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#323548 - 05/06/11 08:05 AM Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger
Machetero Offline
Member

Registered: 08/21/09
Posts: 359
Loc: Tampa, Florida, USA

Any body with experience with this keyboard? GEMS SK76
Decent?
Bad?
Good?

Thanks !!
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Machetero

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#323549 - 05/06/11 08:19 AM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
mdorantes Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/25/00
Posts: 1211
Loc: Queretaro, Mexico
This is MY opinion, those keyboards were built to last (at least hardware wise), but not so much in the software (Operating System, style library, etc.), now with no means to have manufacturer support, I would not consider it, I say that for what I saw at the store where I used to work a few years ago with that product and considering that at the time General Music was in business, not much help. And if you need parts or so....

I probably consider a Ketron product rather even if is an older model, and I said that based that GEM was Italian made, and Ketron is also been made there. Most likely you like that "Italian sound".
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#323550 - 05/06/11 09:03 AM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
Dnj Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703

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#323621 - 05/07/11 06:50 AM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
WDMcM
Unregistered


Hi Machetero,

The SK76 is a very capable arranger keyboard. And as mdorantes mentioned, it is a very sturdy instrument. Regarding the operating system, the most recent O/S is just fine. I can get you the latest O/S version if needed. As for styles, there are a good selection of styles on board, and I have a box full of additional GEM factory style disks that I may be persuaded to sell (or maybe transfer to CD's and sell that way). Plus it is possible to use Style Works to convert styles from other brands to GEM format. Then again, it is not difficult to create your own styles or to edit existing styles to your liking.

So as to not turn this into a GEM advertisement, I'll just say that if you have specific questions about the SK76 just ask and I will do my best to provide answers. I worked for Generalmusic for 8 years so I am very familiar with this model. Personally I would not hesitate to purchase it. In fact, if you decide against it, please tell me the sellers name as I might be interested in it myself.

FYI-Generalmusic Corp. in Chicago is still in existence, though at this time they mainly are selling/servicing the Ahlborn-Galanti classic organs. There are still some GEM parts available and if not the service manager can fix most anything.

Best Regards,

Dave

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#323622 - 05/07/11 07:00 AM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: ]
Dnj Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Originally Posted By: WDMcM
Hi Machetero,

The SK76 is a very capable arranger keyboard. And as mdorantes mentioned, it is a very sturdy instrument. Regarding the operating system, the most recent O/S is just fine. I can get you the latest O/S version if needed. As for styles, there are a good selection of styles on board, and I have a box full of additional GEM factory style disks that I may be persuaded to sell (or maybe transfer to CD's and sell that way). Plus it is possible to use Style Works to convert styles from other brands to GEM format. Then again, it is not difficult to create your own styles or to edit existing styles to your liking.

So as to not turn this into a GEM advertisement, I'll just say that if you have specific questions about the SK76 just ask and I will do my best to provide answers. I worked for Generalmusic for 8 years so I am very familiar with this model. Personally I would not hesitate to purchase it. In fact, if you decide against it, please tell me the sellers name as I might be interested in it myself.

FYI-Generalmusic Corp. in Chicago is still in existence, though at this time they mainly are selling/servicing the Ahlborn-Galanti classic organs. There are still some GEM parts available and if not the service manager can fix most anything.

Best Regards,

Dave


http://www.galantiorgans.com/organs.html

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#323635 - 05/07/11 12:03 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
Machetero Offline
Member

Registered: 08/21/09
Posts: 359
Loc: Tampa, Florida, USA
Thanks guys for your input !!!
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#323837 - 05/10/11 10:22 AM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
vangelis Offline
Member

Registered: 12/31/03
Posts: 425
Loc: FLORIDA
I remember that Chris Anthony used to work for General Music and made a Quick Tour Guide for the SK-76 which was a great video,I had it on VHS and I tried to record it on my computer but the tape broke 3/4 the length of the tape. I will see if I can upload to YOUTUBE whatever I have, anyhow the SK-76 and the GEM WK8 which are the same, were way ahead of their time as far as arrangers, doesn't matter if you don't have parts they are built like tanks,in all the years that I have my WK8 nothing went wrong, just like Technics.
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#323846 - 05/10/11 01:20 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: vangelis]
WDMcM
Unregistered


Originally Posted By: vangelis
I remember that Chris Anthony used to work for General Music and made a Quick Tour Guide for the SK-76 which was a great video,I had it on VHS and I tried to record it on my computer but the tape broke 3/4 the length of the tape. I will see if I can upload to YOUTUBE whatever I have, anyhow the SK-76 and the GEM WK8 which are the same, were way ahead of their time as far as arrangers, doesn't matter if you don't have parts they are built like tanks,in all the years that I have my WK8 nothing went wrong, just like Technics.


