PA2xpro, Tyros2 /3 ?) or Roland E80 ???

[musicsound]

Hello,

I am considering an arranger keyboard.
I am not a typical entertainer doing life sessions but I am doing rather some composing, arranging, recording and mixing in my studio.

I am especially looking for the PA2xpro but also Tyros2 seems to be interesting. Korg seems to sound a bit better to my ears for Rock/Pop music but the Tyros has better styles in my view. I am used to play the Yamaha Motif workstations but somehow the Tyros has not the same good basic sound unfortunately,
Also my impression is that Korg styles are easier to edit and to move to/from the PC for further working with Cubase. Also I prefer the 76 keyboard.

Some others here might have been in a similar situation to choose between the Tyros and the Korg - maybe even the Roland arranger.

I am very interested about your view how they compare to each other.
I tend to go with the Korg ... but now I have even heard rumours about the Tyros3 ..... hmmm

[OmarNoori]

go with the pa2x!

[PA800dude]

This is a wrong forum to post this question, it is a Korg forum therefore all of the users are using Korg. Same thing if you posted this question on a Yamaha forum, everyone would recommend Yamaha. You need an unbiased forum.

[BasariStudios]

Its pointless.

[looo]

Hello,

I am considering an arranger keyboard.
I am not a typical entertainer doing life sessions but I am doing rather some composing, arranging, recording and mixing in my studio.

I am especially looking for the PA2xpro but also Tyros2 seems to be interesting. Korg seems to sound a bit better to my ears for Rock/Pop music but the Tyros has better styles in my view. I am used to play the Yamaha Motif workstations but somehow the Tyros has not the same good basic sound unfortunately,
Also my impression is that Korg styles are easier to edit and to move to/from the PC for further working with Cubase. Also I prefer the 76 keyboard.

Some others here might have been in a similar situation to choose between the Tyros and the Korg - maybe even the Roland arranger.

I am very interested about your view how they compare to each other.
I tend to go with the Korg ... but now I have even heard rumours about the Tyros3 ..... hmmm

IMHO Korg PA has generally better (more punchy and dense) sounds onboard, but Tyros2 can boast of more versatile, "playable" styles, much better controllablity over MIDI. I do also prefer Yamaha's interface.

[Rob Sherratt]

You have to spend time playing them both, and reading the users manuals, then make your own mind up. Check out all the editing facilities, the user interface, how the styles sound to you. Also compare the sample recording facilities and see which you prefer. In general the Tyros2 requires you to use PC-based software to prepare new samples and styles, the Pa2x has more facilities built in. Also check out the MIDI implementations. Yamaha tend to be very proprietary, Korg are very compliant with GM and GM2 standards.

Like everyone else said, this forum is for Korg users, so we have made our minds up already There are several people here who sold Tyros 2 keyboards to get the Pa2x. I don't yet know anyone who sold a Pa2x to get a Tyros 2.

Also check out whether a Pa588 would more closely meet your needs. It was just announced at MusicMesse in Germany. It's a fully weighted 88-note stage piano with all of the facilities of a Pa2x apart from sampling. Of course the Pa800 also has most of the facilities of the Pa2x except in a smaller format with a much cheaper 61 note keys, but with built in speakers like the Tyros 2.

[musicsound]

Dear Robert,

thanks for the info about the PA588 but my impression is that it less professional than the Pa2Xpro. Less voices, less styles, no digital output, no tc helicon, one sequencer instead if two, no sampler, no external memory, etc.. I like the 88keys although. If it would have been the same or even more than the PA2Xpro I would prefer the 88keys but it is not.

Thanks
Klaus

[Rob Sherratt]

thanks for the info about the PA588 but my impression is that it less professional than the Pa2Xpro. Less voices, less styles, no digital output, no tc helicon, one sequencer instead if two, no sampler, no external memory, etc.. I like the 88keys although. If it would have been the same or even more than the PA2Xpro I would prefer the 88keys but it is not.

Hi Klaus,

I think the Pa588 will be just as "professional" as the Pa2x. Its build quality is almost as good. People should have no doubts about using a Pa588 to accompany singers and other muicians at live events. It allows you to use SD or MMC cards for loading and saving sounds and songs, also there is spare internal memory for user sounds and styles. It does not have a vocal harmony generator and it does not have a sampler so you are stuck with the factory samples. However, you can create billions of different user sounds by varying different effects and parameters applied to the factory samples. You can also record on its sequencer and you can create user styles. Both the Pa2x and Pa588 have a double sequencer, but only the Pa2x allows you to record and play back .MP3 files.

