Ketron SD9/90 ?

Why isn't anyone considering the Ketron SD9/90 ?
it's all KORG Pa, Sx900, Genos.....what about KETRON SD9/90?

I think it's because they are not readily available in North America. There was a store in Montreal that sold Ketron, even way back when it was called, "Solton", but unfortunately, it closed down a few years ago. I got all my synths there. I don't know of any other store that sells Ketron in my area.

I will be honest, I just don't trust Ketron stuff since I had those many headaches with the Solton X1 back in the day. Then I remembered the many threads here about how poor the Audya functioned when it was released. You hardly ever hear of problems with the other main manufactures.

Just to add, I know it's a different company but I still have a GEM WK8 and although its in good condition, the thing is falling apart, hardly works well anymore and some of the symptoms were similar to those I had with the X1 (laggy and locking up). Those keyboards I believe were made from the same country so I don't know if there's a connection there or not in terms of build quality & testing etc...

I know that Ketron may have improved dramatically since those days but I just rather invest in instruments that are reliable and well supported. I don't even know if they sell Ketron stuff in the UK anyway.

I love my Ketron Audya. Fantastic sounds, styles and vocal harmony. Great for tropical Latin, and really everything else too, except
hardly any Mexican styles. Plus, I really would love to have a chord looper. I don’t think the SD had that, right.?

Keith, I wonder if you might have had a lemon with your X1. I have a good friend in Leighton Buzzard still regularly gigging with his X1. It must be nigh on 20 years with it.

I jumped off the Ketron way after sold the SD1 and got the looooong wait for the Audya.
When it finally showed up in the stores, I'd already bought a G70.
Would like to try again, but now they have put Ketron on a very very high price level here in Norway, so I'll rather choose another model at top of Genos.

I had to decide between Genos and the Ketron...

If they add 2 things, i wll jump ship and combine the sd90 with a Roland Fantom

- an option to edit and save GM sounds (those are the basic sounds, and can not be edited inside styles/midifiles)
- support for Yamaha styles.

And offcourse Roland needs to add the super natural sounds to the Fantom, but that seems only a matter of time..



And then maybe not, cause i am having so much fun with the genos..

I have my Audya 76 and SD40. I considered the SD7, the SD60, and SD90, but don't need another keyboard, so my module is great for many things. The SD90 is better, but too large for a module for me.

As far as quality is concerned, most people who had problems in the old days, had an Audya4. Much disappointment and frustration, while I felt guilty having a perfect Audya 76, and it still is. With support, I bought my Audya from Frank, and he has gone to bat for me on minor things when he didn't have to. AJ has also been helpful, plus Curt has jumped in as a very knowledgeable and helpful dealer.

The only downside I see is that AJ and the dealers have to put up with the care less attitude of Ketron Italy, but with their support, I wouldn't hesetate for a moment.

Hi ,
basically availability herein Australia. Used to only be the one dealership, not sure if they even bother keeping many of the products. I gave up on Ketron after my sd1. It was too much a worry if something went wrong, how to get it fixed. Had to throw my first sd2 in the bin after it died from an update. I was getting a screen replacement on my pa800 at the time ( naturally out of warranty) and I asked the guy about the sd2. He was going to charge me a hundred or a couple of hundred dollars just to look at the sd2, no guarantee he could fix it or get parts.

So, ketron, no thank you.

Btw, I did buy a second sd2 for VArranger, but nowadays I would have other options.
Haven’t used it in ages , hopefully it still works. Haven’t updated it though.

In my mind,there still is a MAJOR issue with the ethics of some of the folks involved.

For me, NO WAY!

Russ

I have all the owned all models of Ketron beginning with the SD-1 Plus Audya. They have all been purchased thru Frank Vantresca via AJ (distributor). Excellent support. All the Ketron models have been Ajamsonic upgraded. I have never had any issues with a Ketron product and they are truly way ahead technologically than anything on the market.

By comparison I have a Yamaha Genos and have a preorder for a Yamaha SX-900. All these instruments are absolutely amazing but Ketron is by far the most advanced. I've never had any problems with making amazing music on any of these keyboard brands. There are absolutely no bad choices out there.

Salsaman.... Since you have a genos..
Why buy the Sx900?

