... first impressions say "It's a keeper," and here's why:

The PROS
Feels great (I know-subjective) Similar action to the PA900, and such. Much more solid, and responsive than the Casio/PSR lower end stuff.
Very attractive (also subjective)
Joystick
Great sounds, and styles - better than average speakers
Quick on/off selection of all kb parts, and most style groups
(dedicated on/off for percussion group, which I LOVE - who plays congas in big band swing charts???????)
** THREE upper KB sounds, one lower
Clean stereo audio in (I need this for iPad, and mic processor (TC Perform VK)
Plays MP3/SMF/WAV files from USB
Can be battery powered with 8 AAs
Simple, uncluttered layout
Super lightweight
*** UNDER $400, and Powers up in TEN seconds!

The CONS
**Take these with a grain of salt, because of the price-point**

Here's the biggest downer, for me:
You can't rewrite, or save styles, so each time you call up a new pattern, all the accompaniment parts turn on by default. You can save Set Lists (registrations) with your choices, but the tempo lock will not keep a steady tempo if you change from location to location. I frequently use the same sound set (piano/bass or Rhodes/bass) and change rhythm patterns during a song ... unless you prewrite a "set List" with the desired tempos, when you change patterns, the tempo will go to the default of the style. This KB is aimed at the casual user, with basic needs, and intended to use with auto accmpt, so it's no small wonder that my "wish list" is not filled. Still ... it's very impressive for the $$, and I'm most likely going to keep it.

Here are some "lesser" worries that I don't love, but can live with:
The shift button is required for tempo and individual volume selection - awkward
(it's also located over the left hand, which makes one handed operation difficult for RH items, like tempo, and transpose)
Wall wart power supply (I understand why, but it's not my fav)
MIDI over USB only, no 5 pin DIN jack - small inconvenience

I'm not listing any more "cons" because at this price, I don't believe they will be a factor for many users, myself included. I bought this as a quick in/out piece for quiet jobs that require minimal setup, low volume, and low energy. No clubs, or dances.

If I didn't already have more than a few TC harmonizers laying around, my choice might have included higher priced kbs that had mic inputs, but since I already owned a few, my choice was influenced by that fact. If you plan to sing along with this kb, add the cost of your vocal processor to the mix for a more fair comparison.

In summary - I think I'm going to like this piece for it's intended use.
(Fingers crossed)

OK, Donny ... post your barrage of links, and tell me what I really think.

Hey Dave thanks for the review! It can run off batteries, right?

Yup! 8 AAs.

Good luck with it Dave hope it works out for your needs...

https://www.ebay.com/

https://reverb.com/

Now that was funny..

Yup, he's a funny, funny guy

"Good luck with it Dave hope it works out for your needs... "

-----------------------------------

But what he REALLY meant was '@#$%&#%&%&Z$%X&....and the horse you rode in on'

Naw, just kidding Dave; I know that you and Fran are the only ones allowed to tease Donny .

chas

Hey, I'll tease that Yankee anytime I want to!

Yeah, but that's only 'cause you got a badge........and a gun.



chas

Back to the EK 50. How do plan on using this KB Dave? Are you going to be using a VH with this KB? I’m sure everyone would love to here a demonstration by you. Keep us posted on you thoughts. Thanks!

Paul, I bought this keyboard to fill a particular need for a quick in/out background setting at a local winery ,that I do once a month. I'll use a TC Perform VK for my vocals, but I'm not sure if this intimate setting will benefit from harmonies, since it's very low key/low volume endeavor. I find that electronic aids need a little more "air motion" to add the realism they require to not sound robotic. When my acoustic vocals will likely be louder that the amplified signal, the harmonies may not shine as well as they are capable of, in a more suited setting. Harmonies sound the best slightly behind in the mix, but this is going to be like singing in an overly reverberated living room. The giant wine tanks create a studio-like reverb, much like the early plates. It's really quite pleasant. Not boomy all all.

The biggest thing I need to wrap my head around is changing drum styles during playback of a song. I may have a few workarounds, but it's not as simple as pressing the tempo lock button. I respect what Korg has done in making this a simple, great sounding kb at a very affordable price, and I won't blame them if it falls short of my performance needs, but I'm dedicated to finding a way to make it work.

*** WAIT! ***

In a way - this IS all Korg's fault for not making the PAAS bar speaker able to amplify all the incoming signals that the PA4X allows. My 4x would be the perfect instrument for this job, if I could playback my ipad through the speakers (like the PA900 does), and not loose the mic/harmony features. Technically, it's possible if I use the Line Inputs, but then I need a small mixer, and external vocal processing, which takes away all the ease, and portability that the sound bar affords.
Sigh ... I'm such an odd duck - nothing off the rack (or shelf, in this case) seems to suit my particular style of creation. Sometimes I miss the old days when every instrument did ONE thing, and very well :
Rhodes, with a Moog bass, and synth on top, and drum machine du jour .... it was heaven .... but HEAVEY, and bulky.

