Ketron Audya

http://www.entertainer-service.de/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=238

No marketing date of yet as the Audya is still in the development process. Styles aren't ready either.

The Audya did get a lot of interest at the Frankfurt Musikmesse, though.

It says that the AUDYA will be in the price range of the Tyros 2, PAX1Pro and the G70, so about 3500 - 4000 euro ($4,710 - 5,384). No idea about the street price.

Taike

Love those sliders

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-26-2007).]

I don't like where the pitch bend and mod wheels are. The keyboard looks great but it's awkward to reach over the keys to use the wheels.


------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

Wow....Waiting to put my hands on!!!!!!!!!!

George.

For a 76 note keyboard (still one of the shortest 76 notes arranger), putting the wheels to the left of the keys would mean this board might not fit into cars like the Corolla!! Tough on those in Europe with generally smaller vehicles.

So you have to buy another car.

I await with bated breath!

Still a couple of months from now, Hellboy. Hope you won't pass out as I won't be giving you CPR. I probably would if you were Hellgirl.

http://www.ketron.it/news/index.asp?idNews=0

Lmao

its going to be interesting to see what korg does with the pa1x for winter namm this year....they HAVE to be working on something, maybe it will be similar to the audya????so they both (korg and Ketron) might be available at the same time...wont THAT be a dilemma
dennis

I get it. AJ is not really a full fledged employee of Ketron. Apparently he is just a "distributor"?? No wonder he is not able to give me a straight answer (or any answer at all) as to whether or not the Audya has a USB 2.0 interface or not. He can read specs just like anybody else and since he is a distributor of Ketron products he gets info ahead of time much like George Kaye does regarding Yamaha product info. On the Ketron site as of just a week or two everybody now has access to the Audya specfications and if you notice the spec sheet only says that the Audya has "USB". It doesn't say USB 1.1 or USB 2.0, only that it has USB. AJ just knows what we now know i.e. that the Audya has "USB". Since he is not an official employee of Ketron he apparently is not privy to inside information that might not be listed on the info he received (and now that you and I have access to) i.e. the specifications on Ketron's own public web site concerning the Audya. George seems to have more sway with Yamaha and is able to get more detailed info on Yamaha's products whereas A.J. seems to be limited to just the info that is released to the public even though he may have gotten that info before you and I because he is a distributor.

So I guess I was asking the wrong person when I asked A.J. if the Audya has USB 2.0 or is it just USB 1.1. He only knows what everybody else now knows i.e. that the Audya has a "USB" interface as Ketron worded on their web site spec sheet of the Audya. Why couldn't Ketron be more specific and say USB 1.1 or USB 2.0? What is the purpose of saying just "USB"? Possibly just to frustrate your potential customers?

PS: It might take someone who speaks and writes Italian who could email Ketron and in their native tongue i.e. Italian , cozy up to them and ask if the Audya has USB 2.0 or 1.1. If someone speaks their native language they might be willing to divulge inside information to that person who could then report back to us the answer. >> If there is any true Ketron employee(s) perusing this site and can read and speak English I beg of you to reveal yourself and answer this very simple question I have been asking one of your distributors on a repeated basis over the course of several months now but have not received a response (and now I realize why I haven't ). The question is: does the Audya have a USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 interface? Which is it?

Hello... Ketron? Anybody out there?

Best,
Mike

Nahhh, my native tongue are quite different from both English and Italian,
but Ketron had no problem to understand my bad english and even reply in
English. So just go ahead and write

Anyway, my guess is that it is USB 1.1, or else it would have been stated
out clearly in the technical spesifications. (Downloadable .pdf. at Ketron's
website)
Well, that's of course if Ketron don't concider USB2 as a general standard
now, and don't find it worth mention... LOL

Happy Playing
GJ

The brochure says USB for hard disks, CD/DVD drives etc, and as Audya makes extensive use of WAV files (Assuming new ones can be loaded in) I think I would be more surprised if it wasn’t USB 2.

Why dont we stop assuming things about people & products & just wait until the unit is released.....this way there is no questions. Hoping & Wishing & Rumors does not change the facts Audya will surly be a step forward in keyboard technology, I myself an very interested in the final product......butif I have to wait while they improve prototypes & straighten out any bugs, so be it......the better it will ultimately be in the end when its on the market.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-28-2007).]

