Arranger keyboards

[Inno]

Hi,

I've recently been doing some demos on arranger keyboards (whoop ty doo). But seriously, I was wondering what your perception of Yamaha's Tyros 2 is?

The three I've been working on is the PA1x Pro from Korg, Roland's G-70 and the T2 from Yamaha.

Personal, I think the T2 is a bit of a joke.. how could it be considered a professional instrument, sure, Yamaha like to make out that it's used by pros world wide, but when it comes down to it, it's a home keyboard. But, there's no denying some of the sounds and preset backings are good.

I think that the PA1x Pro (especially with the v3 updated) is the best for all round music.. especially with the 76 notes (unlike a certain Yamaha instrument).

Anyways, was just wondering if you've got any opinions on the top three as I've only just got into the arranger keyboard "market". (Oh, and please don't turn this into a discussion on which is better.. arrangers or workstations :tongue: )

[el mae de las teclas]

Actually the reason of my reply is because I was just planning to write a topic asking about why arranger keyboards, and specially the models you posted here, are so incredibly expensive!
I guess I still have the idea that an arranger keyboard is something like a Casio with 100 sounds and 100 rythms.... of course that's not true but maybe you can help me understand a bit what kind of stuff can be done on this machines that will justify such a high price (even higher that many workstations).

Maybe a brief comparison between workstations and arrangers? Cause I honestly have never understood what they are good for.

Thanks for any reply.
Andrés

[Over The Edge]

Tyros 2 demo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gelx07Egt7M

[Inno]

The Tyros has to be one of the worst "top 3" arranger keyboards. But, once again - Yamaha have done an awesome job with the marketing.

[hephiroth]

Maybe a brief comparison between workstations and arrangers? Cause I honestly have never understood what they are good for.

from my experience, professional arranger keyboards are good for "1 man band" acts...people that want to, for example, load a MIDI file with better-than-average instruments and either play along on keys & sing...or i've also seen people that play guitar & sing along with the MIDI. you'll see them perform at restaurants & hotels mainly...i saw a lot in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

-jeff-

edit: also, these are just big with people who want more professional sounds but don't want to have anything to do with programming or "confusing" synth techniques that you would find in a workstation. yes, a workstation has more power, but it can oftentimes take more know-how to harness that power. a pro arranger does a better job of making more features available to the avg. user, even if the end result is less power and flexibility than a workstation

[Inno]

from my experience, professional arranger keyboards are good for "1 man band" acts...people that want to, for example, load a MIDI file with better-than-average instruments and either play along on keys & sing...or i've also seen people that play guitar & sing along with the MIDI. you'll see them perform at restaurants & hotels mainly...i saw a lot in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

-jeff-

edit: also, these are just big with people who want more professional sounds but don't want to have anything to do with programming or "confusing" synth techniques that you would find in a workstation. yes, a workstation has more power, but it can oftentimes take more know-how to harness that power. a pro arranger does a better job of making more features available to the avg. user, even if the end result is less power and flexibility than a workstation

BUT arranger's aren't all about just loading a midi file or whatever and letting it play itself.

Arrangers are also good if you just want to simply try out a few ideas... planning pieces etc.

I agree with the ease of use aspect. But hopefully the stigma against arrangers is starting to wear away now, I mean, the OASYS has sax samples from the PA1x.. not the other way around.

Arrangers are all about having sounds at your fingertips instantly, and not about making your own. Mind you, the new high end arrangers seem to be giving more flexibility.

[Inno]

In this age where computers and software occupy a large section of the music technology market, it’s easy to forget that not so long ago hardware keyboard workstations were the order of the day, and were the most powerful compositional tools available to the musician. Manufacturers such as Korg, Roland and Yamaha made names for themselves with keyboards that incorporated disk drives, upgrade boards and memory chips. Since computers superceded workstations in terms of power and price, keyboard manufacturers have, for the most part, concentrated on improving the sounds in their machines rather than pushing the limits of how much gadgetry they could shoehorn into one keyboard. In the home keyboard market, however, development of all-in-one products has continued apace. Presumably this is to fulfil the needs of those learning to play or people who want a one-box solution to playing music with accompaniment.

I just got that off the top of a Music Tech magazine review on the PA1x Pro.

[el mae de las teclas]

Thanks guys, that do help! Of course I'll keep my distance from those, since I can sure give better use for my money.

[Inno]

Thanks guys, that do help! Of course I'll keep my distance from those, since I can sure give better use for my money.

If that's what suits you, fine. But they sell so they must have their uses.

[hephiroth]

Thanks guys, that do help! Of course I'll keep my distance from those, since I can sure give better use for my money.
If that's what suits you, fine. But they sell so they must have their uses.

yeah, before you write them off, i'm guessing you were leaning toward a pro arranger (or you wouldn't have wanted to ask the question in the first place), so i would suggest trying one out before you eliminate them as a possibilty. the pro ones really sound great and have a lot of cool features that may end up being more useful to you in the long run.

then again, maybe you're after more customization in sound programming...so you have to be your own judge in the end...

[Inno]

yeah, before you write them off, i'm guessing you were leaning toward a pro arranger (or you wouldn't have wanted to ask the question in the first place), so i would suggest trying one out before you eliminate them as a possibilty. the pro ones really sound great and have a lot of cool features that may end up being more useful to you in the long run.

then again, maybe you're after more customization in sound programming...so you have to be your own judge in the end...

Great advice, very open minded.