Gunnar,

Google "how to connect Korg EXP-2 to korg pa5x" and there should be videos showing you how to proceed.

Thank's Taike, I will.
Did follow all steps in manuals there was to find when tried it on Pa4X, but no success....
I've sold the Pa4 (and the pedal), but did post a topic at Korg forums.
Hopefully there will be some replies with ideas about how to and what pedal that's the best choice for Pa5X. It's shipped and on the way, so will probably have it here during the week to come. 👍
Genos is a quite easy task regarding to pedal settings. Works like a charm!

Hi Gunnar Jonny
If I understand you correctly, you did not get to set up the EXP-2 as volume control for right hand sounds on the PA4X. I don't know anything about the PA5X but it might be similar to the 4X. This is how I do it on 4X. First go to Global - Menu - Controllers - Foot - Choose keyboard Expression - Exit. Then go to Menu - Keyboard Ensemble - tick off which sound you want the EXP-2 to control the volume on. I use the EXP-2 to control volume, E.G a string over a piano sound etc. EXP-2 must be connected to Assignable on the back. Don't know if it was helpful. Let me know how you like your 5X.
skude

Hi Skude
"Long time, no see"

Yeah, I thought it would be just as simple as it is at other arrangers I've had, included Genos, where it works flawlessly, but no success.
I used the cable that was supplied in the box, one with 'stereo' jackplugs in both ends, and used the assignable output. Also tried different choises in menus, but nope...
I sold the pedal with the Pa4, and have not ordereed any new for the Pa5 yet, because maybe an other model may work or fit better? My
hope is to get it work to lower and rise the volume at whatever sounds played with (upper) right hand when I play in accomp left hand chord mode.

I have to say that I liked the Pa4 a lot, in fact as much that I did decide to sell it quite quick and order Pa5. (Even if I knew that Genos2 was at the edge to be launched).
Had to learn the new OS anyway, so I could just as well jump into it first as last.
I'll swap G1 for G2 in a couple of months, and I guess that will be the final arranger keyboard upgrades for me.
Years flies, and we don't get any younger. Who knows for how long time we will remember what key to press to get it produce any sound....
The Pa5 is on the way, and probably here during a few days. 👍
I'll let you know how it works for me when get to know it.
Keep well! 🌞🎶🎵

Hi Gunnar Jonny.
Yes, it has been a while. Understood then that you were about to move into a new apartment, and you've probably got things sorted out by now. As you probably remember, I worked a lot with Ketron Event, (which I sold), but after a lot of hours I found out that I would rather continue with my PA4X, which has served me well for many years. I also play lower with chords, and control upper sounds with the EXP-2, sometimes 1 or 2 or all 3. I've looked a bit at the PA5X but see that it doesn't have a contact for the EC5 foot switch. I have to have that, so until there is an update with a solution for this, it is not relevant for me. Some functions that are on 4X are probably also missing. Hope Korg follows up with an update for this, so we'll see what the future brings. Good luck with the PA5X. Let's hear how it goes.
skude

Hi Skude,
Yes, we sold our house after 48 years and moved to a appartement closer to the center of the region.
As years goes and the body reach the maintainance age, it not as fun to have alot of painting, gardening and all that follows when own house and property. Much more convient and easy now.

Regarding Pa5X and the EC5, it looks like there is some solutions that may work.
A quick searc at YT came up with some videos. One with a solution with a Behringer pedal, and one with the 'old' EC5 and a Fatar.
Have to take a deep dive into YT to see what more there is to find....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpjhY4PO8j0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSTPTtAEpBw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=cqMKWgSbYiQ

Hi Gunnar Jonny
I know maintenance work well, my house has just turned 50.

Checked the videos a bit, when I see the midi setup I miss the function text Page up/Down and also Vocal harmonizer On/Off, which I use all the time. Don't know if this is only possible with EC5. I have to spend some time to check if this is possible with midi or USB. There will probably be more information as it is updated. Enjoy your new keyboard, it will be fun.

