Another defective PSR-S900

I just received another PSR-S900 today. I was very excited, and I thought that lightning doesn't strike twice in the same spot.

Before I took it to my afternoon gig, I quickly checked that it didn't have the same problem my other PSR-S900 has - when spinning the Data Select Wheel, parameters other than the one chosen get altered. It did seem to have this problem at first, but then it disappeared. I fooled myself into thinking it was OK to take to my gig.

My gig was a disaster. Pressing the Style Control variations would activate the Music Finder Database, and songs in the Database would get selected ruining the song I was playing. I almost couldn't go on with my show.

For some reason, when I removed the midi sustain unit that I have, things worked fine, and I was able to get through the rest of the show. The midi sustain unit merely plugs into the midi input and sends a sustain signal to channel one. This way I can have three footswitches. This pedal has caused no problems with my PSR2000s, PSR2100s, PSR3000s, or my other PSR-S900.

I got late to my evening gig because I had to rush home to switch keyboards. I took the other PSR-S900 that works in a stable manner except for the Data Select Wheel (which I am going to get fixed under warranty).

I just got home and did a system reset. Now this keyboard is having the same problem, actually even worse, with the Data Select Wheel. Let's say I pick tempo during a style and spin the wheel to speed it up, the tempo parameter disappears from the screen and the Music Finder Database appears and then on top of that window comes the Multipad menu! Sometimes, a song in the Music Finder Database gets chosen!

I'm bummed out. My retailer will of course exchange it, and I should have another keyboard by Friday, but is it going to work?

I'm getting the other keyboard fixed under warranty. I am betting it's the motherboard. Is the motherboard they replace it with going to have the same problem?

This is the 4th PSR-S900 that I have heard about that came defective.

Beakybird

Beaky...
sorry to hear that.....what a BUMMER...maybe you should of kept your 3k's.....have you heard of anyone else experiencing these S900 problems ...I would have thrown them both out the window ....I have no patience for problems....Hope you get this straightened out ...I know with your busy gig schedule this could be a disaster! Do you also carry a laptop just in case?

I didn't have a backup. I almost had to end the show. I actually led a couple of songs accapella. Luckily, things started working after about 15 minutes into the show, and I was able to get through.

Guess what? Now the One Touch Setting Buttons #1 and #2 aren't working - even after a factory reset!

Beakybird.

What the heck is going on with these
Yamaha S-900's.....are they all lemons????

The ones that they are sending Beakybird are definitely lemons.

Ian

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Common misconception...size and weight equal quality and performance. Don't be fooled.

Is it possible they are shipping returned units to people ? Hmmmmmmmmm? what store is this anyway ....so I'll definitly stay away?

I have several clients with new S900s...no problems reported.

Of course, that's no consolation to Beakybird, who has every right to be pissed...I know I would.

Hope this situation is looked after for him.

Ian

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Common misconception...size and weight equal quality and performance. Don't be fooled.

Ian ....I hear ya....its soooooo mentally frustrating and what a hassle shipping these units back & forth safely.....I hope we have a happy ending after all this.

my friends s900 is having a different problem, it is a half step off his e is actually an e flat even after a reset it still does this,

If the next unit I get is defective, I don't know what I'll do.

I'll probably get one at Guitar Center or Sam Ash and get a floor model that works. Then I will buy an extended warranty (I believe these places sell them).

Mikey's friend is the 5th defective S900 I have heard about.

Beakybird

i seem to recall making a post a month or so ago about rumours the s900 had some "hardware/software issues" and it was for this reason the launch was delayed...seems the rumours may have had some basis in reality...shame for those having problems, and unusual for yamaha to release a product that was not rock solid.

or maybe its time for a change like Roland , Ketron, Korg, Gem, etc etc

Received a telephone call (between gigs) earlier in the day from Larry reporting his latest S900 problem. Truly disappointing news especially after the problem with his first S900. In addition to reporting this to Sweetwater Music (place you purchased the 2nd S900 from),

Larry, I recommend contacting Yamaha USA and asking to speak to Steve Deming, head of Customer Support, about all the problems you're had:

Telephone: (714) 522-9011
Email: ycasupport@yamaha.com

Scott

Can you say "REFURBISHED?"

I COULD say something like "Common misconception... Yamaha equals quality and performance... Don't be fooled", but that might be construed as being unkind...

But it DOES seem more and more that arranger manufacturers (even the ones always trumpeted as not 'needing' updates because they are flawless to start with ) are willing to release product before it is reliable, or with buggy OS's that need several updates before they work.

Do we have to take this, or is there something we can do?

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 08-22-2007).]

Beaky

Sorry to hear about the dissapointment you are experiencing. What a bummer to have this problem on a job. Hope it all works out for you.

zuki

Maybe Donny's right...it certainly can't hurt to check out the competition...

Then again, they have all been guilty of having early production issues...witness the poor old Roland G70...that one was a nightmare.

Kudos to Roland for standing behind it(it's so big and heavy, where else would they stand...certainly not under it )and correcting the problems, but no doubt it surely affected sales and left a bad taste in more than a few buyer's mouths.

Beakybird, hopefully Yamaha will do you right and clear up your frustrating issues with the S900.

Ian



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Common misconception...size and weight equal quality and performance. Don't be fooled.

