Hi,
I'm looking to buy an arranger keyboard for live work using a combination of mp3, SMF and possibly some styles based playing. I intend to customise the backing SMFs to leave myself something to play, and I'll be working with vocalists so I may want to use the harmoniser.
My budget is around the price of a s/h Pa2x which is similar to that of a Pa900.
If anyone has experience of both of the keyboards could you please comment on which would be best for this type of live use - Old flagship or new mid-range?
Thanks,
Roger
PA900 or PA2X
Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever
The PA-900 has many advantages:
1- Better, more modern styles with four fills per style (vs two fills only in the PA2X)
2- 128 notes of polyphony vs 120
3- More DNC sounds
4- Much less weight to carry around (almost 50% less)
What's missing (like the separate outs, the XLR in, the digital in/out) shouldn't matter much for the use you intend to do, but you are the ultimate judge.
1- Better, more modern styles with four fills per style (vs two fills only in the PA2X)
2- 128 notes of polyphony vs 120
3- More DNC sounds
4- Much less weight to carry around (almost 50% less)
What's missing (like the separate outs, the XLR in, the digital in/out) shouldn't matter much for the use you intend to do, but you are the ultimate judge.
Korg PA3X Pro 76 and Kronos 61, Roland G-70, Integra 7 and BK7-m, Casio PX-5S, Fender Stratocaster with Fralin pickups, Fender Stratocaster with Kinman pickups, vintage Gibson SG standard
Hi Dreamer,
Thanks for this.
I could workaround the lack of an XLR input by taking a send from the desk so that's not an issue.
So on features the PA900 looks to be the better keyboard in this context. I'll probably use my Motif 8 as a controller so the smaller keyboard is no matter.
I notice from your sig. that you have a PA2X - Would you swap that for a PA900, or does it have an advantage to you over the PA900?
Does the PA900 sound as good as the PA2x? I realise this is subjective, but does it have the same size of ROM sounds and are the DACs and ADCs the same quality?
Thanks,
Roger
Thanks for this.
I could workaround the lack of an XLR input by taking a send from the desk so that's not an issue.
So on features the PA900 looks to be the better keyboard in this context. I'll probably use my Motif 8 as a controller so the smaller keyboard is no matter.
I notice from your sig. that you have a PA2X - Would you swap that for a PA900, or does it have an advantage to you over the PA900?
Does the PA900 sound as good as the PA2x? I realise this is subjective, but does it have the same size of ROM sounds and are the DACs and ADCs the same quality?
Thanks,
Roger
Hi,
sorry for the late reply.
I think that the PA-900 sounds better than the PA2X and the proper comparison should be with the PA3X. The ROM has almost all the new sounds of the latter and the styles are better and with four fills.
The only thing that I would miss from the PA2X are the 76 keys and this is the main reason why I will eventually upgrade to a PA3XPro-76. I have found a ProX3-61 at a very tempting price, but cannot convince myself to buy it, due to the key feel.
sorry for the late reply.
I think that the PA-900 sounds better than the PA2X and the proper comparison should be with the PA3X. The ROM has almost all the new sounds of the latter and the styles are better and with four fills.
The only thing that I would miss from the PA2X are the 76 keys and this is the main reason why I will eventually upgrade to a PA3XPro-76. I have found a ProX3-61 at a very tempting price, but cannot convince myself to buy it, due to the key feel.
Korg PA3X Pro 76 and Kronos 61, Roland G-70, Integra 7 and BK7-m, Casio PX-5S, Fender Stratocaster with Fralin pickups, Fender Stratocaster with Kinman pickups, vintage Gibson SG standard
Hi,
Thanks for your help with this.
After some consideration and progressing with the backing tracks for my project, I concluded that the main use I have for this type of keyboard right now is as a 'one stop shop' for performing with mainly mp3 backing tracks.
The decision came down to look and feel, the keyboard, and general ergonomics.
So I went with a PA2x.
If I start to rely more on the styles and sounds of the keyboard itself over time I'll probably consider upgrading to a 76 note PA3x, but at this stage I couldn't justify spending that much.
Roger
Thanks for your help with this.
After some consideration and progressing with the backing tracks for my project, I concluded that the main use I have for this type of keyboard right now is as a 'one stop shop' for performing with mainly mp3 backing tracks.
The decision came down to look and feel, the keyboard, and general ergonomics.
So I went with a PA2x.
If I start to rely more on the styles and sounds of the keyboard itself over time I'll probably consider upgrading to a 76 note PA3x, but at this stage I couldn't justify spending that much.
Roger