I can tell you that the XS has a lot of different patterns and yes, you can select either a pattern or an arpegiated phrase and play cords and they will sound like an actual cord. Hope this helps. Karen ----- Original Message ----- From: G. McFarlane To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 10:22 PM Subject: [ddots-l] Re: motif xs firmware 1.10 released Hi Daimon Apologies for my ignorance with this query.I play guitar, and can manage a bit of keyboard with a struggle. I'm looking for an easy way to input through a midi keyboard, and I realise that for a true musician what I'm about to ask is horrifying. But will this keyboard allow easy input with one touch chords with variations, intros, endings, styles etc. (like band in a box features). If so then which of the synth keyboards in the KS list would be best? If not can you suggest a keyboard or software which would pander to my needs? Thanks. Gordon McFarlane ----- Original Message ----- From: Damon Fibraio To: midimag@xxxxxxxxxxx ; MoAccess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 6:05 PM Subject: [ddots-l] motif xs firmware 1.10 released Just checked www.yamahasynth.com and the motif xs firmware 1.10 is out. The biggest news for us? USB keyboard support. Imagine plugging a full qwerty keyboard into your keyboard and controlling it that way as opposed to the keys on the synth. Imagine naming files and sounds on a keyboard directly with the keyboard. This is now possible. Also, in song or pattern mode, when changing sounds in mix mode, the sounds do not cut off anymore, great for on stage use. Again, go get it from www.yamahasynth.com. -- Damon Fibraio screen names -- aol: dfibraio...msn dfibraio@xxxxxxxxxxxx skype: dfibraio personal music site: http://www.keyboardguy.com. Internet Radio station: http://www.nhbradio.com Internet radio show Wednesday nights from 8 to 11 pm eastern, returning July of 2008.