HI everybody,
I am new here so.. 'Hello'
I am interested in getting a module arranger to use with a traditional style clone organ. I currently use a PA800 and would like to know what to look out for that is in a module format with as close to sound quality to the korg. or the Yamaha Tyros / s900
I had a quick surf on the net and there does not seem to be much around appart from Ketron & Orla making them and I have never had any instrument from either or listened to any of these brands. How good are they?
Are there any other brands out there?
so if anybody has any good recomendations please let me know
thanks

Hi Chrispyduck
The Ketron SD3 is your best choice - read the write up on Jazzhooves
Good sounds and styles and the brilliant PROGRAM mode lets you layer 4 sounds together.

I have been using a Solton/Ketron MS40 module for many years and the strings,
in particular, are still better than those on any modern keyboard today.

There's just one major drawback - no USB socket so you can't use a pen drive etc.
This ties you to floppy disks unless you take up the very expensive (£250 sterling) Hard Drive option.

Best wishes, Tony, SHEFFIELD

Arranger Modules are not in fashion as much as they used to be, and Ketron and Orla are good middle of the road modules, with the Orla tending more towards Organ Sounds.
Going up in price there is the Silverbird from Bohm http://www.bohm-organs.co.uk/ which is more flexible then the Ketron and is also hardware updatable. (You just change the internal hardware when new technology comes along)
Further upmarket is the Wersi EX 1 http://www.wersimusic.com/ex1.html and is the module version of the Ikarus Arranger http://www.harmony-music.co.uk/ikarus.htm with more pictures here http://www.wersi.net/INFOBLATT_Expander.pdf and sound demos here http://www.wersi.net/html/tontrager.html (It can also directly play all Yamaha Styles, and convert styles from other manufactures)
The EX 1 also has the advantage of being totally upgradeable via software and can also use VSTs such as Kontakt 3 http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=kontakt3 B4 http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=b4ii Halion http://www.steinberg.net/155_1.html Real Guitar http://www.musiclab.com/products/realgtr_info.htm and many others.
Another alternative is to use a laptop computer and Midi interface, with software such as OMB (One Man Band) http://www.1manband.nl/omb.htm or LiveStyler http://www.live-styler.de/home/
It’s up to you how much you want to spend, and how sophisticated you want it to be.
The entire above are available in the UK, and the software can be downloaded.
Hope this helps

Bill

Thanks for the info guy's this gives me a bit more to go on the sd3 looks like the type of thing I am after, but if this is new why the floppy drive idea? this is computer technology from last decade do they do any with USB? I like the sound of the wersi idea and the upgradeable stuff. will have to find a dealer or scour e(vil)bay.
Never even thought about the laptop and OMB idea this is also interesting...although I think I would prefer a module with buttons and sliders/switches etc...
do you know where in Uk any of these modules above have dealers?

Just done a bit more searching Never even new about the company Bohm (interesting)
and checked the price of a wersi ex-1 from some european shop 5380 euro's holy cow out of my league I think, looks dammed neat though.

also check the GEM XP module its probably the best arranger module available (midijay is more of a midifile/mp3/wav dj player with an arranger section tacked on really...good for what it is, but without the full complement of arranger hardware

I will have a look at the gem module,
does anybody know who deals in ketron / gem gear in the UK?

try http://www.generalmusic.com for the main italian site or http://www.generalmusic.us/ for the us site. they may be able to direct you to a UK dealer...try posting the question in the GEM forum here at SZ... David McMahan monitors it quite frequently (he is national product support manager at gem us) and he is very very helpful...hope that helps

[This message has been edited by miden (edited 09-30-2007).]

Hi the Gem module looks like a very good unit and has many features maybe a bit ott for my purpose but if the price is right..
How long have they been out for or in production? do the sounds of these and the ketrons / orlas match up to current Jap arrangers
This forum is a real eye opener, thanks guys.

looking back at your original post, asking after arranger modules, the XP is probably closest in sound quality to the PA800, but it would be very close between it and the midjay/other ketron modules, if not a tie!!! to be honest the PA800 is really is good as it gets when it comes to arranger features and sounds, and imo, not matched by any current module..(i have owned the XP and a Midjay but got rid of both of them because i thought i could get something better...does NOT always work let me tell you!!!!) i currently own an sd1+, BUT if the pa800 had 76 keys and/or a different feel for the keys, too "synthy" for me, it would be on my keyboard stand now...fwiw and i know OT, but i am keenly awaiting the arrival of the pa2x in Oz.