Yamaha PSR-SX620: New Features and a Fresh Design for the Midrange Arranger Workstation
The new Gateway to the Yamaha PSR-SX Series
The new Yamaha PSR-SX620 arranger workstation sports a completely new design and offers many features of the bigger siblings in a streamlined, more affordable package.
Yamaha PSR-SX620
The Yamaha PSR-SX620 replaces the popular PSR-SX600, which had gotten a bit long in the tooth after six years. Some consider the larger PSR-SX920 and PSR-SX720+ affordable alternatives to the mighty Genos 2 – can that also be said of the new entry-level model in the PSR-SX series?
What immediately meets the eye is the new design. The PSR-SX620 has softer, more modern lines than the edgy predecessor. The speakers have also been redesigned. While their total output power hasn’t changed, Yamaha says that the new BassPort system ensures a more powerful and balanced sound.
The panel also received a major overhaul. According to Yamaha, the new layout provides easier access to the most important controls as you play. Unlike the bigger siblings, however, the keyboard still doesn’t offer a touchscreen, but retains the 4.3” color TFT display of the predecessor.
In place of the pitch and mod wheels, the Yamaha PSR-SX620 features the combined joystick also found on the larger models. This allows for more intuitive control of expressive voices and articulations.
Speaking of voices: The PSR-SX620 features a total of 1,002 voices and 51 drum/SFX kits (PSR-SX600: 850/43). The particularly expressive ‘Featured Voices’ see the biggest increase with 137 S.Articulation!, 34 Mega, 31 Sweet!, 74 Cool! and 89 Live! Voices. The space for expansions has also been increased from 100 to 380 MB. And of course, the new keyboard also comes with a bunch of new styles (450 instead of 415).
Furthermore, the PSR-SX620 gains 9 insert FX blocks with 322 presets and 30 user settings. These complement the send and master effects (reverb, chorus, DSP, master compressor, master EQ, part EQ). A separate FX engine with a noise gate, compressor, and EQ is reserved for the microphone input.
The new keyboard has also inherited the handy Chord Looper from its bigger siblings. This feature lets you quickly record a chord progression, keeping your hands free for other tasks.
The lack of Bluetooth was one of the biggest weaknesses of the older PSR-SX600. The new model now features wireless connectivity for MIDI and even audio, letting you stream music from your phone or tablet.
While the wired connectivity has largely remained the same, the headphone output is now conveniently located on the front side. Yamaha also points out that the circuitry of the line output has been redesigned to deliver a clearer, more powerful signal. In addition, the keyboard features two USB ports (device/host), two pedal jacks, a microphone input, and an Aux input.
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