I thought the criteria was: "what is the "best" arranger (at any price point) which weighs under 30 pounds.

The G70 is 15 lbs over the specified weight...sure, it's a great arranger, but most people who have/had them, have stated it is too heavy; especially in a road case where it would tip the scales at around 60 lbs...yikes!

If you want the "Roland sound", Roland's E-60/50 are far lighter at 29 and 20 lbs respectively, and offer a lot of bang for the buck...so would the newer Prelude and GW-8 as both are under 30 lbs as well.

If it's the Yamaha type sound you want coming out of your speakers, then Yamaha's PSR-S900 which has even more features, weighs under 30 lbs, and has the advantages of SA and Mega voices, and lots of 3rd party support would be your "best" bet.

Yamaha's Tyros3 is 33 lbs, and over the limit...so is Korg's PA2XPro(39 lbs).

Korg's other offerings, the PA-800 at 29.3 lbs, is a contender, but I really can't recommend it because I have only heard the demos and have not actually played it...same goes for the Korg PA-500.

The topic question asks what is the "best" arranger at any price point, but, remember, there is a weight restriction.

Ian

OK!!!!!!

I vote for the S900, as long as I don't have to play the keys...and..stay away from the hand clap...Oh yeah..tape over the drum icons too....

With the restrictive criteria,
The Gem Genesys xp (module)
Total integration between styles, SMS and Audio (wave and MP3 songs).
You can use the sampler to integrate your favorite sounds in to styles and sequences.
A full functioning 32 track sequencer and full style creation and editing.
Great sounds and sound editing.
Lots of storage space and a way to save lots of set-ups for different types of gigs.

It has a useable harmonizer.
you can view words to a song and the music on a screen.

Seriously guys,
think about it - the state of arrangers right now is rather bleak. What are the real choices out there to choose from? Seems like the market has moved to the TOTL keyboards with no thought given to the serious gigging musician or what they want in an arranger. The question I posed really addresses the need for a line of products from any manufacturer that can handle most needs on a gig and not take a tank to transport. By the way, I own two of those TOTL products - guilty as charged. But in a discussion I had today with another gigging pro we were trying to determine what keyboard besides the very TOTL keyboards seem to have all the flair and hype. We could come up with none.

Hammer

I guess it depends on what you mean by 'live gigging', doesn't it?

Personally, if you mean playing in a live band, you are going to need to play piano parts, and sometimes piano parts AND a split for brass, strings, synths, whatever. This basically means a 76. There are few of these under 30 lbs. Perhaps the E60 would do, but personally, I feel the G70 adds SO much more that the extra weight is a necessary compromise.

If, by 'live gigging' you simply mean playing an arranger as an OMB outside your house, well, everyone is going to tell you 'Use what I use'! I think the PA800 comes in under your weight limit, doesn't it? That is a worthy alternative to the S900, with far greater capabilities (you CAN use OS2 DNC sounds like the PA2Xpro) and better keybed and construction. And a far more 'live' sound overall than the CD-like Yamaha's (great for quiet gigs and the home, harder, IMO, to make a 'live band' sound)...

However, when weight alone dictates what you choose, and precludes many worthy entrants (T3, PA2Xpro, G70), taking a good look at how others manage the weight can pay dividends. Personally, I use dollies and leverage to make sure I NEVER actually lift the G70 in it's case in it's entirety. Place the case on a chair or raised area to get it in and out of the case, and you don't do your back anywhere NEAR the stress that pulling it out of the case on the floor....

You might also consider that, in all likelihood, you regularly lift more than 45 lbs. and don't even realize it. If you have carried a child over the age of two or three, you have carried more than 30 lbs.. If you have lifted a child four to six years old, you have lifted 45 lbs.. Half of the people on this forum get as emotional about their arranger as they do their grandkids But somehow that doesn't extend to lifting them up! They weigh about the same!

I personally think that if weight IS the primary factor in what you choose to play, it doesn't really MATTER what you chose, You have already decided that there are more important things that how it sounds, and how it works, and whether it does the job as well as can be done. Might as well pick the cheapest, you have already ruled out the best!

Diki,

You actually make my point- which is- why dont' we have a really great arranger within the weight limits I set as a criteria? By the way, I have owned the PA1X and a wheeled case - damn near crippled me getting it to gigs and back. Yes, there are more important things in life than having the "best" of everything.

You brought up another good point - how is the keyboard being used - so lets limit the discussion to those of us who use the arranger for what it was intended for - the OMB performers. Frankly, if I wanted to play keyboard in a band I would not use an arranger.

Hammer

you need to define what you mean by 'all round'. If you are looking at

1. weight,
2.flexibility ,
3. design for live playing as a OMB
4. Excellent song database
5. quality of sound
6. Ability to import external sounds from most of the major sample formats
7. and self contained meaning that you can use the instrument live, in a studio and by itself with all editing features, sampler, sequencer style creator, complete sound editing without connecting to a computer and using a bunch of external software and it all being contained in one box .... then literally the only choice is the PA800

Now what do you mean by 'All Round' :-)

Diki,

How do you deal with stairs? I know ramps are more common now, but they aren't always conveniently where you want them.

How do you personally transport your G70 to your OMB gigs; by car, van, or truck?

Spaalding,

I like all the criteria you mentioned except number 6 - sampling. Otherwise I think all of them are good ones.

hammer

Hi Hammer...I Somewhat agree with You and Your Friend...NONE!...With the Stipulations You layed out...Not knocking any keyboard in general, but I think the Manufactures can do ALOT better...Many have talked before about synths coming in at less weight and quality (Roland)76 Keys...Yamaha 61 Keys etc...I just purchased a (Still in the Box yet)Casio PX-320 Priva for My Wife and I to Play with also...26.4 lbs 88 note Weighted Scaled hammer action!...Now if Casio can do it in an 88 hammer action, SURELY the BIG Guys can do What We are Discussing???...in a Arranger!....My Two Cents....Harold...P.S.. I'm Getting the Priva out of the Box Now!