PSR S970 to PSR SX600... Thoughts?

[samson8884]

Hi Everyone,

I currently own a PSR S970 and I am looking for  light weight options that could replace it. I would surely need an arranger so synths are out. I was considering the CTX 5000 which seems to have high end features for a very low price, but the lack of realtime control knobs, limited set of registration banks, menu driven interface for voice editing and above all the quality of styles compared to Yamaha were some of the reasons that did not convince me.
I have also considered Korg's i3 and EK50, but those did not convince me either.
Then I happened to look at the new SX600 and looks like it ticks all the boxes. I also believe that most of my existing registrations should work with minimal tweaking.

I know it would be a downgrade from the s970 to the SX600 and I am willing to let go of a few features. But is it really a downgrade?

Here is my criteria...
1. Light weight ... Let's say not more than 8.5kgs
2. Should be able to play styles and recall registration settings straight from USB without the need to load them in internal memory. This essentially means I get unlimited registrations and 0 load time for the styles.
3. Should be able to use modulation wheel/knobs to adjust filter cutoff in real-time
4. Should support at least basic voice editing/tweaking like ADSR and filter cutoff/resonance
5. Minimum 2 layers for right hand, 3 would be good to have
6. AUX input support
7. Real-time volume control for AUX input preferred
8. Multipads for additional backing (internal sounds is fine, WAV/MP3 is good to have)
9. Mic input with FX is good to have. I don't use vocal harmony so it can be skipped
10. Style editing/tweaking is a must have. Style assembly, step editing, drum setup (drum instrument revoicing is a must).

Do you think the SX600 would fit the bill?
What features would I lose?
Any other keyboards worth looking at?

Looking forward to your expert opinions. Cheers!

~ Sam

[Toril S]

I would go for the sx900, or even the SX700! Bigger screen, more features.

[samson8884]

Definitely Toril, however my main criteria is less weight. The SX900 and SX700 weigh about the same as my S970 ☹️

[Toril S]

Yes, a little over 11 kilos. I believe the XS600 is around 8 kilos. The SX600 has more modern sounds and interface, but even tye S970 is a much better keyboard, but that is just my personal opinion😀

[overover]

Hi Sam,

PSR-S7xx/9xx models (just like Tyros models) have display buttons (A - J) for a relatively simple and quick operation. PSR-SX700/900 (just like Genos) have a touch display. However, the PSR-SX600 has neither of them (NO touch display!), i.e. you have to operate EVERYTHING using the cursor buttons (similar to the PSR-S670). I not only find this very annoying, but for ME it is an absolute knockout criterion for the SX600.

I STRONGLY recommend that you get at least an SX700.


Best regards,
Chris

[Toril S]

I fully agree with Chris!!

[Enildo]

Hi Sam!

I tested a friend's SX600 at home, and found a fantastic sounding and feature-rich keyboard from the SX lineup!
Although it doesn't have the VH2, it does have a mic input with the main effects and controls that make s650 and s670 owners jealous. Knobs for live control work like the SX line. Not to mention the new Unision & Accent features that are really cool and only he has.
I was surprised and imagined myself swapping my SX900 for it, and I think the only thing I would really miss would be the VH.
If your number 1 criterion is weight and you don't care about VH, be happy!!!
Then if you don't like it, everything won't be lost, you can sell it and buy another model!
That's my opinion!

Enildo

[samson8884]

Thanks everyone, for your inputs... I'll surely consider all that you have said.

@Enildo, this is exactly what I thought when I went through the manual of the SX600. Glad to know you concur. As I said, my main criteria is weight. I dont use VH2 on my S970 itself.

The lack of A-J buttons is a bit of a let down. Since there is no touch screen, these would be very useful... but during live use I rely heavily on the registration banks, so I feel the lack of A-J buttons won't be a deal breaker.

[samson8884]

Does anyone have any opinions about the keybed of the SX600? Better/worse than S970?

[overover]

Does anyone have any opinions about the keybed of the SX600? Better/worse than S970?

Hi Sam,

the SX600 has an "Organ (standard)" keyboard (and therefore exactly the same as the S970). SX700/900, on the other hand, have the (much better) "Organ (FSB)" keyboard.


Best regards,
Chris

[tyros2009]

I have my SX600 for almost two weeks and really love it. I just play a friend's PSR S910 yesterday (many hours) for a friend party.
This one sounds no good compared to the SX600. I have not tried the S970 so I could not tell its voice quality.

What does the SX600 miss ?

1) direct access to a folder containing user data on USB thumb drives (styles, songs), my Tyros3 has this feature. It is pretty quick to go to a desired folder on the USB thumb drive.

2) lack off buttons at left and right of the screen allowing to select items shown with one button push, SX600 uses arrow keys to navigate to desired item, then ENTER to select it.

