I've been trying to get the PA1000 sounding right, and not quite there yet. What do you think? Be honest.
https://app.box.com/s/wymws5zsaglzsti2la98wvjur5l3p356

Don, your voice sounds good, you have not lost anything.
The keyboard sounds thin, not as full. And that’s being honest.

John C.

Agree with John C here, but come on Don the PA1000 can sound way better than that. ( see my mail to you and resources)
For starters you could use a better and louder bass in this version of Summertime. Tip: if the drums do not shine/come out right , boost the volume by adding the insert effect to drums and selecting EQ7 band. Boost all settings to + 5.
And imho keep down the reverb on most stuff, I rarely use reverb on the drums and piano, just a teenie weenie bit.....

regards
John

Don,
When I had my Korg Microarranger I used John's Resources for it and wow - did it make a big difference. You might give them a try.

Deane

Maybe I am easy to please. I liked it, but then, I guess I was admiring the vocal and fine comping.

Bernie

Honestly Don? ok, I wish others would be as well here.. .....mostly all I hear is your vocals and a guitar with a weak backing,....not up to your standards at all.....
EQ and quality wise it sounds very thin unlike many of your demos and sound I am used to,....many of the style parts are not coming thru that well and weak could be a bad style for this song, etc,....
KORG arrangers are notorious to tame as you well know,.....
I think you better dust off the KORG Pa4x again you have laying there in your room and kick some butt with it buddy you never sounded better then with that model or your Ketron & Roland units for a live sound ...I hope you work things out, your audiences deserve it.

Good luck..........

call me we can always discuss it. Or I will have to come South again and give you some lessons...

I liked it too. Maybe the bass could be a little stronger as has been suggested and the balance could be a little better. But still a nice sound.

Must be getting old and loosing my hearing ability. Like Bernie
I liked it. Thought it sounded much like a real band instead of a kb.

Thanks guys. That is exactly what I was expecting to hear, but I don't trust my ears so much anymore. I will work on it some more. There is a lot to like about the PA1000 and I know it should sound as good or better than my old PA900, which I liked a lot.

Don you know what to do..keep us posted on your progress buddy!

good luck

Don, I've liked about 99% of the things you've posted in the past, ESPECIALLY your clean and well-balanced recordings, but you asked for honesty so here goes. Basically, I agree with everything Donny said (and you know how much I like agreeing with Donny ). As usual, the vocals and manual playing were at their usual excellent level, so I have to blame all of our (me and Donny) criticisms on style selection and part-imbalance in the recording. Also, as John Smies notes, and as I have heard in other PA1000 demos, the PA1000 could probably benefit from some 'tweaking'. This is not a knock on you, since we know what you're capable of, just on this particular performance. Still a fan.

chas

Don, I ran your recording through Izotope mastering essentials, to see if it could show some suggestions..
The setting I used gave it more stereo separation, adjusted eq a bit with some compression..

Maybe if you can adjust in the mastering section of the Korg, and get better results (globally).

When I compared the PA1000 to what I recalled the PA900 sounded like at Uncle Dave's ,,, The PA1000 lacked something to me... maybe as others have mentioned.. it has a "thin" sound..

From what I can hear on your recording a little more balance and EQ bass a bit..

I attached the Izotope version..

First off Izotope Mastering essentials, is a fantastic program that I use all the time in so many ways with my music and
MIXCRAFT 8 Pro DAW,
.....that said you can hear the difference in Dons version that
Fran has posted which is an improvement for sure. Here is the link...

https://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/mixcraft-pro-studio.html

https://www.izotope.com/en/company/press...essentials.html

Fran thanx for sharing well done.

Thanks, will listen to the edited version. I agree with everything said, just wanted confirmation!
At least I know my ears still work o.k.!

I liked the crispness of the cymbals..as far as thin, less is more depending on intent. I think if you're trying to emulate a soft jazz quartet or quintet sound, you don't want it to be too full...it's a matter of what you're looking for. Think about it- with an arranger every song can be tailored from light to heavy orchestration..you don't set up your quartet song with a big band setup. Thought I hear ahh choir sound a few times? Didn't think that was needed. Bringing baseline (hard to hear, would fill out) and drums into balance volume wise with louder lead sounds would do it.

