Intersting thread...
OK, I have spent a lot of time listening to the STAGEA and Wersi Abacus duo deluxe (for example)...
I have had Yamaha Electones (80's models) T3, and now PA2XPRO. I have great speakers, so that's not the problem.
Non of them sound like these instruments.
No arranger I have ever played/heard sounds even close. With these instruments the individual orchestrial sounds are clear and stand out. The overall Mix is great and the quality of sound is very nice indeed. Just listen to those French Horns! Oboe's, Strings, Tibia's etc.
And, the playing options are super.
Listen to these in there entirety, then tell me of any arraner today that can compete with this sound and playability.
I think with the arrangers they just don't spend the time to get the sounds right. Some of the samples have big problems with them etc. It does not show up playing fast music to a crowd of drunken dancers...play the more orchestrial, ballads, movie music, slower music with feeling etc. and there they are.
If I understand it...you can't even buy a Yamaha StageA here! And you can barely get a Wersi, one dealer, good guy, but no support from the German factory. If I wanted to go and spend a day or two to audition some of the Wersi models...where do I find them?
These instrumens can play any music...not just the lawrence welk stuff & pokas. They sound superb and are very playable. So why the 'H' are they so gone in the US?? It's not beacause the old folks that bought them died out...what is the average age of us arranger players (I'm 62)?
Here is a few samples...there is plenty more..You may not like my choice of songs, once your there pick something different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9n4DJmj_SQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86VIU3ZDb1Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16oaGSltUPE&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dQnREIh3Uw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaMw63ueoVw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBYw8trhMJU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztY2UvLEhQ4 I won't really be happy until I get that quality of sound...somehow. And one little 61 note keyboard ain't going to cut it... Yamaha.
It's not just speakers...those instruments sound super... I'm not completely sure why.
Sure the TOTL arranger have some great sounds...but not this sound too.
I've added a second keyboard, pedals etc to both T3 and PA2...not the same integration and playing features as those organs. And you have to do your own sound setups etc.- takes forever.
So, I wander how I get a StageA here in the US? Maybe a used Wersi, but then what do I do when it breaks or I need an upgrade from Germany?
Lee S.