One user just put this video.
He is using custom korg / yamaha / roland styles and sounds from Kontakt VST

Nice demo...sounds great...

But it needed some EQ IMO......

I think it sounds better now ....A/B them both now.. see what you think?


Demo #2 EQ

It depends on what you want the mix to play on....Listening with PC speakers...I like the original better..It shows more balance of all the instruments....

Your "EQ'd" version, as with most of your edited versions, cut the bass too much and over do the highs...changing the balance of ethic instruments...

Now what you hear on your monitors, and your ears....may be what you like..but others I am sure have different taste..

EQ can severely change the balance that the composer intended to be heard..

The mix was too muddled IMO thru my monitors, ....
original mix saturates all the instruments,...isn't distinct or clean at all,......
I respect your opinon BUT,...I stand with my mix any-day..!!

What are your monitors?
I am now listening with a SONY headphones.
The original mix has more power, and the bass is going very low, but like a true bass player. It has something more real.

Your mix is more a masterized cd.

I prefer the original mix

Donny, I didn't find the original as "muddie"...There is clarity,I found the original to be more balance across the spectrum....I know you are a less bass kind of guy..

As Dan says...the bass player is more realistic in the original..

Personally, I never heard a bass player supressed as much as you like...Now if you eq'd the average guitar player away...I could except that...

As I said above I respect your opinion......
I just don't agree with it sorry. I have removed the demo don't want to start a pissin' contest again..

Haven't we missed the point here? Dan's post was to demonstrate what people are doing with his software. Fran, I too liked the original version more than Donny's EQd version.

I have Dan's vArranger and am constantly amazed at how he keeps improving it.


Deane

Yes Deane, he is making steps faster then any of the top hardware arrangers..

Soon he will have passed most of them, and then he gets intoo the territorium of innovation, trying to make a better product then the hardware stuff, instead of copying features of them..... Might be interesting to see where this goes..

Why? Is it some kind of holiday?

Just difference of opinions...You can't always be right

DNJ just wanted to help, because the demo sound was not pleasant to his ears with his monitors No problem...

There are some innovative features inside vArranger, that are not in hardware arrangers. I am sure they will copy me one day
http://www.varranger.com/features/

Dan I understand, ....but sadly I Knew where it was going and it wouldn't of been pleasant. That said,.....I have nothing but good with vArranger and the way it sounds .......my concerns are operating it in a live stage situation and playing & navigating thru songs, styles, registration setups, sounds, etc, on the fly.. using a controller and a vArranger vs my all in one arranger KB.

Hi Dan

I was looking at your site and could not find any demos much to my surprise. I would think it would be pretty important to have that available for sales.

Did you ever try it?

Use a big touch screen and i think you might be surprised how well it works... On top of that, if you use a good master keybed, you will have almost as many direct access buttons on it then on a normal hardware arranger.

My biggest complaint is that the content is not out of the box, and everything needs tweaking and setting up to sound okay...

However when using Komplete 10 and Kontakt with high quallity soundsamples, it will perform on the level of a T5 soundwise.. But is it that cheap?

-Program $400
-Komplete 10 $1000
-PC hardware $1000
-27" touchscreen $500
-High quallity midi controller $400

So is it much cheaper? not really....
Will it sound better then a T5? not really

Its just a different experience from a hardware device.... Some may like it, others wont. You will not know untill you tested out Varranger.

I put some news, pictures, demos, videos... on

https://www.facebook.com/vArranger


Most musicians who buy vArranger, already have a computer and a midi keyboard, and only add the software.


The cheapest configuration for vArranger can be... I have read that some new Windows 8.1 tablets will be priced at 99$ !
+ any midi keyboard
And use the included vArranger synth and plug the headphone jack to the speackers

Sure... But then a musician wants a keybed with great action... And komplete as a soundsource requires atleast 8 GB of memmory and abundant processing power...

And i think, for reliable and fast touchscreen action in a live situation, you will require quite a large screen...

