What model did the Yamaha PSR-SX920 replace?

The PSR-SX920 is the successor to the Yamaha PSR-SX900 digital arranger keyboard.

How many voices are included in the PSR-SX920?

The keyboard features a total of 1,587 high-quality voices, ranging from traditional acoustic instruments to modern electronic tones.

How many accompaniment styles does the PSR-SX920 have?

It comes equipped with 575 built-in accompaniment styles that cover a broad range of musical genres.

What is Style Dynamics Control?

This feature allows the performer to adjust the energy and volume of the backing styles in real-time, enabling expressive shifts between soft and bold playing.

How does the DSP power compare to previous models?

The PSR-SX920 features double the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) power of its predecessor, resulting in higher quality effects and sound reproduction.

What is Crossfade Portamento?

Crossfade Portamento is a feature that ensures smooth pitch transitions between notes, helping to add emotional depth and realism to melodic performances.

Are there assignable controls on the PSR-SX920?

Yes, the keyboard includes two live controllers and eight assignable buttons that can be mapped to various functions for real-time adjustment.

What is the typical price for the Yamaha PSR-SX920?

The typical retail price for this model is approximately £1,732 in the UK market.

How does it compare to the Yamaha PSR-SX720+?

The PSR-SX920 is the higher-tier model, offering a greater number of voices, styles, and more advanced processing features than the SX720+.

Is the PSR-SX920 suitable for live performances?

Yes, it is specifically designed for live musicians, offering real-time controllers, style energy management, and a vast library of sounds for any genre.

Does the PSR-SX920 include modern and traditional sounds?

The keyboard includes a wide variety of both modern electronic tones and traditional acoustic instrument sounds to suit different musical needs.

How does the PSR-SX920 differ from basic portable keyboards?

Unlike basic models such as the PSR-E383, the SX920 is a professional arranger with advanced DSP, higher voice counts, and dedicated physical controls for performance customization.

Gear article

Yamaha PSR-SX920 Digital Arranger Keyboard

The Yamaha PSR-SX920 is a professional-grade digital arranger keyboard designed for performance, composition, and live accompaniment. Superseding the previous PSR-SX900 model, it features 1587 voices, 575 accompaniment styles, and enhanced digital signal processing power for high-quality audio production.

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Background and Development

The PSR-SX920 represents a significant update in Yamaha’s mid-to-high tier arranger lineup, serving as the direct successor to the PSR-SX900. It is positioned as a versatile workstation for musicians who require a portable but powerful alternative to the flagship Genos series. The development of this model focused on increasing processing overhead, specifically doubling the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) power compared to its predecessor to allow for more complex effects and realistic sound reproduction.

Technical Specifications and Features

The keyboard is equipped with a vast library of 1,587 voices and 575 backing styles covering a wide spectrum of musical genres, from traditional acoustic instruments to modern electronic sounds.

Key technical features include: * Style Dynamics Control: Allows the player to adjust the intensity and energy of the backing styles in real-time, ranging from soft pianissimo to loud fortissimo. * Crossfade Portamento: A specialized function that ensures smooth pitch transitions between notes, designed to add emotional nuance to melodic lines. * Physical Interface: Includes two live controllers and eight assignable buttons, enabling users to map and adjust essential functions instantly during a performance.

Sonic Character and Performance

With double the DSP power of the previous generation, the PSR-SX920 delivers a more refined audio output with higher quality effects. The sound character is defined by its clarity and the ability to handle complex arrangements without losing detail. The inclusion of Style Dynamics Control specifically addresses the 'static' nature often associated with arranger keyboards, allowing for a more human-like, expressive performance through variable velocity and energy in the backing tracks.

Market Position and Alternatives

The PSR-SX920 occupies a professional price point of approximately £1,732. Within Yamaha's own ecosystem, it sits above the PSR-SX720+, offering more voices, styles, and hardware controls. When compared to budget-oriented portable keyboards like the Yamaha PSR-E383 or the Casio CT-S200, the SX920 is a significantly more advanced tool aimed at serious performers. Its primary competition in the specialized arranger market includes the Roland E-A7, which also offers expandable arranger features.

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Frequently asked questions

What model did the Yamaha PSR-SX920 replace?: The PSR-SX920 is the successor to the Yamaha PSR-SX900 digital arranger keyboard.
How many voices are included in the PSR-SX920?: The keyboard features a total of 1,587 high-quality voices, ranging from traditional acoustic instruments to modern electronic tones.
How many accompaniment styles does the PSR-SX920 have?: It comes equipped with 575 built-in accompaniment styles that cover a broad range of musical genres.
What is Style Dynamics Control?: This feature allows the performer to adjust the energy and volume of the backing styles in real-time, enabling expressive shifts between soft and bold playing.
How does the DSP power compare to previous models?: The PSR-SX920 features double the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) power of its predecessor, resulting in higher quality effects and sound reproduction.
What is Crossfade Portamento?: Crossfade Portamento is a feature that ensures smooth pitch transitions between notes, helping to add emotional depth and realism to melodic performances.
Are there assignable controls on the PSR-SX920?: Yes, the keyboard includes two live controllers and eight assignable buttons that can be mapped to various functions for real-time adjustment.
What is the typical price for the Yamaha PSR-SX920?: The typical retail price for this model is approximately £1,732 in the UK market.
How does it compare to the Yamaha PSR-SX720+?: The PSR-SX920 is the higher-tier model, offering a greater number of voices, styles, and more advanced processing features than the SX720+.
Is the PSR-SX920 suitable for live performances?: Yes, it is specifically designed for live musicians, offering real-time controllers, style energy management, and a vast library of sounds for any genre.
Does the PSR-SX920 include modern and traditional sounds?: The keyboard includes a wide variety of both modern electronic tones and traditional acoustic instrument sounds to suit different musical needs.
How does the PSR-SX920 differ from basic portable keyboards?: Unlike basic models such as the PSR-E383, the SX920 is a professional arranger with advanced DSP, higher voice counts, and dedicated physical controls for performance customization.