Alec Hi. As I understand it. The Direct play feature is for S.M.F.s and I mostly use my own files at rehearsals. I thought I might get over the delay problem by putting my files in the song medley and using the "skip" function, but there is still a 20 second delay when you "skip".I never know in what order the files will be needed in early rehearsals. When things are finalised I record to minidisk and from then on its easy. I am reading all the posts on the 7000 but I think it may have too many advanced features on it that I will never use. I really think that "sounds and Styles" are more important to me for the work I do. so I may end up with the 6500. I am amazed at the knowledge of all of you experts- I wish I was eighteen again --Isn't that a song?? Jean.