It's out! Check with your local dealers for availability in your area.

Manual (Quick Start) also available at www.ketron.it

Happy holidays!!

just in time for those who wondered what Christmas gift should they get...

AJ,
Any US pricing yet?
Hammer

So AJ. How much you gonna allow me on my Fantom G7 trade? How much is the thing, anyway?

chas

Looks like my contact information was right on the money...

I fired off an email to CMC distributors in New York asking about the price and if there are any distributors on the West Coast. I will let the group know of any details if I get an answer from them.

All the best,
Mike

As an Engineer for the company if you asked me what processor we used, how much memory ... etc, I could (within company guidelines) answer that. As for price, that's out of my department. You'll have to check with your prospective distributors/dealers.
Thanks,
AJ

The Audya is not in America as of yet, it still is a few weeks away.

There has also been no actually price announced for America either.

Frank


------------------
www.AudioworksCT.com
203.876.1133

Utterly amazing... Even the Audya Manual doesn't say whether the Audya's USB interface is 1.1 or 2.0.

Ketron! AJ! Anyone from Ancona, Italy who can speak english!! Please!!! For the sake of potential customers who might be interested in the Audya!! Can any of you PLLEEEAAAASSSSSEEEEEE!!!! answer the question regarding the USB interface on the Audya??... Is it USB 1.1 or USB 2.0???

If I don't get a definitive answer, then the Ketron Audya will "definitely" be off my short list for potential arranger purchases.

Shame on Ketron for not divulging the truth about the Audya's USB interface! How dare you NOT answer the question put before you Ketron! Do you not want to sell the Audya in significant numbers? Or are you afraid if you tell people the Audya's USB interface is USB 1.1 that a more substantial amount of your potential customers will be hesitant to purchase it? Good grief!! Talk about shady business practices. And apparently, all for the sake of money no less...

That means I'll have to wait three more years and see if the Tyros4 will include a 76 key version, or perhaps in between now and then, whether Roland or Korg will come through with another totl 76 key offering.

>> I'm really disappointed in Ketron (Duh! [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/biggrin.gif[/img]) for their willing and apparently premeditative effort in obfuscating the truth about the Audya's USB interface... I will NOT do business with a company that keeps secrets about any of their products specs and/or features. PS: I hope you guys at Ketron can sleep okay at night. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Sorry for the rant, but it is very obvious to me anyway, that Ketron is hiding something and they obviously don't want people to be aware of certain things about the Audya's features that could potentially hinder its sales. That's the ONLY reason I can think of as to why they don't release this pertinent information i.e. = because the Audya only has USB 1.1 and Ketron is hoping that people won't care enough about that particular shortcoming of the Audya for them not to purchase one. Which some people wouldn't care I suppose [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/rolleyes.gif[/img] but if anyone has cared to notice: "we are in the 21st Century", and furthermore, USB 3.0 should be readily available within a year or so. Thus rendering the Audya not only obsolete upon its release date, but most likely severally depreciated in value on the open market by 2010 - if not before. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/wink.gif[/img]

Merry Christmas! [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/biggrin.gif[/img]

All the best,
Mike


[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-19-2008).]

Whoa! Take a chill! I'd assume that we're talking about USB2. Yamaha is the only company that tries to short change when it comes to technology. I doubt you could even still buy the parts for USB1...

So, what's the big deal even if it's "only" USB 1.1?

Lot's of possabilities as far as I can see:

HARD DISK: 80 GB ATA 2.5”.
USB: 2 USB host + 1 USB device.
MASS STORAGE DEVICES: USB sticks, USB floppy disks, MP3 players, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, HD.

Just now I would like to know when we will se any items here in Scandinavia, and also
to what price the consumers have to pay.
If the high price level predicted are correct, it most be a h*** of a keyboard to make
me choose it instead of i.e. both PA2X Pro and a Tyros 3 for the same amount of money!

I think I start with a closer look at the downloaded 'quick start manual'

GJ

Just so you know ... the document on our website is a QUICK GUIDE/START and not the full/complete MANUAL. The complete manual will be put up soon.

So if it sounds like crap but has USB 2 then it's ok? Yes, i'm sure Ketron is hiding something, it still uses 5.25 inch floppy disks. They had a whole bunch left over that they want to unload on the general public. Can you find something actually worth obsessing about. Wow!

Tom

[QUOTE]Originally posted by frankieve:
[B]The Audya is not in America as of yet, it still is a few weeks away.

There has also been no actually price announced for America either.

Frank


-------------------- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/575040-REG/Ketron_AUDYA_AUDYA_76_Key_Advanced_Music.html

quoted as $5599.00 ( NY city)

Whoa! Think I'll wait and buy Donny's.



chas

Un-freakin'-believable!

You go all ballistic about USB1 or 2, which won't make the slightest bit of difference in a live situation (you've got a friggin' 80GB ATA HD, fer' Pete's sake!), but you don't ask Question #1 about which different chords the Audio loops have recorded (maj, min, dim, maj7, min(maj7), aug, 7(#9), etc.)...?

Are you a computer geek or a MUSICIAN?

My bet would be the former...

It's-the-End-of-the-World-as-We-Know-It!(tm)

LOL

over $5K?

NO WAY

it's gotta be in low $4k or less if Ketron wants to sell a good amount...and compete with Roland, Korg, Yamaha

Do we all have memories THAT short?

