All due respect, but how does answering Dave's question without a complete idea of what he is trying to do help him in any way?

At least MY broken record isn't 'Use what I use' unlike the vast majority of members here... Most here will answer exactly the same no matter WHAT question you ask. How is THAT of any help either?

A VERY brief look at a search thread for each arranger (just type in PA800, G70, T3 etc.) will quickly get anyone here all the information they are ever likely to need, but the first thing they are going to see is that the same few people recommend the same arranger, no matter WHAT the question. Does anyone really think there is just one perfect for everything arranger? Just the fact that there is ANY competition seems to point against that, doesn't it? Yet alone the unending lack of ANY consensus at all.

What would I recommend for Dave? Just play the same thing as Donny... that way, you will get to try them ALL!

To be more serious.... firstly, I would drop ANY need for an on-board audio recorder. Your computer will do a FAR better job than any built-in (24bit audio is pretty much the de facto standard for recording and mixing, and no arranger records it), far less expensively, and with far better quality and choice of plug-ins.

I would also drop any need for a full featured MIDI sequencer on any arranger, for the same reason. Do the initial capture in the arranger, and then offline it for further work in the computer.

I would also recommend he be objective about his skills recording and mixing music. If he's good at it, go for something that allows a lot of options in sound editing (probably Korg), or a very nice live sound with killer piano and drums and B3 (Roland) that he can polish up himself. If not, go for something with less control, but an already very CD-like sound (like Yamaha). Does he play guitar, or use another guitarist? If so, the Roland or Korg (though their Guitar Mode is pretty good), if not, Yamaha is tops, IMO in guitar emulation in styles, with Korg a slight second.

And if you use the styles for more than just a basic bed to put your own playing in, I'd shoot for the arranger with the most choice in styles, probably Yamaha. But pitching a full arranger styled song rather than a more stripped down 'songwriter demo' can work against you sometimes (don't overproduce a demo), but something that sounds live and punchy can make an energetic song work, whereas the more restrained, smooth, polite (the good words!) or wimpy, washed out and undynamic (the bad words!) Yamaha drums can be harder to make 'cook'.

Overall, I'd say get an S900, and with the balance of the money you'd save not buying a T3 (about 2 grand!) go get some decent VSTi's for the drumming like EZ Drummer, BFD, and DFH2. They will make FAR more difference to the realism of a demo.

So... OK. Is the record still stuck? It is? OK then...

BUY A G70, 'just like me'!

After all, I work on songwriter's demos (and final recordings) all the time...