Yikes! Not only did Ketron give the Audya USB 1.1 (an archaic spec) they then go ahead and put the connections in "harms way" on the front of the keyboard right by the User's left leg?? Everybody and his uncle moves his body around when playing a keyboard (when sitting OR standing) unless your a classically trained Pianist and even that's iffy. Which makes me wonder who is running the show over there in Ancona Italy?? It's apparent their employees either have NO musical background experience i.e. they are just lame?? engineers who don't know what they're doing, OR they're bringing people in "off the street" who don't know what they're doing either. The USB placement if VERY disheartening in my opinion. >> Oh..? where's my thumb drive??? On the floor?? GREAT!!! >> I can't just quit playing (before a live audience) an pick up my thumb drive - which has fallen on the floor because Ketron's design engineers are apparently clueless!! Ouch! Buyer Beware!! Or if you do buy an Audya "be very, very, still when you play it." [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/biggrin.gif[/img]

Also, it would have been very "easy" for Ketron to make the XLR Mic volume controls more intuitive. Okay, so you have the "knobs" that stick out right? What they could have done is make the knobs "pushable" where you push them once and they "retract" i.e. "go in" making them 'flush' with the keyboard casing after you've set them to your desired preference. Push them again and they would "come out" which is where they're at ALL THE TIME because of Ketron's lack of foresight in my opinion. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/frown.gif[/img] And which makes them extremely vulnerable to disruption and unwanted movement as it currently stands.

Another bummer is the buttons don't line up??? [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/confused.gif[/img] That will take some getting use to no doubt. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/mad.gif[/img] And as Frank has already attested too. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/wink.gif[/img]

Okay, so we now know the Audya is apparently a design disaster [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/biggrin.gif[/img] ... what can you tell us in the way of any good news about the Audya Frank? [img]http://smileydatabase.com/s/128.gif[/img] [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/biggrin.gif[/img] Oh yeah.. you did mention the Styles were brought up to a "new" level right? [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/smile.gif[/img] That is good news if it is indeed true. The proof will be in the pudding of course. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/cool.gif[/img]

Hey, that would be a good "side by side" test if you don't mind Frank. Put them all through a rigorous "Styles" test and let the world judge the results. If the Audya comes out on top then at least we know the "sound" and "style" engineers from Ketron are credible eh? [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/biggrin.gif[/img]

I know, I know.. I realize I'm being a little rough on the Ketron crew. [img]http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-082.gif[/img] Unfortunately, they are somewhat deserving of it don't you think? [img]http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-073.gif[/img] My opinion of course...

All the best,
Mike