Hello Fellow Forum Members,
As I did over a year ago, I am seeking input on a decision. All of you were very helpful to me as I was recovering my music and re-entering the realm of live performance. Here's the situation:
- I am now performing (playing and singing) primarily at my church - both during services and informal public concerts
- My music is being well-received and I am getting more requests for playing and vocals
- In April 2018, I purchased a PSR-S970 at a very good price and overall have been very pleased with the sound, features, etc.
I found there are two things about the 970 that have me contemplating a change - the inability to use/record MIDI w/ audio styles and the 61-note keyboard. To be clear, I like to use the arranger's styles to create basic MIDI tracks and then edit them as a quick way to generate backing tracks or MIDIs that I can play and sing with. In certain situations, I also like to use the styles in the more traditional way as live accompaniment, but the former is my preferred way of performing vs. the latter. It does take a lot of adjustment for me to play with styles, as I am a former pro piano player/keyboardist. That last sentence is the reason I am wanting 73-76 keys, as well.
I anticipate that I will be performing more in the coming months/years and want to make sure that my equipment will accommodate what I want to do. So there are some options below and I would like to request any comments thoughts or other ideas:
Sell the 970 and purchase a Genos - $4,300 less proceeds from S970Pros - 76-keys, TOTL arranger, great sounds, Revo drums, Ensemble mode, one-keyboard convenience
Cons - More than I wanted to spend (as I am not seeking paid work at this time), no built-in speakers (I use these for rehearsal/practice)
Sell the 970 and purchase a PSR-SX900 + a Korg D1 or other ~$600 digital piano - $2,500 less proceeds from S970Pros - Better version of the 970, eliminates Audio Styles, More memory, better DACs, Genos strings and drum samples, better built-in speakers, very portable (like 970), touchscreen, better keybed, many new features, piano would have 88-keys, lightweight, weighted action, D1 is also a good controller
Cons - Having to handle two keyboards in some situations [big drawback]
Keep the 970 and purchase a Korg D1 or other ~$600 digital piano - $600Pros - Save $$$, piano would have 88-keys, lightweight, weighted action, D1 is also a good controller
Cons - Having to handle two keyboards in some situations [big drawback], 970 will become less valuable/sellable over time, have to forego the new features, have to work around the audio styles
Very interested to hear your inputs - thank you in advance for taking the time to respond,
Jay B.[/list]