I think Bill is closer to the facts...Arps have been part of "workstations" for a long time...even cheap workstations..

To use an "arp" (Not a Style), compared to "arranger mode"..as a performing solo act..is nothing short of a nightmare..

If you put as much programming time into programming an "arranger" keyboard like G70, PA2x, Tyros3, Audya....the results will far exceed the capabilities of the Motif..or the M3 and Fantom...

Here are some noted differences..a style can have more parts..the basic 8 parts with different variations (as many as over 20)..within a style (arranger style, not a pattern or arp)..

Styles could be 32 measures long and play glitch free when used with other variations with different measure lengths..

Same with the intros and endings...and fills..


You guys that perform solo workstation gigs..I want to come and hear you..They don't call them "workstations" for nothing..

After 60-70 songs as a solo...you would have earned your money...and don't ask for request..you most likely wouldn't be able to handle them..

The only saving grace..the workstations will play sequences too..

I am of the same mind set that I have always been...."workstations" are highly over-rated...even sound wise...The "modern sound" is a cop out to use workstations...and I still say if you spent as much time on an arranger as you would need too ..programming a workstation....you would be ahead of the game...far ahead..

BTW: I am not impressed with the quality of the sounds on the Motif...or the Fantom..

I take the G70 over the Fantom any day....In fact I have already done that..

The manufacturers would have to modify their workstations so much to conform to the abilities of their top line arrangers..that is makes no sense...Just add what the workstation has and add that to the superior "Arranger model"..I don't know what feature I would want from a workstation..sampling, maybe multi track recording..or some other less than useful feature to use on stage..