Well you wont believe it but I also own the GEM WK8, however, my father is currently using it. Its a good keyboard but I think its best usage for it would be its songs/karoake feature in which it does so well. The sequencer is fantastic on it as well and the operating system is one of the finest. Its very easy to use and very versatile, not to mention it looks very smart.

Now the down side. I think it has average sounds (I dont think its in the same league as the X1 or the PSR9000 with its sounds) and its styles are only average as well. They are usefull but I dont rate them as good as the other keyboards. They tend to sound quite plain, certainly the first 3 variations of any style sounds quite 'shy' not to mention very similar when stepping through them. The X1 has got to be the best keyboard for style variations, a lot of the styles on the X1 are just so different in the 4 variations, it really adds spice to any song you play.

By all means, try out the WK8, but I certainly would try it out thorougly before you exchange it with your X1. Believe me, you have an excellent keyboard in the X1, you cant go wrong.

As for the orchestral sounds in the X1's styles, if you dont like it you can turn them off OR just change/fade them out. The options are endless, you just have to spend time to learn it, the rewards will reap after a while, you will see. You can use the CUSTOM styles to change whatever you dont like from each style to suit your taste into how you would like the style to sound for you.

Anyhow, the styles of the X1 through an amp sounds like you have a band with you. You cannot beat the guitar strums, choirs, realistic drums & those Latin styles are just so wonderful.

Hear the WK8 but I warn ya, its not in the X1's league either !!!

Good luck,
DannyUK