I am talking about using Varranger to replace a totl arranger, and not about a toyquallity arranger ( no disrespect meant) the fact that i think its possible to replace a totl arranger with Varranger says more then enough about my opinion regarding Varranger.


You also know my further wishes, to bring it on the next level...

Thank you for your opinion.

I just want to say, that you can one day play it with your BIG core i7, 27inch lcd, 88 keys....
and then go in vacation with a little tablet and 37 mini keys.

Just copy the data folder, and you are ready to play

I love that.... Really do... All under one license?

Still a pitty you dont have a trial version....

Bachus that;s funny I was thinking if there was a limited use DEMO version also?

Dan, I have to commend you on your excellent work and ingenuity. This is definitely the future for arrangers. A totally professional and very extensive product, for sure.

I can see me having one of these in the not too distant future.

One little question...can you program styles on it?

Just the basics, like part swapping (from another style) would be terrific.

Again, kudos on an excellent musical instrument.

Ian

Okay here we go, whats still missing....

- pads... (Selectable from main screen)
- arpegiators ( as in the korg and tyros pads)
- tempo controll (frontpage switch that overrides the preprogrammed style tempo)
- OTS
- special kontakt soundsets for Roland, Ketron, korg and Yamaha styles..
- (vst) instrument list... ( this is a list where you can choose the presets and user sounds in a VST including the VST effects chain ) this will allow the player to easilly choose the VST sounds he saved in the list withouth going trough the process of configuring the whole VST each time they want to use a sound)
- allowing atleast 32 VSTs trough your VST host..
- using VST effects for the SF2 sounds
- a master effects section...
- rewire capabillity.
- atleast 4 variations, fills and intros
- Harmony feature (on front screen)
- programmed ensemble mode... (If you understand how T5 ensemble feature works, it can be programmed easilly as it is just a matter of if then else statements and while do loops)
- support for audya audio styles (probably will require a license of elastique)
- build in music notation score reader


And when you are done with copying what current arrangers offer, you need to add things in demand by users that the hardware arrangers dont offer
- 2nd screen support
- support for MAC OSX
- an own advanced style format, supporting like 16 tracks and 8 variations, intros, endings fills but also the specifics of your attached VST sounds including settings
- a matrix mode... Like ableton or the yamaha mobile music sequencer, but not launching clips, but style parts...
- dynamic styles mode, with style volume reacting to how hard you play your chords, and styles dynamically switching variations on how you play your right hand ...
- get a deal with Steven Kay, to build in Karma intoo the Varranger... Could be an option, developed by steven kay and sold by steven kay...
-support for the new komplete kontroll software in your arranger...

All in all, its a long list, but on the long run, you need to offer things, that the hardware does not offer, because as soon as you have more features and better sound then the hardware arrangers, you will be in high demand..


And i guess all other arranger players overhere might have some very usefull wishes too

We can put your vArranger licence on one USB thumb drive, that you can use on any computers. You can also send me this USB to France to get a 100% refund if you are not happy. (for normal people)

For now there is no style creator inside vArranger. It will for sure come one day in a free update.

You need to use an external program to convert a midifile to a Roland, Yamaha, Ketron, Korg style, that vArranger can play.

Now for Bachus :






Audio pads will probably come. Not sure about MIDI

- arpegiators ( as in the korg and tyros pads)

Not sure if there is a need for that

- tempo controll (frontpage switch that overrides the preprogrammed style tempo)

Nice Idea

- OTS

Already there. 20 OTS per style

- special kontakt soundsets for Roland, Ketron, korg and Yamaha styles..

Better than this is coming

- (vst) instrument list... ( this is a list where you can choose the presets and user sounds in a VST including the VST effects chain ) this will allow the player to easily choose the VST sounds he saved in the list without going trough the process of configuring the whole VST each time they want to use a sound)

For now you can save one VST FULL STATE for every VSTi startup.
I will add a list soon.
For now, you can already navigate through the VST internal program list from vArranger, or use midi program change



- allowing atleast 32 VSTs trough your VST host..

