Hi...With a little time off Today I thought I would put together a short 5 min demo of a few different styles and sounds using the KORG Micro Arranger KB...each song demo recorded one take live.
This will give you an idea of what this little gem sounds like right out of the box no edits ....enjoy..

PS.. I thought of Thelmo when I was playing song #3 "Bolero" style & would like to dedicate it to him..

http://tinyurl.com/74x2r3d

That little rig sounds very impressive...it does sound quite a bit like the old PA-50, but the styles are definitely improved.

It's a little weak in the guitar sounds (the trumpet is very good), but overall, a formidable sound from such a cheap arranger.

It's a pity about the small keys, although one can get used to them eventually (making going back to a standard size a bit of a problem) so if I was to use one, I'd probably midi it to a Yamaha P-95, or even an NP-31.

Nice playing as well, Donny...it's nice to hear someone using styles, which is my preferred method of using an arranger.

Best of luck with your new toy.

Ian

PS...what did you use for recording...it sounds great?

For recording into my computer via an EDIROl USB Audio Interface UA-1ex ...& using a very affordable program Fran Carango turned me on to Acoustica MIXCRAFT 5 which really does a nice job & is so easy to use.

http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/

http://www.roland.com/products/en/UA-1EX/

Scott Yee tells me he has a microArranger on the way...I'm hoping he also puts up some demos to further showcase what this cheap little rig will do.

Ian

Sounds great DNJ! Glad to see you back and thanks for posting your music.

How do the keys feel? Is a hard adjustment playing those small keys?

Thanx Montunoman......honestly the keys aren't a big deal as although they are smaller the width is nice and very playable without causing any difficulty playing for me personally...
I just adapt to whatever unit I'm using be it an Arranger, Synth, Piano, Organ, etc,.....I go back & forth between the S910 and the Micro without a problem. The key tension is comfortable also with these box keys.
And the weight is "Heavenly" :-)

Have you tried it with a SMF Iam interested how thje GM set sounds esp drums and bass com paired to others like S910 . please advise thanks Ron

Montunoman, there are other Korg instruments that use the same keyboard, at varying lengths...your local music store might possibly have one of these in stock for you to try.

The microKORG XL SYNTHESIZER/VOCODER, the microSTATION, the microKEY USB POWERED KEYBOARD should give you a rough idea of how you will get along with the smaller keys.

I have rather large hands and these sized keys took a bit of adjustment for me, but they were manageable. The dynamics, especially on piano voices, aren't the best for more subtle expression while playing.

Ian

Great Demo Donny

thank you.

So far I have only played a few SMF songs thru the micro to test out the DUAL player & they sounded pretty good, editing tracks is easy enough also, just select the player you want to load 1 or 2, enter the 3 digit song number & push play.....I never liked SMF played thru my S910 or any Yamaha for that matter...my Ketron Sd1+, Midjay & Roland G70 Units, were always my favorite in that department.


@Rikki thank you

Donny, Nice demo, great sounding arranger for the $$. I recognize the style you used for Spanish Eyes from my former Pa2xPro.

Donny, good job showing off the Micro sounds and styles. I hope to get back at mine today...

Donny, impressive MicoArranger demo. Nice playing.
You've showcased how truly playable its micro size light weight shorter throw(?) keys
are capable of, as well as how live and punchy even a budget priced micro sized Korgie can deliver.
UPS tracking shows mine to be delivered to me here on the West Coast on Thursday.
It's becoming increasingly difficult to contain my excitement.

Scott

Thanks Donny, Good demo playing,I like the percussion, and the styles pack a punch.
btw...I too use Mixcraft for computer recording and editing, it's quite good.
Look forward to Scott's assessment

Is it possible to play a MIDI file (song) and choose a different style from the auto arranger, and that style replaces the drum track of the MIDI file? considering that drum track is on MIDI channel 10 I am not sure but I think it is possible to do so in Yamaha arrangers, as I am also considering to purchase microarranger

Steve, Cass, Scott, Larry, Thank you all for listening, all I did was choose a style and start playing using the factory STS sounds..Cass, Scott I look forward to hearing some of your work also when you get a chance so we can compare notes..
NavidSyad I can do that on my S910...and will try it on the Micro Arranger and get back to you on it ok?

