Intrigued ... but info deprived.

[Prado Escondido]

I just joined this forum and went through the 6 pages of posts to try and understand this product. So, I know who Dan, Lionel and Bernie are!

I arrived here through my interest in the Ketron SD4 ... which I learned about through my interest in BIAB. I am always investigating and trying different midi software such as the Ntonyx, Jammer, etc.

As best I can understand, vArranger2 is a program dedicated to the Ketron sound module line, to permit using the modules similarly to the Ketron arranger keyboards ... and importing, at least as far as I can understand, the Yamaha *.pat arranger files. As such, it presents a different approach to S/W products like BIAB, Jammer, Onyx Arranger, etc.

Am I getting the picture?

Since I have read that due to past abuse, there are no demo programs, I wish at least there was a pdf manual and document of upgrade history in English so that I could really carefully investigate the program and see whether or not it is for me.

Since I have yet to buy the Ketron SD4 ... although I am all but certain I will be doing so in the very near future ... I am obviously not going to be a customer, should I decide upon vArranger2, for some time to come.

But, being able to do some homework with documentation would make it more likely that I would become a customer.

[Prado Escondido]

I am adding this, because I seemed to come upon a character limit in the above post ... to continue:

I would think a lot of other people would also be interested in this ... and it would help the marketing of this intriguing product.

I do have one other question: why must this product be 'hard wired' to the Ketron SD line? I would think that much of the basic program would provide a shell for creating a similar product for other sound modules.

I know my Roland XV 5080 and E-Mu Command Station would be interested in something like this ... or at least I think so, since I can't get enough information to clearly understand where the vArranger2 would fit in my workflow.

Thanks for any info and in any case, best of luck with this product.

Prado

[Dan]

Ha Ha. Welcome Prado to the vArrange world.

Let me try to answer to your questions.

You almost understood all about vArranger.

How it is working? You plug a midi instrument (keyboard, guitar, accordion...) to the computer,  You plug a midi sound module to the computer, and you will get a full professional realtime arranger. You can load any style from the GROOVY library of Ketron Styles (PAT) and also from the HUGE and AMAZING library of Yamaha Styles (Sty...), for example ROCK, BALLAD... then you play any chords with the left hand, and the full band orchestration will follow your chords in realtime. You will play melody with the Right hand.

Selecting sound, triggering Fills, moving volumes... You can control everything from any PC KEY or MIDI controller....

What so special about vArranger?

1) The Amazing sound quality, who is giving it's best sound direct OUT OF THE BOX
2) The easy interface, looking like a keyboard arranger. Everything is intruitive.
3) The community of the vArranger users (me included ) who are very present if you need any help

What I can say, first buy your Ketron SD4. It's a nice sound unit.
Then come to vArranger. You will understand everything.

To answer to your last point.  I have a Ketron SD1 arranger keyboard. When I started this project, I wanted to be able to play the best ketron styles with the small box Ketron SD2, to be able to travel lightweight. That was the first goal of vArranger. Then we added a lot of features..............

You can plug any midi sound module. But you have to know that Ketron LIVE DRUMS in the ketron styles are playing good only if you have Ketron live drums in your sound module. So, the ketron styles will not sound as good with no Ketron SD2/SD4.

Yamaha styles will also sounds approx OK with any GM sound module, but you will loose some of the guitar strum noises, and bass slides, and some of the drums....

vArranger own a GM2 mode for that purpose (to be improved)

Let me know if you need any more informations.

Dan

[Prado Escondido]

Thanks for your prompt reply, Dan. The picture is getting clearer.

So the left hand played chord triggers vArranger2 software's selected 'style' to output an arrangement in real time ... and there is a GM version.

Does it also throughput the midi so that the arrangments can be recorded in midi track by track for editing? (I can imagine how a recorded midi track could be set up to reliably 'trigger' vArranger2 for a song, but I am interested in studio production, not live accompaniement ... which is why I'd want to be able to record the midi track by track.)

I still wish the vArranger manuals and a version upgrade history document would be available for download for full review.

I don't like to be 'Anglocentric,' but I think you will be really limiting your market until you provide accessible documentation in English. I don't mean this to be disrespectful to your native French!

Prado

[Dan]

I am working on creating a midifile based on the chords entered by screen. Then you will be able to edit this midifile with your studio DAW software, and add audio and VSTi on it. This is for the next versions to come...

If you read the forum, you saw the upgrade history in english. the titles are NEW VERSION 0.95 .... The history is there

I still have to write a manual in English. I know that this will open the vArranger market. But I don't speak english so good to write a manual.

I sometimes feel bad about a so good product, and a so bad advertising....

The vArranger software is 100% good english

Dan

[Lionel]

Hi Prado,

Welcome to the forum.

For my 2 cents worth in a quick reply.

I own BIAB latest version 2010.5 which in itself is good and tailored towards playing backing music with no input from you and you play whatever part your chose, normally melody.
In live enviroment it is ok but you have to follow strict pattern guide for example ABAABC ending or  whatever the song format and not really changeable in a true sense when playing live.

vArranger load song with a preset Intro hit any keyboard chord and away it goes, change any chord with your left while playing, change any style variation while playing repeat song anywhere at will and when finish hit a ending and yep song done.

Also change any instrument volume on the go and also any instrument itself while playing.
vArranger current purpose is playing live but not limited too.

That is my opinion only because that is how we use it.

The user Interface is very user friendly for live playing yet suprisingly very versitile.
I am not saying this because I have any benifit from it, which I don't, but because it does a bloody good job for what it was designed for.

Yes a Ketron module is it's prime output goal but not limited too. I currently am playing around routing to JABB3 for certain instuments.


With varranger you either have a purpose for it or you don't.

The programmer certainly listens to my needs and prompt to act on them, of course within reason and in best interest.

I hope I have given some info and glad to answer any questions on a users point of view.

Regards
Lionel

[Prado Escondido]

Thanks again to all.

Yes, Dan ... I did see the posts on the version changes. I guess I'm just lazy or spoiled or both. I'm used to being able to see a single web page or document with all the chronology of the updates.

Dan, I appreciate from reading the list ... and Lionel's comments ... that you are very responsive to your customers and fans. I'm sure you will find someone to write a good English manual before long.

Now that I understand that vArranger2 does not yet out put recordable track by track midi data, I will be waiting and watching for that development. Hopefully by then there will be an English manual, I'll have my Ketron 4SD and I'll be ready to become a customer.

I know you promote yourself at Synthzone ... do you also have a presence at KVR? If you don't, I think you should. There would be great interest in a product like this once it also streams recordable track by track midi data.

Best wishes.

Prado

[Dan]

Thank you for your advices. I will think about it very soon.

Regards,

Dan

[OldStudentLeon]

Thank you Lionel for posting this thread. Like you I have been uncertain about vArranger software. I simply want to let you know that your questions have been greatly appreciated and the responses that Dan gave you were very informative to me as well.

[OldStudentLeon]

I also thank Prado, since he is the one who actually started this thread.

[Lionel]

Hi Leon,

Welcome.

I be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Regards
Lionel