I think what you have to really look at here is what the 3200/3700 offer for the money. Break it down like this. The WK-3000/3500 were and still are great keyboards (great leap for Casio compared to previous models). Casio also doesn't aim for the professional. Can they make a killer arranger? Yes they can and did in back in 2000. It was the MZ-2000. That board had MANY features above the PSR-740, and blew it out of the water in these areas too. The market wasn't ready for the MZ-2000. It cost over $1,000. Just imagine a Casio back in the year 2000 costing over $1,000. I honestly think the MZ was a test for Casio to see how the public would take to it. Many pros looked at it said WOW, then saw the name of the maker and laughed at the thing. That board was WAY ahead of every Casio that was ever built. The operating system would have the typical Casio buyer putting a gun to their head. It had big learning curve for those not familiar with keyboards (which many buyers of Casio's aren't, which is why Casio is known for being someone's first)

Here's the problem. Casio has ALWAYS been known for that affordable (first) keyboard. We knock on them for this and other things, but Casio sells a CRAP LOAD of keyboards regardless. Why? because they're cheap, easy to use, and their EVERYWHERE. I know Casio makes a killing because when I used to manage a music store we also sold Casios. When Christmas rolled around I couldn't keep them on the shelves.

The new WK 3200/3700 line offers SO much for the money. You get awsome sounds (as stated by other the whole board sounds better than the previous models), basic voice editing, drawbar organs, good quality pitch and mod wheels (above the quality of the PSR-3000), good speakers, smart media and floppy storage, L/R output, 6 track recording, slots for loading new styles, and the list goes on. Who cares if their isn't a 16 track sequencer. It would be nice to have, but it's not worth griping about in my opinion. Beside a simple program like Cakewalk makes your Casio seem like a new board. Especially if you have the good instrument definitions. With Cakewalk and other programs you can do loop recording, pattern chaining and all that other good stuff.

I think it's good Casio doesn't go overboard on the features. They have to keep these boards simple because they are often bought as a first keyboard for someone. They have to keep the user interface as simple as they can.

I think you just have to give it time. We'll eventually see a WK with more tracks for recording. Also keep in mind that often when new features are added, they typically drop some of the less popular features (that we seasoned players) would use, and a mediocre player wouldn't. Here's a good example. We all love the new WK's with all their added features, but there is ONE feature that is important to many of us that they did drop. The previous WK's allowed you to record user styles. This feature was dropped on the new WK's.

What amazes me is that Casio completely improved the 3200/3700 and didn't charge ONE PENNY MORE. That alone says a lot. Hell Yamaha and others could take a lesson from that.

Squeak