Squeak: Good luck with your new approach. It certainly makes sense for what your doing.

jingleman

I agree Don.... a lot of people found that out the hard way.... Oh well

Thank you Don for that perspective. I too really enjoy playing my 3000. I also really enjoy using vst's I see no reason why I can't use both.

Arrangers were a good way to get started for a man with talent. A talented OMB keeps trying to improve; different keyboards, mics, sounds, styles, and a bunch of other things.

After a while they become frustrated; the options are many, but most fall short – they want to sound better; they want to sound like the real thing, but cannot. They will always be the substitute.

I AM NOT PUTTING ARRANGER KEYBOARDS DOWN. I am talking about the talented OMB who is searching for his perfect wave. For me arranger keyboards are perfect – I was the leader of my (real) band for many years – now with my arranger keyboard I still a leader. PERFECT.

Good luck Squeak, go for it, John C.

At this stage of life, I really don't give a damned what things cost. The kids will have to sell all my stuff, anyway. Anyone want to buy a sailing yacht?

Gary

To each his needs...

I am a big fan of VST's..
And think the same way as you..
Where it comes to upgrading them..

But, since i am mostly a player, and not so much a creator
I can't live witouth the easy access to styles..
The sit and play of an arranger is unparalleled..

But for new and exciting sounds, i am moving more and more to my mac and mainstage and VST's

If you are a creator however, the workflow of a good daw is unparalelled.

Right on, sir. Your post reminds me of two extremes on the use of an arranger keyboard/module in our area. One is my former teacher - a finest Jazz organist/accordionist. He makes the arranger sound good rather than the other way around! He interacts with long intro/endings of the arranger. He does it so well that it makes it sound like he plays with a live band. The other one hides behind the arranger. While the arranger plays a long ending, he just waits until it is over. In between, he fights the arranger (clashing with the arranger accompaniment, missing the beat, and so forth)...

Fully agree! It doesn't have to either or, but both! One can use an inexpensive arranger for backup and use HQ VST for solo voices.

Actually, it should be the other way around. Manufacturers will keep selling at the cost of your arm and leg as long as people keep buying. A friend of mine used to play a MIDI accordion. A brand new one would be around $20,000. He says it is a Rolls Royce of midi accordions. You can do the same and a lot more and better sounds if you just get a MIDI foot controller and a good sound module. I've noticed that accordion players are so used to paying top dollars that they take it for granted. I have an Italian friend whose father was an accordion dealer in SF years ago. He used to say that accordion dealers priced themselves out of business. I bought all my Roland digital accordions at cost from a dealer friend. Still, I couldn't help but thinking that if I paid the same amount, I would get by far a lot more keyboard.

Let me be quick to point out that for example a Kronos for 3 to 4 grand is worth it. You do get what you pay for, but in many other cases, you get a lot less than what you pay for. You are paying for the hype. That is insulting besides the money issue.

Good for you!!! I guess you are right about being shocked. You can layer sounds in xPand2 and get hugh sounds out of it, and yet the footprint of xPand2 is so small. Sounds switch instantly like hardware. Mini Grand is a lovely piano with its own characteristics. Velvet is a gem for those who are into electric piano.