K.N.A.T

Issue No. 47

Hello everyone and welcome to issue number 47 of Ketron News and Tips (KNAT).
This issue is targeted for March, 2005.
If you have a question to ask or a tip to submit, please let me know at jay@ketronus.com. Also I love your comments so don't hesitate to let me have them.

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In this Issue:

Commentary: What are you used to?
News: New pricing on Ketron US web site.
News: OS Version 2.0 for the Midjay
News: I found stands for the Ketron Modules
Quotes: Just for fun

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What are you used to?

Some time back I sold an XD3 to a guitar player who really likes to use it. It was his first Ketron product as far as I know.
A while back he called me and told me he had a friend who wanted one but couldn't afford it and wondered if an older MS40 would do for him. I told him that the MS40 is revered by a lot of players and some people still think that they are the best unit that Ketron Labs ever built. Acting on that information the player's friend bid on and won an eBay auction for an MS40. The XD player helped in assisting the new MS40 owner in purchasing the needed pedals and accessories etc. that had not come with the unit and helped him set it up. After a bit of to-do in getting it converted to a guitar version from a accordion version and getting everything all set up they had it working just fine.
After getting a chance to explore it fully the XD player called me and said, "Are there really people who think that the MS40 is better than the XD3? I wouldn't trade my XD3 for a dozen MS40s."
So there you have it.
Sometimes it has a lot to do with what you are used to and that helps us hang on to equipment that still suits our purpose and we are familiar with even though better equipment is available.
I all the years I played clubs, bars, dive bars, casino lounges and private parties, I never once had the person who writes the paycheck come up to me and say, "Hmm, you got new equipment. I guess I'll give you a raise."
I know one guy who makes his living in performing music and he is still using a Programmer 24S. It takes all kinds.
So does buying new equipment help our performances? You bet it does. It gives us confidence that we are sounding good, and brings enthusiasm and freshness to our performances. The audience may not know the difference between an MS40 and an XD3, but they will feel the difference when you are performing with freshness and enthusiasm. So do whatever it takes to keep that fresh edge. That might get you a raise!

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News about new pricing on Ketron US

The morons have called and I have answered!

There is a segment of the buying public that stupidly believes that price is everything. So they are going to shop the lowest price. I am now prepared to offer that to these persons. Something no other store offers. A choice. Besides my regular pricing with full service I will be offering a low, low price. However, be aware that the price is the ONLY thing. If you choose this price I offer absolutely no personal support. I will not pay shipping on a warranty claim or on the initial shipment. If you need advice on how to run your machine, either read the manual or call me for paid support. The fee is $1.00 per minute and I'll take your credit card number first.
If you think that is a great deal, go for it bozo.
I will also meet or beat any written bid from any Ketron authorized Continental U.S. dealer. Proof must be submitted. Don't give me verbal quotes, since anyone can say anything.

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Downloading and installing the OS Version 2.0 for the MidJay

I downloaded and installed the OS 2.0 for the Midjay. Except for one small snafu it went slick as a whistle. I'll tell you about the hard part later.

1. First you download the zip file.

2. Next unzip it to a folder on your desktop.

3. Hook up the USB cable from your computer to the Midjay.

4. Create a new folder on your computer and call it OS1

5. Download all the loose files in the root directory from the Midjay to the OS1 folder on your computer. This may save some real headaches if you need to reinstall OS1.

6. On the Midjay, delete the monitor.ini and the machine.ini files.

7. Now go to the folder on your desktop where you unzipped the OS2.0. You should see two files, the MIDJAYOS.bin and the SNDPARAM.bin files.

8. Drag those two files to the root directory of the Midjay. Watch carefully to see when the hard drive light on the Midjay stops flickering.

9. When you are sure that the hard drive is finished, disconnect the USB cable from the Midjay using the correct Windows disconnect procedure.

10. Turn off the Midjay and leave it off for about 30 seconds.

11. Turn the Midjay back on. If everything has gone correctly so far you will see the message "New OS file has been found. Install?"

12. Press the Enter button. The OS will be loaded and your 0/9 buttons will flash. ( the Playlist buttons)

13. When you see the Midjay logo with the new release 2.0 showing, turn off the Midjay again.

14. Here comes the tricky part. After 30 seconds, turn on the Midjay and watch the screen carefully. As soon as you see the logo come up hold down the Playlist buttons 0-1-2-5. You must get these pressed before the logo shows the release number at the bottom right of the screen and you must continue to hold them. Don't let any of them up.

15. When you see the message FLASH SND PARAMETERS UP you can release the buttons. If you don't see the message, go back to step 13 and try again. If you see the message, make sure the OK is highlighted and press the Enter button.

16. You should see the message, FLASH SND UPDATE. OK that by pressing enter again.

You will be able to view progress as it happens by seeing the loading message and the playlist buttons will be lit. When the Playlist buttons go out and the logo comes back on and then goes to the main view, you are done. The new features should be loaded.

There are some really cool new features in the OS 2.0 However, I am disappointed that Ketron did not see fit to add the chord recognition system for foot pedals. They are still ignoring the pedal pushing guitar players.

More about the new features as I get a chance to try them.

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Stands for the Modules
I have found a source of heavy duty stands that are perfect for the MS40, X4 and XD3 modules. The stands have a very heavy 4 leg base with a center pole. The rack tilts into 3 different positions. The top has rubber to keep from scratching the instruments. The stand is too large for the Midjay, but is perfect for all others. I will be retailing it for $69.95 plus shipping. The shipping weight will be approximately 18 LBS. The stand weighs 13 and folds into a fairly compact unit. This stand is identical to the ones that used to be available at over $100.00 retail. You can see and buy it on the accessories page: http://www.ketronus.com/accessories.html

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Upgrades available:

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Visit me at www.ketronus.com. Or email me at jay@ketronus.com

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Quotes: Just for fun

"In the space age the most important space is between the ears." -- Thomas J. Barlow

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