Good point, Donny. I've had an AK for only one year and just started playing out at senior facilities. What I thought was going to be a 'piece of cake' (keyboard operation), wasn't. Playing, operating the system, coping my newest hurdle - singing, is very challenging... especially when everything has to be done simultaneously and made to look smoth and easy. BTW, this brings up a strong case for playlists with SMFs, but unfortunately, that leaves much to be desired, like spontanaity, requests, keeping them on the dance floor, etc.

What can be done? The first thing that comes to my mind is the keys. After spending most of my life banging out heavy duty honky-tonk, rock, and gospel piano, and busting many keys in the process, then going to the DX7, then Roland XP-80 (excellent keys), I feel I have to now 'baby' my playing on the AK, which kind of stiffles my playing. Altho my SD1 has better keys than many AK, it still has much to be desired.

Secondly, the logic of layout could be improved on most all AK, a subject that's been discussed here. The thing that bugs me most on the SD1 is the 'break' button sitting right next to (quarter inch) the 'To End' button! 'Why'd you stop playing in the middle of the song? That's my favorite!' Duhhhh!?!

So much could be improved on these KB by having the manufacturers take into account more input from KB players. From my observations, Ketron seems to listen to us more than the others.