2019 NAMM YAMAHA - Any important release?

[Enildo]

Any major release of keyboards arrangers in the "2019 NAMM"?
I was expecting a new PSR (s680 or 690 or s990, etc ...).

Hug to everyone!

[hans1966]

I also expected something like that. let's wait and see if at the Summer NAMM we can see something. greetings Hans

[vbdx66]

I was expecting the PSR E273, E373 and S675 and all we got so far was the E360 

Regards,

Vinciane

[EB5AGV]

I was expecting the PSR E273, E373 and S675 and all we got so far was the E360 

Regards,

Vinciane

I was also expecting a PSR-S675 or 680... But, well, I will keep busy until it arrives with my other keyboards! 

Jose

[rogerc]

I was hoping but not expecting a new PSR S 980 (?) or something close to it.
Nothing.
I am looking for a a PSR S975 with 88 keys, hammer action and the great sounds it delivers.... all for undr $2700 USD.
The Casio Px 560 looks interesting but just not up to the sounds and overall ability of the PSR S instruments.
Now I have to decide if I am going to upgrade my PSR S900 to the 975 or wait?
RC

[Bachus]

The only thing Yamaha released keyrelated is 2 stagepiano's and a keytar..

The CP 88 and 73 are identical, exception the keybed..
Soundwise they added a Bösendorfer, and went back from 420 to 39 sounds compared to CP4
Seems the same technollogy and engine inside as the cp4

Main difference, the engine, cp88 and cp73 have a Nord like structure with 3 parts..

[SeaGtGruff]

The only thing Yamaha released keyrelated is 2 stagepiano's and a keytar..

... And the PSR-E360, don't forget that!

[Bachus]

... And the PSR-E360, don't forget that!

Really?

Maybe my arrogance, but whats new about that?
For me just a new sticker on the same old same..

[SeaGtGruff]

Well, in defense of my answer, you did not say "completely new key-related releases." Besides, it's my understanding that the keytar is a reworking of a previous product, so is it really "new"?

In any case, the PSR-E360 is presumably the same as the PSR-E263 (although that's an assumption based on the number of voices and styles and polyphony, and until we can compare their manuals we won't know for sure), with the important difference being that the PSR-E360 has a velocity-sensitive keyboard as compared to the PSR-E263 which does not.

[Bachus]

The only thing Yamaha released keyrelated is 2 stagepiano's and a keytar..

The CP 88 and 73 are identical, exception the keybed..
Soundwise they added a Bösendorfer, and went back from 420 to 39 sounds compared to CP4
Seems the same technollogy and engine inside as the cp4

Main difference, the engine, cp88 and cp73 have a Nord like structure with 3 parts..

In defence of Yamaha

I found out there is not only a new Bosendorfer sample..
But also a new Yamaha C7 sampleset, which is brand new and arguably the most used STudio grand by Yamaha
There also is a brand new U1 upright piano..
Same goes for the CP80 samples..
And the whole DP cattegory are new samples..

But for the rest its just the same technollogy under the interface...

[vbdx66]

Well, in defense of my answer, you did not say "completely new key-related releases." Besides, it's my understanding that the keytar is a reworking of a previous product, so is it really "new"?

In any case, the PSR-E360 is presumably the same as the PSR-E263 (although that's an assumption based on the number of voices and styles and polyphony, and until we can compare their manuals we won't know for sure), with the important difference being that the PSR-E360 has a velocity-sensitive keyboard as compared to the PSR-E263 which does not.

Hi Michael,

IMHO the E360 is a pure marketing product. In Europe, if you take for instance the Woodbrass music store, they sell the E360 (pre-sale) for € 242, whereas the E363, with its USB slot, bi-directional digital audio interface, ability to control musical software on an iPad or a computer, memory slot to accommodate 10 user styles etc., sells currently for € 185!

As compared with the E363, a beginner's favourite, the E360 is a fraud. Except for its looks, the E363 is vastly inferior to the E363.

The only interest that I would see to the E360 would be if it completely replaced the E263, at exactly the same price tag.

Come on Yamaha, you can do better than this, esp. with Casio targeting its excellent CT-X 700/800 at beginners!

Just my 2 cents,

Vinciane

[vbdx66]

Well, to make my point, Jeremy See just posted this YouTube video where he is drawing an illuminating comparison between the Yamaha's PSR E253, E360 and E363, as well as the contender, the Casio CT-X700. Very instructive IMO:

https://youtu.be/XSc35aJiHzE

I am wondering whether Yamaha are aware that Casio released the CT-X line last year, or are they just blind...?

