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The Ketron XD3 is ideal to connect to Midi accordions, even those controlled dynamically with bellows and to Master keyboards. The XD3 is however also a professional Midifile player equipped with Microphone and Vocalizer (optional).
Ketron - X4 Price:
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Throw away that cumbersome rack of
modules, the new Ketron X4 provides an integrated and fully relational
synthesizer module all in a single compact unit. By using industry standard
MIDI as the primary interface, the Ketron X4 can be used with the huge range
of MIDI keyboards, accordions, guitars, wind controllers, and of course,
computers. Once connected, to a MIDI controller the X4 takes care of all the
various elements used in the production of music: a stunningly realistic Sound
generation, Realtime Arranger, Sampler, Sequencer module, 2 multiple function
DSP’s, Microphone input, 4 assignable audio outputs, Hard Disk ,
Vocalizer and Video interface options for
karaoke. Being internally
connected, all these modules are of course fully interactive. With so
many options, editable parameters, and vast settings capability, the X4
becomes the creation of the musician that uses it. ARRANGER The new
Ketron X4 boasts 198 Factory Styles to cover a very wide range of
musical genres. A further 198 Custom Styles allow the user to
personalise the Factory Styles by modifying its instrument types, mix,
tempo, and effects, as well as the various types of Percussion
instruments in the Rhythm section. Each Style is made up of 10 sections:
Drums, Bass, 5 automatic Chords, Groove and 2 Manual Chords (Lower). 3
Intros, 4 Arrangement Variations, 3 Endings and 4 Fill’s are available
for each Style, making each of these parts different from each other,
more realistic and musically stimulating. A Lock function allows you to
block a specific part of the Arrangement, Bass, Rhythm or Chords so as
to allow you to go on to the next arrangement without the blocked
section undergoing any variations. Other interesting functions
incorporated in the Style section are: Jump (automatically go to next
style variation after a fill-in, and use the intro as a bridge), Bass to
Lowest note, Bass to Root note and Manual Bass. In addition to Styles,
the X4 can play Patterns (styles loaded from disk). Up to 99 Patterns
can be loaded for instant use in the standard memory, with up to an
additional 99 if the optional expanded memory is installed. The hard
drive version of the X4 is shipped with many favourite patterns from
previous models, and thousands more can be added by creating your own,
turning a MIDI file into a pattern (via a computer sequencer), or buying
ready made patterns on floppy disk.
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UNICANNILY REALISTIC SOUNDS
The X4 is provided with a powerful 24 Mbyte ROM
for the PCM data and a completely new selection of orchestra
instruments: Pianos, Brass instruments, Guitars, Accordions, Choirs and
Vocal effects, Drums and Special effects. These sounds are of a
surprising high quality and realism, often superior to those found in
professional studio equipment. Try listening to the Tenor Saxophone, the
Contralto, classic Flute, Andean Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Muted
Trumpet, the Clarinet or French Horn. Recently rediscovered Analogue
type sounds (Saw-Tooth, Square Wave, Sine Wave) that are particularly
appreciated by Techno, Dance and Hip Hop music proponents can also be
produced on the X4. NON-OBSOLESCENCE Electronic musical instruments are
often overshadowed or made obsolete by new technology, they are not
designed to be updated, especially with regard to sounds. The X4,
however, is an exception to the rule, as it is equipped with two types
of Expansion for new Sounds, Drum Sets as well as Styles: the 16 Mbytes
SIMM RAM and 8 Mbytes Flash Card (optional). With the Hard Drive
version, or by installing an optional Hard Disk (8 Gigabytes maximum),
you can count on a huge potential of storage capacity. Complete Sound
Banks can be transferred from the disk, onto the RAM, or optional Flash
Card. Once stored, the Card allows you to have immediate and easy access
to a huge number of additional Sounds without the necessity of having to
load them from Disk. The Card also has the great advantage of not ever
being deleted, but can be rewritten by the user. A vast Library of
Sounds and Styles is already available for the X4. Furthermore, Wave
files can also be used up to a maximum 7 seconds each. The RAM (SIMM)
available for the Sound Banks can store up to 128 new Sounds and 8 new
Drum Sets. Future developments include Analogue capacity for the Card.
