Yamaha PSR-SX720 61-Keys Digital Arranger Keyboard

Yamaha has launched two new arranger workstations in the midrange PSR-SX series. According to the manufacturer, the new PSR-SX920 and PSR-SX720 include many new features for “enhanced sound, expressive dynamics and emotional depth”.

Both new workstations include a number of so-called “Super Articulation” voices designed to put natural instrumental expressions like vibrato, brass attacks, or trills at your fingertips. While the PSR-SX720 has 252 “Super Articulation” voices and nine new “Super Articulation+” voices, the PSR-SX920 offers an additional 12 “Super Articulation 2” voices that came straight from the latest generation Genos2. The new Crossfade Portamento feature also descended from the Genos2 and allows for seamless transitions between notes. All in all, the SX920 now has 1587 voices and 63 drum/SFX kits, while the SX720 offers 1377 voices and 56 kits. That should be enough to handle any music request thrown at you during a gig. And just in case it isn’t, both keyboards can be expanded with Voice & Style Expansion Packs.

Another expressive feature that came from the Genos series and now makes its first appearance in the PSR-SX series is “Style Dynamics Control”. This lets you adjust the intensity of the accompanying instruments, rather than simply changing their volume. SDC can be controlled by a knob or pedal. Needless to say, the number of styles has also increased to 575 (PSR-SX920) and 450 (PSR-SX720). According to Yamaha, the new PSR-SX workstations offer double the DSP power for Style Insertion FXcompared to the predecessors.

While the PSR-SX920 and PSR-SX720 are midrange arranger workstations, they still offer all the features you need to deliver professional performances. Both keyboards have a 7” color touchscreen, a fully featured FX section, a playlist mode with 2,500 entries, MIDI and audio playback and recording, an external input for a microphone or guitar, programmable multi pads, and much more. As such, they look like affordable alternatives to the Genos2 if you don’t need some of the most advanced features of the flagship.