Since the arrival of my Ketron SD7 a few weeks ago I have grown more and more surprised of the developments with arranger keyboards and the use of them by professional entertainers like the folks mentioned ( please do not be offended if I have not included everyone in the list). Why is that you may wel ask?
For starters I should add that I am more than satisfied with the Ketron SD7 for home use, even if in the past I was highly critical of Ketron as a product and to a certain extent I still am. However things are moving in the right direction and there are quite regular OS updates not only fixing bugs but actually adding new applications.
Of course you guys in the USA are lucky to have the expertise of AJ at your disposal, and Donny is even luckier to live at close quarters of aforesaid.
I know that most of you, like me, have gone through any amount of arranger players and also that most of you manage to make them sing regardless, being professional or semi-professionals.
I also seem to recall that Don and DAve in particular set great store by the drums, bass and proper righthand sounds such as piano, guitar and sax, to mention but a few. Seems to me that to them the acc.section (tracks 1-5) are of lesser importance also due to the fact that they are singing entertainers.
As such I am sincerely amazed to learn that for instance both Don and Donny had the SD7 in the past but moved on again to other boards.Now with the added TOTL SD9 and its module the SD90 I find it somewhat hard to understand why anyone would pass up on these ( unless of course it would be a financial consideration). In my view as a singing performer there is nothing better than the current offering by Ketron. And as regards the weight issue which I know features very promimently among those mentioned, adding an SD90 module to the Roland E-A7 or even dispensing with the Roland completely and simply adding a lightweight master Midi keyboard to e.g. the SD90 module seems to me a most rewarding way to go. I know I know it seems that I am blowing the Ketron trumpet but all I am saying is that it is a set up very much worthwhile to consider for any singing artist. For me , just playing and with limitations, I make do with the SD7 ( plus Korg PA50sd), but in any other situation I would either addd the SD90module or go for the SD60
which as you know is the SD9 with built in speakers..
Just food for thought and possibly discussion ?

regards
John

Ketron SD7 pt1

I have done much research and I agree that Ketron has the best sound in regards to what matters the most to me-drums and rhythm instruments for backing. That said, I am not playing out right now so I am going to stick with what I have for now. If my situation changes and I decide to go back out, I will probably go with an SD-40. Regarding the problems that some of the top players here had with Ketron, I think these were due to the fact that the "bugs" were not yet ironed out, but they now are. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Ketron product if and when I need one.

Morning, John:

I've been doing more lurking than posting lately... but want you to know... I've always believed we need to select the instrument, device or new invention that best captures what we are attempting to convey to our listeners. From that point forward... it all depends upon the talent and tenacity of the artist/performer/creator to "lay it on the line" and see who salutes.

All the best, ----Dave

Why did you stop playing out?...sounds like you really enjoyed it..
I agree on the Ketron LIVE sound it is amazing.
Ketron SD90/Novation MKII is on my radar but I have to look more into it and visit Prince AJ at the Ketron lab soon also to demo it live...

Combination of health issues, lack of strong desire and the fact I moved to a small area where the nursing home market is very small.

very understandable....stay well and good luck to you and your music.