Is there a big difference in tone, ease of operation, etc?

Hi Scott,

I would have thought my entry last week was pretty obvious on this point :

http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthread...s_Mu#Post335836

kind regards,
John Smies

Scott,

The microArranger is based on the PA-50SD which was introduced back in 2004, so all functions and features should be the same except for some new styles (maybe) and perhaps some internal tweaks.

I was wondering what the difference would be in price between the adult sized PA-50SD and the little baby MicoArranger?

I was thinking of the latter's use as a module controlled by a Yamaha P-95 or even the Tyros4, but the size is big enough to warrant using a double stand in either scenario. Kind of defeats the module idea, at least for me.

I would also think that with the advent of the wee Korg, the PA-50SD may be available at a reduced and attractive price, allowing both the acquisition of Korgian arranger styles and sounds with a normal sized, and much easier to play, keyboard (also with speakers, no less).

Are you planning on using a microArrnger as an addition, or like some others, using it as a roving, ultra portable entertainment system?

Ian

Ian,
One of the favorite vendors on this site told me the PA50SD was twice the price of the Micro Arranger. On the other hand, I had heard the PA50SD was just a few hundred dollars more than the Micro.

Deane

Hi John

Thanx for the reply. I knew the micro and the 50 were the same thing except for size.

My real question was comparing the micro/50 to the 500, mainly interested in knowing if the 500 actually sounds better and if it had the easier os that I had heard some of them had at some point.

Yes very BIG difference.(especially if you play styles, not SMF only).
As an old PA50 user I can tell you this.


PA 500 - advantages
more poly/more RAM/
newer sound generation (EDS)/RX (acoustic GTR trio styles competes with MEGA voice styles from yammy)
multi pads will play loops like Yamaha (pa 80/60/50 and micro can't)
more fills,more intro/endings
old styles retweaked for the better/less fill issues,
more style areas compared to PA 50/micro,
will still load pa 80/50/micro style files .
Guitar mode
Song Book ( great feature)
3 Ibs lighter and also less bulky (compared to 50)


Micro wins for size/portability/great 2nd board
PA 50 shows it's age/price/advantage compared to S710.But Pa500 and S710, (good competition)

Hi Ian

I guess I have an interest in the micro for the same reasons everyone else is having, it's small, light, cheap, a new toy. You get some Korg sounds and styles to add to your existing keyboard and/or use instead of. I think the newness and novelty has touched the kid emotions in us.

I'm actually, wondering why I'm interested though, even with the above, as I had a PA60 in my home for 10 days free trial from a local music store. They where going to sell it to me for their cost which I could verify as I was in music retail for over 30 years. I had the Tyros at the time, try as I might I didn't like the PA60 by far compared to the Tyros. I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't cut the buck. Everyone else who I did an A/B comparision didn't care for it either.

So, why am I thinking about the micro now? Maybe because I already know it will "different" than the T4, and I'm not being as knit picky about it.

The only way I would use the micro or 50, or 500 is if I picked out 10 to 20 generic styles that would work for all my songs, as I certainly would not want to set up both a Korg and a T4.

I do have a hunch that after all the fuss is over, there are going to be a lot of used micros for sale or stuffed in the closet. Maybe I should just wait til I can get one for $200 as I don't expect they will hold much of a value, IMHO.

Scott, actually they will hold value...you won't see $200 tag for 5 years....used , they may be around the $400 mark..

$499 street price now...you will see them jump up another $50 street price...

Don't forget..it does have the same engine as the PA1x..and a lot of folks still think that was the best Korg to date.....so a module of that sound source...yes $400 will hold..

The PA500 also has a marvelous touchscreen, which makes edits a breeze. I have both the 50 and 500, and the 500 sounds better. It has the same sound engine as the Korg M3. The #1 reason I upgraded was the songbook feature.