Why do you guys think the budget workstation market is so hot right now These budget workstations (such as the Juno-G that you can't really ignore with its latest update) which has turned it into a budget powerhouse. Fantom sound engine.., 128 note poly, large screen, 4 track audio recorder that syncs with the midi track--and will do a full audio/midi mixdown internally-not to mention all the effects available for audio too, 16 trk seq, real synth engine, FULL SAMPLING ect, are offering more to the youth.

Look at the M50 and MO6 too. Both of those boards are loaded with features. The youth are going to the budget models not just for the price.., but THE SOUND. These models also have good acoustic instruments too (MO line having arranger signature voices). They not only cover the classics quite well.., but the arps, patterns, ect on them are up to date not to forget UP TO DATE DRUMS.

Another HUGE thing to take into consideration that sets these semi-pro workstations ahead for the youth compared to the semi-pro arranger is SOFTWARE EDITORS! Many of these semi-pro workstations are BUNDLE PACKS. You get the synth, dedicated software editor, and seq software all in one package for a VERY low price. They're sometimes called "a budget studio in a box".

These software editors are VERY popular because they allow you to use your workstation like a VST for your software. The typical CPU killing load is handled externally by the keyboard meaning those on a budget most likely don't have to upgrade their computer either. You get more seq power and your computer can breathe easy

You don't find these types of features on the semi pro arranger. You don't find these things shippng to not only cover the classics, but modern styles of music. You don't see the developers shipping semi pro arrangers with dedicated software editors bundled with seq applicatons. You don't see any of this stuff. Yamaha makes a low end arranger that ships with a bundled seq app.., but they refuse to call it an arranger though.

I don't think the makers have any interest in updating these arrangers. They know if they do the crowd they have been catering to for years will get pissed. They KNOW the youth won't pay those prices too. Think about it for a moment.

Yamaha PSR-S900 costs nearly $1,700. Sure it covers the classics but doesn't hold a candle to anything modern when you look at it's budget workstation cousin on the other side of the fence.., Yamaha MO6. MO's poly may be less, no harmonizer.., but it's sound set and up to date patterns, synth engine, way more advanced seq, and arps are far beyond the S-900. It too is plastic.., but built better than the S-900 and it too has the full SOFTWARE PACKAGE that attracts the youth. The MO's selling for just over $1,000. Hundreds less than the S-900.., if you're a younger individual on a budget looking for MODERN flavor and a Yamaha fan.., which way would you go?

What I've noticed is the makers seem to think that ARRANGER LOVERS ON A BUDGET have more money than WORKSTATION LOVES ON A BUDGET. Broke is just broke.., regardless of what type of keyboard you play



[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 05-21-2009).]