Genos 2

[chesterkins]

So what are the opinions of the new Genos after the presentation
The positives and the negatives?
Who  will buy?

[RonsonDenmark]

The ambient drums seem like something to 'set and forget' (per registration), not something I would fiddle with in a performance.

Style dynamics sounds good and very useful, but again, not something I want to fiddle with while playing.

Bluetooth audio is a nice addition, but I don't know if that was also available in the first Genos?

"MIDI to style" I don't have any expectations for, they are usually mediocre at best.

[jimlaing]

Some things I like:
- better angle on screen (and supposed to be brighter, clearer?)
- FM sound engine (I play a bunch of '80s songs)
- Bluetooth (not sure I'd use it much)
- Style Dynamics and Ambience stuff - sounds useful
- New brass, ethnic sounds, nylon guitar, new pianos (and some with more layers)
- more memory (expected)
- two more assignable buttons
- lots of new styles (albeit many might be highly song-specific)
- LEDs and rotary encoders


Thing I don't know about but want to:
- did they improve the "Organ Flutes" and Leslie/rotary effects?

[Danny1972]

So what are the opinions of the new Genos after the presentation
The positives and the negatives?
Who  will buy?

If I have to be honest, it didn't impress me enough, there was nothing there that wowed me at all. Most if not all of that could have been added as a v3 updated in the existing Genos. I will look forward to the SX900 successor though, that should be a great update.

[vlbrgt]

Is there already a manual or specs availbale for the new Genos 2 ?

[EileenL]

Wow I am sure Yamaha have a winner there. The sound improvement was brilliant and with New Voices, New Styles,. New Effects An anti glare screen and lots more.

[BogdanH]

Manuals are here:
https://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/keyboards/arranger_workstations/genos2/downloads.html#product-tabs

Bogdan

[Danny1972]

Wow I am sure Yamaha have a winner there. The sound improvement was brilliant and with New Voices, New Styles,. New Effects An anti glare screen and lots more.

I will sure be looking forward to the many reviews here when people get them. You know, something like this is very exciting, especially if people have been looking forward to this, it brings people pleasure and joy, and I really like that.

[vlbrgt]

My personal opinion :

Pro   HDMI connector for external monitor
Pro   MIDI2STYLE converter (provided it works properly)
                Can the MIDI2STYLE be used on a PC to create styles for Genos 1 ?
Pro   Bleutooth
Pro   USB audio interface
Pro   Vocal cancel
Pro    Speakers from Genos 1 can be used on Genos 2

Pro/Con   USER memory 15 GB instead of 56 GB on Genos 1
                Is not really an issue for me
Pro/Con   4795 €

Con   USB naming still random when switching on Genos 2
Con   Step Edit can not use USER styles

Regards
Etienne

[Bill]

I can't say for sure, but it appears that the sliders and rotary controls are not Encoders just pots with an Led surround.

Missed opportunity.

I also wonder if the Midi to style app is compatible with other Yamaha keyboards.

Will I be buying one?  Not to sure at this moment, although some of the features are very interesting.

Regards
Bill

[AndrewKeyz]

Already answered in another thread but for those wondering about the Midi to Style app Genos 1 compatibility:

This app can be used only with models which are compatible with SFF GE format (such as Genos2).

[vlbrgt]

Genos 1 is also SFF GE compatible.
SFF2 is another name for SFF GE I think.

[GrannyRocks]

And increased polyphony to 394! I don't remember if the old one had a built-in audio interface. Improved piano.

I ordered it, but I don't have my Genos 1 anymore. To me, the most important thing is the sound, and this promises to be better-sounding. The price is lower than expected, thank God. We'll see when I get it. Ordered from Guitar Center this morning. I have a lot to learn about how to take advantage of what's there. I hope to be able to control the dynamics better than before.

[torben]

To be short. I think this is a looser ... -
a few improvements But far too few after so many years. A disgrace really!
Should be a catastrophy for Yamaha!
Torben

[Whitecolin11]

I can't say for sure, but it appears that the sliders and rotary controls are not Encoders just pots with an Led surround.

Missed opportunity.

I also wonder if the Midi to style app is compatible with other Yamaha keyboards.

Will I be buying one?  Not to sure at this moment, although some of the features are very interesting.

Regards
Bill

Which company is selling it for 4795 euro please

[Danny1972]

To be short. I think this is a looser ... -
a few improvements But far too few after so many years. A disgrace really!
Should be a catastrophy for Yamaha!
Torben

I agree for the amount of time, I can see this point. Maybe it took Yamaha 1 year to create it and 5 years to iron out the bugs!???

