'As for the "arranger" not being cool, my son (13) is learning bass and guitar, and he hangs with a few other guys at HS. They ALL think the arranger I have is super cool and heaps of fun to play with.'

EXACTLY...but the problem is not many young folks have ever been really exposed to a TOTL Arranger. MFG's need to get em in the schools.

As to arrangers vs workstations..(I've had lots of both, and Organs too)in general...A gigging band member, up on stage would rarely have any interest in an arranger...why would he/she, my God they have a live drummer, several guitar bangers and sometimes other instuments. AND you rarely can even hear them play the keyboard. Live bands (todays Rock)(few exceptions) is about all that loud guitar playing , drums and vocals.

I like PRO workstations, I like arrangers too..That's why I have a Korg and sold the Yamaha. The PA2XPRO, while not perfect for sure, is a PRO level arranger to me that means I have lots of features and programmability like a PRO WS, AND an arranger section too. For those that don't understand how powerful the songbook on the PA is...wow, it's worth the change from others.

My wish in arrangers is to integrate even more PRO WS sound, features Karma etc into a PA...because I want both.

If I played in a band..just give me a M3, Motif, etc.

Yes, The USA is loosing ground on arrangers just like it did on organs. I think there is plenty of demand everywhere else.
Lots of reasons, but that's another thread.

James...so if they put a full M3 into a PA3XPRO..WOW...I want one today.

Lee S.