I would not even look at getting a high-end arranger if it does not have sampling. At the very least it should be able to read samples like wave and other formats. Expansion cards are good but why spend $2 or 300 on an expansion card when you would probably only be using 3 or 4 sounds from that card.

I think if you want a keyboard with every thing done for you already and playable out of the box, there is the PSR 1500, 3000, Korg PA 50 and 60. But when you are talking about high-end flagship professional workstation/ arrangers, that are over priced to begin with, basic functions like sampling, sequencing, are just the minimum with any future produced keyboards. If I am going to spend that amount of money I want something that I can customize to my taste and needs with respect to sounds and styles.

I don’t think that the concept of having customizable features on a high-end arranger like sampling is any different from having customizable features on a workstation.


P.S I think that Yamaha may try to offer arranger features as a software option in their next workstation which will be heavily software baste. Just look at the competition.


[This message has been edited by to the genesys (edited 03-20-2005).]