Korg PA5X

[alvaromrocha]

Aside from the sensitive pads, extra cpu humpf and usb audio interface, the genos can do mostly everything I saw so far, it just needs a proper software update.

[Lee Batchelor]

Aside from the sensitive pads, extra cpu humpf and usb audio interface, the genos can do mostly everything I saw so far, it just needs a proper software update.

Agreed! The last update messed up my default view in the Live Control window and on one has been able to fix it. I suspect an incompatibility between the original registrations I carried over from the T5 and the current setup in the Genos. God only knows what. Everything worked perfect before this last update !!

[soryt]

The best thing of the PA5 is the Alu casing and wooden sides , and the form factor .
I hope Yamaha get rid of the "Tupperware" case of the present Genos 

[Duffy]

I agree with soryt.
To me the Korg PA5X looks more like a professional keyboard than the Genos with the wooden cheeks adding a touch of class.
Also like the hinged screen and having no waste space at the right end of the board.
Lots of buttons to remember but still prefer more buttons and a bit less on the touch screen.
I also like where the four one touch buttons are too, next to the style controls.
A choice of 61, 76 or 88 notes will also satisfy every would be buyer.
If they made a module, I would buy it immediately to complement my Genos and have a very passable (but not great) organ at last.
Genos is still top but, with a little effort, Yamaha could still be untouchable.
Still a few voices on my ancient KN 7000 that neither Korg or Yamaha can match.

[pjd]

The best thing of the PA5 is the Aluminum casing and wooden sides, and the form factor.

Pa5X-88: 20.1 kg / 44.31 lbs
Pa5X-76: 17.4 kg / 38.36 lbs
Pa5X-61: 15.1 kg / 33.29 lbs

Genos: 13.0 kg / 28.7 lbs

Choose your poison: Metal+wood vs. plastic.  Metal+wood comes with a weight penalty.

-- pj

[pjd]

I don't understand this feature on the website:

"User PCM Sample memory: 4 GB of data, equivalent to 8 GB linear when compressed"

Does this mean that there is a physical 4 GB memory chip inside and they have a compression format that is exactly 50% in size of the uncompressed data?

Hi Francesco -- You understand that correctly.  -- pj

[Jeff Hollande]

Thank you PJ !

The weight of the new competition's keyboard makes me shivering  ...

Best wishes, JH

[svpworld]

In my experience with Korg arrangers, it's the styles that differentiate the two keyboards (Genes and PA arrangers).  I still believe Yamaha has the edge with its styles over any other manufacturer. They are more musical, more eclectic, just better in terms of flexibility and also availability.  Korg styles are impressive out the box, but often focus more towards modern pop music and you can hear the individual instruments within the style as individual instruments - not as a band or mixed backing sound.
There are some nice sounds on what I heard, although there are many amazing sounds on Genos - particularly when it comes to acoustic instruments. It's a great keyboard for Korg users, but personally I would not switch my Genes for the PA5X.

Simon

[MadrasGiaguari]

Two considerations about items having been covered by various posts:

1. Body of Korg vs Genos:
I had many Korg worships and actually Korg body construction is definitely better and stronger (that also positively affects look). But it should also considered the weight factor:
Genos        13.0 kg (28 lb, 11 oz)
Pa5X 76.    17,4 Kg (38.4 lb)

2. Construction quality of Korg:
My last Korg, Pa3X, wasn't an example of fully dependable building quality. Even though my arranger was nicely sitting home for 99% of the time, I needed Korg assistance twice for repairs:
-after a few years (after warranty...) various buttons were not working or working not properly (replaced)
-at once one of the output plugs stopped to work, and had to be replaced.

.....nothing is perfect 

Ciao

Angelo

[Lee Batchelor]

The weight difference is enough to turn me off the PA5X and stay with the Genos, despite its crappy build quality. I do a lot of gigs and when closing in on 70 years, I don't need more weight added. The Genos just sounds better - end of story for me. Can't wait to see what they do with G2 .

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Same weight as the Tyros 5
That Tyros did my back in when i lifted it and boxed it to exchange for the Genos!!!
"The pain " "the pain" "oh the pain!!!!!!!!!