Doesn't anyone remember what happened to 'home organs' before they went extinct (in any practical sense of the word)?

Yep... they got expensive as hell, as fewer and fewer people used them, and the only market the manufacturers could make a living from (and still is, today, in fact) was wealthy retirees with more sense than money and a nostalgia for the instruments they learned on.

Remember how most of us scoffed at the last organ holdouts, as they payed 5 figure prices for things that any passable arranger, synth or WS could outperform? Welcome to THEIR world!

Either the arranger manufacturers have to do SOMETHING to attract the younger players that are changing (or not even playing to begin with) to WS's en masse, or the Audya's price is only the START...

Chas that ain't gonna happen sorry.....
I dont need an audya for my needs, the price isn't a factor.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 12-19-2008).]

Hi everyone,
http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHO...rYAAAEZhFlFop5T &dynamicNavigation=true

Henni

Merely curious, but what do any of you that have played Ketron's layout (especially SD-1) think of the location of the bend and mod levers?

I have only played 88's in this configuration (above the keyboard), but never felt comfortable with the location. Does a 76 make this any more comfortable? I use the levers (or wheels) a LOT, and felt, at least on the 88's that my body position was all wrong, too stretched out in the left arm or too moved in with the right...

Any other bender addicts out there?

Awkward and not user friendly.. The best are the "joystick" type, as per the G70 and the PA series.

Much easier in both placement and in use.

I see Ketron have kept quite a few hardware designs from the SD range..No touch screen tech, so it will make updates pretty small, and probably "bugs" only.

Dennis

I don't quite get that, Dennis... why would a touch screen make any difference to updates? It IS still a screen, not a physical panel layout, so the buttons that surround the screen can be as easily re-tasked to do new functions as a touch screen can (or almost!).

And re. the bender... I don't mind whether it is wheels or joysticks or levers. I can pretty much make any of them work. It's the LOCATION that I can't handle. Even a Roland lever, in the position that Ketron use would probably be awkward for me, whereas wheels, where Roland puts the lever, present no problems.

Perhaps it is just an effort to reduce the size of the case (it's not THAT much wider than a T3!) and keep the weight down, in the assumption that most arranger players are WAY too busy playing the chords with their LH to need to use the bender all that much

But then they go and stick a bunch of SMF and MP3 players on them... Oops!

I understand the importance of USB 2.0 personally would see it as a must have requirement for such a keyboard.

Nevertheless going balistic just gets you nowhere...



[This message has been edited by Bachus (edited 12-20-2008).]

Well...I just CAREFULLY listened to all the Audya demo's at the Ketronit site.
I must say the realism of the sounds blows me away.
Beats the H out of my PA2 AND the T2 I used to have.

What is the situation as far as styles availbility on Ketron?

Based on the demos ( I would want to ply one in person first) I want to get one...but, It may cost too much.

I am BIG on realistic, quality sounds with NO quality issues.

If it's around $4,000 (US)street price I may jump,

Lee

I thought the demos were good too.., but my only issue was that IMO Ketron needs to catch up a bit in terms of Sax sounds. With Yammie's SA voices.., and Korg's latest OS including voices that behave like Yamaha's SA voices..., I think Ketron is a little behind the game in this area. I've yet to hear a Ketron sax that blows me away.

Ketron is a small company and the R & D for the Audya probably cost them a tidy fortune (Particularly with the sliding release dates) so it’s unrealistic to expect it to be cheap. (The big 3 probably spend more on bottled water in a year, then ketrons entire yearly budget)

Can’t wait to try it myself, however it won’t probably be until the Festivals in April/May (This also has the advantage of being able to try the rest side by side with it)

BTW Roland released the prototype E80 at Blackpool, (3 months before launch) so who knows there may be another one added to the bunch.

Regards

Bill

Wait 6 months more then see what any users are saying pro/con.........lets see if any bugs show up........what's the rush?....maybe sales figures after that will lower price for anyone interested....dont be a guinea pig

4,190.00 EUR = 5,833.95 USD

What I downloaded from the Ketron website said "Manual - Quick Guide". So are you saying this is NOT the "real" manual? Although don't bother answering AJ cause I know you won't anyway.

Yes, to me USB 2.0 means something. It won't mean very much to a lot of people who would never use the Sampler (which may be a significant number of arranger players) but USB 2.0 would also come in handy when you use the Audya with a computer for other purposes. It's just unfathomable and even unconscionable, in my opinion, that Ketron refuses to answer this simple, yet very legitimate and pertinent question I have put before them.

If Ketron is underhanded by refusing to answer a simple question about the Audya's USB interface what makes you think they will be above board after you purchase an Audya and need to call them and ask them questions over the phone? Will they give you a straight answer over the phone or will they continue their secretive ways and withhold other valuable information from you about the Audya even after you've purchased it? Let's hope not, right? What guarantee would you have though when they've already demonstrated a propensity to hide other valuable information about the Audya from the general public? Food for thought anyway...

Ketron lost a potential buyer of their flagship Audya by their persistent refusal to answer legitimate questions about the Audya. I hope they're proud of themselves. I know I sure am. NOT!!

And I don't blame AJ or Ted because they are just following orders from Ketron headquarters in Ancona, Italy. Swell guys those Italians...

All the best,
Mike

[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-20-2008).]

We already knew this, Everyone wants the best but is surprised at what that will cost them if indeed it is so.

