Next Yamaha Arranger Keyboards

[Denn]

Yamaha keyboards, next list.
Genos3 will have an 88 note keyboard and maybe some modified voices and styles. No point in putting in more styles, less is best.
SX910 will be based on the present Genos the main thing will be the inbuilt speakers but still with a 61 note keyboard.
SX950 will be based on the present Genos the main thing will be the inbuilt speakers but with a 76 note keyboard.
Anything more in the production line (creating new styles and voices etc) will be getting away from the home keyboard arranger.
Just my opinion.
Denn.

[mikf]

They can't meet the demand for Genos 2, Genos 3 is so far away you would need the Hubble telescope to see it.
Mike

[DaPaleRider]

For me it is important when Yamaha support the current arrangers for longer with updates and new functionality.
I think next year they will release new arrangers.

[DrakeM]

The SX series has to stay at 61 keys to be portable for gigs and the built in speakers are fine as they are my monitors. I already have purchased my separate PA system, I don't need Yamaha to provide that for me.

[hans1966]

Personally I think that the new SX series will be released in mid-2025

Surely it will come with G2 features, and others typical of the update

greetings

Hans

[Denn]

Hello Drake, My sentiments exactly. My SX700 does very well. Denn.

[BogdanH]

I'm curious in regard of current SX900/700 owners... What would be your reason that would move you to buy the successor? In sense: "if it won't have this, then I'm not switching" or "if it will have this, then I'm switching" -by keeping wishes reasonable 

Bogdan

[Keystar]

The one upgrade from the SX700/900 that I'd really like to see is XLR mic input with phantom power. That would eliminate the need to bring a mixer when gigging as a solo singer/keyboardist. Harmony would be nice but not essential.

I brought the Genos 1 but had to return it because of a defect in the key bed. Now that my curiosity of owning a Genos has subsided, I've decided to hold off for a while to see when and what the next sx900 or pa1000 upgrades will be.

[DrakeM]

My keyboard is over 10 years old now. I will buy what ever the next PSR/SX model has on it.

At this point, I'm an easy sale. 

[AllanM]

 
I'd love to see an enhanced chord looper, with full editing abilities, quantizing, etc.

[Divemaster]

I'm curious in regard of current SX900/700 owners... What would be your reason that would move you to buy the successor? In sense: "if it won't have this, then I'm not switching" or "if it will have this, then I'm switching" -by keeping wishes reasonable 

Bogdan

Hi Bogdan

I think Yamaha will learn from the recent late introduction of the G2 that buyers want more information PRIOR to making purchasing decisions based on fact. What were they selling  Nobody knew? Why the secrecy? Accepted, they wanted to make "a big announcement" (more like a damp squib) but when it arrived it was just another plastic keyboard..... For an exorbitant price!
There was too much hype, and FAR too much delay.

Personally I would NEVER buy an expensive keyboard like the G2 on impulse. And keeping the details of it so secret, for so long, was, in my view,  counter productive.

Sure, they will sell, but I want to know, long before I hit the store, exactly what I'm getting for my money. I want to study the spec, read everything I can about it, and most importantly, go and play one.  YouTube is all very well but anyone can make a turd shine!

As a result I am certain that's why many of us migrated to the Pa5X. We got fed up waiting.

I've got 2xSX700's. Will I replace them. No.
The reason is simple. They do what I bought them for. I made a good decision. They are the perfect arranger keyboard. As is my Pa5X.

Keith

[BogdanH]

hello Keith,
I think that Yamaha achieved the only goal that they had in mind: to crank up Genos sales (at least for certain period of time) -and so there's nothing for Yamaha to learn.
It's probably because I need to be careful with my expenses, but I really can't understand those who make purchase at the day of introduction -because not only initial price is usually blown up, but also because we don't know the whole truth at that time. Well, we all make our decisions and we must live with them.

