just to let you know I have just released a complete new set up for the PA-80 and PA-50 containing 160 new Performances, well over 100 new/other internal styles, as well as new user styles and user programs.
ALL can be downloaded for free from the Irish Acts website,(select: downloads, pa80)
http://www.irishacts.com

Hope you will enjoy my latest efforts , looking forward to your comments !!

regards,
john smies
Holland

John,
I almost wish I had PA80 so I could take advantage of your generosity!
DonM

Hi Don,

After having played the Roland G-70 several times at a friend's I can see your point.
You would not want to know how many hours I invested in this. Mind you this is also my own current set up at home, geared to my taste allright but I am sure many PA users will be very pleased with them.
As to getting a PA-80, why don't you get a PA-50 on the side, money can't be much of a problem here as they are retailing for less than 1000 bucks, brand new. I actually play the PA-50 at present and my best friend who purchased the Roland G-70 on hearing my new PA set up is resolved to buy a Korg PA-50 as an extra !!!! Many have remarked on the merits of the Yamaha PSR3000 as to best bang for the buck, but I tell you there's no beating the PA-50 in this respect. Ask George Kay and he will probably testify to this. (this new set op of mine loads into the PA-50 without any problems, lock stock and barrel !!!)

regards,
john

John: Thank you so much for your generosity and hard work!!.

John, I just purchased a Ketron SD1. It arrived Monday and I used it last night. Still a lot of work to do, but I think it's a keeper.
More later.
DonM

Korg does not make already the PA60. It's a pity, therefore it was a great keyboard. PA50 is great also, but to be honest, there is somewhat diferent. PA50 is not built similar to PA60. You may see in specifications that PA60 and PA80 have similar dimensions and very near weight.

But not PA50. PA50 is 1 inch less long. Why Korg has done this? Because Korg put smaller keys into PA50, the same smaller keys Yamahas PSR have (and a lot people hate).
Besides, the PA50 weighs less than the PA60. Is the smaller weight only for different keys? What more has changed Korg into PA50?

Hi Tracknet,

I don't know how many more times I have to say this but the differences between Korg PA-80 and PA-50 are not that big (basically they include: aftertouch,microphone in, and sample card load which the PA-50 does not sport. The difference between the PA-60 and the PA-50 are very minor indeed. As for the length of the keys, it is of no concern to me personally.Sound and Style wise they are fully identical and compatible, hence my current new software can be loaded into all of these three models............

Don,
looking forward to hear about your vicissitudes with the Ketron SD1. Don't forget to contact Roel who is quite busy with the Korg PA1X as you know , but who has retained his SD1 and knows every in and out about this keyboard, or so I would gather.........

[This message has been edited by john smies (edited 01-29-2005).]

HI JOHN ,DOWNLOADED THE PA 80 STUFF FROM I A, TRIED SOME IN THE PAX PRO NICE WORK YOU HAVE DONE ,I AM NOT THAT ADVANCED IN MAKING STYLES YET,THANKS BEST REGARDS, BENNO

Don....congratulations in your SD1!!....what kind of styles do you use most.....the board has over 300 from factory, but, perhaps I can help you with some, send me and e-mail....

------------------
mdorantes

Thanks for the offer! I sent you an email.
DonM

I would also like to chime in here and say that the key size on the PA50 is larger then the PA60 and even longer than the PA80. Tracknet is confused about the key size. It was actually the PA60 which had the smallest keys and I was thrilled and even called Korg USA to thank them for making the key size longer on the PA50.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

George, perhaps we are confusing length with width, or perhaps I do not succeed to explain myself, because english is not my language.

I measured both keyboards and I can assure that the total distance since the first key to the last key is one inch less in PA50 than PA80, because PA50 keys are narrower. An octave in PA50 is 1/5 inch less, and so the five octaves measure one inch less in PA50.

Another different thing is if the keys are longer or shorter, as you say. But I did not speak of that. I speak of keys width, the distance of each key to the following one. And I say that PA50 keys are narrower, they are of same size (that is, narrower) that those typical "smaller" PSR keys. And PA80 keys are wider, they have same size that all Rolands or acoustic pianos.

PA50,60,80 have similar sounds, styles. But while PA60 is exactly the same built PA80 (but black) without some internal things, PA50 isn't; it may seem a PA60 because their functions are similar, but it isn't a PA60 at all. Both have different keys and weight: PA50 weighs a 20% less!! Why?.