The link doesn't open for me
DonM

It does sound pretty good Scott, but now, I'm really looking forward to your professional assessment of this instrument, and perhaps a more in-depth demo further highlighting the microArranger's features and sounds and styles.

Because of your broad and varied musical background, and extensive experience with arrangers of all brands, I value your unbiased judgment, and it will go a long way in my consideration of recommending this instrument to other players, both pro and amateur.

Was there any further word on an OS system update that would allow rootless voicings?

Ian

Works fine here Don....I'll email it to you now..

I very much doubt if Korg will release any OS updates for the micro arranger, now seriously how many $499 keyboards can do what Korg micro arranger can do in its current capacity and sounds good as well,

Casio new CTK series does have good features but they don't sound as good, so I would not hold my breath for any updates just my 0.02 cents...

Donny ... nice demo ... thank you .... good to see you back ... hope you stick around for a while

I hope you're wrong, and they do an update...rootless voicings on an arranger matter to most pros (and many advanced amateurs), and this instrument is being touted as a "pro" level arranger.

Korg has been able to keep it very cheap because it uses 7-8 year old technology, so an update shouldn't be too much to ask for...they've added rootless voicing to their other arrangers because of numerous requests by players...this one shouldn't be any different just because it's cheap.

Ian

Kudos for thinking "outside the box" Thanks for the demo's and the review!

interesting concept, would love to see Yamaha Tyros with mini keys for $400 price tag, after all it is a 10 year old technology..

I would love to see a Yamaha Tyros with mini keys for $400 price tag(the technology, even at age 10, would have 128 note poly as opposed to Korg's 62)...but I think we're both dreaming (especially you).

Thing is, an instrument could be selling for $50, but it's still not worth a hoot if it doesn't have what the player needs.

Don't get me wrong, I think Korg has done a marvelous job with this instrument (and repackaging older technology, which realistically goes back 12 years (2000), since it is derived from the PA-80), and I'm sure you will be very euphoric with it, if you decide to purchase.

Happy playing!

Ian

Tony & Al....thank you Happy New Year!

Ps, Tony had asked about one of the song demos I performed
Il Padroino Mazurka from the movie Theme "The Godfather"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-57JsYZlABg&feature=related

That version gives me goosebumps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-57JsYZlABg&feature=related

That is really nice...I wonder if Telmo has tackled this one yet?

Good demos, very nice sound.
DonM

Whodat? Dnj! Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back. (Sorry, my mind went back to Mr. Kotter days.)

That Korg thingy sounds good! In fact, it sounds VERY good.

Is this unit suitable for gigs?

Hi Bill...you can easily use it on gigs as I already used it on my NYE job no problems once you set it up with styles for your needs.

Hello again, did you get a chance to play a MIDI file while changing the drums like in PSRs910?

While playing my Micro yesterday I noticed that I was playing a little differently than I usually do; a few more fills and trills. It occurred to me that WE adapt our playing to the instrument we are playing. I don't play the drawbar sounds on my s910, or the G70 for that matter, than I do on my XK-1 or on a bigger Hammond. In fact, I even play more differently on a console Hammond (A,B,C...) as opposed to a spinet or slab. So when people ask about the keys on the Micro, I have to say that you will find that your playing will adapt to the key size and feel. It's not impossible to play, only different...

I just tried it ....you cannot play style drums while a SMF is playing....once you select the style mode it shut off the SMF players.

Korg and Roland will not do this without a work-a-round...Only Yamaha has this feature...the one feature I did like on an otherwise terrible PSR2100...the drums were so bad with a SMF, this feature was a necessity to make it a workable solution...

Another nice feature on the Micro Arranger is that you write/save all your settings eg: STS, Track Vol, Sounds, etc, using the Mixer (Menu>Mixer) while your playing without any glitches....

I also ordered a nice affordable soft gig bag with dimensions close to the Micro Arranger size ...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L6WY30/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

Adapting to the small keys isn't much of a hassle, even for those of us with larger hands, but going back to playing a "normal" sized keyboard after spending a lot of time on the small keys is a bit of adjustment.

I played around with Korg's microSTATION and microKORG Synth/Vocoder for about a half hour (they use the same keyboard), and going back to normal sized keys was...er...interesting.

