Korg Pa5x vs. "Genos 2 -61"

[ton37]

I wonder? It seems that Korg has listened to the wishes of the Yammie fans, will Yamaha do the same with the 'Genos 2'?  In this case: a top keyboard with 61 keys and a lot of 'Genos (1/2)' stuff .. Even in 3 sizes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxiQcwq_90w

[Enildo]

We are not sure if this video is real. It seems more speculation. But a lot of people would like a version of Genos with 61 keys.

[RoyB]

Seems to be genuine. Here is a more recent video showing an actual PA5X keyboard (could be a pre-production model):-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DNC31vrjzs


Widely leaked that it is to be offered with 3 keyboard size options (61, 76 and 88 hammer action).

Regards

Roy

[Fred Smith]

We are not sure if this video is real. It seems more speculation. But a lot of people would like a version of Genos with 61 keys.

If you want a 61-key Genos, buy a PSR.

Cheers,
Fred

[rodrigo.b]

If you want a 61-key Genos, buy a PSR.

Cheers,
Fred

The PSR doesn't have Revo drums!, doesn't have SA2 voices, etc.

[mikf]

...... a lot of people would like a version of Genos with 61 keys.

Don't think this statement is supported by the evidence. Most buyers like the extra keys, and at worst they see no disadvantage in extra keys. Realistically, why would anyone opt for less keys on a $4000 keyboard unless there was a big cost saving - which there won't be.
Yes there could be a few isolated cases were someone wants all the TOTL features/ sounds, and is willing to spend the $4000 but have a size restraint. But that is never going to be a significant enough number to materially affect sales.
Mike
PS I think it much more likely that most people who SAY they want a 61 note Genos say it because they think it would be a lot cheaper - but this is deluded.

[Fred Smith]

The PSR doesn't have Revo drums!, doesn't have SA2 voices, etc.

Understood, but a 61-key Genos isn't going to happen. So if your top requirement is 61 keys, your option is a PSR.

Cheers,
Fred

[J. Larry]

"So, if your top requirement is 61 keys, your option is PSR."  That's exactly why I opted for the SX 900----smaller, lighter, and sounds great.  I doubt seriously that a Genos would improve my playing, although it would be nice to own.  However, I play half my gigs on guitar, with backing tracks created on the SX 900.  Works great, playing wav files from a tablet.

[ton37]

I notice in some answers that people like to try to put themselves in the shoes of Yamaha's management and respond from there. That's a 'producer'/Yamaha perspective. Of course people know that those answers are a kind of crystal ball discussions and add little, because they /we just don't know.
My comment/post is from the consumer's perspective. That is a more realistic approach, because that is also the only thing (besides buying/not buying) you can do. Namely, put your wishes on the table and share this if necessary.
Whether yamaha then listens to it is another story.
Yamaha, as a large unapproachable company, decides for itself what is good for the market and the consumer follows that obediently. As long as that approach works for them, business is fine. At the end of that process, the consumer gets to decide for himself whether A. to buy that product... or B. not. (Happy luxury decisions) Yamaha wants of course 'A' and does his very best to seduce us.. (hopefully?) 

[stephenm52]

Understood, but a 61-key Genos isn't going to happen. So if your top requirement is 61 keys, your option is a PSR.

Cheers,
Fred

I agree. I prefer 76 keys and if I have a small gig in a home for instance I use the SX900. Usually all the audience knows is they like what they hear.

[ton37]

Mmm. just found, looks like some nice, desired Genos 2 features implemented in the Korg ..  
Just for your info... (if not interested: just skip) 
http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/505920/Korg_Pa5x#Post505920

[Toril S]

I decided that I would not have a 76 keys Tyros 5, and was so happy when I found my 61 keys T5. Then I eventually got my Genos, and discovered that it is just a tad longer than the T5, but thinner and lighter too. After playing the Genos for some time I came to appreciate the extra  keys.

[mikf]

Re polyphony I don't think the the technical data matters much because both keyboards have more than enough capability for 95% plus of buyers to never see any issue with polyphony. So it's not a design feature that is likely to drive a buying decision between these two products for most players.
Mike

[rodrigo.b]

There will be an 88 keys model :O

https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_korg-pa5x-88_id7262192.html

[ton37]

And a 61 model for 4299 euro... interesting and very curious hoe it sounds. Esp. how the sliders and pads are gonna working ... c'mon Yamaha... waiting for your answer asap ;-)

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[Gunnar Jonny]

There will be an 88 keys model :O

88, 76 and 61.

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[PhotoDoc05]

Just ran across this comparison video of Genos vs PA4x from Kris Nicholson :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p1y0KcQNYg

Kris is just an awesome player, kind of funny when he "runs out of keys" on the Genos!! LOL
Looks like he's using Full Keyboard mode, and does his own accompaniment, makes them sound epic.