You complain about price??
Oh well, here it's listed in webshop to N.Kr.53450! That's US$7635 or €5938 at the currency of today.
Here yan buy both Tyros 3 and PA2X Pro, or two SD1 for that money and still have a few cents to spend
elsewhere.
So Audya has to be at least twice as good as one of the others to defend the gap.

USB 1.1 may cause you have to use a few seconds more to transfer files, that's may be a big problem for
you, but I doubt it will be much problem for the most of us.
I think we will see other problems pop up who need to be sorted out rather than worry about the USB ....

Regarding future support from Ketron, I think they will carry on with great support as before. To me
they sure did a great and rapid job when I needed help to solve SD1 problems.

GJ

Btw, AJ already wrote:

QUOTE:
Just so you know ... the document on our website is a QUICK GUIDE/START and not the full/complete MANUAL. The complete manual will be put up soon.
END QUOTE

I'm very excited about the Audya, I know allot of companies have them posted on their websites for pre-orders, I have been very fair with Synthzone members with prices and info.

I will let everyone when they are available in the US, so far there is NO officially US info on Price

------------------
www.AudioworksCT.com
203.876.1133

SQUEAK: http://www.ketron.it/mp3/audya_new/Alto%20Sax%20(exercise).mp3
http://www.ketron.it/mp3/audya_new/Tenor%20Club%201.mp3

Chony.., thanks for posting those.., but I have to say I still don't think either of those saxes are up to par with Yamaha's SA saxes.., and even Korgs revised DNC sounds. Both the Yamaha and Korg have much more going on with the sax sound in terms of natural nuances. The Ketron still IMO has some catching up to do. They sound good, but IMO not as good as Yammie's and Korg's.....

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 12-20-2008).]

As an owner of both the T2 and T3, I would have to disagree with you. The Ketron might not have those tiny nuances like the button clicks, but quite frankly when you're playing with a style out of a sound system in a hall, those nuances aren't noticeable anyway.

Overall, I think the Ketron sax is a better sounding sax...

Agreed....& that goes for any arranger.

I agree too, and at the end it is a matter of personal preferences.
The arranger part of the Audya sounds much better than Yamaha or any other brands. If this comes at the expense of some SA sax voices, then I'd gladly take it.

At the tune of six G notes it ought to sound better then the rest, right? Of course, along with that "much better sound" you also get an antiquated USB 1.1 to go along with it. Makes your day doesn't it?

Seriously, who me?? - the Ketron Audya, even though apparently lacking USB 2.0, won't be a deterrent for most people who may be considering the Audya because most people (that play arrangers anyway) don't usually delve into the "workstation" aspects of their arrangers. We already know that probably 80 percent or so of totl arranger players in this country and abroad are in their 40's and up. If you don't believe me just take a gander at the Pakefield keyboard festival in the U.K. and you will get a general consensus of who plays arrangers (in the U.K. anyway.. ). So I'm guessing Ketron probably understands the logistics of who tends to buy and continue to buy totl arrangers, which are mostly old fogies who could care less about the technical side of their totl "workstation" arranger keyboards. In seeing this trend, Ketron probably decided that USB 2.0 was NOT needed in the Audya because most people who purchased one would never take advantage of the higher data transfer rated USB 2.0 vs. measly USB 1.1. The cost associated with implementing USB 2.0 on the Audya vs. USB 1.1 is probably negligible, but why implement it at all if the majority of Audya owners will never take advantage of it anyway? The few who would take advantage of it doesn't factor into the equation for Ketron because they are looking at it from the "majority who won't" point of view. So Ketron saves a few bucks and everybody is happy except a few in the 'minority' who Ketron refuses to take into consideration at all apparently. And I say apparently because Ketron i.e. (AJ, Ted, and ketron HQ in Ancona Italy) are still staying as tight lipped as ever when anyone brings this topic up or mentions it at all.

You would think, though, that having forked over $6,000 + for a keyboard (including tax, VAT, etc.) that the Audya would include today's "standard" in USB interface technology, instead of an antiquated and obsolete one i.e. USB 1.1.

But like I said, most everybody is happy anyway (fat, dumb, and happy perhaps?? ) and as long as the Audya sounds superior to that of the competition and it has 76 keys and weighs under 40 lbs it should still sell fairly well (minus to one arranger keyboardist in So. Calif. ) - even at the exorbitant price Ketron is asking for it.

All the best,
Mike


[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-21-2008).]

Why assume?.....lets just wait till it comes out & we get real reviews from users first hand before the so called experts play Mr. know it all....at any price its worth a little patience.....playing fortune teller never works out

Are you sure about the Ketron being USB 1? After promulgating all these theories of why Ketron has used USB 1, you'd better have a good apology if you're proved wrong...

I'd be worried first "how it sounds" & how ALL the "features work" with your needs before what usb1 or 2 is used.

Agree 100%

Dennis

Chony,
Well, I agree with you on that Audya sax. It sounds very realistic, and I liked it in the demo. Maybe not as fancy featured? But sounded very nice. I also like the T3 SA2 sax. The Korg sax and new dnc sax is nice too but the dnc sax is made of the same factory samples on the PA as the original, and they have serious sound quality issues that bug me!

We'll see/hear what the Audya really sounds like soon! Then we will know, vs MP3 factory demo's

Lee

You're absolutely right. How it stacks up in the sound department is priority one. Everything else trickles down from that juncture as far as what is relative in importance on the keyboard itself. USB 1.1 or 2.0 is just one blip on the radar screen but with USB 2.0 being a louder blip then 1.1 in my opinion.

