Hello Everyone...

Congrats on your MicroArranger.

To answer the question on how long are the styles, well, depends on how the style designer made it, keep in mind that any manufacturer does not use only one style designer, they use many, and also depends on the style genre of the music that is made for.

You can not impose a particular style measures-length, "like one size fits all" that wont work. Keep in mind, that could tamper with creativity not to mention to be true to the style to be emulated.

In some big band/Jazz styles, you can make a very long intros....but that is why most Mid size-newer arrangers have at least 3 Intros, from either count in or short, medium and Long.....that the ends are mirror the same way.

A benefit to have longer "loops" in a style, is to break the monotony, remember the first 1980's Yamaha PSR10 and PSR 20, or some early Casios? only one measure loop.....boring.

I hope this answer the question.

Fran,
I thought this was a "G rated" forum !
Seriously, how much does eBay charge for that?

INSERTION FEES

In addition to what Miguel says here I would like to say this:
In as far as I have any experience with Yamaha, you know I have
loads with Korg, one of the most outstanding features of the Korgs
from the outset ( i3, etc.) was the fact that their styles run over at least 2 but often three to 6 bars, whereas Yamaha has often stuck to 1 or 2 at the most, hence sounding much more repetitive. Over the last three months I have owned the PSR3000 next to the PA800 and this has only confirmed my views. However I cannot speak for the Tyros 4, I am sure Ian or others will fill up this void.

regards,
John Smies

Hi John
I think you may find most psr styles are at least 2 to 4 bar variations or at least on my psr 1500.

Hi Guys

The variations/intros/endings in the Korg styles can be up to 32 bars/measures long. This applys to the PA series but the Micro as far as I can see only allows 16 bars/measure.

Hope this helps

Regards

Col

To John, and those curious about Yamaha styles...

Most of the styles on Tyros4 use 4 bar variations, with very few using 2, and quite a few using a mixture of 4 and 8 bars (mainly in Jazz/Gospel/Blues Styles), one of which, Bebop, uses all 16 bar variations.

There are quite a few Movie Styles using 16 bars, and all the FreePlay Styles that I tried, use 32 bars/variation.

It appears that Yamaha wisely uses the appropriate number of bars to:

1) Suit the genre of music...some music thrives on repetition, and some does not...hence the variety of lengths.

2) If a style works perfectly well with a 2 bar variation, it keeps the style's size small...therefore more styles can be present....however, this is used very sparingly on Tyros4...it has 500 on-board styles nonetheless.

Personally, I have Korg styles that were converted for Yamaha...some are good, and most are bland (to my ears) as they do not use mega voices.

This is where Yamaha styles really shine, in my opinion, and even 2 bar variations are superb.

Most music has chord changes every 2 to 4 bars and in regular play, it is sometimes hard to judge if a 4 bar/8 bar variation is any better than a 2 bar.

In regards to the KMA's small keys:

I have a strong feeling that most jazz, classical, and serious piano/keyboard players will, and do, consider them toy like and will not use them to any great degree, and certainly not as a main instrument. There will be, as always, the odd exception.

However, I can see the popularity on SZ, as most here who will use them, won't be playing a lot of chords in both hands (Donny's KMA demos bear this out to some degree, and again there will be the odd exception) and several will use them only to play, or play along with, SMF.. Those that need more real estate (room) can do as John Smies has been suggesting, and midi it up to a normal keyboard/controller.

As far as the KMA's sound...it sounds exactly like the 10 year old Korg arranger technology it is based on...PA-50SD on line demos bear this out, and if you are pleased with the sounds/styles, as most are, it should be fine...personally, I found the Right Hand and solo voices very "old Korgian" and nowhere near what is being used on present day models...of course, we must remember the huge price difference/advantage.

Having played on PSS mini-key arrangers made by Yamaha, and finding the whole experience very disappointing, I can't say I'd want to be playing a microArranger, except for a bit of fun, and not for long. It obviously has found a place in the hearts of many, and I applaud the genius at Korg, who was able to repackage 10-12 year old technology, and make a fair(hopefully) profit for the company, although a dealer would have to sell quite a few KMA to equal one PA3X (or PA-800, or Tyros or S910).

Enjoy guys (and gals)...and happy playing. Think of me when you play a "little tune" ...and, please don't misconstrue my remarks as "sour grapes"...I believe everyone should use what meets and satisfies their needs in a keyboard instrument/arranger, and believe me, if Yamaha was making something similar (especially based on 10 year old tech), my criticisms (and praises) would be mostly the same.

Ian

Hi Col,
you forgot about the fills, they're 32 bars also. haahaa. It's a brilliant system.

16 bars for the microarranger is pretty good too.

Don't think I've actually come across a 32 bar factory style though. The capability is there , but they don't do it.

I have spent some time now on my KMA and am having the time of my life making this little gem to my liking. I took it out on my show on Wednesday. I had it paired with my Nord Electro with a simple midi connection and styles controlled by both keyboards. The people just loved it.

I have just received John Smies CD,sounds, and really great styles with registration(performances). Some of these just blew me away. More on that later.

Don't sell your KMA

Bernie

I'd be interested to hear how many bars/variation that Roland uses in it's styles.

I have G-70 conversions here, but it would be best answered by someone like Fran, who is very knowledgeable on Roland arrangers.

Ian