I received this new keyboard late Monday. I unboxed it and spent a couple hours with it Monday night, then about 5 hours with it Tuesday.
I got quite comfortable with it, having some experience with the operating system-very similar to the SD1, so I took it to the job Tuesday night.
So far, I like it even more than I expected. I didn't even realize quite how much I missed that LIVE drum and bass sound.
The SD5 has added some sounds that had to be loaded each time on the SD1, such as Growl Sax. It also has that wonderful Strat sound that was first introduced on the Midjay. It sounds even better on the SD5.
My unit does not yet have a hard drive, and my computer doesn't have a floppy drive, and I no longer have the connecting serial cable, so right now I am limited to the styles and sounds on the keyboard itself.
They should include the serial cable with all units, in my opinion.
The SD5 comes compete with 160 registrations, and they are very well done. Access to them is very easy, as there are 16 assignable buttons immediately above the left hand. The buttons are called Multi-tabs, and they in the Registration mode they come pre-programmed with Registrations. If the Registation light is on, you press the category of the genre you want, such as Swing, then the buttons become quick access to 16 Swing registrations. Of course they can be altered, replaced, erased, etc.
In addition to these registrations, it is very easy to create more, that can be accessed by entering numbers. Before going to work I modified several banks of registrations to suit my preferred fingering mode and split points, and choice of lead sounds.
Another form of registration, Single, is also available, but they must be saved to Hard Drive or Floppy. I used this quite extensively with the SD1, and most likely will here too after I install a Hard Drive.
A neat feature is that if you have a style and a text file and/or a midi file in the same folder, calling up the Style will also call up the text file and/or midi file.
The Vocal processing is slightly improved, in my opinion, from the SD1, and the Vocalizer (harmonizer) seems to be the same. It works very well, and the harmony is clear. I experienced zero distortion--very pleased after having to "baby" the Yamaha harmonizer.
It had several different modes--two choices of chord modes, and an Effects mode which has a list of gimmick voices such as Micky Mouse, Big Bear, etc. I believe there were about 15 of those, and they work with the touch of a button.
Speaking of buttons, there are a wonderful array of buttons that access the various operating features, PLUS the Multi-tabs can be programmed to do just about anything from style variations, registration up-down, drum part mutes--there is a full page of assignable functions. Haven't even got that far yet.
The arranger section has options to Hold the bass line, style parts or drum parts as you change variations, in effect vastly increasing the variety of styles.
The much-talked about Riff feature is quite fun to play with. I played a style called Organ Hit, that seemed to be made for Ray Charles' "What I Say?" When the fourth variation is flashing, it means a riff is there. I pressed it and then proceeded jam over the top of the riff, which in this case followed the exact chord progression I'd been playing. (All the riffs don't do that.)
You can press Pianist, and play piano, or any other sound over the entire keyboard while the riff is on. Very neat.
Besides the sound, probably the most outstanding feature of the SD5 is the extreme programmability. You can make it do just about anything you desire. There are various functions of initial touch and aftertouch that can affect style parts, and there is a button called Arranger Mute, that mutes certain parts of a style. These parts are selectable.
There is wonderful real-time control of volumes for style parts, right voice, left voice, drums bass, etc.
The only realtime e.q. is a Bass Boost button, that allows you to crank up or reduce the bass as needed. I prefer to crank it up in most cases, and it sounds really great.
The onboard speakers are very powerful and sound very good. I think I recall that they are 22 watts.
As to the sounds, I mentioned the Strat. There are also very good acoustic guitars, Pedal Steel that allows bending of one note, very accurate Fiddle, Harmonica and Chrome voices. I was very pleased and surprised at the Pianos. They really sound great to my ears. Saxs are still good. The organs sound good and respond nicely to the dedicated rotor on/off and speed buttons. You can also open a screen showing drawbars.
There is also a button that allows real-time modification of the lead voice, allowing quick application of overdrive, distortion, wha-wha, and various others. Not that I use Wha-wha, but it can be assigned to the volume pedal if wanted, and it becomes a wha-wha pedal while the assignment is on.
This thing is built like a tank, and is large enough to have 76 keys, but it has only 61. It isn't as heavy as the G70, but much heavier than the PSRs. It seems to be the same size and weight as the SD1.
I was able to find a style for most every song I wanted to do, but I'm looking forward to adding a hard drive so I can access the entire collection of styles from SD1 and other models.
If anyone has any specific questions, I will try to answer, but I am still in the early stage of taming this beast.
I got several comments from audience about how great the sound was last night.
I just plugged it into the Bose L1 and played. There was no e.q. added, or needed!
The SD5 comes sounding great out of the box, and that in itself is a real pleasure.
There is three band e.q. available for the two mic inputs, plus you can fully adjust reverbs and delays.
Probably more than you wanted to know about SD5, right?
DonM

Don Good Luck the SD5. Are you going to use the s900 as a back up?