The only reason I'm theorizing that the Audya will have USB 1.1 is because when the topic is brought up (by me mostly, I admit.. ) and is directed at Ketron in the form of a question, (which also expects an answer by the way), the ensuing silence is deafening indeed. For whatever reason AJ, Ted, and the Ketron clan down in Ancona Italy seem to have a morbid fear of answering that question when it is put before them i.e. "does the Audya have USB 2.0?" >> I don't think that is an "out of bound" question to ask them, do you guys? Why won't they answer that specific question is my real beef. AJ and Ted have answered many other questions put before them (all cleared beforehand by ketron Italy of course) , yet they won't answer that "specific" question regarding the USB interface on the Audya.

Sure, there are many other important things about the Audya that need to come to light and AJ, for the most part, has answered some, if not many, of those previously unanswered questions. Yet when USB 1.1 vs. USB 2.0 is brought up you would have thought I was asking Ketron to march blindfolded in a straight line off a cliff - OR - demanding they give every Audya that is produced away for free. Although that second one sounds like a pretty good idea to me, don't you?

Nevertheless, even though we joke about it the question regarding USB 1.1 vs. 2.0 should command as much respect as any and every other question that has been posed to Ketron about the Audya. Yet, nothing.... chirp..chirp..chirp (crickets in the background), dead silence, nothing, nada, zilch, goose egg - from Ketron. Their lips continue to be sealed for some unfathomably 'strange', and I do mean STRANGE reason. Which is not really a "legitimate" reason at all. But still baffling nonetheless, at least to me anyway.

So, if Ketron is refusing to answer this simple, sincere, question posed to them; the only reason I can honestly think of as to why they continue NOT to respond is that the Audya will indeed have USB 1.1 and Ketron is so ashamed of that fact that they'd rather not answer the question at all, fearing also that it might hinder sales of the Audya once it has been released to the public.

OTOH, maybe it's just me. Maybe they feel threatened by my intrusive, abrasive, and hard hitting questions I have posed to them. Which is strange in itself, because formerly (when the Audya was first announced a couple years ago) and even fairly recently, I had been touting Ketron as a company to people in other keyboard forums on the Net and also lauding the Audya as a revolutionary music making device i.e. = as a breakthrough advancement in keyboard technology. And this is the reward I get for trying to pump them up?? Silence from them?? Thanks but no thanks. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/frown.gif[/img]

Consequently, I will never purchase a Ketron product EVER, period. Am I angry?? Nah, not really angry. I'm just disappointed in Ketron as a company on the whole. Therefore I cannot trust them with my money, sad to say. They have lost my respect as a public entity, which when you think about it, all public entities (companies) have been, and are, created for the sole purpose of serving the public i.e. the consumer - you and me. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/smile.gif[/img] Unfortunately, by Ketron's refusal (denial) to answer legitimate questions posed to them about one (or more) of their products, goes contrary and in direct opposition to what they were created for in the first place i.e.= to serve the public and the public's interest. Which Ketron has obviously failed to do in my humble opinion.

All the best,
Mike

[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-21-2008).]

Hi Mike

Why are you singling out ketron, all manufactures do exactly the same things when they launch new boards, (They give you snippets, but until well after launch some simple questions don’t get answered)

Take Tyros 3 and USB 2, before launch speculation was rife as to whether it would have USB 2 or not, with no information coming from Yamaha
It was finally confirmed at the Pakefield keyboard Festival, (But you had to be there to get this information) where Tyros 3 was launched before anywhere else.

If memory serves correct, I also don’t think Korg confirmed the USB speeds until the launch of their latest keyboards.

So come on, don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Regards

Bill

Well I would have to say just because Ketron does not answer you questions fast enough you go on a rant about USB speed. Did you send a Email to CMC or Ketron Italy? Also the manual on Ketron's webpage does say quick start, QS is edited version just to get your feet wet. The keyboard was just released in Italy this past week and I'm sure rest of Europe soon to follow with in the coming weeks. I do't really care if you do buy one or not, but I would have to say impatient customers or non-customers like yourself need to relax because all your questions will be answered. Let the keyboard hit the states and I'm sure one of the dealers will answer all of your questions.

Hi all,

Yes, I agree fully. Let's give Ketron a fair chance before bashing it with all sorts of ill comments.

They really did a break through here and being the first of anything has it's complications like i.e. the price.

Never the less, should I be in a position to afford it, I would not even think twice before purchasing one.

Well done Ketron - I look forward to being another one of your customers.

Henni

I have sent an email to CMC but it was regarding a different matter. As far as sending an email to Ketron in Italy, can they speak English?? I also thought that the presence here of AJ and Ted or some other Ketron employee lurking on the Zone should be sufficient to get a response. AJ and Ted have seen my questions no doubt, but they refuse to respond. As I've said before, if indeed the Audya has USB 2.0 Ketron would be gushing all over letting everybody on Synth Zone or any other keyboard forum know of that fact. You know, like a proud papa spouting the good news of his new born son. Since there is no "proud papa" spilling the beans, (and by proud papa I mean Ketron) I am almost 100% convinced by Ketron's inaction to answer the question that the Audya won't have USB 2.0 but rather will have the antiquated and obsolete USB 1.1 interface.

