Having done lots of research, one of them will probably be my next arranger.
Both are now for sale used at about 1600 Euro, which should be a fair price. Now I only have to decide which of them to buy, so some opinions on that would be helpful. The things that are most important to me are sounds and styles, especially styles. Really good jazz and latin styles would be the decisive factor. Some groovin drum and percussion loops would make me very happy.
casaet

casaet,
Can you visit any friends there to audition both yourself??

The Korg PA site is: http://korgpa.com/pa_root/en/news/news.html?en

But the PA1XPRO is the model before these on this site...however I still think it will give you some info.

At this place: http://korgpa.com/pa_root/en/support/tutorials.html

ther eis a PA800 tutorial that is pretty good...it would mostly apply to the PA1 as well.

Diki and Fran here are G-70 experts...maybe they can get you to something on that KBD?

Please try to play them both yourself to decide as it is a personal taste decision.

Lee S.

Thanks for answer leeboy, but I have already been to all the sites, and seen the Youtube videos. I can probably test the Roland, but the Korg is discontinued, so that will be difficult, unless something should turn up locally. I could test a pa 2x, that should not be to to different from the 1x.
casaet

PA2 has some differences in the style engine, more styles, some sounds are better, DNC is not on the PA1, No CD, but has USB.

But yes, you would have a prety good idea.

Of course be careful buying used.

Lee S.

Not trying to be a smart-ass or anything, but at this point with those two keyboards I would consider which one i can get the best deal on. Both boards are discontinued; the G70 has not been superceded, but the PA1xpro has. So maybe in that sense, the G70 might have a little advantage in technology. Have you owned a Roland or Korg arranger before? The operating systems haven't really changed that much in years, so if you are familiar with one and like it, go that way.

Personally, I've owned two G70's and almost bought a third because I do like it that much. I always tire to the weight issue, but in this case both boards should be near equal in weight. Good luck in your quest.

I used a Roland E-20 a long time ago, and remember it as a good one for that time. Easy to use, and with many attractive features. Weight is not an issue for a home user, and I have a solid stand.
I have a Ketron SD1 that I really enjoy playing, so I think I will wait and see what turns up. Perhaps I might even be able to afford a pa2x.
casaet

The Korg new arranger is 'said' to be comming relativealy soon...when it does...PA2XPRO May be closer to your budget.
A PA800 is a 61 note version...and it is a lot cheaper.

Lee S.

I think, if you are into modern 'groove' or 'smooth' jazz, the Korg will be your better bet. If the quality of the piano main voice is a high priority, perhaps the Roland.

If you do a lot of editing to get a style just the way you like it, probably the Roland. If you want to dabble with a sampler, or creating utterly unique synth sounds (rather than just using the many great synth presets in a Roland), probably the Korg.

If smoothness of style variation transitions is important, probably the Roland (six fills and a break/mute, as opposed to two fills and a break/fill). If multipads are important, probably the Korg.

If MP3 playback is essential, then the Korg (or an E80).

Decisions, decisions...!

Additionally If "BODY BUILDING" is important to you? ....then the G70

Sorry Donny.... PA1Xpro, 44.9 lbs, G70, 45.19 lbs.

I guess it's that last 5 oz. that is the dealbreaker for you..

Nice try, but a little research might be educational

Seems Diki knows what he is talking about, both concerning weight and other more important things. Today a 2xpro turned up at the local marketplace, less than an hours drive away, so now I can try it. Maybe i will end up buying it too.
casaet

casaet,
When you go to audition it, be sure the MASTER EQ is ON. Otherwise the sound will not be as robust. The dumb shits at Korg have it off by default. (Yes, I know why).

Also, check to see it is at V2.0 or v 2.1 of OS...then you can play with the DNC (Defined Nuance Control)sounds onboard. If it is not you can download and install it later. About 16 new DNC voices were added with 2.0.

I would plan on a whole day there..there is a lot to hear/play as it is a PRO arranger with many functions.
I would download the manual before you go, print it out and read it before you go.
There is an addendum to the manual that covers 2.x OS...be sure to look it over too.

Just some ideas.
Lee S.

Although you should note that the factory default for the master EQ is flat, so you will need to enter your own settings as you play to find levels that suit you.

The EQ you need will depend on the speakers you play it through. I would imagine through a pro 'flat' PA with subs, you may not need too much (if any) but smaller speakers with no sub might need the bottom bumped. Personally, I approve of default factory EQ being flat. Let's hear what it REALLY sounds like...

I can adjust it afterwards if I have to play through shitty speakers!

Yep..and one thing to rememer when you go...the MASTER EQ may be set to OFF..NOT JUST FLAT...plain off. Many people have gone to the music shop to listen to PA after hearing the demos on-line and thought it sounded cheap/tinny...
When I got mine home brand new..I felt that way..until I turned on the MASTER EQ. It's default setting are no flat...but also as you said do need tweeking based on MANY things.
Once the Master EQ was on and set...WOW what a great sound thru my Mackies

Lee S.

