My Genos Froze.

[Pianoman]

Until my health forced me into retirement 2 years ago, I made my living as a full-time entertainer, performing more than 400 times a year. My biggest fear, and I only encountered this 2 times in more than 30 years, was to have a major equipment failure. Fortunately, I never had a complete keyboard failure, though I did have a corrupt file cause the keyboard to lock up. Like Abby, I had to unplug the keyboard in order to shut it off, then did a minor system restoration when I fired it back up. Also, had an amp die on the job, but I carried a spare and was back in business in just a couple minutes.

I agree with Abby about many of the problems he has, and because of his success with the T3, I think that I would have purchased a remanufactured T3 instead of the Genos, then purchased another for a backup board. When I was still working, I had a complete backup system available and everything was identical.

Good luck, Abby and I sincerely hope you are able to find solutions to the problems you have been experiencing.

Gary

Hello Gary.

It's good to hear from you old friend.
I was thinking about you just yesterday as I listened to the song Laura receive the
full G.Diamond treatment.
Great, great stuff and a worthy tribute to your daughter.

I must apologise for laying low these last couple of months.
I've been struggling to get my keyboard ready for my gig season.

As you know, once the merry go round starts there's no way of getting off until it
stops by itself.

So I won't be able to do much tweaking now until mid November.
I think that I've accomplished a lot these last 2 months but there's still much
more to do.

Let's see what the new updates will bring.

My Best Regards.
Abby.

[Pianoman]

Hello Lee and Jerryghr.

I unfortunately can't move to another location in the room, as the management wants
that whoever walks by from the terrace or elevators should be able to see me.
As well as those entering the hotel lobby.

Jerryghr, it is just a visual effect that the speakers seem to be in another room.
Actually they're leaning against the pillars.

I only have one more gig in this hall, where I only play in May and October.
Then we shall be moving to a big stage outdoors, facing the sea.

There I shall be able to blast away and be heard all the way to Sicily.

Best Regards to all.
Abby.

[DonM]

Good luck my friend.  I'm also going through setup on a different arranger.  Still have the PA4X which I love, and also Roland EA7, which is really quite amazing at the cost.  It is my backup unit and available for quick jobs outside my regular venue.
I'm also experimenting with a module/controller setup and making progress, but slowly. 
I seldom play my Yamaha.  It has pretty much been relegated to fourth place.  Good news is that they are ALL great arrangers these days, you just have to work with them a while.
I'm certain you'll get everything under control soon.

[beykock]

Hi,

Reading Pianoman's comments, it might be useful to hear from other Genos giggers how they feel about this new instrument.

Most Genos owners are saying the Genos is the best arranger keyboard ever made but apparently Abby has met a different experience.

I am told the Genos is a complete different " beast " than the Tyros.
Maybe Abby needs a lot of time to find out all the ins and outs of the Genos ?

Babette

[Fred Smith]

Reading Pianoman's comments, it might be useful to hear from other Genos giggers how they feel about this new instrument.

Most Genos owners are saying the Genos is the best arranger keyboard ever made but apparently Abby has met a different experience.

I am told the Genos is a complete different " beast " than the Tyros.
Maybe Abby needs a lot of time to find out all the ins and outs of the Genos ?

Babette,

We Genos affectionados have posted lots, but as Abby stated in his first post on this thread, he doesn't want to hear any more.

It appears you either love Genos, or hate it, and there's not much in between.

Cheers,
Fred

[Pianoman]

Good luck my friend.  I'm also going through setup on a different arranger.  Still have the PA4X which I love, and also Roland EA7, which is really quite amazing at the cost.  It is my backup unit and available for quick jobs outside my regular venue.
I'm also experimenting with a module/controller setup and making progress, but slowly. 
I seldom play my Yamaha.  It has pretty much been relegated to fourth place.  Good news is that they are ALL great arrangers these days, you just have to work with them a while.
I'm certain you'll get everything under control soon.

Hello Don old friend.

Thank you for your well wishes and encouragement.
I see that you're still rocking.
I haven't had much time to scour the other forums lately.
It's the job's gathering intensity.

Best Regards.
Abby.

[PierreSW]

Hey!
It's not just GENOS that freezes.
Found this on Korg's forum.
Such happens with computers as well.
// Pierre

PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 9:45 pm    Post subject: Pa4X frozen in Live Gig   Reply with quote
For the first time my Pa4X had frozen after performing about 8 months with it.

It was in the middle of a gig and heard a sound like Bipppp coming from Pa4X.
I did Panic operation (Shift + Start/Stop) but it did not cut of the sound.
I had to reboot the keyboard.

Very annoying and frustrating when it happens during the Live performance.
Anybody has any idea how to prevent or remedy this issue?

[beykock]

It might happen electronic instruments and/or computers
are freezing.

Maybe most of us experienced this frustrating action once or twice.

The reason why it happens is not easy to find out.
IMHO technicians can answer that question.

Babette

[EB5AGV]

Have you ever experienced a mobile phone freeze?. Or a laptop freeze?. Or a desktop computer freeze?. Even a router freeze?