Again, I'm not blaming AJ or Ted because they have to follow Ketron Italy's orders on what and what not to speak about or else they could face termination from their jobs. The sole culprit in all of this is Ketron Italy, who for whatever reason, are hiding this information from becoming public. And again, the only reason I can think of as to why they don't make it public is because the Audya will not have USB 2.0. Why else would they NOT answer that particular question when I have been asking it for about two solid years in a row now? AJ and Ted have answered tons of other questions but they remain silent on the question of USB 2.0.

As far as checking the Audya out once it arrives on U.S. soil, I don't see how I could try it out without having to drive 3,000 miles (6,000 round trip) to New York where CMC is located. Ketron doesn't even have a distributor on the West Coast.

I also checked the Audya Manual - Quick Start guide where the specifications ARE listed and there is NO MENTION of USB 2.0 in the specs. Now, if even the Specifications List doesn't mention the Audya as having USB 2.0, what else are we (the consumers) suppose to rely on to get the final YES or NO from? Ketron won't tell us, the Specifications in the Manual - Quick Start guide doesn't tell us; therefore, how are we going to find out? Will the full Manual specifications be different than the specifications in the Manual - Quick Start guide? I wouldn't think so. So we're basically back to square one on the USB question i.e. = don't know, and will never know unless Ketron relents and answers the question put before them. So the people who purchase an Audya may have a great sounding 76 key totl arranger on their hands, but some of its mode of operation will still remain a mystery to them. I, for one, don't want to be left in the dark about a certain aspect of a keyboard's fundamental mode of operation before I purchase a particular keyboard. And especially after forking over 6 Grand (w/tax) for an Audya.

All the best,
Mike

Mike I think TWO Tyros 2's (gotta have backup) would suit your needs better for that money ....& you'll have a some left over to take the Mrs. to a show & dinner & weekend at a 5 Star Hotel.......
don't stress yourself too much its Christmas time!

Well, probably better than you can speak Italian!
Why don't you try contact them before use such remarks? To me they replied
perfectly and understandable in english even if my request (as always) was
in very bad english language. :P

Cheers
GJ

It obvious that you didn’t do your homework, listed below are dealers from Ketron usa website which are located in California. Also maybe if you put the same effort in to researching a keyboard as you bash them, you will probably find all the answers you need and yes, they do speak English very well actually.

BOUN'S MUSIC
5 HARRISON CT
EL SOBRANTE, CA 94803
Phone No: 510-917-7400

CALIFORNIA MUSIC CO
4322 GALLAGHER ROAD
RIO OSA, CA 95674
Phone No: 530-633-4487

FREEDOM GUITAR
6334 EL CAJON BLVD.
SAN DIEGO, CA 92115
Phone No: 619-265-0577 www.freedomguitar.com

JIM'S MUSIC CENTER
14120 CULVER DR. SUITE J
IRVINE, CA 92604
Phone No: 949-552-4280 www.jimsmusic.com

KAYE'S MUSIC SCENE
19369 VICTORY BLVD
RESEDA, CA 91335
Phone No: 818-881-5566 www.kayesmusicscene.com

MUSIC FOR ALL
16 TIERRA SEGURO
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA 92688
Phone No: 949-766-0071 www.music-instruments.biz

PROFESSIONAL SOUND & MUSIC
4593 MISSION GORGE PLACE
SAN DIEGO, CA 92120
Phone No: 619-583-7851 www.prosound.com

TOBY'S MUSIC
27581 PACHEA TRAIL
HEMET, CA 92544
Phone No: 951-500-0462

Have a Happy Holiday

Sounds great.
Can't wait to see how things go for Ketron with sales. It's a lot of money, but it does look and sound like it's worth every cent.

Regards.
James.

PS. Shame about the awful amateur website though. It's like a poor "fan boys" website rather than an official company site.

James,

Happy Holidays to you & yours!

enjoy it!

dp

I respect the whole "Please answer my questions" stuff, after all everyone can do what he likes, but what is the problem about the USB?

If it indeed is 1.1, so, it takes longer to get a sample in, the first time...doesn't Audya has a hard drive? After the first time, it will load from a hard drive. How many megabytes in a sample? 64MB.... it won't take more than 2 mins on USB 1.1, right?

And if it continues to be problem, the whole thing could have been:

"I contacted Ketron about USB specs and still I don't have an answer... I suspect the Audya is USB 1.1 and they won't answer my questions in fear they will lose sales. I don't like that and have lost my faith in the company, I will not buy their products."

Trident you are correct, I believe.

The Audya simply uses the USB interface to load samples/other data to the hard drive, and then streams from there.

It does not use the USB port for streaming anything in any live sense (apart from USB midi).

So I would agree that 1.1 or 2 doesn't matter much really.

I can understand when people get frustrated with no response, and AJ and Ketron may be a bit remiss, but I have got to say they are about the same as Korg Italy when it comes to responding to direct questions...

However I suspect they would be frantically trying to get everything through customs and sorted in the states fro NAMM at the moment so he/Ketron may be a bit pre-occupied.

AJ's time would be restricted at the moment and as he also has to reply to ALL the emails getting sent to him by owners of ALL Ketron products (he is the ketrton tech after all), he simply may not have enough time left to log onto the SZ.

I would say that all questions will be answered at NAMM or just after.

Dennis

Does anyone know what this Audya KB does vs a regular arranger KB? It's a bit confusing, do you play some sort of mp3 or smf loops along with the styles? I want to play not be some kind of DJ/Kb player.
Does anyone actually know yet?

