KORG Pa1000 Second Time Around review,..(Isn't That A song)

I opened the box and fired up the Pa1000. To me it's a Mini Pa4x in many ways and not so many also. Weight is perfect for gigging and a nice lean size.The speakers sound awesome much improved with some EQ/Limiter etc, even better,.. I'd prefer a more "textured feel" to the keys & buttons vs the smooth surfaces & "sharpish edge" black keys, but I can live with it, I Love the TILT up 3 position Display, it's brightly lit, Lyrics are very readable,different font sizes,colors, etc, & has on-deck front USB port, I'll have to get used to the new Burgundy/Black Color the RED "Limited version" I liked on the Pa700 but wasn't available,TC Helicon Vocal Harmony works & tracks flawlessly and sounds amazing as expected, Korg should have put the AC cord port & all inputs/outputs etc, on the extreme right or left instead of the center which could effect a player using a Apex center pole KB stand. I'll report more as I go along and do my homework setting it up again. So far my previous Pa4x & third party styles are loading & sounding pretty good with a few tweaks here and there, My previous Songbook song setups loaded OK and listed in order saves lots of time, but a few titles are synced with different styles which is to be expected and will have to readjust them one by one which was easy.. Another thing I like about KORG arrangers is that you can unlock all factory styles and totally edit them in any way you want or even remove them for style banks if you wish unlike other units. Let me say this about Korg arrangers.....they are not start up and play...if you want that buy a Yamaha arranger..Korg arrangers OOTB need to be made the way YOU want them to soundby digging into the deep operating system and using all the great editing tools inside to tweak all perimeters make it sound the way YOU want (If you know how)..yes it takes time, yes it is tedious, yes it's frustrating at times, but you soon realize that this ain't no out of the box plug & play keyboard ,since we have all this down time at home due to the Virus crisis a lengthy time diving into the OS is a welcoming period to learn the unit. I have to be honest many styles sound terriffic right away & some good but are weak in quality sound overall and need to be worked on with different drum editing, mostly drum kit, snare drum resonance, mid-range eq, reverb, tuning, decay time, etc,... bass guitar sounds can be a problem with bleeding and need attention too. I don't like the keybed feel, yes it is a very light touch but the keys don't go downward enough for my liking and limit expressiveness also not enough resistance for me.
Good news all the capabilities KORG gives you but you have to dig in, use them, and make it your own. If your NOT into editing, don't buy a KORG arranger KB.The Songbook is one of the main reasons I went back to KORG...there are many more I will mention later. The Yamaha Psr/S registration system, and the so called playlist function on my Genos was ridiculous and annoying to use. The KORG Songbook is what a player needs to navigate within and search through their repertoire of songs, styles, Smf, Mp3, etc, with ease, & scroll through song list, select, play, simply Brilliant!!

Will I keep it?...
To be continued........

i've had a love/hate relationship with korg for over 20 years. so i kinda solve that with buying a psr e463. when i get tired of tweaking i go to the yammie. problem solved. this little keyboard does a lot in the right hands. i think thats the key to all keyboard and of this is put the keyboard in the right hands and watch the magic. now i have my both units set up for stage(like thats gonna happen)to use together or alone. at this stage in my life, im very happy with my setup . but im a musician, always ready for change.

for got to say enjoy that keyboard. and keep asking how can i make my music better. good luck

Thank you sir....

I have both a Sz900, and a Pa4x, they are both fantastic keyboards --- depending on your needs/desires. Pa4x, a fantastic machine. If you are playing for people it gives all you need, top shelf. It is like have a large streamline truck to move your stuff.

The Yamaha sx900, is sweeter, clearer, natural, a personality of its own. It is like taking a trip with a beautiful sedan.

It is difficult to appreciate a Pa4x in my small studio room where there is nobody but me.
I may sell my Pa4x, working two different OS systems is a bit challenging at my age.
Yes it’s true, I do walk into the wrong room when looking for something.
John C.

Sorry to hear that John I would think you'd reverse that
and keep the Korg....good luck whatever direction you go.

Dnj. They were my same thoughts when I purchased the Pa1000.
Look forward to reading more of your Pa second time around report.

Glad you're digging in and enjoying the Korg. Sometimes it take a few visits to dig deeper and learn all these boards offer. Hope you're doing well.....we are shut down another month in Michigan.

Zuki/Graham...thanx for the encouragement
every day I try to learn more and dig in to the OS for a few hours
all the tools are in there for sure.
Once I get a style set up I save to user and then setup all the songs, lyrics, key, settings etc,
and enter it into the Songbook for performance..
Then move on to the next styles and songs
TIP from Don M ...always put a 1 in the "genre box" on pg2 in songbook
so that when you search by genre all YOUR Songs will be
shown first on the list....

