Originally posted by ToneMaster:
3 top criteria for me:
1.I will be using the arranger functions most of the time
2. styles, quality of sounds (as natural sounding as possible
3. ease of use
ToneMaster: I own & play (professionally) the Yamaha Tyros1, and have auditioned the Korg PA1Xpro. Though I've not auditioned the new Tyros2 myself yet, I've actually heard one played live by a musician over the phone, as well had discussions with several people who have actually played it and who have directly compared it to the Tyros1, as well as PA1Xpro.
1. Based on my lengthy experience with Tyros1 and limited time playing the KorgPa1Xpro, I can confidently tell you that the Yamaha OS is FAR EASIER & USER FRIENDLY to navigate than Korg's, making on the fly stage performance much more intuitive. As far as arranger functions themselves, Yamaha uses a simple but effective method of allowing you to easier trigger fills by pressing the variation button itself rather than having to press a separate fill button. The limitation of this method is that there are only 4 fills available, and each is linked to a specific variation. The Korg Pa1Xpro on the other hand provides more fills/flexibility of assigning & triggering.
2. Sounds & Styles: This is hard to answer. Comparing Tyros1 to the Korg PaX, I think they are comparable, but different. For bread & butter acoustic voices & styles, I find Yamaha's most satisfying. On the other hand, Korg's got more innovating fresh contemporary styles & sounds that I really miss on the Tyros1. Ok, now along comes the new Tyros2, with it's 42 new awesome sounding Super Articulation Voices. Not only are they awesome sounding, but you can actually have them sounding unbelieveably realistic playing them live on the keyboard (with no effort) 'out of the box', making all the hours of previous playing emulation technique obsolute. If you're looking to play acoustic instruments live on the keyboard, then Tyros2 is definitely the one to beat now.
3. Ease of Use. #1 above answers this.
Originally posted by ToneMaster:
Does anyone know if any of the grand pianos for the T2 include the Super Articulation technology?
The Grand Piano (stereo) voice is the SAME as included in Tyros1. Currently no Super Aticulation Piano is included on T2, but there remains open the possibility that Yamaha might (I repeat, only might, who really knows but them) eventually offer a Grand Piano Super Articulation Voice for download into the Tyros2, as with the advent of Tyros2, it's now possible, first the first time with Tyros to store & load brand new sampled custom Voices into the keyboard, and yet another reason I chose to upgrade from T1 to T2.
Originally posted by ToneMaster:
Besides the sax and classical guitar, what other voices utilize this technology?
Here's the list of the 42 Tyros2 Super Articulation Voices: Concert Strings, Studio Strings, Tremolo Bowing 1/2, Spiccato, Big Band Brass, Smooth Brass, Brass Fall f/mf, Brass Shake 1/2, Accent Falls, Trumpet, Silver Trumpet, Golden Trumpet, Big Band Trumpet, Trumpet Fall, Trumpet Shake 1/2, Saxophone, Big Band Sax, Rock Sax 1/2, Concert Guitar, Flamenco Guitar, Steel Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Warm Solid, Clean Solid, Guitar Hero, Heavy Rock, 70s Solid Guitar, Nylon Guitar, Folk Guitar, Warm Electric, Clean Electric, Half Drive, Feedbacker, Magic Bell, Harpsichord, Jazz Rotary, Rock Rotary
Originally posted by ToneMaster:
Finally, is the screen on the T2 a touch screen?
No, and that's a GOOD thing imo, as because LCDs screens of all arranger brands, are not easily viewed in bright sunlight, a touchscreen would make the keyboard pretty much un-navigational in outdoos. With the Tyros, there is a tilt screen to help, but even when the screen is not viewable, I'm able to easily continue to navigate with the LCD screens side buttons.
ToneMaster, the bottom line is: it's all about making music. I think both boards have their strengths and would be excellent choices in bringing you keyboard music making rewards & enjoyment. Hope my answers were of some help. Good luck in whatever keyboard you decide on.
Scott