I can't respect someone that thinks the PA800 keybed feels the same as the G70..

I think he said that the replacement Studiologic keyboard felt like the G70, not the PA's...

But even so, he is totally off base. One of the best things about the G70 keybed is that the ends of the keys are rounded, like the organ waterfall style keys here, great for organ smears, etc, BUT that the black notes and overall size of the white notes is FAR more piano-like in size and shape. But I have played many Studiologics, including ones that looked very similar to this, and NONE of them ever FELT like the G70 keybed.

Best of BOTH worlds, IMO

(even so, you got to admire the balls it took to do this much surgery to a new arranger! )

I see now he meant the Studio Logic..

What a bold move by that person. I guess he didn't mind putting $2,700 on the line but it might have been much simpler and smarter for him to sell the Pa800 when the 61 key Pa2x comes out. His warranty is shot the way it is and I doubt if he could ever sell the thing, or if he does he won't be able to get a good price for it in my opinion because the lack of a warranty and just the not knowing of whether something will go out on it down the road because of the chop shop style modifications done by this unskilled unprofessional person who apparently had no prior experience at doing this sort of thing. Kudos to him if he can indeed sell it at a reasonable price.

Another interesting thing I noticed when the "hood" was open was that it looked like a veritable ghost town in there. I find it incredible that the Pa800 has the sound quality that it does with the lack of innards it has. And that it costs what it does seeing the lack of quantifiable hardware inside of it.

As a side, when my Tyros warranty ran out over 3 years ago I decided to open it up and have a thorough look inside and inspect things and see if I could somehow correct the button contact issue I was having with some of the panel buttons and I was rather surprised at the sophistication and complexity of what was on the inside. I found out the panel buttons from the inside are protected and encased by plastic coverings (which makes sense since you don't want contact points on the inside shorting with other connections) and so I wasn't able to rectify the issue by spraying contact spray at the connections from the inside. I have had to continue to resort to spraying the contact spray from the outside which does seem to help. But looking at the Pa800 I am amazed by the simplicity and lack of electronics inside of it. I mean honestly, if that guy didn't have his XR rack in there it would probably echo endlessly into the night. Talk about a cavernous wasteland. I had to chuckle when the guy said he found out he had enough room to put a rackmount inside of it. I betcha Korg winces at the thought of people gazing at the Pa800's innards or rather lack thereof. $2,700???? Really!?!?!? At least now I know not to buy one.

PS: I realize that in trying to keep the weight respectable Korg had to do something to make it lighter and I sympathize with them for trying to do that. But my approach has always been to keep the hardware inside of exceptional quality even if that meant a little extra added weight to the keyboard and instead make the actual casing that encases the keyboard of ultra light composite materials to reduce unneccessary weight. Not cut down on the electronics inside of the keyboard to accomplish that very same thing as it seems Korg has done with the Pa800.

Best,
Mike

Hi Mike,
I don't think Korg are releasing a 61 key PA2x, not after the original PA1x where the 76 note outsold the 61, by quite a bit.From what I have been told the PA800 IS the 61 key version, and Korg are sticking to just the 76 notes for the PA2x...Mind you that could also be sales speak for trying to sell the pa2x as well, but I don't think so..Also there has been no mention of any other 61 key korg PA2 series anywhere, UK, USA Asia Italy...

Hi Mike
A basic Intel CPU can be picked up for about $40, a top of the line Intel CPU costs about $1000 however they look identical.
A modern arranger has better sounds and features then the previous versions, but has fewer components.
Look inside some industrial machinery and you will find boards the same size as those in the Korg, but they cost $20,000.
It’s not the number of components or sizes you pay for, but the development, (Hardware & Software) tooling up for production and manufacturing.
Expect to see less costing more continuing in the future.

Bill

Mike,
why is that a quality piece of equipment has to be "full" inside?

One chip to hold the sounds, some RAM, some ROM for the operating system, some controller chips and you are ready. Throw in some wires for DC, speakers and a ribbon wire for the keyboard, a circuit board for the various buttons, a screen, and you are done.

Ah, yes, and design a sturdy plastic case around it.

hahahah take a look inside the t2 talk about wasted real esteate!

Trident you are a wise man

Yep, you're right Donny, pity the T2 doesn't need to be "improved" like the PA-800...there would be lots of space.

Ian

Of course not Ian, of course not all is perfect with Yamaha as you always state.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Just funnin' with ya Donny...

I know ya love the PA-800.

All funnin aside Ian....can you post some demo tunes done on the S900 via thumb drive so I can a/b with the pa800....or do I have to hear more excuses?

No demos, Donny...and, no excuses...never use them.

Play the S900 for yourself...that's the best way.

Ian

Ian your reply was expected but thanx for the confirmation with your exuberant love for the S900 I thought you'd be proud to show a few examples to the SZ members coming from a Yamaha Demo artist like yourself....guess I'm wrong.......I played the S900 a few times & still not impressed at all....but you enjoy it, good luck.
I'll be deleting all my latest demos soon also....seems everyone here only likes to talk about music but never shares it even with the now easy quick record features we have on these arrangers.. oh well.


carry on.

Your reply was expected as well Donny.

I already sent you tunes that I did on the S900...you seemed to like them quite well.

I'm afraid I wasn't impressed with the demos of the PA-800 either.

A better way to get a reaction from me is to light a stick of dynamite...then, you call me up and hold the burning fuse up to the phone. “Hear that?” you say. “That’s dynamite, baby.”

I'll be impressed.

Ian

Ian I did enjoy your one or two songs you sent me but I didn't know there was a limit? & why only share it with me put a few up for the SZ to enjoy or possibly learn from?
Your on going I love Yamaha....
I love Yamaha......I love Yamaha is really getting tired....ahhh whats the use.....I know I'll get another I love Yamaha reply after this also... but what the heck Im used to it by now. Maybe someone will MOD a S900 next and we can chat some more ok?

stay well

Thank you, Donny, I'm glad you liked the tunes.

Ian

In a desperate attempt to steer the thread back to its original point....

I think this guy has done a neat job, no, a superb job.
I would like to do the same (change the keys) to the Casio...anyone has any idea what kind of controller should I use?

Try emailing Paul he might some insight into a Casio Mod for you.

Donny, who is Paul?

Thanks for taking time to answer. I will have the luxury of tampering with the Casio, only when I get a new keyboard, which is probably not soon.

Trident Paulgee is the one who performed the Mod on the Korg Forum send him an email maybe he can suggest some ideas for your mod.
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26991&highlight=roland

Trident any news on a Mod for the Casio?

Donny the mod for the Casio, If it ever materialises, is months away.

I would like very much to have the time to do it, but as of now, can't.

and of course i need a new keyboard before I start modding or anything, so if everything goes BOOM,I have something to play!

Unskilled? Unprofessional? No prior experience? Quite some assumptions!

I think he's extremely skilled to pull this thing off, the result looks professional, and I doubt that this was the first time he ever opened up a keyboard.

I agree I though it was brilliant!!.....
these are the kind of people KB manufacturers should hire to give inovative ideas to be implemented to a design team.