Craig..you miss the point big time..Of course we get more pleasure individually, playing in arranger mode...better yet, turn off the auto play and play like a player..left hand bass and strong right hand play..along with the drum machine feature..
BTW , arranger mode is not much more skill than playing with a SMF..to some extent it is less skill..Think of the Smf as the band..you follow what the band is doing..
Arranger play is a little easier..the arranger follows your mistakes[the whole band makes mistakes at the same time]..

Now why we use SMF in certain venues?
You can't work the AC casinos and high roller parties with material that doesn't sound like the record...No matter how good you think you are on an arranger ..you will flop in this venue.

Most of the arranger players play basic chords with the left hand and struggle with melody lines in the right hand..let alone comping with the right...These same people could not play with a SMF..so where is the lack of skill playing over SMF's..

Don't get me wrong, I love arranger keyboards, I will always own one[probably the G1000 for ever]...And we have arranger players here that are masters...Don Mason, Donny Pesce, Dave Boyd, Joe[Song55] and others that are strong players and vocals..Others like Manuel that can handle arrangers the right way..There are many here that post that I have never heard, so don't be slighted if I didn't acknowledge you.

Basically I am saying there is a need for all methods, and knocking one method, especially if you are not aware of certain venues..is just wrong.
And as for quality..there are SMF's that you can't tell from 'Live" or like the record...A good sound system also aids the quality..