purchase a Fantom-X6/7/8 after Jan 1, 2005 are entitled to a free v2 upgrade kit while supplies last. Those who purchased a Fantom-X6/7/8 before Jan 1, 2005 have to pay $49.00 for the Kit.

It is still a deal even if the owners who purchased one before Jan 1, 2005 have to pay the $49.00 in my opinion. But I think Roland should have offered the Kit for free to any and all Fantom X owners. That's my personal opinion of course. Roland has their reasons for charging the fee to those who purchased before Jan 1, 2005 and I'm suspecting the main reason is the incentive for new customers to purchase an X and also to recoup some of the costs to develop the software upgrade, etc. Charging only $49.00 shouldn't upset too many previous owners and they benefit by gaining back some of the R&D dollars as a bonus.

Best regards,
Mike

PS: The XR Module gets the expansion Kit "minus" the additon of the Audio Tracks. Yet they still have to pay $49.00 also (owners who purchased before Jan 1, 2005 that is). But the other additions in the expansion Kit seem pretty appealing too if you ask me.

Best regards,
Mike

http://www.keyboardplayer.com/tyros2.php