Rumor has it Yamaha will no longer produce arranger KBs?

[Dnj]

I am hoping that what I am hearing thru the grapevine that this is NOT the case.
I guess due to the fact it has been SO LONG since we've seen anything new released this could be why people are thinking this way...?........

Thoughts?

[DrakeM]

So I guess Yamaha would be selling off that division to some other company. I wonder who it will be?

[Dnj]

Yamaha produces many more musical instruments and gear arrangers are just a small part of it weather they continue or not.. no one really knows for sure at this point. many loyal fans would like to hear some kind of definite news instead of being in the dark.

[mikf]

They recently launched a new CVP  and not too long ago a DGX. These are both essentially arrangers. I think the delay to issuing a Genos replacement may mean that a new TOTL arranger is not a priority. But maybe reading too much into that to think it signals an end to arranger type instruments for Yamaha. Sounds to me like the rumor mill going a bit OTT.
Mike

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi :

Recently Yamaha dealers are offering the Genos at a lower price.
It might be a sign a Genos' successor is expected.

JH

[EileenL]

Why should people be thinking this way Dnj. I certainly am not. Anyone who follows Yamaha will know that nothing will be released until it is ready to launch. Instead of starting these threads that go round and round and go nowhere why not just enjoy playing the keyboards you have.

[pjd]

I am hoping that what I am hearing thru the grapevine that this is NOT the case.
I guess due to the fact it has been SO LONG since we've seen anything new released this could be why people are thinking this way...?........

Thoughts?

Hi DNJ --

I know you're an old hand at this.

So many rumors have sprung up around synths, arrangers, etc., I just don't know where they come from and I now ignore all of them. The only evidence that I accept anymore is what holds up in a court of law, i.e., credible/official documentation.

Man, it's nuts out there. Officially, Yamaha are still issuing statements about supply chain problems and shortage of critical components (for example, DACs made by AKM, which is still trying to recover from a major factory fire). I suppose these spot shortages are making people jumpy. 

Anyway, keep playin' and havin' fun -- pj

[rikkisbears]

Hi Donny, did you that from anyone reliable, or just speculation on websites? That would be incredibly sad..

[ton37]

If so, so be it. After the ending (EOL) of Technics KN7000 years after its new revolutionair concept (there was nothing left to develop an profitable successor) I switched to Yamaha. Then there was  Yamaha's revolution with the Genos .... maybe the history repeats?? No problem to switch to Korg or Ketron.  .
Like.. Famous keyboards never die, they just fade away 

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi :

Unless Yamaha are not making ( enough ) profit on their high end arrangers, there is absolutely no reason why the #1 should stop their production, worldwide distribution and successful sales, IMO.

In September 2023 we will know a lot more, I hope.

Up to now there are only 2 competitors left and it looks like both have problems.
Korg have not resolved all their PA5X software problems yet and Ketron seem to have Event delivery time problems.

Cheers, JH

[Del]

I Believe in Yamaha so I will continue to patiently wait for their new flagship in the meantime I will continue to enjoy my T5 like I always have.

Del

[Dnj]

Thank you all for your replies,....... all good thoughts with Hopes & Dreams of continuation for the
Yamaha Arranger keyboard division to somehow release units that will appeal to the
New generation & Older loyal fans who have kept them going all these years. As Eileen has stated
"Enjoy what you have" for it's anyone's guess what will be. I hope sooner then later at this point.

"The most deafening sound in all creation, is the sound of absolute silence."

[EileenL]

As I always say don't believe any rumours you may hear.
No Yamaha employee would risk there job to start such a thing.

[DrakeM]

I just want to make sure I have enough Yamaha keyboards to last the rest of my life if Yamaha is closing up shop. I have TOOOO Much time invested in my styles. I am perfectly willing to purchase 3 more SX900 keyboards to insure that happens. 

[Dnj]

Is it possible these Top Of The Line arranger models have reached a pinnacle in sound & style technology?
If I'm being honest how much better do they have to be at this point?.... also, as time goes by other means of making music is always being invented which gives players so many other options to consider also.
The manufactures really have to try to come up with ways to make their KB products appeal to the target audience to make a profit & to satisfy the loyal fan base also with new and fresh features that people are will to spend money on other than what's already out there ..
Let's all buckle up hang in there & get ready for what is to come ..

[J. Larry]

That's probably the best advice, sit tight and see what happens.  No jumping ship, here.  I was thinking about selling the S975; but following Drake's point, might better hang on to it a while, as a backup to the SX 900.

[pjd]

Just found this article about the factory fire at AKM. It is a well-written article with pictures of the factory damage.

https://www.strata-gee.com/akm-fire-update-co-makes-progress-interim-solution-shows-promise/

AKM manufactures digital-to-analog converters (DAC), ADCs and other integrated circuits for audio equipment and automobile manufacturers. According to the article, Toyota helped broker a partnership in which Renesas will manufacture ICs for automotive only. No word on who may take up the slack in audio.

