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.