Much better?
I worked on the VA76 for several, several hours, and only found it irritating to work with. Since I never use arranger keyboards in my studio set up for the mere fact that I have other samples that will always sound better, I am talking from a live standpoint.
Before the VA76 came out, I, and many of my friends were all 'geeked' about the the keyboard. We were all looking forward to the ability to sample, multi sample, etc. What DOES it have? A Variphrase PHRASE sampler, that cannot even be used for accompaniments, you can't play multi samples, and you cannot even expand the sample memory. The new sounds will only be as good until the new version comes out, and then you have to go out and buy another keyboard? I guess Roland is smart that they ensure customers every 2 yrs and just make suckers out of the us.
It lost a lost of buttons, which stinks for live....that touch screen will never be as quick and convenient as the g1000 in terms of live style control.
What new features are there...style morphing? Thats got to be the dumbest concept i have ever heard. If I wanted to create a style with a different drum kit, i would have done so.
I don't know, this is obviously my opinion. Yes it sounds a little better, but not enough for me to sell my g1000 and spend $2495. I see why keyboards which may not be packed with features like the GEM WK8 would be a better overall buy since you can stick samples in to play as a multi instrument, and you can stick them into your arrangements (Not to mention that memory can be expanded as well). Why is that good? Because then all you need to invest in is some good sounds, and when you get tired of the ones you have, then just get some more, and you have a keyboard for life. Just my two cents.