That's a little off the mark, Spalding, IMO.

On your Korg, BOTH the great and the not so great styles use the same sounds. The only difference is the programming. Or if a style uses less than the perfect sound, it is a simple matter to change it (or even some of the notes inside the style).

But the live loops won't allow this.

And, like I said, if they are THAT much better (and this product is taking a LONG time to get to market, so one imagines that most of the delay comes from trying to incorporate this new feature) then yes, the comparison will in all likelihood be FAR greater than you would like it to be. Basically, as much as the difference between what you have now, and a recording of a REAL band. And from what I've heard of all the major arrangers, there isn't ONE (including my G70!) that remotely convinces me I'm hearing the real thing.

These 'Live Loop' styles WILL.

So the difference WILL be that great. If not, it won't be the breakthrough that everyone is abuzz with...

Look, it sounds like some of you didn't bring an umbrella to the parade, and I'm sorry for raining on it, but I honestly think that you can be cautious and practical now, or disappointed later, when it DOES come out. Most of my talking points are based in fact, and experience from dealing with loop production in the studio. It is not always a bed of roses. There are limitations to the technology that some of you may be unaware of (or just want to pretend don't exist).

There are some points I haven't even brought up yet... Like, how do the loops deal with fractionally 'late' chord entry..? All of our MIDI based arrangers instantaneously jump the 'wrong' notes (from the previous chord) to the correct ones without retriggering or missing notes. You won't be able to do THAT with audio...

Don't get me wrong... I am as curious as anyone else about the Audya. It's just that, with a technology so new as this one (this is the first commercial product to do this to any degree), I am curious to find out how they deal with some of these problems, and also curious how we will react to some of the limitations inherent in it. Unfortunately, it seems that some of us don't want to hear about ANY limitations while we bask in the glow of the advertising hype. I, OTOH, prefer to think about possible roadblocks BEFORE I rush out and buy something. Not exactly the prevailing attitude at SZ, but one that has kept me from bouncing from one arranger to the next constantly.

But, time will tell (Messe '09?!). You want me to shut up and just go along with the hype? OK... This thing is AMAZING! It's the answer to all our prayers! It will turn me into a superstar overnight! Everything I play will sound better on the Audya! Men will envy me, supermodels will date me..!

Better...?