Here's a couple of songs I did on the job last night. No editing, mistakes and all. What do you think?
Honestly. I can still send it back.
http://donmasonmusic.com/PA3X/

DonM

Don,

Why would you want to send it back, sounds great, you don't need the Mini, Big Boy. What does it fell like to play, it's one hell of a set of buttons,knobs and sliders. Looks like a flight deck. Nice work Don.

Tony

It is great to play with many dedicated controls and programmable buttons and sliders. Infinitely editable. I'm searching for a few styles, but have been able to come up with most of what I need.
Thanks!
DonM

Don,

I did think of selling the Audya and buying the Pa3x, what do you think of the two, you have played both.I thought the Audya was designed by two Italian kids in school. I think Korg have done a good job of the Pa3x.

Tony

Sounds great as usual Don.... I Know your missing those Roland guitars ;-) , but you could make any Kb sound super ...good luck with your new toy!

Now this is a flight deck!!!!

Wow . . . these tunes have got Don Mason written all over them.
Great signature performance and Pa3X sounds.
Thanks for posting them Don. - Scott

Don ... As always, you sounds great ... as does the kb ...
NOBODY 'picks' on a kb like Big Don Mason !!! or ???
Nice treatment of "Wings" as well ...

There may be a better style for Wings, I just started the style and the song popped into my head so I did it.
Thanks,
Don

Don, go and listemn to "That's alright mama" on your website.....and you won't need my opinion

The Korg is lifeless compared to that keyboard you used on that tune....Listen to the drums..they don't compare.....Keep it's little brother (E-50)....

You did want my honest opinion...right!!!

I think you already knew....If there were no other choice..I would take the Korg over the other camp...but it just doesn't do it, when the other unit is stil around



Here is the link folks...

http://www.donmasonmusic.com/music.html

Thanks Fran! To be fair, I'm not totally happy with the sound yet, but I think I can get there. That's why I want opinions!
Don

Don, don't get me wrong..I am not saying...I didn't like it...I do..I just thought the comparison of what you recorded on the G70 ..could be helpful..

On "wind beneath my wings"..I thought the guitar you used was excellent...but we all know you can make the guitar sound real on anything..

How are you coming .. for a pedal steel?...Did you ever get something you liked on the E?

I don't love the one on the E50. Great one on BK7M though.
There is a really good slow one on the PA3X, and there is a great one for faster songs in the GM bank.
Right now I'm adjusting the e.q. to liven it up. If I think I've improved it later, I'll post something else.
Don

I enjoyed those very much Don. Thanks for posting!

Just some random thoughts:

The guitar on on "Thrill" was amazing! So where the drums and especially the fills.

Vocal harmony on "Wind" was real nice.

I didn't care much for the drums on "Wind" especailly the cross stick. The guitar sounded a bit synthetic to my ears. The overall style on "Wind" didn't do much for me... Just my 2 cents.

I agree. I can find a better style for Wind, or maybe just change the drum kit.
Thanks!
Don

I realize I do not have the 'ear' many of you have to compare one KB to another, but is it fair to compare two KBs using two different styles? ... I would think an A/B test under identical conditions - PA system, recording device, etc. - using styles as similar as possible would provide a better comparison -
I'm NOT saying that you have to do that Don, just saying that in my opinion that's the only way to make an accurate comparison ...

You're right Tony - Fran just wants to "Rolandize" the topic!

Tony, of course you are correct, that would be the ideal way to compare...I was referring to the character of the sound..I always look for a live sound....Comparing what Don already played is a good way to illustrate this...I think the crisp realistic sound of the G70 recording edged out the PA3x recordings...Just as I believe the PA3x edges out the Tyros4 in the same respect...

I have no doubt Don will get as close as possible the sound he wants...but who knows..maybe it will take another Audya..

Hey, I just picked from what Don had availble on his webpage

It is not my fault it turned out to be a Roland

Fran, I know exactly what you mean. I do want a more live sound. I'm tweaking as we speak!
Thanks,
Don

That was absolutely TERRIBLE..I think you should dump the keyboard to me at 1/2 price>

Kidding aside, that board sounds fantastic, as do you. Question: how did you record, it sounds amazing though phones!

Don ... these styles are sounding better and better as I play with them. Don't be hasty - this board is a keeper for me!

Sounds very good... keep tweeking and you get it there. The drums do sound nice and I agree the recording sounds very good. Having the TC to sing through and the WAVES mastering FX on the board puts it a notch above the rest!!

I always mix drums heavy to get the "live sound" when sequencing. To me, it sounds like the rest of the style voices need to be a bit louder but the drums, solo sound and your voice stay the same.

Please keep posting demos!!

And I didn't like it AT ALL! Goes to show you everything is subjective. No comparison to a real guitar, sounded like what it is, a keyboard guitar, sounded fake. Of course, I have never had an orgasm over an arranger electric guitar solo. It's just not a sound I like. Maybe someday, they will make one that sounds real. Has nothing to do with Don's playing, I have made this statement before, nothing new here. Except that I really did NOT like that particular Korg guitar. Then again, I love a real guitar!

