Author Topic: Yamaha out of the arranger business?  (Read 50041 times)

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Offline guitpic1

Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« on: April 18, 2017, 06:15:30 PM »
If I were Yamaha, I wouldn't dabble in the arranger business.

For one thing, arrangers seem to be more popular in Europe, less so in the U.S...and, it appears,  all arrangers are a small part of the overall keyboard market.

If anything, the Montage could take on extra features..with some sort of VR(virtual arranger).

Thoughts?
guitpic1

For me, the goal is to keep growing/learning.
 

Offline mikf

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2017, 06:34:11 PM »
'Arranger keyboard' has always seemed an odd market delineation to me. I am not sure how it started, or how it is defined, but the term auto accompaniment keyboard seems a better description and many keyboards fall into this category, sharing essentially the same basic technology, for home organs, through extensive clavinova types, high end portables all the way down to cheap toys. Collectively this is a decent market, and the same technology is leveraged, so seems if you have or are developing this technology, to play in a number of these sub segments including what we currently call 'arrangers'.     There may indeed be some merging of keyboard types, or general change, but essentially i don't see Yamaha just dropping out. They are a major player, and leader in development.
Mike
 

Offline browzer

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2017, 06:51:37 PM »
This is the reason I recently purchased a Tyros 5 (with an option to upgrade to Genos), I kind of like the Tyros arranger, it suits me down to the ground, if they move to far away in another direction by merging technologies with other units I may just hedge my bets and stay with the Tyros 5 for the moment.
 
Ronnie

Offline DrakeM

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2017, 07:00:05 PM »
Well, if they drop the PSR arranger please let us all know here at the forum. I will purchase two more S970 keyboards as they ought to last me the rest of my life time. ;)

Offline jtrue

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2017, 10:13:21 PM »
I have often thought that the instruments were called "arranger" keyboards because musical arrangers were the originally intended market. With one of these instruments an arranger can get a pretty good idea of what his/her creation will sound like, whether played by a trio or a concert orchestra, without going the expense of hiring and rehearsing live musicians at least during the early and middle stages of development. Styles would be used at first so the treble portions of the arrangement could be perfected. At a later stage the styles would be replaced with the arranger's customized accompaniment so that, in the end, the entire output is what the arranger developed and will sound as if played by an aggregation of musicians.

The original marketing plan went awry when single performers discovered that the instruments were ideally suited for one-man-band applications. Since there were more single performers than music arrangers the instruments ended up selling well anyway. I don't know the language but wonder if a correct translation of the instrument name in Japanese should be "keyboard for arranging" rather than "arranger keyboard."

   j.
It don't mean a thing...
 

Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2017, 12:22:35 AM »
I think it's a failing by Yamaha in how it markets the arranger.    A LOT of $400.00 arrangers are sold in the USA. 

The arranger is not a toy.  Particularly the newest PSR and of coarse the Tyros.  Having just purchased a Motif Rack XS, I can say the sound quality of the Motif is the same as the PSR S970... and the Tyros is better by far... it's the best sounding keyboard Yamaha makes AND the most expensive.  But I suppose the new Montage has matched the sound quality of the Tyros, aside from the motion sequencer and Super Knob stuff... which if not used thoughtfully can become just a lot of noise and sound effects.. which may or may not be considered music by some people here. 

Yamaha has made no effort to explain the architecture of the arranger or how the musician can use the arranger to compose music.  These are complicated machines and yet Yamaha offer no help... we are on our own!  Yamaha likes to hype the Motif (and now the Montage) to the hilt.  The arranger and Motif are equal to my way of thinking... they just operate differently and each has it's strengths and weaknesses.

I think a NEW kind of arranger is coming... but it could be just wishful thinking on my part.   We will know sooner or later.  We've talked a lot about the mystery GENOS.  Our engineer friend pj as noted that Yamaha left a lot of room in the S970 design for future expansion, and Yamaha continues to apply for new patents which are costly.  They are up to something... and I'm sure most of us will like it... once "IT" hits the streets.

 ;D

Joe H

 
« Last Edit: April 19, 2017, 01:34:18 AM by Joe H »
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Offline frankmusik

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2017, 07:24:53 AM »
Yamaha Tyros ist the most important and biggest seller in ALL Yamaha instruments... So Yamaha has no choice to modify and optimize the keyboard line....

In Europe there are a lot more tyros player than all motif/montage player ever will be....

