DanO got me thinking .... what beter way to actually audition this beast than to record it and listen to it at a later time. So - I did, and WOAH MAMMA! This thing sounds so real .... much better than I remember the X1 sounding. (Although that was pretty good at the time)

It seems the folks at Ketron have been busy improveing exosting features rather than REinventing the board. It really shows in how expressive some sounds are. Lots of the staples have better vibrato and sustain qualities, and the drums are just scary.
They finally put in a way to lock out the bass from changing between patterns, so if I can just get used to the navigation and the few missing features that I've come to love .... I may take it out soon. I NEED that F/S Dan - you can't use the vocalist without it. (MAJOR KEYTRON BOO BOO ! )

AJ - You gotta make it so you can use a comercial F/S for an assignable task - forget about the volume pedal .... the on/off features are far more important .... especially to singers. Any chance ?

I have too busy of a weekend ahead so the XD will sit home one more week, but if I get that F/S .... I plan to try it on the job next week. The bass lockout was the last really big hurdle. As long as the vocalist performs ok .... I think It may go on-line with me very soon.

I'll Give DonnyNJ the audio demos - maybe he can post them somewhere. I never learned how to do that, and I don't think I want them on my site ... they're just fooling around with lots of mistakes too. (I'm a clumsy lead player when I don't concentrate.)

Yes ! do it ! dano

OK - it's crunch time boys & girls.

I got courageous after hearing the recordings I did on the XD9, so I took it to work tonight. Since the harmonizer is UNUSABLE without the Ketron dedicated footswitch, (There is no way to turn it on and off without taking your hands off the keys - no good, no good) I decided to try to use the stereo in's and take the signal from my regular mixer and Digitech. Worked like a charm. There is a nice clean signal at the mic input and I had plenty of gain. I turned OFF all effects, panned the signal hard Left and hard Right and went from there.

Well ... lemme tell ya - this thing clearly sounds the best of anything I've ever heard. The drums and bass are so good, it's scary. The chordal acc. parts are tasteful and modest compared to the old X1 days, and the fill ins are logical and musical as well.
The fill in/variation buttons are still awkward to handle, but the sound is so good, I may have to learn to adjust to it.
It's really quite an improvement, as far as the basic rhythm section goes. The solo voices seem to all be tweaked and improved, and the sax's make my mouth water. I am going to have to start playing more instrumentals because this unit is so convincing. My soloing is not so great, (I'm a chord & bass man) but I'm willing to learn. The tone of the instruments is just wonderful.
There are still some annoying little things that need to be addressed, but if you go by sound alone .... this is the best keyboard I EVER heard. (all around)

It still needs:

More polyphony (noticable lag at times)
A few more dedicated buttons (pianist mode / manual bass)
stereo inputs AS WELL as the mic inputs (Yamaha's LOOP method is great)
Extra outs (for bass and drums, or ...... )
master EQ
XLR mic input (would be nice)

There is also no way (that I can see) to control the volume of a song if you use an external sequencer, like I do. When I use the laptop to trigger the internal sounds ... the song volume does not work. This may be possible, but I haven't found it yet.
AJ? DanO? George?

I'm going to convert a few of the audio samples I made on the XD to MP3 and send them to a few of you. Maybe someone can post them somewhere. (I'm a cyber-novice at that stuff)

Forgive my bad chords and poor melody lines .... I am not very good at instrumentals. I sing everything usually, and I just don't seem to concentrate unless I have an audience. Even so - the sound is awesome. I'm sure you'll be impressed with the rhythm sound at least. I just ran the outputs of the keyboard direct into my CD recorder with no extra processing. It's clean and quiet with lots of "sizzzzzzle"

There are still sounds that I prefer on the PA80 (organs mostly) but overall - the XD has everything I need, and then some. I love the solo sounds, the EP's and the drums. Did I say how real the drums sound? It's incredible.

If the 9000PRO had these sounds with all it's other features ... it would be the best of both worlds. Yamaha still OWNS the market for ease of use and logical layout, but this new Ketron is going to turn some heads, for sure. If sounds are important to you ... you GOTTA check this out.

Send me the demos. Now.
Please.
Pretty please?
Don

Did you get 'em? I sent 'em !

Now I got 'em. Truly amazing! Sounds like an orchestra. Did you use the automatic bass lines, or did you play the bass yourself?
DonM

Automatic for demo purposes. I wanted you all to hear the machine ... not me !

Incidentally, your right hand is VERY good. You indicated that it was sloppy but, if so, I would hate to hear you at your best.
Don

You're so sweet.

I'm sorry boys to interrupt your private little conversation there
But is there any chance I could listen in on the demo? Maybe even just a little?