These two "omitted" features make changing styles slower during a live show.
I work around by putting about 16 frequently used styles in the USER area for quick access. Hundreds of other styles are still under various folders in USB drive.
For commonly used voices, I save them in 2 registration banks. A single button push will select the voice I saved.

3) the screen is smaller, but it is crisp and clear. I can read it easily with my old eyes. If I can, anyone can.

On  the positive side, SX600 has a few features not seen on other keyboards: 
1) USB audio interface, I found that this is a great feature. It get rid of my Lambda audio interface box, my MacKee mixer (for microphone). Just need one single USB cable between PC and keyboard. I could not do this with my Tyros3.

2) UNISON, a good feature during live play. I post on youtube a 2 minutes video demonstrating just this feature very clearly.
             https://youtu.be/wXGDCSbnloo

3) ACCENT, have not tried it yet. However, the knob#2 was configured to allow reducing the number of instruments involved in the accompaniment part.
    At maximum, all instruments in the accomp part play at their set volume. Turning this knob left slowly, one by one get muted.
    At minimum, only drum and bass play. Very useful feature during LIVE play.
If you can play accompaniment with right hand (using guitar or piano voices), the whole thing will sound more lively and not so repetitive.

4) right hand volume control, assigned to the knob#1. Very handy to adjust the right hand volume to balance with the style volume DURING LIVE PLAY

5) TEMPO reset button: this button exists on Korg keyboard even from the very first one (PA-50), only exist on SX serie now. I use it mainly to re-synchornize with a singer show sing out of beat !!! Just push this button when  they sing at the first beat of the next measure. HATE to run into this but not all friends can sing to the beat properly.

6) good sounding voices, and .... of course LIGHT WEIGHT and LOW PRICE are very attractive.

More over, I like the audio recording of this SX600, directly to the thumb drive. On the Tyros3, recording goes to the hard drive first, then you can optionally record vocal on second track. Finally mix them then export the mix as WAV file on USB thumb drive. Too many steps are needed on Tyros3.
Recording to Audacity using audio interface of the SX600 streams line this process and not limited to only 2 tracks.









 

[tyros2009]

I forgot to mention another good feature on SX600: audio file linked to a PAD.
I dreamed about the capability to play a song (MIDI or audio) while playing rythm. The SX600 has it ;-)
When do I use it ? Some songs require a fancy interlude (or intro, ending). Playing these parts live will not sound as rich as when they are recorded as multi MIDI tracks.
Then from these MIDI short songs, I records them as WAV audio, cut off the silence part at the start. Then link them to an user pad.
During live play, just need to push the correct PAD button to play the short song and it sounds great.
Optionally, these WAV songs could contain vocal too.
The only restriction of this feature is the key and tempo of the selected style have to match with WAV song.

[panos]

Hi Samson,
I believe that I am not mistaken, but the SX600 doesn't have the Tab "Edit" of the Style Creator.
So if you want to make any changes to individual notes of an existing unlocked style part,
you have to do it on the PC by using programs like Mix Master or Style magic.

[tyros2009]

I played the TYROS3 for 12 years now, and bought the SX600 because it is very light, easy to carry out to gigs, especially small gigs. Yes, it is more combersome to navigate using arrow buttons. By arranging frequently used styles, voices in User area, it is not too bad.

[janamdo]

 I do play also on a sx600 and it is a complete keyboard what is capable to play at a good musical level.
Userfriendlyness is important for a keyboard , but it has his price

[tyros2009]

Update to ALL my previous posts: I found that the sound quality of the SX600 is below the S910 (and of course below the S970 by a long gap), so I returned my SX600 to local Guitar Center (full refund within 45 days of purchase). If you do not case much about sound quality, then SX600 is a pretty good keyboard at low price, and it's light to carry to gigs.
Peronally, I would keep the S970 if I had it.

[travlin-easy]

Sounds like it is time for  you to begin working out with arm weights - this keyboard is really light in comparison to those of years past. At just 25.57 pounds, this is a real lightweight when compared with the Roland G70 at 55 pounds and my old Yamaha PSR-5700 at 52 pounds. Of course I was fairly young when I owned them, and the weight didn't bother me. Back then, I had some Peavey 15-inch speakers with a Black Widow Spider tweeter that tipped the scales at 79-pounds and I placed them on speaker stands 5 feet above the floor - WOW! Now, at age 80, the my PSR-S-950 stays on the keyboard stand in the office.

All the best,

Gary

[vadesriux]

Hi Sam.

Seems to me you already are pretty much decided on the SX600. Yamaha doesnt make bad instruments. It is a really good brand and has always been. Like Roland, Korg and others.

I have tried a MX61 a few years ago and the sound that came out of it was really good (lots of Motifs sounds). But the box and keybed of the instrument itself were weak quality wise. Of course the MX61 was really cheap even coming from Yamaha, so you always get what you pay for. Cheaper means cheaper quality. Unless you are talking about luxury brands which is not the case.