Life definitely got a lot harder for Korg users with the dropping of the EC5 switch input, and the delay of integrating USB controllers to the OS with the PA5X. It’s hard to understand Korg’s thinking on this one, releasing it before some very important stuff was ready to be used. If you’re going to completely replace something that worked, make sure its replacement works BEFORE you launch the product!

Yeah, it puzzles me too, and as we can see at the korg Forum, many users is not to pleased about certain things.
At first I thought maybe Korg had another thing coming up to replace EC5, but so far it don't seem to be the case.
Anyway, guess we have to learn to find the best moves to cope with the functions in other ways as best as we can.... at least until (if?) we see any updates.
Never the less, I'm looking forward to sit down and explore Pa5. It may be good health care to have some new challenges for my aging brain.

Btw, Korg just released a new update, and Genos2 already got the first fix / update. Did not take long.
As usual, whatever brand, the users buy at high prices and work enthusiastic for free as beta testers.....

Yes I was disappointed to see that the EC5 was left out on the PA5X, it is a "must have" for me. I have used this for many many years and I think that playing without it live will be difficult for me. Old habits are hard to break. We'll see if Korg comes up with something. Until then, my very stable PA4X will do the job for me. Not so sure the dancing crowd cares if it says 4X or 5X as long as they get their music.
skude

Korg’s original plan was for USB peripherals to replace the hardwired multi-switch option. Iirc, this was supposed to work on PA4X as well, but seemed to have got shoved to the back burner in the light of the 5’s many, many other issues.

The good side of going USB would be you weren’t limited to just 5 switches, and a host of options are available with a variety of switches. But it would still be able to access the full range of choices, many of which don’t necessarily have MIDI codes (so you can’t use MIDI foot controllers for full functionality).

You can also opt to use USB pad matrix devices if you prefer to operate the functions with your hands.

But given Korg’s monumental list of features to either fix or add back wholesale, it’s possible to understand why it’s taking so long. In the meanwhile, check to see if the functions you particularly want have a MIDI code to operate, and a MIDI foot controller like the Behringer could work…

There is still hope, just had a ride at the FAQ page at Korg:

Hardware Options
Q: Will there be a replacement for the EC5 foot switch?
A: The EC5 footswitch has been negatively affected by the component shortages affecting so many industries around the world.
We have to redesign it using alternative components but still delivering the same controls.
Unfortunately, the production date is still uncertain.

Btw.
Pa5X-76 arrived yesterday, and at first glance and testrun, I'm feeling pretty good about the machine. 👍
Also the OS is totally different from Pa4X, and is in fact more lookalike what's on Genos.
Drives, folders and filehandling is very recognoseable as i.e. we can see when use PC.
That said, there is so much that's new for me, and asking stupid questions may happen more than often. 😁

Personally I mean it's a big drawback that there is only a Quick Starter Guide following in the box.
All manuals should be in paper / book format the same way as we always got it delivered before.
Aditional info when sofwareupdates and such occur is Ok to download as xx.pdf.

As a new user, I have to say that a member at Korgforum (Antony Sharmman) have done a great job
to make a single KST set named PA4X all Factory Resources.KST

Description:

KEYBOARDSET
- Pa4X All 343 KBD SET
- Pa4X OS Next 176 KBD SET

PAD
Pa4X All 414 PAD
- DRUMS & Perc
- FX
- Melodic

STYLE
- Pa4X 266 Bonus Styles
- Pa4X All 504 Styles
- Pa4X OS Next 80 Styles

It's only to extract the zipfile, put it in a folder in any USB, copy into the internal drive or as I did, into a microSD Card.
Pa5 loads and play the single styles that also includes the 4 'Keyboard Set' with ease. (Similiar as Yamaha's OTS).
I'm not any good as left hand pianoplayer, but as an +/- 85% styleplayer I'm very pleased with that addon made avaiable for Pa5X!

It still remains to deside what pedal to buy for volumecontrol, and to dive into if it' possible to get it work as I want it to... 🤔

I’m not sure exactly how to take Korg’s ‘excuse’ for dropping the EC5. The ONLY components in it are five regular momentary switches, available anywhere. There’s no active circuitry, no power, nothing.