Thanks, the choir sound was unintentional. Must have been loaded with the Jazz guitar keyset. Will check it.
I did want the small combo sound, but it doesn't sound nearly as good as the exact same style on previous Korgs. I will bring it home and play the 4x again until I get it sorted out. Want to see what John's stuff sounds like anyway.

It's actually not MY 4X. It belongs to DickieT, but I think he has forgotten that I have it.

sell pa1000 buy Dickies pa4x...problem solved

Why? I already have his.
I like the weight of the PA1000. But if the price were right, I might have both. The 4X could stay in place and the 1000 available for functions in the other end of the building, or for outside jobs occasionally.
I have a good friend at the Veteran's Home and I'd like to go play for them. He is 98 and won't be with us much longer.

good idea Don having both.....
as Gary would say "Gotta have backup"

Does John C still have his pa4x 61 for sale??

As a matter of fact, he does.

Hi Don:

With my tinny little PC speakers, it's a bit difficult to judge the "depth" of the backing... but as usual, your vocal is laid back, engaging and enjoyable. Thanks for sharing.

Don...as usual voice and right hand stuff are great. Keyboard sounds a little dull and lifeless. Drums are buried too far back.

4X definitely had more fullness and sparkle. JMHO

jingleman

This is so much more then just one song..
lets see what the Pa5x,and Pa1100 brings..soon.

Oh, I'm not giving up on this keyboard just because I haven't tuned it in yet. I'm sure it will be fine.
I did most of my tweaking using headphones, which is never a good idea.

Don, you are close to getting it up to par.. I am sure you will get it to sound better..

Don't forget , even Dave didn't have it cooking in my opinion..

I have to believe the mastering tools are the answer, rather then tweaking every style..

I totally agree. I'm not going to tweak every style. Thanks.

Hi Don,
The backing sounds a bit quiet, mainly hear the voice and the guitar part, but I’m only listening on an iPad.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

The thing I find with Korgs is there is a lot of tweaking of sounds, styles and volume levels to be done. It's a case of go away and do your homework rather than open and play out of the box. For the Pa1000 and Pa700 owners what eq settings are you using this can make a difference to the overall sound.

What Korg styles do you thing works well with what songs ?

As it should be the case with any arranger keyboard who would ever want to sound like the factory wants you to?
Do your homework make it your own sound every song!!

Nice jazzy version. Don, you do such a nice job with fills.

Re: buying another 4X, personally I would hold off. I’m thinking the 5X isn’t that far off.

That's cuz Dave didn't do a thing to it! LOL

There was no love at first sight for me. I wanted to get excited, but the only thing that grabbed my attention was the screen. Truth is, if I never had a PA900, I wouldn't have bought it at all. I expected a 900 on steroids, but it was a whole new entity. It just shares the case. It's a new instrument.
Don't get me wrong - it's a fine keyboard, with great features. It just didn't "do it" for me.
My needs are changing, and as such, my gear has to, as well.

I'm doing more live guitar, banjo, and uke than ever, with plans to reintroduce sax, clarinet, and flute, soo ... the keyboard is more like a command central. A place to control all my media, harmonies, and mix. It used to be so easy, back in the days of using a Rhodes with a Moog bass on top, synth du-jour, and a simple drum machine. My new setup sounds much better, travels lighter, and takes up less space than I ever imagined, but there is a gradual "disconnect" with the actual music making process as I add more automation.

Dave, just curious; as a trained (and talented) musician, how do feel about that?

Sometimes I think we just THINK that we sound better now than say, 20 years ago, but do we, really? Sure, the keyboards reproduce more authentic acoustic sounds and the PA systems are cleaner and reproduce more faithfully, but what about THE FEEL? I just seem to remember the 'highs' we got playing our music back in the day, the magic, the exhilaration, the energy that went into our performances; it just all seems to have been dampened by 'automation'. Is that the reason more and more people like you (and several others here) appear to be migrating back to acoustic instruments, especially in the home when you're just playing for the pleasure of it. Like I said, just curious.

chas

Agreed Chas.... It's not the same anymore like years ago but who's to blame really?

Trust me, I edited the sound a lot. Saved several User setups. I think the problem is I did it on headphones, then had to take it to the job and it sounded different.
I appreciate all the suggestions, but I'm sure I will work it out.

I think WE are Donny, because we've allowed ourselves to become a culture of 'instant gratification', 'quick fixes', 'throw-away consumerism', 'A-I', 'Smart??phones', 'text vs talk mentality', etc., etc. Our cars stay in the lane by themselves and stop when we're about to hit something, so we really don't need to be as alert as we used to be -What!!!!!!?

Bottom line is, we no longer have to learn how to do things, we just need to learn how to push the button on the thing that ACTUALLY does the task. So "who's to blame really?", WE ARE! Finally we have conceded that (musically anyway) 'the end justifies the means'.

chas

I can't believe I am agreeing with you Chas for a second time in one day. Our generation has experienced more changes in such a short amount of lifetime years then any other in so many ways. At least we can tune out what we don't want and select what we enjoy in life including the type of music we play and listen too.
Hang in there your not alone.

NOTHING WRONG WITH A GOOD ARRANGER KEYBOARD. Play as arranger or play it with manual drums and bass or synth ect. That's the beauty of arrangers. Its a full toolbox Just pick the tool you need.
MEL

Thank you Don Mason...for both coming out and asking for thoughts and critiques, and for receiving them with such grace.
You're a classy guy who deserves everybody's respect.

Well for starters, I feel blessed that I still enjoy going to work each day. The tools have changed over the years, but my primary motivation is still the creative "conversations" I have with my audiences during a performance. Sure, the automation has affected it, like I mentioned .... it's a bit of a disconnect, but not totally.
Bottom line: I will sing until I no longer can, or no one will come listen ... whichever comes first.

With regard to playing more acoustic instruments ... since I now have the automated accompaniment, and prerecorded tracks, I have the freedom to add more of myself, and add some versatility to the sound. When I customize a track at home, I relate to being a painter - creating a piece of art for sale. I do the research - practice the craft - choose the medium - assemble the pieces, and produce the piece for final appreciation ... again, and again, and again.
Then I get to play along, and add my spontaneous "sauce" to the stew!

So now what no keyboard?
Just sing and play against backing tracks? Or?

No, no, no. As I said a little earlier, he kb is my Command Central. It allows me to navigate all my media with live recourses. It's there when I need it, or want it. Generally, 4 nights a week I never use tracks until the second set, when all the guests artists begin to sit in. That first set is my favorite ... whatever I feel like. A lot of LH bass, rhythm, and Rhodes.

For outside jobs the KB stays home, and I use the ipad and my voice ... and sometimes banjo and sax.

Remember this little portable (even battery powered, if needed) rig?

That's what I keep telling my wife!
Thanks Sparky. You are very kind.

No shame going DJ style out there

....sometimes the passion & act needs some tweaking as long as the audiences enjoy your act in what ever way it is accomplished good luck!

I prefer to think of it as "front man" style. I orchestrate my show just the same as when there were other musicians with me, and I was out front connecting with the audience. I don't categorize it as DJ mode when I'm singing, and emceeing every number. No shame to DJs, but my approach (as many of my competitors embrace) is as an interactive host, who sings, and regulates the pulse of the room. Semantics? Maybe ... but it makes me feel more creative.

Dave....Thanks for responding to my post. Also, apologies to DonM for taking his post south (as usual), but Dave's post really did stir my curiosity about the attitudes of long-time 'live' musicians about the effects of automation (on them) and how they've used (or avoided) it. I'm sure there's a variety of opinions on the matter but let's not take this post ever further 'south'. Interesting perspective(s) though.

chas

You're right. This was Don's topic. OOPS!

Feel free. I've accomplished what I wanted! I think I'll start out with it flat tonight, and try to tweak as I go.

Don,
One thing I always needed was a bit more punch from drum patterns that weren't rock or disco. Using EQ was a fast fix for this. Wish you could set a global Drum EQ, but it seems to be saved for each pattern individually.

