Yamaha or Korg

[scannie]

You have been asking questions about the keyboard capabilities, but to be brutally honest, none of it really matters to you. Learning to play is your primary challenge and will absorb all of your time regardless of the keyboard functionality.

I agree, I don't start to study and use all options. The primary part is playing and learning songs. First the melody part and later also the chords.

I start, of course, with simple songs. What I'm wondering, how do I find the right style for a song I have in mind?

[mikf]

There is a list of recommendations for well known songs included on the keyboard on a function called the playlist. Start by looking there.
You can also ask here, but to use a style you have to be able to understand and read chord notation, play those chords, stay in time. To play the melody you will have to learn how to read a staff and where to find those notes on the keyboard.
I think that you need to start looking for a beginners course on the web, or buy some music books for beginners. If you really have no previous knowledge of music notation or instruments, you will be starting at the 'Three Blind Mice' level.
Mike

[Danny1972]

I agree, I don't start to study and use all options. The primary part is playing and learning songs. First the melody part and later also the chords.

I start, of course, with simple songs. What I'm wondering, how do I find the right style for a song I have in mind?

Mike in the previous post gave an excellent explanation of how you can start to find songs to play along, but I just wanted to add something as well that I mentioned in my previous post and that when you select a style, check out intro2 and intro3 specifically where it should give you an indication of what the song would be, some styles are very obvious but some not so until you hear the intro because there are some styles could be played with multiple famous songs and some of the styles have it split where the first 2 variations are one song and the last two variations are of another which blends in very nicely if you want to play two songs together. You just need to experiment a bit, you'll be surprised at how many songs you will recognise.

[scannie]

Thanks again for all information.

For the first steps I think the flowkey app is a good option.
Recommended by Yamaha.
When I register the keyboard at the Yamaha website, the first three months are free of charge.

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi Scannie :

For many years I am a guitar player and I started first to learn my finger settings for the chords on the keyboard, 30 years ago.
You can find all chord information on the Internet and/or YouTube.

But you have to do what is convient for you : start with your left ( chord settings ) or right hand ( melody ). Up to you.
Often a lot of popular songs are based on 3 chords only.

Have fun, JH

[Amwilburn]

Too late, but yes, the PA1000 speakers are impressive. Massive bass, but still quite clear (not as clear as the PSRSX900 speakers, but close enough, and with incredible bass response). The sx700 speakers are pretty good, not as thick and bassy (same goes with the PA700 speakers, which are a little warmer than the Yamaha speakers but not as clear, take your pick).

The big thing is the flexibility. A very loyal Korg customer purchased the PA900 and then the PA1000, but is disappointed after all this time Korg has no Chinese pack (I told him a decade ago historically they only have Middle Eastern and Indian sample packs, I didn't expect that to change anytime soon) so he just sits there, frustrated that his favourite brand of arrangers doesn't have a China pack, whereas Yamaha has now released 5 of them.

I' d be happy with a PSRsx700. Flexible enough. Plus the 400mb of sample expansion is *larger* than the PA1000's 320mb (and even the 320mb is kind of moot if you don't want Indian or M.E.)

Mark

[Ed B]

Scannie
You will find this book worth while to get started:
https://kupdf.net/download/complete-keyboard-player-1pdf_59883ab0dc0d60e845300d1a_pdf

There is a very good course on chords on our web site:
https://psrtutorial.com/music/chords.html
As well these lessons will be useful
https://psrtutorial.com/lessons/index.html
Regards
Ed B

[Danny1972]

Too late, but yes, the PA1000 speakers are impressive. Massive bass, but still quite clear (not as clear as the PSRSX900 speakers, but close enough, and with incredible bass response).

Mark

Hello Mark, I have both and I think the Pa1000 sounds very detailed and clear to me, not right out of the box, but after dabbling with the EQ then the amplification comes alive and like a different instrument!

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi Danny :

It is not easy to say which arranger has the best speakers, sound quality, ease in use etc.

In order to make correct comparisons one needs technical data too, IMHO.
Most arranger players ( like me ) here have tools like ears, eyes, quality impressions, ease of use, personal brand preferences, personal knowledge & experience and last but not least a budget to compare and to judge the features of an arranger keyboard.

