Yamaha PSS-790

Overall, the machine is really easy to use. It works well as a MIDI controller and many of the 100 sounds a pretty useable. The built in sequencer can have you up and recording songs in a short time. You can assign any combination of sounds to the front pads and it can be useful. The vector synth is useful and this machine can be tweaked to do more than expected. Boy did I spend hours and hours on this during college ... and created 100's of cool songs using it. Editing the recorded songs isn't always that practical, but still easy to do, usually I just re-record the whole track. You can set the tempo real slow and then record and achieve some impressive recordings, even if your not that good. Changing everything is consistent and easy if your used to knowing the number for your favorite sounds and styles.

The polyphony is decent, but you will run into the limit when using the 8 track sequencer.

The keys are smaller and might be an issue from some, but after 20+ years, none of mine have chipped or stopped working. Keys are not touch sensitive.

The effects are somewhat limited to just basic stuff, but they do give you some tweaking options to the base sounds.

Using the vector synth is major plus for this unit. You can mix up to four sounds using the vector joystick and achive some pretty cool stuff (esp. for its day) ... like a synth-bass, etc. You can change the sounds using the vector while playing -- real cool.

There are 61 keys, 100 stereo voices, 50 rhythms, vector synthesis, 16 MIDI channels, 28-note polyphonic, 8 drum pads, 8 tracks built-in sequencer.

The MIDI stuff works well, I've mainly used it as a MIDI controller attached to my computer and with VSTs. It has MIDI in and out but no thru (I believe).

Overall, the sequencer is very decent and doesn't look stuff ... seems to even keep stuff when batteries are removed (loved that). You can compose stuff and then play back (and even FFWD, RWND, PAUSE, etc.) In its day, this keyboard having this feature was simply AMAZING. Still in 2005, its good and better than most sub $300 keyboards. By changing the tempo (slowing it down), you can record more elaborate stuff ... and then play the song at the correct speed and you sound sweet.

Have to knock it one notch for having no expandability ... but this was a $200-$300 new ... and still worth something, IMHO.

I don't think you can load songs into the sequencer, but I admit I have never tried this.

The sounds are overall pretty good and easy to use. They are especially good for the mid 80's era ... my favorites are the piano (01), the 75,76,77 synths, the 83,84,85,86,87 basses and the 96 drumkit. There are about 10 other pretty usable sounds ... none are terrible. For its day and price, this was a 10.

No aftertouch. Effects are limited.

By altering the octave, you can achieve sounds you didn't know existed on this machine. The drums shifted up (to the top, or down to the bottom) are pretty cool.

Using the vector is also very cool and give this machine some character. You can combine sounds very well with the vector synth and I especially like combining a bass with a synth or string sound ... very nice.

Note: one of the sequencer tracks is reserved for vector synth recording only and one is reserved for a style (and/or) accomp. So really your working with 6 tracks unless you use the vector and auto accomp stuff.

Its been totally reliable (even without using a case) for me. I've used it without a backup ... but a serious musician would see this as just another tool in the arsenal ... kind of specialty this these days. For a kid, you could stuff make sweet songs with this unit.

Never called support for anything, really bug free unit for me.

I don't know if I'd replace it, but for sentimental reasons I might since I loved this thing so much back in College in the 80's. I know how to work thing to this day. I love the vector, I love the sequencer and making songs ... and the speakers are actually good and have some decent bass to them. The batteries last FOREVER ... I'm talking a month+ of heavy use ... so its very portable and you know when that batteries are going because it goes rather slowly and after an hours, there back again for another 10 minutes or so. I make probably 4-5 tapes of songs using this and some were very cool. If I had to choose between a $200 casio and this, I'd definately take this.