Many of the T5 voices are renamed in Genos. One needs to compare the MSB, LSB and program change numbers across models. Renaming drives me crazy! The Telecaster guitar voices now begin with the prefix “50s,” and presumably, the new Stratocaster guitar begins with the prefix “60s.” I guess the Gibson SG is next to be sampled.
I have to warn you that my analysis reflects my own musical interests and needs: mainly liturgical music and funk. If you’re looking for pads, synths, etc., there aren’t the droids you’re looking for.
First, the major stuff recycled from Tyros 5:
- Seattle strings (now explicitly identified as such)
- Electric piano “body” waveforms.
- Flamenco guitar
- Telecaster guitar (now renamed “50s”)
- Celtic violin
- Orchestra horns, trumpets and trombones (sections)
- Classical flute and clarinet
Please don’t consider “recycled” as a negative criticism. These instruments are all quite good.
Now the stuff from Montage:
- CFX acoustic grand
- CP80 electric grand
- Electric piano ambient noises
- Scottish accordeon
- Steel acoustic guitar (Gibson)
- D folk guitar (Martin D45)
- Bass trombone
- Oboe and bassoon
Voices that did
not make the jump to hyperspace are: euphonium, piccolo trumpet, contra bassoon, Celtic harp. I’m still trying to sort out solo French horn. If these voices are critical to you, I guess you’re buying a Montage.
The Wurlitzer electric piano might have gotten a touch up. I won’t know until I play the Genos. The Montage Wurli included ambient noises. For some reason, The Yamaha euphemism for “Wurlitzer” is “70sVintage”. Arg, I hate this naming nonsense.
Let’s move on the totally new stuff:
- C7 acoustic grand
- Kino strings (sections, spicatto, tremolo)
- Stratocaster guitar (prefix “60s”)
- Resonator guitar
- Ukelele
- Mandolin
- Pedal steel guitar
- Active bass fingered and picked (Stringray bass)
There are other new voices like accordions and such.
Woodwinds, in general, appear to have gotten a major update. Many of the voices are now SArt2. I’m very happy to see SArt2 oboes since I use oboe (and flute) in many exposed lines. I’m also glad to see SArt2 funk alto sax and baritone sax.
If you are a songwriter or composer and need strings, look no further. You have choice between two very able and tricked out string “packages:” Seattle and Kino. The Seattle strings first appeared in Tyros 5 and then were heavily promoted during the Montage launch. Kino strings are an all new addition. Genos offers solo cello voices, too. Yeah!
