Have a few gigs under my belt with the SX900

[beakybird]

There's so much that I haven't tapped. This is a really awesome board.

Things I love:

The new voices - the vocal S.A. and Megavoices are awesome
The ability to have three voices. Not only can you get new textures, you can get more volume in those horns.
Lots of great styles + all of the Tyros 5 and Genos styles that now sound incredible.
The software is a great improvement
It's really great that you can freeze the modulation wheel setting and save it as a registration + you can make it so that the modulation only applies to your organ and not to additional voices.
The vocal harmony software is easier to use
The sub outs are pretty nice. If I'm recording keyboard audio, I don't have to worry about screwing things up my adjusting the keyboard volume to my tastes.
The keyboard is easier to pick up.
The touchscreen has a lot of advantages.
The second USB is very convenient. I'm keeping all my T5 & Genos files permanently plugged into the keyboard with a mini USB + backup registrations in case I lose my USB at a performance.
I like the assignable buttons and live control knobs. I like that when you turn the knob, it says what level you're at. I'm keeping these knobs and buttons fixed to one setting, and I'm putting labels underneath so I know what they're for.
Oh, the half fill capacity and the reset capacity are going to be invaluable for those songs that have a 2/4 or 3/4 measure inserted - like Thank God I'm a Country Boy, Strawberry Fields Forever, etc. It's about time!!

The things I miss from the S970:

Overwriting a registration was much easier. Now you have to go through a lot of steps if you just want to make a minor change to a registration and re-save it in the same location.
I miss having the mixer right there on the home screen.
I miss those gray buttons for increasing style, mic, and voice 1 & 2 volume. I miss being able to reset levels to 100 by pressing both up and down at the same time.
The S970 was actually a little easier at making changes to the mix on the fly.
Even though the assignable buttons are great, the SX900 took away some buttons that were on the S970 like Fade In/Out, Effect On/Off, and Text viewer.
I miss a dedicated menu of just R&B voices, just Country voices, just Swing voices, just Ballads. Yamaha screwed this up IMO.

[drvenom]

I think the fade in/out is on button 1 of the assignable buttons, and in the others some thing you missed.
It's more comfortable to have him where he was in the 970s, but once you get used to it, it's settled.

[beakybird]

I think the fade in/out is on button 1 of the assignable buttons, and in the others some thing you missed.
It's more comfortable to have him where he was in the 970s, but once you get used to it, it's settled.

I know this. What I'm saying is that even though the SX900 gives you the assignable buttons, it's missing some buttons from its predecessor. One good thing about the assignable buttons is that you can have different assignments for each registration. However, you would have to remember the location and function. For me, it's easiest choosing the six functions I use most or are the biggest pain to locate through the menus, and keep them fixed with a label underneath.

[blackpool]

 Great thread !!!  Yes it is a FINE instrument

The 6 assignable buttons are great ....SUPER position
And I just love you can pair them for octave up/down functions and transpose +/- ....etc.... Really handy press the pair together and they default back to original ( just as the real controls do ) .....that to me is just SO clever!

Best Yamaha yet for the price point IMHO

Keith

[beakybird]

The 6 assignable buttons are great ....SUPER position
And I just love you can pair them for octave up/down functions and transpose +/- ....etc.... Really handy press the pair together and they default back to original ( just as the real controls do ) .....that to me is just SO clever!


Keith

That's so cool, especially since there is no Direct Access combo that goes directly to the octave menu.

A few other improvements:

The keys feel more substantial - not piano-like, but less flimsy.
The speakers sound better. I don't notice an increase in volume.
The chord looper looks really cool for practicing a passage or creating layers for a song. I'll definitely use this. As a guitarist, I can see having fun with this.

[stephenm52]

Great post Beakybird.   

I agree with your thoughts on things you miss from the s970.

[Toril S]

Does it have an inc and dec button like Genos?

[mhack]

I am glad you like the sx900 VH software. I have had nothing but bad experiences with the VH. I cannot tweak the settings for vocal harmony where it sounds GOOD. If you have any suggestions, I would appreciate them when you have time. My Tyros4 was so easy. Great VH. Thanks!
Mhack

[CPAC]

If anyone has experience with both the SX900 and Genos;

1)  I was wondering if playing live gigs is easier with one vs the other? 
2)  Is the SX900 a little easier to learn if this is my first yamaha arranager?
3)  Lastly, does the SX900 have enough memory/storage to have 50 to 100 songs in your list?

Thank you!
Chris

[DrakeM]

The Genos is bigger and heavier than the SX900. How good is your back and how big is your car?

Both keyboards can read a USB card. So the number of songs there is no limit.

Drake

[Jeff_M]

If anyone has experience with both the SX900 and Genos;

1)  I was wondering if playing live gigs is easier with one vs the other? 
2)  Is the SX900 a little easier to learn if this is my first yamaha arranger?
3)  Lastly, does the SX900 have enough memory/storage to have 50 to 100 songs in your list?

1) Lighter weight, easier to transport. 
2) Don't know, having never owed a Genos
3) I have over 200 songs on my list and have used less than 25% of the memory. 

[CPAC]

Thank you Drake and Jeff for those answers.  Very helpful.
Chris