Korg SP-500: Any advocates?

[Cap]

The only remaining keyboard that looks good to me on paper but that I have no local access to is the new Korg SP-500. My hope is that it would combine some of the features of the Roland RD-700 (being able to save and instantly call up programs and set-ups, split the keyboard with electric bass and ride cymbal sounds, provide separate volume controls for bass and piano sounds) in a package no bigger (in terms of size and weight) than the Roland FP-3. Looks like it's the right size--about the same as the FP3. But do the features, sounds, and performance measure up?

 

I went to the Korg site and checked out the Quick Time video promo. Either they've got a different audience in mind or the salesman just didn't know how to demo the machine. It looked and sounded like some of the cheesiest Casios I've passed by at Best Buy or K-Mart. Can someone assure me the machine has sufficient serious potential to be worth checking out? If not, I'll abandon the search and hire someone to program my PC2.

 

Sam

[heath_eld]

i've heard that its pretty average, but thats only hearsay. I generally like Korg stuff cos it sounds nice but not necessarily realistic. I agree that on paper the SP500 has it all. Definitely seems worth a look, and if you do, post your opinion here.

[sbrock1san.rr.com]

I'd stick with the Casios from Best Buy. With the money you'd save you could hire someone to program it.