Greetings from Germany
Frank excited for the "next"
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Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2017, 08:40:53 AM »
Frank excited for the "next"
Hi Frank

Do you already know the "next" ?  ;)

Soundphase
 

Offline EileenL

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2017, 11:33:04 AM »
It is the same in the UK,
  Arrangers are used far more than work stations. Lots of us go out gigging with just Tyros alone and they love it.

Offline pjd

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2017, 01:32:33 PM »
Source: NAMM Global Report 2015


Sales Statistics for 2014, USA market

    Category                       Units            Retail value
    -----------------------------  ---------------  -------------
    Acoustic guitars               1,499,000 units  $678,000,000
    Electric guitars               1,132,000 units  $506,000,000
    Digital pianos                   135,000 units  $165,000,000
    Keyboard synthesizers             81,000 units  $104,000,000
    Controller keyboards             160,000 units  $ 32,000,000
    Portable keyboards under $199    656,000 units  $ 64,000,000
    Portable keyboards over $199     350,000 units  $123,000,000
    Total portable keyboards       1,006,000 units  $187,000,000


Music technology blog: http://sandsoftwaresound.net/

Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2017, 03:20:05 PM »
Source: NAMM Global Report 2015


Sales Statistics for 2014, USA market

    Category                       Units            Retail value
    -----------------------------  ---------------  -------------
    Acoustic guitars               1,499,000 units  $678,000,000
    Electric guitars               1,132,000 units  $506,000,000
    Digital pianos                   135,000 units  $165,000,000
    Keyboard synthesizers             81,000 units  $104,000,000
    Controller keyboards             160,000 units  $ 32,000,000
    Portable keyboards under $199    656,000 units  $ 64,000,000
    Portable keyboards over $199     350,000 units  $123,000,000
    Total portable keyboards       1,006,000 units  $187,000,000


Music technology blog: http://sandsoftwaresound.net/

Nothing like getting the facts... though the table above does not reflect individual and regional markets.  Where I live low-end gear sells very well because there is a lot of low income folk.

Joe H
Music is the Universal Language!

My Article: Using Multi Pads in registrations. Download Regs, Styles & MPs:  http://psrtutorial.com/music/articles/dancemusic.html
 

Offline DrakeM

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2017, 07:53:51 PM »
wow .. looks like there is no demand for Controller keyboards or Keyboard synthesizers from those stats.


Offline browzer

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2017, 05:36:10 PM »
Source: NAMM Global Report 2015


Sales Statistics for 2014, USA market

    Category                       Units            Retail value
    -----------------------------  ---------------  -------------
    Portable keyboards under $199    656,000 units  $ 64,000,000
    Portable keyboards over $199     350,000 units  $123,000,000


Almost half of the units shifted but double the retail value, how do these figures equate with regards to profit?

Ronnie
Genos
 

SeaGtGruff

  • Guest
Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2017, 06:30:03 PM »

    Portable keyboards under $199    656,000 units  $ 64,000,000
    Portable keyboards over $199     350,000 units  $123,000,000
    Total portable keyboards       1,006,000 units  $187,000,000

I wish they had broken the sales down by more than just "under $199" and "over $199," because surely there are a lot more models in the "over $199" category than in the "under $199"-- and much greater variation in their prices, which makes the following averages kind of useless. Also, why have the arrangers and workstations been lumped in with the portables, if Yamaha's web site splits them up into separate categories? And what are the lines that determine whether a particular model gets counted as a "digital piano" or a "portable keyboard"?

Anyway, here are the averages:


    Portable keyboards under $199    656,000 units  $ 64,000,000     (ca. $ 97.56 per unit)
    Portable keyboards over $199     350,000 units  $123,000,000     (ca. $351.43 per unit)
    Total portable keyboards       1,006,000 units  $187,000,000     (ca. $185.88 per unit)


The average for the "under $199" category looks about right, because if we put an *** before you and me, and assume that the sales were evenly distributed between models of different prices, and if the range of prices is from $1 to $199, then the average price should be $100. The fact that the average is actually a little below this seems to indicate that models under $99 slightly outsell models over $99-- although that also depends heavily on the actual prices, because if we assume that there are only two models in this category, the PSR-E2xx and the PSR-E3xx (which is surely not true), then the PSR-E2xx is selling like hotcakes whereas the PSR-E3xx isn't moving at all.

