Just as a matter of interest, I remember reading a quote at the Karma forums, I think it was, that Korg are to release (well were, before this financial hoo-ha) the Oasys MK II later this year.

I don't know how "informed" the poster was, but there you go.

By the way, Diki I totally agree with you that the makers HAVE to target the under 30's market with arrangers if they are to survive.

In my view, I think THAT is indeed what will happen with the next generation. Makers will simply add the arrnager engine to the workstation.

I would not be surprised to see Roland be the first to do this with their G series.

You have got to admit Roland do some dumb things, but when they do something right it's brilliant.

Dennis

PS: Not that I would be interested, as I have bought my last hardware keyboard

Seems like Yamaha is FAR ahead of Roland in this regard. The XS needs so little corrected for it's OS to be arranger capable, and then it's simply a case of newer arps (which could probably be imported fro the MIDI output of current arranger's patterns, Intro endings, fills, etc) to make it usable.

But without Music Finders, lyric displays and a revised system for accessing those styles (oops, arps!), they still have a ways to go to equal the shear user friendliness of the arranger.

But Yamaha have made a start... Roland, not so much

Yes, true. Yamaha would certainly get the jump on most, with perhaps the M3 a close second?

LOL, just add the engine to a workstation, get Stevie to rave about it, and then watch the orders come in...Well maybe thats a bit simplistic but you get what I mean.

Roland have gone off the boil I reckon. Starting late last year and so far this year..It's hard to know where they are going really..

Dennnis

I guess it is the immediate doom & gloom you predict that gets on my nerves..

In 1988 I sold Yamaha PSR-90's for $899.00 & I purchased a PSR4600 for $1200. The Korg M-1 sold for $1500.00. I sold Lowrey Home Organs for $30,000.00 ... People do all kinds of things... I guess value is perceived in different ways and I have to learn to disregard your comments.

Indeed they did and if the Fantom would have made such a start instead, I would have bought it....I actually may have passed on the T3 altogether if I bothered to deep research the Motif instead of assuming it would be another a hip hop loop manufacturing station or feared the learning curve of the beast. Nothing would thrill me more than having it be able to replace the T3 in its entirety. I would love to bank $2500...But the XS won't replace it but enhance the overall experience.

Perhaops the T4 or Motif ZS with meld the two.....but I doubt Yamaha wants that.

Maybe they won't have a choice King, and will do it just to stay competitive??? We CAN hope

Dennis

I will be astonished if Lowrey survived the current financial unpleasantness. Even with Kawai propping them up.

Many people probably do not know that Ketron supplied many of the styles for Lowrey...

Just use what you have and practise much more to sound better versus thinking a new keyboard will do that for you.

As long as technology makes life easier, the products of that technology will survive. As long as human beings are lazy (and proud of it) and instant gratification is the order of the day, painless weight-loss scams and arranger keyboards will be with us. In other words, forever. So forget those boring music lessons. Just keep bugging the manufacturers for more of those features that allow us to play less but enjoy it more. Let's face it, arranger keyboards are the porn of the music business. Think about it, instant gratification, no partner necessary, nothing to learn; a perfect analogy. They'll both be around forever. Stop worrying guys. Everything's cool.

chas