The rumors are flying about a new PA4x and we might see it sooner than we think. The PA2x PRO was released in October 2007 and the PA3x around April 2011 so that's approximately 3 1/2 years between the two releases. The PA3X has been on the market almost 3 years and so it is quite possible the PA4x could show up at summer NAMM 2014 or perhaps winter NAMM 2015. Korg needs to stay in the thick of things because Yamaha just released the Tyros5 and so there is likely an urgency on Korg's part to provide a viable competitor to Yamaha's newest flagship arranger keyboard. You snooze you lose as they say. But the PA3x has sold fairly well so Korg might milk it for all it's worth and so in that case we could be looking at Musikmesse 2015 or perhaps summer NAMM 2015 or even winter NAMM 2016. Although if Korg waits too long the Tyros 5 will continue to mount a sizable lead in the high-end arranger market and thereby an increased awareness by consumers that could potentially hurt Korg in the long run. In other words, if Korg doesn't provide something relatively soon they may find themselves eating significant dust as they once again play catch up to Yamaha's latest offering. The only thing that is slowing the Tyros5' rise to ascendency is its extremely high price tag which puts it out of reach of perhaps 90% of the world's population which is truly regrettable.
Here is what would make the PA4x a crowning world champ of high-end arrangers. Make two versions i.e. a 61 key version and a 76 key version and do the world a favor by giving it 256 note polyphony. That in itself would vault Korg to the top of the heap in my opinion. Doing so would take a huge bite out of Tyros5 sales (a $6,000 keyboard with a measly 128 note polyphony) and it would also put Yamaha on notice that they can't slough off and expect to remain number one forever. In other words, 256 polyphony is a real game changer and Yamaha must face the music or risk losing ground to other companies who are willing to take things to the next level. The second thing is don't give the PA4x an astronomical price tag that prevents a majority of the world's population from owning one. The PA3X is a viable competitor to the Tyros5 simply by the mere fact it costs over a thousand dollars less than a Tyros5. And given the fact it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to increase polyphony it is very possible Korg has the potential to put a real dent in Yamaha's armor. If in fact the PA4x is competitively priced and includes 256 note polyphony. Take a look at Casio for instance.
Casio now has "two" keyboards with 256 note polyphony and they are priced very very competitively. In fact if Casio came out with a high-end 256 note arranger that costs less than $2,000... it is fair to say Yamaha and the rest of them would be shaking in their boots at the prospect of losing tons of market share to an up and coming rising star like Casio. And I will be the first in line to purchase such an high-end arranger from Casio or anyone else. Yamaha will no longer be able to 'rake people over the coals' with their astronomically priced arrangers which have a tendency to break the bank. That's why competition is so important! And that's why Apple Inc. is losing ground to Samsung and various other companies because those companies now offer similar products that don't cost an arm and a leg.
Yamaha does have a huge customer following for the Tyros line in particular. But the time is coming, in my opinion, when Yamaha will have to rethink its high-priced, highway robbery strategy, or risk losing its number one status. If Casio ends up being the one that shakes things up then more power to them. Don't get me wrong. I like many of the products from Yamaha and I have personally owned two Yamaha arrangers plus other Yamaha gear. One of them being the original Tyros as most people on this forum already know. But I am also alarmed by the blatant "price gouging" by Yamaha concerning the Tyros line. Yamaha realized that many people kept buying the Tyros successor(s) even though the price kept skyrocketing through the roof. What that means is that Yamaha won't likely change their price gouging strategy unless they're forced into doing so. If nobody challenges Yamaha's unethical business practice (my opinion of course) then Yamaha will keep charging an arm and a leg for the Tyros and keep laughing all the way to the bank. If people don't mind being gouged 'at the pump' then that's one thing. But it's just the idea that a company, such as Yamaha, has the unmitigated gall to put 'profit' above ethical standards and that's what really irks me the most. The Tyros is a computer with keys for the most part. The profit margin on the Tyros5 is in the thousands of dollars and if the truth were known the Tyros5 itself probably costs under $1,500 for each one produced when all is said and done. But if people keep shelling out big bucks then Yamaha will keep charging an arm and a leg and I for one will not play that game.
Now I must admit if Yammie had given the Tyros5 256 note polyphony then I might have "bit the bullet" but only after everything else had met my high standards and it is becoming quite clear to me the Tyros5 has fallen somewhat short. For instance, a few owners have complained about unwanted "noise" coming from the Tyros5 innards. A hum that is most annoying and it affects more than a few of the current batch of Tyros5. After forking over six grand you're presented with a nasty hum that gave at least one owner a literal headache!
Hello! Where is the quality control! Why has Yamaha reacted so slow in resolving the issue? From what I understand they still don't know what's causing it?!?!
Okay, I'll settle down.
In conclusion, Korg has a chance to break new ground with the PA4x and I hope they do. Casio is waiting in the wings and they too have the potential to really shake things up. And by doing so Casio would likely see a large increase in new customers. People jumping ship after they finally realized they don't have to 'pay through the nose' for a high-end arranger keyboard. At least in theory anyway. Time will tell whether or not Casio comes through with the goods and the same thing goes for Korg and Roland. By the way, the BK-9 is Roland's current flagship arranger but I consider it more in line with the current MOTL arrangers such as the PSR-s950 and/or Korg PA-900. Many of the sounds on the BK-9 aren't up to snuff in my opinion and others have expressed the same reservations. 76 keys is always a plus but sounds are the primary selling point for any keyboard and the BK-9 falls short in some areas I dare say. But the BK-9 is priced competitively (for what it is) and that's a real bonus. Okay, I'm through. Let the flaming arrows commence.
All the best, Mike
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