Frank Rosenthal might be one of the most knowledgeable folks here on this one, but I dabble a lot with software too, so I'll share what I have learned.

There are at least 3 programs I know of that will play the Yamaha style ( .sty ) files in real time( BTW, the Yamaha .sty, is not the same format as the .sty files associated with Korg arrangers or the program band in a Box ) . The three programs are One Man band, Live styler, and Real Time style performer. I use none of these myself. Instead I use Yamaha XG works software for this task. You cannot enter the style variations or chord changes in real time, but I have arrangers to do this for me. What it does do is allow me to step enter chords and variations of any Yamaha style or other style converted to yamaha sff ( .sty ) format. It also is useful for editing the parameters of my xg software module and the the voices from the plug in modules on my Yamaha Motif.

There are also a few arranger type software programs out there. For my money the two best are Jammer Pro and Band in a Box. Band in a box ( BIAB ) is a bit more like an arranger in that it uses prerecorded midi data inside of it's own styles, but in that respect it is a little limited if you want to be creative and stray from styles that don;t vary. Jammer pro uses algorithims for it's styles that can be fully or partially modified to suit your tastes ( more along the order of the way a Korg karma works vs an arranger ) . Jammer pro might be harder though for the user that has little or no background in putting together musical structures from scratch. Although it does come with pre made styles, they are not it's strength vs BIAB. The fact that they can be quickly modified to suit the user and can be made as simple or complex as the user would like is really it's strength.

There are other programs as well that do similar things, such as RMCA, Hi Play, etc.
There is also a program called Jazz sequencer that is great for making complex drum beats. The Midi Wizard allows you to make your own patterns as one would in the pattern sequencer of the Yamaha Motif workstation.

Is it doable on a computer vs an arranger ?You bet, and for me an arranger can sometimes be rather limited for composing and constructing original music vs some of the programs I have and have mentioned here. More often than not I like to play most of my parts in real time, layering track on track , but... these programs usually give me a great starting point and scratch pad for ideas, particularly Jammer Pro. In fact, although my midi drumming skills have improved, I still can't play some of the pieces that Jammer ( and to a lesser extent Jazz sequencer ) has made for me.


AJ

[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 03-26-2003).]