Calculating in reverse with the same assumption of evenly-distributed sales, if the models in the "over $199" category have an average unit price of about $350, and if the price range is from $200 to whatever, then "whatever" works out to be just $500! That's obviously wrong, since there are quite a few models in the "over $499" category, not to mention "over $999." So clearly the sales are heavily skewed toward the "under $499" category, and are all but non-existent in the "over $499" category-- in which case, Yamaha would be well-advised to cease all development and production related to the PSR-S and Tyros lines! :o
 

Offline pjd

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2017, 09:24:51 PM »
Hi --

Folks, this is marketing. Abandon hope all ye who enter here. :-)

I think you're looking for precision when you're probably not going to get it. These numbers are reported to the NAMM by retailers, not manufacturers. This leaves the definition of each product category pretty much up for grabs -- possibly defined in the eyes of a guitar player, not a keyboard-oriented musician.

NAMM is a USA-based association which reflects the biases of merchants in the USA. Here are a two quotes about "portable keyboards" from earlier reports:

"The tonal quality and feature set of these 'entry-level' products rival 'pro' keyboards of a decade ago, and they have eroded synth sales. They can often be found on stage in performing venues. Lower-priced keyboards, those retailing for less than $199, are sold almost exclusively through a mass distribution channel. With an average retail selling price of $92, they have almost become impulse purchases."

"Tonal quality is a byproduct of processor speed and memory: more processing and memory make for more complex and nuanced sounds. The collapsing prices of memory and processing power have made it possible to equip what were formerly considered 'cheap' musical toys with tremendous tone quality and features. All evidence suggests that these comparatively low-cost products have taken sales from higher-end digital pianos, keyboard synthesizers, and even acoustic pianos."

Mass distribution channels include big box stores like Walmart, Target, etc.

Michael, I think you're right. It is a challenge for Yamaha, Korg, Roland, and so forth to actually make money from arranger keyboards. The margin on what we regard as entry-level models, especially, is razor thin. Overall, that's why it's unreasonable to expect new revolutionary instruments with every spin.

Interesting discussion, folks. Thanks for all of your comments!

-- pj

SeaGtGruff

  • Guest
Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #15 on: April 20, 2017, 10:18:46 PM »
Wait, so those figures represented all manufacturers, not just Yamaha? Oh, okay, I had misunderstood! But it still seems like the average person who's looking for a portable keyboard to buy is willing or able to spend no more than $500, and preferably a good bit less than that. I can certainly identify with that, so I'm not complaining, mind you-- just wondering why anyone like Yamaha would bother creating a powerhouse like the Tyros or Montage if hardly anyone's willing to buy it.
 

Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #16 on: April 20, 2017, 11:30:42 PM »
NAMM is a USA-based association which reflects the biases of merchants in the USA...

So... there is really not much to discuss regarding those sales figures since Yamaha is selling world wide, and the US market alone has little baring on the whole enchilada.  The US is just finger-food so to speak.

 ;D

Joe H
Music is the Universal Language!

My Article: Using Multi Pads in registrations. Download Regs, Styles & MPs:  http://psrtutorial.com/music/articles/dancemusic.html
 

Jeff Hollande

  • Guest
Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #17 on: April 21, 2017, 07:04:25 AM »
Hi,

There is absolutely no reason why Yamaha should kill a winning horse. Competition would be very happy if Yamaha did, I guess. ;)
It would be different if the arranger keyboard market does not bring them any profit which is hard to believe.
 
For more than 15 years Yamaha are the world leader. That's a fact.

Jeff
« Last Edit: April 21, 2017, 08:16:53 AM by Jeff Hollande »
 

Offline pjd

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #18 on: April 21, 2017, 02:51:29 PM »
Hi --

I wouldn't quite write off the USA market. The USA has the highest music sales per capita: $22.05 and the largest sales share for all instruments:


Global market sales share (all instruments)

  U.S.        40.6%
  Japan       13.0%
  China        7.5%
  Germany      5.8%
  Canada       4.4%
  France       4.3%
  U.K.         3.2%
  Italy        2.3%
  Australia    2.2%
  Brazil       1.7%
  S.Korea      1.7%
  Russia       1.3%
  Mexico       1.1%
  Netherlands  1.1%


Portable keyboard export figures are also interesting:

  Country     Units      Value (USD)
  ----------  ---------  -----------
  China       4,800,000  350,000,000
  Japan         100,000   23,000,000

There are a few other exporters (e.g., France), but their share is quite small. Japan moved a very significant part of electronic keyboard production off-shore beginning in 2009.

