Scott...

If you use your arranger SOLELY for true arranger mode playing, then I would agree that 61 is (just barely) usable.

But the minute you use them for SMFs, or strictly live playing, where the possibility of needing to play a full two handed piano part, or a usable range for TWO sounds with a split is needed, 76 is a real, legitimate need.

And if these possibilities AREN'T what Yamaha expect you to use your arranger for, why are they including sequencers and MP3 playback? I'm afraid that your argument (and, unfortunately, your ill-advised recommendation to Yamaha) aren't backed up by the facts. From reading the posts here at SZ, it is obvious that the majority of players here use SMFs or MP3's, at least SOME of the time (you do, yourself, don't you, Scott?).

So WHY make that recommendation to Yamaha, knowing that most players use arrangers for MORE than just simple arranger play? And market research? Don't make me laugh... WE are one of the biggest Yamaha arranger focus groups available. PLENTY of people screaming for a 76 note Yamaha here...

Market research is the art of deciding where and who to ask questions to get precisely the answer you wanted to hear in the first place...

As I said, Yamaha's problem with 76-ers came about because they didn't take an already established, well liked arranger, and simply graft a 76 key-bed to it. They HAD to reinvent wheel while they were at it The 9kPro wasn't a disaster because it was 76 notes. It was a disaster for all the OTHER reasons. It would have been a disaster with 61 notes. Good job they didn't make one, or they might have stopped making 61 note arrangers, too!

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 08-22-2007).]