Just musing ...

[Alan Sharkis]

It seems, via some activity on FB, that the Proxima Mia is back in production and a cba version was tried out at some school in Italy. It also seems, via one comment in the Proxima FB group, that it will be demonstrated at the next NAMM show in California.

Could it be that the release of the Korg Fisa Suprema lit a fire under the management at Proxima?

Proxima teased us before, so I am skeptical. Until I see a dealer in the US, probably Petosa, actually stocking Proxima accordions, I remain unconvinced.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

It seems, via some activity on FB, that the Proxima Mia is back in production and a cba version was tried out at some school in Italy. It also seems, via one comment in the Proxima FB group, that it will be demonstrated at the next NAMM show in California.

Could it be that the release of the Korg Fisa Suprema lit a fire under the management at Proxima?

Actually, I misinterpreted some of what I saw on FB. The demo will be using a Proxima Mia to control a Ketron arranger, and it will be done in the Ketron booth by Linda Herman. So, I’m not even sure if the Proxima accordion is a pre-Covid model or one of the new ones that Proxima promised as an “entry level” model to be relesed early this year. Linda Herman has stated that she will have limited time with the accordion before the demo. But one comment from another member of the group seems to imply to that other member that this demo signals some sort of future collaboration between Proxima and Ketron. But Linda replied that she’s not a spokesperson for either company.

Proxima teased us before, so I am skeptical. Until I see a dealer in the US, probably Petosa, actually stocking Proxima accordions, I remain unconvinced.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Actually, I misinterpreted some of what I saw on FB. The demo will be using a Proxima Mia to control a Ketron arranger, and it will be done in the Ketron booth by Linda Herman. So, I’m not even sure if the Proxima accordion is a pre-Covid model or one of the new ones that Proxima promised as an “entry level” model to be relesed early this year. Linda Herman has stated that she will have limited time with the accordion before the demo. But one comment from another member of the group seems to imply to that other member that this demo signals some sort of future collaboration between Proxima and Ketron. But Linda replied that she’s not a spokesperson for either company.

Just checked. Linda Herman will be playing the pa prototype.

 

[kep]

Proxima (Marco?) official words was:
"The PROXIMA project has been over for some time but we have had problems with the supply of individual electronic components."
So the prototype = production, I guess.

 

[JerryPH]

So... all Linda Herman is demonstrating is that a prototype MIA can send a midi signal to a Ketron arranger... wow, NOT impressive... lol
We were able to do that back in 1984... why even do that now??

 

[dak]

So... all Linda Herman is demonstrating is that a prototype MIA can send a midi signal to a Ketron arranger... wow, NOT impressive... lol
We were able to do that back in 1984... why even do that now??

It's the Ketron booth. Back in 1984 there was no real point in using bellows dynamics and/or accordion patches with a Ketron arranger because of the level of suckage. So presumably this is intended to highlight Ketron rather than Proxima. Though why one would be using some prototype here instead of a more established instrument… Maybe it has some smart bidirectional cooperation with the arranger using more of the synthesis section than other setups? Maybe the bellows curves are better integrated (though my impression is that Korg may have got it better than the presumably more Roland-like Proxima)?

Or maybe Ketron wants to draw people to their stand, and the Proxima is a better bet than some old instrument. Not sure this is a smart move by Ketron.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Ketron arrangers are used with keyboards as well as with accordions. Some Ketron arrangers ARE keyboards. Already, some people are speculating that there will be ongoing collaboration between Ketron and Proxima. If that’s the case, why hasn’t either company announced it?

OTOH, Linda Herman currently (and for a long time IIRC) plays a Roland, and uses it professionally with a variety of arrangers. So, why give her a Proxima prototype for a short time to do a demo of what is essentially a Ketron product on Ketron turf?

If Proxima wants to promote a new product, let them do their own demos, live or on Youtube, and soon after get their product to market. Korg and Dexibell did it that way, Beltuna did it that way with their solenoid-driven bass, even Roland did it that way; all without piggybacking onto another company’s product.

End of rant.

 

[kep]

If that’s the case, why hasn’t either company announced it?

Perhaps because they are waiting for NAMM to announce?

I can speculate this is the shortest path to the top-notch (Ketron) orchestral sounds equal to Korg's and better than Roland's.

