Alternative to a Yamaha PSR-S950

An arranger is great for what it does, but is severely limited when it comes to editing or getting really rich sounds.

A Workstation is great as it gives you pretty much any sound you want, with all the editing you will probably need, but sucks when it comes to solo on the fly play.

The price of the PASR-S950 in the UK is approximately £1600

The price of a Korg PA600 Arranger in the UK is approximately £800

The price of a Korg Krome Workstation in the UK is approximately £800

Therefore by purchasing a PA600 & a Krome and Midi them together, you could have the best of both worlds for the same price as a PSR-S950.

Something that prospective purchases of the PSR-S950 might like to think about

Bill

Here's another thought:
Getting Pa600 for half the price of the S950, you get a pretty good sound editing package and a fully capable sequencer. And the arranger of course.

Great idea....i have a mox8 and plan on purchasing a pa600...when i gig i use both a yamaha psr 910 and a korg pa50sd...but the mox8 with a pa600 may end up being my main gig rig...we'll have to see when the korg is available in my area

Steve
korg cx3,yamaha 910,korg pa50sd,yamaha mox8

That is exactly what I am going to do.
I already ordered the PA600. The Korg Krome come next year if I have the money for it.

Interesting and a good idea Bill if you're into editing sounds, but for me it's not what I want to do

Also...

No VH
No SA
No Audio styles
Two boards to carry and setup.
I would need to learn a new OS and for editing sounds on workstation, well it's just not my thing, and would rather pick from the hundreds already on the S950 and more available for sure
Besides it's not like you can't edit sounds on the S950, true not as well as a workstation, but for me, enough editable features to satify my needs
Finally if the built in sounds on the S950 are anywhere near the T4, they will be plenty 'rich' enough

That being said, it's a good thought, a good concept and something to consider. Options are nice, and it drives competition which is a good thing.

A great idea Bill...main things missing would be those awesome SA Voices (as weell as Yamaha's exclusive Mega Voices), Audio Recording, Audio Drums, and Vocal Harmonizer (VH-2 on S950).

Plus, carrying two keyboards to gigs would be a bit of extra work, as well as the complexity...also the sound would be Korg based so it would tend to sound similar. It would be the same type similarity if one used a Yamaha PSR-S9** series and a Yamaha MOX6.

I think John Smies idea of PA-500 and PSR-S900, and/or a PA-600 and a PSR-S910,(both PSR's have Audio Recording), the latter pair being a tad better in my opinion, is very good as well. Plus, the player would have two completely different tone generators and two contrasting style engines.

Otherwise, the PA-600 and Krome sound like a nice economical match.

Of course, it all depends on the user's needs and playing style, and type of music being played.

Ian

Korg PA600 has DNC2 just as the PA3X. I don't sing so no need for VH. If I wanted audio drums I already would have bought the Audya. And most important Korg just sound much better tne Yamaha. Is my opinion ofcourse.

Good suggestion to consider. Really depends on what the user wants. It's good to have variety in the sound and style engines but one limiting factor is carrying multiple boards etc. would be a tough ask.

I don't really get it as to what is stopping Korg and Yamaha from coming up with arranger modules instead of the full keyboard. Personally, given the budget and if carrying multiple boards is not an issue then I would go for a usedYamaha 910, korg pa 500 and a roland bk-7.... and I could squeeze in a Medeli A800 as well

Frans, how does that Medeli sound ? May be on an other thread .They claim a new model A1000 would be launched.

As always, opinions vary, Frans...I just feel, if you were going to the trouble of having two keyboards, that it would be best to have different tone generators in each instrument.

Personally, I wouldn't go with two arrangers/keyboards...the Tyros4 (with 1 gig expansion board) is more than enough for my needs, having SA/SA2 Voices (available in styles) and oodles of factory and third party support. I am a very happy camper.

It is nice to see DNC2 being added to PA-600...a good move by Korg....I think it is a great bang-for-the-buck arranger.

Ian

PS...I don't use Vocal harmony either, but I run a small Yamaha CS-01 Analog Mono Synth through the Tyros4's VH-2 for pseudo-polyphonic retro sounds with effects...it's a hoot! Worked well in the S910 too!

The Medeli sound surprisingly good. I bought it just to have some keys to practise on after selling my PA3X. Most sounds are good and styles are ok. Only thing I don't like is the reverb. Sound metallic. But for just 200 Euro it is a good buy.

Yes I am very curious about the Medeli A1000.