For casual listening situations, MP3s may be minimally acceptable, but for creating pro sounding music . . . . NO WAY !

I'm NOT willing to compromise my arr kb sound (either during live perfomance or recording) to MP3 (compresssed) backup tracks or MP3 format auto accomp loops. MP3s were primarily developed to reduce the size of audio files in order to more easily share music over the internet. Unfortunately MP3 files also remove much of the subtle musical nuances present in the original recording (WAV CD quality files). If General Music, Technics, or any other arranger manufacter plans to replace their current midi format auto accomp patterns/sequences with MP3 format audio loops/files, it will be definitely be a SAD turn of events for arranger keyboard. Just my STRONG opinion of course. - Scott