Abacus and chas I genuinely respect you both . But if I may I would like to suggest that you both are missing the point .

What sets an arranger apart from most other keyboards is not want it can’t do compared to other keyboards but absolutely what it can do compared to other keyboards .

Most musicians know that an arranger has auto accompaniment and like bill and chas mistakenly pigeon whole the keyboard as this one trick pony .

Most do not know what else the instrument is capable of !

That’s the point .

It’s literally like saying I have a mountain bike that has multiple gears including very low gears but I would never ride it on the road because it has low gears . its high gears are ignored , it’s comfortable seat and seating position light but incredibly strong frame don’t matter as it’s unsuitable for use in the road because it has these pesky low gears that I probably won’t use cuz their associated with mountain biking !

Similarly I don’t know why you both bring in issues that have very little to do with whether one uses an arranger keyboard or any keyboard to argue why a pro won’t consider using an arranger keyboard .

When in a studio setting , does the equipment , software hardware you are connecting to realise you are using an arranger keyboard and decide it won’t connect ? When making tracks does your client know whether you used an arranger to lay down the tracks ? Even if you used styles or laid down each and every note yourself ? Does the sound engineer immediately say “get that arranger out it’s only good for hobbyists and one man bands! “

If I buy a great sampled piano or guitar for an arranger or workstation can you hear the difference when that sample is played on either board ?

Furthermore chas to use the argument that most pro players don’t buy arrangers to explain why most pro players would not play an arranger is simply circular reasoning .

They don’t buy them for lots of reasons whether that’s expense or availability’ or lack of awareness or whatever does not explain why they would not play one .

Last time I looked , they come in various sizes the keys are black and white , they can have lots of wonderful sounds and editing facilities and split points and set ups and songbooks (incidentally that the workstation world borrowed from arrangers )so why would they not play them ?

As for cost , does a pro player look at the keyboard they are about to play and then say “how much did it cost ? Nope I can’t play that !! It’s too expensive !! “

In short talk to me about the things 40,50,or 60% of things a pro musician does routinely in the pubs and clubs and studios and stages and holiday resorts around the world that they routinely could not do on an arranger . I’d really like to know .

Listen I am tired and a bit grumpy today after having to explain to my boss why serena Williams is not the greatest player to have ever played the sport of tennis 😩 including every male player . That the wage gap is a mathematical hoax and not everything is determined by hierarchy power . Don’t get me started . Enjoy your evening folks .