Scott Yee and I talked about this quite a bit the other day, and, he feels he'll have no issues, so it will probably vary with the individual.

I suppose it will not matter much if it will be the player's primary instrument, or if it is used mainly as a SMF player, but, it is something to consider if it is part of a multi-keyboard setup.

If that is the case, it might be best to control it (via MIDI) from one of the other keyboards with standard sized keys.

Ian

I've been jumping back and for the between the Micro & S910 with no problems playing both size keys and I have "BIG HANDS"...the keys are just shorter, the width is actually comfortable to play as I demonstrated in my demo.

I just noticed on the MICRO that you assign so many different sounds 139 to the 4 PAD buttons almost like the multi-pads on Yamaha units...this can be very useful, Jingle bells etc...plus you can assign many functions to the pads also..eg: drum mute, page down/up, fx mute , etc..

PADS (1–4, STOP)
These programmable pads can be used to trigger a
sound effect. Use the STOP button to stop a cyclic
sound. Each Pad corresponds to a dedicated Pad track.

the guy who plays keys on "Daryl's House" uses a Nord on the bottom and a Korg micro on tom. I use a Korg Micro in top, but only for lead lines or left-handed bass. Been doing it for years, with no problems.

I'm ordering one Monday.


R.

Here is pic of the keys ...they are just an inch or two shorter on the back end....the width is fine for playing.

Nice Padding....heavy duty zippers, dual front pouches.

Hi Donny, thanks for your earlier recommendation of buying this case to me a couple of days ago, I went right ahead & ordered the exact same one (from the same Amazon vendor) too, but being on the West Coast, it won't arrive till earlier next week. I like that it's dimensions so closely matches the MicroArranger and that it includes solid zippers & good padding protection too.

Interesting to note that the one shown in the product link you gave shows the case as appearing grey, yet yours looks black. It'll be interesting to see if the one I get is grey or black. Either color will be fine with me. - Scott

I would recommend playing Korg's microSTATION and microKORG Synth/Vocoder if the microARRANGER isn't yet available in your local store...the two former are out a while and should be on hand for a test drive to see if the keys will work for you, especially if you play chords in both hands...and, just to be sure, try a normal sized keyboard afterwards (or, even better, along with it) if you plan on using the microARRANGER in conjunction with another instrument with standard keys.

In other words, try these smaller keys before you buy...unless your dealer will give you some sort of return policy if it isn't to your satisfaction. These itty bitty keys don't work for everybody, especially if you have thick fingers and/or large hands.

Ian

Scott the "grey look" is from the flash in the pic that they used to post the pic on amazon....they are all black..as you know how hard this size is too find I think we did pretty good for sure, its a quality bag at a great price! Enjoy !

I spent about 3 hours today on the Korg Micro and here are my thoughts .

First of all this keyboard for the price a great value, thay being said here is what I Think I have had lots of experence with arrangers 9000 pro, G70, s910, now Tyros 4 so this comes form that experence.

if this unit is used for fun and not pro playing it will work well I think if you are trying to compeat with the above keyboards it will be a disapointment Keys are very small but play very well, styles are ok some are better then others not a big selection but prob can find more I was not impressed by the song player so if you are going to use it for Midi Files it is just ok Yamaha still much better in my oppinion .
I found it kinda confusing to run out of the gate not as user frendly as yamaha Drums where Pretty good it will not work well with yamaha midi files there are serious maping issues and you will need to re map most of your song files if yopu use GM TUNE 1000 files they work much better so the midi file player a bit of a disapointment for me.

the one thing I was very Impressed with is the sound set Pianos and organs very good and the bar on side of keyboard controls the leslie action very good plus Yamaha should take note to do this so the organ sounds can be controled in this way The sound set very good in fact for 500.00 you would be hard pressed to find that anywhere thumbs up to korg for the sound , programing it after the learning curve should be easy but first impression seemed confusing to me reminded me of Casio and all the steps you need to do I have a Px3 and it seems like that a bit confusing at first after a 3 hour period I had it down pretty good but I did not buy it today i just felt it did not offer enough in the area of a song player and over all sound on the files I use most of my files are Yamaha comp so it did not work to well but for the price it is a great deal for the player who is just getting in or just want something new to play on but to use it in a pro setting prob not for me , but the over all sound of the patchs very impressive so for sounds i could see using it esp for the organ patches where yamaha is very week so I am mixed emotions on this little guy some will find it great some will not.

