As I have said many, many times, I am quite well aware that, purely as an arranger, there is much that is better on other keyboards. Even on some newer Roland arrangers...

But my usage of the G70 goes WAY beyond simple auto-accompaniment. I have always said, better ONE tool you know intimately, than two or three you are less familiar with. So, whether I go out as a solo, a duo, or slot into a full band, whether I am performing live or laying tracks down in a studio, I prefer to have ONE tool to cover all the bases. Yes, this means a certain amount of compromise on certain of the aspects (far fewer than you would think), but what you gain is (as this thread demonstrates) intimate knowledge of EVERY aspect of the machine, and a rapidity of thought to action which is the primary need when performing live or laying tracks down in an expensive studio.

So, while, at certain things, I'll admit that some newer arrangers have a slight edge, as the total package, nothing even comes CLOSE. Your bandleader calls out a tune you haven't prepared for, what sounds, layers and splits and effects pops into your mind while he counts it in... by the end of the intro, I can create an entire multi-sound setup, volumes, effects and layout the way I want it. Nothing I have ever used, tried or read about comes even CLOSE!

But don't think I don't get jealous a bit! SA2 voices are wonderful (can't say the same about the drums!). The CS on the Korg is wonderful. Can't say the same about the piano, or the OS! For every advantage, there's a disadvantage that, for my needs, outweighs it. In a live band, 76 is almost mandatory (tough to play a full piano or Rhodes part on a 61, and splits need enough range to cover a couple of sounds through their entire usable range) and speed of creating setups on the fly is critical.

Then get it home, decide to modify a legacy style, a conversion, or SMF, and speed and ease of editing them to sound their best actually makes you look forward to doing it. Again, the G70 (and it's equivalents) has no equal in this regard.

It is a classic... Hard to imagine any of the other manufacturers (with their seemingly different priorities) ever coming out with an equivalent, and looking at Roland's current keyboard direction, it seems unlikely that Roland themselves will ever better it. AT WHAT IT DOES BEST.

Fortunately, for me at least, what it does best is EXACTLY what I need it to do..!