LHerman
Newbie
I’ve been recently directed to this site and feel I should introduce myself. I see my name mentioned in several threads. I am a working accordionist and have been all my life. Meaning I have managed to make a good living at playing an accordion. I found my “niche” in the ballroom dance scene although I play for most any scenario. I am into the electronic accordion scene. I never had a Cordovox however. My first venture was with Titano which had questionable electronics but it gave me the bass I was looking for. I then went to the Hohner Vox. At one point I upgraded the accordion to a Morino. I still have that accordion. Accordion electronics was in the infant stage. Then Roland came out with the FR7 which I bought and still have. To be successful in playing for dancers I had to have an external unit for drums. After my long time partner and drummer passed away in 1999 I used the Hohner Vox. Once I got the Roland I jumped into midi and the Ketron X4 I believe. After awhile I used a Yamaha PSR3000 keyboard. After seeing the Ketron SD3 at NAMM one year I purchased that. Out came the FR7X and I bought that. Finally Roland came out with the BK7M. Of course I purchased that. I always liked the orchestral voices of the Ketron. The SD90 came out and I switched back to Ketron and now the EventX. I of course purchased the Roland FR8X and now use the FR4X. And yes I purchased the Korg FISA Suprema, well just because I could. Mine of course was one that had the separation of the right side with the bellows problem which has been discussed here
My journey has been interesting. I didn’t realize I was a techie but I suppose I am. I have always done my own thing. Meaning I program my accordion to suit my style of playing. I’m a firm believer that one should learn to program. You learn about the instrument and its capabilities. I have always shared my programming with anyone who asked. I also have helped anyone who asked for help. I have done “how to videos” on the accordion, the BK7M and the Ketron SD90 and EventX. I can be complimentary and I can be critical. I believe in telling the truth. When the SD90 came out there were definite bugs that I documented and sent to Ketron. Ketron solved the problems. My journey with the Korg started in October 2024. I ordered and paid in full. I received the unit on February 4,2025. I used it on a job on March 4, although it wasn’t quite set up completely but I wanted to “test drive” it with my sound system. Then on March 21, 2025 I decided to amuse myself with on a restaurant job. The next day I did a YouTube video. Went to lunch. I had some ideas about programming and was in the midst of programming when the separation occurred. I was in total disbelief. How could this happen? The instrument appeared to be so well made. It “felt” great. It is so expressive. I was totally into it. I played it day and night. I immediately called the dealer. I messaged both Luigi and Fati. Luigi I have known for a long time. Fati I met at NAMM. I was in total disbelief. It was a Saturday and I didn’t get a response right away. I felt others needed to know this could happen. It was obvious it had to be a defective part. So I posted on the private facebook site. Imagine if that had happened on the job the night before? I later found out mine was not the first to detach. I certainly wish someone who have told me this was happening to others. I would never have taken it on a job. I’m sure Korg will take care of this. I’m not sure if I want to wait months to get my unit or any unit back to me. I’m nearer the end of my career than to the beginning. I do not need the Korg. I just wanted it. Now I’m debating whether I really want it.
Now to NAMM - the Ketron EVENTX - Proxima accordion.
I was asked to demo the Proxima with the EVENTX. I first touched the Proxima the first day of NAMM. There is a possible collaboration of the two companies. I have always thought Ketron should offer a midi accordion. Ketron in my opinion has great orchestral voices. The possibility of those voices in an accordion appeals to me. I do not always use a backing module when I perform. So I said certainly I’d be happy to demo. I only live a half hour drive to the Anaheim convention center. The two instruments worked well together. I did download my EventX settings. There was one problem and that was the octave of some voices. I attempted to change some settings but could not solve the problem so I just adjusted settings on the fly on the Ketron. The live stream had problems. I was not in control of that. I was disappointed in that. However, NAMM is so noisy it is difficult to get a good recording unless one connects directly into the sound system or instrument. I enjoyed the people walking through. There is a “wow” factor with a digital accordion.
In conclusion, I continue to do my thing. That is me. It’s been a fun ride. Still more to come. (By the way I have never been a therapist). I’m just an accordionist.
My journey has been interesting. I didn’t realize I was a techie but I suppose I am. I have always done my own thing. Meaning I program my accordion to suit my style of playing. I’m a firm believer that one should learn to program. You learn about the instrument and its capabilities. I have always shared my programming with anyone who asked. I also have helped anyone who asked for help. I have done “how to videos” on the accordion, the BK7M and the Ketron SD90 and EventX. I can be complimentary and I can be critical. I believe in telling the truth. When the SD90 came out there were definite bugs that I documented and sent to Ketron. Ketron solved the problems. My journey with the Korg started in October 2024. I ordered and paid in full. I received the unit on February 4,2025. I used it on a job on March 4, although it wasn’t quite set up completely but I wanted to “test drive” it with my sound system. Then on March 21, 2025 I decided to amuse myself with on a restaurant job. The next day I did a YouTube video. Went to lunch. I had some ideas about programming and was in the midst of programming when the separation occurred. I was in total disbelief. How could this happen? The instrument appeared to be so well made. It “felt” great. It is so expressive. I was totally into it. I played it day and night. I immediately called the dealer. I messaged both Luigi and Fati. Luigi I have known for a long time. Fati I met at NAMM. I was in total disbelief. It was a Saturday and I didn’t get a response right away. I felt others needed to know this could happen. It was obvious it had to be a defective part. So I posted on the private facebook site. Imagine if that had happened on the job the night before? I later found out mine was not the first to detach. I certainly wish someone who have told me this was happening to others. I would never have taken it on a job. I’m sure Korg will take care of this. I’m not sure if I want to wait months to get my unit or any unit back to me. I’m nearer the end of my career than to the beginning. I do not need the Korg. I just wanted it. Now I’m debating whether I really want it.
Now to NAMM - the Ketron EVENTX - Proxima accordion.
I was asked to demo the Proxima with the EVENTX. I first touched the Proxima the first day of NAMM. There is a possible collaboration of the two companies. I have always thought Ketron should offer a midi accordion. Ketron in my opinion has great orchestral voices. The possibility of those voices in an accordion appeals to me. I do not always use a backing module when I perform. So I said certainly I’d be happy to demo. I only live a half hour drive to the Anaheim convention center. The two instruments worked well together. I did download my EventX settings. There was one problem and that was the octave of some voices. I attempted to change some settings but could not solve the problem so I just adjusted settings on the fly on the Ketron. The live stream had problems. I was not in control of that. I was disappointed in that. However, NAMM is so noisy it is difficult to get a good recording unless one connects directly into the sound system or instrument. I enjoyed the people walking through. There is a “wow” factor with a digital accordion.
In conclusion, I continue to do my thing. That is me. It’s been a fun ride. Still more to come. (By the way I have never been a therapist). I’m just an accordionist.
) should be still available in case.