Overall sound/editing/seq edit and even song play, no issues.
The only problem is lack of fills ( only 2 and some sync issues, you need to go to global to set up) (busy orchestartion during fills)
and some over orchestated styles. Lack of simple 4/4 s8/16 /ballads (Eg. too much piano/bass riffs after 8 measures loop even you are playing basic simple stuff,when yammy shines with simple and easy to sing along styles. In other words, having Dave Weckl playing (Korg) compaed to Ringo Star - m playing (yamaha)ie: easier to fit songs in ).It does have more potential than any thing on the market with same or $ 300 more price range.This will sell like hot cakes if you create a good software that convert Yammy styles. Sound/seq editing not issue.Style /fills are the issues.
if you want converted yammy styles ( go to Irish acts) and choose under PA80/50 section.

What i se is, since it's cheap but capable (can write user styles/can load all user styles for all 320 slots including wipping out factory styles, all styles are in in RAM (like Korg syths) not ROM lile Yammy or Roland), more users, more 3rd party styles or decent conversions.

Jamman looks like you are form so cal as well , good to see another arrfanger guy so close.

I havent seen Microarranger in local GC or SA yet.I'm sure George has it.

George has it on his floor that is where i played it.

All I can say is the more I dig in and really play this Micro Arranger the more I like it...I got the S910 side by side and let me tell you the Micro can hold its own against the big guys sound & style wise, feature wise of course there's more on the Yammy but let's face it it 5x the price, the Micro has more then enough bells & whistles to enjoy playing also.....there is a difference in that the KORG sounds more Live like a real band vs the compressed tight CD sound of the Yamaha units...both are very good,just different. KORG did a nice job bringing out this MICRO line of instruments......

I'm frustrated!!!
What's the difference between the Song and Song Play buttons? I haven't been able to load a song from the SONG button. None of my SMFs have numbers. I keep getting the LOAD, then EXIT sign. Also, can't load two files into A & B sequencers. I can load songs from SONG PLAY, but it's nothing as quick as Yammy or Roland. AND, where the hell are these extra performance tracks? All I've been able to do is edit a channel and play it live, but that's not right.

Style playing is pretty straightforward, no real problems.Tell me how to do this stuff, refer me to a page number. Email me, FB message me, call me (734-285-1170), just help me get past this plateau so I can enjoy my Micro to its fullest.

I would seriously consider the Microarranger as a controller and sound source with the Midjay Plus. I've always liked the Korg sounds, and the styles and SMF playback of the Ketron. I've happily used the Midjay Plus/PA800 combo for a couple of years. The combo is a good match and allows me to have a back up to the MJ under my finger tips as wall as a good deal variety when I need it. Although the Midjay is my main piece, I do use many of the Korg styles on a regular basis.
Ciao,
Jerry

Hi Cass,
from what I gather , it's SONG PLAY MODE you require for midifiles

I think the SONG button has more to do with your own song recordings.

page 14 explains what song play mode does.

page 33 goes into more detail.

I think you load the midifiles from your card.

Sorry can't be of more help, I don't own one, & it's a different procedure to my pa800/pa3x.

One thing I'm not understanding is why more of you are not talking about using a full size controller keyboard in conjunction with the MicroARRANGER. I've been considering buying a Casio Privia electronic piano which has a great keyboard feel. Now I have more incentive to buy one and use it with the Korg unit.

Are my missing something here? I don't think I'd be comfortable playing smaller keys. Years ago I did that with a very small Roland arranger keyboard (only 3 octaves and on the top tier of the stand) and a DX7 in front of me as the "controller."

Is there a reason I wouldn't do that today? Again......are my missing something here?

Hi Mark. Playing a full size keys controller would certainly be a preferable option, and something I may do when a small and light as possible setup isn't essential, but I was primarily drawn to the micro to quickly grab and spontaneously take out as an all in one piece to casual get togethers and quick weekend getaways, as well as situations I'd find too inconvenient to have to take my Tyros 4 and assoc gear to.