For now only 16 VSTi. No one complained yet.

- using VST effects for the SF2 sounds.

Already done. 3 VST AUX FX for Reverb, Chorus, Delay. Will add maybe soon one VST FX Insert per track too, for nice disto.

- a master effects section...

Will add this too, for basic synth EQ

- rewire capabillity.
Not soon

- atleast 4 variations, fills and intros
It is already infinite

- Harmony feature (on front screen)

Will add this soon

- programmed ensemble mode... (If you understand how T5 ensemble feature works, it can be programmed easilly as it is just a matter of if then else statements and while do loops)

Maybe you will explain this to me one day

- support for audya audio styles (probably will require a license of elastique)

Already done, but don't want to hurt Ketron with this.
Audio drums will come for sure

- build in music notation score reader

Already done, but not musical notes. Only PDF, JPG, etc...



- 2nd screen support

Already Done

- support for MAC OSX

Not for now...

- an own advanced style format, supporting like 16 tracks and 8 variations, intros, endings fills but also the specifics of your attached VST sounds including settings

Will come too

- a matrix mode... Like ableton or the yamaha mobile music sequencer, but not launching clips, but style parts...

Not the first goal of vArranger, but.. who knows

- dynamic styles mode, with style volume reacting to how hard you play your chords,

I never used this feature on my arrangers

and styles dynamically switching variations on how you play your right hand ...

Right Hand? can you explain

- get a deal with Steven Kay, to build in Karma intoo the Varranger... Could be an option, developed by steven kay and sold by steven kay...

I never understood this Karma

-support for the new komplete kontroll software in your arranger...

Don't know what I can do with the key lightings, maybe show the splits ... I don't think they will allow me to use their screens.
Even for controlling the Novation SLMKII, I had to hack a bit...



Thank you, I will just copy your ideas in my suggestions list

ok after re-listening to my original EQ version that I removed....
I decided to remix it here again.

What do you think of A above or this one B?

Demo Test

lol sounds ok on my laptop speackers But don't loose time on this......

WOOOOWWW !! Amazing news... I have just added the VST snapshots.

You can now save and recall many VST snapshots (= VST full state). WOW ! Full different sessions of KONTAKT VSTi are loaded in one click.

VST for MASTEr FX done

Nice for eq or mastering VST on final stage

(for the vArranger synth with SF2)

link to video?

You work fast mate..

Dan, (others comments welcome too)
All nice work...and a great product.

BUT..here is my biggest questions.....And please respond in details.

OK, so I load in a Yamaha style from PSR or T3,4,5.
What do I have?
1)Will it play and sound great right away? OR do I have to re-voice, adj. volumes ect to make it sound excellent?

2) What about Megavoice styles?

3) Let's say I have a Ketron SD-1000, maybe some SF2, maybe my E-MU orchestra library (vSTi)
For main example How will the Yamaha styles possible sound good in this setup using a SD-1000?

4) Same question for Ketron or Roland styles.

5) I do not have the time OR musical ability to do my own full tweeking of style to have a great sounding arranger...so based on this...would I be better off with let's say a PSR-S-950 or a used T4??

PS...I have listened to ALL demos on the vArranger site.
AND I have listened to ALL 20 demos of the SD-1000...so my questions is how good do the styles work OUT OF THE BOX with all this?

Thanks,
Lee

70% of styles will sound good right out of the box with the SD1000

If you need 100% perfect with 0 tweakings, go for a hardware arranger.

Dan,
OK...70% is pretty darn good...

Bachus (Deane?)....what has been your experience?
Lee

leeboy, what keyboard do you have, had?