Yamaha is heavily dependent upon AKM -- an observation based on years of reading Yamaha service manuals. There are one or more AKM components in every mid- to high-end Yamaha digital musical instrument.

I worked for semiconductor manufacturers, and trust me, this fire was catastrophic for AKM and vendors dependent on AKM. Yamaha's statements about shortage of critical parts shows the lingering effect of this fire.

Just want to pass along factual information -- pj

[Jeff Hollande]

Is it possible these Top Of The Line arranger models have reached a pinnacle in sound & style technology?

It must not be easy and maybe almost impossible for a manufacturer, after more than 20 years, to invent and produce " something very new " that shakes the entire arranger keyboard world to its foundations when a new arranger has to be launched.
Improving means something completely different than inventing, IMHO.

JH

[Amwilburn]

20 years? I got my first Yamaha arranger in 1985, the PSR60! nearly 40 years!

[travlin-easy]

My first PSR was a PSR-500, followed by a PSR-5700, which actually was introduced before the 500. Prior to that I had an arranger keyboard made by the same folks that made my Microwave Oven - Mitsubishi. It was very limited, but I had a lot of fun with it.

I have enjoyed my PSR-S950 since it first came out, 2012 if I recall, and still enjoy it very much. Never saw a need to upgrade from that, mainly because it does everything I need an arranger keyboard to do, both on stage and in the office.

Donny, you have been spreading this same rumor for more than a decade, and it has never had any validity, and likely, never will come to be. I seriously doubt that arranger keyboards have reached the pinnacle, no more than cellular telephone apps. New and more advanced things will be coming out in the very near future as newer technology continues to be developed and expand.

All the best,

Gary

[Dnj]

Gary please don't shoot the messenger.....I'm only sharing what I've heard.
Time will tell us all we need to know old friend...

stay well

[Dnj]

https://www.epianos.co.uk/heres-my-best-guess-when-a-yamaha-genos-2-will-be-launched/?fbclid=IwAR15qrgh24s2kYxMhxeUcvS5FYeLOeRQalRb7Kx3_UndVEnjAle6nRir-rw_aem_th_AWdz77JPySQUNXz53IWvsalPmgGCsuQl2yhCSXDhAS7_RKK88DAdAT2d0HpYbJCrMfE

[EileenL]

All stuff we have heard before. Even if the shop knew when it would be released (which it doesn't) they would have there dealership of Yamaha taken away if they let it slip. Just sit back and wait and see.

[Toril S]

Since it is aganst my religion to sell a keyboard, I have 5 Yamahas and a Casio, so I will survive😀🎹😀 But I do NOT believe the rumours!

[Amwilburn]

Since it's against my religion to sell a keyboard *snip*

Hahahaha it sure is! You and me both!

[Toril S]

Oh yes I got The Urge some days ago, but stopped myself just in time. However I had to buy some keys, so I came out of the stor with a Melodica

[Dnj]

There are not many choices anymore in the arranger world,....unlike years ago when there were so many models to choose from many manufacturers. I am sad about that. Now with the few we have left & the frequency of releases it seems players are getting inpatient after all this time, Ketron & Korg finally release something so called new but trying to get one is difficult due to who knows what & shortages...
Yamaha has everyone in guessing mode after all this time .. so you play what you already have ....
or experiment with other types of keyboards, workstation, Dig Pianos, Daw programs etc, etc, ...
and prices seem to never come down even though the years go by. I wonder what is being said in R&D meetings when the question is asked...."What arranger kb can we design after all this time that will make us a profit & Keep our loyal customer base happy" I would love to have heard that discussion wouldn't you? I have tried almost every other keyboard out there, but always return to the all mighty arranger kb.
But now even after having a few of them 2x or 3x over again...the years have past & I now yearn for something completely new. Am I alone on this?.....or just nuts...

[Jeff Hollande]

Hey Dnj :

After the Genos it will not be easy for Yamaha to come with a complete new concept, IMHO.

At the end of 2023 we all expect a Genos' upgrade but be not disappointed if the new one will not be so spectacular like some of us might be hoping.
Let us call it now a  " regular upgrade " and hope most customers will be happy with the final result and the price. 

Best wishes, JH

[Dnj]

Hi Jeff...
Agreed ......I actually loved all of my Genos units (3) I'd say mostly everything about it checked all the boxes.
I am sure some players would like to see a few changes here & there, .... IMHO Yamaha should consider the most repeated feature requests & possibly implement them in a major software upgrade if possible before an actual NEW Unit release.

[Jeff Hollande]

Thank you, Dnj ! 👍

Another Genos' update ? ... hard to believe, I guess.
A Genos' successor, introduction in Nov 2023 ? I guess so. Cross my fingers.

Best wishes, JH