I'm quickly discovering that the microArranger's sound quality far exceeds what I would expect from an arranger in such a budget price range. Since I also own a full size key Roland 76 note controller, I look forward to playing the Korg microArr from that,
but having to drag the Roland around to gigs along with the microArr seems to defeat the purpose of the microArr's all in one portability. It's Too bad Korg doesn't offer a compact equally budget priced arr module of this as well.

Hi Scott,

Thanks for you explanation here. I didn't stop to think that everyone right now is focused on the portability of the unit...the "carry it under your arm" convenience. And probably a great backup unit too.

I'm sure, as time goes by, we'll start hearing more about what controller keyboards everyone is "hooking up" to. I'll probably go ahead with that Casio myself. It's got a great piano sound IMO.

Mark

He Guys,
Come on let’s get real, what is going on here, this Korg Arranger is £430.00 in the UK, its 10% the cost of a Audya , 6 times cheaper than a Pa3x, 7 times cheaper than a T4, am I missing something here. Someone a while back said SZ was just one big P....ing competition is this what he meant. Do you guys really think that Korg put this on the market so you professionals could play it in front of an audience, never in the manner of man. You know, you see those big motor homes with a little motorbike strapped on the back, that’s what Korg made the mini arranger for., motor home owners???. Hell guys stop this nonsense you’re not showing yourselves in a good light and you’re not convincing me that this is a wolf in sheeps clothing, I am much too old for that. You’re having a little good time while it lasts. I will give Korg one thing, their sales and demo material is the best in the business, they gotcha!!! and you have parted with your hard earned cash, that's what it's all about.

Tony

Tony, you're right, the Micro is a good, full-blown, playable arranger for under $500. It's also probably something most players do not or have not owned (PA50 SD). So, instead of parting with $1500 - $4500 for a new axe, they can have this perfectly acceptable dagger. As for playing on the keys - it's anything but impossible. Novelty, yes; main axe, not so much; affordable distraction, for sure...

Hey All

I'm considering the same thing as Mark. A Casio PX3 for feel and Roland BK7m for an arranger. My question still is if this Microarranger is so good and the same as the SD50 which has full size keys why hasn't everyone been jumping all over that?
OK, the SD50 is 24 lbs, no big deal to move in a soft case and $150 more in price but that can't be the reason the way we all spend cash on new toys.

As for the cheap price of the micro I remember spending 2K on an Apple GS computer long ago and it was outdated a year later when the first MAC came out. Now I have an IMAC which cost $1200 and I got a free I touch and printer with it. Technology will continue to drop in price.

Tony,

I think the instrument sounds very, very good for the price, and for what Scott intends to use it for, which is a portable mini-arranger for taking to parties or to friend's homes as a bit of entertainment and fun, it seems perfect.

However, it looks like a toy, (yes, I know it doesn't sound like a toy) but a lot of people "hear with their eyes" and, in my opinion, this instrument would look a little strange (maybe even silly) being used, on it's own, at a professional gig.

Of course, if your gig consists of only a percentage of actual arranger playing, and also relies on MP3 (as in DJ'ing) and SMF for singing over (as in the style of karaoke), then the appearance (and small keys) may not matter very much, and may even work in the entertainer's favor.

I think one could manage using it solo at nursing homes, maybe, but for a big dance gig or show, I think we both agree, the player is going to look a tad strange sitting (or standing) behind something so darn tiny, especially if the previous performer had been playing a G-70, Tyros, or PA2Xpro.

But, perhaps we could suppose, if one is comfortable with the look, it sure would be the most portable arranger you could use on a professional gig, although you'd still need a PA system, stand, bench (if you sit), and other peripherals like pedals and foot switches, much like a full size, grown up, arranger; therefore, setup/tear down would still take exactly the same amount of time.

I think Scott's plan of using it to take to friend's homes and little get-togethers is the most sensible use for it, or as suggested, use it with another keyboard or controller....also, it would make an easy to carry back-up instrument in case your main arranger had an issue.

Ian

PS...Tony, you know me well enough to acknowledge that if Yamaha (or Roland) made a similar product, my views would still be the same as above, and full kudos to Korg for making such a great little instrument.