Thanks Don!!! Great info. Only wish it had a USB!!! I know you can work around that but disc drives are pretty much Dead! Are you going to get your HD from Ketron? I understand it comes with "Software". I think that means Midi files not sure? there is an option to expand the style content by 200, do you know anything about that?
The SD5 FACTS say 179 styles the SD3 says 202?? Did you consider waiting for the AUDYA? I assume you had the Tyros before this? Sorry for all the questions!!

Enjoy!!! I love getting a new KB!!

Good review Don.

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

I will probably use this until the Audya comes.
I will get the expansion card and hard drive, with additional styles asap.
I don't remember exactly how many styles the basic memory has. I'll check tonight.
Gotta run. BIG day tomorrow. I'll leave the SD5 set up at the club, take the PSR900 to two Nursing Home jobs 200 miles away. I'll leave the house at 6:00 a.m. and get back home after the last job at about midnight.
More to come on the SD5.
DonM

the SD5 does support USB by using a serial cable to a USB Midi adapter and Ketron USA does provide one free of charge if needed. The pattern expansion chip allows for up to 200 patterns to be loaded in rather than about 40 without it.
The part that bothers me about the SD5 is just about price. I feel that a keyboard with these features (no vocal harmony stock, no USB device stock, 61 keys, only a single track sequencer for recording songs) is price to high at close to $2500.00. When announced to me over 2 years ago, I was told it would sell right around the price of a Yamaha PSR3000. This never happened. Today, it's closest competition would be the PSRS900 which comes with all the above mentioned features for around $1000.00 less. If you add the vocal harmonizer and hard drive to the SD5 it becomes $3000.00. I also think it is time for Ketron to improve upon their displays. The new Auyda has an interface display that looks more like Korg and Yamaha. The SD5 looks like the X1.
The SD5 is built very well and like Don says, you can program it to behave in just about any way you like and then save all this as a "power on set up".


------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

Great Review DonM,

Can anyone confirm that the SD3 is basically an SD5 in module form??

Don P

When will we hear it, Don? ...
t.

Thanks for the review!

Don....thank you for taking the time to voice your professional views on this unit.....some of those features sound very interesting....hope to hear more about it as you go along & maybe a few demos on you website also.

George, you make mucho sense in what your saying also regarding price vs features etc, etc, ....any word on what the AUDYA will be prices to sell at?

the SD3 is exactly the module version of the SD5. Some customers are amazed at the size. It is really big! The XD3, X4 and MS40 were all large, but this SD3 is even bigger!
There is no word yet on the price for the Audya. The only assurance I have from the New York distributor is that if Italy brings in out at a price not attractive to our USA buyers compared to the competition, adjustments might have to be made. We shall see.

------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

I think I remember some advance notice that the Audya would be in the upper T2, E80 type price range, at least. Add to that the tanking US dollar, and this one might turn out too expensive for even YOU to buy for just a couple of months, Donny...

But don't worry. The way our exchange rate is going, all the others will soon be far more expensive, too!

"The SD3 is exactly the module version of the SD5. Some customers are amazed at the size. It is really big! The XD3, X4 and MS40 were all large, but this SD3 is even bigger!"

Thanks for the info George!

I think the SD3 may be under-advertised. Doesn't seem like a lot of people are aware of it, especially accordion players!! Sounds like something I might consider!




[This message has been edited by donpatt (edited 02-13-2008).]

George..... Why does the SD3 say 202 internal styles and the SD5 128 what are the additional styles?
Thanks also for the additional info you posted earlier.

[This message has been edited by JCkeeys (edited 02-13-2008).]

I counted the styles tonight on the SD5. There are 202.
I even played a few patterns I found on an old floppy from SD1. They worked great.
After the second night, I liked the SD5 even more. George does have some good points, but the SOUND is sooooo good!
I will be tied up all day tomorrow with 3 jobs,
but I will post some songs asap.
As long as Audya is less than a new car, I'll have one!
It's all about priorities!
DonM

I think the 128 styles was a typographical error. I think the number 128 was meant to be for the polyphony. The SD5 and SD3 have 128 note polyphony and both have exactly the same numbers of styles.

------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

Thank You George and Don!!!

Don ... Your comments are pushing me toward the SD5!!! I know what you mean there is something about the Ketron sounds that separate them from the rest of the herd! Not better (maybe some are).. just a "different" flavor.