Guess there are a few more people who are.
Wonder if they manage to put on WLAN, that would be interesting.

GJ

just looking at the pics is making me horny!
hot damn, it looks like a real live players' keyboard!
anyone know the weight? I could be convinced to
bend my wight parameters if this baby is the real deal..

and pretty please...
no more attacks from the weightniks re this question-
i think the thread I posted re the 9.5 lb X50 effectively
debunked the erroneous theory that more weight
means more stability..stability is in the stand, and its
relationship to the size and weight of the kb..the best that
can be said is that one is willing to take on more weight for features they value..and others don't find the features
worth the extra weight and/or price. so far with me it has
never been affordability, just for my needs G70 isn't worth the weight/price tradeoff re the E60, nor the Pa1xpro over the pa800, nor the T2 over the new s900 ..but that's not an opinion, it's just what suits my preference.

there should be no opinions re tradeoffs,
these should be in the realm of personal choices.

------------------
Miami Mo

I think one reason to question something Donny is that the truth might be revealed. If no one asked or inquired about whether Ketron's Audya (or any other product for that matter) has a particular feature, especially a feature that is of a questionable nature since Ketron didn't specify what USB interface is on the Audya only saying on the spec sheet that it has "USB"; that maybe Ketron would see our posts or someone who might be connected with them to inform them that people are wondering if the Audya will use current technology i.e. USB 2.0 or old technology i.e. USB 1.1 on their new TOTL Arranger. And since the Audya is still in developmental stages and by our bringing attention to the USB issue, that maybe, just maybe, if Ketron was going with USB 1.1 that they could theoretically change their mind and instead implement USB 2.0.

At the end of the Audya spec sheet there is a disclaimer that says: "Specificatons and appearance subject to change without notice". If indeed Ketron was going to go with USB 1.1 on the Audya and they noticed that people wanted it to have USB 2.0, that they might reconsider and use USB 2.0 instead. That would be my hope anyway. And if the Audya already has USB 2.0 that Ketron would change the spec sheet to reflect that fact instead of it just saying, as does now, that it only has "USB". BTW, Korg leaves no doubt in anyone's mind that the Pa800 has USB 2.0. I am just asking Ketron to clarify what "USB" means. Is that such a crime?

If no one asked a question on a questionable matter it is more than likely the Company in question would have no reason to clarify the item in question and therefore the consumer may forever be left in the dark. What is that saying?.. ah yes, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free". And just to know whether the Audya has USB 2.0 or even just old antiquated USB 1.1 would finally put this matter to rest and in the process would enlighten everybody, and consequently it might make their purchasing decision a little easier. Like mine for one.

Best,
Mike

[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 05-28-2007).]

What.. we now have an oversexed female on our forum who is getting sexually excited over a keyboard? What's the world coming to.



[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 05-28-2007).]

Mo, from what I found on a German forum, 18.5kg which is 40.78lb.

Taike

say it ain't so Taike, almost 41 lbs?
well, there goes my hardon..

but if it's that great maybe I'll weld a set of
wheels on one end and a handle on the other..
would make it manageable (but weird looking)

and keybplayer: keep dreaming re oversexed females here
or does Mo register as Maureen to you?

------------------
Miami Mo

Hi Mike....

I don't know if the audya is 2.0, however I do know the people at Ketron and will ask Ketron via email, just after I'm done with this post... I'll get back to you asap...

------------------
http://www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO
ketrondan@yahoo.com or keyboardcity@yahoo.com

hi mike,
this board will be USB 2...usb 1.1 firmware isnt available any more, certainly going back far enough to exclude the construction period for this board....
cheers
dennis

[This message has been edited by miden (edited 05-28-2007).]

Guys, this is from the link I posted above:

2 USB Host, 1 USB Device (fur externe Gerate wie Speicherstift, DVD-Laufwerke, MP3-Player, Floppy usw)

Taike

For all those that failed German 101:

USB : 2 USB Device + 1 USB host. Mass storage devices supported : Floppy, Stick, Mp3 players, CD/DVD Rom, HD, Computer keyboard…etc

By the way, on another forum 18.5 kg amounts to 38 lbs which is more like it.

Mo!! Hold on with those wheels!!