All of them have lots in common. Most rely on some kind of UNIX operating system. Of course, Android is. Even Windows is built over a UNIX core (Edit: that last sentence is wrong, sorry!)

So well, from time to time, the very complex software structure of those things crashes. There is no 100% uncrasheable operating system, at least on consumer level.

Of course, good operating systems leave a trace so programmers can figure out what happened an try to fix that exact crash. But there are so many different possibilities that it is impossible to cover all.

I have been a programmer for decades and have also worked on the hardware side which could also generate some problems but I think, lots less probable than a software freeze on Abby case.

Just my 2 cents worth 

Jose

[Robert van Weersch]

Even Windows is built over a Unix core.

The Windows kernel (not core) is entirely developed by MS. The only "Unix"-like thing in Windows, are the Windows Services for Unix.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Windows_NT
I think Windows is even one of the few OS'es which has no *nix heritage whatsoever.

(I've been working 100% in Windows development for a few decades, so I should also know a thing or two about Windows    )

[EB5AGV]

OK, I stand corrected about the UNIX kernel on NT-based systems. They share some concepts but not the kernel itself.

What I wanted to stress is that most current devices use some complex operating system which is inherently able to crash, more or less elegantly 

Jose

[Robert van Weersch]

Yes, that is, unfortunately, very true.

[EB5AGV]

Yes, that is, unfortunately, very true.

My first computer, back on 1982, a Commodore VIC-20, never froze by itself, on normal use... But I was able to crash it by some weird manually-coded assembly code (well, I was 14 then and had little clue on programming ! )

Jose

[Pianoman]

Hello Everyone.

Thank you all for your helpful advice and suggestions.

I would like all of you to know that I have read every single comment and give
them all serious thought and consideration.

Like I have reiterated so many times over the past year, I am a big Yamaha fan,
and for the last 47 years, I have exclusively used Yamaha products for all my
musical needs, apart from a Fender Rhodes, my current JBLs, and the Kawai MP11.

That is a lifetime, many people don't live to reach 47 years.

This point seems to be somehow lost on people or just overlooked by those who
may wish to conclude that I am on a Yamaha bashing expedition.

Whatever concern that I post about the Genos is only limited to the issues that
bother me. Not the Gemos itself as a whole, and definitely not Yamaha.

I've always had the utmost confidence in Yamaha products for 47 years and
I find no reason for that confidence to be diminished.

Even the most tight knit families have disagreements on particular issues
every now and then, and that's ok.

When I feel that the issues that bother me are resolved, I will also come out and
say so very loud and clear.

Best Regards.
Abby.

[Dnj]

Maybe whenever it is released GENOS 2 will fix some of these concerns....
freezing up is one thing but not liking the way it sounds is another.....
may I ask what rig setup  before Genos you did enjoy and like the way it sounds?

good luck

[StuartR]

Hello Everyone.

Thank you all for your helpful advice and suggestions.

I would like all of you to know that I have read every single comment and give
them all serious thought and consideration.

Like I have reiterated so many times over the past year, I am a big Yamaha fan,
and for the last 47 years, I have exclusively used Yamaha products for all my
musical needs, apart from a Fender Rhodes, my current JBLs, and the Kawai MP11.

That is a lifetime, many people don't live to reach 47 years.

This point seems to be somehow lost on people or just overlooked by those who
may wish to conclude that I am on a Yamaha bashing expedition.

Whatever concern that I post about the Genos is only limited to the issues that
bother me. Not the Gemos itself as a whole, and definitely not Yamaha.

I've always had the utmost confidence in Yamaha products for 47 years and
I find no reason for that confidence to be diminished.

Even the most tight knit families have disagreements on particular issues
every now and then, and that's ok.

When I feel that the issues that bother me are resolved, I will also come out and
say so very loud and clear.

Best Regards.
Abby.

Abby,

As I suggested in an earlier post,  playing through a pure sinewave UPS and a surge protector with both EMI and RFI filtering would help prevent problems caused by noisy AC circuits. I recommend and use the ISOBAR line of surge protectors by Tripp Lite. They're not expensive. A suitable UPS and ISOBAR power strip will cost less than $150 US.

[King Size]

Hi Genos Player,
The sound of the genos is good. Of course, you can be divided Opinioss on the Revo drums.
For my way of playing, the Genos touch screen is not good. I play mainly with Midifiles. When I choose the next midifile on stage while playing a Midifile, it happens again and again that I come to the touchscreen field of another Midifile ... and the running Midifile stops ... and the new one starts. How embarassing. I strive incredibly that it does not happen ... but in the stress of the stage, it happens again and again. Yamaha forgot to integrate a pre selection function.
Saturday I played the first hours outside ... I could not see anything on the touch screen. Despite the good sound that makes the Genos unusable for me. I have 2 options: 1: I play all Midis in the future with the PC Live Player on my Shuttle Touchscreen PC ... 2. I go back to the Tyros 5 or PSR 975.
Do not have other users this problem?
regards
Siggi

[Fred Smith]

