If you have to ask the question, pasadoble....

Is playing in a live band cheating..? ROFLMAO

If you don't understand the difference between using a prerecorded backing - whether it is arranger or SMF, it is still prerecorded - and a live band, with all the inter-activeness, mutual awareness, spontaneity and sheer randomness that comes from playing with four humans, maybe you should get out and jam a bit more....

In fact, there would probably be a LOT less 'Is arranger play cheating?' posts here at SZ if most of us went and played with a real band from time to time... You don't have to try and make a living at it if you don't want to, but you certainly need to experience the dynamics and inter-activeness of true 'live' playing before you get too hooked on your arrangers. Just go out and jam with some friends, sit in with a local band that maybe has no keyboard player, get involved...

Arrangers and SMFs are a VERY poor substitute for a good real band, even from the performer's view, unless you HAVEN'T played live lately. Don't forget what 'live' really means...

Use the substitution tools in your profession, or your hobby, but don't allow yourself to consider them an adequate replacement for a real band. Just let your audience do that!