Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    Arfon
    
    I have a DSR2000. It cost me about �500 in January 1990. It was being
    phased out then and not before time. It was my first keyboard and so at
    the time I was buying blind really.
    
    Here is a brief description :
    
    It has a five octave keyboard with full size, velocity sensitive keys.
    It does not have aftertouch.
    
    It has 100 voices of which 40 are user programmable. It works by FM
    synthesis. There are about 10 parameters with values in the range 0..8
    approximately. This means that it has fairly limited programmability by
    todays standards.
    
    It has a 5 track built in sequencer which is limited in function but
    still very useful because of its ease of use and handy location on the
    keyboard.
    
    It has a built in rhythm composer which seems to work fairly well. I
    use it occasionally if I want to play solos and need some backing.
    
    It has MIDI IN, OUT and THROUGH ports.
    
    It has a pitch bend wheel and a modulation wheel.
    
    It has the ability so dump it's internal data and can modify it's MIDI
    transmit and receive channels.
    
    In summary :
    
    As a beginners keyboard its quite good. However the sound quality is
    poor by todays standards. It sounds better played through external
    speakers and is not unbearable. It depends how much you are prepared to
    spend. You do get what you pay for with this sort of thing. I don't
    know what a good price is as I don't know the second hand market but I
    would think that �200 or less wouldn't be too bad. It all depends on
    what your needs are. The keyboard itself is perfectly adequate so long
    as you don't require weighted keys or aftertouch. It's the sounds that
    let it down. Go and listen to it and make your own mind up about these.
     If you are a beginner (are you ?) then its not a bad place to start if
    you get a good price. You can upgrade the sounds later with a synth
    module.
    
    I hope that helps
    
    Paul
    
    p.s. I'm in Reading too. Give me a call on 830-6364 if you want a chat
    about it.
    

    Thanks for your reply Paul, it is very useful information.

    I have played Piano for apx 15 years so in that sense I'm not a
    beginner, but as far as electronic keyboards are concerned I am a total
    beginner!!

    I intend to use it for home use and hopefully start some recording with
    some friends but nothing too serious.
    
    I have also seen  a Yamaha DX27 for sale...How does this compare???
    Does the DX27 have a Sequencer???
    
    Thanks
    
    Arfon.
    DTN 830-6028
    

    The DX-27 is a 5 octave, full size keys, 4 op FM synth. Completely
    programmable. Doesn't support splits and/or layers. 
    
    I'd prefer it over the .0 referenced synth, which seems to be aimed at 
    a more "consumer" market.
    
    I've no idea what a used DX-27 is selling for, but I'd suspect around
    $300 US would be about tops.
    
    Edd

    This may sound dumb, but what are "splits and layers"?
    and "Aftertouch"???
    
    Thanks
    Arfon.
    

    Splits are putting 1 sound on one side of the keyboard, and a second
    sound on the other. Like "bass on the low keys, piano on the high
    keys".
    
    Layers are where you can simultaneously play two sounds by playing only
    1 key.
    
    Aftertouch allows you to vary the pressure on a key after the key
    reaches the bottom of it's travel. By varying the pressure you can
    activate a modulation source. Ex: Press hard and the LFO comes in.
    Depending on the architecture, pressing hard on one key might cause
    ALL the notes to react to the modulation ("Channel AT") or ONLY the
    key you press harder could react ("polyphonic AT")
    
    Edd

And to simplify aftertouch a little further:

>> Ex: Press hard and the LFO comes in.

After you play the key you press down hard and vibrato (for example)
appears in the already sounding note - very useful for emulating non-keyboard
instruments (horns/strings). 

Polyphonic helps you emulate a horn choir (for example) where each instrument 
has a different vibrato. Mono aftertouch would make all of the horn [players] 
synchronize their vibratos - less realistic.

Vibrato is a commmon use of aftertouch. You can also have different sounds
or harmonics coming in and out in response to your key pressure. Depending
on how flexible your midi setup is you can control just about anything with 
aftertouch.

