The only positive thing I can say about the Technics PR902 is that it has a wonderful piano sound. However, this isn't enough to override the negatives,and the other sounds (strings, winds, brass, etc.) aren't as good as Roland's or Yamaha's.

The PR has a lousy keyboard. Slow response (won't repeat rapidly); sloppy mechanics (the keys wiggle too much from side to side).

The PR has lots of features that are similar to those on the Yamaha CVP, but are not as easily used and are sometimes quite different when you look closely at how you would have to accomplish the same task. For example, the PR and the CVP both can record Standard MIDI files according to their documentation. However, here's the real story....

Files created on the Technics are by default saved in it's own proprietary format unless you tell the PR to do the recording as a Standard MIDI file from the start. However, if you did create the file as a Technics file, there is a conversion program on board the PR to change it to a Standard MIDI file. But, be aware of a couple of interesting items here. First, if you have used the auto accompaniment patterns in your recording, you will not get all the notes from the backup parts if you convert the file to a Standard MIDI file. When the file is converted, the backup parts (guitar, bass, drums etc) are recorded as a block chord only! Second, if you decide to create your file as a Standard MIDI file from the start, the Technics will not allow you to use the auto accompaniment patterns. You will have to do pure 16-track recording. It appears that the only way to get the individual parts of the accompaniment as a Standard MIDI file is to hook the Technics up to an external computer or recorder.

The CVP eliminates all of this confusion. No matter what you record on the CVP, it is saved as a Standard MIDI file with everything you hear being saved. This allows a person to easily create a fully orchestrated song on the CVP using the auto accompaniments, take the disk to a computer or other General MIDI player, and have the entire song played back, accompaniment patterns and all. In other words, what you hear is what you'll save to disk.

Here again, both brands appear to get to the same end result, a file that can be played anywhere. However, the CVP only requires that you push the record button, turn on the accompaniments, play the music, push the stop button, take the disk out, and you're done. Much easier!

As for editing, while the Technics will allow you to edit Type 0 SMF files, it appears that Type 1 files cannot be edited, only played. However, if the CVP can play a file, you can usually edit it. Some of Yamaha's commercial files have a special copyright code that does not allow you to edit the file without special software. While these cannot be edited on the CVP (or any other brand digital piano), the vast majority of files created today, SMF Type 0 and 1, can be easily edited on the CVP.

The Technics requires you to load the entire MIDI file into memory before it can play the file. But be aware that some Type 1 MIDI files are quite large. On very large files, the Technics won't load the entire file and therefore can't play it -- you'll get a memory error when it tries to read the disk. The CVP, on the other hand, plays the file directly from the disk. Therefore, if the file fits onto the disk the CVP can play it and will let you edit it.

The Technics isn't compatible with as many file formats as the CVP, and even though the Technics brochure claims to be compatible with MIDI Type 1 files, you can not edit the Type 1 file on the Technics. The CVP will let you edit just about any file (except for the Yamaha commercial files).

The Technics has no Guide Control like the CVP has, so no capability to help teach you how to play. The CVP uses lights over the keys to prompt you to play the correct notes at the correct time -- it even works with very advanced pieces of music.

While the Technics will play other instruments and let you play along in a music-minus-one mode (for example, you play the piano while the piano plays the orchestra), you're forced to keep pace with the PR's accompaniment. If you stumble, the piano keeps right on playing and you have to catch up -- it's as if you'replaying along with a CD recording. The CVP, however, will adjust its speed to yours and pause when you do -- a BIG advantage that gives you much more expressive control over the music.