PSS..if this instrument is so darn good, why aren't people raving about, and buying, the instrument the microARRANGER is based on, the Korg PA-50SD, which, at only 24 lbs., is still very lightweight, almost as cheap, has full size, better feeling, keys, and, if used solo, will look far more professional on stage?

The Micro arranger is certainly professional sounding and featured enough to use on ANY gig...it sounds great and at 9lbs your back will love you for it. Many are using a lightweight controller and Roland BK7...now you can have it all in one 9lb unit.

My feelings, exactly Bill.

I'm sure there are those who could manage the small keys, and deal with the appearance, but the PA-50D (and arrangers like the S910, also at 24 lbs) aren't what we would term "heavy"...the difference in weight would be equal to a small bag of groceries, and either of these instruments would offer the "player" a far more familiar feel.

I am all for light weight, as I am extremely lazy and have a bad back, but there has to be some point where making the instrument ever lighter and smaller, will affect both professional appearance and/or a comfortable playing experience.

If the microARRANGER is used as a module, and controlled by, as in your example, a Casio PX3 (nice feeling piano, by the way), one would still need a double stand.

Ian

PS...having an instrument with the proper stage presence seems to be very important these days...witness the many shows where the digital piano is encased in a hollowed-out grand piano shell...having the right "look" is almost (or just as) important as how you sound (again, many people, especially non-musicians, hear with their eyes).

I think for the money it is worth it , but i agree with you on this the sound on the keyboard are very good and can be used as a tone mod if you do not like the small keys and when i ssay small they are relly small.

I'd love to see a controller keyboard with a flat top big enough to hold another instrument or module.

At one time there were instruments that allowed "stacking" (RD-300, Rhodes, Wurly, Polymoog to name a few) and I'm sure with today's technology, a lightweight 61/76 note controller could be made with a strong enough top material so that we could put an instrument like the microARRANGER (or even an S910, GW-8, or PA-500) on it and have a better feeling and/or extended range keybed to use and not need to use a fiddly and inconvenient (and often wobbly) double tier stand.

I think it might even sell well....I know I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

Ian

Donny,

Are we moving to Demo Pt2

Not for a while..I'm just too busy with gigs right now Tony......maybe down the road when I get the Micro Arranger all set up for my needs I can do another, but this will take time. As more and more people buy them I'm sure you tube will be flooded with Demos also.

Donny,

Those Demos you posted sounded like you got it all setup to me and that was just out the box a few days later, Pt1 sounded fantastic and been put together exceptionally professionally, I also doubt if we will hear anything to better those demos Donny. Nevertheless, I don't share your exuberance about the board, well quarter board, I don’t think it will catch on, people who play sheer KB for a living won’t buy it, a few of you have got all hot under the collar about it but that’s the way it will stay, I will remind you in a few months and if I am wrong I let you remind me that you were right. I dropped into the biggest UK Korg dealer yesterday and they have the same view. Be all right for buskers in the underground in London, low battery power , no need for a stand, sit on the floor and play it on their knees.

Regards

Tony

PS look at 1min 55 sec he doesn't look happy about the key spacing and he doesn't have big hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-xTX4PKwhc&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Personally I think it is great that a manufacturer is making an extremely portable product like this available. You can treat it as a sound module but at least has keys for the times that is all you want to cart it around alone. I have played a CZ101 onstage so the keys arent a problem for me. Personally for the price I think it is a winner and fills a niche that no other manufacturers are filling. I would like one because I can't fit another fullsize keyboard in my car but this I could and MIDI it up to my main keyboard. Anyone comparing it with a cheap fullsize keyboard are simply missing the point of it being so compact and arent the market it is being aimed at.

Nigel, it is a great little product, and you're right, it is filling a niche that no other company cares to bother with, and it's a heck of a lot better than that nasty little module by Roland (and cheaper too) in that it has a keyboard that you can play in a pinch, and it also has a really good sequencer on board, something that was overlooked on the BK-7M (to the dismay of many an owner).

I can't see the microARRANGER's appeal being so strong that Roland (or Yamaha) start making their own versions...I think (if) it's a rather small piece of the pie, the others aren't going to tool up to get a piece of a piece. Then again, I could be wrong, and in a few years, we'll all have to play mini keys...ha ha!

