Can you guess what I used to record these?
My new toy!!


http://www.box.net/shared/opt58zj79nq8kx72qpq6

Deane

That's easy AUDYA !

Hi Donny,
Nope!
Deane

vArranger2 with Ketron SD2 sound module?

Hey Scott,
You win!!
I got Dan's vArranger and the Sd2 module this month. I am having a real ball with it. It is the first time I tried using a computer for making music and it is both very easy and a lot of fun.

Dan is one of the good guys - his support of the product is nothing short of outstanding. Right now his software plays all the Ketron style except the Audya but he is working on that plus all the Tyros 1-4 styles. He will be adding the capability to play other MFGS styles in the future. All his upgrades are free.

I have just figured out how to get individual songs setup but it is very fast and easy to do once learned. You can assign up to 10 voices to each style if you want and link 4 of them to the 4 variations. Its pretty cool.

I'll be making a trip to Europe early in 2012 and for sure will stop by Paris to visit with Dan and learn all I can about the software. I have barely scratched the surface.

Anyway, you guessed right. By the way, I simply ran the SD2 unit into my PC input and used Audacity to do the recording.

Deane

I stand corrected but I could hear those KETRON sounds so I was close ...but ..You Know Now that I listened to it again...... I noticed how offset the Sounds and Style BALANCE was vs the Lead voices especially in the intros endings etc .. ....now I hope that was due to you being NEW learning a new program and the styles need mucho editing? and not the program itself? Anyway Deane good luck with your new vArranger hope to hear some more once you get settled with it. I still say in the end the T4 will be your arranger of choice to gig with.

Hi Deane, I actually got more than a little help simply reading the title page of your Boxnet link. Glad to hear you're enjoying your new software + module setup. Are you planning to integrate the vArranger-SD2 setup with your Tyros 4 when gigging, or reserve it more as an alternative performance option utililizing a dedicated controller keyboard ?

Does your new vAaranger + SD2 setup fullfill the expectations you had with the BK-7M?

Funny thing, me being a Tyros 4 owner as well, I feel no need for adding any add on sound or style module because Tyros 4 sounds and styles can so easily be tweaked to emulate the types of sounds I want, from "raw and in your face", to "polished and refined". I appreciate already having it all in my Tyros 4 with the 1gb Ram memory.

Deane, have fun with your new gear.

Hi Scott,
I have no plans for now to use anything with my Tyros 4. It is plenty good as is and without help.

The best thing about vArranger is the supper support system in place. Dan also customizes the software for people - now who on earth does that anymore?

Yea, I guess the title on the share site gave it away.

Deane

Maby it is just me but your demos of the BK7m sounded much better to me.

Frans,
You might be right because the BK-7m records directly to the thumb drive while with vArranger I had to record on a PC using Audacity and then convert the WAV file to a MP3.

Also, I made no attempt at balancing anything - just wanted to see how the recordings would go.

Deane

Whew!... glad to hear that Deane....so maybe with some dedicated homework on the vArranger I'm pretty sure in your hands you can make it shine !

I always loved Ketron's clarinet sound - best in the biz for this clarinetist's money. I often do a Pete Fountain style set around Mardi Gras time, and I love the crowd reactions when I break out the old licorish stick! It's one of the best things I ever studied - the wind control is what made my voice so strong, and the phrasing was something that only a horn player could know about. I recorded a backing track of "Stranger on the Shore" just so I could toot my horn once in a while! ( I miss it ).
Anyway - I digress .... the clarinet sound in that Ketron module is wonderful.

Dave...Maybe you can hook up a SD2 module to the pa800 to get those great Ketron sounds?

Nicely done, Deane, and I must say, that rig sounds very good indeed.

The styles sound fine to me.

I loved the Alexander's Ragtime Band, which you played very well.

I love doing that tune using the Tyros4's SA2 Clarinet, which, to my ears, blows away (pun intended) any other arranger clarinet I've ever heard or played. Like David, I play clarinet and sax, but also flute, and the occasional oboe, but keyboards are my major love.

However, being able to play various wind instruments has been very beneficial in helping me express myself using Yamaha's terrific and very expressive SA/SA2 voices.

I'm like you and Scott in that all I need to gig with is the Tyros4, and no other additions are needed, which only add to the complexity and time of setup/tear down...I like keeping it simple, but very effective.

Thanks for the demos...the vArranger is quite a neat piece of work.

Ian

St Louis Blues was outstanding, nice sounds, especially the trombone. The vArranger sounds like fun. I enjoyed the recordings
Larry

I think what is really outstanding is the software is the work of an individual who sells and provides outstanding support via his forum, the internet, and email. His attitude towards his customers is very unique in the world today.

I'll probably mess with these recordings and try to balance them a bit later this week. The software has unlimited possibilities.

Deane

Deane,
Again thanks for the recordings and for your input, but I know little or nothing about vArranger, so a few questions:

How good is vArranger without the SD2?
Can I play T-4 styles using vArranger hooked with an S910?
How much does vArranger cost? Is there a free trial?
Is vArranger compatible with an IPad?
Finally what is the cost of an SD2?

sorry...lots of questions, if you or anyone has time to answer, I'd appreciate it.

http://www.varranger.fr/

349 euros = 494.6028 US dollars

Larry, here is Dan's website.

http://www.varranger.fr/vforum/

The SD2 will cost between $360.00 and $399.00.
Dan's software will be around the $500.00 level pending the Euro and Dollar exchange rate. Yes, there is a free demo offered. vARranger runs only on Windows - Dan recommends Windows 7 now.