I agree with you about SX700: it has the best price/performance ratio. But that might depend on where we live... I've heard that in USA, price difference between SX700 and SX900 isn't that big as here in Europe and so SX900 is probably better choice there.

Will I buy SX700 successor? Depends.. but I will for sure be very picky at my decision. For example, I want a proof that it has better keybed (current keybed quality is embarrassing). But my wish is, to step a bit higher and here I can only see Pa5X 61key right now -but only if Korg fixes existing OS issues till I save enough money. Luckily, I'm patient 

Bogdan

[mikf]

I don't think it matters which new model you are talking about, buyers upgrading to it from the previous 'same' model are a minority. So the answer to your question is fairly moot. Basically there are seldom enough reasons for anyone to jump to the successive model.
Most sales come from from people with no arranger at all, people with much older arrangers, people with much lesser models looking to upgrade, or people with other brands looking to change.
And I agree with you that there is no evidence for Divemasters point that Yamaha somehow screwed up the launch of Genos 2 and sales suffered. I think they are probably getting the sales they expected.
Mike

[BogdanH]

hi Mike,

..Basically there are seldom enough reasons for anyone to jump to the successive model.

-I agree with you.
What moved me to that question was because of the fact, that some have jumped from Genos1 to Genos2 and so I was curious in what case SX owners would do the same.
I did switch from PSR-S775 to it's successor, SX700. Main reason was touch display and three RH voices -and I don't regret my decision a bit.

Greetings,
Bogdan

[mikf]

TOTL replacements are a bit different, in that there is nowhere else to go, the latest will pretty much always be the best that is available, even if that 'best' is not that much of an improvement. And there are a number of enthusiasts who always want to be at the sharp end, lined up to buy, almost regardless.
If they can afford it, why not.
But if you look back at some of my posts during the build up and all the speculation, I did say that I expected many to be a bit disappointed with what eventually emerged. Not because I knew anything, or had any inside knowledge - but because successive models have always had more modest improvements than people seem to expect, and those expectations had also grown exponentially due to the bigger time gap in releases. So it was inevitable that many would express disappointment.
Mike

[J. Larry]

In possession of the SX900 at the moment.  I generally move up to the next upgrade if---

1.  To my ear and liking there is a noticeable improvement in voices, styles, and overall sound
2.  Price is manageable
3.  Able to sell what I have (I've had good luck with that)
4.  And, simply, the enjoyment of a new toy for making backing tracks and live play
5.  No more reasons needed

[Luis Carlos GM]

Don't know about the PSR-A series (someone here created a topic about that future keyboard), but I believe it will release at the same time as, or 1 or 2 years after the future PSR-SX workstation?
An owner of a PSR-A3000. I wanted to purchase the A5000 but I think that I'm closer 2 or 3 or so years before the new keyboard comes.

[metcam]

I am owner of PSR A-5000 (close to similar like SX-900).

As a soon new A? model will be released I will buy one.

Upgrade to newest model will be reason.

Best regards.

[Luis Carlos GM]

I'm still thinking of buying the A5000 this year. If a new model comes on 1 or 2 or so years, will buy one, as I'm sticking on having just 2 keyboards that I can use for playing outside or live, and 2 just for practising to prevent any confusion. E.G. if a say PSR-A6000 comes 2 years after I've purchased the A5000, will use my A6000 just for practice while the previous is more outside and such.

[Amwilburn]

I mean, the A5000 released in mid 2021 (the sx700 & sx900 were both late 2019) so I'd expect at least a year after the sx750/sx950 (or whatever they number them). And since they followed 2 years after the G1, I'd assume at least a year and a half after G2, if not 2 years (late 2024 to 3rd quarter 2025). So the soonest I'd expect A6000 is 2026, if you wanna keep waiting?