Leeboy,
I have had Dan's vArranger, along with other keyboards, for about 3 years now. I trade off various keyboards for gigs and have vArranger for gigs of all sizes and have nothing negative to say about the software. It performs exactly as Dan as stated and with the added ability to play styles from a variety of keyboards it is possible to pick and choose from the best of all of them. I am not a youngster anymore. I use a Roland A-800 Pro midi controller which is very light to transport. There is a learning curve which is true of regular arrangers as well. I use vArranger with Ketron's SD2 Unit and the overall sound I get with my Bose L1 Compact is rather amazing. Yamaha styles sound pretty darn good but a few will need a bit of tweaking. I have tried yamaha styles from everything from the PSR3000 up to the Tyros 5 and all play well and for the most part are gig ready with little to no tweaking. I have also used Roland styles from several keyboard like the E50 and the E80 and have not had an issue with them. So far I have not done a lot with Korg styles except to audition some from various keyboards - they too play well. Like Dan said in his post - not every style from any given keyboard he supports will sound perfect right out of the box - however, I have not found many that can't be used.

I am an "Arranger Player" meaning I play chords with the left hand and melodies with the right hand. I am not a two fisted piano player although I can do that if needed. I do not use midi files, mp3s or sequenced stuff for my gigs.

One other note. Dan's level of support surpasses EVERY OTHER company I have ever done business with. He supports his product with great enthusiasm and is there for us when needed.

Leeboy, hope this helps. I don't have any experience with VSTs or any other software program for musicians so I can't compare vArranger to other software.

Deane

I am always improving the styles engines, so a style that does not sound good today, can sound good on the new update.

I ve just listened to an information on the radio, the EURO vs USD rate is the lowest since 9 years !
Maybe it's the best moment for US people to buy vArranger

Deane,
Thanks for the details...really helps.
I currently have a CME 76 key MIDI keyboard, a Roland PK-5 MIDI pedalboard and 2 Mackie HR800 type powered monitors.

In the past I had a Yamaha Tyros 2 and later a Korg PA2XPRO.
Both long gone now for various reasons.

I am an old (Yep OLD too) organ player so I like a lower manual and pedals. I play mostly slower ballads, show tunes Musical theatre stuff and quality sounds are very important to me.

I should have kept the T2.
I sold the PA2XPRO due to some poor sound quality (quite a few sounds were bad, unless you only play fast dance music).

I would probably be happy with a T4 used or maybe a S-950 (Don't like the keybed though, for that $$ it should have the T4 keybed) but that a lot of $$ for hobby playing.

I have Live-styler V12. It is OK, by as you know Norbert is now gone to a better place. Unfortunately I did not get the Tyros sound set from him before his passing.

Nothing I have seen is as smooth in operation as a Yamaha arranger, IS the Va2 smooth as to transitions to new sounds while playing? (I would hate it if when you change sounds and the previous sound is still going to hear a jump or stutter. Also chord changes with LH memory on. How about changing style sections?

Thanks again,
Lee

Dan,
I have no HW arranger today.
I had a T2 and a Korg PA2XPRO.

I have old version of Live-Styler.

I have a CME 76 key MIDI keyboard, Roland PK-5 pedals and 2 good powered speakers.

Dan,
I know your product is very good and getting better.
By the time I get it and a SD-1000 etc....I have to consider a used HW arranger too.
We'll see.
Thanks, Keep up the great work.
Lee

Lee,
The transition from one sound or style to another is seemless. No delay at all.
By the way, It it extremely simple to put all of the vArranger controls on your midi
controller. I have my Roland A800 Pro setup so I never have to touch vArranger to
do anything. It works just like a regular arranger.

Deane

Dean, what are you using as the soundsource?
Because having a good compatible soundsource is the trick to make Yamaha, Korg, Roland and Ketron styles as good as possible...

Backups

I use a Ketron SD2 unit.
Deane

Deane use the Ketron SD2, and Lee plans to use the Ketron SD1000 that has some very good sounds !
Leeboy, I don't want to push you. Take your time, and come back to me if you have more questions

Lee,
You got mail!
Deane

What is the TOTAL Cost for a Varranger Setup with everything included less the sound system....
laptop, module, controller, programs, etc, etc, ......?

