Maybe so, I really don't know, but as they say:
Those who wait for something good ....

Lee, you don't have to convince me how good the Audya sounds... From the first time I heard the demos, no matter WHAT my criticism of the arranger, the sound was never one of them

But there are still MUSICAL and operational problems, as far as I am concerned. I can still hear MIDI and audio guitar parts swapping in and out, depending on chord played, and I am also someone that doesn't like to use the same style for more than one or two songs, so a never ending supply of fresh styles and beats, lots of conversions and user edited styles are very important to me. The deal with audio loops makes the pool of people creating new and translated styles MUCH smaller than the Big3's resources, plus, as I have said before, tweaking the drum kit for variety, tweaking the guitars for variety (SO easy to do on a Roland!) is completely out with a loop.

I have many styles where I have used the Roland's Cover Tools (a simple 'one button' complete revoice of a style) to create something fresh, or turn a rock style into something a bit softer, and the nature of Ketron's audio loops negates this idea totally. If you are content with ONLY the included ROM styles in an Audya, you are good to go. But how GOOD those styles sound is also its' Achilles heel... translated styles and user styles won't sound NEARLY as good, and from what I've seen for the SD-1/5/3, Ketron aren't exactly overwhelming you with new content all the time...

No doubt at all it sounds great OOTB (one of my primary concerns), but where you can take it from THERE is more limited than what I currently have. Perhaps, when Ketron address making new styles from loops as easy as other manufacturers make editing and 'frankenstyling' (thanks, Ian!) theirs, and show us their commitment to a steady supply of new styles, when Ketron show us whatever passes for their style editing tools in new OS's, I can revisit the issue.

I wish my G70 sounded that good... but I also wish the Audya was as friendly as my G70 to rework the styles. Time will tell.

Diki,

i totally agree

we will wait, and wait, and wait, and see

I might well get a 61 note version or module for my second unit. I always keep two complete setups for doubles and backup.
Depends on the price, though. I think the module will be maybe a thousand less than Audya, but I have no idea about the 61.
Ketron doesn't make any really inexpensive stuff though.
DonM

You only save about $500 or so going from the SD5 to the SD3 module... well under 25% of the cost, so I doubt an Audya module is going to be the bargain anyone wants. If you think that that $500 or so is the cost of a keyboard and speakers, you probably aren't going to save much more, because that's all (hopefully!) that gets dropped on an Audya module.

Unless space is at a VERY high premium, I can't think why anyone that actually CAN play a keyboard would bother with the hassle of a module...

Because some people want the best of 2 worlds... they want 88 keys and a superb piano action and top of the bill synth performance (Motif/M3) and an arranger... this is where modules shine..

Or they want to add an arranger to their digital piano at home. Arranger piano's are not on par with totl arrangers.

Or they want to add Audya styles to their great sounding PA2X or T3. but not use 2 keyboards on stage..

A friend of mine is using an 88 key Oasys combined with a Roland V-synth and a Wersi module as a OMB (and a PC for VSTís), but also uses this stuff in the studio. He has absolutely no room for a keybedded arranger on stage as a 3 piece setup would make him loose the contact with his audience. (he has setup his system like a V, with V-synth to the right and wersi to the left.

Lambert is most of the time using a Ketron module next to his Wersi organ, its a great addition to the Wersi sound.

How many more reasons do you need for modules?

I know quite a few Hammond Players that have arrangers and a number of Pianists. You are right though, by far the biggest market is accordianists in Europe.

TWD



[This message has been edited by Tonewheeldude (edited 02-07-2010).]

You can mod accorden keys on any of the top arrangers in europe...

I have seen Ketron Korg and Yamaha top of the line keyboards modded with knobs instead of keybeds..

A module and 61 key versions ... what would be a reasonable price you would pay for these coming up?

so AJ,

AUDYA-M is a REALITY?


Diki,

why AUDYA module?
because i can take it to practice easily, easy transport, as i can have keyboards at home and friends house, and just plug in AUDYA and module

i can use 88key like was said,

or i can plug it to my AKAI MPK61
or my smaller Korg XD3, or even a 25 key key controller JUST for chords/accomp,

and use another keyboard for solo/right hand, etc


you see, versatility is what the AUDYA-M would give you...