Yamaha PSR s775 61-Key Arranger Workstation Keyboard Review

Yamaha PSR-S775 is a professional arranger (more of a performance workstation) with several powerful performance features, audio playback functions and a Mic/Guitar input, making it ideal for live playing.

The Yamaha PSR-s775 replaced the Yamaha PSR-s770 (discontinued) but for quite some time now, even the PSR-s775 is off most shelves, so we are not sure if Yamaha is planning a upgrade. We will keep you posted.

Yamaha PSR-s775 features several powerful performance features, realistic voices & auto-accompaniment styles, and allows you to record your performances to a USB drive. It comes with a 7″ Widescreen color display, and comes with flexible audio playback functions and a Mic/Guitar input, making it ideal for live use on stage, in the studio or at home. It comes with excellent sounds/styles and has capacity for further expansion; you can use it on stage, in the studio or at home. It however doesn’t come with vocal harmonizer (available in PSR-975).

Yamaha PSR-S775 Arranger Workstation video review

• Pros: Powerful features for live performance (live controllers, DJ styles), Large color LCD display, USB audio playback, Expandable
• Cons: No vocal harmonizer (PSR s970 has it)

 

Detailed Review

Before the Yamaha PSR s775 burst into the scene, I felt that the features and the sounds available on the earlier versions didn’t justify the high price. If anybody had to buy, I would have suggested him/her to spend more, and go in for the higher version that gave you super articulation sounds, a better color screen, and more importantly the vocal harmonizer.

However, the PSR-775 comes across a much better version; the sound system is much better, and the layout has been modified a bit to accommodate the larger woofers. The buttons have been moved closer to the keys, and has been nicely arranged.

As far as the voices & styles are concerned, the factory ones seem to have better audio quality and effects.
You now have some of the Super Articulation voices such as Saxophones, Guitars, Strings, etc. from the PSRS975.

Are you fond of Middle-Eastern, Oriental or world music in general? You can now easily load the world sounds & styles and totally transform this keyboard.

Its very easy to assign wav files to the multipads and trigger them or stops them with the press of a button. You may also loop the wave file internally for playback.

This one however doesn’t have a vocal harmonizer, but for those who are not yet ready to pay the extra $600 to $700 for the PSR s975, can definitely consider the PSR-s775.

 

 

Get real sounds
Besides realistic sounds, this keyboard also features a comprehensive suite of effects to take your performance to a new level altogether.

Powerful features for live performance
You get complete control over the voices, styles, effects and other functions during live performance, thanks to the two assignable live controllers, a modulation wheel and two assignable foot pedal inputs.

This keyboard also features DJ Styles, a new concept, that eliminates the need for continuous chord changes (you can use from a collection of standard chord progressions). This way, both your hands are free to do more – play melody notes, or use the Live Controllers, or trigger external audio with the Multi Pads. You can indeed take your to a new level altogether.

Mic input for singers and guitarists/instrumentalists
A Mic/Guitar input allows you to add vocals or guitar (or any other acoustic music instrument) to your live performance with ease. Feel free to add the keyboards versatile effects to the vocals, or adjust any of the parameters to suit your preference. Just plug in a microphone and you’re ready to roll.

 

 

USB audio playback with flexible functions
You can time stretch, pitch shift, and use other functions as you play backing tracks through the keyboards USB audio player.

Expansion Packs Available
You can add more memory, more sounds to the Yamaha PSR-775 by buying voice & Style Expansion Packs, allows you to add a wide range of additional content from all over the world.

Chord Tracker App
The Yamaha Chord Tracker app (for iPhone and iPad) helps you easily identify chord sequence in an audio track, great for practicing and for performance.

More features & technical specs:

 

Final Word
The Yamaha PSR s775 (replaced the PSR s770) is a much improved version compared to the earlier version and has several cool features. It uses several sounds from the Tyros, has DJ functions, controller functions, and more. The large 7″ screen lets you easily see everything you need to. If you find the PSR s975 beyond reach, the Yamaha PSR s775 keyboard can be a good option for your needs.