Yamaha Tyros/Genos comparison: Genos v Tyros5 v Tyros4 v Tyros3 v Tyros2 v Tyros

Updated February 2019

Yamaha has marked the Tyros 5 as discontinued, meaning it will no longer be manufacturing this model. It now effectively considers the Tyros line of arranger workstations to be at an end, with the likes of the Genos and higher-end PSR-S models stepping in to take their place. Of course, it will still be possible to pick up used Tyros models, so read on for a detailed look at the difference between each of the five incarnations of Yamaha’s once-flagship music keyboards.

Yamaha has launched five versions of its flagship TYROS arranger workstation keyboards, plus the Genos which could well be described as the Tyros 6. Here we look at the differences between the instruments, and see how this product line has evolved over time.

Launch History

• Tyros (May 2002)
• Tyros 2 (June 2005)
• Tyros 3 (April 2008)
• Tyros 4 (June 2010)
• Tyros 5 (July 2013)
• Genos (November 2017)

Yamaha launched a new Tyros model roughly every three years (two years between the Tyros 3 and Tyros 4). Many had been expecting a Tyros 6 for quite some time. Yamaha’s new Genos top-of-the-line workstation is effectively a Tyros 6 in all but name, and arrived just over 4 years after the Tyros 5 was launched. Yamaha continues to expand its other arranger workstation ranges, such as the PSR-S line.

Overview of Differences

Here’s our overview of the key differences between the Genos, Tyros5, Tyros4, Tyros3, Tyros2 and Tyros, so you can decide which model is the best option to get.

Yamaha officially only sells the Genos now, with all Tyros models being listed as “Discontinued”. That doesn’t mean you can’t pick up second-hand products for each of these instruments, so long as you’re careful when buying from third parties that you’re getting something that still works and is in good condition.

What’s New on Genos?

Yamaha does away with a 61-key model completely, preferring to market only a 76-key version. This means an increased price point from the start, although much of the feature set is arguably more usable on a keyboard with a wider note range.

Polyphony has doubled from 128 to 256, with some caveats over usable sounds. That’s the norm for many higher-end keyboards now anyway, so isn’t groundbreaking in itself.

The Genos has a larger touchscreen on board, rather than the smaller non-touch on all Tyros models. This may be welcomed, depending on individual users’ preference for or against touchscreens. There’s also a sub display used for showing various controller information.

Most ‘number of’ specs have been increased, including voices, effects, and some controllers, although there’s nothing brand new on the device compared to the Tyros 5.

Internal storage has been massively increased, up to 58GB from 6.7GB on the Tyros 5. Hard drives are no longer an option, with the Genos opting to save to readily available and cheap USB flash drives instead.

It’s clear from both looks and features that this is an upgraded Tyros in all but name… and why not? The Tyros brand has served many musicians well over the nearly two decades. Genos looks set to continue this.

What’s New on Tyros5?

(Originally written in November 2013)

For the first time, Yamaha offers a 76-key keyboard alongside the familiar form of the 61-key model. Both include a whole range of new or updated on-board features designed to aid musicians in both live performance and music arrangement/recording.

Key features include a plethora of realistic, detailed, nuanced instrument voices, plus a huge range of styles and studio-quality effects.

Ensemble Voices is a new feature which intelligently arranges orchestral instruments – brass, saxophone, woodwind and string – in real time.

There are 40 new +Audio Styles to work with, a new graphical interface, plus Virtual Circuitry Modelling technology which produces accurate reproductions of classic analog synths.

The Yamaha Tyros5 will be available in mid-December 2013 for MSRPs of $6,799 for the 76-note version and $6,499 for 61-note version.

What’s New on Tyros4?

(Originally written in October 2010)

Yamaha boasts an expanded and enhanced set of authentic voices, including new Super Articulation Choir Voices with amazingly realistic and natural human voice sounds.

More advanced Super Articulation and Super Articulation 2 voices, plus advanced MegaVoice variations, mean that auto-accompaniments styles are now much improved.

The Vocal Harmony 2 processing engine offers fast processing for a superior sound plus flexible control of harmonies. There’s also a synth vocoder feature.

Additional premium voices can be downloaded from Yamaha’s Internet site.

Key specifications comparison

What Should You Buy?

If you’re in the market for a Yamaha Tyros/Genos instrument, and price is no object, then you really should consider going for the Yamaha Genos.

Yamaha no longer sells any of the Tyros models as new. We don’t know how long Yamaha will offer after-sales support for the Yamaha Tyros5.

The Genos has an RRP of $6,799.

The 61-key Tyros5 had an RRP of US$6499 while the 76-key Tyros5 had an RRP of $,6799, but these were new prices at the time of launch.

If you like the concept of the Genos or Tyros but are in the market for a similar Yamaha arranger workstation, you might also try looking at the higher end PSR range. The PSR-S975 is Yamaha’s current flagship and includes “powerful performance features including versatile effects inherited from the legendary Tyros 5”. It’s also cheaper with an RRP of $2599 although it isn’t available in a 76-key version.

It doesn’t have all the specs of the Genos/Tyros, of course, but it’s quite possible you don’t need all of those functions in any case.

Alternatively, it is definitely worth giving arranger workstations like the Korg Kronos a look. They’ve got a lower RRP and have arguably more features all round. Or take a look at Roland’s E and BK series of arranger workstations. Of course it depends on whether you must have Yamaha, or just want something good regardless of manufacturer.