Official link for Korg PA4x - your comments here please

[Bachus]

Also, what about missing the following options in the pa4x:

1. No Digital output port - Very needed in Studio Recording to avoid A/D conversions and losing a significant part of the sound quality.
I don't see any mention of "Audio over USB" like the Kronos in the pa4x.
Do you think Korg has a different method to substitute for the Digital Output port, or did Korg just got rid of it? or maybe it will show up in their future "Pro" edition (if there is any in the future)?

2. No motorized screen.

So, would it be OK to live without those options in a the Pa4x? or do I need to wait for another 1 or 2 or maybe even 3 years to find out if there will be a "pro" version of the pa4x with options that were standard with the pa3x76 as I anticipate?


Thanks again.

I'm sorry, but I disagree with #1... Hits have been made for decades without needing digital outs on keyboards. Trust me on this one... If your song isn't a hit with analog outputs and an extra A/D stage, it isn't going to be a hit with digital outs!

And #2 as well... All a motorized screen is is something you don't need that could break down. It's not like it's too heavy to lift, is it?!

I agree.. Other things are much more dissapointing...
- the limmited sound expansion memmory
- the limmited number of effects (its 2015 after all)
- no innovation in the style engine, the same as pa3, pa2 and pa1x
- no assignable encoders
But overall the lack of innovation in the whole instrument is most dissapointing

[nightplayer]

Thanks a lot for your reply.

Here are some links for the video manuals for the pa4x.
For some reason, they are not posted on the Korg website but a came across them on youtube when I was searching for pa4x related videos.

Their titles are written in a non-English language, but they are narrated in English:

Introduction, Navigation and setup:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPJHs_aFvZA

Sounds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FTkmAGzMt4

I came across four more video manuals for the pa4x yesterday, but for some reason, I am unable to find them on youtube today.


Also, I found the following video to be a good demo video too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQdaqEPh0Yg

Anyway, I hope you enjoy those vids.

[Dikikeys]

@Bachus...

I tend to look at arrangers in ten year cycles. On the whole, it takes that long before anything truly significant happens. That's usually two to three models. I went G1000-G70-BK9 at about ten year intervals, and each one of those had VERY significant differences and additions. The models in between... not so much!

Admittedly, as far behind the curve as the Korg's have been, in respect to direct access to styles and songs and sounds (rather than loading them in first), possibly the PA4X may be a significant upgrade in that area. I guess it depends on how used to dealing with the pre-loading you already are (or whether you need to make multiple loads on a gig at all!). If not needed, it definitely looks like the PA4x is a mere evolutionary model change, not a revolutionary one.

But there's still much we don't know, little we have heard... Who knows? There might be something amazing lurking in the fine print!

[nightplayer]

Another discussion thread about missing features in the Pa4x:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... sc&start=0

Do you still think I should go with Pa4x instead of going with the Pa3x?

Thanks a lot.

[Sam CA]

......

Do you still think I should go with Pa4x instead of going with the Pa3x?

Thanks a lot.

If those missing features are not a concern, then might as well go for the latest model. I don't think you'll see another new top arranger from KORG for another 5 years or so.

[nightplayer]

I agree. Thanks Sam.

[Sam CA]

You're also more likely to receive a software update...that is if KORG still hasn't changed their policy on this?... Other than that, even if you decide not to upgrade to PA5x, you know your keyboard hardware/accessories will be supported for a while....PA3x is almost 5 years old now.

[Keymn]

I have been a 3 keyboard owner of arrangers in the past 25 years. PSR450, Pa1x and now Pa3x. As a performing artist, feel a good arranger keyboard is a necessity and puts you apart from those one man bands whom play along with midi and MP3 tracks. There is nothing like real time performances. If I were in the market to purchase a new keyboard, would buy the latest available. Noticed the big difference in the 3X over 1X as far as styles and quality sounds. Not impressed yet with the piano and think if needed piano would buy a portable. To keep it simple and as new arrangers come out, manufacturers may eliminate certain features on newer models.
For now, concentrating on my gigs and maybe in the next 5-10 years buy the next model.

[hforough]

Hello Everyone. I would appreciate if anyone can respond to my question. I have had a pa900 for over 4 years now which has lots of oriental styles/sounds as a .SET. I have recently decided to purchase a korg pa4x but I need to make sure that the same styles/samples (.SET) from pa900 will also work/load on pa4x w/o any issues. Someone told me that it will require some sort of a conversion before it can work. Is that true?
if it is true then how can I get the pa900 converted to pa4x?

Thanks
Hamid

[Keymn]

i would install all your pa900 styles on a USB and you should be able to access them. This is a great feature unlimited styles that can be accessed in realtime from USB.

[karmathanever]

You would need to load your samples & SOUNDs into the PA4X - you could load STYLEs too and also have Direct Access SET for additional STYLEs to instantly play.
But you cannot have SOUNDs and SAMPLEs play from an external direct access SET - they must be internal.

Example:-
I saved all my FAVORITE and USER STYLEs and PERFORMANCEs (a complete full set in fact) on my PA3X (e.g. PA3X.SET)
On my PA4X, I loaded only the sounds which have samples from that SET.
Now all my SOUNDs with MY samples are internal - working fine.
Then I use my PA3X.SET as a DIRECT preference SET to instantly access all my FAVORITE and USER STYLEs and PERFORMANCEs from my PA3X days - awesome
The PA4X converts the SET for you and creates a new one because all the PERFORMANCEs need to converted to KEYBOARD-SETs - works like a dream - nothing lost - plenty gained.

Cheers

Pete