Thanks to the Sound Bank Autoload function, you can automatically load a
specific Sound Bank from the Disk onto the RAM when switching the
instrument on - very useful! By default the X4 is designed to load a
Folk Sound Bank when switched on, with typical dance-music and folkloric
sounds. These are best used with the bonus Patterns, 1 to 16 that have
been pre-installed in the Pattern memory. Even the entire operating
system can be updated thanks to the X4's simple, yet elegant update
function. This permits all the very latest X4 developments to be added
as they become available by inserting a new system floppy disk (which
can even be downloaded via the internet).
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64 VOICES/128 PROGRAMS/DIGITAL DRAWBARS
The Ketron X4 has a polyphony of 64 real notes
with 32 MIDI parts. In the Program mode, it is very powerful, allowing
you to store up to 128 Programs by superimposing up to 4 Voices in layer
or split mode, each one with its own effects. Each Voice has separate
commands for the Velocity, Expression, Portamento, Sustain, Duet and
Trio functions. You can even play Programs while a MIDI file is
operating in Song Play mode. The X4 is further provided with a complete
section of Drawbars, with 16 pre-set Organ sounds which you can program
yourselves by using the 8 digital Drawbars with Click, Percussion,
Vibrato, Chorus and Leslie®. By combining the Drawbars with the preset
sampled organ sounds, you can create an enormous selection of Organ
sounds and effects, which are even more dramatic.
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MULTIEFFECT/SAMPLING/VOCALIZER
The keyboard is equipped with 2 completely
independent digital Effects processors, with Effects such as
Reverberation, Chorus, Flanger, Distortion, Wha-Wha, Overdrive, Leslie®
Slow/Fast, three-track Equaliser for a total of 60 Effect variations. Up
to 4 different Effects can be superimposed on a single Voice. Four audio
Outputs with programmable allocation are also available along with two
stereo Inputs, for the connection to an external sound module, or to a
CD/Tape player. There is a further stereo Input for Microphone/Line with
commands such as Gain, Pan, Echo, Reverberation and Pitch Shift. You can
connect up to two Microphones (just by using an adapter), each with
separate effects and level control. The optional Vocalizer is a
professional Harmonizer with 3 Voices, equipped with a wide range of
vocal effects which can be programmed completely within the 16 Vocal
Sets available: Trio, Duet, Unison, Harmony, Vocoder, Falsetto, Baby,
Alien, Gorilla, Mickey Mouse, Rapper and many others. The effect can be
allocated both to the Singing section and the automatic Accompaniment,
for which the very useful Vocalize to Arranger function has been
devised, allowing you to allocate different vocal effects to the various
Arranger sections. The Vocalizer correctly interprets all MIDI files
programmed with a Harmony track, together with the possibility of
blocking the MIDI Channel controlling the harmonizer . The Vocalizer
further allows for a separate equalisation for the direct Microphone,
and harmonizer effect, with 3-band Filter controls (Low, Mid, Hi),
Pan/Pot, Frequency, Resonance, Reverberation and Delay. If the optional
Vocalizer is installed, one of the two microphones is routed to the
Vocalizer, while the other operates normally: an ideal situation for a
duet. The X4's SIMM is structured in two separate sections of 8 Mbytes
each, one for the Sampling and the other for the pre-set Sound Banks in
the Ketron X 4, X 1 and X 8 Library. The Sampling section is connected
to the instrument’s microphone Input and allows for sampling of
professional quality at 16 Bits and 44,1 KHz. Samples, in Wav format,
can be edited and saved onto the Hard Disk to create a personalised
Sound Library. The editing includes elaborate functions such as Loop,
Reverse, ADSR, Filter, Shift, Fine Tune and Effects allocation. With the
MSP function (Multisampling), you can define up to 8 new Program
Changes, each one made up of multiple Samplings up to 32 Splits .
