Hey 'Zoners! Can anyone recommend a good, portable MIDI tone generator for use with a "dumb" controller?

If it has an on-board sequencer/recorder, that's good but perhaps not essential. What I do need is a light, compact form factor, amenable to battery use, ability to manipulate ADSR envelope and save favorites/presets, accept live input on up to three different MIDI channels, and a decent selection of voices for variety.

I am familiar with the Yamaha QY-70 and QY-100. I think they're amazing, and I'm not even put off by the XG voices; they still sound realistic enough for my application. But these are almost 20 yrs old! Storage media are equally obsolete. There has to be something made in the 21st Century that covers every function and does it better!

I've heard of the Ketron SD4, which I think is also no longer made. Unless I'm mistaken the SD4 didn't have any kind of on-board interface or controls to manipulate ADSR, etc. Anyhow compared to the Yamaha modules it's rare and more expensive. Say "SD40" and you lose a testicle! So what else is out there??

Most use tablets, laptops and 2 in 1s with DAW software these days (Which work out cheaper than a lot of modules) so modules are few and far between.
I would have recommended the Roland BK7m but this has also been discontinued, which leaves only Ketron left in the market as far as I am aware. (Sorry to say but you are asking at least 10 years too late)

Bill

Abacus, what DAWs do you think work best with an iPad for live performance? I use and Love the Ketron Midjay Plus. I would like to use the iPad as well with backing tracks for shorter (1 hour) gigs. I downloaded Sweet Midi for iPad but don't care for the sounds ...

Hi,
Not aware of anything like that, nowadays either.

Seems to stuff around for iPads, most of my music software is on my laptop , though.
My iPad is fairly old, so haven’t really checked into it.

Hi Jerry,
Bachus knows a fair bit as to what is available for iPads.

Probably so does Bill.

iPad 100%.

Dave, what app(s) are you using with the iPad?

Garageband is the easiest, and it's native to Apple. I trigger sounds from my midi guitar (Godin Montreal Triple Play), use small usb controllers, and it also integrates into Logic as a control surface.

You might want to check into Sonority XXL by V3 Sound. https://www.v3sound.com/en/e-product-sonority-xxl.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=049KvCfZ_h4&list=PL7jdw7PV1eYpHb3J90Ri23PjPTaa-EiRu

I have a Ketron SD4, SD1000, and SD40, but I prefer V3 Sound arranger and modules. Once I asked a very talented multi instrumentalist who plays gigs full time. He says he likes the V3 Desktop arranger better than his Audya 4.

Chris

As mentioned above, if you have an iPad Garage Band is a no brainer. (It has many features of the top notch Logic X DAW and is free)

Android you are pretty much stuffed so look elsewhere.

Laptops/2 in 1s look at Ableton Live, (Intro version) also if you buy a decent interface (Focusrite & Steinberg do some great entry level) a lot already come with Ableton Lite as well as other programs to get great sounds.
Have fun.

Bill

If you’re looking for a dedicated tone generator with the feature list of a basic workstation, the Yamaha QY-70 and QY-100 (even though a bit dated) are still IMO the best in this area. Why Yamaha discontinued them is a mystery because both the QY-70 and QY-100 were very popular and big sellers.

As mentioned if you have an iPad (or even an iPhone) that’s another option. A great app IMO is SampleTank for iOS. You’ve got GarageBand, but IMO, the QY-100’s XG sound set is better. Some of theincluded sounds with GarageBand (iOS) are ok, but some are really poor. I’ve got SampleTank on my iPhone and love it.

Sqk

Here is my 2 cents... the best app for playing back tracks, hands down.
Android and now IOS too.

It has the absolute best gm wavetable. You can edit and save easily, built in mixer, search feature, and will play back any file. SMF, wave, MP3, also MP4 and other video formats.. and the only CDG zip file play with full key and tempo functions.

Song list features are unlimited..

Check it out.. less than $10 for Pro version.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.promusicsoftware.winlivepro



Here is a demo I recorded using the WinLive wav table..

https://app.box.com/s/q9lmnkn1xq2d2vr3u3swga1aa6sfr1yq

Actually garageband is one of the most restricted programs..
Its does support auv3..
But does not integrate with other programs
There is no support for iaa and audiobus..
Same Goes for cubasis.. altough it works very well for recording audio trough AUM
Thats something Garageband can’t do

Personally, i would build an ipad setup around AUM or audiobus..
And for keyboard setups look into camelot pro..

For sequencing.. beatmaker 3 is my favorite
And it fully supports AUM and audiobus 3..

AUM allows you to combine all your music making tools
Grooveboxes..
Virtual instruments.
Loopers
And all those other lovely tools..


When you look at the ipad for music making
Its best to put you pc glasses away, and loop at the possiblilities with a new pair of glasses..




Showing a video of Xequence2 with AUM..