Exactly!
BTW my hard drive and cable are on the way.
They should be here Monday.
DonM

DonM

Compared to the other boards you've owned, how do the country and jazz/swing styles stack up? That's the two groups i'd be most interested in. Also how abt a good clean electric country guitar? Can't find one on my PA2X!

Thanks,
Don P

Country-Western styles a excellent, probably the best of any of the keyboards I've had.
The Swing and Jazz styles are a little limited, but the ones that are there are very good. Of course all the SD1 styles are available, and I remember some really good ones.
I'll be able to load them the first of the week.
DonM

Double post
Sorry

[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 02-15-2008).]

]Hi Donpatt,
have you considered midiing a soundmodule up to your PA2X for additional melody sounds?? Unless of course you're after additional styles as well, in which case disregard my comment.

I've had the sd2 soundmodule & my sd1 midied to my PA800. I did a bit of a write up http://www.createsongstyles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=56
best wishes
Rikki




[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 02-15-2008).]

Hi Don
As you recall, the SD1 had a neat feature 'To end' that Ketron 'dropped' on the SD5. This 'short ending' has, for some songs, been quite helpful for me. Do you find this a problem with the SD5-or is it ok because the first 'end' on the SD5 is shorter than the first 'end' on the SD1?

I guess it follows that if you load in SD1 styles into the SD5 you simply have intro/end
1,2,3 -and thats its-'to end' is simply not available-right?

Thanks!

For the most part, the Ending 1 on the SD5 is very similar to the "To End" ending on the SD1.

Thanks Glen!

Thanks DonM for info

Thanks for the link Rikki, I have read your setup.

I am amazed at your technical skills, both w/sd2 setup and some of your style creation. I loved the beguine style you did for PA800.

I guess I'm amazed that on a board such as the PA2X, supposedly the "top of the line", that one would have to ad anything. But, I find some of the sounds and some of the styles really bad. Especially the C&W styles and the Guitar sounds.

I guess I'm one of the guys who expects everything to be perrfect right out of the box. WELL, that didn't happen!

So far, I'm fairly disappointed in the PA2X in that regard.

Regards,

Hi Donpatt,
thank you for the compliment on the beguine still. Must admit it is one I'm really happy with, but it's really only just a PSR/PA800 hybrid. Guitar & Bass tracks are from a psr . Balance ( except for Intro/Ending 1 ) is all from the korg beguine style, yet they sound different.

I luv my PA800, but I must admit the sounds on my SD1+ are richer. Since my setup is only used at home I have the luxury of midiing the 2 keyboards together & I have the option of using the sd1 sounds for melody parts, whilst using the PA800 to play the style tracks. If it wasn't for the fact that I already own the sd1+ , I may well have considered buying the sd3 arranger module.
The country styles are a bit sparse on the korg. I've heard it mentioned it focuses more on modern styles?? whatever that means.

If I come across any country stuff ( that's useable), I'll let you know.

best wishes
Rikki

The SD5 has REALLY been through a workout in the past week. Thursday (Valentine's Day), Friday and Saturday the club was jammed packed for nearly six hours, so good ol Don played the six hours each night.
Tonight, Tuesday, an impromptu jam session developed, with SemiLive Music, HankB, Joe Lee Richards, Billy Ledbetter, and several others taking turns on vocals and guitar, along with me on the SD5.
These pros, and the audience alike, were blown away by the realistic sounds of the Ketron.
I suppose the difference is that it is exciting to play. It's like having a live band backing you. There is something different from the SD1. To me it just sounds better.
I received the hard drive and cable today but haven't had a chance to install them yet, so I've been using just styles that were included on the keyboard. I have found very little missing.
If Ketron updates the display, interface and storage options with the introduction of the Audya, It will HAVE to be in a class of its own. But I AM prejudiced!
For now I am really happy. My PSR S900, as good as it is, and with all the wonderful features and sounds it has, is relegated to backup status.
DonM

Don.....great to hear your enjoying the SD5...WOW to put the S900 in the closets says alot ....Not that I'm surprised as an ex Ketron SD1,Midjay,XD9,X1 player I can
attest to the super sounds & styles...hope to hear some songs soon when you get a chance....my only concerns with the Audya is that I hope they aren't releasing it to soon & will work out the bugs....& try to produce some quality professional Demos videos.....& also include instructional DVDs so people can learn the OS which is a bit different then others.


I'm waiting for someone else here on SZ to reveal their New SD5

Sooooooooooooooooo Don how we doing with the SD5 so far now that you have experienced it a while.