On a more serious note, did you get yourself a Kronos yet? I thought maybe Santa might have put one under the Spencer's tree.

Ian

Lol ... not yet but it is still looking very attractive to me to replace my Motif 6 .... but until then the Motif 6 still does the job. It's just that the classic Motif sounds are sounding a bit long in the tooth nowadays. But in a live rock lineup I doubt if anyone other than me really notices that.

Nice demo of this new arranger. It sounds very good for the price. The keys may not be for everyone but then hey... it had to cut corners somewhere. But must say, Korg has a winner in this one, especially for the segment of users who are looking for compact, light weight arrangers with decent bread and butter sounds.

Where have all the arranger modules gone, long time passing...
Old or young whatever the age, my take is people would like to see more compact stuff. Roland Bk-7m was a good move from Roland interms of portability, Ketron has Audya 4(not many videos/audios on this), Korg has comeup with a Pa50 in a compact package. Now what next ? Yamaha S950 in keys or module option(I think the last arranger module from Yammie was the QY-100.. If Yamaha can do it for synth module racks ... why not arrangers;)so its about time now !!
By the way, A Very Happy and Musical New Year to all !!

My friend John Smies has posted some resources that will make life with the Micro easier.
Here:
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=68579
DonM

Here's what I think.

They should (or should have already) made an optional full-size keyboard that's custom made (and sync's perfectly via USB) for the MicroARRANGER...similar to attaching an optional full size keyboard to the Netbook computers and similar devices.

That would please everyone.......but then we'd have come up with something else about the unit to bash.

Mark

No Mark,

If it had full size keys that would be fine, I did say those Demos that Donny played on the fly and recorded for us when he had only had the board a day before tells me two things, First Donny is a genius on the keys, and secondly he made it sound awesome, in fact his demos are better than anything I have heard so far, I would suggest he sends the demos to Korg and tells them that's how it should be done, they were brilliant, I thought he might have hit at least one note wrong with those tiny keys, I had seen Donny in an old camo photo and he looks like a BIG BOY, he will have big spanner for hands. No Mark I would moan if it had full size keys at all. I would love to see a video of him playing, can you arrange it Donny on the arranger.

Tony

Two more things i'm lovin about the Micro arranger..

1-Speaker ON/OFF switch

2- Unlike my Yamaha you can extensively edit every "individual" piece of drum kit within a style..this is VERY useful in tweaking the overall sound of a style....& you can do this for all sounds also.

3- You can make on the fly edits & write/save them
"while your playing in real time" WITHOUT ANY GLITCHES to the overall sound Yea!...

Tony,

You've got a long way to go to convince me that DNJ did those demo's "live" within a day of taking the unit out of the box. I'm also a professional accordionist. The French musette part of that demo sounds suspiciously like a MIDI file. It takes me hours to adjust my fingering from the full size piano keys to the smaller accordion keys to play that French music. More power to DNJ if that's what he did on the spot....I just won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes.

Mark

Mark,

I never thought that anyone would post something they have not done and say they had, at least of all Donny. I must admit I have not seen him play on video and the demos were seamless, not one slip up, not one note wrong, not one glitch and as Ian said getting use to those small keys in hours, well I don’t know. Maybe we could ask him to do it again and video it, second time might even be better, now he's had it 2 weeks, hell we need to know the Mini Arranger is being made to look like it’s better than it is, in fact if you listen to the demo the fingering sounds like a 20 year old, my brain won't make my fingers go that fast anymore, you got me thinking now Mark. Hell I was thinking of buying one so I could set fire to it, if they only had one on the Titanic the entire band could have got in the life boats and most would still be posting on SZ.


Tony

Tony
That's pretty good

I hear lots of Korg intro's and endings

Regards

Col

Are we talking about DNJ? From the first time I heard him play I had the feeling that he was a solid musician laced with the gift of music that few have. This GUY is a PRO!

The basses of my opinion is a long career of 60 years as a pro musician. The majority of my playing jobs were in high end places. My playing career was very close to the career of Russ (Capt. Russ) varied from places like the Play Boy Club in Manhattan to a few opportunities on TV.

John C.

