One fact that I feel is missing from chas' post is the fact that working professionals - stage musicians, studio guys, and the like - are playing with other MUSICIANS and therefore don't need a machine to play drums, bass lines, etc. ...

I'm no psychoanalyst but this seems to be a recurring theme among arranger players. Why do you suppose that is? Is it because they're afraid people (audiences) may not think they're real musicians? Why do arranger players buy expensive keyboards and spend hours in preparation while big-name 'pro's' use backing tracks. Why is it SO important to convince people that you're 'actually playing' a musical instrument. The very sounds coming out of an arranger keyboard would indicate to all but an idiot that you're not ('cause it's not possible to play drums, piano, horns, strings, bass, and guitar, at the same time - unless you're a very talented octopus). Furthermore, arranger music will only work in certain types of venues. It will NOT work in a concert hall, a jazz club, a rock concert/club, a church (although some try to force-fit it into some churches -probably none with over 100 members), or high-end hotels or casinos. Why? For one thing, in places where people spend a LOT of money, they want to hear LIVE music (or what they consider 'live music'). For another, the management won't hire them.

Despite the opinion of a small group of aficionados, the reason (legitimate or not) Arrangers are not that popular within the broader musical community is that most serious musicians, especially trained professionals, don't consider them a legitimate instrument. This rankles arranger enthusiasts but is nonetheless true. I think their thinking is that 'if you didn't work for it, it's worthless' (meaning, of course, the years of study and practice to learn and master your instrument).

I know that this argument/discussion will go on forever and be repeated endlessly with each iteration generating it's share of animosity, but the truth is whatever each individual thinks it is, and nobody is right or wrong.

BTW, I agree with John Smies; why would one spend large sums of money to (poorly) duplicate something that already exists. The whole point of an Arranger (at least in my mind) is to PERSONALIZE it. Oh well, different strokes......

chas