Used strictly as an ARRANGER (it's primary function), an Arranger keyboard is basically a very sophisticated loop playback machine and as such, is more akin to a cd player than an actual musical instrument. I'm not an Arranger basher as I own two (along with 14 other KB's and sound modules), but to say that even high-end Arrangers are gaining legitimacy in the PRO world is like saying that a Logitec Z5500 is suitable for commercial sound reinforcement applications. Top-end Arrangers are barrels of fun and have several legitimate applications such as studio scratch pad, OMB's, and can be a source for creative stimulation. But as far as being accepted by professional musicians, I don't see any pro's trading in their K2600's, Tritons, Fantoms, and Motif's, yet. IMO, they will continue to stay in the domain of the OMB's and Pop Duo's. And oh yeah, they continue to be more popular in Europe than here in the States (witness the paucity of styles popular in this contry). Again, JMHO.

chas