In the Yamaha bubble, sure, they might like to pretend that major updates cost an arm and a leg... After all, every Yamaha update costs you an entire new arranger!

However, both Roland and Korg provide significant updates for FREE.

For instance, withing a few months of my BK-9 being released, there have already been TWO updates, adding in very significant new features (for example, Mark/Jump capability for SMF's, and the ability of the arranger to follow YOUR dynamics, with full control of how much).

Total cost... ZERO!

If I had a Yamaha, I would be waiting two YEARS or so for anything to get added, and I had better have my credit card handy. All in all, I think I prefer everyone else's method!