Hello everyone,
Well, I guess my adventure with Ketron SD40 is about to be finished.
I have this unit for 2 months now, but since I did not get any support neither from Ketron Italy, who has not replied to any of my emails, nor from local importer – I have decided to let it go.
Besides the idea of reactivating our band from the past also will not succeed, so the unit will not be used.
So if anyone is interested in buying it, please contact me directly at dali11@o2.pl
Unit is like new, 2 months old, barely used at home for a few times to check the styles and sounds. Of course everything is in original box with all included accessories.
I am located in Poland, so shipping within EU countries is not a problem.
Greetings to everyone.
Mike

Mike, that's too early for a return. Do you have any problem with the SD40 that you've asked for support?

Hi Jimmy
Thanks for reply.
Well, there are a few issues I am concerned about.
First is the lack of RAM Sounds present on SD7. Since Ketron claimed SD40 is a module version of SD7 – I do not understand why they did not include these great sounds in SD40. Strange, especially that on my SD40 there is a folder called RAMSounds, but it is ... empty. Hence there is a question – since I have the item from one of their first shipment – did they “forget” to include those sounds, or was it intentionally that SD40 does not offer them ?
Second – I thought I would be able to use SD40 also as the sound card to my PC. But I guess it is not possible – unless there is some way to accomplish that?
Also the factory style selection is not really to my liking. There are lots of great styles for live performers and entertainers, however I was looking for styles in such genres as smooth jazz, lounge, etc., and here SD40 does not have much to offer.
But again – this is just me, it is still great sounding machine for someone, who is looking for live performance “assistant”, perfect for parties and one-man band application, which I suppose it had been designed for.
Regards
Mike

You're welcome Mike.
I'm also expecting the SD40 is the module version of SD7 except for the launchpad feature. I just learned also that Ketron is updating the SD40 OS and completing what's missing on the first batch so there will be some delays. You may want to hold on your unit as there's an update coming that might address your issues. Concerning the styles, I'm pretty satisfied with my MJPro so I guess I'll be happy with SD40 styles (like SD7's) with almost twice the number compared with MJPro. I hope I made a good decision to trade in my MJPro with SD40.
You're right about the customer support, it's almost non-existent. AJ is the only contact person here in the USA that responds to customers and inquiries.
I wish there are other arranger modules from other companies.
Regards,
Jimmy

So far also some of the deejay/player functionallity from the SD7 seems missing... windering if that will make the software update to...

The launchpads, are a specific SD9 pro feature, to bad, because if they would add that to the SD40 i would buy t blindly... no questions asked..

Thanks for your replies, guys.
Jimmy, how did you know about OS update for SD40?
Do you know when it will be released and what issues addressed?
Regards
Mike

Mike,

By any chance ... are the styles you are looking for available in our just released GOLD PACKAGE (which is also compatible with the SD40) shown here:- http://www.ajamsonic.com/styles.html


If not, can you provide some YouTube links with reference music that comes close to the styles you were looking at.

Thanks,

AJ updated me on the next shipments as well as what Ketron is doing to ensure customer satisfaction. I'm eagerly waiting for the SD40.

Hi Mike,

concerning your Problems with the SD40:

1. RAM Sounds are partly included at the SD40. The advantage is that you allways have access to this sounds. At SD7 it was only possible to laod 2 of RAM - Sounds at the same time with loading time. Same for the Styles. The soundboard is different to the SD7.

2. Using SD 40 as a Sound Card on PC: Connect a midi cable, press Menu, select MIDI on Display, tap on "COMPUTER&SEQUENCER" preset. If you want to make the midi Connection with USB-Cable, tap on "USB Midi" at the Display.

3. Checking the style selection before, avoids disappoimtment. On the other side, it is possible to include nearly the whole Ketron style library from the former instruments. With the help of the Modeling Function, you can modify the internal stlyes without programming. This makes the styles to your "own styles".

4. The DJ Function was not intended at the SD 40. This is the area of the Midjay Pro, together with the possibility to add an internal Hard Disk for playing a huge amount of files. Same for Launchpad, which will be a Special Feature on SD9.

5. Updating the SD 40 will be done by OS and USB stick. If you want to know about new updates...submit the Newsletter at Ketron.it.

Many Greetings

Ketronbernie

Great to hear that Ketronbernie. How can we use or conver the other Ketron styles from former instruments for use on SD40?
Thanks

No Problem,
The old format of Ketron styles comes with the ending "pat". Simply copy the files to the internal disc, select one of these styles and the instrument (SD7, SD9 or SD40) will ask you, if the selected style or all the styles of the current folder should be converted. The NEW Ketron styles format has the ending "kst". After converting you can copy the "kst" styles into the USER_STYLE section.
For editing the styles on PC, simply copy the style to the PC, and change the file ending from "kst" into "mid". Then you can edit the style on your sequencer on PC. After editing, simply chenge the ending from "mid" into "kst" again. There is a document on the ketron.it Internet page, where this item is described.

Greetings,

Ketronbernie

So i can copy/convert all my styles from the Audya to the SD9?
Nice.