Dimensions:
PA80 & PA60: 43,7"(W) - 15,3"(D) - 6,45"(H)
PA50: 41,5"(W) - 15,47"(D) - 5,91"(H)
Weight:
PA80 (30,6 lbs) and PA60 (29,76) are very similar, but not PA50 (24,8 lbs)

Hi Tracknet,

It seems to me you are over emphasizing the importance here of the size of the keys of the PA-50, all I can say is that they play quite comfortably.
As to the styles and sounds you remark that
"they are similar".
They are not similar, ALL sounds(as derived from the internal samples) and ALL styles are completely identical in all three PA keyboards (PA80/60/50) in as far as I know and have been able to ascertain.
Please note.
regards,
john

John, yes, I know sounds and styles are identical. That was what I mean with "similar sounds and styles".

About key size, it is possible I overemphasize it. But I can't understand the logic to put these different keys in PA50. It is the first time Korg put these "smaller PSR keys" in an arranger.
At the end, I can't understand really the Korg logic to make a new kb, the PA50, when it is absolutally similar in sounds, styles, buottons, functions, to PA60.

By the rest, I think PA50 is a great kb for its price, of course. But I would like it more if its keys were more standard size.

I agree 100% ...... small keys are hard to get used to for me too.

I still think this argument is way over emphasized. And it got me curious. I still own the once famous Roland E70 which I retain for its stupendous acoustic piano sound and did some comparisons, just for the demanding ones among you.
Turns out the keys on the Korg are about 5 mm longer than on the Roland and that........here it comes!!!........the keys on the Roland are less than ONE millimeter wider than the ones on the Korg PA-50. Satisfied ?
best wishes,
john

If you say that this 1 millimeter is the difference along all the keyboard, I agree you: it is nothing at all.
But if each key is 1 millimeter wider in Roland, all keys (the five octaves) will be 35 mm. wider, that is, more than 1 ich wider. This is the difference between smaller PSR keys and other ones (Roland, etc.) and pianos.

so ?
let's cut the hair-splitting and get back to the issue of this thread, which is: IF you are a Korg PA-80/60/50 owner get familiar with my new data set and let me have some feedback.
Incidentally, I mailed my new set to George (Kaye) and he replied he would be loading it into his PA-50 later on today. I told him he might flog quite a few more Korgs by doing so,looking forward to hear his appraisal and the response of people in the shop !!!!!
regards,
john

Do you have MP3 demo?

Demo of what ??
If you mean my new set for the PA-80/50 , you can simply download it for free : www.irishacts.com
or I can send it to you, that is if you own a PA.
As to mp3s you can listen to some of my older stuff recorded with the Korg PA-80 at: http://artists.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Smies/

john

John, there are three CDs in your page. They sound very nice.
Are all of them recorded with the sole use of PA80? only the last one?
Thanks.

I just loaded into my PA50 at my store John's new set of styles, performances and sounds. I enjoyed John's styles alot. I especially like the ballads using guitars and piano tracks. John has used alot of styles with intros and endings from specific songs which many should find very usefull. I did a data backup onto 5 floppy disks before loading in John's new set. If you forget to do this, the backup restore download is available on the Korg PA website.
Thank You John for taking your time making and offering these styles and sounds to all those who need more then just the presets which come from the factory.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Bluebird:

ALL the songs that you hear on my website have been done with the KORG PA-80 with one
major exception: the righthand acoustic piano sound (so not in the accompaniment) that you hear stems from the old Roland E70.

George :
Thank you for your kind words in appreciation of my latest DATA set for the PA-50/80. As I mention in the download section of Irish ACts, I do not take credit for the new styles which come from here and there and everywhere,but for all of the 160 Performances that I have created. What you hear is often 75% new performance with a style that you may already well be familiar with without realizing it. That should be the strength of creating good and new Performances or User Programs as Roland calls them.
I hope you will fill me in as to your customers'reaction over the next few weeks, will you ??!!!

regards
john

Hi John,

Would there be any advantage in using your data in my Pa1x Pro? Did you modify any of the styles?

Thanks,

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

Sorry to disappoint you there but the Performance data (by far the bulk of my efforts) can not be loaded into the PA1X cause it is not compatible.
All the new styles that I have incorparated could probably be used in the PA1X but I would not know how to proceed here.
Bear in mind they are all PA-80 styles.
good luck !!
john