"Use it...don't abuse it"...that's what I think is appropriate, at least for me.

The reality is, it would be difficult, if not impossible to make a living without using an arranger. Every person needs to choose thir place on this slippery slope.

For me, I use an arranger, but no sequences, MP3, etc. I want to play as much live as possible. But, I'm not an entertainer, so, if entertaining is your primary thing, you do what it takes.

At the end of the night, I need to feel like I have been true to my craft. I need to keep learning and adapting, but always keep musicianship first. That's my choice, not necessarily the way others do it.

Russ