Now we all know there are some standard features that come with all modern arranger keyboads. I thought it would be nice to discuse some that could be unique.

ARRANGER PROGRAMMING IN KETRON SD1:
Ever since the MS series, KETRON has had this feature where prior to recording a style, you select what chord type (Major, Minor, 7th, ALL) you want to respond to the material you are about to record. In this case, when you select MAJOR, record the style in C/Do, and save the style, when you go back to play this style, only major chords trigger the arranger to playback what was recorded in Major. Playing a minor chord yeilds NOTHING (you don't hear anything b/c you didn't record minor yet).
If you now go back to EDIT this style and select MINOR prior to recording, and record in Cm (make sure what you record in Cm is slightly different from what you recorded in C), during playback (within the same style), when you play a minor chord, you get the format that was recorded in Cm. If you play a major chord, you get the format that was recorded in C. A 7th yeilds nothing - until you go back and record a 7th part). You also have the option to combine 2 of the above groups!

For the most part (for easy life), most of use choose the mode (Major, Min, 7th or ALL) and just record once. This way, no matter what we play, the arranger can 'figure out' the appropriate chord since what we record should be responed to by ALL chord types... not a lot of dynamics though! This is a good start so that you can later on go back and add the independent parts to the MAJOR, MINOR and 7th, thus they will all have the same basic roots, just small components here and there that make them different within the arranger component.

To better expand on the above example: say when I recorded the major part in my ACC1, I recorded a piano part only. Now when I record the Minor part, in my ACC2, I recorded strings only. Now I seleced ALL to record drums. During playback, here is the experience;
Whenever I play a major chord, I get the drums PLUS my piano. Whenever I play a minor, I get the drums plus strings (no piano since that was NOT recorded in the minor ... but I could have recorded this in the minor too ... just with a little variation from what was recorded in the major).
OUTSTANDING, right? Because you could go back and record subtled drum fills under minor and these drum fills will not be heard until you play a minor chord etc!

This is why on many KETRON styles, there seems to be a variation in a style (without you having to physically change arranger components) by just changing chord types.
I believe KORG also has this in there STYLES. It's more work but the results are almost another ADD on to the DYNAMIC ARRANGER and this holds true for INTRO, ENDINGS, ARRA, B, C, & D and FILLS.

Does the KN6series (or 5000) from Technics also pocess something like this?

What other subtled features do most of your keyboards poccess?

AJ

[This message has been edited by Ketron_AJ (edited 11-02-2001).]

That was too mucho for me. I'm a junior.


Krix

KORG PA80 ARRANGER PLUSES:

When you record the arranger parts of a style, you have the option to assign independent measure lengths to each variation part (so VARR A=4measures long, VARR B=8measures etc). (In most keyboards, once this value is set in say Var A, it is fixed for all arranger parts!). This way you can actually program subtled fills/drum roles at the end of the (eg 8th measure in VARR B, 12th measure in VARR C etc). During playback, you will get this almost dynamic parts that are played towards the end of the longer variation parts (esp in the Latin styles!). Because they are NOT all of the same length, you will not get the same boarding effect you get of hearing the same thing after every 2/4 ... etc measures since the measures are not the same. Imagine too if you assigned an arranger part to say 5 measures. This inceases the uniqueness since most songs follow 4/4 ... you are not always at the same part of the arranger during say a particular part of the chorus/verse of your song.

Also with the PA80, if say Var A = 4 measures, VAR B=8; if you are in the 2nd measure of VAR A, and change to VAR B, the PA80 will pick up on the 3rd measure of VAR B (rather than start VAR B from Measure 1 - as most boards will do). This could be a PLUS/MINUS.

Any other pluses/minuses out there?

AJ

AJ,
The Technics KN6000 and 6500 works pretty much the same way. In addition it has a feature called Performance Pads which allows you to sequence riffs or solos up to sixteen measures in length that will play along with whatever style, tempo and chord you are playing.
Frank

Aj
This topic is a bit beyond me, but I believe that Solton, Korg and Roland are the only arrangers that utilize style variations based on what type of chord you play.
Yamaha and Technics (at least KN5000) don't do this. I can see this in EMC Universal style conversion software. It shows the chord "genus" for Solton, Roland & Korg.
Tom

Hi
I'm not any expert at KN6000/6500, but here is
a quote from Alec Pagida's book that might be
some information to the topic:
_____________________________________________

Chord Modify Change.

Here is an extremely sophisticated and advanced version of the old Composer Chord Map. You can program how the style responds to chord changes. There are 23 types of response to various chord changes, so that the actual pattern will play different notes, depending on which chord you play in the left hand.


For instance, the same variation will have a different pattern if you play a major a minor or a 7th chord. Or holding a note in the accomp after you change chord in the left hand, or keep an accomp straying too far from its inversion when you change chords!


This is not only programmable for each separate accomp track; it is programmable for each individual note of the accompaniment pattern in Step Record!


Experimentation here produces some startlingly good results to keep the backing fresh, inventive and interesting, let alone musically coherent as you play with the automatic chords - an extremely advanced feature with flawless triggering.

In addition, all of this is independently programmable for each note of each track of each of the 4 individual variations, and each of the 8 individual fills of each single composer.
_____________________________________________

Hope this is for any help.
GJ

Gunnar J.

I just got my KN6500 - whow what a long drive to get this thing- but it's turning out to be worth it! I will experiment on the information you quoted and get back to everyone. After 20mins with the instrument, I must say sounds (esp brass, voices and strings) are very good. The styles are great - well arranged and lengthy in most cases with slight chord/drum fills introduced here and there. As mentioned before the OS is very easy to master - coupled with the arrangement of the panel buttons, this machine was carefully thought out.
Full report to follow ... strange, I actually have it side-by-side with my KETRON SD1; what a combination this is going to be!
AJ

AJ: WOW! Congratulations on your new Technics KN6500 keyboard. Your KN6500/SD1 setup is definitely what I'd currently consider my personal #1 'dream arranger keyboard' choices. Both keyboards offer unique strengths which will compliment each other very nicely: the 76 note lightweight and small form factor Ketron SD1 for its' outstanding pop/rock styles (with its' impressive 'in your face sounding drums/rhythm section); and the 61 note compact yet powerful Technics KN6500 (with its' fantasticly user friendly OS) for it's tasty sounds and swinging jazz, and latin /orchestral styles. Following our recent online 'instant messager' discussions, I'm confident that you will be very happy with your decision to purchase the KN6500. Look forward to hearing your KN6500/SD1 feedback/comparisons as well as how these keyboards compare to your former (recently sold) keyboard (Korg PA-80).

I also hope to hear some songs produced by you on your SD1 and KN6500 real SOON !
- Scott
http://scottyee.com

BTW: Are you planning now to change your username to: 'KetronTechnics_AJ' now?


[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 11-03-2001).]

Hi AJ & Scott

It's near the date when St.Claus is coming to
visit, hopefully I'm worth it .
AJ's gig is sure something, it most be the
perfect match.
Well, at least I have the book, it's a start
Scott,
maybe this link give some hope about the long
time missed software? http://www.taiyo.de/technics/index.htm
A little strange that there is no news at the
authors own pages.........
GJ

Btw,
AJ, do you work for Ketron/Solton or are you
a dealer or something?
Just wondering because I think I saw some posts
about additional manuals.

[This message has been edited by Gunnar Jonny (edited 11-04-2001).]