I believe we will soon see the first arranger keyboard with "Intel inside". It would be a Windows PC in the shape of an arranger keyboard. You could load it with any Windows software you like and build in any soundcard you like. Above the keys there would be a row of buttons with programmable functions (labeled on the LCD buttons) for fill ins etc. Then in the area between the speakers there would be a PC keyboard on the left and a mouse on the right. At the back a laptop-type screen. Of course also a microphone for vocal harmoniser and a CD burner.

It wouldn't cost much to develop such an arranger because all the hardware components and software are already available. So mark my words, in a few years time it will be in the shop!

Jos


[This message has been edited by Jos Maas (edited 08-31-2003).]

http://www.openlabs.com/

with OMB!!!

The Open Lab's folks seem to be having some trouble getting their board sold. I haven't seen one sold or reviewed yet anywhere.

So I guess the promise of an open architecture with a windows O/S still is out of reach.

Al

Frank,

With OMB would be nice, but what I had in mind is about half the size of the Openlabs product. Just a PC keyboard a few fast acces buttons and a mouse. A screen that can be folded down. Sliders can be operated on screen with the mouse. It should be exactly the size of a conventional arranger keyboard. And cost about 50% more than a PC.

Jos

Note that the Wersi Abacus is a windows-based arranger that can run other Windows software. Of course, it is not small and light.

[This message has been edited by Clif Anderson (edited 08-31-2003).]

Another one : http://www.lionstracks.com

This one (Mediastation X-76) runs on Linux !
It worries me these guys did not succeed in building a 100% working internet-site.

Perhaps all stories about these 'machines' are just stories ?!

Roel


[This message has been edited by Roel (edited 08-31-2003).]

Just wait until one of the consumer electronics companies will jump into this. A complete musical home entertainment center for $1200 will be the result. Play piano, computer games, watch dvd's, produce your own CD's. Everyone will want to have want one!

Jos

Jos, having you been drinking too much "Jenever" today?

Best regards,
Mike

I can not believe anyone advocating having a Microsoft Windows OS based keyboard. The existing Wersi range has on a number of occasions locked up on stage whilst I have been there watching a concert or demonstration. It takes ages to reboot the board whilst the player sits there embarrassed.
I would never buy a board powered by Windows. I have had enough experience putting PC's right after various crashes.

Graham UK

Windows should stay in pc. There are countless of softsynths out there already. What we need is a true programmable keyboard controller with all the buttons, slider, drawbar, 640x480 tft lcd screen that will respond to all features of the software synth or arranger. For fault tolerance, we can use raid controller or another pc in the rack. I don't like the all-in-one entertainment center. I don't want anybody to play solitaire or pinball in my arranger workstation.