Actually the WK8 is the same internally as the SK760, not the SK76. The SK760 was an upgraded model of the SK76. On the other hand, the upgrades consisted mostly of more memory locations and more ROM sounds. The SK760 also came with the vocal harmonizer/processor and video card pre-installed. Also the master EQ (Low, tunable Mid and High) of the SK76 was replaced with a stereo expander circuit on the SK760 which made a huge difference when playing in stereo.

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#324033 - 05/12/11 07:10 AM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
vangelis Offline
Member

Registered: 12/31/03
Posts: 425
Loc: FLORIDA
Ok I uploaded the Factory Video, the only thing is that the tape broke 3/4 of the way and it isn't the full length but it shows enough about the keyboard and Chris Anthony is one of the best Demo guys around and a very nice person from contacting him a few times. I wish I had the full video for my archives.
GEM SK76 Factory DEMO HERE! Anyhow, the SK-76,SK760 and the WK8 were all way ahead of any keyboard at the time, I was very sad to see the company close, because today they would of had alot of great products just like Technics.


Edited by vangelis (05/12/11 07:15 AM)
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#324060 - 05/12/11 02:30 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
Machetero Offline
Member

Registered: 08/21/09
Posts: 359
Loc: Tampa, Florida, USA
I was thinking in this one,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270745396973&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1275wt_1141

But back out...going for Ketron module instead.
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#324106 - 05/13/11 10:15 AM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: vangelis]
Chris A Offline
Member

Registered: 07/09/02
Posts: 167
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ,
Originally Posted By: vangelis

GEM SK76 Factory DEMO HERE!

Whoa, some memories there (roughly 14 years ago if memory serves).

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#324110 - 05/13/11 11:48 AM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
ianmcnll Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 07/27/05
Posts: 10606
Loc: Cape Breton Island, Canada
Man, what a powerful instrument, and way ahead of it's time, sporting features we still don't see today.

If you can establish if you can have it serviced, it looks like a great buy.

Ian.
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Yamaha Tyros4, Yamaha MS-60S Powered Monitors(2), Yamaha CS-01, Yamaha TQ-5, Yamaha PSR-S775.

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#324122 - 05/13/11 04:13 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
Machetero Offline
Member

Registered: 08/21/09
Posts: 359
Loc: Tampa, Florida, USA
Nice Demo !!!...in some place it has to be a second part.
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#324124 - 05/13/11 04:26 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
Machetero Offline
Member

Registered: 08/21/09
Posts: 359
Loc: Tampa, Florida, USA
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#324125 - 05/13/11 04:28 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Machetero]
Scottyee Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/01/99
Posts: 10427
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, CA, US...
Hi Chris, I've very much enjoyed your live demonstrations at Namm given over the years. I especially remember that first year you demoed the legendary GEM Genysis. What a breakthrough arranger that was. Thank you for presenting this latest video giving us a chance to experience the sounds of the new GEM Sk76. - Scott cool
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#324127 - 05/13/11 04:49 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Scottyee]
Chris A Offline
Member

Registered: 07/09/02
Posts: 167
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ,
Pretty exciting right? It even has something called a "Floppy Disk Drive".

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#324128 - 05/13/11 05:17 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Chris A]
Scottyee Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/01/99
Posts: 10427
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, CA, US...
circa 1997 grin
Chris, you haven't aged! cool

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#324129 - 05/13/11 05:24 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Chris A]
ianmcnll Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 07/27/05
Posts: 10606
Loc: Cape Breton Island, Canada
Originally Posted By: Chris A
Pretty exciting right? It even has something called a "Floppy Disk Drive".


Ha Ha! Our buddy Scott doesn't/didn't realize how old the demo was.

Great stuff, Chris.

You are a superb player, and an excellent demonstrator.

Ian
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Yamaha Tyros4, Yamaha MS-60S Powered Monitors(2), Yamaha CS-01, Yamaha TQ-5, Yamaha PSR-S775.

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#324156 - 05/14/11 01:13 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: ianmcnll]
vangelis Offline
Member

Registered: 12/31/03
Posts: 425
Loc: FLORIDA
Maybe KORG should hire Chris to make a DEMO of the PA3X?
_________________________
Currently main setup on stage are:KORG PA4X,PA1000

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#324157 - 05/14/11 01:14 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: Chris A]
vangelis Offline
Member

Registered: 12/31/03
Posts: 425
Loc: FLORIDA
How about the full video? do you have it anywhere?
I don't want to put you on the spot?


Edited by vangelis (05/14/11 01:15 PM)
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Currently main setup on stage are:KORG PA4X,PA1000

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#324158 - 05/14/11 01:19 PM Re: Opinions on GEMS SK76 Arranger [Re: vangelis]
ianmcnll Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 07/27/05
Posts: 10606
Loc: Cape Breton Island, Canada
Originally Posted By: vangelis
Maybe KORG should hire Chris to make a DEMO of the PA3X?


Now, that would be a wise move, indeed!

Ian
_________________________
Yamaha Tyros4, Yamaha MS-60S Powered Monitors(2), Yamaha CS-01, Yamaha TQ-5, Yamaha PSR-S775.

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