[Lee Batchelor]

I forgot about the T5, John. Yes, it was a pleasant surprise to see that Yamaha had pruned the Genos down to a lesser weight. For that, I can tolerate the odd button fade and terrible black plastic case.

As a sidebar, I played my first gig last night (Canada Day Concert) with the R&B band I recently joined. I replaced their keyboardist, who was very good, but he played an earlier model Korg from 2012. While not being a fair comparison, the other band members tell me that there is no comparison in the sound of the Korg versus the Genos. We played through a large sound system to a crowd of about 900. Even the sound man said the brass and sax sounds were amazing.

Is Genos 2 in stores yet !

[nonchai]

IMHO Yamaha will not create a new Genos ( v3 ) update.

BUT ... what we might expect is a brand new high end arranger keyboard.
A complete new arranger with typical Yamaha styles, voices, software, features, looks and design.
We all know what that means : high quality, beauty and reliability.   

This next Yamaha arranger ( brand name : Genos2 ? ) will be the best keyboard for all users : home players, giggers and pro musicians.
It will be the best keyboard on the market, as usual.

Your wait and patience will be rewarded. 

Best regards, JH

My patience will only rewarded if YAMAHA finally ( like on their DGX 670 ) finally supports digital audio inputs and multichannel digital output over USB to their new GENOS2. Instead of just MIDI...

[usaraiya]

It is obvious that the reviews of Korg PA5X will be biased on this forum, and Genos will always be inferior on the Korg Forum; and both are phenomenal instruments, and they will never equal each other, so let's enjoy them both! Differences will always remain.
I'm getting the PA5X now and will wait for the new Genos as & when it is released.
 
Uday

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi Uday :

Thank you for your feedback !

Does that mean this new competitor's keyboard is available ( in the USA ) yet ?
Plse advise. Thanks, JH

[usaraiya]

Jeff,

Yes, they are taking orders and should be available by the end of the month. Numerous websites have listed it, eg, the "street price" for 76 is $4899. Let me know if you want the names of the websites.

And comments like the sound is too sharp or whatever, when he plays a YT video through computer speakers should bear no credibility at all unless one plays it live through a regular sound system! So, comments regarding the PA5X from those who have NEVER played it live, should obviously be ignored.

Uday

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

The Genos trade in price tells me the whole story even without listening to the PAX5

[ton37]

The Genos trade in price tells me the whole story even without listening to the PAX5

John, in that case, I advise you to listen to a PAx5 live before you trade in your Genos blindly.

[Duffy]

It is obvious that the reviews of Korg PA5X will be biased on this forum, and Genos will always be inferior on the Korg Forum; and both are phenomenal instruments, and they will never equal each other, so let's enjoy them both! Differences will always remain.
I'm getting the PA5X now and will wait for the new Genos as & when it is released.
 
Uday

I'm afraid that I must agree that you will often find people biased on keyboard sites which are aimed at a particular make.
I, as a genos owner, like a lot of what Korg has come up with in the PA5X, and I'm sure that when owners have set up to their own preferences, they will sound even better.
I play Genos mainly because it is slanted more at the kind of music I like to play whereas Korg are aimed more at a younger and more modern music market.
No one manufacturer excels in every department which is why I have always used modules to complement my main board.
You will have a really good setup when you can pair the PA5X with your Genos. I would love Korg to introduce a PA5X module and make my day.
I do agree that some will always talk a rival down even though they have never played one.

[mikf]

Ton
I think you misunderstood John's post. I don't think he has any intention of trading his Genos for a Korg. I think he meant the high trade in price for a Genos indicates that even a used Genos may be considered superior.
Mike

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

You are 100% Mike

[Jeff Hollande]

At the end of this month, first PA5X's are coming in, I heard here.

A few weeks later, some owners, being also Genos players and members of this forum,  might have an impression of their new competitor's arranger keyboard.

Compare these two high end keyboards will not be easy at all.
Both brands are so different but also high quality.

It will not easy to tell us which keyboard is better than the other and why.
All depends of the personal needs and wishes of the enduser.


Like most of you, I am a proud owner of a Yamaha arranger keyboard.

