Have any of You played KORG OASYS?
Its KARMA technology is similiar to Arranger, it has 8 Karma scenes(wich are like 8 variations) and some of those scenes are drum fills, so Workstations (it would be great if Arrangers will be called Auto Music Workstations, than it would be more clear to the world...) may beat Arrangers. But Anyway keyboards(arrangers,workstations,pianos,synthesizers) will never get great popularity, beacause the world is hooked on GUITARS. Keyboards were once more popular during the 80s. So "vote" for keyboards(wether Arrangers or Workstations)

http://www.korg.com/gear/prod_info.asp?A_PROD_NO=OASYS

Great Video...


[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-13-2006).]

The Oasys is a marvellous piece of kit, great sounds, the keys feel lovely... just way too expensive for my budget. The Karma is a great feature for coming up with instant ideas, it's a wonder Korg don't implement this feature onto the next arrangers coming out.

I'm just a jazz sax/vocals guy who plays
an arranger because i have some basic piano chops, can get a lot more work, and have more creative control without the bandleader blues. However, except
for a private party where I can command a good price...there is no way I can get a
bar or restuarant owner to pay me much more than if I was a member of a band...so I found an excellent bongo/hand
percussion cat to play with me. this works really well for several reasons:
I make the same amount or only slightly less than usual because the owner is
willing to pay more for 2 musicians. it takes up very little room compared to a drummer. The audience pays a lot more attention to a duo than a solo performer, it is a better draw, the percussionist is the focus for the rhythm audience-wise even though I still have the internal bass/drums going, it is visually exciting.
just a suggestion--it has worked out
better for me any other duo arrangement..
and is a lot of fun to play that way..
Miami Mo

Donny, I think savy consumers admire the people who use arrangers as a tool, and don't admire the ones who use arrangers as a crutch.

Me, too!

Russ

Russ I agree.....I look right thru the Tools Used & Only see the TALENT in a performer,... thats where the Magic lies...& believe me theres lots of Magic out there that demands mucho Respect !



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-14-2006).]

Miami Mo, I share your views on this. A duo act not only commands more attention, but legitimizes the act as a 'live band', with members interacting musicially with one another on stage, and which is one of the highlights of why people go to live band concerts. Unfortunately, this key ingredient is sorely missed in a solo arranger keyboard act.

I've utilized various different arranger keyboard duo setups: from adding a female vocalist, guitarist, to horn (sax/flute)player, as well as percussionist. These setups have all worked nicely, but I believe the best duo arranger keyboard act would be to add a female singer-percussionist. - Scott

Scott, I do the same as often as I can. Luckily, I have a pool of great players who do unbelievably well with minimal/no rehearsal.
I'm particularly fond of adding a horn or two
or a great guitar. I'm talking about "any tune...any key" folks.

Makes things interesting, challenging and fun, almost like the jam sessions for years gone by.


Russ

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 08-14-2006).]

Donny, I agree, but unfortunately, there's a lot of really crappy players too, at least in this area.


Russ

Russ of course there's always
good & bad out there...to the trained eye camouflaged talent will be detected or in reverse, exposed! Hang in there maybe someday Live music & bands will make a full turnaround and be back on top of the scene like it was years ago !