Whenever I read your post, I have to guard myself. It costs me money!!! Once I almost bought a Mac setup despite my bias against Apple as a company after I read your posts in regards to Mac and Mainstage. A good thing that I waited a bit. A Macbook Pro was given to me. The 1st thing that I did was shell out $29 for Mainstage to toy with it, but I didn't really use the Macbook Pro. I just didn't want to deal with two OS systems and keep upgrading hardware. However, I bought another license for Gig Performer for my MBP at a discount so that I can use my VST instruments and effects in it, too. Your Arturia bundle post cost me $250.

Dan and Chris, I also have the same line up of VST's.. and yes "velvet" is my favorite for EP's.. DB-33 is also great, although I prefer the old NI B4.

Although I like my Code61 … a lot.. It is nicer to have my G70 keys and range to play VST's, within MixCraft 8.

And why not use a dedicated arranger keyboard of the G70 quality to do so?

For me, it is much faster to work on hardware.. less chance of losing my train of thought.

Having another hardware piece, Integra7, interfaced with my DAW, adds much to my set up..
That is two hardware units I don't want to give up.., and they work well with my DAWs..

Fran, for me the software route just works better. Plus being able to use a large monitor is a real benefit. My main controller is the M-Audio Hammer 88. I also use my MOXF as a controller too (depending on the project). These days IMO it’s just so much more economical to go the computer route if you’re not performing. Some VST’s can be costly, but there are 1000’s of affordable ones with great sound quality. With websites like PluginBotique.com a home player can put together a very good collection of VST’s for much less than buying a new keyboard. I use MixCraft-8 Pro. It’s a great DAW.

I will say that a MAJOR benefit of using VST’s is that the vast majority of companies let you “try before you buy” with Trial versions. A lot of them offer fully functional versions too. That’s something keyboard makers just can’t compete with.

I’ll probably peek in here from time to time, but I’m moving away from the arranger market. I’ll end up giving my MZX-500 to my oldest daughter when she goes to college. Don’t have the MicroArranger anymore either. I’m keeping a couple hardware units, but I’ll even be saying goodbye to my old trusty Roland RS70 too because Roland offers the Sound Canvas VST. The majority of the RS’s sounds are directly from the Sound Canvas line (only reason I kept it all these years).

Sqk

Squek, what was the 4.99 vst and where did you get it. I checked out AIR website and xpand2 was $99. Special for ProTools 8 owners for$49.00.

It’s called Xpand!2, and sold at PluginBotique.com for $4.99. They had it for $1.00 before too. You can get AIR products from that site much cheaper than AIR’s site, they have some agreement with them.

Sqk

As for me, 15 years ago or so, I tried really hard to switch to VSTs. I struggled with latency, the way I played the piano it was quite noticeable, and I thought that upgrading my PC would solve it, but I never got around to do it. I felt that in the end I just want to play music, not to deal with the computer all the time.

The other issue is that, I guess, I have never really been into “synth’s” music.

The thing which is mentioned from time to time but still is sort of unofficial is that Yamaha PSR series is more suitable for a traditional popular music than other lines of keyboards. It is mostly a soft, not aggressive kind of music. And it works for me.

I’ve spent more time with an acoustic piano and guitar than working with synth voices, so this can be just my personal preference.

Today after reading this topic I downloaded xPand2 and started it on my computer. My current PC is a very modest one, so I have some latency. I tried acoustic sounds - pianos and guitars, for example, to my opinion, are rather inferior to ones that Yamaha PSR has (middle range and higher).

I’m not going to judge synth sounds, as I stated, it’s not my area.

I’m afraid that if the goal is to have the most playable acoustic sounds plus a decent backing for them, the TOTL arranger is still a way to go. For those who like to work primarily with synth sounds and experiment with new kinds of music, maybe VSTs are a better option. I don’t want to impose my opinion here, it’s not really an opinion, more like a feeling.

I just don’t know what to do with this software if I feel like composing some song in style of bossanova, for example.

To me Yamaha’s acoustic voices are rather impressive and with each new product they get better. More important is that these voices are responsive to the way you play them, I mean, you can sound through them very emotional. This is something that sometimes gets neglected when people judge one product or another.

And an accompaniment feature is perhaps the most tricky one. It challenges the digital instrument altogether. If one voice of the accompaniment doesn’t work right then it all sounds wrong.

I would love to have it flexible and affordable, but first of all I need it to be playable and stable.

In Russia in terms of weak ruble the prices of the instruments are just shockingly high. And I hate that in order to upgrade my keyboard I have to buy a whole new one. Just to think that the keyboard I have still has a decent set of speakers and there’s no way to use them separately is kind of sad.

But in the end it’s not about making a perfect purchase, it’s about fulfilling my needs and I can compose elsewhere.

So far I’m thinking about buying a new keyboard with nonexistent money and it gives me a headache, but that’s the life, I guess. We have to prioritize.

A decent external sound card/module with ASIO drivers will solve your latency problems. (Unless it is a very old computer and it is still running XP)
Whatever type of sounds you want will be available in VSTs, putting even the TOTL Arranger voices to shame when it comes to authenticity and expression, but, you have to set them up as you require, they are not normally OOTB sounds like on arrangers. (They are easier to customise to personal preference though)
To be honest, you are hearing VSTs all around you most of the time, you just don’t realise it as they sound the same as real instruments.
The arranger’s main forte is that they are easy play, tightly integrated, and you can press a button and everything is set up for you. (They are after all primarily designed for home hobby players and those that no longer have room for home entertainment organs)
In the end you pick the type of instrument that suits you, as your personal preference will be different to anybody else. (There is no one way that suits all)

Bill

I don't think XPand2 is an end all VST compared to hardware. Personally I think some of the sounds in it are better than some arrangers though. The point is what the VST gives you in terms of features and sounds for the price. Many of XPands guitars are quite good, and even have nuances that are editable. Saxes are programmed to play monophonic and utilize aftertouch for volume swells. Even if it were $50 it would be well worth it.

Sqk

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a Vst/Daw?

VST = Virtual Studio Technology
Think of it as a hardware board/module that is purely software on a computer, thus easily expandable and upgradable.

DAW = Digital Audio Workstation
Think of it as an advanced Midi & Audio sequencer that runs on a computer and is fully expandable and upgradable.

Bill