This is something that has been on my mind lately about keyboards... Are there any arrangers on the market that have a 16 track sequencer that operates like those on professional workstations? Example, I used to own a Roland XP-60 and several other pro synths and they all had a 16 track sequencer that allowed you to do loop based recording and overdub recording as well, but I see these pro arrangers that have 16 track sequencers that only allow you to record to a track ONCE with no overdubbing or loop setting, and if you do, it erases what you previously recorded. Also it seems that you can only do loop based/overdub recording under the style sequencers for these key boards. Take the Yamaha PSR-9000 and 9000 pro. Granted these two are awsome keyboards, but even the almighty bust your wallet PSR-9000's 16 track sequencer doesn't have loop or overdub recording. Also when you do style recording you have to follow a certain scale in order for the auto accomp to adjust properly. I find myself constantly defending arranger keyboardists to pro synth users. Although many are finally realizing the potential of the new model arrangers, I find that many stay away from them because of the limitations with the 16 track sequencers. I had a guy ask me the other day what are the advantages of having an arranger and I was able to give him a lot of good reasons by comparing the pro synths to pro arrangers, but I lost him when it came to sequencing. He like many others feel that arrangers are really good keyboards, and the auto accomp is a useful feature, but would like to know if any arrangers have a 16 track sequencer that operates like those on workstations. Anyone know?

Squeak

Squeak,
Good question ! I do not have all the answers. I haven't worked with alot of arranger keyboard sequencers . I remember GEM having great sequencers on board . The sounds lacked in my opinion .
I really think that with computer sequencing software being so inexpensive ( $40.00 - $60.00) , it's just better to use a computer .
dano

The advantage of an arranger keyboard is obvious--you don't have to sequence anything to perform with it. I agree that the computer sequence program would probably be the way to go if you need to overdub, etc.
The "pros" who look down on arrangers mostly do so out of ignorance. They don't understand the capabilities of arrangers. They think they are all like the first Cascio toys. I hope they remain ignorant because most of them can't compete for my jobs just playing sequences.
DonM

squeak -
I'm sure the 9000 stuff will record on all 16 trax. I haven't done more than 2 yet, but I used the easy mode. It has to work.

Dave,
You're right to some extent, but the standard 16 track on the 9000's don't allow you to loop, or overdub. To do this you have to use the style sequencer and you can be quite limited due to staying in I believe CM7 for recording the tracks. It would be nice to have these features on the standard 16 track without having to stick to a specific key signature..

Squeak

Hi Squeak. My gem wk8 can do overdub recording. It might do loop recording also but I'll have to check the manual. It has overdub, replace and something... Don't you just hate it when you can't remember something!?! What was the question again...

Vic,
Glad to hear the Gem WK8 does this. I've always wanted to see this machine.. No one here will carry or sell them. They seem pretty impressive..

Squeak

I really like mine a lot. The sequencer rocks in my opinion. Many have posted their dislikes to the Gem arrangers but all in all it works for me. There are some features the other boards have I wish mine had but I guess we could all say that.

G-1000 and new VA series arrangers can do all that. Check them out.

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New Yorker

Hi squeak. Just checked my wk8 manual and the wk8 will also do loop recording. You can also do replace (where the notes recorded overwrite the existing notes) and overdub (where the notes you play merge into existing notes). When I use the video out and run it to a monitor with composite video in it's almost like editing on a pc.

Vic,
How much does that Gem go for? I've never seen them sold anywhere. Is it a reasonable price too. I'm pleased to see the sequencer works like those on standard pro workstations. I have a lot of friends who play pro synths that will be glad to hear this. I think someone posted and said the G-1000 and VA series do this as well. How is the sound quality on the Gem too. I've heard a lot of comments saying the sounds are weak in their opinions....

Squeak

squeak I think the wk8 can be had for around $1700 or so. I think I remember one going for that last pring or summer in the 4 sale section and on ebay. I got mine for $1689 plus tax. I felt it was a good deal for me because I purchased it from a local dealer who gave me a one year warrantee plus I got 3 years from Gem as the original owner never sent in the warrantee card. They're probably going for some what less now as Gem is getting ready to launch a new board at the winter namm. George Kaye or Dan01 could probably advise you on the g1000 and the VA* series. I've heard the Roland arrangers have pretty good sequencers as well. Sounds as you know are always subjective. Probably the weakest sounds are the pianos but in my opinion they work just fine. You can load it with up to 40 megs of sample playback ram and load you own piano samples in a variety of popular formats but I have yet to do that. It comes with 8 megs of sample playback ram from the factory. All in all I'm happy with the board but it's always fun to see what the next generation of arrangers will offer.