Donny,
There is no straight answer for that.

Let's say you had notta....then:
Va2 = $ 400
PC (doesn't everyone already have at least 2) maybe $500
MIDI keyboard = $100-$400
That's it as vA2 has a built in sounds (VST)

Now...depending on what else you want....up from there.

But sound wise if you want the very best you could spend lots more.

In my case I already have a MIDI kbd, pedals, PC and high end sound system.

If I do this...I might get a sound module to go along with Dan's built in sounds....but I could add that later if needed.

T5 = $4500
S-950 = $1900 (I don't care for the keybed, but maybe could be OK short term)

Yamaha (others too) are way too expensive on arrangers...we drank the koolaid...now they keep upping the cost.
You can get a Yamaha new D-deck (new version last year) for $7,000....and it has 2 manuals, pedals and a nice cabinet. No you don't take it gigging...but I am just comparing costs here.

I may just do the Va2 to just get back into playing...then we see where it goes long term.

By the way...if you add Dan's Va2...you could then take advantage of Ketron, Roland and Korg styles....pretty cool.
And it would work with your 950 or whatever current arranger.
AND you could use the sounds in the current arranger or others as needed.

Interseting times for sure...so many good choices.

Lee

Lee thanx for the synopsis.....
So for roughly vArranger setup from scratch all pieces included about 2k should do it the right way....interesting.

Donny,
You are not even close with your thinking on this. It cost me less then $1000.00 including a top of the line midi controller, the software, and the SD2 unit. You should figure out what things are before you post.
Deane

what about a really good spec 15"/17" laptop Deane I figured that in also to the mix...$500-$700?
I said roughly could be a few hundred either way depending.

And then there is another option, you allready have a professional keyboard workstation, like a Kronos or a Motif, Roland FA09 or the like and you own a laptop with good performance


And you want styles on top of that, in which case you have a top arranger for the price of the software €300, which is a bargain... And which probably is one of Dans most important customer groups..


Personally i am still hoping for compatible soundsets with the major style types in Kontakt (players) A Yamaha compatible sound set, a Roland compatible set, a Ketron compatible set and a Korg soundset, .... Which would make the Varranger beat any other arranger out there...

I have posted some vArranger demos I have found on Youtube
https://www.facebook.com/vArranger

I am curious to see what people are doing with their vArranger

This is one of the sound modules I may consider...for use with Va2.
Basic demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlJ3kyOT9Dg

If you REALLY want to hear what this baby can do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNJyKyR-8v4
Be sure & listen to all 20 demos...incredible!
It has the Ketron Audya engine etc.

All for about $400.
Lee

I bought this module, SD1000, some months ago. I just composed a little demo of its pipe organs (3 of them):
http://youtu.be/UTjO2M2iVtw

Is there a soundtemplate for the SD1000 that one can import into V-arranger?

The SD1000 is automatically recognized by vArranger.
All the SD1000 sounds can be selected , and well grouped by sound categories

But also all the NRPN SYSEX ... DSP FX can be selected.
More than what is written in the manual

This module is very good !

I was told by AJ at Ketron this is a AUDYA sound engine!
If you are interested...please listen to all 12 demo's on youtube I sent the link on my previous post.
This sounds to me like an Audya (only based on youtube demos on Audya and SD-1000)
Also it has Audio drums in addition to MIDI drums.
About $450.
Lee

Some of the SD 1000 sounds are certainly AT LEAST as good as their Yamaha MoXF or Roland Integra counterparts; I like the trumpets, the church organs and a lot more.
I haven't really integrated the module into my system of instruments yet, but I've started to use the iPad app Set List Maker (with in-app purchase midi functionality) to change the SD 1000 sounds (as I did in the pipe organ video).

rosetree,
More video demos of the SD-1000 (songs) would be appreciated.
I do slow ballads, movie themes etc...so instrumental sounds (orchestral stuff) are critical as I don't sing at all (Unless I hit my finger with a hammer!)
Thanks,
Lee

What other instruments are in this way supported by Varranger? Only SD2 and SD1000 or more?

