How many people here actually have a SD 7?

How many people here have ever seen an SD7? For that matter, how many people here have ever seen a UFO? Or Sasquatch?

Seriously. Uncle Dave's efforts show the board can produce great results. But some features aren't fully described in the manual, and there are some things that I just have to try for myself. Way too expensive and bulky to just "take a chance."

The old brick-and-mortar retail model was dying even before coronavirus closed the stores. I'm tired of walking into Guitar Center and seeing "the world according to Yamaha." That's no way to promote innovation among instruments that are 85% software!

When this is all over, what I would like to see are "Factory Demo Days" in every part of the country, a couple of times a year. Manufacturers bring their latest wares, we try them, and then place our orders on the Internet (because most of us do that anyway!!) My $.02.

Well, Ted and Donny, I have owned 2 Ketron SD7 Keyboards and without a doubt they are the very best of any keyboard I have ever owned!! I sold them both only because they were to heavy for me to take to gigs. (I will be 80 in June) I used them for 3 years. I now own and gig with a Ketron SD40 module. The realistic sounds of Ketron are amazing as well as the style backgrounds.

Deane

Ted, I'm using the SD7 to "test the waters" as I await the more powerful, updated SD60. When that arrives (hopefully late May) I will be a self proclaimed Ketron Kamp Cheerleader, and start posting real world tutorials and tips on how to use the darn thing. There are not enough places to actually touch a Ketron product, so I will do my part to spread the word. I'm also considering starting an online "arranger how-to" course " .... there are so many sales clerks on the stores that have NO IDE how to demo an arranger. If you don't live near George Kaye, or Frankie V .... you're stuck with Youtube, and that has fallen short. I may have found my new direction, until live work becomes available again.

Deane I also owned and performed with the Sd7 Twice ....
I will agree on may of your assessments,....but, there was just something about it regarding navigational features, joystick vs mod wheel, etc, and overall live openess of the sound vs other arrangers that I just couldn't tame for my liking my personal opinion. It is quality built for sure as all Ketron units are.

Donny,
There are many issues with the Ketron OS but for me the overall quality of the sound overcomes all the OS issues. I connect my laptop to the module and most of what I need to do becomes very easy.

Deame

Deane I am so glad for you you are a true trooper
...hope you get back to making people happy again soon on stage.

stay safe

I've had two SD7s and an SD40. The first SD7 was sold to me WELL before it was ready for the market and was totally unreliable. After a couple of years they seem to have addressed most of the problems. By the time I got the second one, my fingers were no longer fit for the semi-weighted keys and I didn't want to deal with the weight and length.
I thought maybe the SD40 was the answer, and it did work well, but I really prefer working with a keyboard with everything in one, rather than a module.
All of these sounded great, particularly since they had AJ's upgrades, but to my ears, none sounded quite as good as the old Audya did, probably because it had audio guitars.
I will most likely never have another arranger unless it is light weight, has joystick, has excellent vocal harmonizer, great sound, styles and lead voices.
Most modern arrangers have MOST of these criteria, but none meet all. Probably SD90 module comes closest.
I believe Korg will soon come out with something totally new and different, but the weight and keys will still be an issue for me.
Yamaha is off the table for me at present. I have never cared for the operating system, even though I know it inside out. It lags behind all the other companies in that respect. And the vocal harmonizer is still next to useless for me unless they were to finally address the glitch it makes every time you engage it while singing. The drums have at long last become pretty good, and lead sounds have always been very good.
Roland actually has the most potential to please me, but it seems they are about out of the arranger business, at least for the US market. The EA7 is wildly popular in many countries, and I am content with it for now, but if an affordable option were to come out, it might get my attention.
Bear in mind, the audiences do not care...all the modern arrangers can be used to please them, in fact for the past dozen or more years. It's what pleases the player and his or her needs and wants that is important.

Those sound like some great ideas Dave. There definately needs to be more arranger information out there. Best of luck with all of it.