[vlbrgt]

Musicstore 4990 €
Thomann 4990 €

[AndrewKeyz]

To be short. I think this is a looser ... -
a few improvements But far too few after so many years. A disgrace really!
Should be a catastrophy for Yamaha!
Torben

I think a lot of people were expecting FAR more, this was quite apparent in the live chat also, so not just die hard fans here.
And to reduce memory size seems very Scrooge-esque to me. Needs to be at least 256GB. A 256GB micro SD costs nothing these days. £20.

I'm looking elsewhere for inspiration to be honest (going back to DAWs / VST probably) and it will save me money or at least not cost me much more.

The Genos 1 was superb (I never had a Tyros) as I came back to keyboards after not having played one for almost 20 years.
But this upgrade just isn't worth it to me.

We are talking £3000+. That goes really far in digital equipment and software these days.
You can literally create a whole new library of stuff with that type of money. Buy a top of the line Digital piano / keyboard / synth / DAW / Macbook / VSTS etc. etc.

In the other demo from Bonners, the Yamaha employee used the pathetic sounding vocal sounds again which I have always hated about the Genos. This sounds awful in my opinion and totally unusable.
Need better and more realistic sounding samples for something like that.

[Des O]

Yamaha are slow in updating their website, bits of info here and there and Midi2Style file not uploaded yet. Compatibilty is a bonus for genos 1 owners for styles and packs, yet to be uploaded. I think they know we would be upset.
Specs are about the same other than whats been mentioned. Cannot wait to see the midi to style app and try it, and its FREE! they video says on it.