Don't wait for it, I presently just use it for isolated sounds like pipe organ or trumpet. For classical orchestra my MoXF (+flash library) and Integra sounds are certainly better, even if SD 1000 is above average.

Hi Dan,
I'm already on the verge of jumping to software arranger. What I need to accomplish is just like my MJPRO + midi controller setup, that's it! Everything's are there, arranger, multimedia player, sound module, vocal harmony, lyrics display etc. I don't want to hook up another device such as a sound module and vocal effects processor. Do you think an I7 processor touch screen laptop can handle va2, vest and software vocal processor at same time during live playing?
Thanks
Jimmy

While the Varranger sounds quite good with the SD1000, as a Integra7 owner, i am actually quite interested in a demo of Varranger with Inegra7 as soundsource.

Ketron SD2, SD1000, Motif and GM sounds are in vArranger
your SF2 sounds too

All other can be selected by INS files

Most of GM/GM2/XG/GS messages are supported, including filter cuttof, fine tuning, etc...

I think i7 can handle full arranger and vocal processor.
vArranger actually does not handle microphone input, so you need another software to do that. so you need sound card with drivers that can play many software together.

I had the Integra 7 for some days, and was able to tune it for vArranger after few hours.

The sound was nice, but not wow.

There is also a soundlibrary for kontakt its 28GB and mimmics all sounds of the Motif XF... Did anyone get to test this library as base sounds for Varranger?

Yes, some of my users use this :

4 styles demo by MarcinV8

Drums from Toontrack Superior Drummer 2
Percussions from Musyng Kite GM.sfpack
Accordion from Accordions Library for Kontakt. All the rest from sampled Motif XF.
http://www.varranger.com/audio/vAMarcinDemo1.mp3
http://www.varranger.com/audio/vAMarcinDemo2.mp3
http://www.varranger.com/audio/vAMarcinDemo3.mp3
http://www.varranger.com/audio/vAMarcinDemo4.mp3


But the problem with kontakt, it only allow 128 sounds to be called by MIDI? Does it allow Bank MSB and LSB selection ?

You can trick that, Assign an instrument bank to each MIDI channel. You can now switch between any of up to 128 loaded NKIs by sending a normal program change message on that MIDI channel. And then use midi channel switches for the other instruments...

But then for a VST supporting arranger like Varranger it might be wise to support VST instruments with anoyher mechanic then just midi.

This problem has been solved by many other DAWs maybe you could peek there how they solved this




The demos itselves sound quite good.

Just my take...I think more people would buy and use vArranger if they knew so much more about it, setting it up, and using VST programs, etc, etc, in layman's terms step by step,....remember most players just want to turn on the KB and start playing not be a scientist to figure all this stuff out......

Thats true Donny, but for most people that just want to turn on the keyboard and play music, there allways is Yamaha, and they are just perfect for that, thats the kind of instrument Yamaha excels to design


But there is allways people with different needs, and then there is the pioneers, that want to try different things and different paths and that think different then most other peoples.... In general most of the time these pioneers are just weird people, but sometimes they are the reason why things keep innovating....


What Dan is currently doing is trying to copy what the best of the best arrangers do, and frankly i think combined with an SD1000 module or other great soundsource is almost on the same level as most much more expensive TOTL arrangers...


But i think he doesnt realise yet, that to create something really marvelous, he needs to think more out of the box, and add things really beyound what any hardware arranger is currently delivering...


If Varranger, at any time in the future outshines the static hardware arrangers in features, thats the moment people will realise that Varranger is truely something special...

Yes, so basically, it is not possible to change Banks with Kontakt. This trick need tons of midi channels * 16 normal midi channels...

