As promised here is a review of the PSR S 970 keyboard from Yamaha. I've had it about six weeks now and played it in 4 gigs of different kinds.
To make this easy I'll separate this into pros and cons.
The plus:
Very versatile. This keyboard can be used for performance, arranging, composing, recording and practice tool. It has so many features, to use it to its fullest potential would take years.
The sounds are excellent and included are a large variety for different categories of instrument. Basic sounds such as pianos are good, and orchestral section is very impressive. If you want to make big band or orchestral arrangements quickly this is a fine tool.
The in built effects are extensive. If you want to manipulate the existing sounds there are lots of ways to do so. Reverbs, delays, filters, chorus, compression, EQ's are all there in abundance.
Saving your presents is easy. The layout of the keyboard is very simple to use and recalling settings even while playing is very simple. If you like things well organised this keyboard offers alot of ways of keeping track of your work.
Recording is easy and handy. For those ideas that you want to put down quickly, the recording function works really well. You can record up to 16 tracks. Recording up to 3 tracks can be done with very few button presses. Again, saving your material is well organised.
The styles, especially the audio ones sound very good. For those gigs where you are missing an instrument, or simply want to have fun playing and composing in different styles, this keyboard has everything. So many genres are included you will never get through them all. Even if you did want more, downloads are available online.
The in built speakers sound great. For gigs they also offer some monitoring so that you can hear better even when the line out is used.
The direct access button is fabulous. If you want to quickly access a menu or setting, press the direct access and the appropriate button and it takes you right there. No searching needed. Even pedal settings!
It's reasonably light and compact. Carrying it around is not difficult. With a good soft case I even took it twice on a cycle!
There are lots more good things. But that can be kept it's for a more detailed look.
The not so good:
The keys are a little cheap feeling. You can't expect everything, and if you used to weighted keys it takes a while to get used to. I hope they are more durable than they feel.
If you like EPs the sounds are a poor. I had to really tweak them in order to get the sounds I wanted. I'm pretty happy now, but they could have used some warmer Rhodes patches. They are all very bright.
The manual is not very detailed. I had to learn most of the features by trial and error, asking people or reading forums on line.
As you can see I don't have alot of complaints. It's a great keyboard and has huge amount of features. As an overall instrument, it caters for a wide variety of professional needs, particularly for arranging and composing you'd be hard to find better. I have always used the laptop to record and arrange with a midi controller but with this you can do a lot all in one place. It will save me time getting ideas out quickly.
As time passes I will edit this review. There is so much to look at and I'm sure there will be more to say both for and against.
