Video recorded with my Nokia N95

Ketron SD2

Ketron SD2 DEMO 2 - vArranger

vArranger and Ketron SD2 - SD4 Grand Piano

Dan

[This message has been edited by DAN.2000 (edited 07-22-2010).]

very nice Dan,

looks really cool
love the touch screen control

with this i don't need my XD3

keep up the good work !!!

Hi Dan. I have been studying your videos, and i am very impressed with the SD2, and with your playing. I am thinking of getting one, but need more info before I buy. Does the SD2 have all the sounds on the SD1 plus? There are some baroque pipe organ sounds I definitely must have. It seems it must be connected to a computer to work, and I can fix that. But it would be easier if it could be used directly from a keyboard via midi. The SD2 has drum and percussion loops, but on your video it sounds like you have complete styles going. All info from you or anybody would be a great help.
casaet

Hi Cassaet
I am not an expert like Dan, but I had the SD2 before I got vArranger. The simple answer to part of your question is that Dan's program facilitates so many paramiters, like saving L and R settings, styles, transposition, and tempo, to mention a few. Add a search and playlist facility, and you already are way ahead of what you can do with Midi. The other problem is accessing any of the banks of the SD2 besides GM.

I had always thought the SD2 was a fantastic sounding module, but as soon as I got Dan's program(vArranger)my use of the SD2 quadrupled. Dan has been working on his program for about a year that I know of. I have received many new builds from him in the last few months, and every one has been a major upgrade(for free). He answers any question you have, immediately, and if you request a feature, he goes out of his way to accommodate you.

Bernie

Hi Bernie.
Thanks a lot for your answer. Things seems to be more complicated than I thought. I found a new SD2 in Italy at a bargain price, but I think I will have to drop that. I am not very good with the technical side of things, but I am in contact with someone who has a SD1 for sale. That is more in line with what I am used to. I would have preferred a SD1 plus, but as I understand it there nothing essentially new on the plus model. Most important thing is to get a Ketron.
casaet

Hi Casaet
1. The connection to the outside world of the SD2 is via Midi.
2. Apart from a volume control, it has no other controls on it.
3. If your keyboard has good flexible Midi control facilities on-board, then you can use the SD2 as if it was just another inbuilt voice.
4. To get to the more advanced features of the SD2, you will need to use the Midi Implementation chart at the back of the manual, and match it with your Midi Controller/Keyboard
5. If you just want to access the sounds, then providing your keyboard can send Bank and Program Change messages, all the sounds are available to you.
6. The SD4 is essentially two SD2 modules in a box, with on-board controls and programming, thus is ideal for keyboards with limited Midi facilities. (More expensive though)
Hope this helps

Bill

Thanks abacus.
Your answer makes it clear that I will need a SD1. I must be able to use all SD styles, which for my needs are definitely the best on the market. Besides I will get a good 76 key keyboard with aftertouch. Saving money is fine, but not always the smartest thing to do.
casaet

Wow, I need to catch up. Dan, what I am seeing on the video is a keyboard controller, the SD 2 and what looks like a laptop with the screen turned around.

Where is the info on the laptop screen coming from?
How does the info tie in with what is happening? Can it show more than I am seeing. Dan, please tell me about the program you have been working on.

Thanks, John C.

Dan... I really enjoy your playing ... got any mp3 I can D/L to my iPOD?
thnx,
t.

Hi casaet and others,

The SD2 own most of the sounds from the SD1, but also some new sounds like strat guitar and other drum loops that are not in the SD1. But some sounds are missing, and the overall sound quality is not as good as the SD1.
With vArranger you can play Ketron styles (PAT) like any professional arranger keyboard, you can play and create new amazing sounds (vArranger will give you far better sounds than only the SD2 out of the box sounds), you can play karaoke,midifiles, mp3, display lyrics, do instant search , control all very easily...

Editing on the computer screen is far easier than on my sd1

If you need the baroque pipe organ of the SD1, I can help you to create this sound with the SD2, because I have the 2 machines.

There is a lot of function, but everything is very easy. I have musicians more than 65 years old who are playing with vArranger, and start enjoying playing music after 5 minutes.

You plug your SD2 to the computer
You plug your midi keyboard to the computer
you start vArranger, and it's done.

The tablet PC I use is the HP TM2.

Thank you for the comments, I will try to do better quality videos

If you need any information on vArranger, let me know.
Dan