Which brand (Roland, Yamaha, Korg, etc.) of arranger has the most tasteful "smooth jazz" comtemporary styles (content)?

I'm mean styles like Fourplay, Joe Sample, Brian Culbertson, Grover Washington, George Benson, etc.



[This message has been edited by alfredo (edited 05-01-2007).]

How many keys do you require, 61,76,88?

I need either 88 or 76, not 61.

Then forget Yamaha...

probably korg, but forget the smooth fillins.
new roland styles are also ok, but not everyone believes that.
most likely you'd need to check with as many keyboards as possible in order to build a proper oppinion.

And once again, unless you are in a big rush, try to wait until Korg brings out a new 76-er based on the PA800 engine.

Secondly, NO arranger is going to have enough smooth jazz styles on board to fulfill an entire gig without getting repetitive. You might start trolling the style developer web pages (MidiSpot, PVK, etc., etc.) to see what they have available. Of the couple of hundred or so styles in an arranger's ROM, only maybe a dozen or so (if that) are what you might call 'smooth jazz'.

In fact, from what I've heard of it so far, perhaps you ought to take a look at the new MotifXS as well... It might be more work that an arranger, but you can probably get VERY close to some of those styles (and some great acid jazz and trip-hop too). Ballroom and trad jazz, I'd pick an arranger every time, but modern smooth jazz has a lot in common with loop-type jazz styles...

Just my 2¢ (adjusted for inflation)......

look at the Korg pa1x version 3 or the pa800 . It has about 40 styles that could be highly adaptable to suit smoth jazz type music. Dont know about the others.

PA1x Pro or PA800, hands down (for these styles). Since this is the type of music I do most, I always turn to that kb first for ideas and inspiration. I play this board every day but rarely even turn on my T2 except to occasionally overdub some of the SA voices for recordings. Even though there are tons more styles available for the Yamaha, I've never run across ANY that match up with the korg's factory styles for this genre' of music. JMO.

chas

Thank you, I'll check those boards out. Is there any decent poor mans stand alone module or "beat box" that plays "smooth jazz" styles?


[This message has been edited by alfredo (edited 05-01-2007).]

Well, do you mean backing tracks, or arranger features?

Backing tracks (or SMFs) can be played by most arrangers and modules. There are few modules being made any more, with Ketron being probably the main one, now. Their MidJay has a few strong supporters here...

I would take chas's advice (particularly as he specializes in that kind of music) and give the Korg's a try, but cover your bases and try others too...