I'm sorry if some people don't believe that I performed recorded that simple 5 min demo on the Micro arranger.....all live Korg factory styles and STS sounds.. no SMF.....It saddens me to even think anyone would think otherwise. John C thank you for the kudos...I have nothing to prove to any of you ...I'm just a pro musician making a living playing & singing my friends....have a nice day.

I think the problem is that most of the skeptics are newer members, John, and aren't (or weren't) aware that Donny also plays arranger, mainly because he promotes himself more as a "singer", or perhaps an "entertainer", as he also uses SMF, MP3's (and the occasional chicken hat) and even does a bit of DJ'ing as well...he says he is a very, very busy guy and even has to post on SZ from his gigs.

When we see Telmo and Joost videos, we are totally aware of their prodigious talent (and their modesty as well), and, are immediately immersed in what they are all about...as far as I know, Donny has never posted a video of him playing solo on the arranger, so, I suppose it may be difficult for some newcomers to see him in that light.

Donny is a very modest guy, and never boasts about his arranger playing.

John, have you been to any of Donny's gigs and/or seen him play?

Ian

I have "jammed" with DNJ. He can PLAY.
DonM

In all my years on SZ, I don't ever remember hearing (or seeing) Donny play solo arranger...I've heard him sing many times (usually over a SMF), and he is a fine vocalist, but his skills as an arranger player are relatively unknown to me, and no doubt, many others who have not had the pleasure of jamming with him, or attending one of his shows.

I do know he says he's always working, so that must mean something?

Ian

Mark, Donny has been playing a long time, and, although I haven't actually seen him play arranger, he must be one of those rare people who can instantly adapt to any size keyboard (and any type action) within a very short time after taking it out of the box.

I am like you in that it takes me hours to get used to going from a very small keyboard to a full size (and vice versa), but there are those able to do it...Scott Yee has personally told me, that it's difficult, but not impossible...he also has a microArranger and really likes it a lot.

I'd rather stay with keys of the same size, if at all possible.

Ian

I don't know Donny and I am relatively new to Synthzone but I find questioning his playing totally reprehensible.

If you have nothing to say that is useful say nothing!!!

Great Day

Jack

Jack,

Mark said this:


" You've got a long way to go to convince me that DNJ did those demo's "live" within a day of taking the unit out of the box. I'm also a professional accordionist. The French musette part of that demo sounds suspiciously like a MIDI file. It takes me hours to adjust my fingering from the full size piano keys to the smaller accordion keys to play that French music. More power to DNJ if that's what he did on the spot....I just won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes.

Mark "

Mark says he won't believe it until he see it and that it, he thinks like me it sounds so good can anyone produce demos like this and says more power to DNJ if he did do it on the spot, I do think that perhaps Donny did them but, I still think he needs to send them to Korg and show Korg how to make demos, there demos are not all that good.

Tony

To me that is still questioning his integrity and I don't buy it--If he has to see it to believe it get on a plane and go see Donny play in person!

Jack

Guys and Gals,
I have played side by side with Donny at Don Mason's Jams and I have no problem believing he played every note of the Demos.

Deane

The surprising thing is that the non-believers or challengers to DNJ authenticity are the ones that NEVER has posted no even one measure of a song as a demo.
Will we gain something from this arguments other that resentments and push away other SZ members from posting demos?

The older we get the silliest we some become.
It is suppose to be the other way around.

***************

sil·ly
   [sil-ee], -li·er, -li·est, noun, plural -lies.
adjective
1. weak-minded or lacking good sense; stupid or foolish: a silly writer.
2. absurd; ridiculous; irrational: a silly idea.

******************

I’m not all that new here … I don’t post much. I almost never respond to this kind of discussion. However, I certainly agree with Jack. It is obvious that certain commentators are attempting to prod Donny into a brawl. It has nothing to do with playing ability, music, arrangers etc. It reminds me of those computer bloggers who sit in their basements in bunny slippers criticizing and complaining about world conditions while not ever attempting to make a positive contribution. You all have every opportunity to not listen to Donny’s demo or to ignore Donny’s posts if you have a mind to. As well, you do have a right to criticize if you’ve a mind to, but don’t attempt to disguise that criticism as a noble endeavor to promote music purity.
Ciao,
Jerry