Friends,

Once more, following in our plan for 2009 to bring the "ARRANGER KEYBOARDS" to you the end-users, Ketron has scheduled an ARRANGER FIESTA at:-

Mr Sound USA
10 Grand Ave
Brooklyn N,Y

Date Sunday Feb 22

Time - 11:30am - 7:00pm.

Come and check out and get information on the latest KETRON AUDYA (along side other Ketron products) and get your hands on a Korg Pa2xpro, Roland G70/E80 and Yamaha's Tyros 3 - all in one place at the same time.

It will be a great ARRANGER FIESTA for those who can make it.

Please let us know those of you who can make this session so we plan accordingly.

Thanks,

AJ

[This message has been edited by Ketron_AJ (edited 01-25-2009).]

Hi AJ,

Will the Audya be available for purchase by then? It seems that each week it gets pushed off by a month. I remember very recently that we were told it would be available in January.

[This message has been edited by chony (edited 01-25-2009).]

Chony,

You'd have to contact the US distributors (www.ketron.com) for that. I believe Italy gets theirs in Jan and the rest in Feb?

Thanks,

AJ

Take pictures & videos for us & have a great time.How many are going so far?


[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 01-25-2009).]

Members

We are happy to announce that Ron Crites who uses the SD-3 alongside his Guitar will join us at the Brooklyn NY, workshop on Feb,22 to showcase this great instrument

It will be a fun day to learn about the upcoming Audya (seems it was pushed forward till Apr) G-D Knows why.. As it will demo' d by AJ.

I follow many of the postings about the Audya and have seen the many questions asked on the technology of this new instrument,What I can say is this It is not been completed yet and that only a few units have been released to the Ketron importers like myself so that we can beta test it and find issues that it my have to report to Italy.

About marketing as we are the importers for this brand its in the contract that we do all the local marketing and that is why we started these workshops around the country feeling that this is the best way to show the instruments to the musicians.

We also shot some new video footage on the audya and its many functions that already work it will be available on our website in a few days

Also I stated to Italy that the local market (USA) should not get any Audya's until it is completely done, not to have to deal with a non complete instrument, which they agreed on

Ted

Ted, Tell Italy to add in those "complex" chords so we have ALL Chords Playing Audio :-)

then maybe i'll buy, if the price is right of course...

AJ, Mr.Sound USA

i will be attending.

AJ, can you tell us the schedule of the workshops

i'm thinking 11:30 is still a bit early, for me at least for a workshop to begin.

will you be demoing The AUDYA once, 2x, 3x, ??

http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/019009.html

Link to the same thread for the March one, too. I don't see the point in posting twice...

im coming from NJ, which is a hop-skip-n-a-jump away

Ted that's a good way to explain whats happening that's all anyone wants is an answer.....so in reality The Audya will not see main stream distribution probably until early 2010....if all the bugs and revisions already being addressed have to be still be tested and redesigned correct?

but won't the Roland G-80 be out in 2010 ?? :-)

LOL, Donny... you don't give up, do you?

Anyway, just to get symmetry (this would have been SO much simpler if AJ had made ONE thread for both appearances - divide and conquer, eh, AJ? ), my main comment about the 'unfinished' issue is this (from the other thread);

Diki asked a good question...

will WE, the future buyers be able to test out this AUDYA ay the clinic?

AJ?

Well at least you can see it & hear it isn't that enough until its released way down the road & then you can buy one take it home & explore it?

If the factory demonstrator refuses to play anything but major and minor chords (I saw the Jam video), no, you are NOT going to be able to tell anything...

Hands on is the only way.

Diki it sounds like such a simple request? Dont they think the first one to play it will see immediately if it recognizes these chords? Is that why no one is allowed to try it at the demos?



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-06-2009).]

If Ketron offers an Audya module, I'll be happy with only major, minor, seventh and diminished chord recognition.
Ciao

Members

Diki.. The reason I posted it on both threads is I mistakenly put it on the Fort Wayne thread first and this posting pertains to the NY Jam (RON Crites) playing so I added it to the NY thread.

By the way Diki my name is Ted Kraus I am the owner of CMC Distributors which now are the importers for the Ketron brand (you keep referring to me as AJ).

On your questions about how the Audya handles the chords I would say to you that you are asking a question about a work in progress meaning 95% of the chords are complete now a few still need work on and it is silly for me to answer the detail of how it will work when it goes into production,Being Ketron has made quality arranger keyboards for so many years and never had an issue on its chord progressions on the completed ready to sell instruments(though I am a bit surprised on the reason you guys are focusing on this non completed issue).Why not rather comment on the 95% that are ready which if is not playing properly needs to be revisited by Ketron(that is the reason they sent one here).

