Kmac,
I use the drums a lot. What I meant by, solo piano mode is that, if I am playing with both hands on the same sound (piano, rhodes, whatever) then I am usually NOT trying to sound band-like.
WE all have our little quirks about style and techniques, but what it all boils down to is - HOW can this keyboard serve MY needs?
If you find enough workarounds for your tastes - great .... if not... you have to keep searching.
Personally... I think it's almost going in a backwards direction. (keyboard development)
There are so many wonderful things that can be done with digital help, but it seems like we only get a "taste" of it at a time.
I mentioned before - I may try the "piano" approach this year. I have a Roland FP3, and it's very portable, and has 88 weighted keys. It also has a drum machine and a limited arranger built in, so I was thinking of trying it out so I can "pound out" on the keys when the situation arises without fearing a plastic meltdown! I'll use more sequences for dance tunes, the arranger for on the spot requests, and play the piano "straight" the rest of the time.
I'm getting sentimental for the feel of a "real solid" keypad under my fingers..... Maybe this will keep me happy for 15 minutes...... HA !
(yeah, right .... ME, happy?)