In fact, quite a few people have built their own EC5, it’s a very basic simple project. The six pin DIN plug is easy to source. I simply don’t buy Korg’s excuse. From what I remember, the plan was to use USB peripherals so pad banks, switches, even pedals could be integrated. And then the complexity of completely overhauling the OS left the question of peripherals on the back burner…

I have a feeling that these decisions were made before Covid screwed up supply chains, it’s no simple thing to retool the hardware design and drop the input, the PA5X’s specs were likely in place pretty early on.

But, bottom line, I always thought that only 5 switches always shortchanged the player, these are just too many things they can do. Even a basic scenario, where you use the switches do Variation selection (with auto-fill on) you’ve only got one left. My FC-7 for Roland’s had seven, so you could have three switches for anything else, and that seemed more usable.

But a larger problem still needed addressing. Iirc, both the Korg’s and Roland’s stored the footswitch assignments in ONE ‘global’ setting, which radically restricts the footswitch’s usefulness. I always wanted the FC-7’s setting stored with each Performance (correct me if Korg allows this), as the needs for style use, SMF use and live band use are all quite different (not much need for Variation selection when using a sequence!).

But noooooo..! 😡🤬

Those of us that come from organ backgrounds can do a lot with our feet! 😎🎹

Korg Pa5x EC5 Multi Footswitch Alternative That Works on Most Korg Arrangers!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpjhY4PO8j0

Main issue with the Behringer is that it can only address parameters that have a MIDI command available. Not sure about Korg’s, but Roland had many parameters with no MIDI command.

You might want to check your manual’s MIDI implementation for all commands you regularly use (or might want to use) and make sure they have a hook into the OS that way…

Hi Gunnar Jonny.
Sent you PM
skude

👍

Congrats on the 5X. Been very interested in moving up, after 4 -5 years with the 4. Especially interested in the acoustic piano (it almost sounded Nord-like on a video (woodier, finally). I also saw how the 4X loads automatically in the 5X - curious how that works. The 4X from 3 was a disaster and almost threw it in a dumpster! Anyway, so many other features, morphing styles, etc. Pads....zuki

Tnx Zuki.

I'm not an experienced Korg user, only had an MicroArranger that's now taken over by our grandkids. Then a few weeks to get to know a bit about the Pa4X.
That experience was so pleasant that I sold it and ordered a Pa5X-76.
I've got some Pa4 stuff from a friend, and also downloaded a lot of that is avaiable at the Korg forum and elsewhere at the web.
I'm amazed about how easy it is to adapt the Pa4 styles & sets to Pa5. It's an convert function where you just point to where the files are to find, and where you want them to be saved, and woiilaa, the .set packs has been transformed to the new format .kst. Also .sty is now .stg.
To my 'untrained Korg ears', the conversions works very well. Strugeled a bit about how to convert single .sty files, but got great help at Korg forum, so even that task is easy as that. A few files could not be converted, but I assume it's because the files is older than old or corrupted.
So far, I think Pa5X is going to stay, and that's I'm planning when swap my Genos to Genos2 as well.
Years passing by faster than ever, and all that sudden brain and fingers won't agree about how to act, so I have a feeling that this is my final mix of Arranger Keyboards.

Btw,
I also find the new OS interface at screen more pleasant than Pa4. More lookalike Genos and PC'ish when use it.

There’s a fair bit up at Korgforums that predates the last recent update, take care to search out more recent posts…

From what I could get from the forum, most of the import problems pre-update came from people using non-Korg resources, sample import and custom styles. If your import needs are simpler, you may not encounter the problems they had.

Seems the last update cured a lot of issues with custom resources, and has been welcomed by those on the forum that create custom sample sets and styles!

But 18 MONTHS after launch is far too slow for the 5’s advanced users to get just a few fixes. There’s still a ton of stuff to fix, at this rate they might be launching the PA6X before they’re all addressed..!

The casual user and first time Korg player might not be affected so much (you don’t miss what you never used!) but the major missing features and bugs are still a huge to-do list. Let’s see if the December update arrives on time and contains many promised features.

