The longer I have this keyboard the more disappointed I become, and the more I am merely using this keyboard as a midi controller. Don't get me wrong the keys of the YC88 are the best I've ever used. The clavi sounds are pretty good, there are a couple synths I go back to regularly, and surprisingly the Pizzicato can be tweaked to sound pretty realistic. The inputs and outputs are great, the UI isn't awful, especially when you remember some other large brands and their typical UI. The Organ area is really good, but it doesn't sound as convincing as the Reface series. I think the adjustment possibilities to the areas of the board and the midi controls you have are pretty good as well. Though as far as that goes there have run into limitations. I love the effects, their quality, and the tactile nature of their implementation and use - even though I wish there were more effects or the ability to layer more of them. 

That being said, I kind of hate this sound engine. It took me who knows how many days to tweak and hone in a piano sound that didn't sound fake to me. The PADS are so dated, I can't find any warmth in them at all. Even after endlessly adjusting or checking out Soundmondo I haven't found a PAD that I would ever use. Most of the attempts at realistic instrument replication in the "Others" sound bank may as well be on one of those box shop Casio pianos. The sounds of the Reface series puts all of the YC series to shame. I understand it's different hardware, but it's all under the umbrella of Yamaha. Why doesn't this keyboard have realistic e. keyboard sounds? Why are there so few piano sounds? And why are they so limited? 

We need either more sounds, or an overhaul to the settings in the board so that sound designing can be more expansive and intensive. The limitations I constantly run into are really frustrating to the creative process. It defeats the purpose of a Stage keyboard if I'm going to have to bring a laptop on stage to supplement the lack of useable sounds. 

I apologize for being so negative, but this keyboard was a huge investment for me, and the amount of times I've had to make up for what this lacks is unacceptable to me. There are a lot of good things about this keyboard, but once you've spent a year with it, you really start to see the cracks in it's design. 

So, to my point, does anyone know of plans for further updates? I haven't been able to find any information on how long Yamaha was planning on servicing this keyboard.