In a word: !!AWESOME!!

It was a "GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS" scenario for me. Good that I was able to attend, and bad that I could only stay the first evening.

This was my first time to attend and I was really impressed. Getting to meet fellow SZ members, seeing and hearing a couple new boards, Audya, and T3, and enjoying some really good performers. The facilities were perfect, the food GREAT, and the weather cooperated.

What can be said about Don Mason. Great master of ceremonies, and excellent musician. He “rocked” the place with his Korg E50. What will he be like with the Audya??

Obviously, the demo of the Audya was a big event. I saw part one. AJ has to be the most patient and composed fellow around. He came directly from the airport, and gave a fabulous presentation. Man, this guy knows his board. Even afterward, he spent a lot of time answering questions and showing specific details.

Not much more can be added to what’s been said about the way Audya sounds, its FANTASTIC!! The styles just reach out and grab you. The way the bass and guitars change randomly makes the performance seem live. Best I’ve ever heard. If its priced half-way decent, I can see one in my future.

I do hope the manual is well written and accompanied by a DVD, cause there seems to be lots to learn!

The big surprise for me at the jam was "hammer's" T3! IMO it is a really great sounding board. I owned a T2, and I think T3 just blows T2 away. Maybe it was the type of music "hammer" was playing, but the overall sound of the T3 was very pleasing. Realistic, mellow, not intrusive. There were a couple of Big Band styles that I liked very well.

I did not perform this time, I just wanted to observe. However, if there is a jam in 2010 I'll be there; keyboard in hand. Thanks Don Mason, it was GREAT fun! Thanks to all the other participants as well, it was nice to meet you!

It was great to meet another "Don". I wish you would have joined in! We'll have another one though.
DonM