COMPUTER INTERFACE The X4 is equipped with a Computer Interface socket
that allows you to connect it to a computer (PC, Mac). By means of an
optional cable and a special Software installed on the computer, the X4
can send as well as receive information relating to MIDI and all the
other files used by the instrument, such as Styles, Programs,
Registrations, User Voices etc. Furthermore, this connection can be used
to make a backup copy of the X4’s Hard Disk data onto a computer.
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INNOVATIVE FUNCTIONS: SONG, LYRIC and HARD DISK
The new and exclusive “Song Text” function
allows you to write song lyrics on your computer’s text processing
programme, export them as text files (Txt), then send them via Floppy
Disk onto the X4 for viewing on the screen. Text scrolling can be
carried out by either using keyboard commands or by means of an optional
foot switch (FS 6/FS 13). There is another extremely useful function
that allows you to programme and synchronise your Text files to a MIDI
file, and save the Song complete with karaoke type lyrics. It is also
possible to edit a MIDI file by modifying its Sounds, Volumes and
Effects and then save it onto a Disk. The X4 has all-new architecture
for the Hard Disk, with 99 folders that can each address up to 999 files
indexed in alphabetical order. You can select the next Song while the
current MIDI file is playing by choosing the next file from the very
helpful _ Screen function (lyrics are displayed at the top, file list at
the bottom), or by typing in the first few letters of the song on the
keyboard. There are a number of functions that are extremely useful,
such as the melody mute (Lead Off), mute all MIDI parts except for Bass
and Drums (Orchestra Off). You can transpose the MIDI file and the MIDI
controller, or just the MIDI file, leaving the MIDI instrument in it’s
natural key. Often MIDI file levels are set so high they can “drown”
the live instrument; the X4 offers a simple balance control that adjusts
the balance between live performance and sequenced backing on the fly.
Song Lyrics are shown on a 240 x 128 pixel Display, with three different
types of prompts for the Karaoke: underlining, lateral arrow or
darkening of the characters. The alphabetic characters used are those
included in most common European languages. The X4 is completely
compatible with the Library of Sound Banks, Songs and Styles already
developed for the X1 keyboard and with Songs and Styles for the KETRON
MS line (MS 50, 60, 40 and 100). All General MIDI song files produced to
the standard protocol are 100% compatible with the X4.
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HIGHLY DEVELOPED PROGRAMMING CAPACITY
The Ketron X4 is equipped with a powerful 36,000
note/16 track Sequencer (which can be expanded to 300,000 notes with 4Mb
of SIMM), allowing you to create original sequences or copy and modify
existing sequences and MIDI files. You can also program completely new
Patterns into the internal storage. Recording of individual parts can be
created in real time or, via MIDI from an external sequencer by virtue
of the MIDI Record function. The Pattern section has been provided with
a very accurate Editing facility providing the possibility of deleting
individual arrangement notes, and in the Drums section, it is even
possible to modify the dynamics of individual programmed percussion
notes. The internal storage can accept up to 99 Patterns (depending on
complexity), but by installing the optional Expansion 2Mb Flash, the
number of Patterns locations are increased to up to 198. The 128 User
Voice section also allows you to edit all the instrument’s PCM,
Analogue and FM Sounds by a variety of functions such as; ADSR, Filter,
Volume, Shift, Resonance and LFO in order to create exciting new and
personalised sounds. A further programmable section for Drum Sets offers
the opportunity of creating up to 4 new User Drum Sets (in addition to
the 20 internal Drum Sets).
