Yamaha PSR-E373 and PSR-EW310 now on Yamaha's US Website!

[SciNote]

I just took a quick look at the specs of the PSR-E373, and the big things that I see are the expected Super Articulation Lite voices, and DSP settings.  It indicates 38 DSP settings, which is quite a bit more than the 10 on the PSR-E453 and E463.  However, while there is a DSP button, there are no live-control knobs, so I don't know what kind of adjustment and control is available on these DSP settings.

Looks interesting, and it seems that if Yamaha is including these features on the 300-series, then the E473/EW420 could really start to get interesting when they become available.

[SeaGtGruff]

Something else you missed, no doubt because it's "hidden away" in the MIDI Reference, is that all three Portamento CCs are recognized-- Portamento Time (CC#5), Portamento On/Off (CC#65), and Portamento Control (CC#84). I'm guessing those aren't available from the panel controls or function menu, but at least they can be used in MIDI song files and style files, as well as sent from DAWs and other external sequencers or controllers.

[SciNote]

Good call there!  I checked the manual, and I don't see any reference to being able to use portamento from the keyboard, so it may be a MIDI-only feature.  It does have an impressive set of DSP effects -- kind of reminds me of my old PSR-520.  What is weird, however, is that I see no reference to any way to adjust or fine-tune these effects, yet in the description of one of the effects in the function list (the 3 band EQ, effect number 37), it describes it as having adjustable low, mid, and high equalization.  But I don't see where those parameters can be adjusted, unless that is also a MIDI-only feature.

Another interesting feature is that the Super Articulation Lite feature can be set to activate by the sustain pedal, instead of just the panel button.  That allows you to use it while still playing a background accompaniment with your left hand, but then it appears to take away the sustain/damper function of the pedal.

[pjd]

Always cheering for the E-series!

SArt Lite is a nice addition and the new-to-E DSP effects -- rotary speaker and a few Real Distortion effects, plus others. Would CC#83 be external articulation control?

Yamaha seems to stunt the E-series MIDI implementation. Michael and I took a deep dive into the E-series and couldn't find a way to select DSP effect type or parameters through MIDI. "XG Lite is waaaaaaaaay light in that regard.  Looks like they stayed with original SFF1, too.

It'll be interesting to see the feature bumps for E473.

All the best -- pj

[SeaGtGruff]

Would CC#83 be external articulation control?

Huh, I didn't even notice CC#82 and CC#83 in the MIDI Implementation Chart. Both are on/off parameters.

CC#82 gets transmitted by the keyboard, so I wonder if it might be associated with the SArtLite button?

CC#83 doesn't ever get transmitted, although it can be received.

[SciNote]

Always cheering for the E-series!

SArt Lite is a nice addition and the new-to-E DSP effects -- rotary speaker and a few Real Distortion effects, plus others. Would CC#83 be external articulation control? ...

Rotary speaker and distortion are actually some of the DSP effects in the E453 and E463, but there are quite a few new ones on these new E300 series keyboards, such as various amplifier simulations, auto wah-wah features, and ensemble detune.

[pjd]

Rotary speaker and distortion are actually some of the DSP effects in the E453 and E463, but there are quite a few new ones on these new E300 series keyboards, such as various amplifier simulations, auto wah-wah features, and ensemble detune.

Hi Bob --

Yep, I don't have an E453/E463 right now, but have an SHS-500 with the same rotary speaker and distortion effects. Near as I can tell, the new rotary speaker and Real Distortion effects will be on-par with the equivalent S-series and Tyros effects. I couldn't say the same for the "gang of ten" DSP effects previously added to the E-series (and SHS-500).

I'm pretty excited with the improvements; it looks like Yamaha has really tried to up their game (sounds) at the entry level. Long overdue.

Hey, hey, take care -- pj

[Bedj]

Another improvement on the E373 is the addition of a better piano sample, the one you find on the Ew410 (live grand piano)

[vbdx66]

Hi guys,

Any idea about what "LSI tone generator" means? Sounds like the model name for a washing-machine to me. I am wondering whether Yamaha did not simply give a name to this so-called LSI tone generator to compete with Casio's AiX soindchip. Sheer marketing IMHO.

Interesting product nonetheless. It is missing a pitchbend wheel, more regs and a slot to accommodate an USB stick. So the real winner will be the E473 I guess. The Live! knobs will enable the players to make out the most of these new DSP's.

Regards,

Vinciane

[SeaGtGruff]

In electronics, "LSI" normally stands for "large-scale integration," although LSI is supposedly no longer used because it's been replaced with VLSI (very large-scale integration) and ULSI (ultra large-scale integration).

However, I don't know if that meaning is consistent with Yamaha's use of "LSI."

[vbdx66]

Thanks Michael 

[tekorei]

I'm curious if this new PSR x73 series has better Electric Piano sounds, from the voices list I saw a voice Cool!/Sweet! Suitcase EP.

[tekorei]

A few electric piano sounds in this video from Jeremy See:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZcpF2SlWF0

I still would like to hear a more 60s like electric piano sound, the ones in the video sound more like 80s, like the Venus / Galaxy voices available already in the PSR E 463. I find them really good, but to my taste, I would like to hear some early Rhodes/Wurlitzer sounds.