This demo with Robert should answer your question:
http://www.audya.ch/video/Messe2008.wmv

You will be able to play this keyboard with styles as any other arranger out there, the
style parts are just real audio in stead
of looped samples.

In addition to this you can also in fact manipulate mp3 and wave and play along with it.

We wont be seing it in USA probably before New Year.

Nedim,

I swear you ARE the Grinch! Grrrr.

I expect to hear some demos and a full review from you after you get yours which I hope will be before the Year turns.

Al





------------------
Al Giordano
Visit us at ARRANGER WORLD! http://www.arrangerworld.com

Korg Pa2xpro, Roland VK8-M, DW Collectors Series Drums, Roland TD-12 Vdrums, Roland SPD-S.

B&H photo - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/575040-REG/Ketron_AUDYA_AUDYA_76_Key_Advanced_Music.html

$5599.00 dont laugh...there are many happy Wersi owners who paid much more

After seeing that price I just did something involuntary..., and messy

Looks like the whole Ketron staff has gone on an extended vacation...

"Due to Christmas holidays, we will be unable to answer your e-mails from December 22nd 2008. The service will be re-opened on January 10th 2009."

You're right in that it's probably not gonna make a whole lot of difference whether it's USB 1.1 OR 2.0. Since the Sampler RAM is only 64MB and can't be expanded [what were they thinking?? ] USB 1.1 should be sufficient. BUT when working with a computer using a DAW software USB 2.0 would be preferable and the method of choice when working with audio files instead of poky USB 1.1.

What has gotten my goat is that Ketron simply ignores the question. Apparently they don't want to spill the beans and I think that shows a side of Ketron, to me anyway, that they are not very consumer friendly. In other words, there way or no way. Do I want to do business with a secretive company that won't answer legitimate questions? Not really.. To each his own though. I'm sure it will be a great arranger. >> If something goes wrong with it though, you may find yourself up a creek without a paddle so to speak. We'll see..

PS: Ketron does "not" have a "distributor" on the West Coast. I took that straight off the Ketron.it website. They do have a few retail shops that supposedly will handle the Audya, but if it needs repair, it appears the Audya will need to be shipped back to CMC in New York. I could be wrong about that though. I've been wrong once or twice before in my life. I'm kidding of course.

All the best,
Mike



[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-23-2008).]

Mike may I ask what with an Audya give you that you dont have now regarding your music?

That's a good question Donny. My Roland Fantom G7 gives me my 76 keys and a whole lot more but it is not an arranger of course. A totl arranger would give me the ability to view lyrics on the LCD screen plus accompaniment including styles, intro's, endings, multi-pads (although with my FG7 I can make my own multi-pads and trigger them using the 16 Pads or the keys themselves if desired).

Having a 76 totl arranger would give me a two tier keyboard approach which would be optimal for me because I would have the best of both worlds under my fingertips. I need them both in 76 keys though so a T3 or E-80 etc., is out of the question.

Hopefully winter NAMM will have some surprises for us arranger players. Maybe from Roland?? I'm expecting Roland to come out with a replacement for the G-70 soon. Shh! Don't tell Diki or Fran! We'll see what transpires at NAMM. If not NAMM then maybe Musikmesse, or if worse comes to worse - summer NAMM '09.

All the best,
Mike

The Discounts begin
http://www.organstudio.co.uk/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=180

Regards

Bill

The Discounts begin
http://www.organstudio.co.uk/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=180

and with the global economic downturn we can probably expect more in 2009

Regards

Bill

£3,399.00 WOW, that's more like it! But unfornately things
happens when pass the borders here, besides of the fact that
the resellers shall make a living as well.
And in this country it looks like they shall have the whole
years tax/income from a single keyboard!

Wonder what price the Italians have to pay, anyone heard the
amount of € , $ or Lire they have to dig up for the Audya?
... Hopefully the full manual included.

GJ

I have to disagree with those who are saying USB 2 is not important for two reasons:

1 - Those of us who upgraded from the T2 to T3 know that loading times are faster for everything USB on the T3, and that we are finally able to make use of the player and HD recorder which used to take literally HOURS to manage.

2 - If Ketron was cheap and used USB 1 to save less than $5, it stands to reason, that there are a lot of other cost savers under the hood that you don't want to know about.

Before ypou worry about discounts you'd better hear one up against the top seeds like Tyros 3.

Hello A.J.

I´m from Portugal.

I play today in the Audya and i love it.
I had only 1 question.

Where is the "Pattern Edit" funtion?
In the audya is the USER STYLES , but i dont find where i can edit de midi parts off the style like in the other , Sd1 , Sd5 ...

I dont find no information about this in the manual.

Thanks for the your answer.

P.S.
With no doubt is at this moment the best arranger keyboarb i`ve ever play.
Great work.

P.S.2
The USB is 2.0

And the price in Portugal (hopefully inkluded the manual) is?

GJ

He says the USB is 2.0.

Also, in some (SOME) defense of the temorary missing manual. Ketron probably were making changes up to recently, so the manual can not be finalized until they cast the function in cement. Tech writers needed some time to finish after the engineers were done...and a manual has a certain lead time to publish (PDF sooner).

So do you hold the keyboard until the manual is done...no, you release it and let folks start enjoying...with the manual to follow soon (we hope. very soon).

Especially if you need some income to start to pay for all that development!

