Here are 4 video's that compare these 2 great instruments..

KORG Pa2x Vs KETRON Audya - Salsa & Latin
KORG Pa2x Vs KETRON Audya - Big Band
KORG Pa2x Vs KETRON Audya - Grand Piano
KORG Pa2x Vs KETRON Audya - Tenor Sax

As said two wonderfull instruments side by side, which one is more to your taste?

The KORG Pa2X is a clear winner for me by miles.
Sounds way more realistic and the control the sound engine has over the sounds puts the Audya to shame. Audya is more like a basic playback sampler, where the PA2X has full control over the sound.

Just my opinion though.

James

Finally we agree again James

My father took a PA2X in part exchange for an Audya from the musical director of a major venue in the UK. I was very excited to have chance to look at the Korg as I have always been a big Korg fan, but having the two together on the same keyboard rack through the same PA I found the Korg a bit of a dissapointment- mainly becuase of the midi drums. Its beautifully made though. When you have an audya in front of you its so difficult to listen to MIDI drums which are important for me, and the only reason I started to play an arranger again.

The demo's are good - but unless you have the instruments side by side yourself they only tell 10% of the full story.

I thought the Audya was much better for Big Band. The Korg was way too thick and sounded synthesized to me. The Audya is more understated and realistic to my ears .. much more. ... Wait, it's a trade, the second Big Band demo, the Korg wins - sounds fantastic. The second BB Audya demo sounds blasee.

Korg gets the edge on the Latin.

The pianos sound equally professional. I prefer the Audya sample because of its warmth. Both fantastic samples, but the Audya is fantastic.

I like the Korg sax more. The Audya sounds good but more like an alto sax. Too razzy for me. I prefer the Yamaha sax BTW.

Thanks for putting this up.

Beakybird

No matter how much would one talk about Audio Loops but Korg's Acoustic Guitars kill Audya
in that departement, not just from this demos but in any comparison i've made too...way ahead.

There is no doubt the arrangements and demo's are GREAT on both of these machines.

The authenticity and separation of the Instrument's used in these demo's I feel the Audya clearly wins.

The Korg, like the Tyros 3 have a nice balance or blend of the voices used in the styles, however they have a caned sound or a synthesized sound.

I hear a better separation or LIVE sound, more like a real group of musicians playing live on a stage.

If you compare the two closely, you can hear that.

Another way to explain this,the Korg and Yamaha sound as if one microphone was used to record a group of musicians playing live on stage.

The Audya sounds like one microphone was used for EACH musician playing live on stage.

The key here, is the Audya presents a much more REAL reproduction of the instruments and separation of the instruments and a somewhat unbalanced sound.

More like listening to a live band on stage.

This gives the Audya the clear sounding edge over Roland, Korg and Yamaha.

Yes, some of the voices used on these machines are better that others.

However, I feel the total package winner, goes to the Audya!

In your oppinion of course

Thats exactly how I hear the Audya too. Some people prefer the more mixed sound of an organ type instrument where sounds blend to create something new. But for me, from a background of live music and live musicians the Audya is the only instrument I have ever heard that comes close to the sound of a live group of people.

Funny they left the TYROS3 & G70 out of the mix? First thing I noticed the Audya is huge compared the the Pa2x...& I'll have to say the Korg wins this matchup, but not by much to my ears.

Well, I will have to disagree with some of you, I find the Audya much fuller and more authenic. The salsa on the PA2x is probably the worst i've heared out of any keyboard.

But just my opinion.

MC...This is why ALL of this sound stuff is VERY SUBJECTIVE" and can NEVER be agreed upon fully and the arguing, ego driven opinionated debates will ALWAYS continue.....everyone has a respected opinion and rightly so.....just think if the Tyros 3 & G70 were involved in this little demo Challenge?...

I really like the solo instruments better on the KOrg (tough i dislike both piano's but i must be spoiled by my true piano's vst) but the Korg sax is really good..

And even tough the Korg has awesome Guitars, i prefer the styles of the Audya, they just cut straight true it....

This supports my feeling that using an Audya 4 module and VSt's for the solo instruments could be my next setup.

To DNJ:

I feel your statement of EGO driven opinionated debates, Certainly DOES NOT apply to all of us!

