What do you think? A complimentary pairing for a home setup or is adding the pa800 to my T3 a waste of $$$?

I seriously considered the pa588 w/88 keys but some of the voices are quite cheesy and it doesn't have expansion capabilities like the pa800. (however the 588 has a killer piano onboard).

Tim

I have always liked having more than one brand of keyboard. Every maker has its forte as far the way their voices sound. A few years ago I had a PSR3000 paired with a Korg i40M. I thought each complimented the other. Since you're talking about much better quality instruments I think it could only be an improvement. Mixing the best of both sounds like a good idea to me.

Tim, Manuel Dorantes who visits this board uses that combination for his gigs. With any luck he'll comment.

Although I don't take both the s900 and Pa2xPro on gigs together. I like the combination of having both boards. Just my personal taste.

Tim,

Well, they are 2 diffrent animals for sure.
I would not buy one unless you spend a lot of time with one yourself AND preferably with someone that knows the board very well (Frank V. comes to mind)

Get the PA2XPRO...a lot more expandable (up to 256mb sample ram).
Also better keybed and more sliders, plays MP3's right out of the box.

As to Piano, go to the Korg forum and look for the thread on a new Irish act's steinway Piano's...it is superb and will be available soon for little $$. It is only for PA2 as it takes 160 mb of sample ram to load it. It has 4 levels of sample PER note, and other nice features.

I am a beta tester for the sounds and really think they are super.

Also, there is a really good FREE piano from Rob S. on the forum too. It will work on a PA800, if I remember right.

IF, you dont want to swing to PA2, then PA800 would be OK too...but it would be great to get the PA2. It costs less than a T3! I think you can get one new from Frank V. here on the forum...Maybe $3200 Maybe less...ask Frank what he can do for you.

Please be aware that there is a significant learning curve to the Korg PA. It is a PRO level board and has lots of flexibility too. There is a 3 DVD set available to help and some tutorials...AND great help on the forum. If you want to get a lot out of it, you will need to be patient. I had a T2, now only a PA2XPO.

Lee S.

Thanks guys for you comments. You corroborate my thinking on the use of two very different sounding kbds.
I am torn btwn the 588 (which really would fill the niche as a 88 key piano, making the setup more versatile) since I have no piano. (not to mention the $400 rebate from Korg right now). Downside is as I already mentioned - really poor saxes and no opportunity to add voices. Downside of the 800 is that it's another 61 key machine and more money. Upside is the expansion potential and the quality voices - some which come close to those on T3.
Forgive me for babbling on - I'm processing as I write. Any wisdom from fellow SZ'ers is valued
Tim

I'd say wait for what Roland has up their sleeve down the pike.

Years ago I used double keyboards on jobs...two different brands with two different OS's. Never again.
Eddie

I don't gig...I just have an expensive hobby

I use a PA800 and a Ketron Midjay Plus. They work well together and it's easier that carrying 2 boards.
Ciao,
Jerry

Hi Tim,
I have a PA800 & a PSR1500.
Really don't use my PSR much anymore, I'm a happy Korg convert.
They're both different stylewise.

David McMahan ( from this forum) bought a PA588 just recently.

I like having the sample memory of the PA800/PA2X.
Do a comparison before deciding. http://www.korgpa.com/pa_root/en/products/pa800_comp.html?en


best wishes
Rikki