Being a gadget lover (who also loves throwing away money), I'd love to have one to play with in the studio, but, I would definitely wait for the next two or three iterations (motherboards, ram, USB - USB3 already out, etc. change so fast) given Dom's 'work-in-progress' approach to OS development. I have to say, I'm more impressed by the POTENTIAL, than anything I've heard (could be a CD playing in the background, for all I know). It's so difficult to demonstrate the real potential of a machine (instrument?) such as this. I'd say that the potential buyer would need to bring something (like imagination and creativity and musical sensibility) to the table as well. I don't think this is your grandfathers 'plug in and play' party toy.

As far as this approach being the wave of the future, it's hard to say. The 'lazy' will always be among us (ask Ian ). Those devices that require a substantial investment in time and study in order to realize their potential, will always have a limited market IMO. It also depends on the way music itself goes. If electronic music (as depicted in Sci-Fi movies, etc.) begins to totally replace more traditional music (classical, folk), then perhaps machines like this WILL be the easiest way to produce such music. But what is it they will be replacing? Certainly not acoustic instruments. Synths? If so, wouldn't this then be just evolutionary? A better mousetrap, so to speak? Who knows? I'm losing my own train of thought . Anyway, Dom, send me one for evaluation. I'll give you my report in about a year, at which time you can send me the GROOVE II for evaluation. As part of the deal, I'll keep Diki at bay until you've had time to produce a first class demo.

chas