Deane, I once thought as you do that the OS was at fault, but I have since learned to use this tool within the limitations of its hardware and software integration. Many of today's keyboard arrangers seem to be synths with some computer animation added. The Ketron approach is more like a computer with keys. It's a Lynux system, and its limitations are, like any computer - the RAM, Speed, and storage. I had one about 5 years ago, and returned it because I thought it wasn't ready, and maybe a few things weren't but the biggest thing I have learned this time around is this: Once you learn it's capabilities, and perform within the limits of these parameters, it is remarkably glitch-free, like most of the other big boys in the mix. What computer DOESN'T have bugs early on?
Sorry, I meant to say what WINDOWS computer. We all know Macs are perfect. (NOW I have your attention, huh!) ... moving on:

NO - I AM NOT ENDORSED BY KETRON (but I'm hoping that may change one day)

I am a live player, and like many of you, I sometimes act impulsively when performing. I'll give a few examples of "Glitches" that aren't glitches.
I'm only speaking of the SD7 at this time, because that's what I have the most experience with. (Had an X1, and SD5 way back when)

1) sounds are delayed, or rhythm hiccups when selected.
*** Ketron uses live samples, and need to be loaded each time you use them. The internal RAM can hold 2 sounds at a time, so if you are switching between 2 selected sounds, there will be no lag time. IF you select a third sound, it has to release one sound and load the newest selection, so you get a slight delay. This is a teachable moment in playing an arranger with live sounds. As is the case with ALL samples, some are larger than others, and the load times may vary. I have learned to audition the sounds I like the most and put them in my favorite voices section for easy recall. If it's crucial to the beat and I need instant ON of a sound, I make sure it's one of the smaller samples. Some sounds have minute nuances that won't be missed in certain applications, like the key noise on a Rhodes, or pedal resonance in grand pianos - If you need a quick change for effect - choose a more workable sound.
-- A good analogy would be documenting the existence of an eagles nest that is a very hard climb to reach, so you bring just your phone or a small point and shoot camera, instead of a larger, heavier DSLR, tripod etc. - This job requires a quick snapshot to prove the thing exists .... not a full studio layout of the intricate weaving of the nest. Right tool for the right job. (My hope is that the SD60, with it's dual core processor will reduce this issue a bit, or eliminate it entirely)

2) Vocal Processor is not a TC Helicon, or a Digitech, or a Roland, or any other unit you've owned. Learn what it can do, and use it as such. It's a fine effect unit, and although slightly different from the pack, it's completely musical, and useable.
Usage analogy: If your quarterback has reduced vision on one side - PROTECT THAT SIDE the most. Sometimes you have to make adjustments for conditions. The end result of using a Ketron Voice processor can be 100% professional. It will NOT operate exactly like the competition. Make the choice to either embrace what it does best, or choose another option. I am learning more things that I like about it each day. Future updates may make it even more compatible to more users.

3) The sequencer/player work a bit differently than some others. This unit needs to "look for" the files you want to play, just like a computer, so make it easy for the player to "find" them by organizing your disk drive. The default location is the Ketron drive, but if it's not large enough for your library, all you need to do is select the drive you want to point to at the start of your session, then if will always jump to it. There are THREE USB slots - more than the rest.

There are many "things" that I'd love to have on the instruments I own, that the manufacturers have decided not to implement. This is their right. As a consumer, it's my job to do the research on what instrument will fill most of my needs before purchasing. After owning almost all of the top choices in past years, I have only a few dealbreakers, and the rest ... I'll deal WITH. For what it's worth, here's my list of "gotta haves". (Sorry if it's repetitive)

1) Speakers
2) Solid key feel
3) pro quality mic input with great effects (harmonizer a plus)
4) portable (subjective) The SD7 is longer than I'd like, but the layout is very ergonomic, so I deal with the extra six inches. (That's what SHE said?)
5) Great sounds and rhythms
6) On board song player

Other things I LOVE, but aren't deal breakers:

1) sliders for real time control
2) touch screen
3) second input for mic or guitar
4) stereo aux in (for iPads, and such)
5) on board digital recorder

I'm rambling, because I'm avoiding doing the dishes, and the wash ... thanks for the diversion! Hope this helps some of you in your quest for excellence. I must admit, I was very surprised that I like this unit as much as I do, given ho much I love the Korg PA4x. (but NO SPEAKERS) Perhaps, given the current state of the business, my mindset has evolved to a more mature state of being, and I'm able to really focus on the things that will enhance my shows. (Even if they are largely from my living room for a time) There are many choices that certainly can do this, but right now, the SD60 looks like my "Nirvana" ... Time will tell, but I'm very optimistic.

Truer words were never spoken Don.....+1 buddy all the way.