I anticipate the S. Art voices being incorporated into the new forthcoming replacement for the Motif "ES" keyboard series. Although I don't think Yammie will release it at Winter NAMM 2006 which would be too close to the MO Workstation release. It will more likely be at Summer NAMM 2006 or possibly Winter NAMM 2007. Also, look for Yamaha to finally give the Motif ES successor a 'large' LCD screen. Can somebody say HALLELUJAH!!
PS: This is speculation of course but I'm hoping Yamaha doesn't once again rain on our parade by giving the Motif ES successor a "dinky" LCD screen that's currently on the Motif/ES and MO keyboards. Enough is enough already. And with so many people griping about the itsy bitsy teeny weenie display I look for Yammie to relent and 'finally' give the successor to the Motif ES a nice 'big' color LCD screen. Take it for what it's worth but I for one want to stay positive and hope for the best.
OTOH, I played the new Korg TR Workstation recently and even though the screen is on the small side it is laid out very well and it is very readable. Because of the ultra light weight of the Korg TR 61/76 I could possibly live with its small screen especially since Korg gave the TR a Loop Crossfade feature for the Sampler which the Motif/ES both don't have. But if Yamaha gives its Motif ES successor a small LCD screen and weighs similar to its cousin i.e. "heavy" I wouldn't even consider buying it. Also worth mentioning is the new Korg TR 61/76 Workstations both "HAVE" a Sampler option and costs around the same as the MO. But there is no Korg TR '88' key board and the TR 61/76 both have un-weighted keybeds. If you don't need a Sampler but you do need weighted keys then the Yamaha MO would be the way to go.
Btw, the Korg TR 61 weighs in at 17.20 lbs. / 7.8 kg and the TR 76 (76 keys) weighs in at 20.28 lbs. / 9.2 kg >> Never again may it be said that a 76 key high performance Keyboard needs to weigh a ton!
Korg just proved it. Bravo Korg! Bravissimo!!
And kudos to Roland for making the Fantom X7 (76 key) a mere 32 lbs.
I hope Yamaha is taking notes...
Best regards,
Mike
[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-31-2005).]