Everyone has a different opinion as to which boards sound synthetic or realistic. I recently spent an hour playing with a 3000 at a local music store and I did like some of the features and layout but the keys and sounds "in my opinion" are toyish. If your on a budget maybe you should look into the Korg Pa 50/60, has realistic sounds and is less than the 3000. Many people here have the 3000, maybe they are better suited to give you a firm opinion but I wouldn't even consider the 3000, again that's my opinion.