Reasons not to buy a PA3X...Part One

calaf · Post by **calaf** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:30 pm

Does what I do with a keyboard justify a change from my PA1X?

Whatever the demons inside me argue...if I had this to base a purchase on......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0eX5i5d ... re=related

Each to his own!

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:14 pm

Why would anyone base their decision on that?
Not a truly bad clip though...

Maybe you should rename the topic "Reasons not to base your purchases on youtube clips"

- COMPARED TO -

http://youtu.be/c0fKPZqkGEc
or
http://youtu.be/ybQ3K3hzO8E
....the list goes on....

Don't understand the point of this....

calaf · Post by **calaf** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:24 pm

Your comments noted, Pete and yes you're right, there probably is little point to it.

The trawl through Youtube certainly throws up gems like the chap from TC Helicon.

When you land on something as I put the link to, it was more that I was finding it difficult/impossible to see how that dem would impress his immediate audience, and given the models strewn around the room, it seemed to me to be a promo evening. Given that it is now on Youtube, it seemed to me that this was therefore perceived of being worthy for a wider audience than those in the room at the time.

Given the initial criticism of the promotional material to herald the PA3X, your suggested title would seem to be an improvement.

However, as I also said, each to his own.

As a final response, personally, as noted in the opening post, I am struggling internally about the concept of a change so all information gathered is useful to help my thoughts, and that is the stage I remain at.

Apologies for starting a spurious topic
Chris,

duby2 · Post by **duby2** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:32 am

Well for me the PA3X Musikant Arranger Workstation Live-Demo he did a great job I might not play all songs he did , and karmathanever did show a compare and I like what he did too . Pete right the two video he link us to were hot . and the man was just jamm in away , and Tom from TC-Helicon show off the effects were very nice too . but he show you what 5 effects and they were the best ones in the keyboard , there not the many more wild effects . unforchily ..
it still a great keyboard for half the price .
Pete did you get your yet . you lucky guy..

Fransman · Post by **Fransman** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:57 am

Korg's flexible instruments are the only ones on the market that can be set up for different local area's.
Mr Music Sartorius is a crack in the German-speaking area; a huge local market.
He is a very, very good demonstrator for this particular kind of (Musikant-)music.
Though I don't like this musical genre, I always find his performances very entertaining and skilled.

So, you should not base your purchase on this demo alone.

There are some good demo's of the International version available, as mentioned in earlier posts.
(Btw, I never understood why there aren't more of those for PA500 and PA800; I think Korg misses a lot of business opportunities there, in favour of Yamaha).

LESSISMORE · Post by **LESSISMORE** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 11:46 am

Hello
Mr Music is presenting a lot of bavarian-styles.
But they are not representing the complete german music.
We germans are playing international music. More west than east style.

Mr Music shows a lot of bavarian-styles, because this special genre is a
"plus" in the Musikant-version, which is not integrated in the
international version of the PA3x.

Gianul · Post by **Gianul** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:48 pm

calaf wrote:Does what I do with a keyboard justify a change from my PA1X?

Whatever the demons inside me argue...if I had this to base a purchase on......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0eX5i5d ... re=related

Each to his own!

You have to see more demos about Pa3x. This arranger can satisfy everyones needs, any musical culture and style.
If you don't buy it , is not gonna be the end of the world, but you can not tell us all that base on this video of yours, not to get
a korg pa3, when you have so many happy korg users.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJxpSoLP ... ata_player

Shahin · Post by **Shahin** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 4:39 pm

well i for one liked the demonstration very much ! and im not even German !

I dont know what kind of music you are into but just because i dont like jazz or church music and korg focuses on these genres on every single demonstration of its keyboards, i cant say i dont like pa3x or 2x etc..... .

Our friend Vikram posted a youtube pa3x vs tyros 3 video a few posts back. maybe those kind of videos can better help you in your decision and preferance.

good luck

Paolo@Korg · Post by **Paolo@Korg** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:24 am

LESSISMORE wrote:Mr Music is presenting a lot of bavarian-styles

Maybe people who never attended an Oktoberfest cannot understand. I understand, and this music is a pleasant support for very pleasant memories!

It is very important that arranger keyboards fit different kinds of local music, since "musical styles" are the core of their "raison d'être". The Musikant is a very succesful attempt at specializing an otherwise totally flexible keyboard. It is still a Pa3X, but it loves to play Alpine party music!

Cheers,
Paolo

LESSISMORE · Post by **LESSISMORE** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:32 am

yes Paolo

and its very important to know for all musicians in the world, that the
pa3xPro Musikant may have after June 2012 all features of the
PA3x International. But not vice versa.
After June the Musikant-version will not have any protections for
the Musikant-styles. All styles may be editable.
The PA3 international styles are all in the korg-software-center for download.

There will be only one difference. The price.

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:50 am

calaf wrote:As a final response, personally, as noted in the opening post, I am struggling internally about the concept of a change so all information gathered is useful to help my thoughts, and that is the stage I remain at.
Apologies for starting a spurious topic

Hi all

I think that some members (including myself) seriously misinterpreted calaf's original message in this topic.

Calaf is concerned that he has started a topic which has "upset" some people. I have been in touch with him and he is just a nice guy who is wanting help deciding on a PA3X purchase.

