Most users of the PMA-5 and the QY-70 use external controllers so they are not limited to the pen or chicklet key interface.

I personally use two controllers: the Roland AX-1 and the Roland PC200 MKII.

When I put on my AX-1 or sit down behind the PC200 I actually am playing an excellent synth action board in both instances and all I really want to do is sketch out an idea.

The argument that most QY70 users make is that it has all the features of a synth -and that is not what the "5" was created for - it is a MUSIC ASSISTANT.

So, when I want to sketch out a song - I personally need to think of it in sections 2 measures here... 4 measures there... 8 measures in another. I will use the "5" to rough out these sections - in which case... I will rarely use more than 5 tracks: Bass, Drum, Guitar Comping, Piano Comping on the backing tracks. I will then put a lead and back up on the other two tracks. This will allow me to go to my workstation and create my masterpiece.

It is a quick way to get this done with a minimized interface that works well for what it was designed for.