So, Kontakt will only work this way : select the sounds inside Kontakt, then save full Kontakt session in vArranger.

Dnj, I have started to write about using VST with vArranger
http://www.varranger.com/wiki/index.php/VSTi

Unless you hook up Kontakt inside another host that also functions like a VST instrument....

You could use Kore2 or Kontroll software from NI, or maybe even the new comming Akai software that comes with the new Akai pro midi keyboard thats going to be announced at NAMM, i saw a preview of that...


those new VST controller hosts, might actually be what we have been wayting for... they would be host to all VST´s presenting a long browsable list of all your presets as a VSt instrument in You application...


but for now, i asume we must rest with the fact that either a SF2 or an external sound device works best... But i am sure the sollution to this problem is close. Because if you can turn all you VST´s in a long browsable list in a DAW or application, then everyone will want it, espescially people that play live...

You can already save a VST full state and see a long list of all your presets in vArranger.

But it is still not like a GM synth, but more like send one message, and this get your 16 channels loaded with all sounds and parameters.
Kontakt will take some time to load the samples... It is not 0 seconds sound transition

So I think Kontakt is more good for right hand voice than arranger

Donny,
While I am not a top notch musician....I do plan to learn to usevA2 very well. And if you & some others want I will very good reviews on it as I go here.
I did have a T2 and a PA2XPRO at one time....so I can relate how it works compared to those.
Also, I hope to suggest features/updates to Dan as I go to make it even better for everyone's sake.

I am taking the vA2 very seriously and hope to eventually post performances with it as well.

I have spent the money, I have ordered a Ketron SD-1000 and I know MIDI very well so I hope to make this a really great arranger.

Dan is outstanding in his support and I think we will work well together.

If there is interest here...I will keep all informed. As I lean things I will post...in laymens terms AND with knowledge that most here have a Yamaha, Korg, Rolans etc.

I will start a new thread for this purpose soon...that way those who do not care can skip...and those who do can follow along.

Thanks,
Lee

Lee thank you anything that will provide more KNOWLEDGE to players to see what this kind of technology is all about. And maybe who knows?......you might have some converts once they realize what they are missing or possibly could use in their arsenal or completely change from what they are playing now.......Knowledge is Power!

Good Luck

New video with vArranger + Motif XF

The man is trying different sounds for the same style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsEhOo2Jezw#t=10

very Nice Dan ........question: can vArranger be operated with touch screen controls on a Laptop also?

I would also as do many I would assume see a DEMO of setting up vArranger completely SIMPLE STEP BY STEP from scratch to a midi controller KB, sound module, mixer with Pa speakers etc, etc, .. then show it in a live playing scenario going thru sounds and style changes on the fly.....this would further answer so many players questions before purchasing vArranger if they could see it in action and UNDERSTAND what its all about.....

Thanx

Yes, there is laptops and tablets with touch screens. They all works with vArranger.
I will continue to post every interesting videos

Thanx Dan for the answer.... and YES the more you explain and show how it works the more we learn,....understand ....and hopefully purchase.

I didn't make a video, but when I started to when I was playing...it was ...maybe 10 minutes to get:
vA2, CME 76 key MIDI keyboard, Mackie 4 channel mixer, USB sound blaster PC audio sound card( just better than the built in Windows one, but you do not need it) 2 Mackie HR-824's monitors all going...playing styles & MIDI files.

That's not saying I do not still have lots to discover on best way to use vA2.

This is all using the included vA2 synth and my SD-1000 should be here today. The included stnth is actually pretty good, but I think the Ketron SD-1000 will really be the cats Meow!

Good luck Lee........but honestly seeing is Learning that's why its so important to see it from start to finish in action. We can't always assume most people are knowledgeable in setting up and navigating thru the features while playing using the vArranger & all its workings..

If rumors are true, the Motif replacement we will see this week at NAMM will be called Montage, and have improved soundsets including a GM set and many of the features of the T5 and much much more..

