I would really appreciate some input on this one. I have been thinking about this lately. Does anyone else feel that keyboard makers overprice their arranger keyboards, and arranger players get jacked with prices as compared to synth players? Here's why I ask. I posted the basic spec list for the PSR-3000, and the Yamaha Motif 6 to make a few points here. (I know apples and oranges, but I think these two are a good contasting comparison)

First off when comparing the spec list for the original Motif6 to the PSR-3000 and then looking at the price for both models I have to ask... what the hell's going on here?????

The Motif is built like a tank, and the PSR-3000 can't even hold a candle to the construction quality of the Motif. The Motif has good key feel, nice wheels, and is quite solid.

Then you have to consider sounds. Arrangers have in my opinion always excelled in acoustic instruments, but that's changed now since the Motif original has carried over sweet, cool, live voice, ect. Plus the acoustic voices in the Motif can easily compare to the PSR-3000 (in my opinion of course)

Then there's the synth sounds. Sorry but the PSR-3000 isn't even worthy of picking up the crumbs the Motif leaves behind when it comes to sonic quality of synth sounds.

Also there's the voice editing and real-time control issue. Again Motif takes this hands down.

Now look at the sequencers. The Motif has a capacity of 200,000 notes, and (the whammy) the ability to have individual loop settings on each track when pattern recording. Now the icing on this cake! The motif has an integrated sampling sequencer allowing the user to mix live audio with internal sequences

Then you have to look at EXPANSION. Well again Motif has this one.

Now I know the Motif is a synth, and the 3000 is an arranger, but look at these two boards. When you look at the spec list and then the prices I think it's worthy of questioning.

The PSR-3000 is selling for $1,499 at Music123.com and the Motif original is selling for $1,199...... Honestly I think the Motif is the better bang for the buck here. Why are these arrangers so darn much. What makes them so great and worth so much more than a synth, even though Yammies PSR-3000 isn't built (phisically) at the level a $1,400 keyboard should be. Also consider you can get a Korg Karma for the same price and it too (aside from a vocalizer) is miles ahead of the 3000 in sonic quality, sequencing, build quality, and real-time control. The spec lists for the 3000 and Motif are below.

I'm not trying to trash arrangers either. I've had a really hard time lately trying to justify the cost difference of an arranger compared to a full blown synth.

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Motif Specs
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Motif 6 61 Keys, Initial Touch/After Touch
Tone Generator AWM2
Multitimbres 16 + 1(A/D) + 18 (Max. with Plug-in boards installed)
Effects Reverb:12 Chorus:25 Insertion 1:25 Insertion 2:104 Variation:25 (in Performance mode/Song mode) Plug-in Insertion Master Equalizer:5 Band
Voices Preset Bank Normal: 384, Drum kits: 48 GM Bank Normal: 128, Drum kit: 1 User Bank Normal: 128, Drum kits: 16 Plug-in Preset Bank 64 (for AN, PF, DX), 192 (for VL) Plug-in User Bank 64 (for each Plug-in Slot)
Arpeggiator Preset 1: 128 Preset 2: 128 User: 128 (MIDI Sync, MIDI TX/RX, Velocity Limit, Note Limit)
Sampler Analog Sampling Freq.: 44.1 kHz (max.), 16 bit Linear, Stereo Digital Sampling Freq.: 44.1 kHz (max.) (only when AIEB I/O board is installed), 16 bit Linear, Stereo Memory:4 MB expandable to 64 MB (SIMM slot x 2) Max.Waveforms (Multi Samples): 256 Max.Ke
Sequencer 200,000 notes Resolution: 480 Clocks per Quarter Note Song: 64 songs, 16 tracks (each track can be used as a loop track), 5 Scenes Song Chain Play: 100 steps 1 Multi per Song 16 Multi Template Pattern: 16 tracks, 64 styles,16 sections, 256 phrases / 1 Sty
Expandability 3 Slots for Modular Synthesis Plug-in Boards 1 Slot for mLAN8E or AIEB 2 Slots for 72-pin SIMM
Weight, Dimensions 1,048(W) x 397(D) x 135(H), 15.8 kg 41 1 /4 x 15 5 /8 x 5 1 /4", 34 3 /4 lbs.

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PSR-3000 Specs
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Keyboard 61 Full-size w T Response
Display Color LCD 320 x 240
Lyric / Score Yes / Yes
Voices & Comp. 829 GM2 / XG / GS Compatible
Dual/Split Yes - L1, R1, R2
Polyphony 128 Notes
Wave ROM 64MB
One Touch / Reg. 4 per Style / 8 pads x Unlimited
Music Database Yes
Y.E.S. / Lessons No
Styles 240 + User Styles (SFF)
Style Sections 3 Intro/Endings + A-D + Fill x 4
Sequencer 16-Track/SmartMedia/35000 Notes
Broadband Yes
MIDI In/Out + USB Slave
Storage Device SmartMedia, Flash, USB Device
In/Out Jacks Phones,FS x 2,L/R Out+Fixed, MIC
Speakers 12cm x 2 / 4cm x 2 (Dome)
Amplifier 12W + 12W
Power Supply PA-300 (Included)
Included Accessories Manual, M. Rest, Data Disk
Dimensions 38.92" x 15.96" x 6.68" 24.2 lbs