The best thing I took from this is the solution to your Songbook problem. You sure went through a lot of frustration with the Yamaha OS. This may be it for you,at least in the near term.

Good luck

Bernie yes if I was still performing on the circuit
the Korg and songbook is the way to go.......
but somehow I get the feeling I am not settled yet and
maybe would like to go in a more creative direction...
after all why am I spending so much time setting up songs
when I am not going to go out and play them?
I am happier creating tracks with a controller KB
and just singing.
We'll see what I feel like later.

That said I returned the KORG Pa1000 today..

next direction..

And my calendar do not show that today is April 1st..... 😮🙄😱

Your keyboard dealer have to be the most patient business partner in the whole wide world. 🥇💐

Anyway, wish you all the best of luck with the next project, whatever it is. 👍

Thank you GJ I appreciate that....
I buy alot of gear and if I am not happy
I will return it so someone else can enjoy...
that said I have now went full circle 2x each
except for KETRON so who knows ....?
I really like the sound of the Ketron units more then anything else.....it definitely has the best LIVE sound I have heard to date in an arranger KB..

And the "journey" (or whatever it is) continues.

Sorry the Korg didn't work out Donny - the search goes on... keep the faith!

Thanx Randy,...as long as I have a Mic, laptop, mixer
& My RCF Pa system I am golden baby!!

Sure, but you will miss playing music very soon and more than likely buy another Ketron.
P.S. My EA7 is for sale....but only for $2000.00 plus shipping. And no returns. I will throw in the power cable at no charge, along with a CD of myself doing exclusively Hank Williams songs. Autographed with Red magic marker. And a business card with my picture on it. Why, I'll even sign the back of the business card. And it's BUY ONE GET ONE FREE. Just pay a separate fee. Of another thousand.
And a naked picture of my wife. The picture is naked, not the wife.
Anybody else gettin' bored sitting at home? I'm ready to rumble here.
But that could be the Taco Soup I had for Cinco de Mayonnaise.

Donny, I think you’re ready for the SD60...good luck with your choice!

DonM, so glad you are sharing your sense of humor with the rest of us ...

Mitch I am ready for nothing...
The arranger kb thrill is sadly gone... For now gonna make music in other ways.


Stay Safe

Thank you. Thank you very much. I'll be installing a PayPal link soon, and I want everyone to give until it hurts. For each donation you will be awarded a ticket that will enter you into a drawing for a wrinkled sweaty handkerchief, with which I actually wiped my brow after singing Brown-eyed Girl for the 1,000th time.
It's your chance to get a real piece of history. Now this handkerchief was NOT used for nose-blowing at any time, so that reduces the chance of catching some virus if one ever develops. And the handkerchief was made right here in the US, by hand, by the Amish. I think.
It just can't get any better than that friends.
P S. I wish DNJ would start a thread about his recent trial run with the Korg PA1000. Should be very interesting.

South again?
Oh well... BTW anyone know where I can get a zesty Colonic and a good Margarita?..

The subject of the post has been sold, so there's nothing to keep it "up north", right? Have some fun with it.

Are you mad at me? Just tried to call you. Wanted to talk to you about your automobile's extended warranty.

?????

I was going to pretend I knew what he was talking about. Thought maybe it was a new arranger.
The all-new top of the line Zesty Colonic, coming soon to you. Combines all the best parts of Korg, Yamaha, Roland and Ketron into one keyboard cocktail. I'll buy one!

Sorry to ruin it for you Don ...

Hi Don sorry I missed your call but the family was watching
the VOICE together and being it was the eliminations voting
the kids wouldn't let me disturb that.
call me later today.

Tony try it before you knock it.....just sayin'

BTW Tony I was waiting for you call also....????

Donny, Maybe try the Genos again, you never know...maybe it will strike the right chord!
Lee

Lee ....been there done that no Genos again for me for sure.
I am taking a break from arrangers ..

did you see this setup for you...?

http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthread...n_se#Post495853

Yes, Donny, I know ... but it's amazing how a 1 year old who can't walk or talk yet can occupy your day ... but having her here has been sheer delight ...
I'll get to you ...

BTW, How did the girl from Staten Island make out on the Voice?

Donny, maybe it's time for the...
ControlBLADE

Or if your really adventurous:
The KAMI...

Mitch you were close

Tony it was great to chat with you yesterday again..
I hope I was able to help you a little bit.
It's a lot to take in but I know you will make the right choices...good luck paisan!