First of all, let me issue a warning. There seems to be some unwanted noise in the Karma that three of us who have bought them have detected. All three bought with 30-day guarantees, so we are protected. Trevor noted that program A49 R&B Piano is noisy. We will keep you posted for developments.

Dan. The white buttons are simply one-finger chords. They trigger GEs just like the keys do. In some ways they are like multipads. However, the pattern is in the multipad for the Yamahas, while the pattern is in the Generated Effect in the Karma.

Scott. There are many reasons the Karma is better than other arrangers for jazz. Basically, it can improvise rather than plays repeating patterns. Also, the variety of patterns it can produce far exceeds any conventional arranger. For example, if you play a CMaj at the C-2 position, the accompaniment is different than if you play it at the C-1 position. Also, CEGC sounds different than CEG.

While I no longer think the chord recognition table of the Karma is programmable, the Karma does understand about open voicings. Also, chord recognition is on a per module basis. So using a "combi" you can have a bass pattern based on Dm and a piano pattern based on Fmaj7 going at the same time. I am wondering what you think of this as a pseudo rootless voicing?

My opinion today is that the Karma can do everything an arranger can do (except special features like vocal harmony). The main difference is that a conventional arranger is easier to master and harder to sound bad on. However, the Karma can do much more. For example, Program 001 is Piano AT. It plays like a piano but when you apply aftertouch, it adds an elaborate arpeggio.

I do not think the Karma is ideal for a gigging musician. It has an external power supply and flimsy keys. I think many of the styles you would expect in an arranger are not there yet. Also, the styles are not set up with intro and ending as such. However, with programming I do think it would be more entertaining than a conventional arranger--just because it is less monotonous.

I guess this a just a note to myself, but the Karma supports polyphonic aftertouch from an external controller. I have not hooked up my A-50 to it yet, but I will.