Hi SD2 Owners!
As far as I read this post, several people uses the SD2 with other keyboards. How the SD2 Piano compares to the different arrangers, as Tyros2, PA800 or E-80 or G-70?
Please comments and advices are welcome.
Thanks!!
Jose Pereira

Thanks Dnj, but I already heard all those demos.
They are very good, but there aren´t any piano solo to analize. Even if the sound is similar to the SD1, Ketron doesn´t have any piano solo in their website or in the internet, even in purgatorycreek.com the demo is incomplete (only a few seconds)
Ketron SD2 manual claims a Stereo piano sound, but here I can´t have access to a SD2 to check
I already have a Tyros2, its piano is weak. I do several piano jobs with it but people complains... I have a good controller (SL880) no so heavy, but looking for a piano module
I´m also considering the Kurzweil ME-1 and SonicCell too, but only heard thru the internet demos, still no much help...
Thanks a lot for any advice
Regards
Jose Pereira

Hi Jose
There are several pianos, with Grand,Rock, and mono as standards . Their Grand is certainly as good, if not better than some mainline arrangers. I can't get more specific, as it is too subjective. The Grand, to my ears, is full with all of the expected overtones.
Bernie

Jose....people complain about the Tyros 2 pianos....why?

Have you tried the G70 Pianos yet?

I would suggest if you can trying to actually go find some of these KB's and play them being the Piano is so open to criticism.

Good Luck

The G70 has a great piano sound...less compressed that of the Yamaha Tyros2 and definitely superior to the Korg PA series.

It's surely worth a listen, but also make sure the arranger features meet your approval as well.

Ian

Here is where we differ the Korg RX Pianos are brilliant to my ears, best Ive heard yet on an arranger

That's very nice, Donny, but you did recommend the G70 piano.

Why?

People, People!!! Stay calm...
I´m very happy with my Tyros2. It does all I need and isn´t too heavy
I do a lots of acoustic piano (without the real thing...) acompany singers, violinist, Jazz, etc. and of course arranger and SMF jobs.
The thing is, I can´t afford a digital piano right now (my preference, the Roland FP7) just a little module with a good piano, and no so expensive. I read that somebody here uses a PA800 with SD2. How both acoustic pianos compare?
Thanks a lot for your help!!~
Jose

Jose,

One of the members here, Mike(keybplayer) has a SonicCell and he seems quite pleased with it...he's also using it with a Tyros1, but that should be close enough to a T2.

Perhaps he could shed more light on the quality of it's acoustic piano sounds?

Ian

Thanks Ian, I will.
The SonicCell is over 700 euros, I still looking for a less expensive alternative, if any...
As far as i know, nobody have comments on Ketron piano sounds, I´m so curius about owners of Ketron products that also have other keyboards. looking for some insight comments
Jose

Jose,

I believe Fran had a SonicCell for a while...and I think he mentioned it had a piano a bit similar to the G70...I do know he liked the sounds.

I'm going to the local music store tomorrow to do a Yamaha demo...I'll see if they have a SonicCell I can try...I'll midi it to my S900.

I haven't tried Ketron as we don't have them in my area, but they seem to get great reviews.

Ian

Jose,

I have just ordered the SD2 module and I have a tyros 2 - I will record the Piano Creek Shootout and let you have it.

I have had Ketron in the past - The last one being the XD3 and I like the alternative sounds you get as they are more live and in your face.

If the piano is similar to the XD3 then it is more "clunky" than the "tinkly" Tyros piano - I'm sorry I cant describe it better than that.

It will be a bonus if the piano is deeper or richer than the T2s but I am really getting it for the other sounds including the live drum loops.

The price here in the UK is amazing with the cheapest I could find is from the Edinburgh Organ shop.

Regards - Keith

Ian to keep Fran happy

Thank you Guys, specially Keith.
Keith, thanks a lot for your e-mail. I already had that demo from Ketron. It´s good, but donºt tell much about either piano sound, are too short and there aren´t a lot of changes in dinamic, but any way thanks for that. What I really appreciate is your offer to hear the purgatory creek file thru the SD2. Thanks a lot for your offer, I´ll be waiting for that ultimate favor!!~
Best Regards
Jose

Hi Jose,
Bernie , Stephen & myself all have PA800's & SD2's.

I quite like the SD2 piano sound, not quite as good as the piano on my SD1+, but still good quality. I prefer the sd1 piano to the PA800. SD2 I beleive has the same sounds as the sd5 keyboard.

If your planning to use it with a Tyros, your options for choosing sounds will probably be limited to using it with the default gm bank, because of the way the Tyros sends bank & program changes, & the fact that there are no knobs or display on the SD2 to change sounds manually..
If your planning to use it with a controller keyboard then you should be able to access all the banks of sounds.

best wishes
Rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jose Pereira:
[B]

[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 01-14-2008).]

I am more particular when it comes to acoustic piano sounds..that's why I prefer Roland...Head and shoulders better..

Just a heads up on piano demos...

ALWAYS try to listen to the demo in mono AS WELL as stereo. Different pianos collapse down to mono better than others. If you listen through your computer stereo (or audition at a store through the built-ins), you won't find this out. And unless you use a stereo PA (or don't use one at all) you will be stuck with this sound...

Oh, and if you have a T2, why not try out some of the sampled alternatives? You can put a LOT of RAM in a T2, even if it DOES load up really slowly...