Korg PA5X

[Bill]

A very good demo which is almost 90 mins long. Good selection of solo voices demo's.

Well worth a listen even if you are not a Korg fan.

https://youtu.be/MQaJklT5bUQ

Bill

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Oh dear nasty sounds. Some of those resonances hurt the ear with a  sharp muffled type sound
I had to reply to this as there is no way that  this machine comes  anywhere  near the Genos

[Amwilburn]

Hi John --

Aside from the sax sound on Yamaha, what really sold me is the SA/SA2 playability and responsiveness, for lack of other terms. Yamaha really nails this. I can play a sax line by intuition and the instrument seems to be an extension of my gestures.

Can Korg do this? I &^^%$&^ well don't know. Korg arrangers are completely MIA (missing in action) in USA retail stores. I'm not about to order a $4K arranger on-line just to try it and send it back! Someone praised the Kronos acoustic instrument emulations, but they left me cold.

It's a musical instrument, so honestly, I don't know what to expect unless I actually play it and hear it in person.

Good points -- pj

Well, I haven't tried the PA5x yet, but my experience with the PA4x/PA1000:

The ariculations aren't as intuitive, no. For example, the body tap of a Classical guitar on Yamaha is controller by a pedal; on the Korg it was slapping the joystick down (-y), which meant I couldn't play the guitar sound with both hands, and often meant that you'd accidentally pitch while slapping the joystick. Even more baffling, the Yamaha body tap works tapping the pedal regardless, but slapping down on the joystick *only* produced the body tap sound while you were holding at least a note. Which often meant the tap wouldn't sound if it'd already instinctively lifted my right hand off the keys.

Yamaha S.Art2 saxes glide (glissando) very naturally and effortlessly, automatically going monophonic/polyphonic as the transitions require. The Korg S.Art2 sax is always poly, meaning when you hit the glissando button, you have to time letting go of the note *just right* or you'll break the illusion (and you'll hear 2 saxes momentarily).

On the other hand, their megavoice noises (fret noise, pick noise) are basically a function of S.Art (DNC on Korg) rather than megavoice; so you can play all the guitar sounds from a style without learning *how* to control them.

Personally, I found the strings & brass on the Pa4x too synthetic, which is why I always used Yamaha in my orchestral demos (and, registrations are a necessity to me). However, the behavior of their Tutti is *much* smoother than Yamaha's (it reserves more than 1 polyphony for the cymbal crash)

EDIT: forgot to mention, their automatic quantizing for chord changes is better on Korg. On Yamaha, it's possible to change chords *while* a note is playing, and you'll hear a funny correction; Korg seems to quantize your chord changes in real time. So that's nice.
Conversely, I found it much more difficult to program styles on Korg (and indeed, even to 'load' them into a fixed array slot), but that could just take getting used to the workflow.

Mark

[Ernie]

A good friend of mine bought the first PA5X  in the Netherlands.
I bought his PA4X  with a lot of extra software.  His first impression of the PA5X was:
The PA4X sounds better as it is.  You have to make the system to your own hand.
It is the same with a Yamaha strait out of the box .. You have to make it sound the way you like it.
I am happy now with the PA4X. It gives me new inspiration.  I nearly touched my PSR S950 for months.
Now I play some hours a day at the Korg. A new toy gives some new advantageges ;-)

[Gunnar Jonny]

Hi.

For those who are interested, there is a Yamaha Genos VS Korg PA5X sounds and styles comparison at A&C Hamilton's YT channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlSj0jwU5CU

[Graham UK]

Korg have produced a game changer here with the Pa5X.

[TiasDad]

There's not only Korg releasing a good keyboard at the moment. This is the latest from Akai...
https://youtu.be/XQ9r1Q0kWNA?t=811

It's basically a keyboard with a built in DAW. I've linked to the part of the vid concerning layers and splits which is where you can build styles/backing routines easily and if you don't find a voice you like, you can sample your own from virtually any source. Feel free to explore the whole video.