Taike

[This message has been edited by Taike (edited 05-28-2007).]

As a "side" issue on the USB debate -


Could anyone who is familiar with USB formats answer something:

Why WOULDN'T you use USB 2.0?

Is it THAT much more expensive (or complex) to include it?

I don't understand.....

18.5Kg X 2.2 = 40.7 Lbs (american)
18.5Kg X 2.0 = 37.0 Lbs (european)

USB 2.0 supports the transfer of data up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps)
USB 1.1 supports data transfer up to 12 Mbps

Eric

Hello hellboy44
When USB 2 first came out it was more expensive, but now it’s the norm it doesn’t really matter.
Please remember that it can take between 2 – 3 yrs to develop a new board, with the hardware sorted first, therefore they use the most cost effective components available at that time.
Hope this makes it clearer

Bill

http://www2.speedyshare.com/data/656528329/2890204/63876686/AUDYA.pdf


Video demo
http://wmv.eskildsen.dk/frankfurtketron-1.wmv




[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-29-2007).]

Thanks Dan! I'll be looking forward to hearing from you. I hope their answer to you is the one that we are all expecting.

Best,
Mike

dnj, thanks for link, but so many problems with it..
-I couldn't get it to play loud enough to really hear it well
even turned up full on my 2gig mac laptop.
-camera shot was from audience p.o.v. with no view of
keys and controls..at least that was true for first half of it-
I found it extremely boring so lost patience with it and
trashed it.
--is it just me? others here seem to have enjoyed it..
can't figure out why..plus the guy's vocal on "Georgia" was
way overly mannered and badly sung to me..


------------------
Miami Mo

Mo I thought the same myself but I did view the whole thing ....he is a great player...Italian I would assume?.....its poorly done and was a very early demo....I think they wanted to keep the buzz going early in its development but not give away all the goodies with a top shot etc etc .....hopefully there will be more when Its finished and ready....hang in there

I can hear the demo loud and clear and this thing sounds unbelievable!

when is it proposed to be released?

Well, this whole USB thing seems to me to be much ado about nothing.... There really is only one thing that actually NEEDS USB2 speeds (IMO), and that is sample loading.

Everything else, data transfer of registrations, styles, MIDIs etc, the file sizes are so small and USB 1.1 is so fast (theoretically) that it makes practically no difference between the two (if a file loads in 1 sec. using USB 1, would it be any more usable if it came in in .1 sec.? If backup of the entire registration memory takes 30 seconds, who would NEED it to be in 3 sec? How often do you back up? ).

No, the only place that USB2 would make a SIGNIFICANT difference would be sample loading. Files of 32MB or more are the norm for good quality samples, and USB 2's transfer speeds would be very welcome. BUT.... the data transfer from the HD (or whatever storage it's on) is only part of the picture. The speed and size of the data pipeline to the sample RAM is actually the main bottleneck. Even USB1 outperforms most modern samplers in theoretical throughput. Put another way, if most modern keyboards had data pipelines as fast as computers, they would load up close to 50X as fast as they do now with only a USB 1.1 interface.

The new MotifXS has a vastly better data pipeline, and loads up close to 10X faster than a MotifES. But the interface isn't the cause, just the bigger, faster pipeline.

So before we start worrying too much about USB 1 or 2, we need better information about how fast the sample RAM can load. Trust me, it probably STILL won't be much faster than USB 1.1 can deliver. So chill, your USB2 peripherals will still work with it even if it IS USB 1.1.....

As far as the great sound goes; I need a lot more convincing it isn't all hype. I still haven't got an answer, (or maybe I missed it?) if the audio styles stream from HD or are part of the sample Rom. If they don't stream from HD, then there cannot possibly be that many audio loops in the unit. Nothing beyond major and minor chords, and not much variety. How could they possibly fit major, minor, 7th, minor 7th, 9th, 6th, 13th, chords, plus live intros and endings, variations, etc, all using live loops without consuming vast amounts of data? I'm thinking we must be dealing with just a few styles that use live guitars, banjos, etc, and that in a limited major/minor capacity. The idea is excellent no doubt, and in a few more years will be stunning, but I think we're going to see a lot of limitations in this first version.