Here are China's top five export destinations for electronic keyboards:

  Country      Units      Value (USD)
  -----------  ---------  -----------
  U.S.         1,100,000  89,000,000
  Germany        580,000  45,000,000
  Japan          390,000  37,000,000
  Hong Kong      410,000  28,000,000
  U.K.           200,000  15,000,000

All of these figures are estimated, so please beware.

Trying to tease results or conclusions out of the NAMM report is crazy difficult due to uneven (many countries missing) and/or inconsistent reporting.

All the best -- pj

P.S. You're right, Michael. That's all manufacturers. We'd all love to know the breakdown by competitor. :-)

P.P.S. Before everybody breaks out their calculators, please remember that these are all estimates based on incomplete data. So, there are going to be inconsistencies.  :-\
« Last Edit: April 21, 2017, 03:04:45 PM by pjd »
 

Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #19 on: April 21, 2017, 04:17:41 PM »
While interesting.... those numbers still don't tell us a lot without a breakdown of the kind of instrument we are talking about... TOTL PSRs  and Tyros arrangers. 

And what about those synth sales in comparison?   I don't think you will find those stats.

Joe H   
Music is the Universal Language!

My Article: Using Multi Pads in registrations. Download Regs, Styles & MPs:  http://psrtutorial.com/music/articles/dancemusic.html
 

Offline pjd

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #20 on: April 21, 2017, 05:46:31 PM »
Well, I guess we can take the matter up with the National Association of Music Merchants.  :)  :)  :)

Honest to goodness, Joe, I wish there were better figures.  :'(

Have a good weekend all!

-- pj
« Last Edit: April 21, 2017, 06:07:05 PM by pjd »
 

Offline EileenL

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #21 on: April 22, 2017, 01:41:47 PM »
Over here the low end priced Keyboards say from £200 onwards are usually bought by schools or other teaching places.
  They are in many ways very limited and would not work for most who want to gig. Ideal to get children interested though but then, as all of us they want to move onto something that gives them more.
   Tyros 5 has sold very well in the UK especially the 76 note version.

SeaGtGruff

  • Guest
Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #22 on: April 22, 2017, 07:27:43 PM »
What makes you think that arrangers aren't popular in the USA? I'd classify low-end portable keyboards as arrangers if they have arranger features-- which I suppose means auto-accompaniment.

The impression I get from reading various keyboard forums is that most people who are "serious" about playing the keyboard are far more likely to prefer a higher-end model over a lower-end model.

If the USA's keyboard marketplace seems to be dominated by people buying low-end portable arrangers instead of high-end ones, perhaps it's a matter of population size, coupled with how much of the population falls into one or another class/financial bracket, as well as how many people are "serious" about playing the keyboard versus only casually interested?
 

Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #23 on: April 22, 2017, 07:29:32 PM »
Can anyone however explain to me, how arrangers are popular everywhere, except in the US?

Well it seems to me this is only speculation.  Where is the data to support that assertion?  I WILL say that there are a lot of deluded wannabes in the USA who think if they buy a Motif they are going to be big stars... just because they bought a Motif (like the big guys).  Reading the forums related to Motif... my observation is that most Motif owners know nothing about nothing related to MIDI, sound production, or music production.  So my point is... they would be better off with a PSR S970 or Tyros.

The truth of the matter is that very few people can or will exercise the deep editing capabilities of a synth like the Motif or Montage. (like people who do it for a living can and do)  It's fantasy to think the average musician will use that stuff, yet Yamaha invests heavily in tech support for these synths, and neglects support for arranger owners where there is true value and great potential for professional level music production capabilities with the mid range and high end arrangers.

Joe H
« Last Edit: April 22, 2017, 07:31:33 PM by Joe H »
Music is the Universal Language!

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Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #24 on: April 22, 2017, 07:35:34 PM »
An example of what I'm talking about is over here:  http://www.psrtutorial.com/forum/index.php/topic,38195.msg293093.html#msg293093

Yamaha needs to get serious about implementing real-time control features in a $2000.00 arranger keyboard.  The code is already written... just port it over to the arranger.  A brand new Motif Rack XS is about $1100.00 USD.  So why don't we get the same capability in a $2000.00 USD arranger?

Yamaha offers both a forum and blog for their "synths"... so how come there is not this kind of support for arrangers by Yamaha?

Joe H
« Last Edit: April 22, 2017, 07:37:31 PM by Joe H »
Music is the Universal Language!