Thanks

Eric

Eric,
I tried to send you three demos, but it came back. Sorry pal ! I had trouble with a bunch of addresses. Best thing to do is just BUY the XD9 and then you'll have it to record with !

(It's officially on the block to all of you first ...... check the 4sale section)

Watch out thereUD.........Eric is a loyal George Kaye Customer!!!!!!!and he's coming Aug 16th to hear it for himself!!!!!!!!!
(In case you can't tell.......I'm just joking!) I know sometimes the printed word can be interpreted wrong.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

I STRONGLY suggest that all your customers keep coming back for more of the great service that you always give!

I'm a large volume buyer, but I sell a lot of gear pretty quick too. Get it from George, Eric - he's a good man and will support you AFTER the sale as well !

BTW - I sent the demos to you but the darn thing wouldn't go through. George has 'em .... but you're gonna play it live in a few days anyway.

Hi Uncle Dave,

that's alright don't worry about it, but thanks for your efforts.
As George said I will see it next week for myself.
I know what you mean about custumer service, I bought my Pro from George

But this time he will have his hands full, because I'm thinking to ad the XD3 to my Pro
and like you I have very specific needs without compromise, what I expect from a board.
I have never played with Midi so I need a thorough walk through to set up the Pro and the XD3, so they will do what I want them to do. They'll have to learn to get along, since it will be an interracial marriage

George,

Paul and I are planing to come down on Wed. the 14th. Can't wait that long
Paul ask me to be there at ten in the morning.
Let me know if there is a problem. Thanks again for you time and dedication.

Eric

Eric,
Wednesday is fine! I'll be there all day.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Listening to UD's XD9 demos, I found both the styles and sounds filled with exciting punch & authentic realism. The only thing I don't like is that (imho) the auto accompaniment bass part volume really 'over dominates' the mix. Anyone else notice this? I noticed this on the X1 & SD1 too, so I assume this is just a signature trademark of Ketron's styles.

Thankfully, I remember reading that it's easily possible to UNIVERSALLY lower the volume of the 'auto accompaniment bass' part only, enabling you to switch between different styles (while playing on the fly) yet maintain the lowered bass part volume. How is this accomplished on the Ketron XD9 & SD1 ? Can this be setup as default keyboard setup? Thanks. - Scott

Scott ,
You can set the volumne levels as a default setting . dano

Funny, Scott, I LOVED the bass!
Different strokes for different folks.
Don

DonM: Don't get me wrong, I'm super impressed with Ketron's realistic sounding bass as well.

DanO: Great to hear that the XD9's auto accomp instrument volume levels can be stored to come up as part of the keyboard's 'default' settings when the keyboard is turned on. Now I just got to find a Ketron dealer in my area (San Francisco-Oakland, CA) willing to stock at least one demo XD9 or SD1, so I can audition this baby for myself.

Scott,
Call Bell/Duvox in New York Monday morning and ask them if the store in San Francisco where Ed Cornett works has been set up as a dealer yet. You can tell them you heard this from George Kaye because this might have happened and it might not. The phone number is 845 268-1001
George Kaye
kaye's Music Scene
reseda, California

Thanks George. I was hoping I might save a long distance call. Is Bell Duvox's toll free number: (800) 734-5418 still good? If not, what's Bell Duvox's email address? Thanks. - Scott

Hey all,

Would somebody send me Uncle Dave's demos. Stuck in Ohio, I'll never get to hear an XD unless I get something from one of you.

Thanks,
Steve
stevizard@neo.rr.com

I just sent 'em over the stateline ! maybe Drew carey will play them on his acordian !

U.D.

I'm still waiting for those demos!

Tom

hey, can i get them too? you know, since every single member is asking for them, cant we get some way to post them? thanks so much. please send those demos. berishedelman@hotmail.com . sank u! Z

I wish KETRON would post MP3 demos on their website? Hmmmmmm? AJ??????

I don't know why ... but the computer gremlins are at work again and I cannot seem to effectivly transmit these through email. It bogs down and I can't tie up the 'puter for 15 minutes at a time.
Can someone one post them somewhere? I have no clue about how to do that.
Sorry guys .... I sent a bunch out to individual addresses and it's just takes too much time that I don't have to watch my pc snoooooooooze. I can't do anything else during transmit, so it's not convienient at this time.
Isn't DanO posting them somewhere soon?
DanO ?

soon and very soon ! dannyo

UD & anyone else with demos:

E-mail me the demos and I'll put them in
a website, ok?

-- José.

José -
Check your email. Zip file is 5 megabytes.
Scott

Thanks Scott!

Here they are, the long waited XD9 demos from our charismatic friend Uncle Dave
http://homepage.oninet.pt/991mnx/ud_demos/UD_XD9_Demos.zip

-- José

I could only hear the first one the other two were giving me errors about CRC and the size not being the right one. Seems that they maybe gotten corrupted when I downloaded them!