Vinciane

[Toril S]

I saw it!

[SeaGtGruff]

I'm definitely not trying to promote or justify or defend the PSR-E360, by any means. My only point was that— whether we like it or not, and even if we might like to forget about it— the PSR-E360 was a "keyrelated" release from Yamaha at the Winter NAMM this year.

[Bachus]

I'm definitely not trying to promote or justify or defend the PSR-E360, by any means. My only point was that— whether we like it or not, and even if we might like to forget about it— the PSR-E360 was a "keyrelated" release from Yamaha at the Winter NAMM this year.

There is much truth in this statement..

[Toril S]

And the color of the casing was spot on. I would REALLY LOVE to have such colors on the S models as well!

[CindyG]

I saw Jeremy's video too - he made some excellent points.

[Joe H]

By Yamaha model numbering system, the PSR E360 is a downgrade from the E363... it offers less, so why the price increase?

I think some of us are getting really disappointed in the Yamaha's current marketing model.

With the S975 (a S970 replacement), we saw a few added features and more expansion memory for the same price as the S970.

Joe H

[pjd]

Hi --

I can't get too worked up about the PSR-E360. I took a quick scan of the E360 page at the Yamaha USA site just to get the gestalt of the product positioning.

They're selling to people who care more about furniture than specs -- definitely not "tech heads." Is that so bad? The entry-level market moves 10x or more units than the mid-range. (I don't have the exact USA sales numbers at my fingertips.) If the new color shifts more boxes, good on Yamaha.

Personally, I don't like the styling myself. Reminds me of a faux woodgrain dashboard in a 1970's Ford.  Then again, the target market -- which may not even really be the USA! -- might love it.

All the best -- pj

[pjd]

Michael mentioned the Yamaha SHS-500 keytar. The SHS-500 platform is essentially the same as the Yamaha Vocaloid VKB-100 keytar. The VKB-100 had 13 or so musical instrument sounds in addition to the Miku, etc. Vocaloid stuff. The musical instrument sounds are (roughly) PSR-E quality.

Yamaha has not really been able to make much money on Vocaloid outside of Japan. So, it makes sense to re-purpose the VKB-100 and produce an inexpensive, fun keytar for the world market.

A few random links below -- pj

http://sandsoftwaresound.net/yamaha-shs-500-sonogenic-pre-review/
http://sandsoftwaresound.net/yamaha-shs-500-follow-up/
http://sandsoftwaresound.net/winter-namm-2019-yamaha-sonogenic/
http://sandsoftwaresound.net/vocaloid-keyboard-announced/
http://sandsoftwaresound.net/yamaha-vkb-100-redux/

[Joe H]

... Personally, I don't like the styling myself. Reminds me of a faux woodgrain dashboard in a 1970's Ford. 

               

Joe H

[vbdx66]

Hi --

I can't get too worked up about the PSR-E360. I took a quick scan of the E360 page at the Yamaha USA site just to get the gestalt of the product positioning.

They're selling to people who care more about furniture than specs -- definitely not "tech heads." Is that so bad? The entry-level market moves 10x or more units than the mid-range. (I don't have the exact USA sales numbers at my fingertips.) If the new color shifts more boxes, good on Yamaha.

Personally, I don't like the styling myself. Reminds me of a faux woodgrain dashboard in a 1970's Ford.  Then again, the target market -- which may not even really be the USA! -- might love it.

All the best -- pj

Hi pj,

I have nothing against Yamaha marketing the PSR E360 as a piece of furniture on which you can play music. What I find unpalatable is that in France it is advertised for 249 € whereas the much more sophisticated PSR E363 now goes for 185 €.

And if parents buy the E360 for a kid, they will also find it unpalatable when they will realise that they can't even connect the keyboard to a computer nor to an iPad. This might be acceptable for the E263, which hasn't touch-sensitive keys, but not for the E360. IMHO, if parents are enough music-oriented to care about touch-sensitive keys, they are probably geeky enough to care about digital connectivity.