Calaf - firstly, my apologies in my misinterpretation of your topic.
What information/feedback do you need? There are some great demos around but I think that actual owners of the PA3X will be in the best position to help you. I am still waiting for mine to arrive so I cannot give you realistic reviews.

Cheers

Pete

calaf · Post by **calaf** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:37 am

What information/feedback do you need?

Pete, Thank you for your thoughts. I think the question you pose is the crux of my problem.

How do I use my PA1X? I don't use the sampler, the sequencer or song play, being almost exclusively style play, with the Songbook integral to the approach.

Thus the most crucial question for me centres round the idea that I like quality sounds and good styles. (The current show that I am preparing includes a range of styles, including Polka, Dixieland, Trance and 8 Beat John so I am not hidebound by a single genre.)
This is where the doubts in my mind creep in. As I am using ultimately so little of the keyboard's capabilities, can I justify the outlay for the improved sounds and styles?

Equally, the learning curve to get me going with the PA1X was steep and I still find difficulty with some tasks that others clearly get their heads more easily. The feeling I am getting from reading the forum is that there is an extra layer of complexity in the current model and I need to be reassured that this will not prove a barrier to my playing.

My nearest dealer is a long way from home, and currently they have no stock, so the quest needs to be, as I mentioned, information gathering for the moment, and that has included trawling through You tube, until I can get at least a first hand experience of the keyboard.

To reiterate, it was never my intention to upset anyone, so I do apologise if I have.

Best wishes
Chris

admar · Post by **admar** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:49 pm

Hi Chris,

I was in the same position six month ago as you are now. Having played the Pa1X for eight years with lots of joy and surely a lot of work to make it sound the way I like it, I hesitated to go for the Pa3X, as I was very pleased the way the Pa1X served my needs (so I skipped on the Pa2X). I only play in Style Play Mode and you can make (almost) any style on the Pa1X as you have on the Pa3X. The only thing missing on the Pa1X is the Guitar Mode.
The reason I did buy the Pa3X was because of the sounds which are a huge improvement in my eyes. I wrote a posting about the time it normally takes getting to like the sound you hear, but in the case of the Pa3X I liked it from the start (the Hammond sounds are a huge improvement). And yes, after a few months I like it even more. Sure, there are other improvement too, but that's not the reason I bought the Pa3X, I could manage very well with my Pa1X, so that's just a bonus.
My advice is the same as told over and over again: try to get your hands on a Pa3X and play it, and again, and again....., to judge for yourself if the considerable amount of money you pay for it is justified.

On a sidetrack: I'm looking forward to the update planned in June, as I think that not all of the power the Pa3X has is present out of the box yet.

admar

Pa2x · Post by **Pa2x** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:34 pm

I dont understand how someone can like the sound of original styles, the drum kits are shocking, if you only heard my pa3x with sampled drum kits you would never play with original kits, thats why the sampler is there to use it.

calaf · Post by **calaf** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:47 am

the drum kits are shocking, if you only heard my pa3x with sampled drum kits you would never play with original kits, thats why the sampler is there to use it.

However, what if you don't have the skill or knowledge to achieve this?
Mind you, to my ears the onboard drum kits give me a very acceptable sound. I have favourites, as indeed I have favoured styles.

I have Microsoft Office on my computer, I rarely use Access. My Digital SLR is set on Aperture priority for most of the time, I rarely use shutter priority, although for the rare sporting events to which I take the camera, I will make use of it. The question is can I justify the cost of switching from the PA1X for the features that I use 99% of the time.

I have had the keyboard for a long time now. In the show I am preparing, I am for the first time considering recording a pad sound. First efforts have been woeful, but I am giving it a go, so while I may not use features, there may come a time when something drives me to try these little used facilities. I am also considering using song play on the show which I have previously noted is another rarely, if at all used feature. In one song I need two solo singers, and my thinking is to record the song with the lead instrument panned fully left, which will leave me to support the other singer with the supporting accompaniment panned to the right and fed through the monitors. Again this is a departure for me, but as I pondered how best to support the singers, I could see how that approach would be valuable in this instance.

The predominant criteria prior to purchase are the styles and the sounds. If they give me the sound that I need to achieve what I want then it will be worth looking at. As I noted in the OP, admittedly without making myself clear, the Musikant demo left me cold, but the remarks I made were never meant to decry that market. Others have pointed out in the thread that it is the adaptability of the keyboard that means it can be successful globally that gives it it strength (and I include my PA1X in that).

The fact that the sampler is a feature that others find a strength of the keyboard is another example of that versatility.

Having said that, if I can make use of the skills of others to enhance the keyboard, I am not averse to that.
Reuben's Smooth Pianos are loaded in.
One of my favourite add-ons has been Sharp's Wet Golden Trumpet. As I need Low D Flutes, Vocal Assault and others take their place on my soundstage.
Stalian recently has offered a trumpet sample for the PA3X.
As you clearly feel that your drum kits have transformed your keyboard, perhaps you might as others have done, find a way to enable other users, such as me, who have not got that competence, to benefit from your talents.

Best wishes
Chris

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Reasons not to buy a PA3X...Part One

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