First lets start keyboard workstations like korg kronos, yamaha montage and modx, roland FA series

So what does a synth workstation combined with an arranger module have to offer that we can not find in todays arranger keyboards?

- where todays arrangers are limited to 3 right and 1 left sound. The workstations allow 8 up to 16 sounds directly connected and split and layered over the keyboard..

- these can be local or remote parts, remote parts are easily defined by midi channel/bank change/program change instead of an instrument name

-to each of these parts, arp’s karma, motion sequences and more can be assigned..

- all comtrollers like sliders and knobs can be programmed freely with both internal as well as external cc parameters.

- they all function as a usb audio interface, allowing for much better daw controll

All of this makes for an incredible versatile setup.. not just controlling the arranger module and internal sounds at the same time.. but also with enough options to controll other modules and a daw/vst sounds at the same time..
This goes far beyound whats possible with todays arrangers. Altough for other things like playing midi files and audio files, i think arrangers (including modules) offer a better experience


Next up, there is high end stage piano’s. These don’t offer the arps/ multiple voices nor the daw controll, but quite a few of them have external channels for controlling other devices..

Kawai mp11 3int sounds + 4external
Roland RD2000 8 channels each can be int or ext or both..
Nord stage with 6 int sounds + 2 external
Casio px-5s 4 int sounds + 4 external

These also make great controllers for an arranger module
Altough with only 2 channels the nord stage can not controll more then left and right hand sounds on the arranger... so does not have much more room for controlling other devices or a laptop at the same time, but it does have a nice build in arp..


And then there are the traditional masterkeyboards.. they don’t offer sounds/audio interface but often come with programmable buttons knobs.. but i don’t see much reason for combining an arranger module with a masterkeyboard.. because it would be easier to just buy a normal arranger keyboard.. where the other 2 options add a lot more depth..



And then there is using a module with an organ... also a great solution but the organs are to diverse to put under this topic..


And lastley controlling an arranger module with an arranger.. in general arrangers are less suited controllers then the other 3 options above.. as they lack much of the flexibillity to become a great midi controller.. but a ketron sd90 combined with a genos would give a bit more style flexibillity..

A great topic. I look forward to getting my Numa Compact 2x. Still, I might have to use another piece of gear to call up patches in external arranger modules. Since both hands are busy playing, I'd say that a midi foot controller is a good way to do it. However, some fancy midi foot controllers can be up there between $1,500 to $2,000.

Yes, this is indeed a very interesting topic.

Lately I am having great fun using V-Console for Genos software to drive Genos as the upper keyboard, the Kronos 2 88 as the lower keyboard, and Roland PK5 as the bass pedal. I can trigger chord changes for style progression from both Genos and Kronos, with the flexibility of playing different voices from the two keyboards.

In order to achieve a stable home studio type setup which allows me to hookup additional devices or maintain existing connections, I bought a Jaspers 4S-150S A-Frame anodized aluminum keyboard stand for this combo, achieving very clean floor space:


The sounds from the Kronos with EXs45 KApro "Symphonic Dreams 2 Orchestra & Strings" library are incredible. The EXs17 Berlin D Piano makes the CFX Concert Grand on Genos sound thin and tiny. Mixing the sounds of Genos and Kronos is much more enjoyable than playing Genos alone.

My next steps:
1. Get additional Jaspers keyboard accessories to hold the laptop and iPad Pro 12.9 to free up more floor space on the left.
2. Replace the Roland PK5 13-note pedal with a 24 to 25-note MIDI pedal - 13-notes is too limiting.
3. Work on making some dummy voice files for Genos to access some of my favorite sounds of Roland Integra 7 - this may take a long while.

Thanks,
Paul

nice setup, but also the reason i am cutting down to a single keyboard (kronos88) an sd90, some modules (integra, gemini, motif XS) and macbook (Mainstage/VST) and Ipad..

We originally got interested in Ketron while working with a few folks over on WersiClubUSA. We have been a long time Wersi owner and started that site to share and learn with other Wersi owners. Here's an example of using our Wersi OAX 700 as a "controller" with our SD40. In this example we use the Wersi as a controller and have a mix of Ketron and Wersi sounds being played along with just the drums from a Ketron style since we play pedals on the organ.

Mix-n-Match Wersi and Ketron

I remeber this, thats where your love for Ketron comes from..
Wersi is a great controller for ketron modules
To bad its not possible to use the wersi controlls ..

If I am being honest I just don't understand how a player using all these controllers & gadgets while trying to play and sing a song can do that without the flow being abrupt, choppy, and a navagitional nightmare?......we can talk all day and buy all the gear and setup anyway you want but in the end talk is cheap,....I learn by watching people play and use their instruments getting and absorbing from their talents to use in my own music....but I hardly ever see the players who have all this stuff in their rigs so I can learn more from it...what am I missing here...?


and yes I'll say it.....

"THOUGHTS"?

Donny, you're right but you have to consider that very few of these 'gear-rich' people 'gig' (perform publicly) so ergonomics is not that important. Since most of their activity involves playing for pleasure and/or multi-track recording, what's most important to them is having the biggest possible arsenal of sounds and effects to create their music (to be listened to after the fact, not live). I have lived in both worlds so I sort of 'get it'. And then there's the fact that some of us are just gear junkies and are just as interested in the technology as they are in the music. Nothing wrong with that as long as you've got enough left to buy shoes for the kids .....oh, what the heck, let 'um go barefoot .

Well, you asked for 'THOUGHTS'.

chas

Bachus - I agree there are a few things not entirely implemented in the current Wersi OAX code that would be helpful, especially on the MIDI side of things. The good news is on the Wersi side we can create what they call a "user sound" that will call up any voice in the Ketron from the Wersi. Next step is to save that "user sound" in a "user preset" (again on the Wersi side). Think of that as the same thing a Registration on a Ketron. All the various volume/expression controls work along with sustain pedal. Having said that I'm guessing I'm a very rare owner of both a Wersi and a Ketron and attempting to use the Wersi as a MIDI controller (once in a while!). Most of the time we use a Komplete Kontrol S61 MKII which doesn't make all the great of a controller for the Ketron, but it does make a killer controller if you own Native Instruments VST's or others that conform to the NKS standard.

Chas thanx or your thoughts appreciate it! That said in any case gigging or in studio why do so many deter from SHARING their work but choose to only keep it to themselves?....it seems confusing to me ....I use to be a gear junkie but weened myself clean for years now and playing with minimalist gear lets my creative juices flow so much better if you catch my drift?.....but sharing with each others music helps each other learn always from the experience!