My Article: Using Multi Pads in registrations. Download Regs, Styles & MPs:  http://psrtutorial.com/music/articles/dancemusic.html
 

SeaGtGruff

  • Guest
Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #25 on: April 22, 2017, 09:45:52 PM »
As far as whether or not people who buy a particular synth or keyboard will ever take the time to learn about MIDI and/or how to do deep editing of the keyboard's sounds, I don't necessarily think it's a professional-versus-nonprofessional thing. I've heard of professionals (Keith Emerson comes to mind) who borrowed or bought a Moog Modular or other powerful synth and had someone else program patches on it for them. Being a skilled keyboardist and being a skilled sound designer are two different things. :)

Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #26 on: April 22, 2017, 10:44:05 PM »
When creating content for arrangers there is huge influence from yamaha UK and yamaha Germany
So this leaves us with one question... is the undermarketing ... or because yamaha thinks the customers dont want arrangers or arranger features...

I think you and I believe the "content" is still not what the younger generation is wanting.  Twenty somethings do not want to play 60s, 70s, and 80s, music and Yamaha is at least 15 years behind on content.  They should make the early rock 'n roll styles available for free on the internet and start loading arranger keyboards with 90s and up to present music styles.  And I don't just mean rock 'n roll.

Someone at Yamaha should be watching the new artists on Youtube and be listeniong to Pandora Radio on the Internet.  They got some catching up to do.  To sell more mid and high-end arrangers to the next generation, they (the keyboards) have got to come with contemporary music ready to play right out of the box.

 ;)

Joe H
« Last Edit: April 23, 2017, 12:27:06 AM by Joe H »
Music is the Universal Language!

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Offline mikf

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #27 on: April 23, 2017, 12:54:15 AM »
I have homes in both UK and USA and split my time about 50% and I do see a difference between the countries re home organs and arrangers. There has been a robust tradition of mainly middle aged home organ enthusiasts in UK, with clubs and societies for many, many years. The high end arranger market is the continuation of that, and in fact probably helped it grow, because as much as many of you think that arrangers are expensive, they are very low cost compared to the home organs of the 70s. I am not saying that this does not exist at all in the USA, just that relative to population, it seems much more popular in the UK, and maybe a few other countries. I am not talking here about low cost 'toys' which are bought in huge numbers everywhere, but just like home gym equipment, remain largely unused. This is about people who seriously want to learn to play a decent keyboard musical instrument, and are prepared to part with real money for it.
I am sure that the USA represents a decent slice of the arranger market in absolute terms because the country is so big, but per head of population, the market of home organ /arranger type hobbyists seems smaller than the European markets in Germany, Holland and UK.
This is an oversimplification but essentially synths and workstation keyboards are bought by young people or for young people who want to emulate their pop stars. This is why I have often disagreed about what is needed in arrangers. Arrangers are the continuation of the home organ market and are largely used by the middle aged hobbyist, who has little interest in the 'modern' styles and advanced features, and in fact may be turned off by them. Of course that does not mean that there are not some people would not like this, but its not the core of the arranger market.
On the whole I largely disagree with the idea that the arranger market can be expanded by adding features that are more akin to workstations and synths for 2 reasons. First, it does not actually expand the market even it were successful, because all it does is shift people from one model to another, and if you are Yamaha who already plays in both markets that is not helpful. And second, no amount of additional features will actually make a difference in my view, because it does not emulate what the stars do, and  that is what drives choice among young people who are not interested in what they would perceive as fuddy duddy musical instruments regardless of what features they contain. 
MIke

     

Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #28 on: April 23, 2017, 07:07:51 AM »
Mike,

While we are similar in age, I'm not traditional and I think I identify more with current musical trends than the past.  I was NEVER into organs. What you say may be true for our generation at large, but may not apply so much with people 40 or 45 years younger than ourselves.   You know... nothing stays the same forever.  I can accept your point of view, but there are other valid points of view as well. 

Yamaha as the largest musical instrument manufacturer in the world and seeks to support many cultures and musical expression on a global scale.  That is daunting to me.  Obviously the focus has been on expanding the arranger markets into Asia because it is such a huge market.  And I understand Yamaha will follow both traditional and current mainstream musical tastes as well .  So it can't cover all musical interests... like the many genre of Jazz, Funk, Reggae, or the many genre of EDM.  There is crossover music out there we can't even classify. 