Dave

    Arfon,
    
    I'm just a beginner myself and I luckily happened onto the Yamaha PSR
    500. I say luckily because I just happened to call on the telphone for
    a price check of another more costly unit, and the dude steered me into
    this. I've had it for a few weeks now and am thoroughly delighted. I've
    since rechecked my original idea (Roland E-5 or KR100) only to confirm that
    mine was by far the better buy. Check out my entry for Yamaha PSR
    400/500 for details. (sorry, don't remember the number)
    
    "sakman" 

    Thanks sakman I'll certainly gives this the once over!!!
    
    RE .3
    
    You Say that the DX27 is completely programable....
    
    What does this mean...?
     	-Do you need a computer to program it???
    	-Does it have any preset rhythms and sounds???
    	-When programs are input can they be stored for future use???
        -What exactly do you program, new sounds?, rhythm patterns?, songs?
    	-Is this programabity essentialy a Sequencer ,if not does the
         DX27 have one??
    
    Thanks
    Arfon.
    
    

    > You Say that the DX27 is completely programable....What does this
    >mean?
 
    You can vary ALL the components that make up a sound. Frequency,
    envelope, algorhythm, feedback, LFO, key follow, etc...
    
    >  	-Do you need a computer to program it???
 
    Nope, you can vary all the parameters via the front panel. You can use
    a 'puter if you want, but it's not necessary.
    
    >   	-Does it have any preset rhythms and sounds???
    
    Lots of preset sounds, no rhythms.
    
    >	-When programs are input can they be stored for future use???
    
    Yes.
        
    > -What exactly do you program, new sounds?, rhythm patterns?, songs?
    
    Sounds only.
    	
    > -Is this programabity essentialy a Sequencer ,if not does the
    >      DX27 have one??
    
    Nope, the DX has no sequencing abilities. It's a keyboard and sound
    generator ONLY.
    
    Edd
    
    
    

    So there's no rhythm section at all on a DX27???
    
    Arfon.
    

    Not even a decent drum sound...
    
    Edd

    A DX-27 was my first keyboard, and while it was fine for me at the
    time, I wouldn't recommend anyone buy one today unless you can get it
    *really* cheap. The main drawback is that it doesn't have
    velocity-sensitive keys which (imo) makes it practically useless for
    even semi-serious keyboard playing. It doesn't have drum sounds or a
    sequencer either (but that doesn't worry me too much).
    
    I still like my DX27. It functions well enough in my set up for back
    up sounds, but I only ever play it over midi from a velocity sensitive
    keyboard. It's really just a bit out of date.
    
    
    Tony I
                          

    
    Update:
    
    Thanks for the pointer Sakman.....I have looked into the PSR400/500 and
    am well impressed.  Cost in the UK is �369 and �469 (this is general
    shop price, mail order offers both at apx. �40 less).
    
    My only problem now is - Which one do I get?????
    
    Yours_very_confused_and_indecisive,
    
    Arfon.
     
    

    No doubt about it Arfon, spend the extra poundage on the 500. I
    originally bought the 400 since the Music Store at the time didn't have
    a 500. When the 500's came in three weeks later, he gave me a 
    good trade (my 400+$100) for a 500 with a stand. 
    
    The 400 is a great unit, the 500 is a great+ unit. I have yet to see
    anything that comes close to the value. I can't see me ever needing an
    upgrade. 
    
    The biggest functional difference is the 500 has reverb where the 400 
    doesn't. There are other subtle differences in capability, I haven't
    gotten that sophisticated with mine so I really can't explain what
    those differences are. 
    
    One thing I've noticed about owning it (I'm a guitar player) is that it
    seems when I go into my music room to play, I use the automation to
    play along with it on my guitar. This thing has tremendous guitar practice
    value for me. I seem to be practicing less on the keyboard itself. I
    think I'm gonna start taking KB lessons soon.
    
    "sakman"