The first one is very nice UD. Did u sequece any of it, or was it all live? Sometimes I hear you play solo sax yet a group of saxes fills in the background. Is that part of a midi song? or a sequnce or are you that fast?

Nice

I got error messages too, but was still able to salvage parts of the second and third files ( the first one was good all the way through ).
The rendition of jobim melody sounded great. Nice flute sound and fairly realistic sax too. Drums and bass sounded pretty good to me too.

DanO, when Tyros comes out and you get one.. I'm a commin' to see ya. I wanna see the XD9 too.

AJ

Mosiqaar (and all)
Every solo note was played in real time, by my right hand, but I DID show off the harmony feature on Begin the Beguine saxes.

When it went solo .... I just turned off the "section."

The rhythm was entirely the arranger. I wanted you all to hear the programmed accompaniments, and not my bass playing. The intention was to show how good the factory stuff sounded on the XD.

The shame for me is that - I won't get the benefit from the preprogrammed stuff as much as some others and that is why I have to sell it. So ..... believe me - this is NOT a bug issue ... It's personal, that's all.

I think the flute and saxes are two of the best I've heard. Bar none.

If more of you find errors in the file, it is possible that the problem was uploading the files to my server. The file is the same Scott emailed me directly, and I had no trouble playing none of the three files. Please report troubles and I'll consider uploading the file again.

I agree with Dave, sounds are great. But I do not find a significant difference between XD series sounds and the previous X series (even flute or sax).

-- José.

2 of the files are corrupt ... i confirm it.

Do you have WinRAR ... that's alot better then the ancient zip format! IMO

Sorry but all 3 were corrupt on my system. Could access any of them.

I also could not open the second and third files. They were reported as having CRC errors.
Paul C.

Hey guys and gals,

I too got the check-sum errors when unzipping but the files still played for me (for the most part).

Here's the deal, I'm working on a 'streaming audio' project here so I decided to make these available via Windows Media Player for now, more options to come (web page with links, RealAudio, etc.)

(hopefully I'm not infringing on anything or anybody)(if so, let me know and I'll pull them)

Start up Media Player, on older versions click on Open, newer versions click on Open URL.

[url=mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/beginthebeguine.mp3][url=mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/beginthebeguine.mp3][url=mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/beginthebeguine.mp3]mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/beginthebeguine.mp3[/url][/url][/url]

[url=mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/jobimmedley.mp3][url=mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/jobimmedley.mp3][url=mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/jobimmedley.mp3]mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/jobimmedley.mp3[/url][/url][/url]

[url=mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/canadiansunset.mp3][url=mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/canadiansunset.mp3][url=mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/canadiansunset.mp3]mms://stream.lib.umn.edu/canadiansunset.mp3[/url][/url][/url]

(looks like you will have to cut&paste these)

The last one, Canadian, is the one that suffers from the check-sum error, it only plays for about 35 seconds.

GREAT STUFF! You really did a nice job and the keyboard sounds great too!

Have fun!

mike

[This message has been edited by msutliff (edited 08-16-2002).]

Exactly my experience with the files as well.

AJ

OK, ok!! Sorry for the errors. I don't understand what happened, since I uploaded the exact file that I got from Scott, with the usual procedure, and as binary files. I unpacked the files without problems and played them with Winamp.

But here is an alternative way of getting the demos. Go to:
http://homepage.oninet.pt/991mnx/UD_demos/index.html

There are links to each of the three files. 'Hope it works this time. Please warn me if something goes wrong!

-- José.

[This message has been edited by matias (edited 08-16-2002).]

the second way works fine!
Thanks

Scott just sent me an XD9 demo by DanO (I don't know if it's the same he's emailing on a separate post). I'm assuming it's OK for the authors that I put this material online. Please tell me if it's not the case!

Here's DanO's work:
http://homepage.oninet.pt/991mnx/dano/index.html

-- José.

No problem ! dano


Thanks !

Really good DanO.
Don

Hi Uncle Dave,
What is the title anyway of the first part of the Jobim-medley?

Thanks

Rene

Hmmmm, I don't remember what I played .... I think it was the Summer Samba, then Ipanima, then Wave? Does that sound right? I don't have the files anymore on this pc.

wow!! this keyboard sounds great

thanks to all who have made listening to the demos possible.

i'm a guitar player myself, and i was hoping to buy one nice keyboard someday but now i have to consider bariatric surgery( paid by Québec medicare) but after that i will need reconstructive/plastic surgery so i'll have to save money for that, my health comes first.
but i'll still lurk in the shadows like i did for the last year. i learned alot here thanks to you nice guys and gals.
thanks
Simon