You need it to really get good sounds out of the thing, and I love the fact that you can

real-time edit/screw-around with the sounds with the Pg-200. I just ordered a manual from

Roland for it, it's a photocopied version that costs about $10.00. I don't know much about

the sequencer, nor do I really care, I've got my Xp-50 and computer software for that stuff.

It's got midi too, but you can't use the midi and the Pg-200 at the same time.

I've been able to get some killer sounds out of it, and I highly recommend this board. (P.S. - I paid $250.00 for it, with the Pg-200.....I hear this is a great price.)