Scott, I was thinking...why would it be ,that you think SMF's[especially Tune1000] sound inferior to arranger playing and other sources...

I think part of the problem may be your inexperience using instruments that sound good[especially SMF playback]...Yamaha is poor in sequence playback of SMF's[XG...forget it]...And your other favorite choice of keyboard..Technics, also lacks in this department...

If you allowed yourself[with open mind] to listen ..playback with a quality GS instrument...you may develop a different opinion...

Also, give a listen to a quality sequence played by a Ketron product..

I have sequences that I use with GS instruments...you almost can't tell from the original recording...There are some great sequence program people that are detailed oriented, and deserve to be played on a Roland GS..

No flaming here...just another observation..