Stepping up from Tyros 5 to Genos2

[SteveB2187]

I've already succumbed to the raves and hype of the Yamaha Genos2 and made my purchase about a month ago.  Once I get comfortable with the Genos2's learning curve, it's my intention to replace my Tyros 5/76 with this supposedly marvelous instrument.

So, I'm curious what others think about making this very same transition from the Tyros 5.  Do you think the Genos2 has noticeable improvements, such as:  Its overall features?  Its variety of voices and styles?   The layout of Its operational controls?  Its sound quality? 

Bottom line, are you content with your decision to step up from the Tyros to the Genos?

[mikf]

A bit late to be concerned about what others think, since you have already bought the Genos 2. I think you should just get on with playing it and form your own views.
Mike

[bpsafran]

I went from Tyros5 to Genos. The new voices of
piano, acoustic guitar, orchestral brass and strings
are a huge step up  especially when combined
with the new reverb and effects.  I recommend starting
with the 1600 registrations programmed by
Yamaha for the Genos2 (downloadable once
you register your instrument) and then building on them
by changing style voices (and muting tracks),
right hand voices and multipads
  These will make your registrations and style playing
your own.

[Del]

Steve
Like Mike said you have taken the plunge and if you still have your Tyros 5 whilst having your Genos2 you can compare them yourself, however I did have a Tyros 5/76 and loved it, I skipped Genos1 and in December 2023 I purchased the Genos2 and have not looked back. The sound is far superior, to the Tyros 5 the work flow is easier, The piano pre-set voices  on the G2 are superb.
I have not regret trading in my Tyros 5 for the G2.
Del

[Bill]

Hi Steve

Congratulations on your purchase, when thing that will determine if get on with it, is to ensure all your previous content is transferred successfully. Have a look at the short instruction video from Yamaha.

https://youtu.be/5_Uwn0Oaocg

Bill

[ChrisH]

It's really nice that everyone that has done the upgrade is delighted with their purchase! I was unfortunately unlucky enough to upgrade from an S arranger to the SX900 and seriously I was NOT impressed (maybe the keyboard I got was a bad manufacture because at that time the company in China that makes the keybed burnt down) but mainly the "clacky" keys .. It's gratifying to see that the Genos2 has such a good bunch of reports  (I went for a Tyros enough though it was an old release so couldn't afford the Genos 1 or 2 ) but the Genos 2 sounds like the ultimate keyboard so enjoy it guys!!!

[Danny1972]

Hi Steve,

Congrats on your G2. It's a fantastic keyboard for sure and I think is the best arranger that Yamaha has made. However, the only thing I would question it over the T5 would be the build quality where I think the T5 has better build quality in my opinion, it feels more robust to me. Even though it was still plastic, it's rock hard and when I had the T5, it still looked as new as the day I got it when I sold it off, no scratches or marks or anything.

Unfortunately, with the G2, the moment you even sneeze on it, there's a scratch, even if it's a thin hairline of a scratch! It gets you wondering how on earth it got there! It's very prone to getting marks. I presume Yamaha used that material to keep the weight of it as light as possible. But that's my only gripe with the G2, everything else is much better.

[danand]

I also jump from T5 to G2, the week of release end of Nov 23, so a few month experience.
I will give my point of view. In any case bear in mind that every person - player needs different features, styles, sounds so it is not possible to offer a "fair" comparison.

Its overall features? 

G2 offer "some" new features. I personally don't use any of them... I was expecting to use the sliders in order to make small volume adjustments on parts (panel & style parts) during live performances. Finally I use this features from time to time but since you have to reach first the current volume level and then make the adjustment, finally I didn't find it useful as expected.

Its variety of voices and styles?   

As I already mention different players has different needs. Many new and updated styles, some of them quite impressive. Many new and update sounds some of them excellent. Probably not all of them useful to every player but sure you will find a few new styles and sounds you will love.

The layout of Its operational controls?   

Nothing special.

Its sound quality?     

I thing that it sound better than T5 and some sounds are just excellent.

Its sound quality?     

Yes I'm satisfy but not excited...

• What I'm missing, from T5
Please note that this what I'm missing maybe not important for you and your needs....

1) They destroy step editing on multi-track MIDI data recording. They strip use of useful MIDI controllers CC and now I'm unable to tweak my recordings on board like on T5 (or 970, 770 etc.)
You can't even insert a simple Program Change on a MIDI track... they strip MSB,LSB CC so it is impossible to change from one sound to another!
The same happen with styles and multi pads step recording.

2) I don't like the new MusicDatabase (List) function. Up to T5 I was able to select settings from MDB without change the selected registration set. When I select song settings  from MDB on T5, selected settings recall for play but the selected registration set remain on-board. Now with the "updated" list the selected registration set change. I had to change my performance structure after 25 years... (and still I'm not satisfy with this change...)