So I've made the argument several times now that Yamaha should offer quality style making software and arranger - Cubase integration so those of us who are not so "mainstream" can create the styles we want to play without working at it so hard.

BTW... Texas is like its own country, New Mexico is like its own country, Louisiana is like its own country, Pennsylvania is like its own country, etc, etc, etc.  Yes, the USA is a big country.  New England has its own 400 years of history and the southwest has a completely different 400 year history, and how about Hawaii... it has almost nothing in common with the rest of the country.

Texas does NOT in anyway represent or reflect the tastes, trends, or culture of the United States of America. It is one of MANY diverse places and cultures of this place we call the USA.

Respectfully,
Joe H

« Last Edit: April 23, 2017, 07:08:59 AM by Joe H »
Music is the Universal Language!

My Article: Using Multi Pads in registrations. Download Regs, Styles & MPs:  http://psrtutorial.com/music/articles/dancemusic.html
 

Jeff Hollande

  • Guest
Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #29 on: April 23, 2017, 08:32:10 AM »
Hi Joe,

I have been 15 times in the USA and I absolutely agree with your statement.
Night and day difference between New York and North Carolina e.g.

Best regards from The Netherlands, Jeff

Offline mikf

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #30 on: April 23, 2017, 02:38:53 PM »
Before moving to Texas I lived for years in the north east USA and I don't think it's entirely regional, it just seems that it is less common in the USA in general to come across people who take up keyboard playing as a hobby in their golden years than in the UK. I have no idea why, any more than why playing badminton was more common in the UK than in the USA, but think it is one reason why arrangers are apparently more popular in some countries than the USA.
Young people in my view are the same in all countries, their keyboard buying is driven by what their peers play rather than the features. Until the latest stars appear on stage with a PSR or Tyros they are going to keep buying Motifs and similar.
Where Joe is definitely correct is that down the line young people become middle aged and as that occurs and they decide to get into keyboards, they will want the musical styles they grew up with on the arrangers.
Mike
 

Offline ugawoga

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #31 on: September 12, 2017, 12:06:07 AM »
The guy who started this conversation is stirring the hornets nest!!! :-*
Genos, I7 computer 32 gig ram, Focusrite 6i6, Cubase controller, Focal Alpha Monitors, Yamaha DXR8 Speakers
Cubase 10, Sonarworks, Izotope.  Sampletank, Arturia and Korg software.  Now IK Mixbox
 

Offline Enildo

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #32 on: September 12, 2017, 12:50:12 AM »
My opinion I have about keyboards arrangers is that they represent my freedom to play any song without needing a band.
I live in Brazil, and because Brazil is a continental country, there are many musical genres here. Here you can also play music from all over the world, especially the USA, England, France, Italy and countries that speak the Spanish language. I even knew arranger keyboards in the 80's. Today when I listen to a keyboard from the 80's, it looks like a toy, this is proof of the evolution of the arrangers.
For many a time, I played alone, at wedding parties, prom or restaurants, people who were listening from afar, weighed it was a band that was playing. Of modest part my show is much better than many bands of 6 musicians I listen to around.
Here in Brazil people are very fond of listening to a man + a keyboard arranger and the musicians here have to know how to play all styles to please different people.
I can not see the end of the arranger keyboards. Every year I see an evolution for the better!

Enildo  ;)
When word fail, Music speaks!
 

Offline hans1966

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #33 on: September 12, 2017, 01:51:59 AM »
Enildo I totally agree with you that arranger keyboards offer an excellent musical backing as if you were playing with a great band from Rock, Jazz or Latin, you can even emulate a Symphony Orchestra.
I have had several keyboards, I started with PSR -510, then I made the switch to PSR-S500, then PSR-S900, later PSR-S950, last but not least my faithful live presentation partner and my great fix tool musicals and sequences MIDI, of course I speak of the PSR-S970. Great keyboard !!   Greetings   Hans
"Enjoying my SX600, and moving step by step through the journey of life"
 

Offline maartenb

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #34 on: September 12, 2017, 07:33:41 AM »
This old threat is relevant again, since today Yamaha have launched their official Genos website. There the new Genos is marketed as "Welcome to the new world of Digital Workstation". The word arranger is not used!

Having said that, looking at the teaser one can clearly see the Style control buttons are still there. So I think Yamaha have disguised the new arranger as a workstation in an attempt to open up the product to a new audience.