Were am I trying to get with this? If you buy the SX600 you will have an inferior keybed and you can bet - not so good internal sound chip (listen to the Genos refined internal sounds...). Besides the small screen of course. So if all this doesnt bother you too much you will be fine with the 600. As I said even with not so good physical parts, this keyboard will still produce very good sounds.

As for the weight? Having owned a Motif XS6 for quite a few years (15kg) the 11,5 kg of the SX 700/900 are nothing compared to that, I can assure you.

[Normanfernandez]

Just keep the 970 

[tyros2009]

Just keep the 970

AGREED 100%, I bought the SX600, played for 4 weeks than had to return due to:
1) voice quality is worst than S910
2) tiny screen
3) no buttons for screen navigation, replaced by 4 arrow buttons.
I also agree that it is light, easy to carry around. But it looks kind of small (->>> lighter)
Two days ago, I bought second hand a PSR S770 to carry to small gigs instead of T3 or Genos.
I am very happy with its sounds.

[samson8884]

I took the plunge about a month back and bought the SX600 after selling my Yamaha MOX6 synth since i wasn't using it much (not playing in a band anymore).
My primary usage has shifted to solo keyboardist for worship music. For this I need an arranger keyboard with built in styles., hence the MOX had to go.

Observations so far:
1. Most of the voices that I use on the S970 are also available on the SX600. A few 'Pad' sounds are not present, but I was able to tweak a few of the voices and make them close to the S970 pads that I use.

2. A majority of the styles on the SX600 sound as good as the S970. A few of them sound different since the voices are not available, but that does not make a huge difference since these voices are part of the orchestration and subtle differences cannot be heard most of the time.

3. I prefer the keybed of the SX600 over the S970 anyday. It feels much more resposive.

4. The in-built speakers are surely not as good as the S970, but I mostly use external amplification, so that is not a big drawback.

5. The reduction in weight is a huge plus for me

7. Some voice specially the electric guitars do not sound as good due to lack of VCM effects. The S970 wins here hands down. However I rarely use guitar voices.

8. The string voice on the S970 are better, specially the spiccato strings. Just to compare, the spiccato strings on the MOX were far far far better (read dynamics) on the MOX. Guess I have to live with this.

9. The small screen and cursor key interface does not make much of a difference to me. I got used to the interface very quickly since the MOX too had cursor keys.

10. The buttons on the SX600 are hard plastic and much better than the clumsy rubber buttons of the S970. I would think the higher end keyboards would have better buttons. Eg. my top of the PSR series PSR 3000 had hard plastic buttons. I have no idea why Yamaha would do something like that.

11. The SX600 has a very good mic input now. It's wonderful to have this option. I would not have bought the SX600 if it did not have mic input. I don't use VH (vocal harmony) so I don't miss it.

12. The plastic quality is lower, so screws need to be handled with care. The threads break off if screwed/unscrewed too many times. I had this problem on my MOX as well. The input jacks feel flimsy compared to the S970.

13. I wish the SX600 had tweeters. I miss the clarity on the in-built speakers. The bass is lacking too compared to the S970. On a side note, I have observed that the in-built speakers on the S950 sound much more fuller than the S970.

14. The user interface software on the SX600 is much better, specially the mixer screen.

15. Using the Dynamics Control for the styles on feels much more realistic and is more usable on the SX600 compared to the S970. I had never even bothered trying this on the S970, but I happened to accidentally turn it 'on' on the SX600 and I was pleasently surprised when I heard how dynamic the styles sounded. I tried it on the S970 and immediately turned it off after a few tries. I think it boils down to the keybed of the SX600. As I said above, I prefer the SX600's keybed.

16. I wish the Style Event Edit function was present on the SX600

Overall, I miss the VCM effects and a few pad voices that I use to layer along with Piano/E.Piano.
Other than this, the SX600 is a winner for me.

[Divemaster]

I have the PSR-SX700 and cannot fault it in any way.

It's an ideal mid range arranger.

I think the touch screen controls are an absolute game changer. I had an original Tyros previously, and there's no way I'd go back to all that button pressing.

The choice is yours.

[mixermixer]

I'm on the camp where OP should have kept the S970 and wait to upgrade to the SX700/SX900. I honestly don't get why Yamaha releases the SX600 (also the S670 for that matter), it just feels like a dirty cash grab and torturing the users by hobbling around on the bad UI, but I guess this is better than the toy E series... I recently upgraded to the SX900 from the S770 and really enjoying playing and recording midi songs on it. 

[samson8884]

Just to clarify, I have both...the S970 as well as the SX600.

[Alistair53]

The SX600 is a extremely good keyboard and the Unision & Accent features are excellent and produce very good sounds.

[hans1966]

Yes, I agree that it is a good keyboard.

But it would be much better if at least an Mp3 audio player had been added, since its older brothers (SX900/700)
They have both a recorder and an Mp3 audio player on board, as well as a WAV audio player and recorder.

just my thoughts