All valid points, however if Dan was to integrate Kontakt (For example) into his arranger, then he could set it up and balance all the voices to suit, thus it becomes as balanced as any hardware arranger, but with vastly superior sound.

The problem comes (As has been mentioned) if you try and Mix and Match as the designer doesn’t know what to set the arranger up for.

Dan, if you can integrate a high quality VSTi then go for it, just make sure you have full control over it, and are prepared to put many hours into getting the balance right.

As to overloading a decent modern computer, then you would have to be working in a studio to get to the limits, whereas arranger play is quite simple so would not be so much of a problem.

In addition, just like new cars have more features and performance then older cars, they also have much improved fuel economy due to the more efficient use of resources; the same applies to VSTi, where modern versions can do more with less computing power.

Bill