I spent 2 hours with the PA800 yesterday (Os 1.51)

[mikey_maestro]

I was able to really have some fun with this keyboard last night at a Guitar Center in RI. I actually listened to almost every style using primarily Intro 1.

I currently own a tyros 2 and I'm looking to add a 2nd arranger. I'm gonna get either the PA800 or the Pa2x Pro.

I reviewed this PA800 on the synth Zone forum about 2 years ago. It was loaded with very first operating system. I didn't understand it too much. That combined with the really underwhelming OS was cause for a lousy review.

I have to retract almost all the negatives I had previously stated in that review.

Some of the things I really loved:
1. The styles are much more live sounding.

2. It blew me away when I got 2 different intros based upon starting in a major or a minor chord.

3. The fills are much better than the yamaha line.

4. The organs are much better than the yamaha

5. The digital touch screen draw bars were great.

6. The sts settings were thought out very well. Great Voices by default. The ability to quickly edit them is awesome.

7. I've always loved the brass instruments on the Tyros 2. But the brass ensemble or brass sections or fat analog brass smoke the yamaha.

8. The ability to quickly mute voices that make up sts ( r1,r2,r3 ) by the press of a button.

9. The Rock Bank are some of the best I've ever heard on any arranger.

10. The TC Helicon Harmony is incredible for an included option.

11. Dual sequencer and midi player (BTW, SMF's sound way better on the korg)

Those were just a few of the things I really liked. There are many more. If you want to know just PM me.

Things I weren't crazy about but not deal breakers.
1. Smaller screen than the Tyros 2 not as many colors either.

2. 1/4 " input for the microphone on the PA800

3. Long Time to power up.

4. Onboard Styles are scattered around and not always in the bank you think they might be in.

5. Having only 1 row of style buttons. multiple button presses to get to other categories.

6. Not a huge fan of the blue case on the PA800. The Pa2xpro is Gorgeous!

7. Much less 3rd. part styles available

There were a few other little things that were no big deal.

Hope this helps anyone who hasn't tried one yet.

[TBLECK]

Hi Michael,

thanks for your very impressive FEEDBACK... feels like YOU HAD FUN !

YOU BETTER HAD TRIED OS V2.01 / with the best improvements of it all.
On December 2008 KORG made with just an Improvement-Release of the OS ... a complete new MACHINE !

You've just knocked out the main points in comparison to "Y....'s " topmodel,
very precisely and point for point !

If you're not afraid of EDITING some things,
then you will be able to do ALL your kinds of Music from Church over Gospel to ... ROCK !

And please - in comparison to "Y...." -
think about the VAST AMOUNT OF STYLES to get for FREE -
when you have registered. There is a complete other philosophy
of customer Support behind it -

... and just say a hello to this LIVELY and ACTIVE AND PROMPT reacting FORUM ??! !

best wishes from TBLECK
sorry for my GERMLISH

[oracle]

Hi Michael,

I said this before and I say it again, for an additional small amount of money you can go up to the PaX2Pro which is worth every additional penny you will spend.


Also the Pa800 v 1.5 you played on is one keyboard where the Pa800 v2.01 is a whole DIFFERENT keyboard. The DNC sounds amazing!!!

Go with the Pax2Pro unless you want the built in speakers.

[Sam CA]

I'm gonna get either the PA800 or the Pa2x Pro.

You're still not sure which one you want to get after all those super detailed observations? I can't imagine what would be the case if you want to buy a car or a house where you have a lot more options to choose from. The sales people at the guitar center probably can't hide fast enough once they see you walk into the store again. ha ha ha

[mikey_maestro]

I'm gonna get either the PA800 or the Pa2x Pro.

You're still not sure which one you want to get after all those super detailed observations? I can't imagine what would be the case if you want to buy a car or a house where you have a lot more options to choose from. The sales people at the guitar center probably can't hide fast enough once they see you walk into the store again. ha ha ha

Before you jump all over me, hold on a second.
I own a tyros 2. I do like it. I'm getting a 2nd. Arranger. I thought the pa800 was great. I'm trying to find a pa2xpro to play and see if I can justify the price difference for the extras. I have decided on the korg over the other offerings in totl arrangers. Guitar Center loves me by the way. I've spent about 20k in the last 18 months. So you can relax with the sarcasm.

[rikkisbears]

Hi Mikey,
I don't think Sam was trying to be sarcastic. Didn't you spot the Haa Haa.
You've obviously done your homework checking out the Korg pa800.
I gather you haven't had a chance to try the PA2X??

I'm happy with my PA800. I like the portability of the 61 notes & internal speakers, personally I don't think I would have gone for the PA2X even if it had been available at the time.
I don't need the 76 notes, pop up screen & extra sliders etc. Haven't heard one so I can't comment on whether it sounds better or not, though a couple of ex pa800 owners think that PA2Xdoes.

Mines home use only, the main thing for me was that they share the same styles & the operating system is fundamentaly the same.



[quote="mikey_maestro"]

[Sam CA]

I'm gonna get either the PA800 or the Pa2x Pro.

You're still not sure which one you want to get after all those super detailed observations? I can't imagine what would be the case if you want to buy a car or a house where you have a lot more options to choose from. The sales people at the guitar center probably can't hide fast enough once they see you walk into the store again. ha ha ha

Before you jump all over me, hold on a second.
I own a tyros 2. I do like it. I'm getting a 2nd. Arranger. I thought the pa800 was great. I'm trying to find a pa2xpro to play and see if I can justify the price difference for the extras. I have decided on the korg over the other offerings in totl arrangers. Guitar Center loves me by the way. I've spent about 20k in the last 18 months. So you can relax with the sarcasm.

Dudeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, please be able to take a joke!!!

[oracle]

Assyrianpianist, I think Mikey already liked your joke, look at his picture as he's laughing

and Mikey the Pa2XPro and the PA800 sound the same... only the Pa2Xpro has the upgrades AND I think your musical needs require a tougher keyboard which I think the Pa2XPro answers if I'm right

[macboy]

Mike please check the OS 2.01 DNC sounds and you will be amazed I think

[stephenm52]

Mike,

I think I can find you a Pa2xpro to play. I'll talk to you later Maybe the guy even has a Bose L1 to try it thru.

[pacesetter]

You're still not sure which one you want to get after all those super detailed observations? I can't imagine what would be the case if you want to buy a car or a house where you have a lot more options to choose from. The sales people at the guitar center probably can't hide fast enough once they see you walk into the store again. ha ha ha

Before you jump all over me, hold on a second.
I own a tyros 2. I do like it. I'm getting a 2nd. Arranger. I thought the pa800 was great. I'm trying to find a pa2xpro to play and see if I can justify the price difference for the extras. I have decided on the korg over the other offerings in totl arrangers. Guitar Center loves me by the way. I've spent about 20k in the last 18 months. So you can relax with the sarcasm.

Dudeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, please be able to take a joke!!!

Hey man, that didn't sound like a joke to me I'd take it as an insult too. Take your time my friend on choosing what you want. I am a former Yammie player who first went to the PA800, thought that would do the job. I soon discovered I made a mistake then upgraded to the Pa2xPro, but I had a tough time deciding the first time around. Only you can make the decision. Good luck

[Rob Sherratt]

Hello Michael,

Just for info, please check out these differences on the Pa2x that resolve some of your observations on the Pa800:

1. Smaller screen than the Tyros 2 not as many colors either.

>> The screen size of Pa2x is the same as Pa800, but the motorized tilt facility makes it much more readable.

2. 1/4 " input for the microphone on the PA800

>> The Pa2x has an XLR balanced input for Microphone, and can apply 48v phantom power if you set the option in Global -> Audio In.

3. Long Time to power up.

>> The Pa2x has a faster processor than the Pa800 and consequently it is about 2.5 times faster to load up. Mine takes about 45 seconds in default configuration, and 45 seconds to load 128 Mbytes of optional user samples.

4. Onboard Styles are scattered around and not always in the bank you think they might be in.

5. Having only 1 row of style buttons. multiple button presses to get to other categories.

>> On both the Pa800 and the Pa2x you can configure an option so that a single button press on the Performance section of buttons will automatically select one performance in each performance bank and also a corresponding style. So this will in effect give you an additional row of style buttons. Also with the Songbook youu can create a playlist of many different Styles ready for your gig, then step through the playlist with a footpedal. That is the preferred option for most people.

6. Not a huge fan of the blue case on the PA800. The Pa2xpro is Gorgeous!

>> Also note thePa2x has 8 programmable drawbars/ sliders in hardware, mirroring the touch screen. This is great for live playing.

7. Much less 3rd. part styles available

>> While this may be true compared with Yamaha, there is no shortage of styles for the Pa keyboards, when you know where to find them. For example, there are styles produced by Salvatore on www.irishacts.com. See style pack vol 1. Also there are many free styles available at www.korgpa.com. Here are the links:

http://www.irishacts.com/ezypal/index.p ... _libraries

http://www.korgpa.com/pa_root/en/extra/ ... re.html?en

Please make sure that when you listen to the Pa2x, the OS has been upgraded to either v2.00 or v2.01. Like everyone says, the "Defined Nuance Control" (DNC) sounds will leave you gasping in amazement. Check out the user guide for OS2.00 here, and from the appendix print out the sound list, so when you go to the shop you can quickly select and play all the sounds that have "DNC" in the name.

http://www.korgpa.com/pa_root/pdf/pa2x/ ... UM-ENG.pdf

And remember that the Pa2x includes a dual MP3 player (to record just press Shift+Record simultaneously), plus an internal Hard Disk. These are chargeable extras on the Pa800. The Pa2x is actually cheaper than the Pa800 when you add these options onto the base cost of the Pa800.

I hope you'll write an update after you've bought yourself a Pa2x - I think you won't be able to resist it

Best regards,
Rob

[stephenm52]

Rob, Some good comments on the Pa2xPro.

Michael lives in the same general vicinity as I do. This weekend hopefully I will meet up with him and let him play my Pa2xPro, he'll also be able to compare it to 2 other Yamaha arrangers I own. I won't let him leave until he promises to buy a Pa2xPro.

Rob, I agree, I think once he plays it he won't be able to resist buying one

[mrniceneasy]

Hi Michael. Thanks for your impressions on the pa800.

[7. Much less 3rd. part styles available]

On the point about 3rd party styles. I have a database of over 50,000 Yamaha styles with no doubles and all can be readily converted and tweaked to suit the pa range [pa1x up to now but are accepted by pa2x]. Practicaly speaking, I could therefore have over 50,000 pa styles of varying quality at my disposal. So, no deficiency of styles there. Plus you can find styles from many places on the Internet for the pa. It's just knowing where to look.

So many people say that there aren't enough styles for pa and they couldn't be more wrong!

regards

[karmathanever]

So many people say that there aren't enough styles for pa and they couldn't be more wrong!

ABSOLUTELY Keith !!!

I have built my Style banks with all the styles I use (and like) and have a total of about 900 styles "ON BOARD" and ready to play.

There are 1024 style bank slots - agreed that you can run out of SSD depending on the size of the styles, but hey, that's huge!!

Cheers

Pete