The video was a mixed bag in my opinion. I really liked the Rhodes, the Organs, the Harmonica, and for that matter the Banjo too. I didn't particularly care for the Grand Piano sound, and the acoustic steel guitar(s) lacked authenticity in the upper registers to my ears. Also the Vocalizer sounds more akin to a vocoder than it does to a harmonizer in my opinion. I thought the Drums were very good though.

I guess this thing is top secret since they didn't show any video of him actually playing the keyboard or pushing any buttons or a view of the LCD screen, etc. One reason they might have filmed it that way was the possibility of them changing some of the design or features before it is finally released at the end of the year. As a sidebar - when Korg showcased their the new M3 workstation keyboard they gave everybody an upfront and personal view of all the various aspects of the keyboard along with close up views of the LCD, button layout, etc. Even though it would be 6 months later i.e. July of this year before it will hit store shelves.

I think Ketron is being a little too standoffish in their presentation of the Audya. Case in point is their inability to inform the general public of what type of USB interface the Audya has or will have. Also not letting people get a glimpse of someone actually playing the Audya so people can see layout of the Board, the keys, the LCD screen, the buttons, etc. So what if you decide to change it later. People could care less just so long as it doesn't hinder any functionality or change the design in such a way as to be ridiculous or absurd looking.

Don't be so secretive or reluctant to let the public know about your new product. How you market your product goes a long way in how the general public will receive it. So come on, open up already.

Best,
Mike

but is this presentation an OFFICIAL one?

I didn't think it was official... looks like someone just sitting / standing in the audience with a camcorder...

exactly, so ketron is not necessarily trying to hide something, or to avoid showing the keys and front panel etc.
maybe is just an amateur video recording from someone in the audience.

nevertheless, ketron, and all the manufacturers for that matter, should have hi quality video presentation as soon as their instruments get to the first public event. since the instrument is ready to be shown at these public events, shouldn t be a problem to make a decent official video to post on the internet for everybody.

Best of luck with that one! It seems more and more that even big manufacturers are content to stick up a consumer camcorder at some promotional event and post the video, warts, bad sound and all, on their website.

Especially bad are the shots of pro demonstrators (sometimes the ONLY time you can hear them actually being PLAYED, rather than complex SMF playback that doesn't reflect the users' experiences) that pretty much suck in the audio area.

It's kind of sad to see a supposedly expert company in the audio field can't even be bothered to provide a line-in from the presenter's mixer to the camcorder....

There is only one public day at Frankfurt, (There hadn’t used to be any public days) and so the Audya may only have been shown to the dealers. (The board being removed for the public day)
If memory serves correct, the video came out during the show, where as the public day was the last day.
I also don’t think the video is available on any official Ketron site.

Bill

keybplayer

You are partially correct (on working for/with CMC distributors in the US).

Here is the other 1/2 of the story you apparently might not know...

1. I do work for Ketron.
2. I am (very) limitted by Ketron as to the information I can disclose on any open forum as an Engineer because as you'd understand our competition also monitors these. This is especially true for developing projects!
3. Despite the limitations, I still try to give the public the best info I can (without crossing company lines). I write the brochures (and will do the manual) so before it is made public, ofcourse I've had access to the material, prototypes ... etc.
4. If the information I provide is not enough, at the back of most/all Ketron brochures is a (039 ...) number you can call or email ketron@ketron.it (the emai will eventually end up in my laps anyway so I suggest you use the phone) and attempt to get more info.

Hope this makes it a little better to understand.

AJ

[This message has been edited by Ketron_AJ (edited 05-30-2007).]

No company impresses me with their video demos. They're all way too short and most of the time don't show that much of what's new. Even a Michel Voncken demo isn't that informative. All you get is a couple of catchy tunes but you can get the same in about any shop where there's an in-house demonstrator. And than hoping that he/she knows his/her stuff. So basically we all pay big bucks for something we don't really know about but hearsay.

Taike

The whole idea of the video demo is to not show u everything... this makes u want to go into the shop and try it. by getting u to walk into a shop and stand in the front of the machine is more chance of a sale...

Its logically the smart thing to do from the company in that sense. of coarse it pisses us off, but if we were the companies we would be doing the same...

