Friends,

Keep this coming for I am collecting this ideas.

Something I would like to start work on RIGHT AWAY. I know we are all dotted around the place but would like to arrange for some workshops in certain areas here in the US once I get confirmation from above.

The proposed plan will be once we have a general idea of where you are located, we'll try and come to you to do some demonstrations and allow you try out the keyboard so please try and give us an idea of where you are. I know e.g within the DC/VA/MD/PA areas, we can consider Washington Music (Wheaton-MD) and Keyboard City (Baltimore-MD), Centrioli's Music (Philadelphia-PA)... or maybe rather than using the actual stores, rent lobbies in hotels in these cities.

I need to get a list of where you are and if we agree on most popular areas and you do not mind driving say 3 hrs for this demonstration (as might be the case in some situations), we will comence the workshops as soon as possible within the most Arranger/Forum pupular areas. This should at least allow most of you to arrange with others and maybe give you a chance at LISTENING and TRYING OUT the Ketron SD1Plus, XD9 and other Ketron products.

Once the information with regards to location has been collected and we have a 'green light', I will then let you know the dates for each workshop (once I've got confirmation from above as well).

From what I am gathering so far, here is what we need to work on (in order of priority):

* Availability of product/knowing KETRON (at least to know what it's about, hearing and try outs ...)[Work in progress via workshop].
* Dealership and distribution (for later try-outs and purchases).
* Future product design, content (working on this per your request abvoe).

Please, do try and be considerate that these workshops may not fall as close to you as you would like ... but it is a start and we can only get better in time.

While keeping the comments, please start listing preferential locations (States, cities & maybe locations in those cities) for these workshops).

Thanks,

AJ


[This message has been edited by Ketron_AJ (edited 09-28-2003).]

AJ,

Although I don't know much about Ketron products I applaud you for your dedication and unyielding hard work getting your keyboards out there and improving upon your exposure. I wish you much luck and success.

I'm in the southern New York/Northern New Jersey market if you are ever in the area. Philadelphia is going to be over 4 hours for me so I'm not THAT interested in seeing a Ketron product.

I do have a BIG suggestion for you. Since most of us "Keyboard Geeks" are also Internet Surfers, I think you can do a much better job of putting your website together to expose the Ketron line of products. (I'm a web design by trade so I know what I'm talking about. If you want to talk to me about this send me a note).

One of the key elements I used when purchasing my Yamaha Tyros was seeing so many video's, Demo's, and listening to MP3's and reading the documentation all ON-LINE without leaving my livingroom/office.

In my experience, Once I check out the initial merits of the board's features I make up my mind about 80-90% that I want it just by reviewing it's features, hearing it's demo's and seeing the videos. The final 20-10% of my decision is made actually playing the board and that will either put me over the top or make me walk away.

Things I look for when playing a board are in order of importance; Key feel, ergonomics, visual displays, Operating system, and re-affirmation of the sound demo's which I already listend to on-line.

I hope this helps give you some insight into my Keyboard consumerism habits.

Al

[This message has been edited by kbrkr (edited 09-28-2003).]

I live in Queen Creek, Arizona. I would love to be able to come to your workshop. I know there are a lot of keyboard players in Arizona. How about Phoenix? Let me know if, when, and where. Thanks.

AJ...

The workshop idea is a good one... it will definitely be well received and should be a win-win for both keyboard players and Ketron.

I am in the Cleveland, Ohio area... where there are loads of keyboard players of all levels. Certainly an appropriate location for a Ketron workshop. There is essentially no Ketron exposure anywhere near the "home of rock and roll". I now own an SD1, but my exposure to Ketron was almost by accident. (I had found that an ebay XD9 seller lived only 10 away, checked it out, purchased it, upgraded to SD1.)

I agree with many of the "complaint list" items, but the one that's been bothering me most lately is the button layout. "Break" and "To End" are both very useful features... and it's so easy to hit the wrong button since they're so small and so close. "To End" should be grouped with intros/endings and out of the way (above display?).

Good luck with the workshop... great idea. And bring it to northern Ohio! We have Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and Lentines. Keep us posted.

BTW, another idea that I'm SURE would be well received and appreceated, is a comprehensive/in depth "How To" video for the SD1.

Thanks,
Glenn

[This message has been edited by GlennT (edited 09-28-2003).]

For me it has to have to sounds/voices of the pro workstations like the motifs and tritons on an arranger keyboard. Also, to me the keyboard has to look sleek and sexy, something between the look of the motif and tyros. For a dream keyboard like this, I would spend any kind of money to purchase one no matter how long it takes to get one! For example of my dream KB would be the look of the MotifES with combinations of voices from the ES and the korg triton. This is only in my opinon that would make me purchase a KB with whatever the cost is!

Johnny

Which One of these keyboards would you like to buy if price is not the matter??
psr2100
tyros
genesys pro
sd1
Looking forward for the replies
K

None of the above ....
Maybe the PA1x if it plays and feels right in my hands..

AJ

Here in Phoenix we are fortunate to have Synthony Music www.synthony.com and they do have Ketron products on display, along with most other high-end keyboards (No Genesys, though). One of their staff is the very knowledgeable Manuel Dorantes, who is also a performer, and a member of this forum.

Wow - talk about apples, oranges, pears and lemons ! (no particular order!)
That list as way to diverse to equate them all to a similar value regarding price.
Size, weight, speakers and navigation are all far more important to buyers like me than money is.

To me, styles that sound so authentic that people would think they were real session players. And, for recording purposes, individual outputs for each part in the auto-accompaniment.