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MGR/Mustapha from Cape Girardeau, Missouri « Yamaha PSR-740 »
Published on 12/30/02 at 15:00I purchased this unit from Shivelbine's Music store (535 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Missouri) about a year ago. I traded in my old Yamaha PSR-630 and there was a bit of cash difference. I am primarily a guitar player and use the Yamaha as my back-up/background. (Basically the Yamaha plays my background music while I do melody and lead with my Ovation Adamas guitar. (which I also purchased at the same location and have used enjoyed for the past three, four years.)
What do I like about the unit? Well, aesthetically speaking, it is a much nicer unit than the old PSR's it replaced. I do like the multi display (though it can be very challenging to read either in daylight, when performing outdoors on a sunny day) and the units colors also seem to work well (black/gold) Then again, the visual elements take a backseat when it comes to sound quality, usability, etc. Im pleased with most of the sounds available and the sweet sounds are also nice to experiment with and in my opinion, add more realism to sounds. I could do without some of the extra (roller coaster, laser gun, laughter, etc.) sounds and wouldnt it be nice if one could actually flush sounds in the way that it is possible to do with old bios in computers? Once a year-or-two, one could simply install new and improved sounds (or is this possible and I just do not know how to do it?) Yamaha, Roland, etc., are you listening? It would be nice to be able to opt out of certain sounds and place emphasis on others. Well, when Im not playing for money out around town, I also compose. This is where I really come close to really using this unit. Most of my own compositions tend to be a bit dark with classical overtones and due to my own eastern influence, I tend to shy away from traditional beats and rhythms. (just like my birth city Istanbul {Constantinople to some} where east meets the west, something similar happens with my music, I suppose ) Though I do not explore the full potential of the rhythmic styles available, I understand the rock group Toto was impressed sufficiently enough to have used the PSR-740 for drums on their most recent album. Well, if its good enough for Toto The recording process itself is a bit different from my old PSR-630 and is menu driven. No complaints here though, Im able to rough-draft my music and work-out the details later as I go along. Did I mention 740's DSP capabilities? It seems the possibilities are endless and one can infinitely vary soundfield settings. Theres also a vocal harmonizer feature and singing being not my forte, Ive left this feature well enough alone. I have seen other 740 owners utilize this feature and well, again Ive not worked with it to have strong impressions. The "stand-alone" sound (internal amp and built in speakers) isn't too bad either and certainly is an improvement from my old 630.
Well, about the only thing that readily comes to mind is the fact that I can not vary the overall volume from the Master Volume knob when I'm out performing (when I use external amplification.) Oh, also the "cheesy" sounds such as Laser Gun, Firework, Machine Gun, etc. Why not simply devise a way to "refresh" internal sounds and to dump unwanted sounds? (again, this may well be possible?) Finaly, the floppy drive!! Why not a cd drive? (Or in the least, a zip drive?) Often I have to cart around 100+ floppy's when I could achieve the same result with a single cd! (Incidentaly, I have an onsite performance library of about 2000 cover titles which I can choose selections from for customer requests - ok, I'm sort of like a human jukebox!)
Well, I'd say the overall quality is fairly good despite the inherent limitations of plastics. As long as one is careful in the handling and storage of the keyboard, there should be no problems. The keys are fairly light weight too and at times, this can be somewhat off-setting. But the overall "fit-and-finish" is very good and aesthetically the keyboard is very pleasing. Good job Yamaha!
