The arranger part of the DGX is even further watered down compared to the havian 30.

Strongest point of the Havian 30 however is that it has the same piano sound as the pa4x..

Yep, Korg Havian would be my recommendation too. The DGX-660 and Casio PX-560 are good but have a watered-down feature set. The Roland BK-7m is another module you could use, more affordable than the Ketron SD40, but it doesn't have on-board style creation (if that's important to you.)

[quote=
Strongest point of the Havian 30 however is that it has the same piano sound as the pa4x.. [/quote]

Really? I did not know that. I ‘m very much enjoying my Havian 30. I let a very good classical pianist use it for party in medium sized ball . He played during the dinner hour. Sounded great and he only used the built in speakers.

With Dan's vArranger2 software, free or commercial SF2 sound fonts / sound modules like Ketron SD1000 module, and MIDI controllers like Akai APC40 mk2 and APC Key 25 with MIDI light feedback buttons, I turned my old Yamaha S80 88-key synth and my Casio PX560 88-key digital stage piano into decent arrangers that can play styles from Yamaha, Korg, Ketron, Roland, and Technics in 2 different rooms.

The vArranger2 software covers arranger basics well, and makes arranger travel light by using a Windows touchscreen laptop, mini keyboards like Korg microKey Air 61, and small MIDI controllers like Korg nanoKontrol2 for MIDI light feedback buttons.

Thanks,
Paul

Too bad Korg and Yamaha don't want to go for the tabletop/rack version. I would buy them in a heart beat! I tried Havian 30 and did NOT like the keybed at all. I mean I could get used to it, but the arranger part wasn't all that impressive.

As stated earlier vArranger2 is a good option. I use it connected to my Yamaha MOXF. It works really well. It sounds great through the MOXF. I also have a SD2 module that works well. There are audio demos of it being played through the SD2 and the MOXF on the internet. You might want to take a listen.

As far as tabletop vrsions, ketron is the only way to go..
I am expecting a lot from the sd90
Altough its still not up on Ketrons website

And you can combine it with you favorite 88 key,
Be it Nord stage3, korg Kronos, yamaha montage, roland rd2000, kurzweil forte or kawai mp11..
You will have your favorite keybed combined with a perfect arranger..


Currently the fact that there is still no multipads on the Varranger and that i seems in a rather stale development phase is keeping me away from Varranger.

Ketron doesn't seem to have a strong presence in the US. I can't even remember when was the last time that I saw one. Looking forward to reading your reviews on the SD9. Yeah, it'd be very nice to have a strong module and be able to pick a nice keybed.

Strong presence or not, they have top knotch support in the US by AJ..

This is also an option for adding arranger styles to a piano..
Yamaha and Roland have an incredible smart piano app..

Personally i think this is what the future holds for arrangers..
They are going to offer arranger styles for every home piano they sell..