Mark

[richkeys]

I'm curious in regard of current SX900/700 owners... What would be your reason that would move you to buy the successor? In sense: "if it won't have this, then I'm not switching" or "if it will have this, then I'm switching" -by keeping wishes reasonable

Bogdan,
My answer to this is below in order of priority:

1. Replace the Concert Grand with the G2's CFX Grand and I will upgrade immediately. The CFX piano is all I need, but will take the C7 one also. I'm not sure why Yamaha hasn't included a CFX piano in the flagship PSR. Either they want to steer some to the Genos or it simply costs more to have extra memory to handle the better samples. I would be willing to pay a few hundred dollars more for this. A new G2 quality strings patch would be great too.

2. Increase the expansion to 3GB

3. Maybe some upgrades to make the sound output even better, perhaps add the revelation reverb or an upgraded DAC

Rich

[Enildo]

I'm curious in regard of current SX900/700 owners... What would be your reason that would move you to buy the successor? In sense: "if it won't have this, then I'm not switching" or "if it will have this, then I'm switching" -by keeping wishes reasonable 

Bogdan

The 13 things I wanted on the next PSR yamaha keyboard:

01. Recording style tracks with the sustain pedal
02. Saving custom Drum Setup Kits
03. CASM section in Style Creator
04. Lyrics / Text in .PDF or .Doc format with colorful letters
05. Half Bar Fill physical button without the need to use Assignable buttons, freeing them for other uses.
06. The return of the physical Fade in / out button
07. The return of the video output (preferably HDMI) without the need for adapters
08. 04 buttons (knobs) Live Control
09. In the "Speaker" function, in addition to the "Headphone Switch, On and Off selections," the "Internal speakers only" function. In this case, they would cut all the keyboard outputs
10. The possibility of recording S.Art voices on MultiPads
11. Editable Arpeggio function
12. Vocal Harmony On / Off indicator light on the panel
13. Two microphone inputs with independent Mic Setting / Vocal Harmony controls

https://www.psrtutorial.com/forum/index.php/topic,57314.0.html

Enildo

[BogdanH]

hi Enildo,
Thank you for pointing me on post that you've made a while ago -I have read the whole thread carefully again 

So, you would upgrade to SX900/700 successor only if it would fulfill all these 13 conditions? I ask because I think, that you're mainly pointing out the things that you wish next keyboard would have.
Usually most of the wishes we have are not implemented in successor and still we buy it... or we don't.

For example: as far I can remember, not many wished for Genos1 successor to have better/more voices (consensus was that they're already pretty good), not many asked for LED's around the knobs, etc. Still, many decided to buy Genos2, even none of the wishes that were expressed (except audio interface), was fulfilled.
Of course it's to be expected, that successor will have some features that we didn't think about before -many times these give additional "push" to click on "buy" button.

Ok, let me answer my own question:
I will consider to buy SX900/700 successor only if it will have the same/similar keybed as Genos -otherwise I will definitely not buy it.
Things like a bit more expansion memory and some gimmicks are to be expected anyway. And so my final decision will depend on what else will be implemented that I find useful for me (especially in style creation area). Ok, I wish 50% of voices to be replaced with new/better ones, but here I'm probably asking for too much 

Greetings,
Bogdan

[KurtAgain]

I will consider to buy SX900/700 successor only if it will have the same/similar keybed as Genos -otherwise I will definitely not buy it.

Welcome to the club!
And because that will never happen (SX will have the same/similar keybed as Genos), our next keyboards will probably be called Genos. And that's exactly what Yamaha wants.

[overover]

...
My answer to this is below in order of priority:

1. Replace the Concert Grand with the G2's CFX Grand and I will upgrade immediately. The CFX piano is all I need, but will take the C7 one also. I'm not sure why Yamaha hasn't included a CFX piano in the flagship PSR. Either they want to steer some to the Genos or it simply costs more to have extra memory to handle the better samples. I would be willing to pay a few hundred dollars more for this. A new G2 quality strings patch would be great too.

2. Increase the expansion to 3GB

...

