That's a pretty good summary, Dennis. Great VSTi WS, lousy arranger.

I am sorry, but those there calling me a 'basher' simply are being hyperbolic, or haven't really READ what they half remember from my prior posts. I have ALWAYS said the MS is a revolutionary keyboard. I have always praised it's VSTi capabilities. I have always acknowledged that the MS (or at least, its' concept) is the 'future' of arrangers (and keyboards in general). I have said many, many times that, were the MS to be a great ARRANGER as we currently know them, and added it's VSTi capabilities, I would have had one LONG ago.

But I already have a VSTi rig at my studio for recordings, have an arranger that does most meat and potatoes sounds more than well enough for live use, and operates as an ARRANGER infinitely better than the MS. The only reason I've been so vocal about the MS is in the apparently vain hope that one day, maybe next year in Jerusalem, whenever, Dom might start to realize what arranger players (in the vast majority) actually NEED (not just want) in an arranger that we take out and gig live on...

BTW, I don't want to hear another word attacking me for keeping focused on operational aspects of the MS, when actual OWNERS have now public issues. I am NOT making this stuff up. Don't need to. Never have. Never would. Dennis has finally brought to the light of day several issues that on a Yamaha or Roland, would be cause for a recall or outright rebellion by its' users. Fran admits he CAN'T use his MS live. What more do you guys want? Blood?

The MS is a four year 'work in progress' that STILL cannot compete with the 'closed' arrangers that Dom so prominently used to bash... Forgive me for being skeptical about how long this is going to take before you can FINALLY take it to the gig with as much confidence as a PSR...

Imagine this, if you will. Take your current arranger, and cover up the ROM styles section. Empty out ALL your favorite user styles. Go and get a bunch of styles for another arranger. Use conversion software so that will sort of play on your arranger. Now edit them ALL so they sound as good as your (now unavailable) ROM styles if you can. Now go and gig (but you can't edit any of the Parts at the gig, even mute them).

Doesn't sound like much FUN, does it?