With everyone( well atleast half the people) complaining about the lack of 76 key arranger versions, it got me wondering what we have seen in the past...

So what top-arrangers have we seen in the past with 76 keys

General Music SX3
General Music SK76
Yamaha PSR 9000 Pro
Roland G1000
Roland G70
Roland E60
Korg PA1X
Korg PA2x
Ketron SD1
Wersi Ikarus
Wersi abacus duo Pro
Lionstracs Mediastation (still under development)

I think i have got them all on that list? Or did i miss any?

More so Bachus...we should be wondering WHY there are hardly any 76 key arrangers available NOW or in the future? Controller KB & alternative software choices may have something to do with it also.

I think the main reason is that 50% of all keyboardplayers still doesn't realise they are so much better of with those aditional 15 keys.

Main reason is that they are used to 61 keys and the musicall instrument producers don't have the intention to change that.

I can attest to that. Although, having an organ background, I sometimes enjoy playing the piano on my G70, for the firstime, since having 76 keys. Also, in split mode, I find it a welcome addition. Having now had 76 keys, I wouldn't again trade quality and a few pounds to go back to 61.

I still find it strange to think in terms of people that DIDN'T learn to play on a piano. Definitely in my day, the overwhelming number of players at least got their start on the piano. Then, if they played professionally, a Fender Rhodes (usually 73) was their main axe for piano parts, if they didn't have a CP70 or the like.

You have to remember that, although synths often had smaller keyboards, and started the trend towards the 61, they were NOT used primarily for piano parts, but one handed soloing, or later on, polysynth chords and the like, but still not the primary piano.

But the arranger... why so resistant to the 76? I think my take on this is that the majority of arranger buyers are NOT 'taught' players. In fact, a large percentage can't play at all, and are looking for something inexpensive to learn to dabble on (the arranger's strength!) and just do simple LH chord RH solo type playing. Few that learn on an arranger ever bother with REAL piano lessons, and so end up not even realizing what you CAN do with an extended keyboard.

I am just grateful that the entire arranger industry has not abandoned those that CAN play already, and just concentrated on the beginner players that are their main market (like Yamaha have).

I personally think the smaller keyboard size comes from the home organs where you often had only 2 times 49 keys. But then you had 2 manualls to make up for the fewer keys..

The synths first where more based on the upper manuall of the old home organs then on the piano's

Korg seems to be the only company to continue to pursue the 76 note arranger market...the G70 is discontinued, and soon will be the E-60, neither of which sold very well, so maybe Roland will pass on a new TOTL 76 note arranger?

Time will tell.

Ian

I surly hope so now that T3 is a Non issue after reading about it.




[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-31-2008).]

Donny...I meant that Roland may not make a 76 note TOTL...you know, they will "pass" on it.

They surely didn't make a whole lot of profit from the G70 or E-60, and the name of the game for every company is profit.

As I said...time will tell...maybe Korg will have the whole shebang.

Ian

Ian or maybe they'll make BOTH 61/76 & finally give the people the choice which would solve many needs.....For Me personally, I dont need to lug 76 keys on the road everyday. Studio is a different story.