To clarify, I think adding a modern workstation is really only a good move if you ARE trying to cover or create the more modern musics. The arranger we have is quite honestly all we need to cover older genres.

As to a Genos2 or the rumored PA5X or whatever else is coming down the pike, for me at least, I have strong doubts they will add anything that significantly pushes the arranger paradigm forward. And they will be expensive…

Yes, you are going to see a FEW modern WS features added, but nothing like the leap forward for modern music you would get if you simply bought a far less expensive modern WS and added it to your currently more than capable arranger. As I said, we are deep into the realm of diminishing returns….

I’ve never been one for jumping on every new model as they come out. I find that waiting two or three generations, or at least a decade, gives me a feeling that what I spent my hard earned cash on truly IS a huge leap forward rather than just the same ol’, same ol’ with a few new sounds and styles (not nearly as many as we would wish!).

Truth is, using the sampler section of your arranger (when it has one) gets you those new sounds at a fraction of the price, and some work on translated styles, MIDI files and legacy styles assembling new combinations of parts to make new styles gets you fresh backing to play with. So what are you shelling out thousands for? There hasn’t honestly been a significant change to the basic arranger system for decades. You get three or four intros and endings, four variations, four fills. Whoop te doo! Had that twenty years ago!

Enjoy your $5000 Genos2 or whatever else comes out, but honestly, do you think you spent that much and got something you couldn’t get with a bit of work on your current arranger?