I think it doesn't matter whether you can convert a to d and vice versa, or get a great converter that'll do the job...

The point is that the high end arranger from one company MUST have what's a MUST in 21st century. It is not up to them to decide whether we need it or not. If they ask that much $$$ for it then they have to include a mandatory technology in their top product. You can get their top workstation (Motif 88) for less than $2000 and it has all this: Expandable via three slots for Modular Synthesis Plug-in boards, one slot for mLAN8E or AIEB, and two slots for 72-pin SIMMs. External memory provided by SmartMediaŽ card or SCSI to ZIP, to HD, or CD-ROM (option). Controls include pitch-bend wheel, modulation wheel, master volume slider, assignable control slider, assignable knob, A/D input gain, and rotary encoder. Connections include Left/mono, Right 1/4" jacks, L/R assignable 1/4" output, two foot controller inputs, one foot switch input, one sustain pedal input, MIDI in/out/thru, A/D inputs (L/R, mic, line, stereo 1/4" jack), one breath controller input, stereo headphone output (1/4" jack), a SCSI connection, USB (MIDI 3 port), and optical (TOS-Link) digital out.

You know what comes into my mind? Yes, yes and yes: to Yamaha and all the world arrangers ARE NOT professional and not for pro studio recordings. That's why they don't bother to put all that stuff, but ask about $3000 for the arranger keyboard.

Shame.
_________________________
VM Welt