To me, Yamaha need to take a close look and make it easier to work with style, voice and multipad creation to stay with the leaders. This won't replace my Yamaha keyboard but it will work happily alongside it

[mikf]

I don't think the Akai is direct competition for TOTL arrangers. It addresses a different market segment. Although some arranger players have an interest in this kind of functionality, it's not what draws the mainstream arranger buyer.
Mike

[Jeff Hollande]

I agree, Mike.

IMHO it is more a synth than an arranger keyboard.
I checked the local dealer price of this MPC Akai : Euro 1999,--, all included.

Best wishes, JH

[usaraiya]

I wonder why this thread did not deserve to be pinned on top. It has more postings and has a better title than the silly "This is the Real Deal Trade your Genos for You Know What!!!" thread !
Maybe it's because the postings to this thread show Korg in a positive light while the other thread was started by a "Yammy" biased OP?
Just wondering?
Uday

[Christophermoment]

I wonder why this thread did not deserve to be pinned on top. It has more postings and has a better title than the silly "This is the Real Deal Trade your Genos for You Know What!!!" thread !
Maybe it's because the postings to this thread show Korg in a positive light while the other thread was started by a "Yammy" biased OP?
Just wondering?
Uday

What's wrong with having a bias for Yamaha keyboards? Especially if you own a Yamaha keyboard and your posting on a Yamaha forum, seems like a no brainer to me.

[stephenm52]

My experience is I have a Genos and a Pa4x, each has their own strengths but if someone said you have to give one up it's either the Genos or the Pa4x I would give up the Korg Pa4x.  I enjoy both boards but I've been partial Yamaha since the early 2000s.   I will say had this been 5 years ago and Korg released an 88 key arranger with a piano keyboard touch I would be in line to purchase one.  5 years ago I played more gigs but no longer play nearly as many so it'a moot point to get an 88 key arranger for gigging.

[Jeff Hollande]

IMHO it is a smart idea to add an 88 k arranger.
Very interesting for piano lovers, home players and ... some giggers too.

Hard to believe Yamaha will ever do that. See CVP.
And what about a 61k high end arranger ?
Only Yamaha can answer this question.

[DrakeM]

I wonder why this thread did not deserve to be pinned on top. It has more postings and has a better title than the silly "This is the Real Deal Trade your Genos for You Know What!!!" thread !
Maybe it's because the postings to this thread show Korg in a positive light while the other thread was started by a "Yammy" biased OP?
Just wondering?
Uday

Well, first off this POST is listed under the GENOS category. So right off from the start this POST is in the wrong section of the Form (and should have been moved a long time ago).

Secondly this is a YAMAHA HELP BOARD and not a Korg help board. In fact I don't believe anybody here really gives a rip about a Korg keyboard OR they would be at the Korg keyboard forum (wherever it is or even if there is one).

What is the point of posting a Korg thread here at PSR help forum other than to BASH Yamaha keyboards?

[usaraiya]

It's called NEWS, and believe it or not, there are both Genos & Korg owners here, so, in fairness to all, let there be peace, and enjoy both keyboards to their fullest extent, as both are superb, having features that are unique to each, all brilliant!
Uday

[stephenm52]

It's called NEWS, and believe it or not, there are both Genos & Korg owners here, so, in fairness to all, let there be peace, and enjoy both keyboards to their fullest extent, as both are superb, having features that are unique to each, all brilliant!
Uday

http://www.korgforums.com/forums-frame.htm

[mikf]

The reason there are many posts here about the PaX5 is that Yamaha owners are interested, simple as that. It doesn't mean there is Yamaha bashing, or people recommending changing brands, just information. Most of us are neither Yamaha" people or Korg people. We are arranger players who chose Yamaha at the time of purchase. This is where we come for help on that brand, - we remain with that brand until we don't, - it's not a religion.
BTW, to my point about new buyers choosing more keys over less keys, - I read somewhere this morning that the 88 key versions sold out immediately at one large dealer. There will always be some who need a smaller size TOTL keyboard, or who are just financially pressed and want the small cost saving. But overall I think if you offer people an identical full,size, TOTL keyboard over a mini keyboard, both at quite high and not very different cost, many will choose the larger one. I think this 88 key arranger from Korg is a great marketing decision, and a larger Genos might well be the response from Yamaha.
Mike

