What happened to the Music Finder Database?

[glness]

I have a Yamaha PSR-E453 and enjoy it, but I planned to get the PSR-EW410 because I want 76 keys. I enjoy using the Music Finder Database (378 custom song styles) on the PSR-E453 quite a bit. It looks like this helpful feature has completely disappeared on the PSR-E463 &PSR-EW410. There is no Music Finder Database button, there is nothing I can find in the PSR-E463 & PSR-EW410 manual, and there is nothing listed in Data Book for these new models. Did they discontinue this feature? I read a lot of reviews comparing the E453 vs. E463, and there was no mention of this helpful feature vanishing from the newer models. Yamaha promoted this feature in the PSR-E453 & PSR-EW400. Why has it disappeared in the PSR-E463 & PSR-EW410?

[Saul]

Hi glness, welcome to the forums

I can't say for sure why there is no music finder on the E463 but my guess is because Yamaha are moving more to iPhone/iPad apps such as those found here https://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/music ... oduct-tabs

I think perhaps Yamaha are also trying to move people toward services such as https://www.flowkey.com/en

I can of course check with Yamaha to confirm the situation?

[SeaGtGruff]

That’s a good question, and only Yamaha knows the answer.

My guess is that it was removed to allow for the sampler functions or other new features, either due to pricing considerations, memory constraints, or both.

Usually when new features are added it leads to an increase in manufacturing costs, which are passed on to the consumer by raising the market price. So if a company wants to keep the new model at about the same price as the old model there might need to be cost reductions in some areas to balance any cost increases in other areas. This could involve switching to cheaper materials, or it might involve dropping features which were felt to be the most expendable.

Perhaps Yamaha felt that the Music Database wasn’t being used by most of the people who own a PSR-E4xx model, making it the most expendable feature? I don’t think Yamaha ever explains the reasons for decisions like this.

[glness]

Thank you for your reply, Saul. I am sure Yamaha is trying to appeal to different demographics as they market their keyboards, but scratching the Music Finder Database (MFD) in the new models makes me want to hang onto my PSR-E453 instead of upgrading to the PSR-E463 or PSR-EW410. I checked out those links you provided, and there really isn't anything there that matches the ease and convenience of having the MFD right there on the keyboard for custom styles that work with many popular songs.

It seems to me the new models are a downgrade because of this missing feature. I realize they have to balance features/cost and decide who is their primary target audience, but what they removed makes their new models less attractive to me and others who may have appreciated this key feature in several of the past models in the PSR-3XX and PSR-4XX series, and also the 76-key PSR-EW4XX series.

Do you know if PSR-EW400 models are still available for purchase?

[Saul]

It could be that Yamaha are trying to reposition these keyboard in the marketplace. Hence the sampling function, which really I don't see the point of but then I am not the target audience for such a keyboard.

I have fired off an email to Yamaha here in the UK to ask about the lack of the MFD on new models. Not sure they will want to explain why but I do have sense that it is as Peter mentioned to do with balancing features against price. in order to present a product as new and current they need to show that they have "added" something and things like sampling tick the boxes.

The PRS-EW400 doesn't seem to be available here in the UK, at least not at the stores I checked.

[glness]

That’s a good question, and only Yamaha knows the answer.

My guess is that it was removed to allow for the sampler functions or other new features, either due to pricing considerations, memory constraints, or both.

...

Perhaps Yamaha felt that the Music Database wasn’t being used by most of the people who own a PSR-E4xx model, making it the most expendable feature? I don’t think Yamaha ever explains the reasons for decisions like this.

Thank you for your reply! I addressed some of this in my response to Saul. I understand Yamaha has to make marketing decisions that maximize their sales potential, but, in this case, I think it takes out an important feature that they included and definitely touted in past models of the PSR-E3xx, PSR-E4xx, and PSR-EW4xx.

I assume adding their new features at the expense of this helpful music-finder-database feature makes the keyboard more attractive to younger demographics and less attractive to older demographics. I don't know what their marketing mix is for these keyboards, but I think it is unfortunate that "progress" has to come at the expense of a feature that was helpful to some and also actively promoted in past models.

[SeaGtGruff]

Usually when a new model is coming out, the stores try to get rid of their inventory of the old model to make room for the new one. This could make it difficult to find a PSR-EW400 "new" in a store at this date. But you might be able to find a used one in good condition that someone wants to sell before they upgrade to the new model.

[glness]

But you might be able to find a used one in good condition that someone wants to sell before they upgrade to the new model.

Thanks, I'll keep my eyes open or maybe wait until the next iteration of the PSR-EW410 comes out and hope that Yamaha puts this feature back in. Perhaps they need a PSR-EW500 series, so they don't have to take useful features away to add new ones.

[YamaHO]

I have a PSR-s770, that I bought new for about $1400 7 or so years ago. I was all ready to buy the new PSR-SX920 yesterday, for $2400, when I realized there is no Music Finder on it. Killed the deal for me. What a shame.

[Gunnar J]

I have a PSR-s770, that I bought new for about $1400 7 or so years ago. I was all ready to buy the new PSR-SX920 yesterday, for $2400, when I realized there is no Music Finder on it. Killed the deal for me. What a shame.

Hi.

Playlist is a great function.

According to page 95 in the user manual, there is a solution for "missing" Music Finder:
/ Quote:
By importing Music Finder Records used on previous Yamaha keyboards (such as the PSR-S975/S775), you can use
the Records on the Playlist of the PSR-SX920/SX720, just like using the Music Finder function on those other
instruments.
For details on using Music Finder, refer to the Owner’s Manual of the Yamaha keyboard which contains your desired
Music Finder Records.
/ End quote.