thinking about down sizing to S970 ?

got T5 76 love it and keeping it but find a bit to big at times for quick in and out gigs

picking up next week from my standing gig that is ending my T4 thinking about going with S970 just for the ease of weight and quick set up .

am I going to hate keybed not sure do lot of Midi files in my show
so is that going to be ok ?

tilt screen am i going to miss that ?

on board speakers would be nice esp in the small gigs

what am I going to loose using S970 v Tyros 4 ?

thoughts ?????

My S970 is a very good sounding machine. Not nearly as gig friendly as my Tyros 4 was or PA 4X is.

The lack of a tilt screen can be problematic.

not going to use it all the time just in certin situations

top of piano black in color blends in I get complaints with gray keyboard most of time in restraunt type gig playing grand piano and keyboard serves as a back up band midi file or playing Guitar

in small gigs on board speakers with small powered speaker might be better the no speaker on keyboard

got large yamaha midi file collection so want to stay with that format.

In reality, you are not going to lose anything, and more than likely, your back and other body parts will thank you for the decrease in weight and bulk. The keyboard will do do everything your current board does, and then some. It has an enormous number of incredible features that are rarely explored by most owners/players, plus you have the advantage of a wonderful onboard sound system that is great for doing small, intimate jobs such as living room parties and background music for small venues. As for the tilt screen, I doubt that you will miss that, mainly because of the huge improvement in the display when Yamaha switched to supertwist technology, which makes the display much brighter, sharper and easier to read at nearly any angle.

Good luck,

Gary

Id wait a while to see whats next for Yamaha....it could be just what you need....?

Thank you Gary , I am keeping my T5 so on big shows where I need it I will have it

it the exchange of T4 and S970 where I stand I want the on board speakers for Just that I do many assisted liv jobs where I set up in 2 different areas alt wing and assisted wing

having to lug 2 speakers and 2 set up is wearing on me

now that I will have T4 back from standing gig I think I will make a move to that

also many times I set up playing guitar and like the ass in on T4 to run effect for guitar thru

on 970 i see there is st in 1/8 connect i just prob need to convert that with a cable

and not lose my mic connection

what do you think ?

Midi Files play just fine from what I see as well

donny I think it going to be a while till we see something at least 6 to 8 mo I am not going away from T5 or Genos I just looking for quick set up small package light weight

i bring dxr 10 2 ea prob going to look to find small speaker

powered too just a very small rig and still have the b ig show rig

got 2 K8 as well or even smaller kind of a small busker rig

in and out in 2 min or less

stand keyboard , mic stand seat 2 small speakers or just on board in this gigs situation it in small room quick in and out on to next in 2 min or less

I am with Gary. That is why I have an S970. My Audya and Pa4x may have a few things the S970 doesn't, except for on board speakers, but the difference in weight and bulk alone is worth it for small in and out gigs. Besides that, the people won't hear any difference anyway. The Yamaha is a great board, considering.

yes Bernie I am thinking the same way here it just for quick in and out gigs .

I am keeping my T5 76 for biger gigs it just when i got to set up T5 76 and 2 powered speakers 2 twice at many gigs over kill want a very lean small rig 2 min set up and break down and on to next many paces are small and it would be perfect for those days kind a little T5 just what I am looking for now jus t need to find one I got a guy who has one but does not want to keep it I might work up a deal with him maybe 500 cash and my T4 for his mint 970 ???

500 cash coming to me

If you want a light weight 17 lbs arranger KB with speakers get a Roland EA7 and it has a much better I'd say the BEST SFM player then the S970 and many others for that matter for many reasons..too...





https://www.roland.com/global/products/e-a7/specifications/

Yes, there are many fine boards in the mid range, but the OS is so familiar. One of the reasons I take my S970 is that it is so familiar and easy to operate. I guess it depends on ones priorities.

Hi,
I did exactly what you want to do for the same reason.
I love the 970 for what it is and I was able to EQ it to sound 95% like my T4.
However; Here is what you will be missing:

- Keybed, but you already know that.
- Only 2 right hand voices instead of 3. I had to program my own OTS to make up for it, but it works.
- Midi files are fine except if you have vocal tracks from the T4.
- You have much less effects blocks. That could be a problem if your midi files are using a lot of effects. I had to reprogram some. Some of my styles needed some work because of that.
- You only have SA1 not SA2 voices. Miss some of those.
- Last not least: no aftertouch. Miss that on my guitars and synth sounds.

