I've yet to see any high end keyboard that was completely stable and needed no OS updates out of the box. I previously owned a Yamaha 9000 Pro and the early software versions were absolutely atrocious. I didn't see people bashing Yamaha for releasing a keyboard that had numerous bugs and believe me the 9000 Pro wasn't the only product Yamaha released that had serious problems. The reality is almost every manufacturer releases a product knowing full well there are bugs in the software. Manufacturers hope the end user will never find the bugs and most often that is the case. Its when bugs are found that the true test of a manufacturer is at hand. What sets manufacturers apart is their ability to support future software and bug fixes and listen to their end users. So far Lionstracs has done an excellent job updating the Mediastation and Domenik is continually working on new software, sounds, and features which is more than Yamaha ever did for me. The Mediastation is by no means unstable and I've yet to have a problem with mine.

The main reason to own an open ended keyboard is that it can load and play sounds and software from many other companies greatly expanding your sound and style palette. Unlike a closed system where you are fixed to what the manufacturer decides most people want and many times those sounds are weak. The Mediastation has some great GM/GS sounds and some that I consider average but that holds true for any keyboard. If you judge a keyboard simply by GM/GS sounds which I think are horrible in most keyboards, you are definitely limiting yourself. When was the last time you purchased a keyboard where every sound was incredible?

I personally love my Wersi Abacus Duo Pro and Lionstracs X-76 because I can make them sound like whatever I want. If I need better strings, pianos, or drums, I simply load new samples in. Its not until you spend time with an open ended keyboard that you realize the incredible potential they have. So far I've not seen or heard any other arranger or workstation that has been released that has the same capabilities as the Wersi or Lionstracs. Korg did a very good job with the Oasys but it lacks most of the abilities of the Wersi or Lionstracs. If Korg would incorporate the features of the PA1X Pro into the Oasys and expand its sequencing and recording capabilities, then they'd have a serious contender on their hands. Who knows if Korg will ever consider doing so?

I know I've posted this before but I stress that unless you've personally heard a Wersi or Lionstracs in person you can't understand how good they truly sound. My suggestion, try and hear one in person rather than postulate what it sounds from an MP3 demo which can't convey what the instrument truly sounds like.