Also you need not to read so deeply into my comment about them not shipping to the U.S. market an incomplete product what I meant is that I told them that I want it to be released first in Italy and have there local musicians use it for a while to see if there are any bugs (which can happen) before releasing it here(This is not about an incomplete issue its about an bug issue)

Lee..

AJ will start his demo about 12:30 and will be showing it off all day.

You need not worry about having all the chords working before we take this item to market.

One more issue I would like to discuss is there have been many question on the price structure for Ketron yes there are other brands that have more bells and whistles then ours but realize that the bigger expense of an arranger is creating quality voices and styles which Ketron prides itself on ( I personally wish that they would put more electronics into there units it is a good marketing tool), But I most say that there are few people who play a Ketron and complain on the sounds, I do not at this time know the price but i hope that it will be reasonable for all its features.

Ted Kraus - KETRON Sales Manager
CMC Distributors, Inc,
1510 Bath Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11228
Tel (800) 554-5982 (718) 232-6436
Fax (718) 232-6453 email TedCMC@aol.com www.KETRON.com

Thanks Ted for addressing some issues, I hope to meet you again at the Brooklyn festa. see you there.......

Actually, Ted, when I was addressing AJ, I WAS addressing AJ (KetronAJ) as he has been the main poster connected with Ketron posting here so far (would that you had jumped in here a lot earlier)...

Also, I'm sorry, but if the audio feature is 95% complete, but 60% of the chords are still missing, that math doesn't add up. Please state for the record here and now if audio loops on all the guitar tracks are going to include dim, aug and sus without resorting to MIDI tricks (in other words, if they are entirely different audio loops)... Maj, min and a few 7ths don't cut it, IMO. Maj, min, sus, dim, aug and 7th are the VERY minimum this feature needs to not be severely compromised by switching in and out MIDI guitar patterns. And the fact that this ability has been developed kind of points to it's 'finished' nature, doesn't it?

Two and a half out of six basic chords (that cannot be made by modifying - by MIDI addition to - another chord) ain't 95% by ANYONE'S math

Ketron have NEVER used audio for chords before, There is NO back record of this function for any kind of 'proof' of it's ability to work now. MIDI and audio chords are utterly different beasts. Competency on one has nothing to do with the other. Sorry...

And, also sorry, but don't Ketron have competent beta testers for the unit to not have to be released to Italian customers, and have them pay through the nose for the privilege of beta testing the product for them? Like I said, were I an early adopter in Europe, I would INSIST on at least a six month 100% money back guarantee, should any of these 'bugs' and issues like the chords which are 'half-promised' to work fully in the final product fail to be fixed either timely or well (or at all).

To be honest, I am surprised that Italian dealers are willing to sell a product knowing it hasn't been completed. I applaud your caution (probably needed in the litigious US ) but I wouldn't have thought anyone else is willing to sell beta units in today's economy... Very brave, IMO...

my question remains unanswered...

will WE the possible future buyers be able to test out and play the AUDYA ourselves at the NY clinic?

AJ? or anyone who knows for sure?

i think it's important to hear it live AND play it live before we spend thousands of dollars on it

gotta go practice my Aug, Dim, Sus & "complex" chords so i can put the AUDYA's audio tracks to the test on the 22nd :-)

Ted, you said:

"You need not worry about having all the chords working before we take this item to market."

you mean i should forget about the fact that the AUDYA does not and MAY never play the Aug, Sus, Dim, 6th, 13th chords via it's guitar Audio Loops?

i hope you were being sarcastic...

hey Diki... remember to keep the chords simple, basic, kindergarten like, OK?

another 9 days and i get to PLAY the AUDYA...

AJ, i know you will be doing most or all of the demo/clinic

but will the attendees have any alone time with the AUDYA?

will we be able to hook up our own headphones to this baby and jam for a while?

besides listening to AUDYA on PA, i'd like to REALLY hear it, in my bionic ears

will this clinic be recorded both video/audio?
i can bring a recorder to hook up to mixer, or AUDYA out if allowed/needed.... ;-)

as i've mentioned, please have a REAL PA (hooked up in stereo) that will do the AUDYA some justice. Bass bottom would be nice so that we know how it would really sound played out at a gig.

also please (if possible), project the AUDYA's interface onto a BIG screen,

THIS is how a REAL clinic should be,
you know like they used to have in the good old days,
NOT like todays makeshift ones ;-)

Well leezone I hope in 9 days we can put all the inquisitive curiosity to rest pro or con?

