SD4?

Any word on if/when Ketron will produce an SD sound module?

Am getting weary of lugging around the extra weight of the X1 when I am only using it as a sound module triggered by my accordion. I could get an X4, but the 305 styles on the SD1 verses the 198 on the X Series intrigue me.

But, would it make more sense to get the sound module equivalent of the KN6500 or PSR9000Pro (are there sound module equivalents of these boards) to have access to different sounding styles? The problem there is I would spend that much more time looking for just the "right" style, instead of practicing the music.

As far as I know, there are no sound modules comparable to the KN 6500 or the 9000 pro; the SD4 could (eventually) be released in time for the next Winter Namm or the Frankfurt Musik Messe (April 2002). By the way, many of the SD1 styles are the same as the X1. So I think that your best option is to try and get an X4.

[This message has been edited by Dreamer (edited 08-22-2001).]

Hello,

The Yamaha MU128 sound module has been likened to the Yamaha PSR8000, and a lot of sounds available too. The "MU" Range of sound modules, it seem, gets overshadowed by the roland JV/XV series, but they are good in there own right. Here it is http://www.harmony-central.com/Newp/SNAMM98/Yamaha/MU128.html Maybe it not a recent module, but that doesn't mean it is not good (you can expand it by plugins like pro 9000 - and you can't do that on the PSR9000.

Andrew

Also do not rule out the Roland/Edirol
SC-8850. While it is not expandable, it
is very comparable to the MU-128.
Also, you should realize that both these
modules use RCA outputs instead of standard
1/4" jacks. So, if you use them for live
performance through a PA system, be aware
that the signal is not as "Hot" as the 1/4"
and therefore the volume will need to be turned up much higher(thereby "possibly" creating noticable noise).

Are there 9000pro sound modules?

No, I don't think so.

Does anyone know if Roland makes a new
module to replace the old RA-800 (i.e.,
something like a VA5/7 in a module version)?

Vquestor,
the RA800 was the last arranger module produced by Roland (the G1000 and the EM2000 had no modular version). In general, the sales of modules like these have never been up to Roland's expectations , so it's unlikely that we will ever see a VA7m. Roland, however, has a tradition for unveiling new models at the Frankfurt Messe, held in April, so let's wait and see.