For the time being it looks like there are 3 important arranger manufacturers / competitors : Yamaha, Korg and Ketron.
They all have piano keys but with a different OS.
All three companies have their pros and cons but one brand is not better or worse than the other, IMO.
It is up to the enduser to make her/his final choice.

In this forum most endusers ( 99% ? ) are Yamaha arranger customers.
I am one of them and it will not be easy to convince me to go for another brand.
For more than 25 years I am a Yamaha arranger player.
Yamaha arrangers are very reliable, affordable, ease in use etc. and ... up to now ... never let me down.

Best regards, JH

[Danny1972]

Hi Danny :

It is not easy to say which arranger has the best speakers, sound quality, ease in use etc.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your reply. Just to note, I wasn't comparing or even suggesting which was better (also, one of the best ways to tell the quality of an instrument ideally is through external amplification and not really through the internal speakers, using good quality headphones is another way as well), but I was just saying that the Pa1000 amplification can be significantly & vastly improved if you turn on the equaliser function in the Audio menu because by default it's turned off and sounds quite flat without it. I didn't know this was even a thing until I stumbled across it as I thought at first the Pa1000 sounded dull through the built in speakers, but not anymore thankfully.

[J. Larry]

Wow, I never thought of that (equalizer function) when owning the PA 1000.  Maybe that's why I sold it for sounding dull and lifeless.

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi :

Not mentioned in the manual ?
Did Korg never inform their PA1000 dealers and endusers ?


JH

[Danny1972]

Hi :

Not mentioned in the manual ?
Did Korg never inform their PA1000 dealers and endusers ?


JH

Hi Jeff,

Yes, on page 509 of the manual.

But just like many people (including me), I didn't check the manual, but it's in there so I wouldn't be quick to blame Korg for our human nature!

[Jeff Hollande]

Hey Danny :

In the past I made the same " mistake " by not reading the manual.
I have to admit reading a manual is not my hobby either.🤪

I have received my new Korg synth last wednesday and it takes me one week ( at least ) to learn how a synth is functioning.
Without the manual it is almost impossible to " understand " how to use a synth. Totally different than an arranger.

Take care, JH

[jwyvern]

Hi Jeff,

Yes, on page 509 of the manual.

But just like many people (including me), I didn't check the manual, but it's in there so I wouldn't be quick to blame Korg for our human nature!

Check the PA5X Danny if you haven't already, it has a mastering section comprising a full EQ similar to the Genos Master EQ (plus a full visual display) plus processing on the Bass, Treble and Stereo and volume which is  fully customisable if you want to use it to create big sounds of a type you might hear in cinemas. It also has a "finalizer" to shape the overall style sounds via EQ and Filters.
The manual talks about gluing and blending among other things, which will take some time to understand it all- but it would be a pity to miss out on these effects 
John

[Amwilburn]

Hello Mark, I have both and I think the Pa1000 sounds very detailed and clear to me, not right out of the box, but after dabbling with the EQ then the amplification comes alive and like a different instrument!

Oh I agree; just that side by side the sx900 speakers are even clearer to me -- keep in mind I can still hear up to 19khz; when I was younger we tested and I could hear up to 21khz in my teens, so your mileage may vary. My friend who purchased the Korg, and is a die hard Korg fan; he can't hear above 13khz (and he's 7 years younger than me ). So to him there's no difference in clarity.

But there's no beating the incredible bass response of the PA1000. *Both are the peak of on-board speakers* and I absolutely love the speakers on both.

You want technical specs? ok the PA1000 is only 2 amplifiers vs 4, which as Bogdan and I discussed before, does noticeably increase clarity *as long as the crossover points are optimized* (I've heard when they weren't, and it's not pretty)

Mark

[scannie]

Today I received my PSR-SX700 , second hand, but in new condition.

As an absolute beginner I'm searching for the best method to learn play music.
I thinks about to use midi files and mute the melody.

When I can play the melody, I can mute the chords to play these too.

Is this a good idea, or are there better recommendations?

[Jeff Hollande]

If you like it, why not. 
Melody and chords are both important to get a nice result, right ?

JH

[mikf]

The best method is with a good teacher. The second best is a good on line course.
Playing along with midi files is a practice option, rather than a learning tool.
Mike

[scannie]

I try to find a style for a song that I have in mind.
I tried to use the suggestion from Mikf

There is a list of recommendations for well known songs included on the keyboard on a function called the playlist. Start by looking there.

