arranger_yes_pc_no... (any chance of a shorter name we can use with you?!)

I wasn't really referring to actually MAKING the initial arranger backing using a computer, I myself still use the handy Recorder in the G70 for getting the initial capture of any arranger performance.

But once captured, and you want to start to do detail edits - for instance, on full production pieces, I like to go into the capture and slightly alter all the fills, so no two are ever identical (a hallmark of arranger produced music), and I often like to substitute a new bassline that walks TOWARDS the next chord (arrangers never know what the next chord is until you play it, unlike real players), and basically fudge around with the backing sequence until it is no longer recognizably machine derived - There are a LOT of little detail edits you can do with a computer that are not available on even the most sophisticated arranger sequencer...

Let's say your backbeats are spot on on the snare, but you'd like to bring up the ghosting and subsidiary beats - it's a snap in Cubase to select ALL the snare drum notes EXCEPT those on or VERY near to the backbeats. Ten seconds of editing versus five minutes or more.

I guess, having used Cubase since the Atari days, I am just SO familiar with it, nothing else approaches the speed and power, especially any on-board sequencer. They have their uses, and if pushed I could do an entire production on one, but I would feel stifled. The trick is not to let the computer be a distraction, but make it merely a TOOL.

I am afraid I seldom find the unedited output of an arranger adequate for professional clients. Extensive editing is ALWAYS needed, at least for me to be happy with the final product. And whatever gets that done the quickest without compromising what I can do is what I strive for. Particularly as how you have to learn a NEW sequencer every time you change keyboard brands, I am a LOT happier doing most of my detail edits on something I have got nearly 20 years of experience on!

I respect your decision to go the way you do, but somehow feel you are missing out on some of the better sequencing features by remaining with hardware. For me, it's more important to have the keyboards that SOUND the way I want them to, than have to move to another brand because the onboard sequencer is not up to snuff.