Sean,
my songs were recorded with three different arrangers: SD1, 9000 pro and VA7. You can hear more of the SD1 in the following songs: Brazil, Guajira, Guantanamera, Hold on I'm coming, Route 66; In Sweet Home Chicago there is a little Trombone solo, while in Desafinado you can hear the Vibraphone, which is really very nice.
1- These days I am working hard on my 9000 pro because next May I will have to perform in public using that keyboard, so I really need to get a hold of it. For the same reason I am concentrating more on live playing vs. multitrack recordings. So if I will post a new MP3 it will be most likely done on the Pro and in Quick Record mode, with little or no overdubbings. However, I can tell you that, if you are looking for synth sounds and pads, both the 9000 pro and the Roland VA7 have more to offer, compared with the SD1 (both in quantity and quality).
2- I have never compared the SD1 with the PA80; I think, however, that the SD1 has the best styles among the keyboards I own and the sampled grooves really make the difference with any other keyboard.
3- The keyboard is heavier (more weighed) compared with -say- the 9000 pro; the feeling is not spongy at all. It requires, however, more strength to play the notes compared with any other arranger I have tried, included the Roland VA76.
4- If you are referring to a sampled groove to sync with a style, then it's just one; if you, on the other hand, are referring to sounds to be played together with a style (and saved within a registration), the limit is the RAM memory; the sounds will be loaded every time you choose the registration (the loading time of course will increase with the number of sounds). You can choose to pan them left or right or anywhere in the middle.
(I am not sure I have understood the last question well).
Hope this helps.
Andrea
[This message has been edited by Dreamer (edited 02-18-2003).]
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Korg Kronos 61 and PA3X-Pro76, Roland G-70, BK7-m and Integra 7, Casio PX-5S, Fender Stratocaster with Fralin pickups, Fender Stratocaster with Kinman pickups, vintage Gibson SG standard.