Before I decided on purchasing my Audya and my Tyros 3. I spent 6 hours straight playing the Pa2xPro at my local music store. I also spent a few hours listening and watching the keyboard manager of the store do a complete demo of that machine.

Although the PA2xpro is an awesome arranger, no one can convince me that the actual AUTHENTICITY of the voices are better than the Audya. The Tyros 2 or 3 and the Fantom G also do not measure up in that department. I know, I know, thats MY opinion.

Ego plays NO PART in that conclusion what so ever! My Opinion's are based on this:

Ive dedicated 40+ years of my life surrounding myself in one way or another with music. Performing in Solo's, Duo's, Trio's, Jazz band, Marching Band and playing in an Orchestra. I've done studio recording and have released one album and 17 cd's. All for local purchase only. Unfortunately no large scale releases.

Organ, Piano, Clarinet, Oboe, Alto sax and Percussion are instruments I have learned to play.

My very first job at age 15 was working in a music store. Selling organs and piano's. I later devoted 7 years to selling Lowrey organs and Steinway Pianos in a mall store.

My passion and love for music has earned a nice living for me for many years. It's that passion and love of music and performing that continue's to drive me. Not Ego.

I said all of that to say this: My OPINION at least has some solid backing and is NOT coming from a lay person or someone new to the music business or on an Ego trip.

My favorite solo voices I use on the job are, Piano, Hammond Organ sounds, Sax, Trumpet, Accordion, Guitar's, Banjo, Flute, Vibes and Synth sounds.

I agree the arrangements on the Korg and the Yamaha are incredible! They are both " TOP OF THE LINE " machines.

As far as the " TRUE REALISM " for the Voicing, The Natural Timbre and Nuance's of the Instruments, The AUDYA clearly is the best.

( MY OPINION !) I am happy to say however, at least my opinion is based on YEARS AND YEARS OF HANDS ON EXPERIENCE!

For the rest of you that don't qualify,

ENJOY YOUR EGO TRIP!

Jim

Wait til you hear the NEW Audya sounds. Guitars, pianos, saxes... everything is improved.
DonM

DonM:

I could tell by watching and listening to Robert's video's that there was a considerable improvement in the Grand and Tine piano's.

I'm looking forward to the new styles also.

How many new styles and improvements have you discovered?

The Audya really is an awesome piece of technology.

Number 1 in my book. As you can tell by reading my posts.

Thanks for posting any additional comments or discoveries about the 4.0a upgrade.

Well Jim you certainly proved my point with that post...all I can say is enjoy your kB's & your music....I know I do every night. take care.

I agree with most of the points Jim made in his two above post...about the Audya sounds more like individual instruments in a live band...but not the ego thing..

That single mic analogy..nails the way I view what I hear from Yamaha more than what I hear from Korg..but you are right...that seems exactly how they were recorded....too much blended together..and TW also nailed it too..blended sounds become "organish"...giving the sound less definition..

One thing for sure..this is not a problem with Ketron...

Now before you guys all get upset and start the "polished" argument as a CD quality...Go listen to recordings of produced CD's featuring bands....now listen..do you hear the individual instruments standing on their own..yes ..that's right..sort of like what we hear from Ketron...

Now Fran how do you compare your G70 sound to an Audya?

Audya sounds better...but G70 has all the features that makes it the best..

What?....please elaborate further!

best SMF playback and editing..even in real time..

best style make up tools for both styles and songs (SMF).

Best draw bar organs (with real draw bars)

Best all around harmonizer that is smart enough to read the source automatically

Best choir and scat sounds..

Best key feel..

best sequencer..

best added weight on the rear axle for driving in the snow...

Fran: I never had the pleasure to sit down at a G70. I have spent a little time on the Fantom G, however probably not enough time to really experience Roland's latest technology.

The last Roland I owned was the G-1000. I was very disappointed with the styles and sounds of that board. I sold it on e-bay 2 months after I bought it.

I guess thats why I didn't keep up with Roland's offerings.

I'm enjoying reading about everyones musical tastes and views on the forum.

I hope I haven't offended anyone here. That is certainly not my intention.

I just hope you guy's enjoy my posts here once in a while.

I like to share my 2 cents worth.

Unfortunately 2 cents doesn't get you much anymore.

