I'm sure this subject has been done to death.....but. I thought it was interesting that Diki, a working pro, who has had his arranger (G70) a few years now, would choose to buy a second G70 instead of say, a T2, or T3, or PA800, etc. He has stated many times his admiration for some of Yammy's SA or Korg's DNC voices. Of course, I can't speak for Diki (no one can ), but what it says to me is that 'as a working pro, I'd rather have a instantly-usable backup than the fleeting gratification and pleasure of a few new styles and voices. It also says to me, 'I have taken the time to thoroughly learn my instrument and therefore know it's potential for producing the kind of music that I do in my professional performances.

I don't really know if this is what Diki thinks and I probably shouldn't use him by name as an example, but......I think this is a classic example of one side of the upgrade/don't upgrade decision. There's also Tony (KN6000?), 124 (I30), and many others, pro and amateur, who have resisted the impulse to get a new T3 while sitting on a 6mo. old, 20% explored, T2.

Like a diving competition, we'll throw out the 'high and low' scores, like the impulse buyer (me and my friend Capt. Russ ), the 'buy 'em, try 'em, sell 'em' buyer (Fran), the 'I'm not trading up until the technology allows them to play what I'm thinking' buyer (non-buyer, actually). But what about the rest of you? Is it the realism of the 'new' voices, which, BTW, never sound that good once we get them home or try to use them live.....most of us don't have the playing skills to emulate a good sax or guitar player, no matter what the voice sounds like. Is it the addition of some new feature like triple MP3 player, super-duper harmonizers that can make you sound like the Beach Boys OR the Supremes. Usually, most of these features are either never used or could be purchased as inexpensive separate units. So why do we take a one grand loss on our old kb while paying a one grand premium on the new one, for what, on close inspection, is a very minor upgrade. 'First guy on the block' syndrome (braggin' rights), 'my audience is going to love me twice as much with this new kb', 'I can't listen to these same boring styles another day' (boredom), or .....?

Which of these things have the manufacturers tapped into to keep us buying? If you're not buying, how/why have you resisted? Your thoughts.

chas