Currently the PA5X is the only new arranger that tempts me, the real-time style morphing and combination mode is utterly groundbreaking (once the bugs are fixed) and the insert effects increase turns it into a far easier arranger to use tone/effects combinations for styles and SMF’s.

But I’m going to wait until the bug list is mostly squashed. I can wait for the PA6X if that’s what it takes! 😂🎹

Well, I'm still closer to 70 than 80, but when see so many schoolmates and even younger friends drop like flies, I'm not sure if I dare to wait. Carpe Diem some say.....
If the TOTAL arranger keyboard history will add new models may probably be a big question as well as when or if Korg going to squeeze any new fixes and updates out off the sleeve.

Anyway, so far I'm pretty much happy with the Pa5. But that said, I've not digged too far into the jungle of possibilities and difficulties.
Lot's of new grey hairs may show up quite quick. 😏😁😁😁

Gunnar, how does the acoustic piano compare to the 4x and previous (all the same, ugh). It sounds fantastic in videos. IMO it was always their downfall. I have to use digital pianos on every song and it grows tiring.

Zuki,
to be honest, I'm far from any expert as pianoman in any way, and now that the Pa4 is out of the house,
even before Pa5 came, I have to say that I cannot compare those two. (Even Genos is sold and gone, but G2 is on the way)
At Pa5 the first 5 pianos is Australian Grand, German Grand, Italian Grand, Japanese Grand and Classic Grand.
All sounds a bit different from eachother, but the two first is sharper and clearer than the rest, and Classic has lower 'volume' as is and less room / hall effect.
Sorry that I can't express myself better than this.
But one thing is pretty clear in my ears, the organs at Korg out of the box beats the Yamaha's with great margin. 😁🎶🎵

Taike, it may be the changes I've been going through (Heart operation, Pacemaker, etc.) but I really miss you, little man (probably BIG BOY now), and sweet mom, of course.

Don't think there was a problem, but, from my side, nothing has ever happened to lessen my joy at our interactions.

Please let me know how my "buddies" are going.


All the best,


Russ

Well Gunnar, you're no help! JK. Thanks for the reply. Gonna stick with the 4X for now and practice piano. Happy Holidays

Yeah, I know. That's what everybody tells me. 🤪😏😁😁

Happy Holidays to you and yours as well. 🎄🎵🎹🎶🎄

Hi Russ,

I'll get back to you in a day or two.

Cheers

Taike

Success!!
Thank you Skude, by follow your steps I finally got it sorted out, and now it works at Pa5 as I like to have it.
Great!! 👍


Btw, have you got your G2 delivered?
Mine is delayed, been 'stored' at transportation terminals several days, but now it looks like it will be here tomorrow.
Anyway, still some days before Xmas Holidays, nice to have something to look forward to other than way to much food to gain more weight...😱🥕🥕🥕😁

Hi GJ.
Glad you figured it out. Too bad you haven't got the Genos 2 yet. Mine was sent from the store on the 6th and sent from the main terminal in this country on the 11th. Where to?? I have had good experience with DHL, but this time I have not received an arrival date. I actually have plenty of time. I have a smaller gig on Saturday, and the PA4X will be with me for a long time to come, even with a Genos 2 in my shack. So the future will tell if the Genos 2 will take over, the Ketron did not. Merry Christmas to everyone.
Best wishes from
skude

Hi GJ
Without any information about delivery, I received a phone call from the carrier 2 minutes before delivery. I was gone most of the day with my grandkids (glad I bought the keyboard before that). My wife had to accept the delivery. And there that secret disappeared. I have to spend the evening setting up the genos2. It will surely be a long night.
skude

😁 Hehe.
Secrets are often hard to keep secret. 😱
Congrats, enjoy and have fun! 👍 🎹🎶
Mine is still 'on the way', looks like it's very imortant to keep it stored for several days at each terminal along the journey.
Scheduled to be here the 11th, so changed to the 13th but still not here. So maybe tomorrow, who knows. 🤪
Oh well, I have the new Pa5, and the days without another new keyboard gives me more time to exlore and get to know it. 👍
Never as bad that it's not for any good they say. 🤔