Good ideas often get buried in threads about other things entirely, so I thought I'd start a thread specifically for new ideas.....

What's the three features you wished arrangers had, that they currently don't.....?

(Other than gold, frankincense and myrrh?)

Actually Diki i think that they have great features already. Wwhat i really really would want from a manufacturer is some kind of video or dvd that visually demontrates not only what the features are but how they can best be used musically. if you like , an instructional video/dvd users manual that a musician would write and not a technical explanation of a function.

- The arpeggiator that the Synths have.

- assignable sliders

- Full Piano Roll editing (Like cakewalk) in the song/multipad/style sequencers and the ability to plug in a mouse for easy navigation!

All Realtime controls ON BOARD with no need to go into a menu at all..including Master EQ..sliders

Arranger & Smf to be played totaly SEPERATE & simultaneously.

Two MIC Inputs w/ seperate Vol controls

Ability to Edit/Delete ALL FACTORY STYLES

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 12-21-2006).]

That's #1 for me too.

also would like a light hard plastic protective cover for top of kb, that clips on, (maybe it could hinge and swing out on the audience side as a giant tip jar LOL?)

internal speakers that can be removable when desired, and also swivel in place, and plugged in and out so they can be placed in different ways. never understood why this hasn't happened yet..easy to do, right?



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Miami Mo

Tyros 2 speakers can be attached/removed and can swivel 360 degrees. they are crap speakers though lol.. well you can get a hell of a lot better for very little money..

To be able to select or choose the desired internal styles from the manufacturer. Also, a menu for selection of intros and endings (more than 3 to choose from). Band in a box has a feature where it will create an intro for you.

Haven't played the Tyros2 yet, but if it has the 'composer' feature like Technics does, that would be pretty nice.

Dad was a sole distributor in Asia for a long time, so I had tons of time playing with only Technics products, I'm so accustomed using the composer to make up different songs. Very easy to play live with those things.

I've been impressed with Tyros2's guitar voices, if the sounds are really playable and perhaps tweaked a little bit more to add realism to it, it'll be a very powerful guitar.

Next thing to tackle is realism to Saxophone's natural 'glide'. Tyros2 team tried to add realism with the 'breath' thing, but I don't think it sounds natural, if they can figure out various sounds at various velocity (as Super Mega Voice or something), that would be great.

More powerful and realistic drums, with some 'rolls' and other small fills, syncopated beats, etc.

1. A dedicated restart button (like Ketron) for 4/4 songs that have a 3/4 bar.

2. The ability to attach a larger LCD instead of a music rest. The keyboard would store PDF and other kinds of music files for lyrics display.

3. Real time groove and style construction.

4. More real controls.

5. Two mic inputs.

6. Light weight + weighted keys

7. Bluetooth connectivity to computer

8. Password to startup (required every ten times the keyboard is turned on) in case the keyboad is stolen. Without password, from then on, the keyboard will not boot.

9. Speaker system similar to a Bose Wave.

10. Arpeggiator.

Beakybird

A decent keybed and good lasting construction. Both of these however relate to costing.
Roland & Korg appear to have this already in hand. Yamaha is suspect.


[This message has been edited by Graham UK (edited 12-21-2006).]

Removable on board speakers that aren't fiddley to work with, and that do not need a sub woofer.

"Real" drawbars for organ sounds on the Yammies, and better Hammond clones too...Yamaha could learn a lot from Roland in this department.

More assignable pedal inputs on mid range arrangers.

Please...put aftertouch on the mid range arrangers...they put it on low end synths...???

More robust key feel on the mid-range instruments.

Yes, Diki....that chord sequencer would sure be nice as well.

Ian

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Remember to leave good news alone.

Ability to Edit/Delete ALL FACTORY STYLES
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yes and also preset onboard factory voices to! To me most factory preset voices settings should be able to be replaced forever,and if the person wanted the original back just reload them with the factory reset program included.

[This message has been edited by mr9000 (edited 12-21-2006).]

The Korg keyboards (Pa80/60/50, Pa1X and Pa800) allows you to edit/delete/replace all factory data including styles and sounds. You can tailor the keyboard completely for your own needs. I remember that Synthzone member John Smies did this with his Pa80 several years ago.

