1st impression of the SX900 ...

It's not here yet! I still have to get to sleep so Santa can come tomorrow!

they say (5) NO Change in VH2 from previous S models

OK - first comments:
1) Key Feel:
It's a little stiffer than previous PSR models, but the throw is longer which is a huge improvement for me. Don Mason will like it, as well.

2) Overall sound of speakers:
Full, rich sound, solid bass. I like it

3) Rhodes /EP sounds:
Not sure why Woody couldn't find any he liked - there's lots, and uber tweakable.

4) Mic processor/effects:
Didn't get to this yet

5) Harmonizer:
same

6) Touch screen response:
excellent. No issues with calibration or timing.


I had to dig for the parameter to lock the tempo from changing, but it's in there.
Buttons feel good - they light up for easy navigation - uncluttered front panel. Touch screen does the majority of the tasks,
Weight/size ratio is excellent

It's a busy day, and I'm also expecting a new banjo, so I'm ging to let this sit for a while, have some lunch, then come back and test the mic settings.
Overall impression is good. It's playable (at last) for me. As I said, the action is still a little on the light side, but so much more responsive, and the longer (deeper) throw helps alot.

Stay tuned ....

The only remaining issue I have is with Yamaha's treatment of the one finger mode. I prefer the way Korg addresses this.

Dave right now I am border line on my way back to FEDEX for a return....
I've seen enough....another record set....2 arrangers returned in one week

WOAH NELLY! Take it out of the box. You CAN access way more than 99 files at a time in the song player, and the Leslie sim INSERT effect works like a charm.
You gotta keep diggin'. Want me to send you my tootsie rolls, so you'll feel better?
I have a folder open with 350 titles all available to play. Works perfect.

I told them about the missing
Mary janes and Tootsie rolls.....they were agast!!

Have you tried the scat voices yet?

Let me preface by saying - there may be many hidden assignments available to the buttons that I haven't gotten to yet. This is a sort of "triage" assessment.

Things I like:
1) you can assign the real time knobs to be volume for any number of sounds/styles/songs. I chose #1 to be songs, bass and drums, and #2 to be keyboard sounds
... make for easy subtle changes during a song. Balancing is easier this way.
2) you can tell the knobs to control the volume/EQ of the "aux in" input, so I may not need a separate mixer for my iPad tracks. TBD
3) The guitar based sounds (esp. w/overdive) are great. Don Mason has used these for years, but I'm the new kid on the block with guitar sounds as a rhythm instrument.
4) Mixer/FX/EQ section is very easy to navigate. Always was, and I missed that. The key feel kept me from enjoying this feature for a long time.
5) It's not the Tyros/Genos keybed, but it IS much more playable than previous PSR offerings. In fact, I predict most players will be comfortable with this.
6) I like the "load next" in the song player. Korg doesn't do this, but to be fair - the dual player in the Korg is way better. Still - with a slight workaround, this is good.

Things I don't like:
1) The Leslie sim is terrible. Like Donny said - it's all or nothing, and actually changes the volume of the sound when pushed. Unless there's a buried menu item that addresses this - it's unusable for me (by no means a deal breaker. You can use the aux outs, and route to an outboard piece if organ is your priority)

**UPDATE** The Leslie insert effect works just like you want it too. The screen is pretty, and the slow/fast switch is gradual, and authentic. Pity that so far, the dedicated button will go to waste unless we can assign it to something else. If you use the joystick, you can get a gradual change, as well.

2) I haven't used a sustain pedal yet, but I remember lots of sounds that don't respond to the pedal (organs, strings) in past years - I hope this is a settable parameter. I like all my RH sounds to sustain to free up my hands to perform other navigational tasks.

So.... 6 to 2 - not a bad start, huh?

2) I haven't used a sustain pedal yet, but I remember lots of sounds that don't respond to the pedal (organs, strings) in past years - I hope this is a settable parameter. I like all my RH sounds to sustain to free up my hands to perform other navigational tasks.

My Sx900 review was honest and true for my needs as a player.... No BS... No Fluff.. Plain and simple..
I don't need to wait weeks as I have owned over 20 Yamaha units of all kinds.... I'll say this the imo S950, S970, sound best of all the S, & Sx motl line to my ears so far. But what do I know...

But what do I know...

Good question.

Donny, if I understand you correctly, you're saying that the PSR-s950 and PSR-S970 sound better than the new PSR-SX900???

Yes Michael in many ways... I have to go with what my ears tell me... new is always not the best...

Since Hammer has a 975 for sale, we could have a new contender in the keyboard mystery sweepstakes.

Yes Michael in many ways... I have to go with what my ears tell me... new is always not the best...

I found my sx900 sounded GREAT in my studio, but not so wonderful on it's own speakers so far!

Re: Leslie sim; I put a note on this in a newer thread also, but since that issue is mentioned here too - thought i'd mention that some of the Organ voices that are not "Organ Flutes" (i.e. don't use the virtual Drawbars), such as the "WhiterShade" voice, have the 'leslie' built-in to the samples; they don't use the Leslie Sim (Rotary DSP FX). So, the Rotary speed does not have the gradual speed changes. This was true for those same voices on Tyros3, Tyros and Genos. The "Organ Flutes" voices do (by default) have the Rotary DSP effect, which includes slow-down and ramp-up-speed effects . . .

Jim