 

[JerryPH]

OTOH, Linda Herman currently (and for a long time IIRC) plays a Roland, and uses it professionally with a variety of arrangers. So, why give her a Proxima prototype for a short time to do a demo of what is essentially a Ketron product on Ketron turf?

Where are you getting your info from? Ketron has NOTHING to do with Proxima. As far as I know, the words Proxima and Ketron have never even been used in the same sentence. Proxima has always screamed wide and loud at how they are building this new accordion, but as of Covid scream parts issues… which not surprisingly, Ketron never stated or had. They’ve com out with **3** products since Covid!

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Where are you getting your info from? Ketron has NOTHING to do with Proxima. As far as I know, the words Proxima and Ketron have never even been used in the same sentence. Proxima has always screamed wide and loud at how they are building this new accordion, but as of Covid scream parts issues… which not surprisingly, Ketron never stated or had. They’ve com out with **3** products since Covid!

Jerry,

Info is from Proxima group on FB, as stated in first message in this thread. The announcement of Linda's demo was made in that group by Linda. If you haven't joined that group, and you want to see what the members there are saying, join it and you'll see that some people have already made the connections between the two companies in their minds. I will not believe that such connection is made until I see an announcement from either or both companies, and that hasn't happened.

You quoted the second paragraph of my post. Did you read the third paragraph? I have the same opinion of Proxima as you -- a lot of noise and little to show for it. Yes, they sent a prototype (cba) of their new 'entry level' product to a school in Italy and another prototype (pa) will be provided for Linda to use at the Ketron booth at NAMM. Does that mean that production, distribution, Youtube videos, etc. will follow? In view of Proxima's history, I THINK NOT!

 

[John M]

. . .Proxima teased us before. . .

Yes, I remember, a few years back Proxima came out with a video of its features. I don't think it will compare, in any way to the Korg Fisa. For one, it only had a few "organ" sounds. The Fisa has 5 organ sounds including 2 tonewheel, Drawbar adjustable (Hammond sounds--TW1 & TW2), The Roland FR-8X duplicates all of the Hammond B3 features (V1/C1, V2/C2, V3/C3 -- Vibrato/Chorus selections). Also, the 2nd/3rd Harmonic Percussion with volume adjust and Slow/Fast/decay. This "Hammond Sound" is difficult to duplicate. Roland (FR-8X) dedicated a total separate memory section to create this sound. The Korg Fisa did the same thing with TW1 &TW2. I don't know what the difference is between TW1 & TW2. Since the B3 was made between 1955 & 1975 there was a somewhat different sound in those 20 years. I know the early ones had wax capacitors for frequencies from 49- 91. These frequencies had "tuned" L/C filters. The wax capacitors drifted terribly with an increase in value. This resulted in a decreased voltage output and a "muffled" tone of the organ. The later model Hammonds, (after 1963) had stable Red mylar capacitors for the L/C filters, that didn't drift -- Those tone generators were known as the "Red Cap Generators".

 

[Thomas N]

Linda Herman is an accordionist in the same ilk as Dale Mathis in my opinion. I would not have either demoing equipment in my booth but that's just me.

 

[JerryPH]

Info is from Proxima group on FB, as stated in first message in this thread. The announcement of Linda's demo was made in that group by Linda. If you haven't joined that group, and you want to see what the members there are saying, join it and you'll see that some people have already made the connections between the two companies in their minds. I will not believe that such connection is made until I see an announcement from either or both companies, and that hasn't happened.

Hey Alan, yeah I found it on FB, no need to even join the group. It is abundantly clear that this is NOT a collaboration between Ketron and Proxima but more like "We're Ketron, and Linda we know you as being a popular accordionist associated with the Roland in the past... want to demo our Ketron at NAMM?? Just bring what you have to test and play" and Proxima hand her a prototype thats not even available and won't be for a while. Proxima is doing what they do best... ride on the backs of good people that have paved the road for them... again.

You quoted the second paragraph of my post. Did you read the third paragraph? I have the same opinion of Proxima as you -- a lot of noise and little to show for it. Yes, they sent a prototype (cba) of their new 'entry level' product to a school in Italy and another prototype (pa) will be provided for Linda to use at the Ketron booth at NAMM.

I did. . And DEFINITELY!

