Here we go : my 3 favorite parts of the Pa4x (hard choice there are so many)
- Sound engine, is more advanced then any other arranger and many synth workstations
- Styles sound incredible and the engine is more advanced then Yamaha's
- the songbook combined with the setlists make a perfect tool
My 3 least favorite things of the pa4x (had to think really hard to find any)
- no access to the huge player created databas of styles that Yamaha has
- no 88 key or desktopmodule version
- only 4 sounds and 1 insert and 2 master effect for keyboard parts

I've given my opinion and listed the points I like many times. I ain't fallin' for this trap!

trap or no trap...

You say trap?

How could this be a trap?
Fran is only interested in Roland
And th e Pa4x blows the only Roland arranger out of the water in all aspects except one its price.
Last time i played the ea7, it felt more like a Casio where it comes to build quallity
It still sounded like the venerable G70, none of the new sound technollogy in the high emd Rolands made it into the ea7...
in the end it felt more like a toy to me then like a serious instrument..
Now how could this be a trap to promote the Roland EA7?

The trap is I don't want to argue about it!

From my perspective (not that anyone cares) there are four guys on this forum that set the tone...pun intended...for what an arranger keyboard should be.

Gary...a Yamaha guy through and through. Doesn't get caught up in the hype and made his decisions based on a good business model. (PSR-S950)

Don M...brand loyalty not important. Whatever board makes him feel and sound his best.
(Korg PA4X)

Donny...not really a brand loyalist, but I believe deep down inside he likes the Yamaha styles best. If Yamaha comes out with a wizbang PSR based on genos technology...he might jump back. (PA4X)

Fran...I believe Fran will be buried with a Roland t-shirt on. He knows Roland boards extremely well and will defend them to the death. (G-70, EA-7)

Diki was a colorful commentator...we all know where that got him.

All of these guys are professionals who have provided copious amounts of beneficial advice and insight over the years.

I myself have stuck to Yamaha because I like their styles and guitars best. Yes, I've had a Korg PA1X and a PA600. Both boards left me a little bored in the style department. The 4X is King right now and if I had the cash...I might try it. But, with all the professional advice given on this forum, one would be hard pressed to make a bad decision with whatever board they choose. Bachus...is quickly picking up where Diki left off...minus the sarcasm.

Thanks to all these guys (and of course Nigel) for making this a entertaining place to hang
out!

Jinjleman I just read your post – with a smile. The guys you mentioned surely make this one interesting place.

John C.

Pardon my butting in here. I have the EA-7 and it is a good board with many things to recommend it. The main drawback is the styles. I am speaking strictly for the type of music I do (old country and pop 50s to 90s). I have been working on the styles Donny sent me using the makeup tools and Style Creator but it is a slow process. Yamaha has probably 50 styles ready to go out of the box. Also, Bachus makes a good point-where are the Roland supernatural sounds on the EA-7?

I am still learning and in no hurry, but I'll be watching the Yamaha announcement this fall-if it really happens.

Bill, try the Vietnam styles .. there are some that may meet your needs.

BTW: for Bachus and others... The E-A7 does have samples taken directly from the "high end" boards... namely Super natural sounds..

I have A/B'd these sounds.... as an example "pure EP"...
I realize you may not have access to these sound sources to compare.... this alone may be a reason not to comment as a matter of fact..