Originally posted by cassp:
a good synth and a drum machine would be just as good as an arranger.
In some ways, it's better. In other ways is not. As a manual bass player, I adore creating my own arrangement as I go along, making the badd and drums "kick" together at MY whim. I really prefer that triop sound for the more intimate, early part of the night. I actually HATE using an auto arranger when the kb is quiet. It lacks most of the "luster" at lower volumes, so I reserve the auto boys for when i need a fatter, fuller sound for dancers. Aside from that - I use Custom MP3's or sequences for stuff that "needs" to sound right.
I still contend that the arranger can be overused. Especially if you do many songs with the same patterns. Mix it up ..... play some bass, play some muted arrangements .... Play, play, play !!!!!!