This was really some good info. So I have the master EQ on, start with flat, and go from there. The seller probably have the latest OS updates installed, and I will have a look at the manual.
casaet

casaet,
It is easy to get to the Master EQ page.
1) Press global
2) Press Menu
3) Press Audio setup
4) Selct Master Eq on touch screen

There you can set the Master EQ for the entire instrument.

Of course individual EQ is available for all the style & sounds tracks INDIVIDUALLY as well.

Lee S.

It's very important to try and see if any perceived lack in bass or treble isn't simply due to one or more of the Parts needing EQ, rather than the whole thing. I often hear boomy pianos, or tinny cymbals on people's demos, and can usually put the blame on Master EQ set to make the drums and bass deeper, or the guitars brighter, whatever, whereas simply fixing the REAL cause of the problem doesn't actually make other things worse...

Diki,
Very true...
And the PA2 will allow EQ by part very nicely and easy.

I was just concerned that he may think the overall sounds were poor when all that was needed was to turn on the Master EQ.

When I got my PA2XPRO out of the box and hooked it up to the Mackies..I was very dissappointed.

When I turned on the MAster EQ (didn't even make any tweeks at that point) WOW it was terrific.

Don't know why Korg has it off by default.
Lee S.

One thing many people fail to check is, after they have got the Master EQ set to make the entire arranger sound full and impressive, then go and play the main Grand Piano sound through that EQ. Listen carefully for how much bottom the piano has. If you play a REAL piano much at all, you realize that it's low end is no match for a bass guitar or upright, yet many arranger pianos, once played through gobs of bottom boost at the master EQ, can sound SO full that there's a lot of interference with the clarity of the bass part unless you are VERY careful to only play IDENTICALLY to what the bassist is doing.

I used to think my G70 needed this Master EQ boost until I listened to this. I was always boosting up my bottom. Then I realized that most of my perceived need for low end came from the ROM basses being a bit thin. Boosting ONLY the bass's low end immediately gave me the fullness I wanted, without muddying up my piano sound. And then, after getting some SRX boards (-07 is my fave) with some AWESOME well recorded basses that didn't need any bass EQ at all, I find my G70 now sounds its' best with no Master EQ at all!

So, be careful with that Master EQ... it can cause almost as many problems as it solves!

Well noted..I will check that out on my setup..
Thanks,
Lee S.

Diki, after I read this I checked the SRX demo site and saw that the 07 has a lot more to offer than the 03 Studio card I bought.

So I bought one

Man you are right those basses are super..No tweaking necessary and they suit a LOT, if not most of the styles, better than the original set on the G70..

the keys are'nt bad either....

Thanks for the heads up on this one, even if it was unintentional...
I usually always take note when you recommend a bit of kit!!

Cheers,
Dennis

Thanks...

It's a PITA that they aren't identical in volume - most of the SRX patches, for some strange reason (like Roland being too lazy to fix the issue!) are noticeably a tad louder than the ROM Tones... But you get used to backing them off quickly, and get on with it.

BTW, If you haven't auditioned the SRX Tones with the 'UPPER1 EQ-MFX LINK' (Menu>Utility>Global) enabled, be sure to try them out with that... There's some pretty interesting FX programming on some of them, especially the synth patches.

There's also an article I wrote at Roland-arranger.com, explaining how to use a couple of short RCA-1/4" cables, to be able to use the IFX (identical to the MFX section) on Tones in the Style and SMF section, as well as the regular Keyboard Parts. So, if you get wedded to a Tone for the style section that needs the MFX to make it shine, you can STILL do that (and it doesn't interfere with normal operation).

Hope this helps.

Cheers m8, yeah I had a quick look over that article...

I would like to use my own efx on guitars in midi songs and styles, as I don't really like the preset overdrive/distortion rom sounds.

So I will study it more closely. I do understand what you are saying in it, so I will get totally with the methodology.

Thanks also for the tip on the Upper1-MFX link..I will give that a go.

The more I get back into the G70, the more I can understand why players like you and Fran stick with it..It really is a good bit of gear


Dennis

It's a tank! Built like a tank, weighs like a tank, punches like a tank!

Not a 'pretty' or subtle arranger, soundwise, but punchy and in your face like a tank! I use it because it holds its' own against some pretty strong live players and drummers. Something I have a harder time doing on other arrangers. They sound great all by themselves, but surround them with real ballsy live players, and it's harder to get your point across!

If you are happy with a multiple keyboard rig, the G70 and the MS is probably pretty potent...

Well ....... there is a used PA1x in the "for sale" section ..... could be yours!

Uncle Dave. I have seen it in the "for sale section". It depends on the price. But with shipping to Norway, and 25% sales tax it might be too much. But I would like to see what you want for it.
casaet