But when I select that option, it shows only 6 songs.
Do I need to download a list first?

[EileenL]

You can download extra playlists from the Yamaha download site. You must use these
from a USB stick which must register USB1 on your keyboard.

[Divemaster]

Hi Scannie.
You need to check out the main homesite index.
Under the headings at the top are quite literally tens of thousands of downloads that you can use on your SX700.
I see you mention Playlists, and MIDI. They are different.

At it's most basic

A playlist gives you a long list of songs, from which you choose a suggested accompaniment for what you want to play. It does NOT play the song for you. You have to do that.

MIDI files however, will play a song for you, and you can play along with it. I think that's what you wanted, so go through the MIDI files and download the ones you like onto a USB stick.
Take a look.

Hope that helps.

[scannie]

I understand the difference between a playlist and midi.
I want to learn the melody of a song (Elvis Presley, always on my mind) via midi.
Muting the melody is an option.

Next step is to find a style and play the song by myselves and adding the chords.   
But then I need to find out if there is a style for this song.
That is the function of the playlist when I understand it correctly.
The platylist database is empty (6 factory items only).

Suggestions are welcome 

[mikf]

Should you not be learning how to read music first? Some people can learn to play melodies by ear, but most read the notes from music. I don't think playing along with a midi as a total beginner will be very easy.
Mike

[scannie]

You are right, I have to learn that too.
I want use music notes, to learn reading it and find the correct notes on the keyboard.
In this case the melody notes for the Elvis Presley song.

[Divemaster]

I try to find a style for a song that I have in mind.
I tried to use the suggestion from Mikf But when I select that option, it shows only 6 songs.
Do I need to download a list first?

Hi again Scannie

Ok. So you want a playlist. I'd suggest that you download the Playlist  for the Tyros 5 which has a very good selection of Songs on it (around 2000 in total) including Always on my mind, which is the one you say you want.

So follow this.

Go to the HOME PAGE of the PSR website . The HOMEPAGE, not the forum. If you're in the forum there's a direct link to it on the top right of the page called PSR Tutorial Support. Click on this.

Now look along the top of the page and click on the tab called STYLES.
Scroll down to where it says OTHER FILES and click on it
Under this you will find MUSIC FINDER FILES.
Now, go right down the page until you see two boxes shaded blue with dark blue headers.
In the bottom box carefully click on Tyros5.mfd   (not tyros 5 txt).
This will now download to your PC.

Copy this file to a Memory Stick.

Now go to your SX, and put the memory stick into the usb slot.
Press the Expansion User button to the left of your screen, then press USB1
You can now see the contents of your USB drive.
Click on the tyros.mfd file and you will get a window telling you that the keyboard needs to convert the files to use on your SX. Press Yes and the conversion will commence.
It takes about 6 minutes, so be patient.
Once finished you will get a message to tell you that it has been done, and that to use it you should have your OTS Link button lit whilst using it. This is next to your ACMP button .
Now.....you will have 2 files One has a magnifying glass next to it. The other looks like a file. It's the second one you need.
Press it, and then press the Playlist button and you will see that you now have the whole playlist from Tyros 5.
Select the song you want using either the arrow keys or the scroll wheel, and press on it, and then press LOAD (bottom right of the screen) and the keyboard will set up a style (registration) suitable for your song. You will see a green tick next to the song you have chosen.
Press Acmp, Ots link and Auto fill in. Select an introduction... Maybe 2, and a Variation say 2, and then press the Synch Start button.
Now, as soon as you play a chord with your left hand, your music will start.

Then......Over to you.

Happy playing.

Keith

[EileenL]

Tyros 5 did not have a Play list. It was a music finder which is quite different.

[scannie]

That means the explanation from Keith doesn't work on a PSR-SX700?

[Divemaster]

I can assure you that it does Eileen.
I have playlists from pretty well all of the Tyros models and from other more recent instruments, all converted from MFD files exactly as I have described. Be interesting to know if the SX900 doesn't do it, although I can't think why it wouldn't?
Maybe it doesn't work on the SX900, but it certainly does on the SX700.

Keith

[Divemaster]

Hi Eileen

Just nipped down to get my morning cuppa so I checked and I have all the Tyros Playlists apart from Tyros 1. Converted just as I have described.

These are converted from the original MFD files just as I have described.

Kindest regards
Keith.



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