Hey guys
Confession first - I am a staunch Korg supporter (loved them for years) and currently have Korg PA3X and Kronos.

HOWEVER, I have been impressed with and curious about Audya right from the start a few years ago, and thought it to be world leading arranger at that time. 2 main things stopped me buying
1. Australian marketing and support for Ketron is worse than poor.
2. I was constantly put off by all the "reported" problems.

But I would love to have the opportunity to at least try one (unlikely here)

My main question is what is Ketron Audya like today?
Any pointers on how I can read/listen/view "current" reviews, demos and comments based on current OS etc....

Thanks

Pete

Hi Pete.

nice post. First thing to do is seek out people who actually own one now and ideally are currently using one professionally. Many people were holding the hammer and nails for Audya's coffin even before it was introduced and because of that you end up with a distorted truths and here-say, so try and avoid opinions based on little more than hot air. There are a few owners here that use Audya regularly. Nightlife, Henni, Sokratis, Leezone and others are all audya owners, some - like Henni and Jim (nightlife) use the Audya to the extreme!

There are also a number of lurkers that use them professionally, but not so many as most of the owners I know are out with their instruments 6 or 7 nights a week.

Reviews - you wont find any professionally written reviews as there are hardly any magazines worth reading, plus they wont want to cover the instrument again even after a significant upgrade (like the version 3 update). Generally these just cover specifications anyway

Ask questions and be prepared to filter through all the trash answers - over in the General Arranger Forum you will not get a fair assessment because there are always two or three people that will hijack a topic to slate an instrument they have never owned or played. For some, this topic seems to be a religious experience The reported problems...the same ancient made up and minor issues have been talked over, shouted about and taken on an almost mythological fame at every possible opportunity, whether the topic is relevant or not. ...I can tell you I have never in my life known an instrument get such bad publicity over problems that never existed in the first place or could be sorted simply.

I will be happy to answer any questions you have, as I am sure will other owners here in the SZ Ketron Forum.

Hi Pete
I just purchased the Audya 5 in Sydney not that long ago, yes marketing is poor as before then I've never heard of Audya.. As for support..well the gentleman basically boxed the arranger and shipped it to me, but with anything in 2013, you now have the Internet at your fingertips so its wise to do your own research and here you have both lovers and haters, however you should have quite a clear understand whether the product is right for Your usage.
The 2013 Audya right at this moment works flawlessly, I'm not a tech mech.. So I don't dig deep enough maybe to discover any potential problems, I just enjoy the keyboard the way its made and enjoyed its world class Audio Styles.. Only listened to be believed..that's why I bought it and loved it for that purpose,. With Ajamsonic and further developments to enhance Audya, I believe it will only get better and that alone is a very exciting thought..
As for after purchase support.. Well you've found your way here, and believe you me, hold on to your warrantee.. Thrash the living daylights out of her, post your questions and curiosities here and get all the answers you need.. Thrash more music out of her and when she starts smoking.. Then contact the guy that send it to you..
Hope it helps..
Regards Ky.

I agree with Ky.

I have had my Audya76 for a year and a half, gigging four days a week. Even though I was wary because of the above, the live sound was too compelling.

I upgraded to AJAMsonic and have had no problems at all. It is the best keyboard I have ever had, and I have had many in the past thirty years.

Bernie

I'm one of those lurkers that own and use a Ketron Audya. I have one of the first models that hit the US. I've upgraded to the Ajamsonic package and have never had one problem with my Audya.

I've owned/still own Korg, Roland and Yamaha auto arrangers and the Audya is the best kept secret in the musical world.

Fortunately we have AJ here in the US for Ketron support and service.

Bernie, salsaman

please don't use the Word BEST to describe the AUDYA lol

Leezone

It is tough telling the truth without recrimination. isn't it?

Will the Audya continue to be marketed as is, and if so, will the Sd5 continue to be produced as a viable, less expensive option, or is Ketron only going forward with the one model at a time approach?

Frankfurt MusikMesse starts on April the 10th and in the past has always been the main showcase for new Ketron products.

Ketron should be releasing an "upgraded" SD5 soon,
just mt guess of course

Bernie
my parents always told me "honesty is the best policy"

Because you are talking about the SD5

Here is the sound of 2 SD5 styles played with vArranger on the Ketron SD2.

http://www.varranger.com/audio/DemoLatinSD2vArranger.mp3

The SD1000 will probably will be presented at musikmesse

Hi Pete, I am also reconsidering the Audya. I considered
It 18 months ago. Couldn't decide between it and pa3 pro and Tyros. Audya seemed to have some problems complaints, including timing issues with the drums. I couldn't make up my mind and got the Kronos which was brand new on the scene and I'm very happy with it. Now I still want to add a great arranger that sounds less canned than we tend to associate with arrangers. That's why I'm back at this forum Again, 18 months later. I read that Audya got an updated 5.0 OS. I would like to know if that solved the main complaints that were on this forum before and had scared me away. So, I hope we can hear feedback from those who updated to 5.0. Is Audya Perfect now?hear

Hal2001,

Check out www.AjamSonic.com for the latest upgrade (and update) and capabilities of the 'new' AUDYA.

Then ... decide.

Thanks,

AJ

Hi my friend,

Nothing is ever perfect. However I've not read about any serious complaint about the Audya for a very long time. So yes, I can confirm that currently the Audya is as bug free as any other arranger out there, despite being in a class of its own.

I've motivated a few to purchase Audyas & without exception, every one of them contacted me personally to thank me for helping them to make up their minds.

Go for it! You'll not regret it.

Keep well my friend,

Henni

Hi Pete and Group,

I came back to audya. Had one earlier and sold it to my Regret.
I used Yamaha T4, and Roland BK-7m and Korg PA3X but not completely satisfied.

The Audya 4 is the perfect instrument for me as an accordionist, its size, footswitch capabilities, and great video connection for bigger screen if needed, just for starters!

I too have upgraded to AjamSonic and am very pleased with the results. I will review Ajam in another post later, but I will say here that it is well worth the money. The Audya in its original form is a bit lacking in certain sounds, guitars, pianos, and strings. AjamSonic corrects these deficiencies. IMO. Not to mention the new styles.

I can also say that I have never had any problems with my Audya, technical or otherwise. Not with this A4 or the previous one which I sold.

I highly recommend the Audya!

Good Luck,
Don P

Thanks for relaying your experience. That is the kind of feedback you want to hear after making a recommendation.