Now that ketron has the SD1 and the XD9. What will be of the X1. Does anyone know if they will discountinue the X1. I know they have not made any new style disks for them and they have made a new library for the SD1.

Is it time to trade in the X1 for the XD9.
Would you think trading in the X1 for the Xd9 is an upgrade or a downgrade?

Kinda confused......

I don't think the X1 will be replaced anytime sooner then the XD9. These are really two different models, not intended for the same buyer. In the X1 you get a 16 track sequencer to record your own music track by track, much like you would do with a computer program and a sampler to record your own sounds (if you wish to) and the XD9 is geared more for the player rather than the player who also wants a recording studio in their keyboard. That said, answering your question regarding an upgrade or a downgrade it would depend on your needs. If you want to see the style list and sound list easier in the display rather than the X1's tiny printed list on the top of the keyboard and if you don't like having to pick a catagory of sounds and then guess which one of the 8 choices is the one you want, then you would prefer the XD9. If you like having more dedicated buttons for moving around on the keyboard, then you would prefer the X1 because there are fewer buttons on the XD9 requiring your to navigate through pages and using the function buttons to turn things on and off like regestrations and the pianist mode. On the X1, these features and on their own dedicated buttons that you quickly turn on and off.
I do think that the sounds are better on the XD9, especially the acoustic grand piano sound. I also like the styles better except there are fewer in the XD9. To have all the styles of the X1 you must load some of them into the pattern area from the hard drive or floppy drive.
As discussed before, there are some new features on the XD9, noticably the drum remix feature which many enjoy using, but again, these are two similar instruments with many differences. I really don't think Ketron has built the XD9 or XD3 to replace the X1 and X4 but rather to add to their line of keyboards with some new features, some fewer features and a different price point.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Thank you your quick answer. I own the x1 and I have listened to the xd9. The x1 sounds so out dated compared to the xd9. There are other bells and whisles on the x1 that the xd9 does not have. but after listening to the xd9 who would want to keep the x1. I just a little disappointed that all of the new 8 beats, 16 beats, latin and disco/club patterns are not avialable for the x1 and that only patterns that x1 will read is the ms series. (which are even older)

Dear friend, I use XD3 and already have the feeling that the XD9/XD3 series are already discontinued! I have been asking many questions about big software problems on XD3 and nobody want to answer. I've been ignored all the times. We are good only when we are buying and testing their experiments! Oh yes! I am frustrated, but nobody cares!
Flavi.