Rich

In order to integrate additional memory-intensive voices such as high-quality pianos and/or increasing the Expansion wave memory, the internal wave memory would probably have to be significantly expanded in an SX900 successor. A second Tone Generator chip (SWP70) may even need to be added (as with G1 and G2) because as far as I know, a single SWP70 Tone Generator chip can only manage a maximum of 4 GB of NAND Flash memory.

Here is a comparison of the internal wave memory (NAND Flash) used for the sample data of Preset Voices and Expansion Voices:

SX700:    SWP70 * 1, total 1 GB NAND Flash
SX900:    SWP70 * 1, total 2 GB NAND Flash
Genos1:   SWP70 * 2, total 6 GB NAND Flash
Genos2:   SWP70 * 2, total 8 GB NAND Flash


Best regards,
Chris

[BogdanH]

hi Kurt,

...our next keyboards will probably be called Genos. And that's exactly what Yamaha wants.

... you might be right.
But in my case that won't happen because in my eyes Genos2 isn't worth 3-times the price of SX700, or the double price of SX900.
What I'm saying is, to call it a progress or upgrade worthy, existing keyboard segment (mid-range in this case) should be noticeable improved -a bit more expansion memory and few new voices & styles won't make my eyes sparkling.

Just sharing my thoughts,
Bogdan

[richkeys]

In order to integrate additional memory-intensive voices such as high-quality pianos and/or increasing the Expansion wave memory, the internal wave memory would probably have to be significantly expanded in an SX900 successor. A second Tone Generator chip (SWP70) may even need to be added....

Chris,
Good info. I didn't know the Genos' have a second chip. As I said above I would be willing to pay for that, maybe up to $3,200 USD for at least a high quality piano or two and still be half the price of a Genos2. That would move the SX900 successor a little more towards the Genos and further away from the 700, but it's all just wishful thinking at this point. The 900 is such a Classic instrument, but they should continue to improve it.

Rich

[richkeys]

to call it a progress or upgrade worthy, existing keyboard segment (mid-range in this case) should be noticeable improved -a bit more expansion memory and few new voices & styles won't make my eyes sparkling.

Keep in mind that 2 more GB of expansion allows for so many more pack installations if one values that. I think Mark estimated the number difference in another post.

I agree a few more extra voices and styles isn't much, however I am specifically wanting just a high quality piano or two which just might make my eyes sparkle **

Your wish for a better keybed makes sense. The SX keybed is not great and feels more toy-like than professional. I know this by comparing it side by side with my MODX7 keybed at home. The MODX bed, which gets its own heavy criticism, is a lot better than SX, especially for piano solos. But I don't see Yamaha ever changing the keybed on SX arrangers at this price.

Rich

[pjd]

I agree a few more extra voices and styles isn't much, however I am specifically wanting just a high quality piano or two which just might make my eyes sparkle **

Your wish for a better keybed makes sense.

Hi Rich --

Yamaha's typical development strategy is to trickle down sound sets: e.g., Genos -> SX900 -> SX700

If Yamaha is feeling generous, they might give the SX900 the Genos1 CFX and C7. Maybe. The higher-quality Genos2 CFX is a big differentiator for that product.

As to keybed, playing AP or EP on the synth-like arranger keyboards is a loser. I have a CSP-170 and the piano experience is vastly elevated over Genos1, MODX, etc. The CSP-170 EPs are no better in sound than the SX700, but the NWX keyboard makes it a dream to play Rhodes. [Mike usually chimes in here.  ]

I've given up waiting and waiting for Yamaha to trickle out technology. I'd rather be busy designing styles and sounds, and playing. 

Best to all -- pj

[BogdanH]

hi Rich,
You're probably right about "better keybed won't happen at this price".. not because it's impossible, but because that's how Yamaha decided to differentiate keyboards.
Again, I'm not expecting aftertouch or other features. The feel of SX900/700 keybed is good enough as it is (at given price), however I do expect better long term quality: keys rattling after less than a year of use, is simply not acceptable -regardless the price.

Bogdan