Hi Genos Player,
The sound of the genos is good. Of course, you can be divided Opinioss on the Revo drums.
For my way of playing, the Genos touch screen is not good. I play mainly with Midifiles. When I choose the next midifile on stage while playing a Midifile, it happens again and again that I come to the touchscreen field of another Midifile ... and the running Midifile stops ... and the new one starts. How embarassing. I strive incredibly that it does not happen ... but in the stress of the stage, it happens again and again. Yamaha forgot to integrate a pre selection function.
Saturday I played the first hours outside ... I could not see anything on the touch screen. Despite the good sound that makes the Genos unusable for me. I have 2 options: 1: I play all Midis in the future with the PC Live Player on my Shuttle Touchscreen PC ... 2. I go back to the Tyros 5 or PSR 975.
Do not have other users this problem?
regards
Siggi

Siggi,

You should use the Song Player on the Genos. It's much more flexible than what was on the Tyros (or PSR), as you can include both midis and audio files. It has the pre-select function you want. While a midi is playing, you can select the next one (on the touch screen). When you're ready to play it, you touch it again. Even better, you can start it with the Enter button, which is much less error-prone than the touch screen.

For outdoors in sunshine, nothing works well. Certainly the Genos is better than the T1 or T2 was. If you're going to do an outdoor gig, you should insist on a canopy being available.

Cheers,
Fred

PS. It would have been better to start a new topic for these questions.

[Pianoman]

Maybe whenever it is released GENOS 2 will fix some of these concerns....
freezing up is one thing but not liking the way it sounds is another.....
may I ask what rig setup  before Genos you did enjoy and like the way it sounds?

good luck

I used a Tyros3 together with the same sound system that I'm using now.

I am also using mostly T3 and T5 styles for the moment, after having tried the
Genos styles.

Best Regards.
Abby.

[travlin-easy]

Stuart, Abby uses some heavy-duty equipment while performing, and most of the USP systems I've seen that would handle that much current cost well over $200. The system you quoted would be for the keyboard only and not the amps, mixer, lights, etc...

Gary 

[King Size]

Hi

Thank you for the Answer,
oh sorry, yes i should open a seperate Threat for that.

I have been using the genos for 6 months now. I have not discovered a song preset function.
I think I'm getting old.
Does anyone use this song preset function?
Siggi

[Cheshire Chris]

Stuart, Abby uses some heavy-duty equipment while performing, and most of the USP systems I've seen that would handle that much current cost well over $200.

True, but when one has equipment worth many, many thousands of $, that would seem like a reasonable investment.

Regards,

Chris

[Pianoman]

Hello Gary.

I'm happy to  see you posting.
I answered your previous comment and about the song Laura.
I don't know if you've read it.

I'm also happy to announce that I'm playing in the same hotel tonight where the Genos
froze last Thursday and there has been no Genos freeze.

In fact I've been playing in different hotels since the Genos froze on Thursday and
everything has been hunky dory.

Best Regards.
Abby.

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

The Genos is really a computer and all computers occasionally freeze. Sometimes midi glitches happen and you get that awful noise until reboot.
It is what they do and sometimes too many actions in quick succession can freeze a computer system.
All the Best
john

[Toril S]

I also have a freeze now and then on my PSRS.

[Joe H]

I've had a PSR 510, an S910 and now a S970 for the last 25 years in the same location/house.  I don't turn the keyboard on when there is an electrical storm because we sometime have power outages. 

Under normal conditions I experienced no freezes ever... so it must be the electrical mains with variable voltage or spikes.  I think a ups device would work for areas with inconsistent voltages.

Joe H

[travlin-easy]

Hi Abby, glad you enjoyed my rendition of Laura and hope things continue to improve for you as the season progresses. Also very happy to see that you have an extremely busy schedule. My only wish is that I was in good enough health to travel to Ibiza to meet with you in person, but alas the health issues have worsened considerably during the past six months.

Keep in touch and keep us posted about your progress, old friend,

Gary

[stephenm52]

My Genos froze too, but I wasn't at a gig but I was transporting it from the cold north to a warmer climate. The overnight temps were in the single digits. Actually my wife and I were frozen too with those temperatures.       Sorry no harm intended I thought I'd just add some humor to the discussion.

My more serious thought is I can understand Abbey's concerns it's too bad he couldn't have got his hands on another Tyros 3.  It has to be very frustrating for him playing keys that he doesn't care for. 


I don't think I've ever read so much controversy anywhere about any arranger keyboard as there has been about Genos since its release.  Me? I own one use it for gigs and have never had a problem, but I don't play gigs 6 or 7 days per week.

I take no offense when the Genos is criticized, I know it works for me and I'm happy with it, if I'm not I just head over to my Korg Pa4x.

[beykock]

Hi,

The Tyros has always been Abby's favourite instrument.
He never liked the Genos that much, remember his comments.

If a professional like Abby has approx. 6 gigs every week, a spare arranger keyboard is always a must, IMHO.

Babette

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi Abbey
I am in agreement 100%
A professional should always carry a spare with anything that involves computerized components.
With all the possibilities and Murphy's  law It makes common sense.

All the best
John