To begin with, Im not exactly utilizing the full potential of this keyboard and perhaps if I were, my impressions would be somewhat different. At any rate, this is a lot of keyboard for the money and it can not very well be designed to be all things to everyone. It fills out its niche nicely, does the job and then some. Certainly, a well versed keyboard user could choose to opt for a 9000(pro) to address whatever issues the 740 could not. Would I recommend this keyboard to someone? Certainly and without any reservations. Reason would dictate that you can cram only so much into what is already a very limited space yet, Yamaha always seems to push the envelope and Im looking forward to trying out and owning other keyboards from this manufacturer. (I have also had very good experience with Yamaha home stereo components and service) I give Yamaha a grade of A for a job well done. By the way, Id also like to commend Shivelbines music (especially Bill Shievelbine, who seems to have endless patience!)- (Cape Girardeau, MO) for being very musician friendly and for doing much to encourage local musical talent and participation. Thanks Bill.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
What do I like about the unit? Well, aesthetically speaking, it is a much nicer unit than the old PSR's it replaced. I do like the multi display (though it can be very challenging to read either in daylight, when performing outdoors on a sunny day) and the units colors also seem to work well (black/gold) Then again, the visual elements take a backseat when it comes to sound quality, usability, etc. Im pleased with most of the sounds available and the sweet sounds are also nice to experiment with and in my opinion, add more realism to sounds. I could do without some of the extra (roller coaster, laser gun, laughter, etc.) sounds and wouldnt it be nice if one could actually flush sounds in the way that it is possible to do with old bios in computers? Once a year-or-two, one could simply install new and improved sounds (or is this possible and I just do not know how to do it?) Yamaha, Roland, etc., are you listening? It would be nice to be able to opt out of certain sounds and place emphasis on others. Well, when Im not playing for money out around town, I also compose. This is where I really come close to really using this unit. Most of my own compositions tend to be a bit dark with classical overtones and due to my own eastern influence, I tend to shy away from traditional beats and rhythms. (just like my birth city Istanbul {Constantinople to some} where east meets the west, something similar happens with my music, I suppose ) Though I do not explore the full potential of the rhythmic styles available, I understand the rock group Toto was impressed sufficiently enough to have used the PSR-740 for drums on their most recent album. Well, if its good enough for Toto The recording process itself is a bit different from my old PSR-630 and is menu driven. No complaints here though, Im able to rough-draft my music and work-out the details later as I go along. Did I mention 740's DSP capabilities? It seems the possibilities are endless and one can infinitely vary soundfield settings. Theres also a vocal harmonizer feature and singing being not my forte, Ive left this feature well enough alone. I have seen other 740 owners utilize this feature and well, again Ive not worked with it to have strong impressions. The "stand-alone" sound (internal amp and built in speakers) isn't too bad either and certainly is an improvement from my old 630.
Well, about the only thing that readily comes to mind is the fact that I can not vary the overall volume from the Master Volume knob when I'm out performing (when I use external amplification.) Oh, also the "cheesy" sounds such as Laser Gun, Firework, Machine Gun, etc. Why not simply devise a way to "refresh" internal sounds and to dump unwanted sounds? (again, this may well be possible?) Finaly, the floppy drive!! Why not a cd drive? (Or in the least, a zip drive?) Often I have to cart around 100+ floppy's when I could achieve the same result with a single cd! (Incidentaly, I have an onsite performance library of about 2000 cover titles which I can choose selections from for customer requests - ok, I'm sort of like a human jukebox!)
Well, I'd say the overall quality is fairly good despite the inherent limitations of plastics. As long as one is careful in the handling and storage of the keyboard, there should be no problems. The keys are fairly light weight too and at times, this can be somewhat off-setting. But the overall "fit-and-finish" is very good and aesthetically the keyboard is very pleasing. Good job Yamaha!
To begin with, Im not exactly utilizing the full potential of this keyboard and perhaps if I were, my impressions would be somewhat different. At any rate, this is a lot of keyboard for the money and it can not very well be designed to be all things to everyone. It fills out its niche nicely, does the job and then some. Certainly, a well versed keyboard user could choose to opt for a 9000(pro) to address whatever issues the 740 could not. Would I recommend this keyboard to someone? Certainly and without any reservations. Reason would dictate that you can cram only so much into what is already a very limited space yet, Yamaha always seems to push the envelope and Im looking forward to trying out and owning other keyboards from this manufacturer. (I have also had very good experience with Yamaha home stereo components and service) I give Yamaha a grade of A for a job well done. By the way, Id also like to commend Shivelbines music (especially Bill Shievelbine, who seems to have endless patience!)- (Cape Girardeau, MO) for being very musician friendly and for doing much to encourage local musical talent and participation. Thanks Bill.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com