I'm speaking for the USA ONLY. I think there is/was a generation of Arranger players (buyers) that spanned about 35-40 years (mid 80's to present). Most have/had a presence here on Synthzone. Most are currently in the 60-90 age range. Few within this group have any interest in or are willing to shell out big bucks for any kind of radical new innovation in the arranger keyboard market. In other words, this small and declining group of enthusiasts IS IT! There is no indication (that I can see) that this market is attracting any new recruits. Sad as it may seem to some, this is probably the end of an era. I believe that the Arranger keyboard is well on it's way to taking it's place alongside those wonderful must-have furniture pieces of the past, the HOME ORGAN.

I think the reason for it's demise is something I have always alluded to (and been hated for); that is has never been accepted by or considered a legitimate musical instrument (in the classic sense) by PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS and especially aspiring young musicians who tend to be more innovative than what a style-playing machine will allow (at least in their minds). I can't count the times I've heard the word 'BORED' used in this forum, and that's the Achilles' heal of arrangers (in the hands of untrained musicians who MUST rely on 'styles' to produce a listenable product).

Let me be perfectly clear; an Arranger keyboard used solely in 'synth' mode (no auto-play) is simply that, a synth, and does not factor into this opinion post. However, there are cheaper ways (Synths, VSTi's, etc.) to achieve this musical end.

Another indicator of the probable demise of the Arranger is the almost negligible participation on THIS forum which is probably the most prominent of the arranger forums, and of course the lack of new product or even the usual rumors of new product. Sure, Covid 19 and the political divide that resulted certainly accelerated the decline, but I think any forum that is held together mainly by a few strong personalities, is doomed to a fixed and finite lifespan anyway. But that's life; no new blood, no future. Will a new PA5x or Genos II or BK10 resuscitate the market/forum/clan? Probably not, but who knows, let's wait (and wait and wait) and see. In the meantime, let's enjoy it while it lasts and hope that the thing that has always kept it together, a cult of personalities, will keep it together a little longer.

chas