I have no problem with the fact that it can be done... I am well aware of that. The only point I was trying to make (perhaps we both missed each other's?) is that it is a herculean task to create a soundset that accepts styles form a variety of manufacturers, and doesn't go crazy when faced with the bewildering variety of PC/00/32 codes for the ever expanding world of sounds modern arrangers contain. Whether this is done by the user or by the software creator, it is still an AWFUL lot of work.
Hi Diki,
I have soundsets for Ketron & Yamaha. Admitedly they're only soundfonts, but I probably could get them to work reasonably well.
I don't think Dan is under any grand illusion that he's going to replace yamaha, roland & ketron keyboards with VArranger.
I tend to think is aim is to create something affordable for the average user. Someone for can't afford or doesn't want to spend the money on basically having to buy 3 seperate keyboards.
I came across VArranger when basically all it did was play Ketron styles. That was amazing in itself. I sold my SD1+ a couple or so years ago, & I thought it would be great to have access to my Ketron Styles again. As good as the SD1+ it's not, but that probably has more to do with the SD2 sound module I'm using rather than Dan's VArranger. One can't expect a cheap sound module to have the same quality of sound that a $5K arranger had, but I have access to Ketron styles again.
Short while later VArranger also played Yammie styles. For me not the be all and end all as I already own a Yammi PSR 1500 Keyboard plus I'd been a One Man Band software arranger user ( which also plays Yammie styles) for a number of years. Still great for users who don't have a Yammie product.
As I mentioned in my post, woke up a few days ago, and wow, I also now have access to my old Roland styles. Haven't owned a Roland keyboard since my VA7 back in about 2002, not likely to either.
So, have started out with a sofware arranger that played Ketron styles, it also now plays Yammie & Roland styles & hasn't cost me a cent extra from my initial investment. Dan does his upgrades for nothing, which to me & the rest of the VArranger community is pretty amazing.
BTW Happy Birthday Dan, (better late than never0 haahaa