I was always a Technics man until my enforced change.
I have never owned, or even seen a Korg in real life.
Korg owners seem completely happy with their boards so I wonder why Korg have never thought of making a Style player midi module for those who already have a board they like but could bring a new freshness to it.

Viability, they need to get back what they spend on R&D, production and marketing etc. and the demand is just not there for them to make a profit. (Even Roland have discontinued there BK7m Midi module)
As far as I am aware, Ketron do still make hardware modules but I think they are the only one. (Also if you have a tablet or computer there are a number of software modules available which can be used)

Bill

They have already made the styles for their keyboards and paid for them by selling as many keyboards as they could.
No extra expenditure except to make the module
They (and you) will never know if the demand is there unless they try.
Korg owners think they are good so I would buy the module.
I don't have room for any more full keyboards but have 4 modules and would be happy to add to these.
The same argument applies to Yamaha too.

If there was demand then manufactures wouldn’t have phased them out, (There used to be quite a few) but with today’s powerful tablets (Even cheap ones) and lightweight laptops/All in Ones people just use software versions. (Hardware arrangers are also dying off as many have disappeared and refresh cycles are getting longer and longer)

Bill

I think refresh cycles are getting longer and longer because, let”s be frank, the last two or three generations of arrangers are already considerably more than all but a handful of professionals need..!

We so often see, unless in the hands of a pretty good player, no amount of better samples makes for a ‘better’ performance, you can make the world’s best arranger sound like a toy if you not skilled.

Not so workstations. Primarily used by professionals and skilled amateurs, the need to keep innovating, especially in light of the change in musical tastes (towards more analog synth realism and less emphasis on acoustic sound realism) there’s still a pretty healthy rate of innovation.

But the arranger is the tool of the older player, who’s musical tastes pretty much fossilized 30-40 years ago (at least!). Once you hit that wall, you’re not going to see an increased pace of development.

Sure, here at SZ we got some fairly committed arranger players, and a healthy interest in seeing the type move forward. But we are not representative of the thousands that buy arrangers worldwide. We got a handful here who post regularly. We are the 1% (way less, to be honest).

But I think I can quite honestly say, I have heard virtually nothing lately in the way of user demos that couldn’t have been done just as well on a PA2X, or a Tyros3, or an E80 etc.. We have got to the point of diminishing returns. I honestly think this is what’s driving the lack of demand and subsequent lack of development.

To be quite honest, I’m completely satisfied with my BK9. I don’t honestly have the slightest gearlust for anything else. In my mid-60’s, I hope to play this one keyboard until I croak! I don’t think Roland made a mistake getting out of the market. I’m more surprised that others aren’t following them..!

I'm speaking for the USA ONLY. I think there is/was a generation of Arranger players (buyers) that spanned about 35-40 years (mid 80's to present). Most have/had a presence here on Synthzone. Most are currently in the 60-90 age range. Few within this group have any interest in or are willing to shell out big bucks for any kind of radical new innovation in the arranger keyboard market. In other words, this small and declining group of enthusiasts IS IT! There is no indication (that I can see) that this market is attracting any new recruits. Sad as it may seem to some, this is probably the end of an era. I believe that the Arranger keyboard is well on it's way to taking it's place alongside those wonderful must-have furniture pieces of the past, the HOME ORGAN.

I think the reason for it's demise is something I have always alluded to (and been hated for); that is has never been accepted by or considered a legitimate musical instrument (in the classic sense) by PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS and especially aspiring young musicians who tend to be more innovative than what a style-playing machine will allow (at least in their minds). I can't count the times I've heard the word 'BORED' used in this forum, and that's the Achilles' heal of arrangers (in the hands of untrained musicians who MUST rely on 'styles' to produce a listenable product).

Let me be perfectly clear; an Arranger keyboard used solely in 'synth' mode (no auto-play) is simply that, a synth, and does not factor into this opinion post. However, there are cheaper ways (Synths, VSTi's, etc.) to achieve this musical end.

Another indicator of the probable demise of the Arranger is the almost negligible participation on THIS forum which is probably the most prominent of the arranger forums, and of course the lack of new product or even the usual rumors of new product. Sure, Covid 19 and the political divide that resulted certainly accelerated the decline, but I think any forum that is held together mainly by a few strong personalities, is doomed to a fixed and finite lifespan anyway. But that's life; no new blood, no future. Will a new PA5x or Genos II or BK10 resuscitate the market/forum/clan? Probably not, but who knows, let's wait (and wait and wait) and see. In the meantime, let's enjoy it while it lasts and hope that the thing that has always kept it together, a cult of personalities, will keep it together a little longer.

chas

A sobering but realistic prognosis Chas

talking about modules one of the best I owned and gigged with for approx 20yrs was the Technics smac1200 .

+1.

I agree Chas, and if I can share my little story. My father was the first that I knew of that owned an arranger keyboard. I don't quite remember the brand and model but it was one of the first that had advanced styles (versus the rather mundane drum beats on home organs) but we're talking way back when.

He was up there in age at that time, and being a musician, it was perfect for him to play and sing at nursing homes, the VFW, etc. Not to mention, it was easy for him to pack it up on his "snowbird" trips to Florida.

But I remember at the time, I was thinking, I would never play something like this, this so called keyboard, until he gave me his, when he upgraded. That was the early Nineties, and I've never looked back, and now I'm very happy he got me started with arranger keyboards. Today, for me, now an old fart, there's nothing better than playing at home with headphones on, just relaxing and forgetting about world troubles. I actually do like arrangers, as they can be used with or without backing tracks.

I was kinda young when I started, and perhaps those that are kinda young today, will also discover the benefits of an arranger keyboard. I have noticed some change in Yamaha styles and voices, that now include more modern beats, that may, or may not, attract young players. But getting kids to try an arranger is a whole other story. I've heard "that's for old people". And my answer is the familiar response "someday you'll be old"

We can only wait and see if Yamaha, Korg, Ketron, and others will keep on updating with new arranger keyboards, and perhaps younger players, who will get old, will find out what they've been missing. We shall see.