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VERSATILITY OF THE COMMANDS
Despite the countless types of performances
offered, the Ketron X4 provides a simple and intuitive operating system
for almost instant understanding of the controls. Once mastered, the
musician then has the opportunity to set up personal preferences over
many control parameters. As new releases of the operating system become
available the Ketron X4 can be easily updated via Floppy Disk (either
dealer supplied, or downloaded from Ketron’s website). The One Touch
control, for example, allows you to store and recall immediately with
just one button press, a choice of up to 48 sounds selected from
Presets, User Voices, or Programs, to make live performances much
slicker. The 2nd Voice function adds, of course, a second Voice to the
one being played on the right hand. If, for example, you are playing
with the Piano sound, the 2nd Voice may add a section of Stringed
Instruments to your harmonies. You can program the choice of sound, the
octave and volume of the 2nd Voice to creature your own sound
“texture”. Modulation, Bend and Aftertouch menus allow you to use
the keyboard to control sophisticated commands for Filter, Wha Wha,
Expression, Bend and Portamento, thus creating a more realistic
performance. The Registration section allows you to program and recall
immediately up to 198 global settings (Block Registrations) for the
control panel and for all the operating functions. You can further store
up to 999 Single Registrations, to disk for almost instant recall. This
is a real benefit for live performance by allowing you to load the
control panel with many parameters including the Style, voice, text file
for the song and even a MIDI file (when available from disk). Optional
Foot switches: FS 6 or FS 13 make remote control quicker, easier, and
“hands free” for all the Arranger’s commands and many other
instrument functions. Sustain, Leslie, Vocalizer or specific effects
such as Glide, Brass Fall Off and Shake (a type of Vibrato typically
used in jazz), and many more functions can be accessed from the
programmable footswitches. The X4 has been designed for successful
connection to any MIDI ACCORDION. A special Accordion menu is programmed
for automatic MIDI channel settings to International and Belgian
systems, along with associated control for Left and Right hand Dynamics.
The KETRON X4 correctly interprets MIDI bellows expression data, from
accordions fitted with this device. It is also possible to manually
control certain Rhythm instruments on the Bass/Chords keys with the
“Left Drum” function. Optimizing the use of a MIDI Accordion with
the X4 is made even easier thanks to a number of specific functions,
i.e.. Control of the Sustain and Octave for Bass, the possibility of
making the Bass part of the Chord (or not), the control of the octave
for Manual Chords and perhaps most important, the “hands free”
control of many functions by means of optional foot switches (FS 6 or FS
13). For further flexibility, the Ketron X1 offers an Arabic Scale mode
with 198 programmable settings on Registrations and 6 Arabic presets
that can be allocated to optional Footswitches. Each note is capable of
a Pitch shift range of +/- 50 cents. The Arabic scale mode can be
disabled on the Arranger and Lower section as required. With the aid of
the optional K8 MIDI bass pedalboard, the X4 can be transformed into an
excellent Arranger module for Guitarists. Accompaniment Chords are
changed by the MIDI Pedalboard, while chord modes (minor, 7th, etc) with
a special volume pedal fitted with 4 programmable mode switches.
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CONCLUSIONS
Our primary objective is, as always, to create the
best possible instrument for making music. The Ketron X4 is the result
of unflagging research into sound production, but perhaps more
importantly, from paying close attention to the needs of our customers,
the soloist musicians of the World – to whom the Ketron is X4 is
dedicated. We are quite certain you will agree that the X4 constitutes a
significant step forward in the field of contemporary Arranger modules
that can not fail to provide new, stimulating emotions, to all
enthusiastic live music performers, and their most discerning audience.
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Solton/Ketron MS 40 Price:
- The Solton/Ketron MS 40 is an intelligent arranger with sound modules designed to meet the needs of professional and advanced amateur musicians looking for high quality sounds combined with top level performance.
- The MS 40 accepts chord information from an external MIDI source -- an accordion, keyboard etc to create an accompaniment to it. It will follow your chord changes and can interpret fairly complex chording. You can even set the display to tell you what chord voicing it is reading out of what you are playing. Each "style" selection has a number of accompaniment parts, which you can reassign to different voices or mute altogether.
- It has a floppy disc drive and will load external styles, sequences, songs, etc, and play them back through its excellent sound module. It even has programming features to add lyrics to a karaoke track that you recorded or imported for display on a video monitor. You can also record chord changes into a sequence you have pre-recorded, so when you play it back you can cop the changes off the display window.
- The potential of this incredible instrument is practically unlimited considering that can load new sounds - PCM Voices, PCM Rhythm Grooves etc.- and new musical software - MIDI backing, Styles etc.- by means of the incorporated disk drive unit. If you are a single performer, this is the way to go.
- The members of the user groups do a fair amount of arrangement trading: