Rolandfan, we've talked in the past, and I think I understand where you're coming from, but I'm afraid I have to disagree even more now than when I got my G70.

Sonically, once you get used to the fact that the G70 sounds different to earlier Roland arrangers (and I never saw the point of upgrading to something that sounded the same!), you get a degree of realism, especially from the V-Drum kits, that no Roland has ever had.

If your ears are accustomed to the older, non-velocity switched kits, it's definitely a big change, but there are half-open hi-hats, ghost snare drum hits, flammed tom-toms (all velocity switched, for realism and variety) and loads of other drum and percussion sounds that are a big step up from the SC engine.

The one area I used to have the most problem with on the G70, that of balancing the low end of fingered and upright basses has now been solved by OS3's new per-part EQ.

If you haven't played a G70 since V3, rolandfan, give it another listen. A parametric 3 band EQ on every single Part, keyboard song AND style (AND each and every drum sound WITHIN a kit) has changed the overall sound of the G70 drastically.

Add to that the problems with the OTS have been completely solved, and the styles all re-voiced and EQ'd, amongst other OS improvements.

Whenever I hear an older Roland arrange now, I always tend to think how 'brittle' and undynamic it sounds. I swear, if it weren't for the Chord Sequencer, I could probably play this for the rest of my life! I've got other keyboards (K2500, Triton, etc.) but I prefer to gig with just ONE, and the G70 beats both of those for sound and convenience.

Of COURSE, each and every arranger has some sounds that are stellar, and some that others beat. but as a whole package, especially since OS3, the G70 (and E80) are hard to beat for that 'live', real band sound. Add in the perfect key-bed (and damn the weight!), awesome style and SMF editing tools, and one of the better Harmonizers out there, and it's tough to find something better, AT LEAST FOR ME......