[ton37]

This I posted at the category: Forum comments and suggestions:

Looking at the PaX5 discussions and topics I suggest a extra/new category 'KEYBOARDS OTHER BRANDS'

My thinking:
maybe it would be a solution if the respected Joe W. would add 1 category to the forum like eg: KEYBOARDS OTHER BRANDS . Then one can post there and possibly respond to keyboards of another brand, whether or not related to a Yamaha keyboard. Forum members who are not interested can simply skip this category or not read/respond. Don't forget that there are also plenty of members who play a Yamaha and a Korg! Also easier for the moderators to move topics about other brands. On the other hand, the 'real Genos Yammies' seem easily annoyed when another brand is mentioned or discussed that rival the Genos. Such a category prevents this, because it is not posted in the category of, for example, the 'Genos'. They simply don't have to read along, ie. to respond.
Just my 2 cents

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi Guys :

The reason why most of us are talking here about the present competition's keyboard is quite simple, IMO.

This new born arranger looks to be an interesting arranger keyboard and ... available very soon in 3 different sizes ( 61, 76 and 88 keys ).
I have seen a couple of video's but I would like to express my personal conclusions in 3 months from now, after receipt of reactions given by endusers.
I have NO intention to buy this keyboard. I would prefer to wait.

Being Yamaha loyalists and players for many years, we are hoping for an answer asap.

However, the answer will not come this year  ... BUT ...it will create an earthquak in the arranger keyboard's business next year.
It will be a typical, reliable and high-quality Yamaha product, as usual ( the 2025 technology included ! ).

It is not easy for me ... but I need to be patient. 

JH

[mikf]

Re an additional category - Frankly, it makes no real difference. People can ignore individual posts just as easily as ignoring a full category, if that is what they want to do. Most people read this forum anyway by scanning down the opening page which contains posts in order of time/date posted,  rather than in categories.
In the long run it is useful and tidier to have categories, especially when looking back for historical posts, but these statements, often almost indignation, because of a post being in the wrong place, or that mentioning other brands is akin to a mortal sin, is just something to ignore
There really is not much posted about other brands on this forum, except in situations like now ie a high end new model is introduced by another brand and interest is high. And it will be short lived, doesn't justify setting up a category.
The one area I do take exception to is in posting recordings. I think they should largely be on Yamaha arrangers, unless posted for the specific purpose of comparison, or making some other technical point.
Mike

[ton37]

Thanks @Mikf for your quick reply, luckely my advise costs me only 0,02 cents 

[Lee Batchelor]

We need to look at the big picture instead of trying to see where certain posts and topics "fit" (or not!) on this forum.

We have just come through three years of a hell hole called "Covid." Now, we have yet another Adolf Hitler who thinks his rights as a human being come before everyone else's in the world. Most countries are suffering ridiculous inflation and gas prices. The fact that Korg introduced a new arranger is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. We know Yamaha has big plans. For us, the 5X is a temporary device to appease our curiosity. Based on the number of posts on this forum, I'd say it's working as most of us eye the 5X, while conjuring up the funds to be ready when Yamaha launches their new Genos.

The world moves forward thanks to people who dare to dream. Let us all dream of a new arranger in peace.

[stephenm52]

We need to look at the big picture instead of trying to see where certain posts and topics "fit" (or not!) on this forum.

We have just come through three years of a hell hole called "Covid." Now, we have yet another Adolf Hitler who thinks his rights as a human being come before everyone else's in the world. Most countries are suffering ridiculous inflation and gas prices. The fact that Korg introduced a new arranger is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. We know Yamaha has big plans. For us, the 5X is a temporary device to appease our curiosity. Based on the number of posts on this forum, I'd say it's working as most of us eye the 5X, while conjuring up the funds to be ready when Yamaha launches their new Genos.

The world moves forward thanks to people who dare to dream. Let us all dream of a new arranger in peace.

Lee kudos to you for your statement! You speak the truth!

[Lee Batchelor]

Thanks, Stephen .