Product Name Digital Keyboard
Size/Weight Dimensions (W × D × H) 1,234 mm × 456 mm × 151 mm (48-9/16" × 17-15/16" × 5-15/16")
Weight 14.2 kg (31 lb, 5 oz)
Control Interface
Keyboard
Number of keys 76
Type Organ (FSX), Initial Touch/Aftertouch
Touch Response Normal, Easy1, Easy2, Soft1, Soft2, Hard1, Hard2
Other Controllers
Joystick Yes (Assignable)
Knobs 6 (Assignable, with LED gauge)
Sliders 9 (Assignable, with LED gauge), Cross Fader
Assignable buttons 9 (A–F, 1–3)
Articulation buttons ART. 1, ART. 2, ART. 3
Main Display
Type TFT Color Wide VGA LCD
Size 800 × 480 dots
9 inch
Touch Screen Yes
Language English, German, French, Spanish, Italian
Sub Display
Type VA LCD (LIVE CONTROL View)
Size 512 × 48 dots
Language English
Panel Language English
Voices
Tone Generator AWM Stereo Sampling, AEM technology, FM
Polyphony (max.) 384
(128 for Preset AWM Voices + 128 for Expansion AWM Voices + 128 for FM Voices)
Preset
Number of Voices 1,991 Voices + 75 Drum/SFX Kits
Featured Voices 106 S.Articulation2, 437 S.Articulation, 141 FM, 123 MegaVoice, 25 OrganFlutes,
11 Ambient Drums/SFX, 11 Revo Drums/SFX
Ensemble Voices 95
Compatibility XG, GM, GM2
(for Song playback)
Keyboard Parts Right 1, Right 2, Right 3, Left
Effects Types
Reverb 85 Preset + 30 User
Chorus 107 Preset + 30 User
DSP Variation: 363 Preset (with VCM) + 30 User
Insertion 1–28: 363 Preset (with VCM) + 30 User
Master Compressor 5 Preset + 30 User
Master EQ 9 Preset + 30 User
Part EQ 28 Parts
Vocal Harmony 54 Preset + 60 User (*)
* The User number represents the total of Vocal Harmony and Synth Vocoder.
Synth Vocoder 20 Preset + 60 User (*)
* The User number represents the total of Vocal Harmony and Synth Vocoder.
Others Mic Effect: Noise Gate, Compressor, 3 Band EQ
Vocal Effect: 23
Styles
Preset
Number of Styles 800
Featured Styles 720 Pro, 69 Session, 11 Free Play
Fingering Single Finger, Fingered, Fingered On Bass, Multi Finger, AI Fingered, Full Keyboard,
AI Full Keyboard
Style Control INTRO × 3, MAIN VARIATION × 4, FILL × 4, BREAK, ENDING × 3
Other Features
One Touch Setting (OTS) 4 for each Style
Chord Looper Yes
Style Section Reset Yes
Compatibility Style File Format (SFF), Style File Format GE (SFF GE)
Expandability
(Expansion Packs)
Expansion Voice Yes (approx. 3 GB)
Expansion Style Yes (Internal Memory)
Expansion Audio Style Yes (Internal Memory)
Songs
(MIDI)
Preset Number of Preset Songs 9 Demo Songs, 1 Preset Song
Recording
Number of tracks 16
Data capacity approx. 3 MB per Song
Function Quick Recording, Multi Track Recording, Step Recording
Format Playback SMF (Format 0, Format 1), XF
Recording SMF (Format 0)
133Genos2 Owner's Manual
Appendix
Songs
(Audio)
Recording Data Capacity approx. 0.8 GB (80 minutes) per Song
Format
Playback WAV (44.1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo),
MP3 (44.1/48.0 kHz, 64/96/128/256/320 kbps or VBR, mono/stereo)
Recording WAV (44.1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo)
Playback (Multi) .aud (Genos original: 44.1 kHz sample rate, 16 bit resolution, stereo)
Recording (Multi) .aud (Genos original: 44.1 kHz sample rate, 16 bit resolution, stereo)
Time Stretch Yes
Pitch Shift Yes
Vocal Cancel Yes
Multi Pads Number of Multi Pad Banks 507 Banks × 4 Pads
Audio Link Yes
Functions
Voices
Harmony/Echo Yes
Arpeggio Yes
Panel Sustain Yes
Mono/Poly Yes
Styles Style Creator Yes
OTS Information Yes
Songs
Score Display function Yes
Lyrics Display function Yes
Lesson/Guide Follow Lights, Any Key, Karao-Key, Your Tempo
Multi Pads Multi Pad Creator Yes
Registration
Memory
Number of buttons 10
Control Registration Sequence, Freeze
Playlist Number of Records 2,500 (max.) Records per Playlist file
Search Yes
Demo Yes
Overall Controls
Metronome Yes
Tempo Range 5 – 500, Tap Tempo
Transpose −12 – 0 – +12
Tuning 414.8 – 440.0 – 466.8 Hz (approx. 0.2 Hz increments)
Octave button Yes
Scale Type 9 Types
USB audio interface 44.1 kHz, 32 bit, stereo
Miscellaneous
Direct Access Yes
Text/Image Display function Yes
Wallpaper Customization Yes
Storage and
Connectivity
Storage Internal memory (USER Drive) Yes (approx. 15 GB)
External drives USB flash drive
Connectivity
Headphones Standard stereo phone jack (PHONES)
Microphone Yes (Combo Jack), Phantom Power (+48V) available
MIDI MIDI A (IN/OUT), MIDI B (IN/OUT)
AUX IN L/L+R, R
Standard phone jack
LINE OUT MAIN (L/L+R, R), SUB (1, 2), SUB (3, 4 / AUX OUT)
Standard phone jack
Display out HDMI (1280 × 720p max.)
FOOT PEDAL 1 (SUSTAIN), 2 (ART.1), 3 (VOLUME), function assignable
USB TO DEVICE Yes (×3)
USB TO HOST Yes
Wireless LAN
Yes (*)
• Standards: IEEE802.11b/g/n (IEEE802.11n 5GHz: not compatible)
• Range of transmit frequency (channels):
Models for Europe and Brazil: 2401–2483 MHz (channels 1–13)
Others: 2401–2473 MHz (channels 1–11)
• Maximum RF output power: 14 dBm
• Security: WEP, WPA-PSK (TKIP), WPA-PSK (AES), WPA2-PSK (AES), WPA/WPA2 mixed PSK
• SAR value: 0.258 W/kg
* May not be included, depending on your area. Check with your Yamaha dealer.
Bluetooth
Yes (*)
• Bluetooth version: 5.0
• Supported profile: A2DP
• Compatible codec: SBC
• Wireless output: Bluetooth class 2
• Maximum communication distance: about 10 m
• Radio Frequency: 2401.5–2480.5 MHz
• Maximum output power (EIRP): +6.94 dBm
• Type of modulation: GFSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK
* May not be included, depending on your area. Check with your Yamaha dealer.
Power Supply Auto Power Off Yes
134Genos2 Owner's Manual
Included Accessories
• Owner's Manual
• AC power cord
• Music Rest, two Music Rest brackets
Separately Sold Accessories
(May not be available depending on your area.)
• Option Speaker: GNS-MS01
• Headphones: HPH-50, HPH-100, HPH-150
• Footswitch: FC4A, FC5
• Foot Controller: FC7
• Wireless MIDI Adaptor: MD-BT01
• Keyboard Stand: L-7

https://europe.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/1/2179941/Genos2_OM_En_C0_web.pdf

