I've been reading Ketron postings about the SD1+ and the SD5 for almost a year now. My impression (from the postings) is that the keyboards are hard to learn and understand. And also that the manual is not very clear.

Do you folks mean that it is hard to learn all the nuances of it after you've bought it and started playing with it? Or is it "hard to learn" to play the instrument when you first approach the keyboard to audition it in the store?

I played the SD5 when Lou had it last summer. I couldn't figure out what to do with it. Then again I was not concentrating on it as I was there on other business.

I'm not a novice. I've been playing Roland and Yamaha auto-arranger keyboards for years now. I'm very familiar with how they work. I spent about 20 hours on the G-70 and a few hours on the Tyros.

So my question is: Can (professional) players get a good "take" on the SD5 within 1-2 hours. I mean simply run through the dance styles and instrument patches to get a good idea of what it's like to play?

ANY comments are appreciated as I'm considering purchasing either the SD1+ or the SD5 but I really need to take the unit through it's paces before I make the decision.

Thank you.

Hey!
I dont think you can call SD1 a hard to learn arranger...yesterday, a friend of mine called me to give a help with a new Roland E60.I thought I'm good with arrangers(I had Roland VA76 before SD1)but I was so confused with all the displays and menus!Is more like a PC than a keyboard.
SD1 needs a couple of hours to get familiar with screens and buttons...that's all.But ,if you really want to know the keyboard, midi,stuffs,sampler,vocalist,Eq,effects...and if you really want to "drive" the machine,you need at least 6 months,just you and the manual.Of course, there are a lot of question you cant find a direct answer in the manual, but slowly and slowly you'll find your own way to read between the lines.
And..here we are, Ketroners, ready to advice and help each other, isnt it?
BTW check this out...whatt you can do with samplers and midis http://home.no.net/viocaia/ketron.htm
Vio

Hi.

When it come to just select style and right hand voices and start play,
I would say: Yes!

Ketron is sounding like a live band, and are excellent keyboards. The
keyfeel on my SD1 is great and it's a pleasure to lay the hands on.
To be honest, the more I play it, the more I love it.

BUT, I'm spoiled with Technics easy operating system and many options
that can be done in a easy and logical way, so I'm having a hard time
trying to learn things the Ketron way.
Reading manual forward and backward, try and fail the hard way, give
it up and just sit down and play, then try again, and slowly find out
a little bit more every day.

Well, don't be scared, I have to admit when I finally start get into
my head how to place addon styles (pats) and folders into the HD and
find out the nice and easy way to pick for play just the same way as
when choose the onboard styles, some light are to see in the end of
the tunnel, but there are still a long way to go, at least for me....

All that said, Ketron SD1/SD5 is among the very best "play as it is"
keyboards I have tryed, but that's probably because the big amount of
styles/patterns who fit to my way of use, also that it don't sound as
you play a CD on your stereo.
Very "live-alike" regardless to what types of style, make you feel it's
the same band on stage all night.
I really like the well balanced factory set up, the live drums and smooth
way you can swap between the internal styles without any loooong seconds
to wait before ready to play next tune.

Just my little "mini-report", good luck whatever keyboard you choose to
play.

GJ

GJ... if you need help, please email me at ketrondan@yahoo.com

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http://www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO
ketrondan@yahoo.com

Thanks DanO.
GJ