I was a big fan of the MZ 2000 ( casio's flagship arranger from a few years ago ). It had some very good sounds, ( killer organs, electric guitars, and the best alto sax sound I've ever heard on any synth prior to getting the VL acoustic plug in for my Motif ) some not so good ones ( pianos, ep's, non synth bass sounds ), and a very detailed synth edit engine with lot's of good raw samples to work with ( I always thought casio's synth lines from the past were pretty good ). I found many of the styles to be weak on the 2000 though.

The 3500 and 3000 supposedly use the same synthesis engine ( called ZPI - Casio's propietary synth engine ). I spent some quality time with the 3000, hoping to try a 3500 when it became available. My thought was to purchase the 3500, use it as a 76 key controller for my Motif ES6, and get the bonus of having some of the better sounds from the MZ2000.

If the 3500 is similar to the 3000, this probably isn't going to happen. I was unimpressed by the overall soundset, and find that it doesn't sound the same as it was on the MZ2000. I didn't expect to find the same synth edit capabilities on such an inexpensive board, but I thought the basic sounds would remind me of the MZ2000. They didn't. I thought many of the styles were weaker than those from the MZ, and the while the key feel was decent compared to the PSR line, I want better in a controller.

This is VERY subjective of course, and George hear's something different than I do. Neither of us is right or wrong. It's just a matter of personal preference. To make a miore fair evaluation, I need to try it again at least one more time before I make a final decision.

AJ