In Shreveport the Audya was hooked to two Barbetta powered speakers. The Bass was amazing. You will be impressed.
I also ran it through the Bose L1 system later and it sounded amazing there as well.
Video and sound were recorded. Joe Lee Richards is just about to make the recording available.
We were not invited to play the Audya, but AJ has said you will be able to play it at the scheduled clinics.
I did play it briefly, and would have bought one on the spot.
DonM

Exactly Don.....the Audya did sound very good thru both systems stereo & mono...you can really hear it well thru the DVD's joe lee has produced also.....I just finished watching them both. Now if Ketron makes Smaller 61 key Audya like the SD5 w/speakers that might get my attention as a second KB.

So 3 more days till NY clinic... AJ, How close is Audya to being finished? Or will we still be hearing an 'unfinished' keyboard?

AJ posted on another thread that people at the Jam WERE able to play the Audya, but declined, due to wanting to jam...

I thought that sounded unlikely...

Lee, dont bring any guns with you bro.
By the way, you can pick up my SD2 if you
want, the one we talked if still interested.

Nedim,

i am not a violent guy, so i wont be "killing anyone"

also, you may have me confused with another "lee" as you and I never talked about an SD2.
maybe that's why you have so much "hatred" towards me...???

but just out of curiosity, you are bringing it and selling?

I was just wondering if i need to wear a vest,
to protect my self from Bullets...by the way...
You forgot you talked to me? Not just SD2, in general.

I would imagine that would depend on whether you would address your customers face to face with the same language you have posted on here...

Please! let the people play the Audya this time around, okay AJ? The cat is already out of the bag so what further harm can be done if other people (other than you that is ) play it? I think you would have to agree right? That people's request to play the Audya is a legitimate one and they should be allowed to do so this time around?

All the best,
Mike

Nedim,
Just so you got it straight...I am Lee from the Korg forum. Lee Simmonds.
My ID here is leeboy,
leezone is a different Lee.

I talked to you about the SD-2 and other stuff a few weeks ago. Not buying anything right now.

Why would AJ have NOT allowed anyone interested to play Audya? NOT...From what I have read here,,,they just wanted to JAM, not consider new products.

Lee S.

It's possible it was the only unit in the country at the time & they didn't want anything to happen to it. I hope all you guys get to play the AUDYA this Sunday at the Brooklyn NY jam!

leeboy

thanks for clearing that up....

everybody calm, down, take a deep breath, it's gonna be ok

Nedim, just so you know , there are 2 Lees here, OK, ???

and neither of us is out to offend, kill, shoot, stab, anger, piss off, insult, bad mouth, belittle anyone OK ???

Are you gonna buy me a beer then?

So two out of three ain't bad... (Love Meatloaf!)

Since its my birthday today... I think you should buy me a beer...

Oh...Nedim... And If the Audya can play an Aug or Dim chord at the clinic without having a total dropout out of the audio guitar track (replaced by midi) ill but you an entire case of beer. ; -). Howz that?

Happy Birthday, Lee...

Happy Birthday, Lee....
Lee :-)

thanks Diki, Leeboy

it would be great to buy an AUDYA for my birthday wouldn't it?
even better to get one as a present instead...

Dont you think of whats gonna happen on the forum after i come back home with the case???

So Tomorrow is the big DAY for Audya are you people that are going EXCITED !!!
Then we can finally put all this fantasy, curiosity, chord recognition, & every other pissing' in the wind confrontations behind us....& to throw something else in teh mix...if it's that good & Don m gives it a thumbs up maybe I'll buy an Audya also !!!!

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-21-2009).]

Today's the big day guys and gals. Please take pictures if you go. Videos would be nice too. I hope AJ hasn't decided to cancel it. His lack of response on this thread that he started is a little troubling. Although as the saying goes: "no news is good news" could apply here. It would be nice if he gave some kind of confirmation though. If people show up to an empty building I suppose that means he cancelled it huh?

>> Oh, if it's still on and the infamous Audya is there you guys might want to consider a small bribe to get AJ to let you play it. Money talks as they say, right? Hopefully it won't need to come to that and he'll let people play the Audya au gratis? If it takes a bribe it's still worth it in my opinion because at least people will have a better idea of what this beast is all about. And that, my friends, is the ONLY way anybody will ever really know its intricacies and real true worth.

