Friends,

I think I had asked this question before in other words, but for all you out there who currently own keyboards that are NOT made by Ketron, which main features are you looking for which if you did see on a Ketron product, you'd purchase it?

Please be serious, realistic, specific and very detailed. Also remember cost is a factor so be carefull what you ask for ... you might just get it.

For an example (Easy OS - Explain [easy access to arranger buttons on Left side, direct display of sounds/styles, very stable, ease of ...] ) and remember I will be reading this post closely.

Thanks,

AJ

AJ, You know who i am and you know i purchased a Tyros for many reasons at Keyboard City: The weight : 27lbs. The easy set up and retrival of the registrations: The Multi Pads. The big band styles, which i think sound much better and more realistic.The only drawback that i can honestly find is the vocal processer is not as good as the Ketrons. Besides that, i relly like the Tyros . Now this is coming from a 68 year old man ( geezer ) who does not play a lot of R&R unless it from the fifties or sixties, and the Ketron seems to be directed to the younger musicians who like and play the current type of rock. I don't blame Ketron for going after those musicians. For me, unless the Ketron Corp. would make a arranger that would suite my needs like the Tyros, i guess i'll stick with Yamaha. ( They all need more Polkas) This should get a ride outta Dano. Bob Lee

For me, I'd have to sit down and play the keyboard(s) to see how they fit into my wants and needs. It's as simple as that. I've never seen one in any music store.

Al

i have the SD1. I don't know if i will rebuy a new keyboard, but, if you create a keyboard with specification of today's computers, perhaps...
A very good PROCESSOR !!!! Fast +++ not to wait 5 Min tu load a sound from the HD !!!, very good polyphonie +++, a good sampler who can read a standard multisample format, for use with comercials samples CD or software for convert to them +++

256 Mb RAM why not ??? I can add 40$ for this memory

why not programables multipads, to add some drums hits or litle midi phrases in live...

And an OPEN FORMAT for sound load !!!!!!!!!!!

Transfert files with USB format, as we can manage the HD of the keyboard from windows as a drive letter without any software

Oriental sounds and style of vega can be loaded (on option..., but can be done in the SD1 too!)

Let's start with an SD1, which I seriously considered purchasing. I like 6+ octaves in a relatively compact form factor, good sounds and styles, and a good vocal harmonizer. The weight is not bad, but lighter would be better. I was impressed when Ketron responded to a request from one of our members to change the chord recognition scheme and was disappointed when all that effort did not result in a sale.

There are two areas where a lot of musicians would consider the SD1 lacking: sounds and digital connectivity.

Sounds. On the positive side, the SD1 has some great sounds and provides Oriental sound sets. But there is only so much you can do with 48MB sound ROM, and the limit of 16MB sample RAM is ridiculous. Of course, some sample RAM is better than none (read Tyros), but many arranger musicians have been looking enviously at the Yamaha Motif ES, with its 175MB ROM soundset and its 1G maximum sample RAM. High-end keyboards really should be implemented large sample RAM and even hard-disk streaming of samples.

Digital computer connectivity is also necessary. Many want to do hard disk recording, and others would like to drive soft synths--so that we can keep up with the latest sounds without buying new keyboards annually. A firewire interface would work best, but USB should be available as an alternative. Also, the hideous floppy should be replaced with removable flash storage like SmartMedia or MemoryStick.

If there is computer connectivity, the keyboard should provide a digital-audio workstation control surface--at least some knobs and sliders, if not x-y pads and joysticks. These should be assignable, so they can also control local sound and style parameters (e.g., swing factor, complexity).

While mentioned continuous controllers, if it had polyphonic aftertouch, I would probably get one, even if some other shortcomings were not addressed. But since there has never been an arranger with this feature, I focus on other factors.

Moving from keyboards to modules--why are Ketron modules so large? Maybe the Yamaha QY series is overdoing the less-is-more approach, but something in between might that and the X4 might be more attractive.

To be honest..., a more affordable unit I think the SD-1 is great, but why not make a unit that is scaled down (that sequences), and still has those great Ketron sounds. Like what Korg did with the Triton. They released the LE which was scaled down, and more affordable to those of us with thin pockets Yamaha does it as well with the PSR's. There's a whole line up.

Squeak

AJ,

You asked the question and I am going to give you the real truth that is preventing me and many others (not everybody though ) from considering some keyboards over the others:

Other than PA80, none of the top arrangers are displayed in many major cities of the USA.

So if we want to buy something, we read this forum. This forum claims that Tyros is the best so we think of Tyros. The consesus of the forum scientifically means the following: the Tyros is at least one of the best. However, it does NOT say that it is truely the best or that SD1 cannot be a better substitute for it.

BUT.....BUT we have no choice whatsoever. X1 and SD1 are never to be found on DISPLAY!!!! Neither is the genesis nor VA7.

You guys have multiple options:

1) Pressure yourselves to work with Guitar Center and Sam Ash. That is very practical. I know the managers and salespeople in my area and they strongly claim that these top arrangers keyboards do not sell at and therefore, it is not worth getting a demo. I believe there is more than meets the eye. WORK with them. Make it happen.

2) If the first option does not work, In the major cities of the USA, have a demo center. Rent a store in a big mall and have it displayed.

3) Relying on small stores will not work. George Kay and Dan O'neal and others of the few successful ones, each have one store in one area and that is it.

It isn't enough to just see the keyboard on display - who's going to fix it when it breaks? What is the lag time to get parts here in the US? What kind of service guarantees can you offer if I decide to base my business on your products?

To my knowledge it isn't just the absence of Keytron from GC and Sam Ash but from every major internet music store that's a factor. Keytrons haven't made it into the popular keyboard review sites and mags either. They also aren't widely discussed on discussion groups because they don't have a wide user base, at least here inthe US. So not only are Keytrons an unknown, unheard and unreviewed item for me, they would be to any potential secondary buyers also. Personally, I not only buy new keyboards every few years but I also sell my existing ones. Popular name-brands get top resale dollars which means I have more money to shop with come upgrade time.

So the motivation to buy Keytron here in the US isn't there... and that's before we even get to the actual features of the instruments. On the other hand, look at the huge splash that newcomers Open Labs generated at NAMM with what was percieved as a break-through product with the eKo. The talk has died down since many people realized how overpriced that instrument is, but it briefly gave many of us hope that we wouldn't be as dependent on the big-guy manufacturers as we have been in the past. So the potential is there for new and innovative products to capture the attention of the US market, but it has to have the follow-through with support and availability to succeed.

AJ,
Greetings, Prince!
Some of my reasons for dumping the Ketron line:
1)polyphony allocation
*especially as it relates to harmonizer function.
2)multipads, button placement
3)third party support (styles, etc)

Overall, the line needs more visibility to attract attention from buyers. It's tough to find a display model in most areas.

UD is right about display models.. I have checked with numerous music stores in my state and not one of them had ever heard of Ketron. I still think some lower end models would be good though.. The Vega and the XD-9 were good, but lacked recording power, and I still think were fairly pricey.

Squeak