Does that mean that production, distribution, Youtube videos, etc. will follow? In view of Proxima's history, I THINK NOT!

Again, 100% agree. Now, if anything they may put one out... in 10 more years, if they can find enough suckers to fall for their BS. and then fold again within 1-2 years after they've filled their pockets. I akin Marco Cinaglia to the Charles Ponzi of the accordion world... LOL

 

[JerryPH]

Linda Herman is an accordionist in the same ilk as Dale Mathis in my opinion. I would not have either demoing equipment in my booth but that's just me.

I tend to have a little more respect for Linda, she was always a working accordionist. She was right there with Ikutaro Kakehashi (she knew him personally), when the first V-Accordions were being put out. Dale... well, Dale does what Dale does best, and markets Dale.

Between the two, I'd choose Linda over Dale for some fun accordion music through a Ketron Event, especially since she was one of the very few and first early adopters to own one within the first 2 months after it's release. She knows the EVENT well, and that is why Ketron is smart enough to get her in their booth. I'm pretty sure Dale has little to no knowledge about working with arrangers at all.

 

[JerryPH]

I don't think it will compare, in any way to the Korg Fisa. For one, it only had a few "organ" sounds. The Fisa has 5 organ sounds including 2 tonewheel, Drawbar adjustable (Hammond sounds--TW1 & TW2), The Roland FR-8X duplicates all of the Hammond B3 features (V1/C1, V2/C2, V3/C3 -- Vibrato/Chorus selections). Also, the 2nd/3rd Harmonic Percussion with volume adjust and Slow/Fast/decay. This "Hammond Sound" is difficult to duplicate. Roland (FR-8X) dedicated a total separate memory section to create this sound. The Korg Fisa did the same thing with TW1 &TW2.

John, I think you've been spending some time in the Fisa PDF files and to me look like you are going to be the first one here in the forum to get one!

We should make a contest... FIRST ONE to get a FISA has to make 2 videos of it in action playing a tune within a week of getting it!

 

[John M]

John, I think you've been spending some time in the Fisa PDF files and to me look like you are going to be the first one here in the forum to get one!

We should make a contest... FIRST ONE to get a FISA has to make 2 videos of it in action playing a tune within a week of getting it!

You're right about that -- I just about have the owner's manual memorized. I am going to wait a few months when, hopefully, "Rev. 2" of the firmware is out.

 

[dak]

You're right about that -- I just about have the owner's manual memorized. I am going to wait a few months when, hopefully, "Rev. 2" of the firmware is out.

In today's scheme of things one should hope that user-upgradable firmware would be a default feature for such a device.

 

[Ventura]

I tend to have a little more respect for Linda, she was always a working accordionist. She was right there when the first V-Accordions were being put out.

as i recall, Linda came on the scene first as a physical therapist,
then apprenticed with Helmi for a time, and was helpful to
many people with wrist and muscle issues (on RMMS)

but as for the Roland, she didn't get involved until the 7x

not surprised they asked her to help them at NAMM.. she
is a dedicated and capable musician among other things

as for Solton/Ketron, i would just remind you all that
they have survived and outlived their contemporaries,
ELKA, ORLA, GEM, SIEL/Roland Europe, and for good reason..

 

[Thomas N]

I really like my Roland BK-7M that I've had for a decade.

But I loved my Ketron XD3 arranger module. Used that with my reedless Petosa Millennium for a few years and just found the sounds and styles to be more to my liking.

If the more modern Ketron arrangers weren't US $2500+ I'd most likely purchase one and sell the BK-7M.

 

[JerryPH]

as i recall, Linda came on the scene first as a physical therapist,
then apprenticed with Helmi for a time, and was helpful to
many people with wrist and muscle issues (on RMMS)

but as for the Roland, she didn't get involved until the 7x

It's been a LONG time since I saw the post, but she has pics of her and Kakehashi together with a V-accordion, indeed could have been a 7x. Even if it was, that was back in 2004. The FR-5 came out, I believe in 2002-2003? Thats way early in to the life of the V-accordion.

not surprised they asked her to help them at NAMM.. she
is a dedicated and capable musician among other things

I saw a recording of her doing a setup and ran through a couple songs... definitely a clean and practiced accordioninst. There is a video of her a[pearing on Johnny Carson in 1987, not many here can say they did that! :