Very smart and well done,


Maarten
 

Chalky

  • Guest
Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #35 on: September 12, 2017, 09:21:29 AM »
Hi Maarten,
It is interesting that the Tyros 5 is labelled a Digital Workstation but I am not sure at what point the Tyros range adopted that name?
Regards
Chalky
 

Offline ugawoga

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #36 on: September 12, 2017, 09:45:21 AM »
Hi

Enildo Is absolutely right.
The Styles from these keyboards allow you to have a backing band for all styles, but you can also play the instrument as a piano if you like and also mult-track with a computer.
With an auto backing band your timing has to be on the ball, so It is just as difficult as any instrument. You have the advantage of not paying another ten members In your band!!! :o Wugga Wugga!! :P
People seem to think that those with arranger/ workstation keyboards cheat at music, but with registrations, fills etc, you have to concentrate and have to play as to get the feeling of the song right.
You can have a go at people with arrangers or workstations as much as you like, but you still have to play right and get the feel or you will sound monotone like a flat singer playing a Bontempi!!! :-* :-X  " not to mention Stylophone!!  Ugawuga!! :o ??? " Ive given up the jews Harp, too many visits to the dentist"!! :P  Anyone tried Punch and Judy, nearly swallowed a swatchel"!!! :'( :-\ "That's the way to do It"! :)

The Tyros does sound as good as top line pro keyboards or as near as **** It!! 8).
I do think there Is that looking down your nose protocol still going on In music circles, but who cares as music is meant to be enjoyed by all.
I do hope this Genos blows the doubters away!!

Bring on Vocaloid and that will make singers redundant!!!!!Sausages!!! ;D
« Last Edit: September 12, 2017, 10:19:33 AM by ugawoga »
Genos, I7 computer 32 gig ram, Focusrite 6i6, Cubase controller, Focal Alpha Monitors, Yamaha DXR8 Speakers
Cubase 10, Sonarworks, Izotope.  Sampletank, Arturia and Korg software.  Now IK Mixbox
 

Offline s_cristi

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #37 on: September 12, 2017, 11:28:46 AM »
It is interesting that the Tyros 5 is labelled a Digital Workstation but I am not sure at what point the Tyros range adopted that name?
Regards
Chalky

Tyros 3 and Tyros 4 are also labelled as Digital Workstations. Not sure about Tyros 2 and Tyros 1.

Regards,
Cristi
Blessed be the Lord God Almighty!
PSR Sx700  8)
 

Offline EileenL

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #38 on: September 12, 2017, 11:46:26 AM »
Yes names have changed around but I think a keyboard that has its own styles ready made that we can just sit down and play and produce good music without to much fuss and use as a solo instrument because we also have the band with us we call an arranger.

Offline pjd

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #39 on: September 12, 2017, 02:08:24 PM »
The Tyros does sound as good as top line pro keyboards ...

I do hope this Genos blows the doubters away!!

I couldn't agree more. Genos will exceed the Montage.

-- pj
 

Offline pjd

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #40 on: September 12, 2017, 02:16:23 PM »
Having said that, looking at the teaser one can clearly see the Style control buttons are still there. So I think Yamaha have disguised the new arranger as a workstation in an attempt to open up the product to a new audience.

Hi Maarten --

Totally agree. There's no reason why a ("synthesizer") "workstation" can't have a row of assignable buttons across the width of the keyboard and just above the keys. Oh, gosh, maybe one of the actions that can be assigned plays a repeating loop and the loop follows the chord played in the left hand. Oh, my gosh, that's an "arranger!"

The Motif series used assignable buttons just below the screen for triggering "arpeggios" (musical phrases) that loop and follow left hand chords. Yamaha just needed to move the buttons.  :)  :)  :)

Thanks for all of your comments and observations -- pj

Offline mikf

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #41 on: September 12, 2017, 02:53:44 PM »
I seem to recall that Yamaha have been referring to the Tyros as a 'digital workstation' for some time. But it was still basically the smart accompaniment instrument we know as an arranger as Eileen has described. I would be very surprised if the Genos is not also primarily a smart accompaniment instrument, aimed at exactly the same market as the Tyros.
Mike
 

Offline jwyvern

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #42 on: September 12, 2017, 03:07:48 PM »
Yamaha have always called the Tyros's Digital Workstations- printed on their plastic bodies, on the Manuals and probably on the cardboard boxes. The place you see them referred to as Arrangers is in Forums. While it's a valid description I'm not aware of Yamaha having officially called them that. So if you're looking for an indication that big changes are coming take it from the name change to "Genos". Tyros and Genos are all called Digital Workstations already by Yamaha so there is little to infer from that; they are all apparently in the same DW "Class" .
John
 