I have sold many 900's so far and have not had any customers experience anything like you are reporting. I wonder if the external midi pedal device is sending some kind of signal the 900 doesn't like.
One customer received his 900 with the connecting cable from the keyboard disconnected to the main board. This could easily been caused by shipping from California to Ohio. This was fixed by simply taking the screws out of the bottom. Another unit I shipped has a loose screw around one of the speakers......also easily fixed by the customer. That has been the only two issues I've experienced. None of the 900's i've sold has experienced any strange button or dial issues.
I've notified the proper people at Yamaha regarding the loose cable and screws. They will get this information to the factory which manufactures these in Indonesia.
As someone who sells these, I would ofcourse like to see not a single problem arise, but sometimes things like loose cable and screws are either a shipping problem or someone not fully tightening a screw or pushing a cable in far enough. The manufacturer needs to be made aware of such issues and as stated, I've notified Yamaha and I'm sure they don't take things like this lightly........ I agree with Scott. You can call Scott Deming at Yamaha. When I arrive at my store this morning, I will be calling the Product Manager as well and letting him know of your problems.


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George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

Beak.....maybe you should have bought Brand new from George Kaye & after the sale support second to none. ....I have a feeling whoever sold you these s900's could be repackaging returns which = the lower prices & their defects? Sought of a "B" stock....resulting in nightmares after the sale?

Beakybird,

I have just done what George has already done...contacted Yamaha head office about your problems.

George may also have struck on something important as well...the external midi pedal device may be part of the problem.

The motherboard in the S900 is considerably different than the 3k's.

Good luck with everything.

Ian

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Common misconception...size and weight equal quality and performance. Don't be fooled.

Two things:

1. The first PSR-S900 had problems right out of the box before I plugged the midi device in.

2. The midi device only does one thing: It sends a message to sustain notes on channel one. It shouldn't be causing the Music Finder database to come up when I press variations C & D.

3. I did a full system reset and the problems persisted. I cannot see any way that my midi device would have caused a hardware problem or a software problem that could not be resolved with a system reset. I was able to get OTSs #1 and #2 to start working again.

4. I have been using this device successfully with two PSR2000s, two PSR2100s, and two PSR3000s. Outside of the Data Select Wheel not working with one of my PSR-S900s, the keyboard is stable using this device.

5. Sweetwater Sound had a PSR-s900 before almost anyone else had one. I was one of the first in the USA to get one. I doubt it was a return or refurb.

6. The latest keyboard I got was shipped the day it was received from Yamaha.

All that said, I do regret not having bought my keyboard from George.

I seem to have bad keyboard karma.

Sweetwater is going to test their one remaining PSR-s900 before they ship it to me to replace this one.


Beakybird

You MIGHT try double-checking that MIDI pedal, Beaky. Is it battery operated (some VERY nasty things can get sent when the batteries get low in some MIDI gear)?

You might try just hooking it up to a computer sequencer (make sure NO filters are on) and press it a bunch of times (even try switching it on and off while recording). Then look in List Edit at all the codes, in case there is something out of place.

I'm not saying that IS the problem, but it's a fairly easy thing to check, and MIGHT save you a lot more pain if it turns out to have a problem...

I will check it. The first PSR-s900 had problems right out of the box. I noticed it when I was playing the keyboard in my office. My midi sustain unit is kept in the trunk of my car.

With the second keyboard, I noticed the problem one time, right out of the box, but then it went away, and everything seemed to work fine - until I got to my gig.

I will check to see if the unit is sending some unwanted code. Thanks for the suggestion.

Beakybird

And why a MIDI sustain pedal..? What's wrong with a regular one?

Beakybird,

Just got word back from Yamaha Canada head office...no S900 data wheel problems nor any of the other issues that you experienced.

Ian

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Common misconception...size and weight equal quality and performance. Don't be fooled.

Hi Diki,

The S900 supports only 2 assignable foot controllers. A midi assignable foot controller allows you to increase the # of assignable foot controllers available the keyboard. Tyros2 includes 3 assignable foot controllers. I utilize a Midi Solutions Foot Controller to increase that to three:

1) sustain
2) fill to self
3) registration advance
4) vocal harmony on-off
http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/010656.html

Scott

I just got off the phone with Steve Deming at Yamaha. I read him what your problems are and he's checking into the situation.
Steve has assured me that Japan is researching issues of loose cables and screws as I've already mentioned.

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George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

Larry,

I may be able to clear this up if you would call me.



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Yamaha Customer Support
YCASupport@yamaha.com
714.522.9000

Beakybird,
I feel bad that you are having such problems and on two boards no less.
It must really suck to be going through what you are and I hope it will all get taken care of soon.
I love my S900 and have had nothing but enjoyment with it and hope you can love yours as well soon.
Jim

I just spoke with Steve Demming at Yamaha. He was very nice. We walked through what's going on with my keyboard. We tried another full reset. The keyboard is definitely not working right. He has a hunch that it might be a loose or faulty data cable, but he said that he would have to see it to be sure. He expressed amazement that one customer could have two keyboards with similar problems.

He told me that despite my having scratched the first unit I got, that Yamaha would take it back - if Sweetwater allows me to take it back. That is a very kind gesture as it would allow me to not have a keyboard tied up in the shop (and to get an unscratched keyboard as well).

Sweetwater called me to tell me that they tested the unit they have, and there are no problems with the data wheel. They are overnighting it to me with a return label for the one I just got. My fingers are crossed.

I am not going to plug the midi controller in until I test it on a computer. I don't want to jinx anything.

Beakybird