MODULES are Much more versatile and the mix and match with any
controller kb for all tastes is very kool too...

I would love to see some new modules in an affordable price range. I used an RA95 with a 61 note synth for awhile and a BK7M with a 61 note controller before the BK9 came out. Worked fine but then went to all in one keyboard. It would be nice to choose the controler you want for a particular job. Light 61 note for quick in/outs and a weighted 76 for others.

Agreed!

Modules are a great option for pro players who like the feeling of a certain key bed, or want to add more sonic options to their setup.

The problem comes in for the home player or occasional party player. Messing with cables and midi channel assignments would probably be a nightmare.

I was hired by a local church to simplify their electronic keyboard setup. The local music store had sold them a module and a midi keyboard. Was a disaster. Even though the Music Minister was an excellent musician and played a huge pipe organ...midi cables and the complexity of setup was to intimidating. We simplified the situation with one single synth.

With the advent of Korg’s EK50...it would appear the simplicity of an all in one arranger keyboard is alive and well. MHO.

jingleman

Usually the complexity and difficulty setup usage etc,
is caused by Human error......
when understood properly it's very easy.

Friends, anybody here who can lead me to an individual or a shop who converts AKB into modules? I need to convert my PA1000 into a module and just don't have the audacity to do that.

Jim before you cut things up... I saw those photos on the thread about the Korg EK50. Are you sure you want that much "bulk?" With these conversions, it seems like much of the convenience/portability is lost.

The BK-7m (and the Ketron modules, if you're comfortable with a niche brand) are much smaller. Despite its compactness, the BK-7m has physical buttons for variations, fills, and one-touch settings. The new SD90 is a little larger. It also has a decent number of physical controls, while the SD40 makes do with a touch screen. (I'm not sure I would like that for triggering fills, etc., in real time; it might work fine but I haven't tried.)

IMO, arrangers are 85% software and 15% thoughtful ergonomics (although a good midi controller keyboard would have mappable sliders and pads for real-time use.) I agree that all the major brands should offer their MOTL, or even TOTL functionality in a compact module.

Most decent controllers have USB Midi (And sometimes audio) these days, so if you get a 2 in 1 Laptop with vArranger software, (You can also choose what sound software you want if the on-board system is not suitable) then it’s just 1 cable and whatever audio system you are using to get things up and running.

Most hardware/software these days come with templates, (Usually accessed via a wizard) so you just select a template and press a couple of keys on the controller to set things up, which means it is relatively straight forward. (Unlike the old days)

Bill

I tried to convince tech guy of praise band at church to go to hardware module with key controllers he purchased but he went right to software based he could control wirelessly (along with digital mixer) with iPad . They have a stage piano with a few sounds-strings,piano also. Now when he's on vacation or otherwise away, what does the keyboardist do if they don't have his iPad? Right now they play without those backing tracks or sounds until he gets back..a hardware module would eliminate the difference..but he's young, and today's youth is about software based everything..

Ted, I've been using Ketron modules (MJ, MJPro, SD40) for quite a while now and the MJPro is almost perfect for me, however there's some features on the Korg that I need (TC Helicon, more realtime buttons, etc). I travel locally and overseas once a while and I need a compact, portable rig that I can carry on with me on flights. I love the convenience of an all-in-one AKB but the weight and size is becoming issue for me plus the hassle of taking them on flights.
My main rig now is a Ketron MidJayPro and Nektar Impact 61 key controller. I'm a minimalist and had considered the BK-7m but you need to add an external vocal processor/harmonizer and external display to show lyrics.

I heard it 20 yeares ago , and nothing was basicly changed

I decided not to cut up my pa4x...
I might loose to much money..
I dont think it sells well

Better to buy a ketron module...

Modules are great...
But mostly since there are no 88 key arrangers...

Aktough combining a nord stage... with a ketron sd90 module, a laptop and some (synth) modules starts sounding awfully sweet...

Hurry!

No....

Glad you love your current setup... Enjoy

Other than Ketron, not much for us nursing home/assisted living group.

Don’t get me wrong, I may still try to snag an SD40/90 module...just wish I could make it pay.

One day, in the not too distant future, there will be a USB connection gadget that is the size of a pack of cigarettes that will provide everything you need using nothing more than a controller.

Gary

Hurry while I'm still alive lol

Yes if i change i will change for the change...
and because i barely use the pa4x keys...

Jimmy, since you and I have an SD40, I think I know exactly where you are coming from. Some of the Russians on Youtube who chop off all kinds of arranger keyboards can do this very easily, I am sure. I understand you are in the LA area? I know a technician who is more than qualified to do the job and he might do it for you. Next week, I am traveling to LA to meet up with friends. I am going to swing by and see the technician. He had done fantastic jobs before for me, and he is currently doing some mod work on my electronic instruments. Right now, he is building a circuit board and writing software for it for a gentleman who wanted some mod work on his instrument. The gentleman himself is in the field of designing computer chips and he said to me earlier this evening that probably there is no other technician in the country who can do what this technician is capable of doing. If you PM me, I will give you more detail info.

Chris
PS: I meant to ask you; have you controlled the PA1000 from an external keyboard controller and tried all the functions and the vocal harmonizer so that you know it works well as a module?

Its funny....what goes around comes around. Ketron (distributed through Solton) pioneered the arranger...and guess what the format was? Modules.

They were originally designed for Accordionists. Google Disco 64 or Solton Polyvox.

According to the details I can find they came out in the early 80s, however some organ manufactures made similar in the 70s, so I wouldn’t say Solton pioneered them. (Primarily a European idea though)

Bill

Hmm. I've seen some pretty amazing old-tech hardware arrangers too. The MTI Auto-Orchestra and Farfisa 7x (later 7x-II) come to mind. Not sure if these were before or after the Polyvox, but these things were arranger modules in every sense. They were quite expensive in their day, but when you consider that they were replacing paid band members, I guess the economics made sense for some!

How many remember the Roland DISCOVER M module?