One opinion anyways...
Lee

fc_xander...

donde es tu?
onde tocaste o AUDYA?

que achas para a musica portuguesa?
que tipo de musica tocas?

escreve-me.. musiclee@msn.com

The USB is in fact no big surprise, that's been the "standard" for quite a while.
But - just think about when the Audya hype started, years ago, the manual should
be out in version revised XXX!

So, why this secret about the USB when it has been a big issue in some posts, and
why is there still not any word about what Ketron set as official price for the
product who now are shipped to stores i Portugal and Italy?
I've never seen such promote before, it's sure very unusual........

GJ

GJ,
Well, it's super expensive to put out a manual...so they wait until the product is done (V 1.0)

Good guess on why Ketron does things this way....I think they need to work a little more and drink a little less Italian Wine?

Pretty layed back operation...support to me is a big issue and I don't see much support by Ketron. ANYWHERE!

Lee

The same thing happend with the Kurzweil PC3
no manual,it was releast later,maby to much wine. //Tryggve

I was involved in the Kurzweil PC3 release...let me tell you..NO COMPARISON!

Kurz, told everyone what to expect, what was missing and that they would be working CLOSELY with us all early guys to get it RIGHT...and they did exactly what they promised.

Ketron can't even answer an e-mail!!!!!

If they they ever build an arranger, I will buy it and sell everything else...EVEN before I hear it.

I trust those guys quality that much.

Lee

How silly of Ketron to ignore the USB 2.0 question for sooooooooooo long and we find it out through the grapevine from a 3rd party that the Audya does indeed have it!?!?!?!?! They answered most of everything else we asked them about the Audya, so why were they so stubbornly "mute" concerning USB 2.0?? Doesn't make sense, common or otherwise.

3,399.00 GBP = 4,956.58 USD >> $900.00 knocked off so far... That's a start. Keep 'em coming Ketron..

Yes, times are tough as we all know. Not only is the U.S. economy in shambles, the whole wide world's economies are in shambles as well. Depending on how well the Audya sells initially will be a big indicator on how willing Ketron will be in reducing the Audya's pricing even further. If the Audya sells fairly well at 5 Grand then we probably won't see any more discounts in the future until possibly Audaya2 comes out. If the Audya falters because of the economy Ketron might have to act boldly and reduce the Audya's price dramatically for people to be willing to open up their wallets. Considering every other totl arranger currently on the market is at least a $1,000 less than the Audya, Ketron is fighting an uphill battle to be sure. Time will tell..

Now that Ketron has gotten their act together and they have implemented the Audya technology correctly (hopefully anyway ) version 2 of the Audya could make it to market much sooner than it took to bring this Audya to market. And also, less R&D would be needed on Audya2, therefore it should be able to come in at a much lower initial price point. So if people aren't able to afford this Audya, in two or so years you may indeed be able to afford Audya2, especially if the world economy is bustling once again. Plus Audya2 will likely have 256 note polyphony plus around 1GB of WAV ROM and with a Sampler you can actually sink your teeth into with a RAM capacity of up to 2GB. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/cool.gif[/img] And with an initial price point of around $1,000 less than this Audya comes in at, it may well be worth the wait. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/smile.gif[/img] Speculation of course.. but that is the way I anticipate it happening anyway. Time will tell.. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/wink.gif[/img]

All the best,
Mike

The amazing fortune teller, good job, by the way do know the lotto numbers for tonight?

Quite frankly, if the Audya is a penny more than $4000, I don't think it will sell very well in the USA, no matter how good it is.

My guess, is that the street price of the Audya will be $3,500.

I am still astounded about the importance given to the USB speed, which has no impact on live performance whatsoever, especially given that most samplers and arrangers cannot load samples at even USB1's speed.

There are still many unanswered questions of a MUSICAL nature that frothing at the mouth over so unimportant a spec bewilders me... (still no word about which chord types the live guitar loops will recognize, and what happens when you play a type it DOESN'T.... AJ? Any info? )

I do, however, feel it FAR more important that the Audya's sampler is restricted to a paltry 64MB, especially as it's competition easily tops out at 512MB or even a GB. Admittedly, those specs are virtually useless, as load times for maxed out sample sets would be close to an hour , but given that we ASSUME (it's not clear by any means, yet) that the sampler could load up at the same streaming speeds that the live loops are going to use, it's INSANE to limit the sampler RAM to such a 20th century limit.

You want to go ballistic? Go ballistic about this. This WILL make a huge difference, which USB2 won't...

I have never used or had the need for an onboard sampler of anykind....Would someone explain how they use their sampler in a live situation.

Hello Again.

About USB , i read in the site of KETRON SPAIN , http://www.ketron.es/ketron.htm , that the AUDYA as 3 USB 2.0 ports.

But yesterday i test transfer files from my Portable Pc to the AUDYA and now im not so sure about that , its a litle slow to a 2.0 USB port.

About the chord recognition , i test playing some Cap Verdian "Morna" styles with the "Live Guitars" and chords like 6ª , 7ª+ , 9ª & 13ª are correctly played.
If you want , tomorrow i can record a video with the chords you want and share with you.

I made some photos that i put in my blog , and tomorrow i gone upload a video with some musicians from Lisbon testing the Audya.

You can see at www.ketronaudya.wordpress.com
Its in Portuguese language , but you can see the photos and the videos.

