Aftertouch PA2XPro - please don't be too angry with me..

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:52 am

Hi friends

This relates to the PA2XPro keys only. I know I have asked this before but I am considering sending my PA2XPro to my local service center to get this "fixed???".
I am hesitating to do this as it seems that a number of owners have experienced the same problem and if it is a design issue then I do not want my PA2XPro ripped apart unnecessarily
- - - - here is a test that I would be MOST grateful to get your feedback from:-

Simply load "Harmonica A/T" sound (aftertouch in this sound gives you that nice classic harmonica pitch drop)
Applying aftertouch on white keys should work just fine (i.e. without too much pressure)
Black keys require a fair bit of extra pressure to get the aftertouch effect to work (uncomfortable to play).

I am just interested to find out how many others have this problem.

Basically it makes playing a little hard if you want to apply A/T and just happen to be on a black key.

I apologise for repeating this but I will not take my keyboard back if most of you have the same problem - service engineers worry me and I do not want my PA2XPro "raped" (metaphorically speaking of course).

(I am aware of the global setting for the A/T sensitivity - this does not solve the problem on my PA2XPro)

Thanks in advance

Pete

oracle · Post by **oracle** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:22 am

Hi there Karmathanever, I have a PA800 and not sure if it uses the same keypad as the PA2XPro or not but I too have the same concerns. You can adjust the aftertouch sensitivity somewhere in global config, but the black keys need more pressure and that makes it harder to play your desired style to the fullest. Also I am not very happy with build quality of the keypad. I paid $3000 for my keyboard that has many bells and whistles and you would think KORG would throw in a top notch set of keys with it?!?!?!

Are there others who agree with me?

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 2:19 pm

I have the PA2XPRO. Seemd like it is a little harder to use AT on the blacs also.
But, I have my AT set for light pressure so its OK here now.

Maybe just that the black keys are shorter and due to simple geometry...it takes a little more pressure to move the AT function in the keybed???
Lee

kottan · Post by **kottan** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:38 pm

For my impression the A/T on the black keys (with the softest adjustment) on the PA 2 Xpro is fine. True, a little harder than on the white ones, but not unpleasent to apply.
It's a different story when using a medium global adjustment, here it appears to have too much resistance on the black keys.

kottan

abo59 · Post by **abo59** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:41 pm

Yes, black keys require more force than white keys.

nikola81 · Post by **nikola81** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:59 pm

abo59 wrote:Yes, black keys require more force than white keys.

Well it's pure physics, force and weight, black keys are shorter than white so they need more pressure.

Sam CA · Post by **Sam CA** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:48 pm

i'm too angry!

Rob Sherratt · Post by **Rob Sherratt** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:04 am

I noticed this problem - that the black notes needed more aftertouch pressure than the white notes. Like Kottan said, if you go to "Global -> Gneral Controls -> Basic" and set the aftertouch sensitivity to "Soft". then it improves the situation quite a lot.

And of course not all sounds use aftertouch, so no matter how hard you press the keys when playing Piano sounds, nowt will happen.

Best regards,
Rob

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:54 am

Thanks for all your replies.
As I said in the beginning, I have already changed the Global settings but to no avail.

Well it's pure physics, force and weight, black keys are shorter than white so they need more pressure

I'm not sure about that but I do see your point however....
...the reason I posted this again is because I recently played a brand new PA1XPro Elite and A/T on all keys was equal - just fantastic.
Also I should point out that A/T on black keys on my old PA1XPro was almost unplayable - far far worse than my PA2Xpro.

My Karma keyboard is also perfect with A/T - all keys have equal and playable pressure resistance. The design of the A/T on the Karma is clearly quite different. When you apply A/T on any Karma key the key actually moves down further so the feel for A/T is great and predictable.

Thanks guys - I really do appreciate your responses - I guess I will have to consider taking my PA2XPro for repair - I really hate "black-key-aftertouch"

.

Take it easy

Pete

mrkorg · Post by **mrkorg** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:13 am

The black keys do require you to hit them a bit harder, it's something based on the fatar keybed design.

Remember the PA1X uses a different keybed.

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 3:13 pm

Remember the PA1X uses a different keybed.

I was comparing my PA1Xpro and now, my PA2Xpro - the keybeds look absolutely identical to me - can anyone confirm that?
I find it hard to believe that Korg would have changed this component

Thanks

Pete

mrniceneasy · Post by **mrniceneasy** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:52 pm

Hi Pete. I got this info on the pa1x elite and it had semi weighted keys like the pa2x pro.

''The latest addition to Korg's Pa line is truly in a class by itself. Although it shares many features with its Pa80 & Pa60 siblings, the all-new Pa1X Pro Elite breaks new ground and opens up new territory for the composer, performer and entertainer who demand a musical companion second to none. Our flagship arranger -- the Pa1X Pro -- has been upgraded to include the MP3 encoder option and CD-RW drive as standard equipment, at no additional cost. The Pa1X Pro Elite provides more hardware and control (internal hard drive, balanced mic input, real-time mixing and drawbar control), more expansion options (PCM expansions, TC Helicon voice modeling/pitch correction)and a 76 note, semi-weighted keyboard.''

I would have thought that Korg would have kept the same Bed as a natural progression to the pa2x. I don't know though as I've never played one.

Rob Sherratt · Post by **Rob Sherratt** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 7:55 pm

I had a Pa1x Pro preceding my Pa2x, and I believe that the keybeds are the same. I also have an M3/73 and the keybed on the Pa2x Pro is far nicer to play.

Best regards,
Rob

mrkorg · Post by **mrkorg** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:13 pm

Pete, Rob, Keith,

I don't think they are the same keybed even if the PA1X PRO is documented to have "semi weighted keys"

I'm fairly certain they are not the same keybed. The PA2X is by far superior and has a heavier feel to it. The keybed on the PA1X is softer and lighter. The PA2X feels like you are playing a piano, the PA1X is like an organ.

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:54 am

Thanks for the response mrkorg, but the specs for the PA1Xpro and PA2Xpro are the same for the keybed. My local Korg service engineer believes that they are identical. Will get some confirmation shortly.

Had/have both keyboards and definitely cannot tell the difference in feel.

Cheers

Pete

Korg Forums

Aftertouch PA2XPro - please don't be too angry with me..

Aftertouch PA2XPro - please don't be too angry with me..

aftertouch not too hard on the black keys