Just make an open keyboard with an i-tunes alike system, that way you can choose yourselves which styles you're gonna use...

Korg keyboards already has something like that. You can replace any factory style with styles you like.

I believe this is the direction to develope a future new generation of arrangers: modularity. Something roland tried with GW8/Prelude, but even deeper: buy the keyboard with empty slots for "styles packages". Then you simply add in the styles you are interested in and... giddi-up-go!

And why not, the same could be done with sounds. Open-systems are all great, but maybe I don't need all those fancy things, I'd be happy to have a set of good sounds, particularly suitable for the music I play... So, give me a set of basic sounds (why not, the GM old format, but new and realistic sounds) and then let me buy some more if I need (well, not Yamaha's way, asking ridiculous prices for a set of sounds, but you get the point). Add to that a comprehensive set of tools for editing, and I'm sold!

The first manufacturer to do this will get the cream, I am sure!!

But Adimatis isn't that exactly what the Korg PA 800 and the PA2x Pro already have. Well no empty slots but you can replace every factory styles. The sounds already on the Korgs even the GM are very realistic and completely editable. And if you need new sounds you can use the sample option. And there are a lot of sounds available on the net most for FREE. What do you want more

I'd like to see more unplugged styles (including waltzes), plus unplugged blues and folk (finger-picking) as well.

There always seems to be a shortage of jazz ballads...something to use for all those great standards.

And of course, more free tempo styles would be nice.

Ian

Well, let's say I consider this a good "precursor" for what I'd like seeing next. All you described is possible, but it's not really modularity in my view, it's rather a way to help a little bit of making the keyboard more personal.

Yes, this could be a good starting point!

Thing is, I think we are talking about panel graphics...

No matter WHAT system is chosen for electronic selection, whether you can replace the ROM styles, whatever, those panel graphics are still indelibly there, mocking the young with the realization they are choosing something their granddad had/needs

I have long said that arrangers need the modular style set approach, but I don't believe that they should be SOLD with one selection or another in them... they all should contain ALL available styles. But there should be some way (a magnetic strip, perhaps) to replace out the graphics for style category so that it can be made to LOOK like it is either set up for the young or old. And then load the appropriate style set.

That way, a vendor could keep TWO arrangers on his shelves. One close to the Clavinova's and other arrangers, labeled for us elderly types, with Ballroom and Bossa/Samba emblazoned all over it, and another one right next to the M3's and MoXS's, with Hiphop and Slow Jams and Metal and Emo emblazoned on it...

I guarantee they would sell better under those conditions...

There is no reason why the graphics can’t be replaced with a LCD strip, (they are quite cheap these days) so they could display whatever was chosen.

Bill

This just what I was thinking.

At present any arranger can be adapted to personal needs. In the case of Korg you can replace all the style banks. In the case of Yamaha you can use the Usb stick and then access the styles through the screen...But we want the hardware. The ideal arranger would be a keyboard and an a huge touch screen from side to side of the console including 20 or more programmable sliders on top above the screen and 50 or more buttons and knobs underneath the screen. The names of the sliders/buttons/knobs should be placed in screen. The screen could be designed by the users for extra functions choosing the color and graphics they want. Just an idea.

The answer would be Buttons with OLED display in them, thats the future anyway and they should become really cheep in the next 2 or 3 years