Kind regards,
Tommy

Although I loved the sound, I never liked the navigational OS on any of my Korgs from my 1970 ish Korg "PERSONAL" KB, M1/i3/i30/PA 80/60 that I have performed with for live play on stage ......but, being able to edit ALL styles, drum sets, sounds etc....
was a pleasure & one of its strongest features....I look forward to demoing a PA800 asap to see if at all how things have improved ......we all have different needs with gear & I'm always looking to improve mine.

Great idea, but let's hope they wouldn't be written and produced by the same well-intending folks who do the printed manuals.

My wish ... an interactive arranger module based on the Korg PA1XPRO or PA800.
Merry Christmas All.
Jerry

Now this is a GREAT idea for a thread that everyone can learn from and everyone can input to..yet so far up to my statement here, only 15 replies in 2 days. BUT-- start a controversial thread, and you get dozens and dozens of repliers.

Where are those that jump into those argument threads to complain about how everyone argues all the time, yet show no interest in participating in ones like this???

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Miami Mo

OK, here's my three.....

Sample load up speeds at computer speeds, NOT USB 1 speeds! To use samples in an arranger you need to be able to load up what you need for each particular song when you need it, NOT an hour in advance! Most everybody now is used to being able to load a style from flash RAM or memory stick without even noticing the time it takes. Samples need to be as transparent to the user.....

More fills, and break fills..... In these days of four variation arrangers, why are we arbitrarily restricted to insufficient fills to make ALL transition smoother...? There should be a dedicated fill from EACH variation, TO each variation. That makes 16 variations if you count fill-to same, doesn't it? And because each fill is only used from one variation to another (and no other) it can be written to be MUCH smoother than fills that never are quite sure where they are going to have to go, up or down in intensity. Although this sounds like MORE work for the style developers, it would actually make things easier, because you wouldn't have to worry about how the fill transitions into different levels (probably the hardest thing about making a style work well)...... And I love the Yamaha Break/fill concept, but why not have one for each variation? One is not enough....... and you would still only need one Break/Fill button, and it automatically play the B/Fill for the variation you are currently in. I am trying to think of things I'd like to see that made working the arranger easier, not more complex!

And finally..... of course..... the return of the Chord Sequencer. The changes for the tune don't usually change in the second verse, why are you tying up your left hand completely, doing something you already did in the first verse? Remember, you are only recording the changes, you can still change variation, add fills or break/fills and bring in your multipads on top of those changes, it's not like using an SMF. You can switch it off for a vamp (or use it for the vamp!) and go back to regular arranger use on the fly, go back to the chord sequence without interrupting ANYTHING. I have no idea why this isn't the number one request from everybody. Surely you wouldn't want to HAVE to play the chords all the time if you didn't have to.......?

Anyway, keep those ideas coming...... it sure beats trying to persuade Wersi to drop their prices!!

Generally Arranger's are constantly moving in the right direction but one of my wishes would be much more intelligent drum patterns, they are still very rigid in timing terms, I would like to see more humanized drumming with subtle random changes just as a real drummer would do to stop it sounding robotic, just little changes in the stick veloctiy and subtle nuances would help create much more natural sounding drum patterns, also would like to see a random 'drum solo' facility included with each style, Technics implimented this feature on a lot of their organs in the 80's & 90's so it can be done.

Thats all from me folks.

Rgds
Noel

[This message has been edited by pasadoble (edited 12-22-2006).]

Fantastic video manuals with great examples!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

#1 request ? ....I would personally never use the chord sequencer for my style of playing just like I would never use a multi control pedal or Vol pedal I have no need for them except a Voc harmony sw pedal theres nothing faster then my fingers for split second changes........
we all play/sing differently....there is no right or wrong...
The Chord Sequencer might be useful for some as would be many other features that someone feels important to them .....
but the next person would never use at all....here lies a big problem.....what I would love to see in the future would be an arranger with the option to buy /install & remove/ exchangeable features to suit the player at his discretion to be installed or removed to make each arranger
KB "HIS OWN"................seems everyone wants all these improvements that will probably be a miracle to ever be included in an all in one unit....& if so it would cost much more then 99% of average players are willing to purchase.....what these KBs already can do at this time is a miracle in itself compared to just a few short years ago...



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 12-22-2006).]