I'm rambling. The EK50 should be perfectly suited for these jobs that I have at the winery, since I don't have the demand for quick changes to please a dance floor. It's cool, laid back, and should be very relaxing - for me, AND the audience. I'll try to record this beast when I get a chance.

Oh yes ... as for the way Fran and I RAZZ Donny - he is very aware that we love him dearly ... quirks, and all. Nothing we say here, can't be said right to his face. Our families know and enjoy each other, and we share a mutual respect for each others talents. That's basically true for most of us Zoners ... much of the trash talk we throw around is perceived more harshly than intended, because of the text format. Without body language, vocal inflection, and eye contact, a simple sentence can be taken out of context, or sound hurtful, when, in fact, it was only meant as a light hearted teasing. I'm kind of glad this forum is not as PC as the news media seems to want us all to be. We're all grownups here, with a common purpose, and if you can't take a joke ... don't engage.
What does Don Mason often say about wrestling pigs? (smile)
I truly believe that this place is a safe haven for all, and underneath our skins, we're mostly the same ... creative, poetic souls looking to connect with like minded beings. Bravo, Nigel for allowing us to gather in such a positive environment!


peace

Never 'rassle with a pig. You can't win, you get all muddy and the pig loves it!

Thanks for explaining on how you intend on using the EK 50 Dave.
I know you use a lot of VH so I was wondering how you would do so as the EK 50 didn’t have a midi out, correct?

Personally I’m looking for a battery KB and speaker for low key out door events
like back yard parties where it can be a hassle having to use those long ass extension chords, hoping nobody trips! Also I might want to try to busk sometime....

That's the beauty of the "Perform" series by TC. The Perform VK has 1/4" line inputs for your keyboard signal. No midi needed for chord recognition.
As an added plus, the VK has an 1/8" aux in that I use with my iPad ... the unit also reads chords from this input, so even if I walk out front, or play guitar, or sax, the track feeds the chords to the harmonizer.

All this is jolly well good in theory ... I'll let you all know how it works in practice, once I take it out on a job.

I bought one of those VK units from Don M. I really need to get it out of the box and try it... lol

I hooked up the VK to the kb today, and it's going to work just fine for the mic, but I'm having an issue when I also plug my ipad into the aux in (on the VK) I get instant feedback, even if the volume is at zero. I'm looking through the manual, and doing some research on why now.
I found another shortcoming - the song mode only allows 99 MP3 songs, no matter how many you have on your disk. There may be formatting issues here, but I followed the directions, and formatted the USB drive in the kb first. There's 999 locations for saving user recorded songs, but I don't understand why it won't read all the songs on my flash drive. This is a first. It's not like they are loaded into the kb, itself - they reside on the USB stick. Puzzling.

I still like it alot, but I'm finding out what it CAN, and CANNOT do. It's a process, but either way - it's coming to the winery in July.
More info as I learn it.

The more I listen to it ... the more I like it.😎

Perform VK feedback issue update:

I'm still quite baffled that I can hook up the harmonizer to the KB aux in, and have no issues UNTIL I plug the iPad into the VK aux in. There's no logical reason that this connection should induce a feedback loop, but sometimes sonic gremlins defy logic. If I reduce the volume of the VK output, then the feedback can be controlled. Curious, and curiouser, right? This has all been preliminary testing in my studio, and not a practical hookup, which I'll try to do this week. I set it up as intended, and run a mini rehearsal to see whether its powers are for good or evil.

I did a lot of comparison research, and there is nothing in this price range that can do a better job, so if I have to make some concessions, then that's the plan. I need a light, small, quiet, all-in-one instrument for when the PA4x is a bit too much.
The Yamaha 410 was in the running, but the extra 6 inches makes it too long for all my cases. It also has wimpier speakers. This unit has to handle the kb, AND vocals without buzzing, or fuzzing.
The Yamaha 463 has no discrete audio outs without disabling the speakers. I need that monitor factor. The internal speakers will be 75-80% of the perceived sound in the room. I intend to bring an S1pro just for some added bass, and directionality.
I didn't include Casio because of SO many reasons .... mostly key flimsiness (worse than Yamaha), sounds and styles. (yup - that's everything about it)

Sooooooo, friends - my journey continues, and as I approach the destination (on stage at the winery), I feel more, and more convinced that Korg has a winner in this budget category. If the worst case scenario is that the accompaniment parts turn on each time a patter is selected, Korg has provided me with 2 handy buttons to shut off all the cheese in a split second. Not my first choice, but not a bad workaround. Sometimes, it's all about compromise.
There are a bunch of the great EPs I love in this board, and the drums sound fantastic, so add that to my vocals, and you've got a band.
(fingers crossed)

Why not the guitar rig w/vocals instead of KB just
for this small quiet gig..?