Larry, What I like about the product is that it is an open system which is being improved on a daily basis. I am also excited about the idea of being able to select the best styles from all the MFGs instead of being locked in so to speak. I have never used a computer for making music so this is all new and really neat for me.

Right now the software will play Ketron styles and Yamaha Tyros line styles. Dan has indicated other MFGs will be added. I have not tried any of the Tyros line styles with it yet but I have heard they play well. I do not expect the sound to be just like my Tyros 4 but I bet they will be very acceptable.

Dan has some examples of the Yamaha styles being played on his website.

Hope this helps.
Deane

Hi Deane, and thank you for talking about me positively

Your recordings are pretty good. After only 2 or 3 days of playing with vArranger and SD2, you already produce some music.

I sent you my advice on the vA forum.
http://www.varranger.fr/vforum/index.php?topic=399.0

About the support, I am like you, a gigging musician, who is trying to sound the best with arranger keyboards, and make people dancing.
One of the reason that I created the vArranger software, was because I was not able to communicate with the Keyboard company, to get an answer when I found a bug on the keyboard, or to have added some features of my ideas.

That's why, I now try to always take care about every musician who trusted on me.

The truth is that I am the first who benefits from listening to you.

vArranger is now far more advanced that when I was alone, programming only for myself. Users want always more and more that's literary push me to continue improving the software always steps ahead. But I love it.

The next coming feature, I am working on right now, is to be able to create a perfect midifile from your selected styles and entered song chords. It will be a FAST way to create backing tracks, and basis for studio recording. I will post a demo video soon

I have a question for you, The S910 cannot play the Tyros 4 styles?

Continue to have fun discovering vArranger

Hi Dan,
You still awake - it is 4AM in Paris.

Larry,
Here is Dan's Yamaha Style Demo. I think this is the Tyros 4 demo.

http://www.varranger.com/demo/vArrangerTyros4MovieSoundTrack.mp3

Here is another one:
http://www.varranger.com/demo/vArrangerTyros4BigBandFast1.mp3

Deane

It is now 5 AM here in paris..... I go to sleeepp now.... I have 2 gigs tomorrow and a vArranger to send to a new user

Bye Bye

Thanks Deane (and Dan), interesting, and I'm less confused. I think

The SD2 is not necessary to vArranger as vArranger will allow any midi keyboard to play styles...now including T-4 styles. Correct?

The SD Module is nice to have, because...?

(Thanks...I'm done asking questions)

....you need a good sound source better then the standard GM card in your PC like the SD2, etc,...this way your style sounds & leads can be assigned to work with the vArranger program and sound much better then your PC sound card.

Got it ...thanks Don

Dave,

I tried to run this on GOGGLE TRANSLATE what language do I need to use to read this in English, I got the bit about the clarinet on Ketron, but the rest is pure prolix.
Please help

I understand that customizing the software for different customers sounds like a blessing, but IMHO it will turn into a curse as soon as the number of different customers/software versions reaches a critical point. Too many versions, too many options and then "you lose the ball". Unless you know things about the software that I don't.

Hi Tony

The details are in French, however currently the Google translator seems to have problems translating it, (It usually works fine so is probably a temporary glitch) however in the meantime go to this site here http://www.microsofttranslator.com/ and put the vAranger URL http://www.varranger.fr/Francais.php into the translate box, and all should be well.

Bill

Lets see you need ... http://www.varranger.fr/Gallery.php

Laptop

vArranger program

SD2 sound module

Controller keyboard

Lyric reader

If you sing a Vocal harmonizer unit also.


All this has to be bought and hooked up on a gig vs on each gig vs an All In One Arranger KB.......?

PS.. and if it doesn't work out for you has anyone ever seen a vArranger prog sold on Ebay?.... just saying?

Yes Larry, you can use the vArranger with any midi sound module, and even with virtual midi sound modules.
BUT if you use the Ketron SD2, you will get right out of the box an amazing and well balanced sound, without any tweeking.
Also, if you want to use the Ketron styles, you need some of sounds who are only on the SD2, for example the LIVE DRUMS, who are custom drums who are not in other GM modules.
If you don't have the SD2, you will probably go with Yamaha styles, as they are more using standard GM sounds.

So, In vArranger, there is many modes depending on your midi module : KETRON SD2/KETRON SD4/GM/GM2/GS/XG, and we try to adapt the styles notes to your sound module.

Deane first used vArranger with the BK-7M sound module. This is the latest picture of this page http://www.varranger.fr/Gallery.php
I think the sound was nice, but with the SD2, it is another story !

vArranger is not compatible with iPad.

Trident, even if I add custom needs of many musicians into vArranger, there is only ONE version of the software, so every one is always getting the new features by updates. This way, every user will benefit from the others ideas. I try to maintain something simple and not millions of options

I just bought a video camera, and I will try to show you some basics about vArranger

See - there's your trouble - you tried gOGGle translate! lol
Try gOOGle!

Thanks Dan

It's all interesting, and I may give the demo a try.

Keep up the good work.



...Or you need Philly translate...knowhaddamean?