Playing an arranger at it's most basic level (simple chords and melody), is not a lot harder than playing a guitar by learning some chords and how to strum.

However, to be able to take an arranger to a level where people will actually pay money to hear you play, is no different than an accomplished guitarist.

For me to have an arranger set up to where I am happy with how it sounds takes a lot of work and preparation...no different than a guitarist who sets up his guitar with the right kind of pick-ups, the best sounding amp, the proper effects unit (and setting it up)...the bottom line is, we both still have to play well enough to keep the listener's interest.

Mastering Yamaha's SA and SA2 with the proper technique to make them sound true to the instruments they emulate is a skill that regular piano players do not have to deal with, for example, plus playing with proper phrasing in regards to style you are using.

I think it would be safe to say that you spent a lot of time making your arranger sound the way you wanted (and needed) it to sound, and that is a skill in itself...I think you'd be more likely to be using technology to your advantage, rather than be a slave to it.

Ian