I've been saying for a long time that the MS is being marketed to the wrong crowd. Is it an arranger.., YES it is--last time I checked the thing had chord recognition and styles with multiple variations, intros, endings, ect. Just because the preset styles may not be up to par with the competition doesn't mean the MS "is not" an arranger (because it is). How in the hell are people still confused about this issue? If the styles aren't on the same level as the others, that doesn't mean the board is suddenly NOT an arranger.

The MediaStation (IMO) should be seen as one hell of an (open) workstation with "arranger capabilities" as an ADDED BONUS! Its features for workstation use are top notch.., then you add the arranger capabilities and guess what you got... THE TRUE HYBRID that people have been bitching and complaining about for years. IT'S HERE.., IT'S ON THE MARKET and DOM makes it. How many times have we seen in the past people saying they'd love a board where they could wipe the presets (both styles and sounds) and add whatever they want! We've seen this issue brought up MANY times on the Zone. The MS's styles may not be up to par.., but it's STILL AN ARRANGER.., crappy styles, good styles, medicore styles.., whatever it ships with.., out of the box IT'S STILL AN ARRANGER. Some of the lower end Yamaha, and Casio boards have styles that many of us would consider to be an absolute JOKE.., but not one member here ever says those ARE NOT arrangers just because the styles aren't the best.

The problem the MS has (at least on this forum) is that it's so obvious the MediaStation is TOO MUCH keyboard for many here to UNDERSTAND and learn how to use. It's a COMPUTER with a kick ass fully tweeked out midi controller built around it. THIS IS WHAT SCARES MANY HERE as a lot are not interested in learning this type of OS.., there's nothing wrong with that.., but that's just how it is.

The majority of this forum is an "out of box" buyer. Very few people here do any extensive editing on their keyboards. Rather than LEARN the basics or even bother to take the time to learn THEIR CURRENT KEYBOARD..., they drop the unit without even giving it a chance and move on to the next thing...., then they bitch and moan about the board, trash it in a review..., and they didn't even take the time to really get to know that keyboard or dig into what it can really do or attempt to do any REAL EDITING. A lot of OUT OF BOXERS here PERIOD.., who are just too proud to admit the MS is way beyond their comprehension.

Look if you're not into editing styles, creating them, tweeking patches, or just freakin customizing a keyboard to all ends for YOUR personal use.., then just stay the hell away from the MS. Clearly it's not the board for you. If you're into just taking the board out of the box and not having to do anything but turn it on and press play.., they buy one from the other three makers.

The MS is a board to CUSTOMIZE..., if you're not into a "computer" environment for keyboard use.., then the MS is not for you. Buy something else. Just let the people that have bought the MS ENJOY the damn thing. Why can't MS owners be left alone to enjoy their keyboard just as so many of you guys (who post constantly) how much you enjoy your boards made by Yamaha, Korg, and Roland????

The MS really does have a market. Problem is that the average arranger keyboard player is clearly NOT that market (most obviously in the United States). I think the MS should be marketed to WorkStation buyers.., and advertised with the added bonus of arranger capabilities.

Dom.., you keep doing your thing man. Don't drop any arranger features on the MS. You've produced the TRUE fully customizable ARRANGER/SYNTH HYBRID. Do your thing man! Keep developing software for this unit.., as clearly people ARE buying it and enjoying it.



[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 03-11-2009).]