Sorry, Donny, but have you ever used the Roland Chord Sequencer? It really IS hard to realize how useful it can be until you have used one for a while.....

When we all say 'my style of playing'. despite how different it can be, one thing in common for most arranger players is that we are forced into playing (I don't count hitting the right chord at the right time 'playing' - that's just an input source for the arranger's brain!) with ONE hand! This is SO different from truly playing keyboards.... two-handed arpeggios - forget about it. Two handed funky syncopation licks - forget about it. Extensive use of the bender - forget about it. Etc., etc..

All of these are legitimate techniques that you are expected to do as a keyboard player. But buy an arranger, and you might as well lop off your left arm, for all the PLAYING it's going to do.....

There's a very easy way for you all to check this out.... Use your arranger's sequencer to record just the accompaniment for a favorite tune, for at least a couple of verses and choruses. Now play it back, and play over the top of it using two hands.... either a whole keyboard piano, or a split with a solo sound and a nice comp in the left, whatever you feel like. Unless you have NEVER played anything other than an arranger, you are going to sound better, and re-familiarize yourself with playing techniques you may have forgotten since your left hand got tied down.

Now imagine that you can do this any time you want, and STILL not have to give up the freedom of arranger play and use SMFs....... DON'T let the mechanics of chord triggering make you forget how to play well with BOTH hands..... DEMAND a chord sequencer from your manufacturer, and watch how much better you play and sound.......

Diki I respect your opinions....but I cannot agree with you.....and btw I used to own & perform with a a G1000 and I'm very familiar with the CSeq.....have a wonderful holiday...I would also love to know the real reason Roland dropped this feature form their units also?

For us style nuts, I'd like to see Yamaha, and the others as well, collaborate with PG Music to make available for arranger keyboards the tons of Band-In-A-Box styles ---tweaked for the correct voices, with multipads and all the rest, ready to go.

Donny, same here, always like to hear everybody's views, even if I sometimes disagree (who, me?!!).

No criticism, everybody uses these things differently, but I'm just curious as to what 'style' you play in where the Chord Sequencer WOULDN'T be a help? Just want to know, that's all......

Seeing as everyone has made wonderful (and sometimes innovative) suggestions so far, I'd just like to add something more basic.

It would be great if ALL the manufacturers gave us more options keys wise.

By this I mean:

61, 76 AND 88 key options on (almost) ALL of their keyboards ACROSS THE RANGE...

AND

a choice of Non weighted/Semi weighted/Fully weighted action!

Alright - maybe impractical - but dang - a LITTLE more flexibility would be nice!

eg if the Tyros 2 had 76 keys - THEN - I could take it seriously.

(I realise this is just MY personal wish and many folks do just fine with only 61 keys - I know, I know!)

To me the chord seq makes me a slave to the style pattern that's recorded as is a SMF....I like to play free style....with mostly a power right hand lead solo & accompaniment to my left hand chords........as I am a Singer first and my playing Only backs my vocals...but if it works for who ever uses it so be it....its just not my cup of tea.

Not quite sure I understand you there, Donny. Are you saying you vary the chords a lot in the second verse/chorus, or you don't like being a slave to the 'style' of the song?

The G1000's C/Seq had an option where it only recorded the changes, NOT the style, NOT the fills, NOT the variation or tempo or ANYTHING..... just the chords.....

Did you ever try it that way, or did it always play the fills and variation changes for you? If so, I can understand your viewpoint. I still want to control the arranger aspects, I just hate having to repeat playing a set of changes I'm going to repeat.

Anyway, moot point because even Roland have given up trying to make players understand how useful this is (and they tried for over ten years!)

Lets just hope they try again.......

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.........

I have no objection to having the CS onboard ....if its useful for some its worth it....having many features lets us pick & choose the right combination to make our music sound the best it can be no matter how we do it....bottom line when you close you eyes is what it sounds like plain & simple, how its done is the beauty of playing an instrument...what it sounds like is the magic we make using the instrument which is an extension of our inner soul....

Enjoy the Holidays, Stay safe, Make Music....& be happy!!

I imagine the usefulness of a feature is in proportion to the user's ability to use it.... If you can't (or don't) play in a very two-fisted style, you are not going to need something to help free up your left hand.

But if you do.....