Ketron SD1000 and vArranger

Hey....
Already 2 days with the new SD1000....
Just added the SD1000 sounds to vArranger

A BIG improvement since SD2. Sounds are amazing !
Drums , Bass......

Already found 5 bugs. Waiting for Ketron reply

Working HARD on it.

The SD1000 IS USB powered. So you just plug a USB cable to the computer, and you are ready to play.

I will try to post a demo video with the SD1000 sounds soon

Try to get a hold of a BK-7m, Dan. A template to run vArranger on that would make for some seriously good sounding styles...

I have a BK5 at home.
It is working well with vArranger, but I am not sure why someone who use BK-7M will buy vArranger. Maybe to play Yamaha styles?

Exactly Dan - I can not see why one would need BOTH?? Although vA does give some other really useful live tools, like multiple midi marker points available at the touch of a screen button, chord sequencer, lyrics view, chord entry method, splits, bass modes...and all available on the main work screen..no hidden menus to have to navigate on stage...

And using a BK .ins file vA recalls sounds easily..

Still, it does seem a bit of "overkill" and the need for TWO devices, a laptop/pc and the bk7m.

Dennis

Exactly. The main reason to have a software arranger over a hardware one is to be able to easily play a wide variety of different manufacturers styles.

If vArranger could play Ketron, Korg and Yamaha styles into a BK-7m (or any other sound source) and map them well enough so that they played decently, it would be a no-brainer!

Not much point using vArranger to play Roland styles into a Roland arranger module, is there? LOL

Actually, this will work good to play tyros styles with roland sounds.
If you want, I will record some yamaha styles with roland bk5.

I guess the main thing is dealing with those pesky Mega Voice style Parts. Not to mention, the newer Yamaha's have a guitar NTT now, and can use the SA voices in styles. How well is that stuff translating?

I'd like, if your stuff can do it, to hear any of the new styles in the S950 (not the audio drums styles, though, obviously!) run into a BK-7m or BK-5. Older styles don't really throw up the challenges to translation that the newer stuff does...

I got the Ketron SD1000 yesterday. It does not operate on USB power. It requires the AC adapter, Suppose it might be defective?

Dan,
How the Ketron SD1000 compare with the SD4 in terms of sound quality?

Chris

OMG. For a second there I thought Diki had risen like a phoenix from the ashes.....and then I spotted the date of his post. Whew!



chas

It's strange. Many SD1000 owners told me that it does not power from USB. (Especially in USA?)
Someone just changed the USB cable, and it was ok.
Someone had to send it back.

The SD1000 has new sounds in every categories. You can hear to my youtube demos.
You can get a better sound with the SD1000, but also need to rework your files, and remix them a bit

Is Diki still "with us"

Frank

Diki is alive and well on both Roland and Korg forums. (Fora if you want to be correct.)

Yes, and he actually is an asset to those boards. he is very good at putting things in perspective..

Someone else in USA, told me that his SD1000 was USB powered for 2 weeks, then no more...

Been looking at a few sites and I can’t find any that say the SD1000 can be powered by USB alone (Its purely used for Midi) but has to be used with the external power supply, (Remember the power output of USB 2 is very small) so it’s hardly surprising it doesn’t work correctly without the power supply.

Bill

SOME of the sounds are pretty good (better.) I primarily use it with Band in a Box, and notice the volumes among patches vary WIDELY. Also the default reverb is off the hook, and if I lower it, I have to choose either a right or left channel, as the center goes quiet. So far, not nearly as consistent as the SD4.

I'll try a new cable for the USB power. My SD4 ONLY worked off USB after awhile. I am getting the main board replaced. My WX7, SurfacePro 3 and Roland Amp ALL run with just batteries. I really don't want to be restricted to AC just for a sound module (no matter HOW good it sounds.)

Lack of power from the USB socket is the problem, (If you look at a lot of USB HDD they have 2 USB Type A Plugs thus doubling the power to the drive) however adaptors are available that can combine the power of 2 USB sockets, so it may be worth trying one of those. Here is one example http://www.pccables.com/70650.htm

Hope this helps

Bill

It seems to be more a problem of the SD1000 than the computer

I am thinking that. The SD2 and SD4 had no need for a multi USB adapter (though, ys many HDD drives do.) Anyway, My Surface Pro 3 only has one USB 3 socket, so I'd be S.O.L. anyway...

Just blew $40 on a brand new shielded USB cable. No dice.

Poor you. I think one SD1000 should go back to Italy, so they will understand more the problem. But for now, no one want to send back its SD1000

SD1000 is powered by external power supply, not USB.