Jim

Has anyone here played or checked out the Kurzweil PC361? I spent a little time on that board at my local music store and really thought it sounded great.

I think it would make a great additional solo keyboard.

Any comments?

Thanks.

Jim

Thats why you get a Media Station and no problems...in between PA2X and Audya...lol.

nedim......wish it was that easy...

Jim
I bought a new leftover K2661 6 mos ago and also love the sounds. It is an exremely deep machine and haven't mastered the OS, but use the presets. Quality all the way.

Bernie

Since I'm not in the market for any Kbd at these weights and prices, I have no prejudices or ego listening to the samples.

I am, however, so much more influenced by what the music says than any sonic qualities, that what sounds "better" to me is in the music. Although I can hear the thinness of the Korg piano tone v. the Audya, and the more "live" quality of the Audya drums, that doesn't mean enough to me in comparing the samples:

EVERY one of which (including the salsa- which was disparaged earlier) sounds, to me,
MILES better on the KORG samples. Whether that's due to the machine or due to the virtuosity of the samples programmer I know not, but the Audya samples all sound to me like a decent commercial Holiday Inn band, and the Korg samples to me sound like really
superb professional work, w/MUCH better arrangements.

It's like saying..which sounds better..the Charlie Parker tapes where Dean used a deck in the bathroom and one mic in the room--
and Bird played a borrowed leaky old horn,
or Kenny G playing a new Selmer in a great studio? Or Enrico Caruso on an old 78 rpm or
your local tenor in your community opera company recorded in a beautiful concert hall? It's an extreme example, certainly the Korg isn't a world away sonically from the Audya, it's about "fuller" piano or "more
live-sounding drums". Ok, but then what?

I'll take Bird and Caruso anytime, hands down-
Would they sound even better with modern recording technology? no doubt. But no amount of technology is going to make Kenny G sound like a great jazz musician or your local opera star sing like a Caruso.

Maybe I'd like the Audya better if i was just going to use the sounds, and maybe add
some drums. Maybe not. But if i was going to use the full arrangements, I'd want to hear something like these Korg samples behind me, not the Audya ones.

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Miami Mo

i only listened to about 20 seconds of the first demo because you can't judge either instrument on someones you tube clips.

Well said, Mo, and I am in complete agreement.

I have no ego involved in this comparison, and certainly no favorites, in regards to these two ( in fact, I can't get to see/hear/try either) , but I'd rather have the Korg behind me as well.

Ian

It's like a great performer or band with a mediocre sound system. They'd still sound great. Give them a better sound system they'd sound like a great performer or band w/a better sound system. that's all.

Take a mediocre band, they'll sound mediocre no matter how great the sound system is. They may as well save their money, nothing is going to make them sound great. But those are exactly the performers that are always concerned about upgrading their equipment.
Great players: not so much.

So the Audya drums sound more live, ok. The arrangements are mediocre, at least the ones on these samples. Would the Korg arrangements sound even better with a more live drum sound? sure. But they sound great with the less live drum sound. The Audya arrangements here sound uninspired. So the
more live drums, the more individuated mic-ing effect: comparatively meaningless.

Any old-timer in the engineering business can tell you this: the better the technology has gotten, the worse the music has gotten.
It's almost a corollary. Sad but true.

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Miami Mo

Wow, I'm surprised at the number of Korg fans and the number of people that think the Audya is just mediocre.

Hey Tony and TWD, I think we are out numbered!

OK, Lets discuss and do comparisons with the Tyros 3, or the G70 or the Fantom G or the PA 800 or the PSR 910 or the Technics KN-7000 or the Oasis or any of the Kurzwiel boards or the Media Station or the Motif or the Triton, or the, or the.

Naaa, Why bother! I'm sure the mixed bag of opinions would yield the same kind of results.

As long as your happy with your keyboard, I guess it JUST DOESN'T MATTER! Who thinks what!

Jim

That's so true...I've been playing pro over 45 years or so, and over the last 20 or more, I have been performing solo using arrangers...mostly Roland and Yamaha...presently Yamaha.

We all have a good idea of what we want to hear coming out of our speakers...some like the polished slightly compressed studio sound like Yamaha and Korg...others like a more "live" sound like Roland and Audya...and, some like both.

