Korg PA5X v PSR SX900, chapter 3: I sent the Korg back

[Jeff_M]

After three weeks with the Korg, I decided to send it back to Sweetwater.  Biggest reason was the complexity with transferring almost 200 songs from the Yamaha to the Korg.  I'd have to do each one individually and that seemed a bit much (at this point I've done three).   I gig a lot more in the summer and with the season just heating up I need to be ready to go.   Additionally, I did constant side-to-side tests with the pair playing through my Bose PA and about 75% of the time found I preferred the sound of the Yamaha, mostly due to what I consider to be better-sounding styles.  Not only that, but Korg just never really "grabbed" me like the SX900 did when it was new.  Of course, I found things I preferred with the Korg (keybed, Hammond sounds, better display) but with lots of gigs coming up I just can't start with a new OS at the present.  Now, my present SX900 has seen a lot of use and the keys have loosened up and some buttons require a heavier touch, so I ordered a new one and am selling my present one--at a significant discount--to a young friend who tried it out last year and loved it.  He's a new player but has a lot of talent and I'm sure he'll have a great time with the SX.  I'm hardly a do-gooder, but it's not a bad thing to be able to help out a new, young player. 

[richkeys]

Thanks for the update Jeff. I was considering the PA5X possibly as an addition to the SX900 because I thought the styles sound more modern than Yamaha. I don't gig, just home use. Also I like the 5X's piano selection and the Keyboard Sets feature for less awkward storing of combo voices and the Songbook feature as well. But SX is great too and the PA5X is just a big unknown with mixed reviews for a keyboard costing over $4,500. Maybe a G2 at some point instead.

Rich

[hans1966]

Hello Jeff, I congratulate you on your decision.

Although I have nothing against Korg, I find its operating system cumbersome.

In my life I have had three arrangers and two Korg synthesizers, of which I prefer the synthesizers.
Arrangers:
Pa600, Pa300, EK-50 CSA
Synthesizers:
01W/fd,and Kross.

As for arrangers, I prefer Yamaha, for its voices and practical operating system.

greetings

Hans

[Divemaster]

Thanks for the updates, and interesting to see that your final decision to return the Korg seems to be mostly a time pressure criteria because you gig.

I get that, and respect it. I'm still working my way through my own Pa5X and love it.
I don't even try to combine Yamaha related styles and registrations with it. I treat it as a completely different keyboard.
I like the fact you've passed your well used SX900 to a family member. Credit to you for that. It's good to spread the love where music is concerned.

Having had my Korg for almost 9 months now, I'm really enjoying it. As a home player, and being retired, I've all the time in the world to learn 'new stuff' albeit at a slower pace.

I wish you a successful gigging season.

Keith.

[Gunnar Jonny]

Although I have nothing against Korg, I find its operating system cumbersome.

There is a big differense regarding the OS at PA5X compared to the older models. It's much more easy and up to date.
When switched from PA4 (that I had for a few months) to PA5, it opened a different world. In fact, if you manage to get around with Yamaha, it should not be much problem to get around with Korg PA5.
But, when start explore and use the really deep stuff, I guess it's nessesary to use time and patiense to master the posabilities regardless of brand.... 

[Toril S]

Music stores here in Norway usually do not take back instruments. So you have to be sure before you buy something. You can of course try the keyboards in the store, and I have done that with all the keyboards I have, but it is not so easy to felve deep into the OS when you are sitting at the store. However, you always get help when you ask for it.

[Jeff_M]

This is the 4th keyboard I've owned in 15 years, the prior ones being PSR S710, S950, and SX900.  The first two I bought at a local music store because they had them in stock and I was able to try them out.  The SX900 was a different story--there were none available in any music store in a 200 mile radius from my home.  Same thing for this Korg PA5X.  So, how do you really know if the keyboard is suitable before plunking down hard earned cash?  Well, you don't.  So, the only way a buyer can have some sort of trial run is to find an online retailer who offers a generous return policy.  In this case, Sweetwater offers a 30-day return policy, no questions asked.  I must say they were extremely gracious in the return process, and only charged me $40 return shipping.  Of course, some of the sting was taken out when I simultaneously ordered a new SX900 to replace my existing one, but they did rise to the occasion in my opinion.  I find it a tough sell for any retailer--including those in Norway--who won't accept returns at all, but in a brick-and-mortar store you would at least have the opportunity to try them out beforehand.   

[NativeAngels]

At the end of the day it doesn't matter what make or model of arranger you own / would like to own it's all a matter of personal choice and what suits you the end user. Your always going to have people say get this make or that make but ultimately what suits one doesn't suit another. We  are lucky that we have a choice and it's not a one horse race. The fact that there is competition is good isn't it ? It keeps company x or company y developing new features. Personally I like to make my own choices about what arranger(s) I own or would like to own.