I don't need to be shown EVERYTHING, but I would sure like what I AM shown to not sound like sh*t......

i think what korg did, posting an hour long video on their official arranger site is a nice idea. if you're really interested, no need to go in a store to try it by yourself, especially if there's no store around, but just watch carefully the presentation.
and it gives you a preety good idea what that keyboard is about.
as for a good official video demo on official websites... is yet to be seen!

True, but then again, pretty much every OFFICIAL demo does not sound bad. some don't show enough features or examples of new sounds etc. but at least they are a good indication of the quality of the instrument.

Its the ones where u have a person standing in a crowd of ppl with a handy cam taking video and then they download onto their pc in a low quality to save bandwidth.. thats where the problem lies.

Team,

We have yet to release any video on the Audya ... the current video in circulation of our prototype was filmed by a spectator at the Music Messe in Germany earlier this year.

AJ

AJ, please let it be a long one and not just a snippet. We get enough of these.

The best demo I've seen so far was the one with Leon Kuypers playing the Hammond XE1 XB2, and the B3. 40 Minutes of pure joy.

Taike

AJ,
thanks for that info.
an official VIDEO demo would be welcome!

Hey Diki, I always wondered what sh*t sounds like. Must be a Fla thing, thanks.



Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Glenn

Sh*t has kind of a flushing sound....

Yeah.... That's what I was hearing! Maybe the cameraman was standing too close to the bathrooms?!

Finally at Otto's Musikladen (Germany).

Ketron AUDYA
Das neue Hammerteil von Ketron!
0,00 EUR
exkl.Versandkosten (excl. S&H)

too good to be true

Taike, tell me more.

Glenn

That's all there is, Glenn. Kinda funny to have it listed this way.
http://www.ottosmusikladen.de/index.php/...76ca14447e13e54

Glenn, in case you misunderstand...there's no price listed as of yet.

Taike

Are we any closer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy92wEdaZSo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41svt8FAKrU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aShWA2muHu8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNklXa9WLjs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLl4JBgsSFM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnWe1zos6So http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIC8NOqUu4w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckhG9weg1Ls

Donny,

It's interesting to see the quote on left by KetronWeb on the YouTube site:

"Unit is in final development stages so any price quote now would be mis-leading. Mid 2008 is the goal for release."

------------------
Al Giordano
http://www.arrangerworld.com


Tyros 2, Yamaha P-250, Korg Triton Extreme 76, Roland VK8-M, DW Collectors Series Drums, Roland SPD-S.

Last I heard was August sometime?

Does anybody else notice the glitch in the drums at 49 seconds into this clip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy92wEdaZSo

I wasn't sure if it's the recording, my internet connection here at home, whatever.

-mike

PS. By the way, I'm not trying to rip on the Audya. I'm very excited about this new technology.

I can't believe that George Kaye made an important statement about the position of the modulation and pitch wheels and everyone chose to go with the USB discussion instead. I couldn't care if it was USB V. 1/2 of 1! Give me proper positioning of those wheels! The last keyboard I really felt comfortable with was the DX7 II. You could hang yourself lazily over that keyboard and have the pitch bend right under your fingers without any unnatural moves. Makes me wonder how many actual players there are vs techies? Come to think of it, there are some fine demo's in this group, but I don't remember anyone milking their pitch bend wheel (unless they're using Rolands...worst modulation controls in the world...and the hereafter too!).

There are many people who hardly ever use the mod wheels so Im not surprised where they are located on the Ketron products ...On my Sd1 it never effected my playing style at all...you see all this navigational features on each keyboard have to be adjusted to because we are all different in the way we play, techniques used, what music we play.....etc etc .....so what do we have ? A general KB navigational scenario setup on EACH different unit & millions of players with different styles of playing them....so that leaves us with some who like it, some who could care less, & some who will use workarounds to achieve the same goals...don't ever think the manufacturers are doing anything justs for YOU...because you'll be waiting for ever. Buy em, sell em, play em, love em, hate em...there are no rules in this game ....play em it as you wish..

carry on

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-12-2008).]

Interesting how the first discussions and speculation started exactly 2 years ago. Just fun to re-read

Holy COW!!!

Holy COW!!!

Holy cow??

It's no news that Audya had it's 3rd time presentation at the annual
Frankfurth Musik Messe this spring.
And it's still a "beta" without another manual than a "Quik start guide"

Cheers
GJ