The Audya i test is the demonstration version , only in the 3rd week of January is for sale in Portugal.
The price for Portugal is 4380 Eur with taxes ( 20%) , but all the shops will sell about 4100 EUR to 4200 EUR With Tax.

Here , in the FCMUSICA shop , all musicians that test the Audya , made the reservations to buy in january.
And are musicians with SD1 or SD5 from Ketron , and other with Korg Pa2x or Pa800.

Here in Portugal AUDYA will sell very well.
We play here lots of LATIN Styles , Traditional Portuguese music that had Latin origins , fado , Brasilian Styles and African Styles from ANGOLA , CAp VERT , MOZAMBIQUE , GUINÉ , like morna , Kizomba , Zouk , funana , makossa , etc.
For Portuguese musicians , Audya will be a sucess.

Sorry about my "bad english"
Happy New Year to all of you.

P.S.
One video i upload is now avaible.
is my friend Pedro Teixeira , a Piano bar & Hotel musician yesterday testing for the first time the Audya. http://www.vimeo.com/2655162

The sound was recorded direct from audya , with no Eq. , to my portable pc with a Usb Berhinger connector.

Thanx for the info and Audya Video Demos.
Hope to see & hear more.

I used to use my K2500 on Bourbon St. for the 10 piece I was in... I would load up a bunch of stuff on start-up - basses (I was doing LH bass in a 10-piece... go figure!), rhodes and clavs, some sampled B3 stuff, anything I felt I had a better sample than the ROM sounds. But once it was loaded (it came in about 80MB, and took a minute and 20 sec to load off the HD), that was it... I couldn't reload during the performance because they always go dead while you load (Audya? any different?).

I have an extensive library for the Kurzweil (still have it after all these years!), and have yet to find much that competes in the ROM section of most arrangers. The piano in the G70 is one notable exception, but even there, I have many other comparably good pianos ranging from beat up uprights that the Temptations used, to the same brightened up Steinway that Elton used on 'Don't Shoot Me, I'm only the Piano Player' and several others. Latest is KSounds Vol2 http://www.ksounds.com/Demo/KSV2_Kurz/KSV2_Piano_1_full.mp3
which I think is quite exceptional.

However, for live use with an arranger, well, unfortunately, the G70 doesn't include a sampler, and I am still conflicted about how to use it... Ideally, the thing would load up in a flash, and I could do anything I want. The Ketron 'Live Loop' thing is easy to do on a sampler, just send the trigger notes from the drum track, and you are in business. Strings I still do exclusively on the K2500, never heard a string patch in ANYTHING'S ROM that came close (I have string libraries that cost a grand+!).

Samplers COULD be very cool in an arranger context, just think of being able to replace ANY sound that you consider sub-par with a TOTL alternative, but with most modern arrangers and even WS's load times being even slower than my ancient K2500 (about 1MB/sec from the HD), they just aren't practical for anything other than perhaps a piano sound or something like that that you will use a LOT.

I am disappointed in the Audya's decision to limit the sampler section to 64MB, although the jury is out until I find out load times. If it is computer fast it is still practical, but if the RAM pipe is still mired in hardware speeds, it is no better than a PA2 or T3. Still not fast enough for the 'any song, any time' request ethos of the general arranger player...

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 12-28-2008).]

Thanx for the great explanation Diki....
I see now why I never needed one as I'm fine with the good on board sounds on most arrangers that I've used...like I said I'm a singer who backs himself up with a arranger KB, SMF, & Mp3's nothing more.
Works very well for me..

Good luck in your search for the ultimate fast loading sampler laden arranger KB.....maybe now yet but in years to come it will be available I'm sure.

Judging by these Audya video demos I wasn't yet impressed were you? Listen real close.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 12-28-2008).]

Wow!!!!!!! For a Short Raw on the "Street" Demo The Audya Sounds Pretty Awsome in Everything I heard and see...Sure would Love to Try One...Hear one Live...

Ketron Always had GREAT Sampled Sounds...Punchy Drums and Basses...True Quality Styles...Great Keybed....Looks like they took everything to a complete higher LEVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now if Ketron and Frankie anyway possible can get these keyboards available for arround $3900 Street???...They Will be HOT, HOT, HOT....

So far, jury's out. Video demos haven't impressed me as much as the factory audio demos, but the playing gets in the way on several...

If only Dom would get his sh*t together with the MS... For everything BUT arranger operation, it seems perfect! Sampler loads up as fast as a computer. Trouble is, the styles and sounds don't compare to even my G70, let alone the Audya, and I'm in the market for a 'one keyboard' rig, nothing more...

Who knows, with the economy across the world the way it is, but PERHAPS the Audya is the START of something new and exciting for arranger players. I wish the MS was, but it just doesn't work for me... but a well integrated sampler in an arranger is what I've always dreamed of. Trouble is, I keep waking up!

i think these guys in Portugal deserve lots of credit for such dedication to AUDYA,

i hope Ketron rewards them

love the demo,

if you guys have not watched the 17 minute video demo , check it out
good job, teixeira

gostei imenso de ouvir voce tocar
http://www.vimeo.com/2655162

It's as I thought:

- The rhythm section (drums, basses), and accompaniment instruments (guitars, pianos, EPs), RULE.

- The solo section (brass, saxes, trumpets) SUCK.

- The keyboard layout, is nonsensical. In every Audya demo I've seen, the guy needs to stretch his left hand over to the right every two seconds to control something that is badly positioned...

But I still might get it...