Other than that, it's a great sounding board and with some work arounds it comes very close to the T4.

Hope this helps.

Eric

I played it at NAMM I think it was just ok Donny S970 much better

yamaha midi file format does not tranlate very well on other units

I played a G70 for years did not like bk9

I think I will stick to Yamaha for this job

nothing against Roland love there stuff but hard to beat Yamaha and pretty commited to there os and midi format .

I do think 970 is best in it class for my needs

thanks , I am still keeping T5 76 for most big jobs this 970 will be for in and out quick jobs or piano toper keyboard I play a lot of grands and put keyboard on top use a s back up band to my Piano playing or guitar playing

i get complaints for some about silver color and size on piano .

this might be a smaller and black in color solution to my issue

it stupid but cost me a gig

size and weight and on board speakers seem to be good thing

still my T5 76 is my go to but this could serv a good purpose

in the multi set up jobs assisted and alt wings 2 set ups in many spots and one could just be onboard speakers people in very close to me situation

Just confirming your lightweight SMF needs,....enjoy your S970, the keybed is gonna be an issue for you also.......personally Id just use the T5 for everything whats a few pounds more to carry anyway?

I really wouldn't consider a change due to weight if the T5 weighs the same as the T4 which I believe it does the difference in weight is only 6 or 7 pounds. The weight issue is one that I always chuckle about when I hear that one.

Sold my T5-76 for the PA4x also sold my Pa3x and picked up an S970. I don't miss the T5 at all and for the small gigs the s970 is fine. I think you'll be fine.

it not really a weight thing it a bulk think kinda I have T4 61 and T5 76
I am looking at replacing T4 61 with S970 keeping T5 76

T5 is my go to most of the time

it about a small offering with speakers black in color small footprint for top of piano

on board speakers will give me a new dimention on the jobs i got to set up 2 times in same place.

I can set up speaker system in one spot go do the alt wing come back and plug in and play save me having to set up 2 times ect.

black in color looks better on top of piano in my piano bar gigs i do .

smaller footprint

when I need to go big I got T5 76 and montage 7 so I got that covered.

I just think having a T5 mini might be something that works and black in color

The S970 and the Pa4x are both great keyboards – but they do a different job. People do know the difference in what they hear – it is not the instrument sounds they hear but the drive and excitement. One makes you want to dance more than the other. So people in a nursing home job will be satisfied with either keyboard.
If they are out there dancing or wiggling in their wheel chairs they WILL hear the difference.
Bottom line; A good musician can do a great job with either keyboard.
Good performer + Pa4x = One great job.
Good performer = S970 = One nice job.

Only my opinion, John C.
PS, I had both keyboards in my home – there is a difference of weight. I bought the Pa4x and I am back to the gym; there is not that big of a difference between keyboards.

PA4x61 is actually smaller than the 970! Fits in the same bag, but has more room.
I didn't have a huge problem with the 970, but I sure like the Korg better. Main items are controls, vocal processing/harmonizer and the wonderful SONGBOOK! The light (flimsy) touch doesn't bother me, nor do the smaller keys, but that would matter more to a piano player.
I have played the Tyros every time one came out, and they are just big and clumsy. The lead sounds are very nice and the audio drum kits are excellent. The midi drum kits still are lagging behind the other companies.
Same can be said for the 970.
As always, IMHO!
I once had Roland E80 and E50 at the same time, and, trust me, the E80 never left the house! There was about 45 pounds difference in weight and very little difference in sound.
That E50 was a real workhorse, and never got enough credit for what it did!
Back to the subject, I think it's a wonderful plan to have both Yamahas. Go for it! You will find yourself not ever taking the T5 out of the house!

I think the right move is the PSR s970. It meets your requirements and no learning curve.


I did the same...I wanted a lighter keyboard for hour gigs... My perfect choice was the EA7... and the G70 for 4 hour gigs..(17 pounds compared to 46 pounds).

Don, I has the same situation... the same E80, but I used the E60.

50 pounds compared to 26 pounds..