There's always some homework needed to be done on an update of this magnitude after all it should be no big deal for the experienced arranger user....good luck

Rikki, the midi to style converter IS much improved. Conversions are very smooth and seem to have better intros, endings, fills, and better choice of sounds. On most of them though, I do changes the sounds from GM to Korg Factory sounds in the style parts. I'm finding it quite useful, although in truth I don't use many "Song Styles". That is what they are of course, tailored to a certain song.
It's interesting that a Backing Sequence is created too, so you can opt to use that and be able to use both hands playing the keyboard without changing variations manually.

Will KORG continue to update the Pa4x OS periodically or possibly release a totally NEW Pa5x unit down the road,...

thoughts?

I finally did my upgrade.... no problems at all..

And have been playing with the Kaoss features...
Its a lot of fun..
But now i am trying to figure out how this can be used reliably in a live performance

Hmmmmmm...
So far it doesnt feel right, the arpeggiator seems to steal your righthand sounds,
making right keys useless, using the lefthand chord as the base of the arp..
Its not really an arpeggio as we know them
But then , it could be i am doing something wrong
Definately need more testing with this..


But at first glance, looks like the yamaha liveknobs are a tad more usefull
Only time will tell...

Hi Don,
I don't use a lot of song styles either. The type of midi files I do like , didn't seem to work that well, may have a bit more luck with the new version. Didn't realise it created a backing sequence.

Actually a lot of the old midi files that I thought sounded so great years ago, really don't sound that great anymore . Might put them back in the cupboard. Haha.

Spoilt by the modern day keyboard , haha.

Pa4x V.2 Upgrade done ...
took awhile but no problems at all just follow the instructions..

PS and this new "KAOSS" Feature is so freaking amazing wow!

I've been playing the Pa4x v.2 all day and to my ears comparing it to what I remember from my previous Pa4x a few months ago and after loading all my pa4x backup files and songs,etc, I don't know what they did but it just sounds better soniclally all around if even that's even possible wow!

I also like the Roland EA - 7, but the darn dual screens are just too small (2.5" X 2.5")

I have the EA-7 and have a love/hate relationship with it. The screens are small for my old eyes too.

Probably has to do with the price of the instrument. You cant expect Roland to add expensive features in a budget keyboard.

If you want better quallity for the same money, it could be wiser to buy used gear.