Actually, you can discount anything I say about a keyboard guitar, this is an arranger forum and people ooh and aah over arranger guitars and I really don't like them! I'd ten times more rather hear a piano solo. But, no problemo, what do I know!

The B B King song, I liked. Overall, pretty impressed with the Korg.

Thanks,
I just plugged Tascam PR10 into the headphone jack of the keyboard and hit "record"!
DonM

I just listened to your "The thrill is gone"
Jesus , man you just hit a telling spot right there.
As one of your bigest fans, she would have really wanted to hear this recording of yours.
Although it was a tear jerker, it gave me some pleasure in pretending she was here. Yes, pleasure because I was the priviledged one in her life.

Your recording is a number one keeper.
We are your #1 fans.

P.S. on another subject, perhaps just a touch of reverb on the vocal would have been my request.
But , then, it's purely a personal request. cheers.

+1

I agree with Dave 100 percent.

I've heard Don perform live and in person on several occasions and he sounds even better than the recordings.

Cheers,

Gary

Eddie, you are very kind, and I agree about the vocal being too dry.
I know you miss your wife tremendously and I'm glad she enjoyed music so much. I know she is still listening to us, my friend.
Don

Very nice work DonM...sorry I'm late commenting...nasty wind/rain/snow storm yesterday wreaked havoc with electricity.

I liked your rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings...great variation on the melody.

Ian

Thanks Ian, I think I have it sounding better since the posts. Weather is bitter here too, high today will only be around 60! I may have to skip golf until it warms back up.
The melody variation in "Wind" was probably because I couldn't remember how it went!
That song was written here by an acquaintance of mine, Larry Henley. Larry was one of the Newbeats, back in the 60s, and in fact was the guy who did the high vocal part in "I Like Bread and Butter" and their other songs. One of my best friends, Dean Mathis, was also in the group. When Dean and I perform together, I do the high part, with the aid of a vocal harmonizer. Dean also uses a harmonizer set to Double and does the unison vocal parts.
DonM

Sounded really good, as if it was just your take on it...worked out very well.

Ian

Don, a while back you posted that you were looking forward to doing a tune or two with "The Captain".


SAME HERE...SAME HERE...SAME HERE...SAME HERE...!


R.

We could sit down on whatever, and trade leads and vocals with no rehearsal at all.....AND KILL!

We have a couple of airports here Russ. Fire up your plane and come on down. Or, I'm not working this weekend, send it for me!

DonM

it is really very simple Don,
an Ace player needs an Ace keyboard, and that is all there is to it.
Welcome to Korgie World


John

Thanks John, I sure hope you are feeling better these days. We need you. Now get to work on resources for the PA3X!
DonM

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRgggggggggghhhh!!!!!

Don, the King Air is sold...too expensive to justify, and the little Cessna is too hard for these old feet to pedal all the way to Louisiana.

I'm planning some vacation time this year. the last day I took off was 1982.

Hope we can visit soon. That job in Lexington is still in limbo, but you never know...

Russ

Hi Don,
sounded great to me.

Maybe try the Drum Remap Function .

I did a list up for the PA800 a couple of years ago of which drums get remapped to a what . Of course listening to the results whilst changing the various settings is the only way to do it, but it was still interesting to be able to compare the results in a list.

It might change those cross sticks ( Monunoman mentioned) to a more suitable instrument for the song.

Great feature a lot of owners may not be aware of.
A single drum pattern , depending on the pattern, might be able to be used for 4 different variations, starting off with simple & sounding full on by the time you get to vari 4, just by using remapping function.

Have to be brave to post a song here I listened to Wings again and I thought the style was appropriate. Good work Don. Like to hear more.............

I have been working on the pa3x all day, with the help of Semilive. I have changed drum kits, style sounds, levels, mic e.q., etc. I tried nine different mics.
In fact, Bill is now the proud owner of two of them, simply because they made his voice sound really good.
I got to listen to Bills new Fishman pa. It sounds fantastic on guitar and vocals, not really enough bottom for much arranger use, but it would work in a pinch.
We actually played with the keyboard for close to six hours. It's a ball to play and easy to edit. Hope I'm getting closer, but I've listened to it for too long now to judge much.
I'll make a couple more recordings and get some more opinions.
Thanks for all the help.
Don

Well, a bit late to the party here, but along the lines of what John Smies said earlier, a great keyboard in great hands. Thoroughly enjoyed both songs, Don.

You are very kind, sir!
I'm actually going quite crazy right now. I started working on this thing at 10:00 a.m. and it is now 2:30 a.m. tomorrow. Maybe it's time to call it a day.
DonM

LOL! Just skimmed the surface, then Don. Been there, done that.

The PA3X rocks, literally! I wonder why Italians make such great arrangers? Ketron, Korg. Hmmm...

Hey Don,
I too enjoyed your performances. Your vocals, keyboard playing and tasteful use of vocal harmony are all super. I’d love to hear you play and sing My Woman, My Woman, My Wife and Any Day Now.
Best Always,
Deaton

All right, which do you want, my woman or my other woman or my wife?
Thanks Deaton, I will record one just for you. . . any day now.

Don