I like it a lot, especially for the way I use it. It has that live band sound. I even played a job Sunday with just the onboard speakers. They sound really good.
The styles on board are strong in Country and old R&R, a little short in number on BB and Swing. However styles from the SD1 work fine.
I talked to George Kaye this week and he thinks the SD1 styles sound better on the SD1 than on the SD5, and that may well be true. Since he has them side by side, he should be able to tell.
However, I can't tell that there is any difference, better or worse. I can only go by my recordings from when I had an SD1.
There are many things about the layout and operating system that I love, and of course some that could be improved. I am becoming very comfortable with it, and have many, many compliments from the audiences and other entertainers alike.
I look forward to playing the Audya when it is finished!! I think we will have the SOUND and up-to-date operating features combined.
Still hoping to have a demo model at the Shreveport Jam in April. If there is one in the U. S. it will be there.
DonM

Here's a song I recorded on the job last night with the SD5. Mistakes and all. You can hear some of the sounds, including vocal processing and harmonizer, and also hear one of the Riffs. www.donmasonmusic.com/CantYouSee.mp3
DonM

I just wish Ketron would allow you to program your own chord sequences for the Riffs. I'd be on it like a flash...

How can anyone like the Riffs feature, and not be an addict for the old Roland Chord Sequencer? Same thing, except YOU get to chose how long the riff is, what chords it uses, and when it kicks fills and changes feels. Oh, and you do it all live, no pre-programming necessary...

A bend lever addict's dream come true...

Don,

You make the SD-5 shine The harmonizer is perfect.

It made me sound like a clown, but it's perfectly matched to your style play - great listen

zuki

Zuki ...in no way are you a clown, but maybe just a little more patience even a couple of weeks could make you think differently about some units you auditions & switched in haste. As you can see by your SD5 comments vs Dons demo just leaves people scratching their heads. Glad you enjoying your Pa800.

Don, sounds great, but what pattern is that?

That's it, Mason. I'm dumping this damn SD-5 NOW! (just kidding!).

I tried to sing and use ther harmonizer, but mine sounds more like Mickey Mouse on acid!


Good work, bud!


Russ

Glenn, it was either Funky 1 or Funky 2, in the Pop category.
Russ, I will have to send you my harmonizer settings. Basically, it's just one-voice-above, with levels adjusted a little.
Thanks guys,
DonM

Don great stuff are there any more songs ....different styles /sounds etc that you have recorded thus far on the Sd5?

"Switched in haste" - Please don't go there again

The SD-5 is not suited for my style and will never be - it irritates me to hear about giving up! It makes me out to be incompetent and I'm everything but that.

I am not the ONLY one who doesn't like the SD-5, so head scratching is limited to a few

However, the PA800 is a dream machine and as you recall, I thought it had great promise, unlike the SD-5 or G70.

This board will get me to a new level. You gave up on that too - I think you made a big mistake. Wanna buy me 900? Ditching it by 4/1/08.

I bet UD understands me....

zuki



[This message has been edited by zuki (edited 03-13-2008).]

Zuki zuki zuki.....although I do change alot of my KB's as everyone well knows, at least I give them a fighting chance on stage of a month or two..with that said,
I really cant continue until you post a few tunes or email me a demo so we can share info together on our styles because that's the missing piece in the puzzle & I'm not alone in that thinking either but it does pull it all together in understanding where your coming from....so until then I will refrain from this type of posting anymore.... thanx for the S900 offer but I'm already going in another direction.
BTW, Can I ask why you are now getting rid of your beloved Yamaha S900 on the Buy/Sell forum to trade for another PA800 I thought you loved the Yammy SA sounds & Styles for your shows, medleys etc, etc, ?

enjoy



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 03-13-2008).]

Just pullin your leg, Don. Didn't try the harmonizer, although I recently found two old Pe 585 Shures (the ones with a screw-on connection and 1/4" high impedence jack-bought about 1968) in the dungeon I call my warehouse. They both work, but know it would be hard to find a replacement cord.

Russ (soon, I'll be singing with myself....)

Zuki, I know where you're coming from. The PA800 and I couldn't speak the same language, hard as I tried.
I would have kept G70 if it were 15 pounds lighter probably.
DNJ, I will post some more samples when I get time. I have lots.
DonM

Don,

It's funny how boards are suited best for each individual. You and I are light years apart in our playing styles, so it's no wonder why we choose different.

I do also believe there are lemons. I think the SD-5 and the G-70 were lemons.

This 800 I have now is truly perfect in every way for me - no glitches, easy OS (easier than Yamaha) and sounds terrific in every way. I don't even enjoy the 900 anymore.

zuki

Zuki
Thanks for selling me a lemon.
Bernie
ps
Just kidding, it's perfect

Zuki maybe not for you as you say, but Definitely NOT "Lemons".....as there are many people love & perform with these keyboards for a living day after day proving over & over they are suitable & very successful tools for sure.