Hello
Ketronbernie – thanks a lot for your explanations, very helpful indeed.
I did not know, that “The soundboard is different to the SD7” – I thought they are identical.
Does it mean that sounds of SD7 and SD40 – are not the same as well?
Or going further – are the styles and sounds made specifically on SD7 compatible in 100% with SD40?
Regarding the possibility to convert styles from .pat format – I have tried to do it on SD40 in the way described in manual and confirmed in your post – but the results were ... well not that good. I either had only one intro playing, or just two out of 4 variation playing correctly, no all fills and breaks were working, etc. Probably after such simple conversion on SD40 – there is still some more detailed edition necessary for such styles ? I am not that computer oriented guy, is it possible to it just on Sd40 itself, without PC?
Anyway, thanks a lot for taking time to explain all my questions, I really appreciate it.
I think it is useful not only for me but also for other potential buyers.
All the best to you
Mike

Hello! Got a demo of SD40 yesterday. One feature on SD40 I very much would like to have on my AUDYA4 is "Go to end" wich gives a simpel and short ending to the song. The endings are often way to long and complicated. Anybody knows if that is possible to get on AUDYA?

This is not possible, because the Audio drums are different...You only can copy Audya Styles with Mididrums...

Hi Mike,

the soundboard is bigger, this makes it possible to include the RAM Sounds. The Audio Styles are also loaded much faster, because the Audio drums are also on the soundboard.

I didn't know that big difference between SD7 and SD40. Price wise there's not much big difference between the two. I hope I'll not be disappointed with the SD40. Thanks friends for the information.

Thanks tastefuzzi for answer. A little disapointing of course, but I'm very happy with my AUDYA4!

This should change with the sd9 pro, which should be able to import audya audio drum loops.

Overhere price difference is huge SD7 €2700 and SD40 €1750

But then still an SD40 not having atleast all the SD7 apabillities will still be a dissapointment for many...

I hope that in the near future there might also be a SD90 pro module from ketron...

In fact I dont know if the Import of Audya styles will be possible on SD9...
But, to clear the differences between SD7 and SD 40: I think, the advantage of SD 40 is the different soundboard, which makes the selection of styles and registrations much faster. If you need more storage or DJ functions, the Midjay Pro will be the better choose. The SD40 is dedicated to the accordeon players, or as addition for present keyboards or digital pianos. I will use it with accordeon and an old digital piano, and therefore it is made perfectly in my opinion.

Hello tastenfuzzi
Thanks for your information. Based on your explanations, things look a bit different for me now.
The main question is - since there are no dedicated styles or sounds specifically for SD40 - but there is such offer for SD7 - is it reasonable to buy styles or sounds made and designed with use of SD7 - and they will play flawlessly on SD40 ? Or they would be "just compatible" meaning that there will be still necessary to do some additional work on them, to edit them, adapt somehow etc?
Or going to extremal case - is soundware made or designed on or for Sd7 likely to cause freezing of Sd40 due to differences in internal soundboard architecture?
Thank you
Mike

That's a great question Mike. I hope AJ can chime in here also.
In my understanding both MJPro and SD40 can be fitted with large capacity SSDs.

I might received my SD40 around mid November with new OS. I'm excited. Let's see what happen.

Btw, Mike how's the Voicetron on your SD40?

MidJay Pro, SD7, SD40 and SD9PRO is the same platform system..
And yes.. The SD9Pro converts the Audya (PAT) Styles to new type (KST) styles... The new type of KST Style, is much improved than problematic PAT (Audya type Styles)..
As we know, the Ketron Keyboards they use GM Soundboard and its very easy to convert correct a style.. The convert created only in Midi Sequence...
Therefore should to improve (after the convert of Audya PAT), the correct Audio Drums, User Audio Drums (only in SD9Pro), mix, FX or more things because every machine use different DSP, different GM Banks and more things...
Also the new SD9Pro is compatible with simple User Audio Drums of Audya (@) and we can to create and import new Audio Drums.
Also a very important thing in new Sd9Pro is to have User Midi Sequences in Modeling Smart Style Method of Ketron..
Very important!!...

Making the SD9Pro superior to audya.... And the new flagship

Just been on Ketron Uk site and found demo files for the SD40.
There is one called Jazz Club which was also one of the demos for my Midjpro and sounds identical - they were using a style which isn't even on my Midjpro - is this style on the SD40?

Never known a manufacturer include a demo style which doesn't exist on the instument it's supposed to be demonstrating.
When will Ketron let us have this style.

Ketron never answer queries but maybe AJ can shed some light on this.
Tony

Hello, Jimmy
Well, I have not tried the Voicetron on my SD40 yet - I rarely use any vocals , mostly play instrumental music.
How do you know that your SD40 will have new OS?
There is nothing about that on Ketron site?
Regards
Mike

AJ told me about the new OS and other stuffs they installed on the latest SD40s before shipping them. That causes the delay in shipment here in the US.

Hello
Jimmy, good to hear aboout new OS. I just hope that Ketron will not forget about the users, who have bought SD40's from the first delivery batch and made this new OS available for free download and installation to the instruments like mine.
Cheers
Mike

Sometimes, the demos are not done with the complete style but a portion of it, and then the bass is toggled between MANUAL bass and the style's Auto bass, or INTRO 2 is used and a lead melody is played live along with it - again demonstrating the potential of the unit and the various ways in which a style or the unit as a whole can be used.

Thanks for replying AJ.
I thought they used full blown styles so I'll have to experiment to try and find which bit of which style I heard.

Ketron are producing, as always, some great instruments - such a pity that they don't communicate with the people who keep them in business.
You do a sterling job on their behalf and you're very much appreciated for the effort you make.
Tony