Lot's of talk about needing new arrangers with 'groundbreaking' technology here, lots of technolust, but so far, I've seen little discussion of WHAT we actually want that really IS groundbreaking. Mostly, I hear a litany of features that already exist on one arranger or another, and we want them combined into one.

But, let's talk about what new features we'd like to see that DOESN'T exist in any current arranger...

Ideas?

Built in music lessons.

An APPLAUSE sign that automatically lights up and cues the audience at the end of each song.

Larger drum symbols on the TOTL 'Pro' models.

In addition to pitch correction, also NOTE and CHORD correction.

Built in drink coasters.

Portable urinal that drops down from bottom of keyboard.

Built-in pop-up tip jar with fake start-up money.

Pop-up TV screen (for built-in DVD player) to watch while the keyboard entertains the audience. Porn movies optional, or, if Yamaha, could study PSR tutorial during the performance.

If Audya or MS, built-in toolkit and copy of schematics (and OS reload instructions).

Chord Sequencer (for the one person that will use it ).

OISAC for a logo (that's Casio spelled backwards).

chas

You've been stealing genesys's ideas again, haven't you? No wonder he wouldn't talk about what was in the box... You missed the Viagra dispenser, BTW I used to have an OISAC, but strangely, the keys were on the underside. Had to sell it to an Australian.

Funny stuff, but I WAS kind of hoping someone would take the thread seriously...

Dual manual arranger, along the lines of the Nord C1 organ...same weight, but with full blown arranger features and perhaps drawbars.

Both manuals could be 61, or the lower could be 76 or 88, with a split feature.

There are Atelier organs set up this way, but none are as portable as something like a Nord C1.

Ian

Good one, Ian. Sounds a bit like an Abacus Pro (but lighter), though.

Wery usefol tool in right(or left)corrner on the scren can be a simple clock.On borring gigs you dont allways look on the wach,when gig was finish...
Whay we cant call styles with you voice?Ewery mobilephone haw tis fukcion.

Real-sounding instruments of those instruments you hear in live bands. Drums, bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, strings, piano, organ, accordion, harmonica, congas. Even it were only a dozen, it would be acceptable. I mean dead on, not a pretty good rendition.

A multi-track recorder, so that you don't need a DAW of any sort. Could plug in guitars, etc.

A screen 8.5" wide that scrolls in sync with the song.

Totally wireless, no cords at all.

In lieu of the above, a PA built into the stand. Put the arranger on the stand, start playing.

Storage for unlimited lead sheets. Press a button and transpose the lead sheet to a new key.

A separate screen that flips out on each side of the arranger for your bandmates to view the lead sheet in real time.

Buttons that you could trigger just by looking at them. Even better than that, mind-recognition technology so that when you think ADD STRINGS, it does it.

Ask me in about a week, my Audya should be here in about an hour.

I like the two manual idea. In fact a VR-700 stacked with a Prelude sounds good right about now.

30lbs max
2 keyboards
more global settings vs registration settings
large color souchscreen

brain freeze...

http://mofojo.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/readytoplay.jpg

t.

OK, here goes a few...

A combination of arranger AND arpeggiator functions. Two totally different things, combined as one. Best of both worlds.

More Variations (say six), more Fills (one per possible destination, that would be sixteen for a four Variation arranger), and a break/fill for every Variation (Ketron already got that one!).

Styles grouped according to which ones can be switched to on the fly, seamlessly. Say ten styles, all stylistically similar, same orchestration of the rhythm section, but with different horn, string and keys parts. But same pocket for them all.

The return of the Swing value knob. Take a Straight 8 all the way out to overswung and back, with a LOCK, so if you change styles, the same swing value gets imposed. New Jack to rock, same pattern...

Audio drum loop capabilities (like Ketron), but with a 'match groove' command, so MIDI Parts get adjusted to the groove of the audio loop (computers do this easily).

Some kind of Looper (OK, OK, you know I'm talking about the return of the Chord Sequencer It's just that I want to be able to play my trombone without using a bloody SMF again!).

Front panel switches completely reconfigurable. WHAT you want, WHERE you want it!

A 'cue mix' output pair, with a variable 'more me' knob, so you can hear what you play nice and clear, but main mix is more balanced.

OK, keep them coming...