What people also have to keep in mind is that it's not just the consumer that refuses to allow that definitive line between arrangers and workstations to fade. The keyboard makers themselves play a huge role in keeping the two divisions separate.

The ONLY keyboard company of the top three that has (and continues) at least to some degree..., "blur the line" is Korg. The Korg PA series is without a doubt a Hybrid Arranger. While it may not pack the punch in what we consider "modern styles" (and honestly what arranger really does).., the PA series is however a true synth arranger.

Upon release the PA series had Triton based sound engines. Not only that, look how detailed the patch editing is on them.., and as you go up the PA line you even get that killer Korg Combi mode ON AN ARRANGER! Korg continues to allow features to "trickle down" into their arranger line. If memory serves me correctly.., couldn't the original PA-80 load Triton programs (with some limitations)?

Companies like Yamaha for example do more "trickle up" features. Many good sounds from the arranger line have "trickled up" to their pro synth line. However.., they cheeseball the arranger community by "re-naming" these signature arranger voices. They then redesign the arps on the Motif XS with a more sophisticated chord recognition system than used on previous models..., yet go out of their way to make sure to note (to their workstation community) that although it's using chord recognition "It's NOT" auto accomp. It's of course not auto accomp.., but Yamaha wants to make sure their workstation crowd doesn't run the other way when they see the term "chord recognition".

Yamaha released the MM6 (which is without a doubt the rebirth of the ORIGINAL Yamaha DJX -AKA- the PSR-D1). The MM6 is an arranger keyboard produced in the arranger keyboard factory.., yet Yamaha does everything they can to disassociate the MM6 from the arranger line of keyboards. They play the "name game" by calling the styles on the MM6 PATTERNS.., again to disassociate the MM6 as an arranger keyboard because on the workstation it's a pattern and on the arranger it's a style. However.., the patterns on the MM6 use (auto accomp). The MM's styles aren't as full featured as a traditional arrangers.., but that's exactly how the DJX was (but the DJX had more style sections). Yamaha marketed the MM-6 as a "synth" and really upset A LOT of buyers who later found out they bought an arranger keyboard. The MM6 really should be called the PSR-M6.

The MM6 is the "love child" of what happens when a Motif ROM chip sneaks out when the lights go out.., and runs across the street to the PSR factory for a quick piece of feel good. Nine months later.., a quick smack on the ass (waaaa waaaa) you got the MM-6. I wonder how much longer the it'll be before we see the MM-6 on the Maury Povich show saying "It's yo baby!" while the XS is sweating bullets in denial".

Roland already has an arranger keyboard on the market that they could use to literally run the show to draw in the younger crowd. The GW-8 is already set up for this. There are several different versions of the GW-8. Each of these versions all have the same (base traditional styles).., but what makes each one different is a "special style section" specific to a region. All Roland has to do is use what they already have.., and replace that "special style section" with a bunch of modern sounding styles.

Look..., the younger crowd today doesn't want to just "sound like" what they hear on the radio. They also want the ability to make their own songs to "sound like" what they hear on the radio. The younger crowd WILL buy an arranger IF there are styles that appeal to them. The Success of the DJX is proof of that.

Plus an arranger like the GW-8 with both a traditional style section and modern style section becomes a VERY benefical and USEFUL performance tool. Along with its control knobs it just sweetens the package even more.

We (the consumers) aren't the group that can change this age old stereotype by ourselves. The keyboard makers have to get their heads out of their backsides and "get a clue". Look.., software is really taking off BIG TIME. There's going to come a time when the makers will realize that combining these two models IS a good move.

Arranger keyboards and the sales numbers CAN go up majory in the USA. What has to change is the Companies that make them. Roland's an excellent example. Call the RolandUS support staff and ask a question about a Fantom, SH-201, Juno-G, Juno-Stage, Juno-Di, V synth, and they'll be all over your question. Ask them about the arranger line.., and really dig in with some good questions and watch how fast the tone of the conversation changes.

Last time I checked.., rock, alternative, blues, and jazz, are still quite popular here. Isn't that what an arranger is primarily designed for..??? You throw in a special "modern style" section and you draw in the younger crowd (which most by the way DO listen to other styles of music). You'd be surprised how many Hip Hoppers are also into blues, jazz, and rock.

Sqk

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 01-27-2010).]