[ton37]

To be short. I think this is a looser ... -
a few improvements But far too few after so many years. A disgrace really!
Should be a catastrophy for Yamaha!
Torben

LOL, It just depends from which point of view you look at it? Perhaps less interesting for Genos-old owners. Someone who wants a Genos cannot/does not want to buy a new or old Genos1 that is 7 years old. It simply ends up on the Genos 2, just like you bought the old Genos at the time. I assume you were also praising and pleased with it at the time. There is no reason for Yamaha to abandon that concept. There will be plenty of Genos2 rolling off the production line: purchased by newcomers to Yamaha or those who would like to trade in their Yamaha model (because they like it and they are familiar with it and backwards compatible).
Be happy with what you have and allow others to like their keyboard too. Be a happy keyboarder 

[ton37]

And increased polyphony to 394! I don't remember if the old one had a built-in audio interface. Improved piano.

I ordered it, but I don't have my Genos 1 anymore. To me, the most important thing is the sound, and this promises to be better-sounding. The price is lower than expected, thank God. We'll see when I get it. Ordered from Guitar Center this morning. I have a lot to learn about how to take advantage of what's there. I hope to be able to control the dynamics better than before.

It is 128 polyphony for EACH chip! And there are 3 chips á 128. Same polyphony per chip as the Genos1 

[lut112]

Still no multipad quantization, audio and midi recorder identical to Genos1, user styles still no chord record. there is no support for pdf and mp4 files. Practically the same as Genos1. HAMMOND?

[jimlaing]

Re: the 6 knobs; one video showed that they are continuously-rotating (no 'stops'), so I think that would classify them as rotary encoders rather than "pots" as on Genos 1?

[StuartR]

Some things I like:
- better angle on screen (and supposed to be brighter, clearer?)
- FM sound engine (I play a bunch of '80s songs)
- Bluetooth (not sure I'd use it much)
- Style Dynamics and Ambience stuff - sounds useful
- New brass, ethnic sounds, nylon guitar, new pianos (and some with more layers)
- more memory (expected)
- two more assignable buttons
- lots of new styles (albeit many might be highly song-specific)
- LEDs and rotary encoders


Thing I don't know about but want to:
- did they improve the "Organ Flutes" and Leslie/rotary effects?

No improved Leslie
No seamless sound switching that Montage, MODX and Nord have had since the beginning.

After listening to the YouTube demonstrations it just doesn't sound like 6 years of improvements to me. YMMV, of course.

[valimaties]

There are only 2 things I like on G2:
NEW Style creator with Section Time Signature and se Ambience for Rhythm channels
NEW Voice Editor - Portamento parameters

All these are get from PSR A5000, is what I already yeld for some time here on this forum, and YES it is the only real improvement for this "new" keyboard.
The rest of them ("new" voices, new styles, and so on) seems some tweeked voices from G1, nothing more.

BTW, those functions above COULD be implemented as well in G1, without any problem, but off course they will not be... not in this life.. or maybe they will, after some time, when G2 will be sell enough.


The third awesome thing in this "Next Masterpiece (LOL about this masterpiece word)" is the Song to Style converter software. FINALLY here! Styles can be finally created in PC easily with some steps. And it looks very fine. I hope it will works for G1 too, if not... is not good!

Regards,
Vali

[Del]

LOL, It just depends from which point of view you look at it? Perhaps less interesting for Genos-old owners. Someone who wants a Genos cannot/does not want to buy a new or old Genos1 that is 7 years old. It simply ends up on the Genos 2, just like you bought the old Genos at the time.

I agree ton, for some genos 1 owners this might/is a bit of a disappointment, for me currently with a T5 it is a significant upgrade, before I part with my cash I need to see more demos and see in the flesh and try so I'm in no hurry to get one.

[Rick D.]

Hi Guys,

I will wait until Peter Baartman demos it and base my opinion then. As it stands now, I am not impressed. No new technology, just some minor improvements on the old stuff.

Rick D.