Hi,

what I hear with my ears is that the obsolete technology still sound better than the new one: remember that we are not talking about computers, this is a musical instruments (arranger) forum. So anything is of benefit is welcome, but mainly the very first benefit must be in the music I (or we) can play with.

Fyg I started programming a Commodore 64 as soon as it appeared in the market, so I'm not one of those that is not open to new technologies. But the use of technology must always fit where you apply it, and today the big race to have always the best, the fast, the better sometimes does not lead always (imho) in a better world.

Let me show one example: few days ago I bought a GPS bluethooth receiver and received a lot of offers for 32, 40 and 52 channel devices. At the end I saved more than 30 euros (it's pratically half of the whole price) buying a 20 channels GPS. This because in the world exists only 27 satellites 3 of which are not working and used as spare parts and you can imagine that the remaining 24 cannot be all over my head, this to serve also the rest of the world. Here is a typical example where extra technology doesn't deliver me a benefit, in this particular case it is "artificially pumped" to keep also the prices high givin' the actual success of GPS receivers. As a general rule I "try" (I say again try) to use always my head before any technology.

Back to the topic: the "obsolete" keyboards you mention may be also "prehistoric", but still sounds better to my ears. I agree with you that an open system looks more interesting and promising that a closed one (I've a Symbian phone for instance), but I would like to ear before any good music. Than we can discuss also of specs. I'm not particularly impressed to see that you have 22.000 MB of samples when very few hundreds sound better to me: the rule bigger is better here does not apply.

I'm not use to judge a song if it's made with Pro-Tools or with a Tascam 234 of the 80's: have you idea of how many (for example Beatles) songs we are still singing and has been recorded with a "obsolete" analog 4 tracks ? Donald Fagen, making wonderful music still record in analog (from a Sound on Sound interview). Music must be always before any technical argument.

Be so kind to split arguments: we are talking about music first, than of technology, ok ?

Just my though, and no offence intended, it's just an open discussion.

Best regards.