XD9 is (since the end of last week) now available in Portugal. I hope to get the chance of visiting the portuguese dealer very soon, so I can share my own impressions with all the family. I was told that the module (XD3) is still not available.

-- José.

[This message has been edited by matias (edited 06-25-2002).]

The XD9 will be available in the USA very soon .
At least that is my understanding .
I know it will be at summer NAMM . I was told that only a prototype XD3 will be shown at NAMM .
Maybe AJ can give us a run down on last minute additions that where made to the XD9 and his influence on the product . dano

Great to hear that the XD9 will be available in the US soon, but how about in the Northern California (San Francsico/San Jose) metropolitan area? I'd like to audition the XD9 and SD1 'before' purchasing. Unfortunately, I can't find 'even one' dealer in Northern California willing to stock Ketron-Solton keyboards . . . they're only willing to take 'pre-paid' special orders - Scott

Maybe it's time to move to Southern California! Not much rain and a lot of sunshine!
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

And lets not forget Some great Synth Zone members

Team,

The layout for the final production units have been totally revised (nothing like the pictures you've seen on the web etc). This we did to facilitate navigation esp for buttons that have dual features etc.

Features such as Interactive Arrangement, Pattern Edit have been inclosed in a general LEFT CONTROL menu so that only the essential buttons are on the control panel for real-time control. RIGHT CONTROL does the same for features such as Harmony and drum remix, bass boost etc.

I've enhanced the drum remix feature even better. Now you can (while playing a midifile) switch instantaneously from one style to another and not experience any 'glitch' as you play your midifile. I have also added the capacity to change from MIDIFILE to style and vis-versa without stopping. These features (I believe) will assist the live performer such that they can really interact b/w midifiles and XD9 styles.

Page Memory - allows you to now 'hold' the last page you visited when using certain functions - to better explain: UTILITY has about 4 pages. If the last function you accessed was in UTILITIES 3/4, initially, when you EXIT from the UTILITY menu and return to it, it defaults to UTILITY 1/4. Now, when you exit and return to any menu, you will be able to retrun to where you were when you last visited that Menu/display (in the above case, UTILITY 3/4). This feature can ofcouse be turned on/off.

The styles in ROM have been slightly renamed to make more 'meaning' for the live entertainer.

In terms of sounds and styles, I believe we'll top the charts but this has yet to be proven. Internal FLASH boards will be available for you to add more custom sounds to your keyboard. So for those that can make it to Summer NAMM, I will be pleased to show you a lot more than I can describe in a few words. I'd also like to take some ideas back home so as to start implementing what we can include in OS2.X? As always, your ideas are always welcomed.

Thanks,

PS: I've also completed and uploaded the complete manual to our website (www.ketron.it) where you can review in great details other features.

AJ

[This message has been edited by Ketron_AJ (edited 06-26-2002).]

AJ,
Great news about the midi to styles swithing and vice-versa... Very needed improvement.
I've come to like the Yamaha fill in button approach too (also, my G7 has it) the 4 variation buttons should also trigger the appropraire fill in for that style. less buttons - less clutter - maybe you can move the buttons to the left side, so Don Masoin will buy one !

UD,

Like I had mentioned, we are listening and I am implementing a lot of the requests I gather from this forom and other end-users.

The FILLs for the XD-series are on the left side. When using the arranger (unless in BASSIST, PIANIST or MANUAL bass modes) the right hand is usually more busy than the left playing, so most arranger control features are on the left-side. Features that are either used once per performance or rearly used (e.g Intro/Ending) are now to the right as well.

Manuals are now extensively written (won't need anymore Quick-Starts) and I can assure you all features are well explained with examples and notes (appart from those that might be implemented in later OS updates).

We're striving to make most happy... and I believe we are getting there.

Looking forward to seeing some of you at Summer NAMM.

Thanks,

AJ

Thank You!! I promise my next new keyboard will be a Solton.
DonM

Don ,

GEM is using the SOLTON name now ! I saw a picture of a SOLTON SG1 . It looks exactly like the Genesys ( or close to it ) . dano

AJ,

Will the new XD9 features will be available on a later OS release for the SD1?

Thanks,
Guillermo.

OK - we all saw it in print ! Let's see if you stick to your promise !
(Sit tight, and you can buy MY XD9, a few weeks after I abandon it !! )

GuillermoRosado

Due to memory restrictions, it won't be possible to incoorporate all new features found on the XD9 on the SD1, but we will see what we can do to get some in there with the current amount of memory available (e.g the Bassist feature).

Thanks,

AJ

AJ,

Why it is not possible to upgrade the memory on the sd1? what kind of restrictions does it have?

So it will not be possible to have the drum style over midi file feature available?

Thanks,
Guillermo.

GuillermoRosado,
The RAM on the SD1 is fixed (chips) and soldered onto the mother-board. This cannot be upgraded, but managed differently to create some space for some new functions. We will tripple this size though on our feature products.
Thanks,
AJ

AJ,
"The FILLs for the XD-series are on the left side. When using the arranger (unless in BASSIST, PIANIST or MANUAL bass modes) the right hand is usually more busy than the left playing, so most arranger control features are on the left-side. Features that are either used once per performance or rearly used (e.g Intro/Ending) are now to the right as well."

Do you mean that the intro/ending buttons are separated from the fill-variations buttons? That doesn't seem to make sense.
Of course I'm used to using the intro buttons as extra "breaks" on the Yamahas.
Don

This time I like the XD9 manual, and the new features (Bassist Mode, Drum Remix, switching between style and midifile playing) seem very interesting.

The first XD9 units that came to Portugal have already been sold. I understand that I won't put my hands on a XD9 so soon...

-- José.

DanO, the genesys is sold as solton sg1 in some markets in europe, with some styles and some sounds changed to tailor to the german/austrian markets. But they told me at Frankfurt they were still different companies. The machines looked identical.

The way I understand is that Solton is a marketing company. Ketron makes keyboards. The X1 was made by Ketron, marketed by Solton. The newer Ketrons do not say Solton. Solton is now marketing some GEMS.
Is this sorta accuracte?
Don

I think this is accurate .

dano

I think so, here Ketron has replaced Solton on the machines and logos. Gem is seperate, and the distribution of both is few and far between, maybe similar to how Technics is in the States.

Don and Dan,
You are correct. Gem is sold by Solton (distributor in Germany) and so now it is possible that some of the GEM products might have the Solton name appearing on them.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene