Spent some time at Uncle Dave's new pad.... and checked out his keyboards including the PA1000...

I wanted to test some things to see if it is for me...
I promised Dave I would not knock anything.... but I will be saving $2,000

I did make a deal for one of his keyboards

The Korg (purple) color looks good... not gawdy..

The key feels okay... not great. A little light.

Screen looks good.. take a bit to get use too..

Speakers sound good.. I expected more volume, rated 33 watts a side..

I was hoping the PA1000 could read the SMF and determine the chords...I read the Korg PA series updated to do this... No such luck (biggie for me).. Also I miss that the media player does not read wave files..

If I decide to add another keyboard.... of the current offerings it will have to be another E-A7 for me..

I really don't need anything new.. I don't even need what I have..

Opps I forgot I ordered a Go keys from Sweetwater.... I better cancel now before I forget..

Fran, it’s always good to get your opinion on gear. Your experience and knowledge helps to evaluate an individuals needs and wants.

jingleman

Fran thanx for the honest opinion....

So Fran what makes the Roland E A7 more desirable?
I am still in the market for a second keyboard.

John C.

Fran, the PA1000 can display SMF chords. You just need another step which is very easy. Load the SMF in the sequencer, press menu button, tap song edit, tap utility, tap detect chords and save the SMF. It'll display chords on top of the words at the right time. It can also display in score format. I love it.
I love the E-A7 but I need to add a vocal harmonizer whenever I use it. The PA1000 is my all-in-one AKB.

Hi synerjim

I had a similar conversation with someone on the musicians forum who had also checked out the korg pa4x and gave their honest but not correct assessment of what they thought the board could not do when of course it could . These instruments are deep and you can’t appreciate their sophistication until you have actually lived with it a few weeks .

John. The Roland reads all SMF's and shows chords... no need to enter chords and resave..

I also like to be able to read wave files besides MP3 and SMF's.... The Roland does..

The Roland also records as wave files ... will play without conversion on any cd player..

Roland is half the price too..

I have to say that the PA 1000 is absolutely spectacular. It maps so well from the 3X and I hear some really cleaned up styles that are so fun through monitors.

I am thrilled that I gave it a thorough look and excited to take it live.

Mapping was tedious the first day (3 - 4 songs and lost all, etc), but now, in 3 days, I have a about 4 full sets done. It's a joy to start fresh on a new keyboard and get super organized too.

Enjoy your 1000 - I sure changed my mind.