ProfD

As we have mentioned in similar threads, the magic of hanging out in a music store has diminished and the sustainability of brick and mortar stores has become harder with alternative shopping options. I'm not surprised that the Ash family is cashing in its chips. The handwriting has been on the wall for a long time now. 😎

Grab a gaming chair for the home office and you're all set.😁😎

ITRW, you would be considered a smart shopper.😁😎

I've heard reports that Boeing parts just fall off. That should make it easier to scrap.😁😎

Humans have always come up with technology to make things easier and more efficient and increase productivity, etc. I'm inclined the believe the end state is that humans won't have to work or do anything else for matter. Just live a life of leisure. Maybe I should get started on the the azz wiper. A device to....well, you know the rest. The sh8t ain't that hard to figure out.🤣😎

The difference is understood. The workstation-lite sequencer in the Juno DS should suffice as the OP gets back into KBs especially within the budget.😎

Depending on genre/style of music, most songs are 8 bar loops/patterns chained together.😎

The Juno DS does have a functional sequencer.😎

Excellent choice in a workstation considering the number of parameters in your initial inquiry. My fellow forumites have many years of experience with a gamut of gear. Also, we are not shy about spending someone else's money either. So, it's easy for us to recommend terminating a gnat with a sledgehammer.🤣 However, I believe given the conditions, a Juno DS would be the perfect package for getting back into the game without breaking the bank. As far as monitors go, head over to the closest Guitar Center and take a listen to whatever fits within your budget.😎

AI is keeping track of all naysayers including yours truly.🤣 Humans have been conditioned in listening to machine-made music ever since electronic technology has been producing sequencers, drum machines, samplers, etc. Computer usage for music production is a part of the same continuum. I still contend that gifted and talented musicians, songwriters, composers and music producers have no real reason to fear AI. In fact, those individuals will be contracted to feed the algorithm. Otherwise, those who can play an instrument, write, compose and perform music will always be able to find an audience. Remember...the Yamaha DX7 and hardware samplers were not the proverbial nail in the coffin of trained musicians. Right now, there are still orchestras and Broadway pit musicians and genre-based touring bands all over the planet. The Nashville music industry never succumbed to using Akai MPCs for music production. I doubt Nashville will screw up its economy relying on AI for songwriting and music production. Same goes for Jazz and many other styles of music. Again, it is generic music producers who should be most concerned about their gigs being wiped out by AI.😎

Same here. I've heard that adage a few times over the years. Especially from current or previous boat owners. Always get a chuckle out of it too.😁😎

As Scott mentioned above, some adjustments in expectations have to be made. The Roland Juno DS is a step down from the Fantom but IMO, it is a great workstation to learn and grow. As skills progress and KBs and/or software are accumulated, the Juno DS would still have a place at the proverbial table. IOW, it won't go out of style. The best news is that a brand new Roland Juno DS can be bought within the budget.😎

Art and sports seem to be similar in that regard. A long time ago, music magazines would rank musicians as well. Some folks seem to enjoy the detour away from actually playing and producing music.😎

Yeah...no. 🤮🤣 I *hate* pressing a key and hearing a semi- or full arrangement of music blaring out.😁 Maybe I'll have a different appreciation for arrangers or backing tracks if I'm ever a senior citizen confined to Shady Pines assisted living facility and asked to provide music during the geriatric social hour.🤣😎

IMO, LH Bass gigs should be approached as its own thing similar to an organ trio. Songs/tunes should be reharmonized as necessary to account for the pinch hit. Technology certainly provides KB players with a variety of instruments and sounds to cover bass duties too. Playing LH bass can be a total blast when done properly. Otherwise, a solid Bass player is worth their weight in B strings, er, bottom.😎

Exactly. QB Michael Penix Jr. provides some type of insurance policy in the event that Captain Kirk gets crumpled and sidelined.😎

Most Blu-ray disc players can play CDs. In fact, the Blu-ray player is better to have than separate DVD and CD players. That's also my excuse for having a Sony PS4.😁 I also still have a CD-RW machine that I can play CDs, copy and burn them too. Of course, I have a turntable as well. The only physical media devices I'm missing is a cassette tape deck and VHS machine. If the lack of an old device ever got to critical mass, I could resolve it with a trip to the local thrift store or pawn shop.🤣😎

Noble of the head tech to take responsibility for the failures. Yet another example, regardless of advanced planning, meetings, rehearsals and soundchecks, etc., Murphy can show up like Waldo. 😁😎

Same here. Surprised that QB Michael Penix was drafted in the 1st round only because of his injury history. Solid player when healthy Atlanta Falcons should be a good place for QB Penix to develop as a pro. No pressure to carry a franchise in year one.😎

Not surprised. I remember when the Prophet 6 and OB-6 were shelf mates in the music store. Figured Obie would come down the pike with something similar to the Take 5. 😎

This release reminds me of a fireworks display where everything fires at once resulting in a dud. There wasn't much of a display or show. 🤣 Another example of a manufacturer feeding their customer base bread crumbs.😎

Bingo. Excellent story to provide context as well. As mentioned in several AI-related threads, the technology will mainly replace humans who produce disposable music. Gifted and talented and creative human will always be a step ahead of the rest. Throughout the history of art, such has been the case with peer humans. The same will be true when it comes to the algorithm which always has to be updated by humans. IMO, AI will never be creative.😎

Nope. Just providing a word of encouragement to any 49er fans. 😎

We own the physical media in our personal collection. We just don't have a right to make copies of it for sale.😁 Having a form of physical media that cannot disappear or become unavailable in the cloud is great. The bigger challenges are: 1) Deterioration. Warped plastic or corrupted data discs are real. 2) Playback device availability. Turntables, tape decks, CD players, VCRs, DVD/Blu-Ray, SACD, etc. As long as we maintain our personal collection and playback capability, we should be fine. The only threat to our enjoyment of such things is Father Time who is undefeated in the ring.😎

@Reezekeys nails it with the powered speaker recommendation. Add a mixer if there is more than 1 KB in mix. Besides, if a KB amp is too heavy, it's time to find and get used to a light-weight powered speaker. No way around if the objective is to continue gigging. There is the option of switching over to headphones or IEMs and a mixer or talking the sound person into bringing a KB monitor.😎