.....but how many of us have had to keep tapping away at different notes one by one to find the particular percussion sound we were looking for on occassions! I do a fair bit of style & file programming and sure, I know where the main elements of the kit live. But be honest, do you use (say) castanets or temple blocks often enough to know which key they are under FIRST TIME, EVERY TIME? And every other percussion sound on the instrument as well?

Whilst I don't want a keyboard to look like a kids toy or a Christmas tree, I personally think that sensible use of graphics such as Yamaha's drum icons can be very helpful (and no, I don't own a Yamaha) in getting the job done quicker and easier.

I also think that well designed front panel layouts using different shapes, sizes, grouping and (subtle) colours for front panel buttons can lead to an easier to operate instrument. Easier to operate = more time for playing, and less chance of foul ups.

However, there seems to be a problem here in that many "serious" musicians find anything other than plain black casings, no labelling, terrible ergonomics, unfathomable operating systems and general lack of user-friendliness has some strange kind of macho appeal....... ;-)

Regards - and a Happy New Year to musos everywhere - Mike