An Abacus is basically computer based, isn't it?

So think about a ten year old computer... How many of us are attempting to run contemporary VSTi's on a ten year old computer. Even with upgrades, no ten year old computer that I am aware of is capable of running the latest things out there. Yet alone several at a time.

And no matter HOW powerful any current system is, I guarantee that in ten years time, they will be writing software instrument programs that can't be run on it. How about Vista? That working OK on Abacus's yet...? because, in ten years time, even that will be outdated, and yet probably doesn't run even on contemporary Wersi's. (And will be needed to run any forthcoming VSTi's developed in the Vista environment)

The Synclavier and Fairlight showed many people that if you hitch your wagon to a VERY expensive computer-based engine, within a decade or so, you have a VERY expensive doorstop (or at least, an instrument that is no more capable than when bought)...! If you wish to chase the elusive butterfly of technology, staying with a computer is going to be the least expensive AND most forward looking way of doing it. I'd rather replace a $2k computer every three or four years, that be saddled with a $20k arranger that can't be upgraded to modern standards (whatever THAT will be in ten years time!).

And, once again, we are talking about SONIC improvements, NOT arranger ones. Pardon my ignorance (not exactly a plethora of information about Wersi's in English on the web), but what ARRANGER improvements are there in Wersi's? Are there more variations and fills than a T2 or G70? Is there a Guitar mode, like Korg? Any kind of intelligent revoicing technology? Does the Wersi interpret how you play chords and solos to vary the backing any better than any other arranger? Does it, in fact, have ANY arranger feature not already on the big three? Variable swing? Half time and double time buttons?

THOSE are what I'm talking about, not running the same old, same old through better and better quality sounds... Hopefully, ten years from now, we will have got over our fixation with sounds, and start to realize that the TRUE source of enjoyment is not in the 'ultimate' piano sound or drum kit, but with artificial players that respond in natural, musical ways to your input, not in the short snippety, wild jumpy, 'the only thing you can do is tell us the chords' fashion we now have.

When you play with REAL musicians, the ones you always remember the best and look forward to playing with the most are the ones that LISTEN... To you, and to the others around them. Until arrangers start to LISTEN to us better, and vary their accompaniment in response, sonic improvements only accentuate the difference between the quality of the sound, and the lack of 'quality' in the actual PLAYING.

JMO, yada yada yada....