This, is 100% correct, Ketron does not support the SD1000 working over usb powered connector, they just can not guarantee it working, be ause it uses more power then the USB interface maximum supports...

Just look up the power consumtion of the SD1000 and then have a look at the USB port specs... If it works for you, then you are lucky..

So I am Luky, My SD1000 is USB powered with all the computers I own.

Someone had 2 SD1000. One was ok, and the other not, in the same computer...

I was informed that the SD1000 requires 5v. S.O.L. Had I know that I probably would not have purchased it. I guess I'll still keep it for desktop use, but will now also need t keep the SD4 for portable situations.

Phillyjazz, do you know vArranger? It is an amazing software for the SD1000 !

For the good news, I did the first test with the 64 bit version of vArranger.

I have tested to load 5GB of SF2 samples + some 64 Bit VST instruments, and all seems to work ok !!

I have pretty good luck with vA2 with SD-1000.
But my issue is...WHEN will Ketron fix the identified bugs??
Also, Mine...the power switch from brand new out of the box will not stay in...so AJ is supposed to get me a replacement SD-1000

Dan : Yes, I have seen the videos and gone to the website. Looks great, but I have a big investment in Band in a Box (100s of styles and thousands of tunes.) Would love to have vArranger even just for the interface, but can;t afford it right now after dropping so much on the SD1000. I'll save my pennies. I would love to get it for the patch management alone in live situations, I also have a boatload of SoundFonts, so it would be good for that purpose too, on my Windows tablet. I could probably get away with not carrying a module.

vArranger also own a very nice low latency virtual synthesizer that can run directly on the Surface pro 3 headphones out, it can load soundfonts and apply VST effects in realtime, and play VST instruments together.

Take your time For now, to enjoy your first investment...

64 bit is awesome news, and a must in the current PC computer world... all top VSTs you want to run in 64 bit..

Keep it up man, this is another great step to proffesionalising your product

The examples i have heared from this with the upgraded soundset created by a user are just stunning, hope they somehow will make it intoo your product

Thanks for your encouragements

Just to let you know that vArranger synth 64 bit is released
You can load more than 4GB of SF2 samples and 64 bit VST plugins

Not sure if I said it already, but it handle the polyphonic aftertouch too

Dan,
Does that mean my vA2 can now if I get the recent version from you, have a BETTER built in vA2 Synth engine/sounds...or is this just if I would use a VSTi I buy??

No. To get better sounds you simply need to load some free soundfonts.

On the vArranger forum we share some soundfonts

Dan, i am impressed, you work fast... very fast..


Mind sharing with us whats next in your priority list?


Might be time soon for us to announce the Varranger as the first software TOTL arranger.

I have a list with 1000 items to add
So many ideas, not decided yet what next

I hope a beginner, & advanced in-depth Tutorial DVD is part of that list that can fully instruct the buyer how it all works step by step.

wow, I m so lazy for such things......

Dan a DVD Instructional should be Top Priority as knowledge is what in turn will bring sales IMO.....alot of people have no clue what vArranger is or how it works?.......when people see things they like, .....they BUY things they like....just sayin'..

When i look at my T5, there is one thing i would really really miss on the Varranger...

Registrations : when i select a new style it comes with 8 registrations, and in registrations you can change everything, from sounds, to midi settings to style parts and volumes, mains and fills, pedal settings... You name it and you can change it... It allows me to set up registrations in a performance. Here is a good example of the possiblities.. Fred has more videos about the registrations on Tyros



Set List : the Kronos has a set list, this allows you to create a playlist for your gigs.. This adds all your precreated performances on a list in order for your gig... On top of that it is easilly accesible for real time changes.. I think a set list is a must have for any giging artist

Maybe there would be people willing to help you out with this .... You dont have to do everything yourself, espescially with things like this its often possible to find community members that are both willing and capable of helping you out with this for free...

There are enough people making tutorials for other products..so why not for Varranger.. Would be a fun challenge to make a range of varranger tutorials explaining the features of the software into detail, and then uograding that series of videos with every few major changes you make to the software..

Bachus,
There is a ton of things you would miss on your T5

I found a "workaround" .. not a "fix" for powering the Ketron SD1000 when the MIDI port won't provide enough juice. $60 is not a cheap workaround, but this comes with a 9v cable that fits EXACTLY into the SD1000 and lights it up. Also can recharge smartphones, tablets, an even some laptops. Actually, with the right cable, it could probably jump-start your CAR !!

http://amzn.to/1cAdigT