Dikki & Keybplayer:- When we designed the MS series and introduced GROOVES, we followed with a good library of styles with new GROOVES (MS100/60/50&40). When we developed the X and SD series, we repeated this. In that same Ketron tradition, we will follow with a new library of styles with Audio parts incorporated for Audya too - have no fear about this - it's what we do.

As far as repairs go, we’ll utilize our current and future dealer network in the US. I’ll get the cases the dealers can’t handle (same situation existed with Bell Douvox [previous US Ketron distributors]) – and our turn-around time will still remain faster than most of our competitors (usually 5 business days or less).

Dnj:- Yes, these demos are a lot better than those we did about 1-2 years ago. The unit I used on Youtube was a prototype (basically only had the new GM sounds and very limited guitar loops). The unit I used on the demos (some anyway) utilize the full Production AUDYA – what yours will sound like were you to purchase one in January. You may disregard the previous demos you’ve heard to date! Also, we didn’t use RIFF mode in these demos (as we did on the SD5) as we wanted to represent the keyboard to the best of our capability – how it would perform out of the box!

to the genesys:- Third party audio loops (AKAI, WAVE ..etc) will be able to be imported and used with current/new styles. However, there will be some ‘work’ required in advance to ‘mate’ the audio loops to the style in question. You will also be able to (in the same light) create your own audio loops. We will eventually provide software that will assist end-users with this process.

Diki:- Your contrast between Computer terminology and good Music/Sound got me laughing hard … and I’m still laughing about how you wrote what you wrote ... well noted.

Thank you AJ, looking forward to trying one out. When is the release date? and when do you think the manual will be on Ketron's website?

Thanks, Mario

Aj thanx for the update ...I would remove the old Demos on you tube till you can do new ones....aside from that let me know when you have one at the Lab so we can come check it out asap & have some cheesesteaks also OK?

dp

I agree with Donny.., take those old videos down! Let people hear what it sounds like now. Don't follow Roland's trail on this one.., as there are some TERRIBLE company sponsored GW-8 videos still out there..., and the comments were UGLY...

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 12-08-2008).]

AJ,

possible to add some more "latin" demos

i LOVE this new stuff,

i was particularly interested in hearing teh Cumbia, Bacjhata, Merengue, Soca, Bolero, Passo Doble, Waltz, and the like....

Well that clears some things up.. Thanks AJ.

This is very good news indeed i.e. >> aftermarket audio styles will be produced by Ketron, the ability to load Akai samples and new software to help synchronize imported akai and wave samples to new or existing audio styles with Audya sound engine/OS, and finally, a "solid" release date of January '09.

The icing on the cake would be an affordable price point upon release. I realize Ketron needs to recoup R&D for the Audya and also to make a reasonable profit beyond recouped R&D. But a special "introductory" price would sure go a long way to get the ball rolling once the Audya is released to the public in January. >> I'm not trying to strong arm Ketron of course, I just want them to be aware - as if they're not already, right? - that the world economy has tanked big time and people are holding onto their assets tighter than ever. To get them warmed up to the idea of peeling the fingers off their hard earned cash it may be necessary for Ketron to come in with a low ball price on the Audya and then make up for it after the Audya has gained in popularity and in overall sales. Roland did that very thing with the new Fantom G workstation.

>> So what I am trying to say is hopefully the sticker shock won't be too awfully upsetting, severe, and mind numbing to the masses.

Best,
Mike


[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-08-2008).]

I would look forward to at least
$3495-$4000 retail for all this wonderful new technology and that is a bargain.

Hey AJ, I just thought I'd throw it out there that if you need another guy to make the audio loops, I'd be interested in auditioning for the job. I play a number of instruments, and might be particularly useful in country and bluegrass styles, where arrangers typically sound pretty bad in my opinion.

I'd still like to hear a MB/sec figure on loading Akai (is that samples or whole multisamples?) and .wav files. For an arranger player, speed is the MOST important consideration, with the 'any song, any time' ethos we have. You can't load everything up in advance you need, because, if you are in a request type scenario, you don't KNOW what you'll need...

AJ?

And thanks for your comment. Some people just don't get it. Geeks don't buy arrangers. MUSICIANS buy arrangers.

Are the audio files (Loops) streamed direct from disc, or do they need to be loaded into Ram first.

Is the CPU bespoke or standard computer

Also don’t forget that 95% of arrangers are bought by Home Players, where ease of operation is paramount.

From what I have heard so far most of it sounds great, so cant wait to hear what it really sounds like, when I get to try and hear it live. (Mp3s are great for starters, but unless you try and hear it live you haven’t got a cat in hells chance of really knowing what it sounds like)

Regards

Bill