Hi Al (kbrkr)
in the same way the Alpha was ahead of tis times is the Abacus.
Look to it as a package of the folowing:
1)Windows PC with CDRW and Color Touch Screen:apart from operating the insrument (NO CRUSHES!!),use it play MP3s,to run you favorite software ,make your own CD right on the spot..
2)Progrmmable Digital Mixing Desk with two microphone ins + 2 stereo ins and 3 stereo outs its with separate equalisers.
Programmable Didital Effects:
Reverb,Echo,Chorus with idividual settings per sound.
3)144 notes of High quality Editable Stereo Sampled Sounds with 10s of Mb in size e.d.Grand Piano only is 30MB.With Wersi OX7 installed then you have live Drawbars with the sounds of B3,H100,and Wersi Helios/Spectra.If need more sound sources you may install and run sofware sound generators like NI Absynth ,B4,Kontakt,Gigampler.Mind you these organ sounds do not cut down polyphony because a separate sound generator is used.
4)High quality User programmable Drumsets:you may use any recorded sound as a drum instument.
5)Vocal Harmoniser (optional)etc.
Number of styles/sounds/SMFs/MP3s limited only by the hard disk size.
All the extra equipment you need is a Microphone (if you are a singer) and two power speakers -for small venues this may not be required if you have the onboard speakers.
On stage you can recall the Total Preset number and have all your settings at once.
Further more wou may recall any style/SMF/sound etc directly from the touch screen or the user programmable buttons (very simmilar to the Alpha's) and do your volume mixing with the volume drawbars and even edit a style or midifile while palying.
Please do not underestimate the high qulity wood+metal cabinet and the fact that at least once a year a major software update CD comes out from Wersi Germany which very easily gives the Abacus new facilities/sounds/styles etc.
I would be happy to answear any specific questions that you may have.