And there are contenders: here in France, the Casio CTK-3500, which currently sells for about 140 €, has touch-sensitivity, a pitch-bend wheel, an USB socket to connect it to an iPad, android device or computer, as well as on-bass and full-range chord recognition modes (I don't count the Dance Music mode because it is more a gimmick than something else and I would rather have had an onboard arpeggiator). Actually, I am seriously considering buying the CTK-3500 myself as a second keyboard for travelling, vacations and gigging with friends (at this point, I am strongly hesitating between the CTK-3500, the CT-X800 which has the arpeggiator and the hype AiX sound chip, and the PSR E363 with its bidirectional digital audio interface).

Just my 2 cents,

Vinciane

[SciNote]

Since we're also mentioning some Casio's, check out this little bugger I came across...

https://www.casiomusicgear.com/products/privia-series/px-s3000

This is quite interesting, and the price I'm seeing on various musician's websites is about $800 US -- Right around PSR-S670 territory

Basically, 88 weighted keys, 700 tones, 200 rhythms, 3 track sequencer, but then where it really gets interesting is 192 note maximum polyphony, string resonance and damper/key-action sounds for the piano sounds, as well as two live-control knobs.  Also has an arpeggiator and 96 registrations, though I don't know what parameters can be stored to the registrations.

Basically, it seems to have a lot of the sound capability of a PSR-E463, but with the advanced piano nuances found on much more expensive keyboards.  Still a bit out of my price range, but would be interesting to see when it becomes available locally.

[SeaGtGruff]

There is also the new Casio CDP-S350, which I think has comparable numbers to the PX-S3000 as far as its tones, etc., although I think it has much lower polyphony, possibly a lower-quality keybed (but still good I hope), and which costs a good bit less.

[vbdx66]

Hi,

Actually the CDP-S350 has the same specs sound and features use as the CT-X800. By the way after having tried both the CT-X3000 (the UI is a nightmare) and the PSR E463 (mediocre keybed), I am seriously considering the CT-X800 as a replacement to my long gone E433.

Regards

Vinciane

[EB5AGV]

Hi,

Actually the CDP-S350 has the same specs sound and features use as the CT-X800. By the way after having tried both the CT-X3000 (the UI is a nightmare) and the PSR E463 (mediocre keybed), I am seriously considering the CT-X800 as a replacement to my long gone E433.

Regards

Vinciane

Some time ago I tried the CT-X700 and the PSR-E463 side by side on a local music shop and was amazed by the keybed difference. For me, the Casio was lots closer to the DGX660 feel, which was my reference (of course, it was not by any means the same)

I have been toying for months with the idea of getting a PSR-S670, a PSR-E463 or a Casio CT-X5000 as a light-enough portable keyboard, as the Genos nor the DGX660 are good for that. But can't decide! 

Jose

[SeaGtGruff]

I was considering the CDP-S350 as an 88-note keyboard, although I really don't have any room for another keyboard right now, especially one with 88 keys. And I definitely don't need to be spending any more money on another keyboard right now!

[vbdx66]

@Jose,

Beware that the CT-X5000 is portable but I found it bulkier than the E463.

I have the same issue as you have: my DGX650 is not portable (you can move it in another room of the house at the most) and I need a light, fun portable keyboard but I can't decide which. I am strongly tempted to try the CT-X800. The only hesitation I have is about the impossibility to adjust the relative volumes of the Upper1 (aka Main), Upper2 (aka Dual) and Lower (aka Split) voices. 

@Michael:

If you want to toy around with a Casio keyboard, try out the CT-X800 in a music shop. It has all the bells and whistles of the CDP-S360 (same data sheet, same specs excepted for the 88 keys of the CDP), it is lighter, more portable, and has only the standard 61 keys. And it is also much cheaper.

Regards,

Vinciane

[beykock]

Due to the high number of competitive products ( low prices ),  I wonder if Yamaha will continue the production of this type of keyboards in the near future.

IMHO Yamaha's market share might be low, right or wrong ?
Or maybe strong in Asia ?

Babette

[Bachus]

Due to the high number of competitive products ( low prices ),  I wonder if Yamaha will continue the production of this type of keyboards in the near future.

IMHO Yamaha's market share might be low, right or wrong ?
Or maybe strong in Asia ?

Babette

I think since production and development costs of these low end keyboards are extremely low... they make a huge portion of their money this way...

Yamaha's market share in europe is still considerable, as most music shops prefer to sell Yamaha as thats the products they make most money with/piece

This cattegorie of keyboards is huge in Asia, where typically only under €1000 sell well to extremely well..