For more than 20 years I am so familiar with Yamaha's software, styles, voices, techniques etc. etc., there is absolutely no need for me to change,  to buy or to add another brand.
And even today I am learning new applications, tricks etc. here.
Yamaha gives me everything I need.

BUT ... I am sure the newest high end Korg will be a top arranger for Korg fans.
I wish them all a lot of joy, fun and luck with their new baby.

Best regards, JH

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi Jeff
I have looked at all demo videos and none compare with the Genos especially Saxes, Guitars and even the harmonica.
Even the old Technics KN2000 had better saxes.
The PAX5 lacks warmth. Everything sounds too digital
Also the synth sounds sound a lot better on the Genos.
The Korg sax sounds clarinet-y to me.
I use the sax a lot as it has lots of  human like expression. I have a  terrible voice like Foghorn Cleghorn!!

[Lee Batchelor]

Agreed about the sax voice, John. I've only watched two demo videos but in the one, the caption read something like "Sax solo voice." The demonstrator started playing what sounded like a semi-good clarinet voice. My thinking was the videographer put the wrong caption on the screen, which is forgivable. They just need a different editor !

On the other hand, if that's the PA5X's true sax voice, then my Honda Odyssey minivan is a Volkswagen Beetle.

Edit
Something else. I agree with your "sterile, tinny" sound impression. It makes sense because as someone mentioned, it seems the PA5X is designed for the younger players who like Dance and other modern styles. I have no use for that kind of music and would be happy without those styles or the synth voices. My focus is music from the late 70s and earlier - back in a time where producing music involved playing the songs, not "manufacturing" them.

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi Lee
You are right there modern edm music is for a generation of sample button flashing light console canned music operators. Give me an "e"
Todays singers all sound like Moaning Myrtles!!
At least we know with the Genos we can get warmer sound


All the best
John

[Lee Batchelor]

Agreed, John.

If Korg hopes to attract Genos users away from their keyboards, they'll be lucky to snag <1%. I sure hope Yamaha doesn't go the same route with G2. Their styles and voices are exactly what I need and if G2 improves on that concept further, I'll be waiting at the store, cash in hand! If they leave me hanging and focus on the younger EDM crowd who sing like robots with a bad cold, I'll be gone or at least hanging onto to my G1.

[soundphase]

My focus is music from the late 70s and earlier - back in a time where producing music involved playing the songs, not "manufacturing" them.

Some musicians will consider that using a style or an Electronic Yamaha sax SA2sample is "manufacturing" music

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi John :

Thanks for your comments.

You have the impression the Genos' sound quality ( in general ) is much better, right ?
That is very good news for Yamaha 's present high end arranger keyboard.

That might explain why Yamaha are not in a hurry to launch the Genos2 soon, I guess ?

Best wishes, Jeff



   

[Lee Batchelor]

Some musicians will consider that using a style or an Electronic Yamaha sax SA2sample is "manufacturing" music

Very true but by "manufacturing music" I refer to those who solely depend on a large box of electronic tools to produce an end product that sounds good compared to those who have enough musical prowess and require very little added on tools to achieve the same thing. For example, the great singers and piano players throughout history have never needed pitch correction, voice shaping, quantization, or an overindulgence of EQ and compression to compensate for a lack of musical ability.

Using the Genos for a background or a solo instrument is just one tool out of thousands. The person sitting behind it must know how to make music and not depend solely on that tool to produce a decent end product. Like the old saying goes, "Anyone can play the notes but can you make music?"

[Lee Batchelor]

Hi John :
Thanks for your comments.
You have the impression the Genos' sound quality ( in general ) is much better, right ?
That is very good news for Yamaha 's present high end arranger keyboard.
That might explain why Yamaha are not in a hurry to launch the Genos2 soon, I guess ?
Best wishes, Jeff

Very true, Jeff. Most of those who intended to buy a Genos have done so already. Yamaha is no longer in danger of losing potential Genos customers because there's another tool on the block. Of course, there will be a few who sniff out the PA5X and switch but I doubt those numbers will be a danger to Yamaha. Most Genos customers will wait for Yamaha's reply. If it's dismal, then things could change.