I believe in investing in the new technology. I want to be a good cog in the wheel of technological advancement and keep these manufacturers in business. I find that the Genos is a little heavier than I would prefer. The 76 key Genos has been the only option up until the introduction of the smaller and lighter SX-900.

I find that there are good things included in all new models of the Yamaha line of Arranger keyboards. I simply like to invest in the best tools I can afford to create my music. I see the fruition of the joy these instruments bring to me and my audience.

Thanks for all the things that you do.

".....What he said"! +1

Definitely agree with that.

Check this out....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjU-g4-G5wg&list=RDvDVkTU1KiP4&index=7

Plus 2 but with Rikki it’s plus 3.

Yes there is a distributor in Montréal Québec Canada
1 514 721 1518

Rikki, had the same problem with my sd2. I had the sd40 for a while...and though it sounded good...it didn’t match the Audya for sound quality. Found out from AJ that the Audya was the only keyboard Ketron made that used uncompressed .wav files. I could definitely hear a difference between the two.
Mitch

Hi Mitch,
I ended up replacing my Sd2, haven’t been game to update the current one.
Be interesting to see if it still works, haven’t used it in a couple years or so.

It goes back quite a few years when mine died during update, actually heard it had happened to a couple of other owners as well.

Have nothing against Ketron products, but unfortunately we don’t have an AJ ,
over here the Ketron s were really badly supported , doubt things have improved.

Once I had two SD4 units. The late Terry a MIDI technician known as Mr. MIDI bricked one of mine, but somehow he brought it back to life. Dan at vArranger sent me an unpublished firmware for it. I updated it, but still the same USB-MIDI issue. I agree with Bernie that Ketron distributors and dealers suffer from a lack of support by Ketron, Italy. I like Ketron sounds. Even the SD4 driven by vArranger and Dan's layered presets sound terrific. I was going to upgrade my SD40 to the SD90, but I decided not to deal with Ketron, Italy anymore. It's interesting to hear Mitch say that his SD40 didn't match the Audya for sound quality. Only if the Audya arranger module is not so huge....

I have had two SD2,one SD4,and one SD40,as well as my Audya76. My Sd2 is still great for my sequencer software on the laptop,where I don't have to do anything else. The SD4 was fine,but I bought it to run leads,also,but found it a bit quirky(probably me). I chose the SD40 because of it's smaller size,but having everything I need.

In spite of Italy,Frank and AJ have always been right there for me,thou I have had no real problems with any Ketron.

Because there is no dealer network so you can only buy from Ketron themselves.
I bought a Midjpro from Ketron UK to try and use it as an arranger module because I liked the sounds and styles.
Shortly afterwards, the SD40 came out and I wanted to part exchange my Midjpro for an SD40.
Ketron said they don't do part exchanges and refused to take the Midjpro off me.
Since then, the SD90 has been introduced and I would willingly part exchange for an SD90 but, due to Ketron's method of trading, I am stuck with the Midjpro.
Hard to sell a Ketron privately although they are brilliant instruments.
The fact that internet sales are decimating keyboard dealers doesn't help. Only one music shop left in Sheffield.

Hi ,
actually I was interested in a midipro myself, this goes back many years, went to the store, (they had them in stock) , the guy in charge of keyboards didn’t even know what it did,let alone know how to use it. Haha. Ended up with the sd1 plus instead.

The old sd series have no relation to the new ones (sd9/7/90)

Same name, very different technollogy

Anthony,
I have no doubt about your experiences,but aside from trade ins,Curt from IAMUSIC is an active retailer,with AJ being the distributor,and both are very helpful. I have never tried a trade.

Bachus,
Good point about the new OS. Big improvement except for more compressed sound than the Audya.

Had the sd40 worked well with my guitar interface...I probably would have kept it, even if the sound wasn’t quite as good as the Audya. I’d been communicating with Colonel as he had the same setup with guitar. He eventually came to the same conclusion as I. Not the easiest configuration for guitar.

Thanks for the info Bernie but, unfortunately, I am in the UK.

I will continue to make do with the Midjpro - If Ketron cannot help their loyal customers to buy their products then they don't deserve to sell them.
Good product but a "couldn't care less" company.

Anthony Johnson

Contact me directly at Ajaminc@Gmail.com or call/text:- 267-323-5005 ...

I can/will help you.

Thanks,

Are you talking about a midi guitar?

Ketron UK used to be pretty active some years ago...