Jerry

[rodrigo.b]

Korg Pa5x https://youtu.be/PBUkjLb3O5w (video in Spanish)

[ton37]

As I mentioned earlier, it seems that Korg has listened to the wishes of the Yammies??  Flip-out screen, a 61-key version, external storage and file handling, lots of pads, etc. etc. Very interesting! I hope Yamaha engineers and designers aren't taken by surprise and have to go back to the drawing board to 'exceed' this  . That would take a lot of time for Genos 2!

[pmahl]

For all who are interested - here is a sound demo of the new Korg PA5X

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voUmUAGoHqo

Peter

[Gunnar Jonny]

Now it's official:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2InFUgORHEo

[mixermixer]

Looks like they did it, 61 keys is here to stay on KORG land. 88 keys is a surprise but then again, KORG does not have a Clavinova CVP alternative so this may be their answer.

[Enildo]

For all who are interested - here is a sound demo of the new Korg PA5X

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voUmUAGoHqo

Peter

Alois Müller is a great musician! He has great versatility and an excellent command of the instrument.
Congratulations!

Enildo

[ton37]

I agree, waiting for more vids from Alois. The one's he had done already shows (for me) that Korg had made a top-end keyboard!! The soundquality is top, allthought I have to hear it myself in the shop. Only listening on the internet is not fair, as there are very many variables that has influence on the 'sound you hear'.
Thanks for the link...

[pjd]

I liked the official Korg demo with Luciano. If you want to skip the initial talking, skip to the 7:00 mark.

Here are a few features I like:

* Fatar keybed actions
* Style crossfade (a way to get more contrast between A, B, bridge sections)
* Smooth Sound Transition (SST)
* Multi-purpose pads with assignable control functions
* Separate guitar input (high impedance)
* No banks and a way to group performance-related entities
* Round-robin drums
* Sampling and a built-in sample editor!
* New natural-sounding acoustic instruments (trumpet, violin)
* New instruments from Nautilus and SV2 especially that Wurli EP

If I heard it right, Korg ditched TC Electronic vocal processing. Now teaming with Shift Audio. [Gotta learn more about this.]

The user interface (UI) looks kind of busy. The Yamaha UI is cleaner. Can't tell about workflow...

Listening to the piano and other instrument demos, I wonder how much EQ they laid on when recording. It would be better to hear the actual instrument in person, but Korg is horrible at providing store demo arrangers in the USA.

Well, that's my quick reaction -- pj

[mikf]

pjd - I appreciate that these things matter to you and some others. But there isn't a single thing on this list that I would think about or ask about when buying an arranger. And I suspect that to be true for most potential buyers, maybe as  high as 80 or 90%. This is why I don't think Yamaha will be having many concerns about there being a new Korg, with some neat features - because they know this.
There are some very technically informed people posting on forums like this, and they know all this stuff. But they are not representative of the typical keyboard buyer, who will try it, like or not like the sound, the look etc. They won't dig very deep into the system functions or the technology.
Mike

[pjd]

pjd - I appreciate that these things matter to you and some others. But there isn't a single thing on this list that I would think about or ask about when buying an arranger.  ... They won't dig very deep into the system functions or the technology.
Mike

Hi Mike --

Fair enough, different strokes for different folks.

However, with the exception of sampling/sample editing, this is a very un-geeky list! Sure, not everyone plays guitar. However,  a guitar playing keyboardist could/should exploit the built-in effects (instead of buying a guitar multi-effect). Get more value for the hard-earned money they sank into their arranger. 

The multi-purpose pads (with assignable functions) may sound esoteric, but it's a generalization of the Genos assignable function buttons. Having more buttons with more functions available to be assigned really streamlines workflow. Set 'em once and then enjoy.

I bought Genos mainly for its keyboard action (FSX) and natural sounding instruments. Revo drums (AKA round-robin) are a bonus. Lots of folks on this forum wish for Montage's Seamless Sound Switching (Korg's SST) -- even some "play at home" customers. 

Yamaha needs to appeal to the coming generation of tech-savvy customers who will compare feature against feature.

As to folks not digging in, I think the Korg is too busy looking and could intimidate some users. I've had conversations with Yamaha marketing people and the intimidation factor is a big concern -- even in the synth market.

Hey, hey, have fun and all the best -- pj

[Dnj]

Korg has removed the KAOSS feature also I assume?

[LaHawk]

If I heard it right, Korg ditched TC Electronic vocal processing. Now teaming with Shift Audio.

That's right and now includes "Auto Pitch"

Mic and VH detailed in owners manual section 23
Complete Korg Pa5x Owners Manual:https://rb.gy/qkzujm

[Gunnar Jonny]

That's right and now includes "Auto Pitch"

Mic and VH detailed in owners manual section 23
Complete Korg Pa5x Owners Manual:https://rb.gy/qkzujm

The user or owners manual is not ready yet according to members at Korg forum, the link leads to the Performance Guide.