Frank... I haven't left you. I fully intend to continue my work with softsynths an developing an ESH2006 system... what do I have to lose? I'm still interested in hardware too though, and a lightweight serious digital piano is at the top of my interests. I was thinking about going more for a CME UF8 controller and go all-softsynth on stage but I'm not sold on the CME's or any other 88 controller right now, so meanwhile I though I might spend a few dollars more and get a PRP-800, which could still be used in conjunction with a laptop-based system.

The MidJay is fascinating and has amazing potential as an arranger plus it can play the MP3 files I created with my Yamaha 9000 Pro and my collection of GM SMF's as well. I can put that to work immediately. I may even use my Novation X-Station 49 as a second-tier keyboard and use my laptop-based ESH2006 system with that in addition to a PRP-800 and a MidJay. Or use my Yamaha 9000 Pro with all of the above. I'm not above setting off an arranger doomsday device.

The "NI Bandstand and flr2006" thread has had an amazing level of interest. I'm happy about that - it shows that there is a lot of interest in thinking out of the box with arrangers. I wish I had more to add to the topic but I don't at the moment. I've been following it with keen interest though. With NAMM coming I'll bet we'll have plenty to talk about in the coming month or so in both hardware and software.

I have been thinking about using the music software for just one purpose, to make my PSR3000 keyboard sound better. Better sound = more fun. But, the notion of software only approach for the sake of going "software only" is no my motivation. I want the best possible and comfortable setup, the best of both worlds. If it takes using a $1500 arranger keyboard as a control surface and style player while turning off all local sounds and compliment that with a software sound module, so be it, as long as it produces a better result. Better than my standalone arranger that is.

The problem for me with the software style players is that the navigation will require the use of a mouse, even if minimally, I am not excited about it. I want the convenience of the hardware arranger board with all the bells and whistles and a better sound. So, I will continue to look for solutions like that. If it is my PSR3000 plus laptop with Bandstand or some other mute controller plus MidJay plus Bandstand or... I think that everyone here is trying to make their system better and more power to them. It is very helpful for all of us to read about these experiences and learn together.

By the way, Frank, you are one of the major contributors on this forum that ventures into the software world and I have followed your quest for a "software only" solution with great interest. I am definatly pulling for you and I am sure that you will succeed. Perhaps, you will also see alternate points of view such as this; to me the dedicated "hardware" arranger is just a controller keyboard loaded with a processor and "software" to play the styles and "software" to produce the sound. Some of them even allow OS updates. Technically, it is really the same as a controller, plus computer , plus software. Does not matter how it is done, as long as it is the best sounding and easiest to use system for me.

So, good luck to all and thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and ideas with the rest of us.

Hi Frank,
I'm actually still tossing up between a Midijay & the SD1plus. I'm not a performer , so some of Midijay's performance functions are wasted on me. Only bonus would be Midijay would sit neatly on my digital piano, and I wouldn't have to find a spot in the house for a 76 note keyboard. Plus side is,I would have a controller with aftertouch.

Guess what, it's GM so I may be going through the process of converting my OMB (xg psr )styles to GM . I'm still sticking with OMB / soundfonts arranger setup to go with the Clavinova.

best wishes
Rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Frank L. Rosenthal:
[B]Rikki & Esh I feel so sad and once again so alone

Hi Oleg,
have you considered using a softsynth ( good quality) for just the lead sounds & use the psr3k for the styles. The mega voices would cause problems if you used a softsynth for the psr3k internal styles. You'd have to edit them out & save as a user style.

best wishes
Rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by oleg7:
[B]

oleg7, Rikki and Esh that makes me feel somewhat happier.....I will just keep moving on down the software road....to see where it takes me.

[This message has been edited by Frank L. Rosenthal (edited 12-09-2005).]

Frank: count one more. In parallel with my work with the Tyros and the Midjay (a little box with a terrific versatility), I keep also following the software route. I bought Bandstand and Real Guitar, and I'm already using the amazing Real Guitar in one of the songs in my show (in chord mode). See, we didn't "leave you".. :-)

Jim, at the moment I'm using the Midjay with a lightweight Kurzweil KME-61, and sometimes a 88-note fully weighted Technics P-30, so I'm not in a hurry to buy another controller. Anyway, the PRP-800 seems an interesting choice at a very interesting price...

-- José.

Rikki, you are probably correct about the PSR3000 styles, they trigger Mega Voices and may cause other sound generator to produce undesired results. In general, I have been waiting for a sample player software that has superior sound quality and ability to accept program changes. So far it looks like Bandstand may be the only one that can do it and if I purchase it, I will then experiment with a configuration that will give me some sonic benefit (over my PSR3000 alone). If I can only improve my lead voices, that would be great, as long I can trigger the sounds using my keyboard buttons as usual and not have to touch the laptop. Hopefully it's possible with the use of MIDIOX or a similar program that can remap the program changes that my keyboard is sending out to trigger the correct software sounds. PSR3000 has ability to turn off local control for some or all internal parts. So, that's the plan for now.

Hi Oleg,
I'm an OMB user, I actually use a remote computer keyboard to trigger the variations. I stand it up on a music rest & I've marked the keys with the particular functions. One of these days I'm going to see if I can get one of those small numeric key pads to work. Then I only have a dozen or so keys to worry about.
I've just bought an sd1plus and I've got my laptop/omb/softsynth setup.
For me they're each an instrument in their own right.

The SD1's there, ready to play with all it's sounds, styles etc don't need to alter or add a thing if I don't wish to. Press the on switch & play away.
The laptop/omb/softsynth setup is different.
It requires that personal touch. I think we possibly tend to think of it as a defacto software psr. It's not really. We're fortunate in that it can load psr .sty files, but it really is an instrument in it's own right. You can use any sound source you like , provided it accepts program changes, you can use .sty files, you can create styles from midifiles. You can do all sorts of editing.

Even though it may not be as easy to use as a keyboard pressing varition buttons, fills etc etc you're going to find it fairly difficult to edit the styles in a psr , and then get the psr to trigger the correct sounds in something like Bandstand.
Remember the drum mapping is xg based in a psr , it's gm based in bandstand. You may have handclaps where you should be hearing brushes.
If you you really do want to have software based sounds for styles, you really may find it easier to also use a software based arranger and just use the psr as a controller. I found it a bit odd at first, but you do get used to it.

If you just want softsynth for lead voices, you may have half a hope.


best wishes
Rikki
[QUOTE]Originally posted by oleg7:
[B]