Offline maartenb

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #43 on: September 12, 2017, 04:42:54 PM »
Yamaha themselves call these class of instruments "Arranger Workstation Keyboards": https://nl.yamaha.com/nl/products/musical_instruments/keyboards/  ;)


Maarten
 

mbriggs

  • Guest
Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #44 on: September 12, 2017, 07:36:37 PM »
This reply is a bit off-topic, but is in response to mikf's comment in the second entry in this thread:

The term "Arranger" appears to have been coined by Roland in 1976 with their TR-66 "Rhythm Arranger".  It appeared again in 1988 on their stand-alone RA-50 "Realtime Arranger" tone/auto-accompaniment module.  At about that same time, they carried it over to their "Intelligent Arranger" auto-accompaniment keyboards.

Matt
« Last Edit: September 12, 2017, 07:38:05 PM by mbriggs »
 

Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #45 on: September 12, 2017, 08:09:27 PM »
Yamaha makes mid-range and TOTL Arranger Workstations.  They are called that because they are complex musical instruments that require "work" to build an arrangement.  the Motif and Montage are also "Workstations" that incorporate a different architecture and workflow.  the 2 platforms are different, but in my opinion, neither is superior to the other.

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical_instruments/keyboards/arranger_workstations/index.html

As far as sound goes... the PSR S970 sounds as good as the Motif... I say that because I have both. Sonic wise, they blend together perfectly.

Joe H

Music is the Universal Language!

My Article: Using Multi Pads in registrations. Download Regs, Styles & MPs:  http://psrtutorial.com/music/articles/dancemusic.html
 

Keyboardguy

  • Guest
Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #46 on: September 13, 2017, 08:25:21 AM »
Workstation, Arranger, Keyboard - whatever. If it looks like a duck etc.

Remember, Yamaha tried to re-invent the wheel with a name for its' products in the past, when they refused to use or acknowledge the term 'electronic organ' and called them (and still do) an 'Electone'.  :-\
 

Offline mikf

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #47 on: September 13, 2017, 11:42:44 AM »
Matt - that seems a reasonable explanation for how the term 'arranger' was adopted to describe an advanced auto accompaniment keyboard. More of an evolution than an attempt to describe what it does.
I know that Workstations evolved as the attempt to replace the multitude of quite expensive equipment needed to produce quality music in a studio with a single 'station' and as technology advanced and came down in cost manufacturers were able to build a lot of this into other keyboards like the PSRs and Tyros. At some point Yamaha quite reasonably decided that the Tyros incorporated so many of the 'workstation' features that it should be also called a 'workstation'.
But there is now so many choices, price points and overlappping features available in keyboards that all that matters is if it does what you need and, as keyboardguy says, the name doesn't really matter.
Mike

Offline Joe H

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #48 on: September 13, 2017, 03:18:55 PM »
Workstation, Arranger, Keyboard - whatever. If it looks like a duck etc.

Remember, Yamaha tried to re-invent the wheel with a name for its' products in the past, when they refused to use or acknowledge the term 'electronic organ' and called them (and still do) an 'Electone'.  :-\

Your comments are obviously based on ignorance of Yamaha's architecture.  The registration memory is the center-piece of the arranger.  While it is most often used by a lot of people as a way to "setup" their keyboard... the intent of this design is to "arrange" a piece of music using styles, Multi Pads, Left and Right Voices, and even song files and audio clips.

Respectfully,
Joe H
Music is the Universal Language!

My Article: Using Multi Pads in registrations. Download Regs, Styles & MPs:  http://psrtutorial.com/music/articles/dancemusic.html
 

Offline markstyles

Re: Yamaha out of the arranger business?
« Reply #49 on: September 25, 2017, 08:07:51 PM »
I appreciate the high quality of Tyros 5 and expect that will continue to be the same..  Yes, there are a lot of cheap keyboards. Most of them the keys are unplayable for me.. Doing the Hammond organ palming technique, will usually destroy they keyboards pretty quick.  The sound engine of Tyros is exquisite.  I have a large DAW Kontakt library, but a lot of them sound pretty static and lifeless compared to what a Tyros sounds like.. 

Look it's an expensive interest, and it is an investment in a good tool..  It gives you years of good solid work..  Of course they don't sell as many, and in the US, sales are much lower than in other parts of the world..