I will almost always and unequivocally need to play a keyboard first before I would EVER consider purchasing it. I also realize that that will probably be almost impossible for the majority of members on this forum, since the marketing of the Audya in the U.S. will be nearly non-existent i.e. very paltry, and a rare bird indeed to get your hands on - unless you buy it sight unseen like 99.99% of Americans will probably have to do because of its impending scarcity across the country upon its release in the U.S. of A. But if people get to play it at the Jam(s) then at least we will have a respectable input and feedback from members who have actually gotten to play it firsthand. Which will then hopefully give us some semblance of an idea of its Key bed action, front panel user friendliness, OS navigation's ease of use, etc. Amongst other things as well too..

See how much is riding on your decision AJ? Power to the PEOPLE!! Do it, please? I beg of you... Au gratis would be nice too. lol..

All the best,
Mike

[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 02-22-2009).]

First AUDYA reports??? today HURRY!!!

They must be too busy enjoying themselves to report back here eh?? I don't blame them really. What I do hope though is that AJ will let them play Audya this time. Without being able to play it I would personally skip the Jam myself if I lived in the North East.

>> Hey! Maybe that's why we haven't heard anything from the Jam?? Cuz nobody showed up possibly!?!? >> Blame it on the weather I suppose huh?

All the best,
Mike

[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 02-22-2009).]

Just getting in from the Jam and I believe it was a success. Again even though the program started a little later than scheduled, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the folks at Mr. SOUND for presenting a 'generous' atmosphere - great room, top-notch speaker system, good food and drinks and access to ALL other major Arranger Keyboards as well.

Also, thanks to all our guest (many who currently perform with Yamaha, Roland, Ketron and Korg Arranger workstations) for coming to share some time with AUDYA.

I must admit, when I realizd that 99% of the room was filled with 'Arranger Players' we immediately went into a Question/Answer session with regards to functionality and features of Audya.

Then, we had a long period where we were able to see and hear AUDYA at work, after which I gave those interested the oppertunity to 'play' it themselves (some used styles, some use the Manual bass feature, some ... just straight playing with voices ... etc). Ofcourse we had members of this forum tunned in as well as we tried our best to answer all questions asked.

I have tried several times to answer the 'chord recognition' algorithem of AUDYA, but I am now happy that 'Players' like Frank and Lee are now able to "in their own words" (after actually PLAYING AUDYA with styles) tell you how it responded to chord changes with both AUDIO and MIDI intergration and no total audio drop outs. We were able to demonstrate with styles that used AUDIO Drums, AUDIO Bass and AUDIO guitar/chords.

Believe it or not, we still didn't get a chance to go through ALL features due to lack of time, but I believe it'll also be ok for you to 'discover' some of them for yourselves.

AJ

AJ, is it true that nearly 80% of the Audya's bought in Europe have been returned because of bugs, and things not working correctly?

Dennis

PS I also posted this on another thread, but as AJ seems to be attneding this one I thought I would ask here as well.

Nobody played a diminished chord? Or are you saying that the drum track is an audio track, so it NEVER 'completely' drops the audio tracks?

Or are you simply saying the the audio AT THE FINAL OUTPUTS never cuts out completely (which no-one has ever said would happen)...?

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 02-23-2009).]

O trust me, they played ALL kindz a chords.

So you ARE saying, on the record, that when you play a diminished, augmented or suspended chord (you know what one of those are?) on an Audya, the audio guitar track does NOT drop out completely?

We all know that extensions (you know what those are?) get added to the audio loop. And we all know that diminished and augmented and suspended cause the loop to drop out completely (until the next maj/min/7th chord.

Quit playing cutesy with us, Nedim. State ON THE RECORD, right now whether the above facts are correct or not...

Post by Leezone in another thread...Diki see below.

I will post later a more detailed report,
but as far as complex chords, aug, dim, sus, there is a dropout of audio, with midi filling in,
as far as 6, 7, 9, chords, audio keeps playing with the midi filling in

every style is different, some are more noticeable when that track is soloed, BUT as a whole (with other instruments on) it's a bit harder to hear.

post more later

when Mr.Sound gets the AUDYA in stock,
i will bring my headphones, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and really listen carefully...

AJ thinks the final Audya should be ready in approz. 2 weeks,
I would like that to happen, but i'm not so sure

Ted, from Mr. Sound, is hoping to get them or at least 1 , in about 1 month.

more info later,,,gotta get back to work

"Every Picture Tells a Story"