Tony,

In regards to the new Korg TR, I keep checking Korg's website for the new manual and voice list but nothing yet. Here's an interesting posting I found on the Irish Act's Korg Forums submitted by "jerrythek", Product Manager for Korg USA:

"The 64 MB of ROM in the TR includes 32 MB of new PCM, including a new stereo, velocity switched Steinway piano (taken from the
same sessions as used in the much larger OASYS). There are a number of acoustic instrument samples, some velocity switched, and many with captured performance elements, like built-in vibrato, string noises etc.

The "base" 32 MB is the same as found in all TRITON models (Classic, Le etc.) si it can have compatibility with many sounds/sequences.

We have voiced a large number of new Programs and Combis using this new source - it really sounds very fresh!

The other main new features for our low-end workstation line are the USB MIDI and SD card storage.

Did you know that the TRITON Le has been the top-selling model in all the TRITON line for some time now, and is actually the #1 selling
workstation in the US?

So there are a LOT of musicians who continue to look for a very affordable, great-sounding workstation. And for you, we now offer the
TR."

In regards to choir sounds, Sharp (James Tubbrit) who owns and operates the Irish Acts Recording Studio, has a wonderful product
called "Vocal Assault" that would work with the new TR keyboard (there are numerous demos on his site). According to Sharp, "Vocal
Assault is a collection of 64 programs powered totally by real human voices sampled here at Irish Acts Recording Studio’s. Lets face it, the human voice is by far the most unique and powerful instrument ever, and once captured as detailed multisamples and programmed correctly. You can be taken on a journey straight into the deepest magically movie soundtracks right through to solo voices.

If I where asked to describe Vocal Assault, I would say think of a cross between Enya and Lord Of The Rings. But don’t take my word for
it. Listen to a selection of the solo demo’s and make up your own mind."

I'm hoping that one of the local music stores has a TR in stock this coming week so I can play around with it. I ended up buying a Roland GW-7 arranger this week because of its diverse soundset of world instruments, its portability and low price (under 600.00). I already have a wonderful Fantom X setup but miss having an arranger keyboard for quick and easy songwriting. Now I'll be able to import my GW-7 songs (composed outside my studio) as MIDI data into the Fantom X sequencer and polish them off with better sounds, fx and audio tracks.

Tony, I've been there myself...getting rid of the music gear, taking a bit of a break until I couldn't take it anymore! When you have music in your soul, the muse cannot be suppressed for too long! Taking a break can be extremely worthwhile because we all need to take care of other things in our sometimes "crazy" lives and when we come back to making music, we start afresh with a sharper focus. Sounds like you are in a good place indeed to start anew! Great to have you back!

Michael