For peoople into that workstation, the Varranger2 using the GM sounds of that Workstation might be a huge hit... It would truly change the workstation into a fullfledged arranger of Tyros5 like Quallity styles.

So, we can forget about a workstation called 'Dawn'?
Seems as if there won't be a Montage either, all I see on the Yamaha NAMM website is the white Motif XF again
I fear the time has come and gone for a Motif successor this time AGAIN...

People are extremely dissapointed....

Yamaha has 12 vintage synthesizers of old times at display on NAMM, thats their main feature...

There is clearly something wrong at Yamaha synth division, as if they have lost their touch...

Just got my Ketron SD-1000.
Sounds are really terrific!
Some song demo's with vA2 will come in due time.

Lee

Congrats Lee can't wait!!

For all those that want to bring VST,s to their arrangers, this akai masterkeyboard seems very very prommising.. Keep in mind that its not about the keyboard alone, but about the keyboard and the Software integration..

http://youtu.be/HVr4epS2UUA


Probably the highlight of NAMM for me.... However, i played some of the less pro Akai midi keybeds last week, and they felt really bad, lets hope this baby has a high quallity keybed..

Something for Wersi (Music Store) to think about doing for the Sonic and its offspring.

Not useful... VST mapping is already done on vArranger
Why no company is releasing master keyboard with a very good key feel
and tons of buttons with led feedback, and still compact and light weight..
I am always looking at the new coming master keyboards, and say to myself... oh no...

Wath do you think of that, Dan ?

http://jamkey.net/


Regards,

Carlo

Not usefull?

Dan, now you are kidding me, the software comes with most major VSTs mapped inside. This way you only need to host a single VST.... Thats the Akai VST...

Personally i am quite convinced this is the breaktrough that VSTs needed for live use... Its whta kontroll did for komplete, and what arturia does for its V collection... But then for all VSTs. It gives one big list with all your sounds, and makes it browsable, and when selected you get direct access to the 8 most important parameters of the sound with the knobs...

Seems we disagree on this...

By the way Dann, you being French, i just mentioned Arturia, they make great stuff and are a French company, have a look at the beatstep pro, it might be intereesting as a midi controller...

Very nice...the issue for me would be lack of MIDI controller possibilities. Very few switches etc to use to control vA2.
The Novation SL61 II is great as it also will provide LED feedback via vA2's programming. (you push a button...the light goes on...telling which was the last one pushed)
And I have tested the SL series and the keybed is very nice.

Most of the cheap MIDI keybeds are of very poor feel...nothing like a Korg PA or Tyros...and some don't even have aftertouch...something I want for sure.

But all that said I agree this new Akai is pretty cool and comes with a lot of goodies...and I think it said it was a Fatar keybed...pretty good.

you could allwas use a Novation zero sl2 in combination with any keys you want, i have one of those and they are great,

Just make sure you playtest any keybed you order, the name Fatar does not warrant a good keybed, Fatar have several lunes of keybed, ranging from pretty crappy to ok and very good..

The Novation keybeds however are decent ..

vArranger already gives you the list of all sounds of each VST
And you can change every parameters with 8 knobs

I don't think the sound list will work with Kontakt.
It is more for analog synth where a preset is created only with parameters changes

Jamkey seems ok for the keyboard part, but the controlling is not so good;

I prefer endless encoders than limited knobs
All buttons should have led feedback on them

It will work with kontakt, omnisphere and others, as all major VSTs are supported, for many of those Akai created custom lists... I think the power of this keyboard is in the supported, where they try and work around the limmitations of the VSTs..

I agree with you on endlEss encoders, i allways wondered why on for example the Novation SL range there where both endless encoders and limited knobs, i would have prfered all endless encoders, as an endless encoder can function as a limited knob(with smart software), but not the other way around.

I didnt like the jamkey at all, it felt like a gimmick, the controlls where out of reach and low quallity feel, also the keybeds where not to my taste, obviously the cheaper fatar ones..