There's no "wrong" or "right" choices...just personal preferences and/or having the right tool for the job.

Ian

AMEN!!!!!!!...

I listen those videos even before this post was started.
Even as a fan of Korg PA880-PA2x arrangers, I think that songs and way selected to compare the arrangers does no help any of the keyboards. and is unfair to all of them.
A valid one will be using the a sound system (same for all) in a Live Play scenario.
I think that the same person that post those videos have a set where he compare PA2x and Tyros 3; again of no value for me.
I agree that the solo sounds and styles are the main components of any arranger, but other details like registrations, support, songbooks, dimensions and weight, etc are important components too.

it's true that tastes vary, and that so many factors go into making a decision on what to play. but the differences in the Korg/Audya
samples here (all i've got to go by) are more than whether one prefers more live or more compressed sound..it's the musical quality of the arrangements. and it's true tastes vary on that too-some may prefer the Audya arrangements to the Korg, based not on the live v compressed, but on the arrangement itself. To me, it's all Korg here..but that's not because i prefer a compressed sound to a live sound, but because in these 4 samples the Korg arrangements are musically superior imho.

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Miami Mo

is that really a Salsa on the Korg playing?

i don't know which is worse, this one or the one on my beloved G-70

i'm not refeering so much to sound quality (where AUDYA's is better), but also the actual programming of the style.

any latin musician would laugh hearing that style really,
the Korg's latin is not authentic, and neither is Rolands

and put these 2 on the same PA, and then we'll see which really sounds best

Thing is, it always SEEMS as if few of us really ARE happy with our arrangers! As much as we obsess over the next 'latest, greatest', as much time as we spend arguing the merits of an arranger we don't even HAVE, seems to me we aren't that satisfied

Personally, despite it's age, I STILL haven't found another arranger with all the features I do like about the G70 (Fran's list is pretty much on the mark, although I'm not the greatest fan of the B3 section) that is improved in the sound and style department, too. So I am happy and proud to take it out every day to gigs, recording sessions, weddings, whatever, and have the public and other musicians come up to me and go 'that sounds GREAT! What is it?' and go 'what, THIS old thing? '

Got ten years out of my G1000 (although I agree, I used it more for SMF's than style use except as drums for LH bass) because nothing came out that bettered it until the G70.

Until something comes out with the Audya's great sound (I'm not interested in whether one player or style is better than another, I can pretty much judge them on the SOUND alone) but with all of the Roland's user-friendliness, sorry, still not interested.

I'm happy with what I've got...!

Here is something to get excited about,

The next Roland TOTL arranger will be an open system workstation, with style support.

Imagine all those new possibillities compared to your good old G70

I just listened and I have to say that I think the Audya is not just a little better, but much better.

And I say that as an owner of a Pa2x.

The piano and sax were definitely better; I'm surprised that's even up for debate.

And as an owner of the Pa2x I can tell you that the Bigband comparison is flawed, because they used a demo instead of showing what YOU can do. You can definitely NOT do that on a Pa2x...

I also own a Yamaha Tyros 3 which has its advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunately it doesn't measure up to ether the Korg or Audya when it comes to drum and bass sounds ....

Very sad since right now it's my main gigging kb.

Im with you Chony,

Had a PA2X and even with the re assurances from Korg re leds and lockups wouldn't buy another one, but deff better bass and drums on the Korg, have a Yamaha tyros 3 why oh why have they not improved the drums and bass dont know, but the Audya is by far the better, my opinion of course along with yours

Careful with those crystal balls, Bacchus...

People been predicting what the NEXT Roland arranger is going to be for over three years now! Personally, I think Roland are GONE from the TOTL arranger market... too small in these recessionary times. Even downmarket, it hardly seems like their heart is in it. To be honest, I think they are running on fumes.

And, contrary to what the fanboys say, it is utterly obvious to all but the deluded that the vast majority of the arranger market isn't in the slightest bit interested in a complicated, do-it-yourself open arranger. If they were, Lionstracs would be the market leader and Yamaha would be a niche product..!

And we ALL know that's patently not true.

cbony & Robbo


thanks for your HONEST opinions and realizing that the AUDYA indeed sounds better than PA2X,
being Korg/Yamaha owners yourselves

i feel same way as a G-70 owner :-)