Two reasons ... this winery is an afternoon thing, and I'm already set up for work that evening at the restaurant. I don't want to tear down my steady rig.
The other reason is the intimacy, and fullness of the keys. With guitar, I rely on more tracks, and rhythm for the ensemble, but in this intimate setting, a keyboard affords me options that will be more pleasing at a lower intensity. Tracks are awesome, in the right setting, but the quieter you play, the less convincing the music sounds when it's prerecorded. MIDI, MP3, drum tracks - they all suffer when you're not pushing a little more air. I can also sing a lot less with the keys, because I can fill in melodies to rest my pipes, which is paramount with this season's schedule. Singing 30+ hours a week can take a toll, when there's no down time to rest.
My job at the winery is background, not showman, so I'll use the tools that best facilitate that.
Every job is different. I've never been a cookie cutter performer, and I think that may be why I have been blessed with so much work. I tailor every job to the client, the venue, and the moment.

I may need to issue a retraction about this statement.
I've listened to a few demos, and the sounds have definitely improved from everything I've ever played by Casio. The key feel is still an issue, so I'll try one out when I get home tomorrow, and tell you what I think. If it's solid, and tight, I may put it in the running.
Feature-wise, it actually might have more to offer, with the mic input, so my ears are open. Se shall see.

Dave, have you considered trying a small inline (headphone) volume control with the iPad? Behringer has 2 small models.

I figured out that the feedback was, in fact, my fault. I created a loop by running the kb into the 1/4" ins on the VK, and by plugging the HP out (from the VK) into the kb aux in, the volume was able to get outo of control. The puzzling thing was that it only fed back, AFTER I plugged the ipad into the VK. I was able to use it at a nominal volume. This is all a mute point now, sine I've learned that the EK-50 will not fully support my needs, so I'll get a PA700, which has a 5 pin midi jack - problem solved.

Not sure what that would add to the mix (pun intended) The iPad has volume controls, and the HP out on the VK has a level control as well. Thanks, anyway!

Dave, we kid Donny about his frequent KB purchases and Donny, in turn, admonishes me (and others) about hoarding. But in fact, one of the worst offenders is right here hiding in plain sight; his name....Uncle Dave . I mean, real Rhodes, SV1, PA4x?, EK40, PA700 (on the horizon), and untold volumes of 'accessory gear'. Well at least you've got SOME justification, being a full-time professional. Plus, I assume you sell or trade some of your gear, something I can't bring myself to do (hence, four organs ).

There seems to be three types:

1. Those that constantly buy and sell (Donny, DonM, et.al.)
2. Those that (impulsively) buy and hoard (chas and quite a few others ).
3. Those that buy, make themselves satisfied with their choices, and keeps them for years, sometimes decades (Fran, Russ--if you don't count his guitars :), Gary, Tony).

In the end, whatever makes you happy (and doesn't put you in the poor house ).

chas

Yes I am guilty for #1 an excessive gear addict in the past
(Now Recovered) to a large degree. And it is because I made it like that. I also feel that with the stoppage of frequently released gear which is turning more and more toward Computer driven devices it has changed the landscape in a major way. There is just too much to choose from and everyone is going in a different direction. We are the last generation of OLD & NEW in one life time....once we're gone it's over.
Or is it?

Chas - Had to at least try it, right? How else do you know if it'll work for you? Today's mail order marketplace is built on the return system, so I take advantage of it. All it cost was $15 in return shipping to Sweetwater. Well worth the cost to give it a test. I didn't have to drive anywhere, or expend much energy to order it.
And yes - I rely on these tools for my living, so I need to be abreast of the latest things that may make my job better/easier, or more lucrative

BTW - My Rhodes is a sentimental (somewhat guilty) pleasure, and the SV-1 is a more practical studio piece to give me options for recording Rhodes-type things that need the advantages of MIDI or other digital sweeteners.
The 4x is a major recording/rehearsal piece, and the 700 is a more portable option for the teeny jobs that don't require all the fluff that's in the flagship.
Sometimes, only bread & butter is required, so why bring a buffet?

'sAll gud, my friend. I'm no hoarder, but I DO need to have the right tool for the job. I evaluate honestly, and decide if it's a keeper. I only posted my trial here for the benefit of others who may be considering the same. I still like the EK50, but it's just not right for this purpose.