Good luck Don I hope everything works out we are expecting full review when you're done and maybe a song if you're up to it....

My back went out last night. I can sit in my chair or stand, but when I get up and down or twist side to side, the pain is terrible. Haven't had back trouble in a long time. It will get better in a few days I'm sure.

Oh nooooo! Back pain is no joke ouch!
Rest and relaxation is needed to heal.
Getting old ain't for whimps as Gary always says...... Get well soon buddy..

I have a more compact set up than your setup... If I want to go keyboard-less..

Marantz Pro voice rover (battery power , Bluetooth and built in wireless mic system..)

No power cords or patch cords..

Just use my phone with tracks and lyrics, and the included wireless mic,,

Setup time.. turn phone on and turn the power switch on the amp on..
virtually seconds..

Marantz has wheels and tele handle...everything stores in the Marantz..

Don, Ice pad followed by warm compresses. Some light massages --- maybe.
Had back pain this past week -- used the above, all gone.

John C.

Don ... I strained my left oblique muscle last week ... been taking some muscle relaxers, anti inflammatory meds, and mild pain killers ... but BIOFREEZE gel has helped a lot ...
Sitting in one position the way we do at a gig can really aggravate back pain ...
Good luck with it and feel better fast ...

Not much fun getting getting older. Haha.
Stupid me slipped on some ice, smashed my wrist, spent the next 4 weeks in plaster, next 8 weeks in a splint.
Great timing, 2 days before we moved house.

Finally got my keyboards unpacked again. Haha

I made it through the night o.k. Only took one break, because I was afraid to stand up. It does seem to be a LITTLE better though.
Thanks!

Hi Don, backs are nasty when they go. Doesn’t take much to put one’s back out. Did something to mine a couple of xmas’s ago, by simply stretching across to switch on a button. Survived on pain killers and a herbal arthritis spray ( which helped a bit). I found rest helped the most.

haug, back pain! Been living with it for the last year when I fell out of the bed and broke 4 ribs. About the only thing that has seemed to give me relief (and then for only a short time) is cbd intensive cream. I think Willie may have something but it doesn't seem to work if you don't inhale. I tried some but I don't smoke so went make to the cream. Just waiting for the courts to get our laws straighten out here in Arkansas so we can ge legal medical. Figure they'll market something that we can eat or drink then. I may have to try some rum in the meantime.

Actually I'm a veteran with the back pain, but it hasn't bothered me in several years until this week.
Maybe it's a LITTLE better today.
I don't smoke either, but I may start drinking!
Thanks everybody.

Add me to the club. I think it's just one more product of old age. I also agree that spending hours on a (keyboard) bench with no back support may be causative. Like some others, the only thing that brings (me) any long-term relief is rest (aided by a little ibuprofen). Mine usually only lasts about 3 days followed by a week or so of very cautious movements so as not to restart it. Man oh man, how many Genos's would we give to turn the clock back (health-wise) 15 or 20 years? Just think, no more Viag....oops, nevermind.



chas

Talk about South?
The Penguins are laughing.. Lol

Yes everything is stiff except what you'd like to be!

At this age the only organ you're going to be playing with is the Korg...

Speak for yourself Donny lol

Welcome to the grumpy old men's locker room ...

hahahahaha Blue pill comes to mind bernie?

Now you know as well as anyone that you have to use any tool available to get the job done. It matters little how you get there as long as you do.

Yeah, speak for yourself Donny.
John C.

all you stud muffins at this age sex is overrated,........
play your arranger instead it lasts longer lol

so when is the Pa1100 coming out Winter NAMM? or?

No of course not. The 1000 is still quite new. Maybe in three years. Unlike Yamaha, Korg does not update a couple of things and call it new!

Takes me 3-4 days to completely recover from a 4 hr gig and loading/unloading, travel time etc.. Prior back injury resulting in nerve damage and a couple surgeries. Serious dvt blood clot in leg four years ago causes leg and ankle to swell from being down sitting while performing, driving to and from gig..takes a day for that to go down..

Thinking of giving it up at end of this year..

I thought it was the Old Fogey's Brigade (named by U.D.)...

Did Donny just say an arranger lasts longer? Which one??