I've been thinking about a NEW concept in arranger keyboard playing. With the advent of both smaller/faster & much LARGER capacity hard drives now ( 40 gigs and up) and the new FANTASTICLY IMPRESSIVE sounding software based 'virtual instrument' software programs becoming available now (such as Native Instruments B4 (better sounding than any other B4 organ I've ever heard before on any synth or arranger keyboard)
http://www.keyboardmag.com/demos/nativeb4/index.shtml

and Emagic's EVP88 virtual electric vintage piano (getting RAVE reviews in both Sound on Sound and Keyboard Magazines): http://www.werk.fm/OPINION/reviewbin/evp88.html ,

I've been thinking it might be time for keyboard manufacterers to develop an 'industry standard' arranger specific 'keyboard controller' (no sounds/styles - just standardized buttons & 61 or 76 keys) which could be connected up to a laptop or desktop PC (Windows/Mac or some other acceptable OS) which would actually contain all the sounds, styles, software sequencer (both pattern & song), etc. The arranger 'controller unit' would just contain the hardware: 61 or 76 keys and essential arranger keyboard operational function buttons like: play, stop, tempo wheel, auto-start, style pattern style/variation selection, sound selection buttons, part selection, split, full keyboard modes, etc. Of course the number of sound/style buttons available via the keyboard controller would have to be standardized much like the GM instrument standard already is, but the big advantage would be that we would be able to use a single master 'controller keyboard' to operate and control many different brands of software (Yamaha, Roland, Technics, Solton, Korg, GEM, etc). You could then load (mix/match) sounds styles and perform all sequencer/pattern & sound editing functions from the laptop computer; and adding new improved sounds/styles would be just a quick software upgrade away. Much easier than having to purchase an entire new arranger keyboard just to gain better sounds, specific styles, or improved pattern/song sequencer features. The overall weight (with both laptop computer & arranger controller board) could also be considerably lighter than the arrangers today and would include more sophisticated style pattern & sound editing features (much finer (accurate) sequencer/pattern note resolution: 960 ppq and better (compared to only 96 ppq which is, believe it or not, about it for many of the arranger hardware sequencers today) and more sophisticated editing features which Cakewalk, Cubase & Logic software already have now. You will be able to more easily perform all this on the laptop's full color large 14-15 inch screen too. Much easier to read than the relatively dinky screen and limited features and low specs of current hardware based sequencers. Interested in hearing thoughts from others (including dealers & manufacters) on this idea.
- Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 08-31-2001).]

Hay Scott,

Helluva an idea for us, mebbe a not-so-good one for the kb mfrs. They would be reduced to selling us software, and not full keyboards any more. Profit marigns would be cut. And they would then be in direct contention with the thousands of software mfrs. out there, many of whom probably have an edge over them already on the technical side since that's their specialty. Don't mean to rain on your parade, but that's how they would view it in MHO.

But someone (a software mfr.) might like this idea and run with it, sell us a standard kb of their own design after which THEY would be the ones selling us ever-increasing selections of musical-style software packages -- it would take a mfr. with enough resources and the willingness to take the gamble that we would line up behind them. And they'd have to hire away the absolute best musicians and programmers to keep the edge.

Good topic though.


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Regards and Aloha,

Charlie

WERSI have such a k/board try http://www.wersi.uk.com/ a bit expensive though! in U.K

Dear Scott,

This is a wonderful idea. I think, better yet have the ATX built into the keyboard ready for a standard sized motherboard. The keyboard could have a lot of optional keys whose function could be assigned as well as a Solton-like footswitch whose buttons could be assigned too.

This could be made in a 61 key version and a weighted key 88 key version as well. The keys would be like a controller keyboard. The floppy and maybe CDR would have USB cables for easy attachment to the motherboard. There are a lot of possibilities.

Larry

Good idea Scott. What I want for the manufacturer to make is a keyboard controller with integrated computer or laptop. With all the necessary buttons and slider/drawbar. Touch screen, with svga port, mouse port and external keyboard. You can load your favorite OS (W95/98/NT/2000 or even Mac OS or Linux. 120 GIG hdd. The good thing is you can remove the hard drive and hide it so no one can use it. Then all you have to do is buy your favorite software.

Dan