Quote:
Originally posted by Scottyee:
I recently had the opportunity to FINALLY spend some considerable time (over 4 hours on 3 separate occasions) auditioning BOTH the Ketron SD1 and Ketron XD9. I was immediately impressed by how smooth the SD1 & XD9 styles sounded, as well as how realisticly LIVE sounding the drum patterns were. Many of the SD1 instruments, particularly the Sax (esp Night Sax), organs (lots of presence & guts), and Grand Piano (though darker in color than I expected) are outstanding. I have to agree with Andrea (Dreamer) that the electric pianos & guitars overall were less than impressive and even noticed the annoying DSP noise he had previously reported. The XD9 sounds (in my opinion) pale in comparision to the SD1 sounds. In fact, the XD9 acoustic piano does not even approach the terrific sounding one in the SD1. The XD9 omits many of the best sounds of the SD1, including the SD1's Night Sax. On the otherhand, the XD9 has a far better improved OS navigation system than the SD1. I found that navigating the identically sized buttons on the SD1 confusing and frustrating and wonder if I could ever feel comfortable pressing the correct buttons on a LIVE gig, especially because you have to go into sub menus to reach even the basic functions. Thankfully the XD9 corrected some of these problems, though I felt even its LCD selection buttons to the right and left sides of the LCD screen located poorly, NOT directly to the actual parameters they are intended to control. The Yamaha (and Technics) arrangers on the other hand have their LCD function buttons all located directed NEXT to the window parameter section they are meant to control.I found both the SD1 & XD9 key feel to be very good and responsive. The SD1 keyboard cosmetic design I do not like at all (1970's). It looks more like a proto-type kb than a finished product, but the XD9 in contrast, looks very stylish and sleek with built in speakers too. The speakers sound is also very impressive. There is also a bass boost feature which allows you to easily increase the bass response.

Ok, it seems the Ketron boards have a lot to offer to arranger players. The SD1 has many features which are just not available in other arranger keyboard brands, such as drum remix, an auto accomp bass mute feature which allows you to play YOUR OWN bass lines, dedicated rootless chord recognition option,, more right & left part voices (presenting added layering possiblities than other arrangers), etc. Ok, some of you may think now that I've decided to upgrade to a Ketron SD1 or XD9 , right? Unfortunately there is ANOTHER issue that is keeping me from currently considering going with Ketron route: this issue is reliability. I've heard privately from several people on this forum that they have experienced repeated problems with their SD1's. This has included reports that their keyboards have frozen up unexpectedly, and have even required repeated (3) lengthy visits to the repair shop. In addition, when I visited my local music store to audition the XD9 & SD1, somebody had just dropped off their SD1 to be repaired. To add to this, while I was auditioning the XD9, I noticed that the LCD screen would, every once in a while, momentarily freeze & shimmer, before changing to a newly selected style or sound. As a gigging musician I can't afford to risk the possibility of my keyboard failing on the gig, or having to be without it for any length of time (short or long) because of failures. I'm sure there are many Ketron owners out there that have never had any problems with their Ketron boards, but from the percentage of reports of Ketron keyboard related problems I've heard, the odds are too high for me right now, no matter how wonderful the Ketron keyboards sound. I only hope that Ketron will be able to improve their reliability and their OS navigation approach in the near future because I feel Ketron arrangers are truly special boards which offer something special for arranger keyboard players. Keep in mind that my review is only MY personal opinion and others may disagree. - Scott


Hi Scottyee,

Enjoyed your report concerning the SD-1.

Agree about the execellent sounds, don't know the reliability record of this instrument, only had mine 4 weeks. Also agree about styling, a bit dated, but I can live with this.

Navigation takes some getting used to and I'm on a learning curve at the moment regarding this.

The SD-1 is, in my opionion, a superb keyboard and only time will tell about the reliability. If it went down I would be very sad, even at this early stage.

Hope to speak to you soon.

Best Wishes

riv