Well, seems we're BOTH 'loop-ing' alot, here.

I get your point, but buying an SD2 module does NOT give you the right to use factory styles without buying them. And, in all fairness, people LIKE the Ketron styles primarily for the ones that DO have 'Live loop' components. They are what make them stand out head and shoulders above the rest.

I am well aware of how Ketron implement their loop technology on older Ketron's AND the new Audya, please don't insult my intelligence by suggesting I don't. But whether the audio component of the loop exists as sliced up data for a MIDI file to play it (which is basically how they do it) on a ROM chip or HD, it CAN (and will) be copied. You only have to solo the audio track playing the SD2, and slow it WAY down to get the slices to play without much cross-fading (if any, if you slow it down enough) and you can easily record the results for use on the MS, or the Ketron player. All it does it output MIDI. Make a GIGA preset or any other VSTi sampler preset of the data, and you can play it as if you had an Audya (after all, who's going to want old SD1/5 styles, especially when it's easier to copy the HD data on an Audya and get the same files?). From what I read from others here (correct me if I'm wrong) the Audya's audio loop data exists as easily copyable .wav files. Seems altogether TOO easy to copy, if you ask me...

But basically, if Ketron lose their revenue stream from people buying their arrangers to get the styles because they are playing them on software either on an MS or even into an SD2 module (which makes Ketron a FRACTION of the money they would get selling an SD5 or Audya), they are going to make less and less of them. And they make few enough already!

I hope you understand the point I've been 'loop-ing' now, AFG. It's a complex issue, that has long-term consequences for the industry, and those that love Ketron products and styles...

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 03-12-2010).]