[EileenL]

Play list instead of MF is what was asked for by so many. They wanted to be able to save Registrations and other settings along with there MF but this was not possible.
It now is with Play List and you can also make up your own.
  Voices can still be changed in Midi song record using step edit to select the tracks you want to edit plus other effects to.

[andyg]

You can still change and insert data in step edit. I've sometimes changed the voice in a Multi-Pad, for example. We know that when you record a Pad, you don't have access to all the Genos voices, especially SA and SA2. I've recorded pads using a basic trumpet, say, and then edited the pad in step edit to select an SA or SA2 trumpet.

[bpsafran]

I migrated from a Tyros5 to Genos2 about four months ago and am very happy I did.

1. Playlist vs MusicFinder:  I suggest that you use Playlist and registrations as they were intended.  There is a learning curve compared to the Tyros5 and I found the Playlist system much better after learning more about it over a couple of months.  It does encourage you to use registrations and once you get used to that, your creativity will expand since you can start with simple registrations (such as the many done by Yamaha in Playlist for Genos2) and then modify and build on them.
2. Instead of using the sliders in real time, put your desired settings into the knobs.  The knobs move the settings shown in the small LCD screen from their actual values without the "catch" function of the sliders.  I put multipad volume, left volume, right 1-3 volume (all together),  reverb of right 1-3 (all together) and dynamic style control in one of the three programmable slider settings and use this easily in real time.

[pjd]

1) They destroy step editing on multi-track MIDI data recording. They strip use of useful MIDI controllers CC and now I'm unable to tweak my recordings on board like on T5 (or 970, 770 etc.)
You can't even insert a simple Program Change on a MIDI track... they strip MSB,LSB CC so it is impossible to change from one sound to another!
The same happen with styles and multi pads step recording.

Ummm, are out filtering out (suppressing) certain MIDI events? See "Event Filter" on page 97 of the Genos2 Reference Manual. Those events are still there, but may be hidden. This gets me all the time...

All the best -- pj

[danand]

Voices can still be changed in Midi song record using step edit to select the tracks you want to edit plus other effects to.

Can you please explain HOW
If I want to change in the middle of the recording in a track from the original selected sound to sound
MSB 0 104, LSB 32 1, PPC 13 (Mariba) HOW I will do it ??
I see the "Program Change"message but I can't find nowhere the Control Change Message for MSB and  LSB.
Can you please explain where are this  Control Change Messages

[danand]

You can still change and insert data in step edit.

Can you please explain HOW ?
I want to change Controls MSB and LSB (3 and 32) HOW I will do it ?
I can't find them nowhere in step editing.
Program change is available but this only one part of the sound change message.
If you just change this number (Program Change) you can't control the change you want, you also need changes for Controls MSB and LSB (3 and 32)
Can you please explain HOW you do so ?

[danand]

1. Playlist vs MusicFinder:  I suggest that you use Playlist and registrations as they were intended.  There is a learning curve compared to the Tyros5 and I found the Playlist system much better after learning more about it over a couple of months.  It does encourage you to use registrations and once you get used to that, your creativity will expand since you can start with simple registrations (such as the many done by Yamaha in Playlist for Genos2) and then modify and build on them.

This way serve you and your performance needs. Doesn't serve the way I perform and the workflow I craft last 25 years. It is not better my way nor your way.
Since there is no other way I have to adapt the new way, but still doesn't fit MY workflow and is a huge change after 25 years of live performing using the "old" MuscDataBase architecture.

2. Instead of using the sliders in real time, put your desired settings into the knobs.  The knobs move the settings shown in the small LCD screen from their actual values without the "catch" function of the sliders.  I put multipad volume, left volume, right 1-3 volume (all together),  reverb of right 1-3 (all together) and dynamic style control in one of the three programmable slider settings and use this easily in real time.

Good advice. I will try it.   

[pjd]

First off, Bank Select MSB is MIDI continuous controller 0 (CC#0), not "3". Bank Select LSB is CC#32 as you correctly stated.

Here's something to try. Get into MIDI Multi Record and Step Edit. Maybe channel 1?

Tap the on-screen INSERT button. Genos will insert a NOTE event.

Use the on-screen cursor buttons to select the event type, in this case, NOTE. Use the data wheel to change the event type to CTRL. Use the on-screen cursor buttons to select the first data value in the CTRL event. Use the data wheel to select the needed CC number (0 for Bank Select MSB, 32 for Bank Select LSB).

Tap the on-screen INSERT button for every event you want to create. Use the on-screen cursor buttons to change the event type. The procedure described above will also let you create a PROG event for the program change.

Hope this helps -- pj