I’m trying to think of a professional that DOESN’T regularly need to play more than three chord types.

Nope. Can’t think of one.

We’re not talking arcane jazz chords here. How about a simple sus4? Or the ubiquitous diminished? Or the odd augmented…

These are common chord types that don’t phase a MIDI based arranger one iota. And several arranger brands have Guitar Mode systems that voice guitar chords and strumming and picking techniques quite accurately. Maybe not quite as well as some of the best VSTi’s yet, but they are getting much closer.

All I’m trying to say is that the price for a 100% realistic guitar part is too high if it can’t even play the basic chords a regular arranger can. It’s like making an utterly convincing stage piano, but only the white notes! Play everything in diatonic C, it will fool anybody. Need the odd black note, you’re screwed.

Maybe telling me that if I want more than the barebones three or four chord types, I have to make my own guitar loops wasn’t intended as an insult. But it certainly demonstrated a complete lack of awareness about how much work and expense it would take for even one style.

I don’t have anything against Ketron, there are many forward thinking ideas they have implemented, they make some amazing arrangers. All I’m trying to suggest is that, compared to taking a harder look at developing a proper Guitar Mode system like Steinbetg Virtual Guitarist or AAS Strum (or even just like Korg’s system or Roland’s one from the G70/E/80), taking the easy way out and using a few basic audio guitar loops is actually a step backwards, not forwards.

My goal has always been for the arranger to back what I want to play. Not dictate what I can and can’t play because it only can play a handful of chords.

I don’t think that’s waiting for Jesus to come. It is already here. It just needs implementing.

You are about to hear some amazing demos of the new Ketron. But what you WON’T be hearing is the demonstrator playing anything the arranger doesn’t do well. You’ll have to buy one to find that out for yourself. 😂🎹😎