I believe that for "live playing", this Pa588 keyboard is equally suited for "professional" use as the Pa2x. "Professional" piano players will probably prefer the 88 note weighted action of the Pa588 to the 76 note sprung and damped action of the Pa2x.

The Pa2x includes extra functions designed for sound engineering in the studio. As you say, it provides sampling functions, digital outputs, a vocal harmoniser etc. These extra features make it a better choice for sound production engineers and for studio use than the Pa588. Also the Pa2x is a better choice for gigging in pubs and clubs than the Pa588 because it is smaller and lighter.

The Tyros2 only has a single sequencer. But the main thing that lets the Tyros2 down in my opinion is that it looks and feels insubstantial and fragile. I think the build quality is not robust enough for "professional use" when keyboards are transported a lot. And I was disappointed in the Tyros2 sounds and styles by comparison with those on Korg's Pa800, Pa2x Pa500 etc. Specifically I don't think the Tyros2 guitar backings sound as realistic as the guitar mode tracks on styles such as "Guitar Bossa" on the Pa2x, Pa800, Pa500, Pa588 etc. All other functions on the Korg Pa800 and Pa2x keyboards are also present on the Tyros2 as far as I can see.

[chelsea9075]

Hi all,
I have both a Tyros 2 and a PA800, they are both superb instruments. Yamaha have found a market for easy play instruments and are very good at this ( probably the best in the world ). Most of the Yamaha players I come across are in the 50+ bracket and are fairly new to playing. They tend to rely on the easy play facilities, one finger chords etc. Despite this, there are many pro's that gig with Tyros2. All the Yamaha demonstrations I have attended are very slick and professional presentations. I consider it to be a very middle of the road instrument, whereas the PA800 in my eyes is a more professional keyboard better suited to use in groups and more modern music. Having both keyboards gives me the best of both worlds.
I honestly think a lot depends on your playing ability and your requirements, but from your post I would think the Korg would suit you better.
Chris
p.s. There are some stunning sounds on the Tyros2 (S. Articulation ), but the PA800 just has the edge for me.

[gadgetoid]

The Korg Pa2X both sounds fantastic and is addictively playable- I don't think anyone can reasonably dispute that!

I don't find myself actually being productive with it, though, I just end up tinkering with the sounds for hours. Most of the style pre-set sounds use 2-3 layered patches and sound absolutely incredible, easily putting the Fantom to shame in every aspect bar raw synth sounds.

Guitar Pop, Fire Rock, the Celtic styles and Horror are some of my favorites for just jamming along to.

I don't think you can go far wrong with a Pa2X Pro, of course as I don't use any of the arranger functions or apply any sort of workflow to it I couldn't tell you how well it would perform in that sort of situation. Still if you value good quality sound highly then it's packing plenty of that.

[ldamkjar]

Hi

This is of course a Korg forum but i still believe it is fair and okay to post a question/comment as yours. I have recently (1 week ago) changed from Yamaha PSR900 + Roland JV-1000 to a single Korg PA2XPro. Of course i am not done with the programming so far, but .....

Most things are better on the Korg but of course there are things that are better on the Yamaha (remember this is MY opinion). First of all the keys and the user interface is MUCH better than on the yamaha and the Korg has much more features. When it comes to sounds i think in greneral the Korg sounds better, but some sounds i found better in Yamaha - for example the flutes and soem of the saxes. When talaking about styles i found some that i miss on the Korg. Mostly swing based styles but i am hoping to be able to convert them.

On the Yamaha especially XG midifiles sounds great, but on the Korg i think that the sounds choosen for GM are much better than the GM sounds on the Yamaha.

So - all in all - PA2X is a REALLY nice keyboard and has replaced to for me so i only have to bring 1 synth to my gigs. I am expecting to be very pleased with my Korg and hope to be a specialist within max ½ a yer

Regards and good luck - Lars

[TomBo7777]

Very nice opinion. I posted a topic nearly the same asking specific questions.

I would love for you to take a peek being a relatiely new Korg user from a Yamaha.

MIDI implementation is paramount for me as I will use it as a Workstation and use the style generator for ideas and single lines like perhaps a BAss or drum line. Sounds are very important as well. But that is subjective.