Paul Carman is offering a free webinar on Genos2 Tips and Tricks this Friday at 2:30pm GMT.


https://www.youtube.com/live/S5rbo3VnqCE


Paul is a keyboard expert with over 40 years of experience.

Adam Whittle from Scan Computers will be unlocking the secrets of the Pa5x on Feb 21st at 2:30pm GMT


https://www.youtube.com/live/v853OM5Uqso


Paul Carman is the Editor of Keyboard World Magazine. He hosts these free webinars almost every Friday.


https://www.keyboardworld.co.uk/keyboard-world

I just finished watching Paul Carman’s webinar on the Genos2 today.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5rbo3VnqCE


Paul gave handy tips on how to mix and match Registrations using the Disney Song – Somewhere Out There.

He included the downloadable PDF.

The Genos2 excels at handling registrations.

I wish there was a software update to the Pa5x that would allow you to use the 16 pads as 16 Registration buttons like the 10 on the Genos2.

They are arranged in a 4x4 matrix making them an ideal configuration for Registration buttons.

While Paul selected the different registrations on the Genos2 it became evident the importance of having Smooth Sound Transition as in the Pa5x. The Genos2 does not support it. Sometimes this leads to awkward cuts if you are not careful while changing registrations.

You can hear this glitch as Paul switches from Registration 6 to 7 at this mark.


https://youtu.be/S5rbo3VnqCE?t=3532


The Yamaha Montage supports SST. This feature should have been included in their top of the line arranger.

Since the launch of Keyboard World Magazine in January 2024, Paul Carman and Andy Carvill have uploaded a series of FREE webinars on YouTube.

This is an excellent compilation of tips & tricks for Yamaha Genos2 and Korg Pa5x arranger players.


Paul Carman – Exploring the Korg Pa5x
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JIkC6NmO0I


Paul & Andy’s Hints and Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulP5IhZohU0


Paul Carman – Genos2 Hints and Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSuEOhRdxjk


Paul & Andy’s Tricks of the Trade 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6xPuYMlGbQ


Paul & Korg Pa5x Hints and Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSpG9tRyiZw


Let’s have some fun with the Yamaha Genos2
https://www.youtube.com/live/oHX1zoWKi30


Steve Hubble & Korg Pa5x
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUeJiP9zdMk


Paul & Andy – Musical Hints and Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue0wVRGYcAw


Genos2 Hints & Tips
https://www.youtube.com/live/cYe-oAY4TKU


Paul with more Keyboard Hints & Tips plus Korg Pa5x software update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTNmbRxAPg8


Sequencing from a Lead Sheet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2lq7vLn7qM


Voice editing on a Genos2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adbcg_UjrS4


An hour with Paul & Genos2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKaRP786HrY


Another hour with Paul & Genos2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4EjzU5pwy8


Paul & Andy in Concert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6IcxEB3w04


Genos2 Power Pack – The Styles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUpX29rI-WE


Korg Pa5x and Yamaha Genos2 – Making a simple 4 track sequence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVXKDjYSfJI


Korg Pa5x and Yamaha Genos2 – Question & Answer session
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVTPOqU0hps


Korg Pa5x and Yamaha Genos2 – Question & Answer session #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNjlLdqeNkg


Join Paul & Andy for a Christmas Live session
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZmizQAY0Ow


Genos Hints and Tips including creating a playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZzOz4v03EQ


Korg Pa5x Hints and Tips including a look at Songbook+
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzHJKCLN1D4


Live with Paul and Andy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXH3G4Af-Tg



Here are some of Andy’s compositions and performances mostly on the Korg Pa1000.

https://www.cavalcadeproductions.co.uk/andy.htm

I think a lot of arranger players get too attached to doing things like registration changes with their hands, whereas watch most organ demos, they are doing things with their feet.

Technically, you SHOULD be playing so much that taking your hands (and mind) off the playing would compromise the music. I find putting registration changes on a footpedal keeps my hands on the keyboard, my groove intact, my head in the music. A simple ‘Performance Up’ and ‘Performance Down’ pair of footswitches can turn a complicated dance of stopping playing with either hand, pressing the correct button (often from a row of similar looking buttons, sometimes quite some distance from the keybed!) and returning to the keybed in perfect time with the perfect notes into the simplest task for a foot…

Hi Diki,

I completely agree with you.

Performers should minimize using their hands to operate the style controls during live demos. They should focus on playing the melody and chords.

All the fill-ins, style variations and voice changes can be done by setting up a sequence of Registrations which could be advanced by the press of foot pedal. This is the ideal way of playing an arranger.

Too many button pushes looks visually distracting to the audience who are left wondering if the player is cheating.

I was watching how the students playing on the Yamaha PSR-S950 Arranger were taught to use a sustain pedal to advance through the Registration Sequence. This is the proper technique.


https://youtu.be/dKox5ZpHy48?t=1234


I recommend using the M-Audio SP-2 Sustain Pedal. I like the solid action and polarity switch. It is priced right and far cheaper than the Yamaha FC4A.


https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-SP-2-Universal-Electronic-Keyboards/dp/B00063678K


Ideally, one should get two to trigger the Registration Sequence Up & Down functions.

Adding a MIDI Foot Controller is an excellent way to access all the Style Controls on the fly.
This becomes especially handy in a dual manual setup where the arranger is sitting on the top tier above an 88-note weighted controller/keyboard on the bottom tier.

The MIDI Foot Controller allows the Arranger to be treated as a sound module and be operated remotely.

The cheapest MIDI Foot Controller that does the job is the Behringer FCB1010 ($119)


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FCB1010--behringer-midi-foot-controller-fcb1010



However, just for a little more the Nektar Pacer MIDI Foot Controller offers a whole lot more ($198).


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Pacer--nektar-pacer-midi-foot-controller


I have both, and I whole heartedly recommend the Nektar Pacer. This is the ultimate foot controller for your arranger. The switches are solid and the multi-colored LEDs help to identify them in a dark setting. Programming via the online editor is a breeze.

For those who may be interested, I have ready to use Configuration files for using the Nektar Pacer and the Behringer FCB1010 with the Yamaha Genos/Genos2 and Korg Pa series Arrangers.


https://bit.ly/4ghWJXN


The download also includes my comprehensive User Guide on how to program these MIDI Foot Controllers.

My main issue with MIDI pedal sets is that many of the functions that can be triggered by either a normal f/s plugged into a ‘control’ input (hopefully you got one and don’t have to disable your sustain input to do this!) or a multi-switch pedal like the Korg EC5 or Roland FC7 cannot be addressed by MIDI.

I don’t know if Yamaha allow MIDI control of EVERYTHING, but I know for a fact that many of the footswitch options on Korg’s and Roland’s do NOT have a MIDI command for the same functions.

Sadly, Korg has dropped support for the EC5 with the PA5x, promising to allow any USB controller to do what the EC5 used to do, but it’s one of those things still missing AFTER TWO YEARS from the OS.

Roland also discontinued the FC7 (well before they introduced the BK9, which actually HAS an FC7 input on it!) so they are pretty hard to find in good condition.

That leaves, as you suggest, a pair of switches for Perf Up/Perf Down. The problem here is, take an SX920 for instance… it only has two pedal inputs. You MUST have a sustain pedal, you PROBABLY want an expression pedal. That leaves precisely NONE for a Perf up/down pair! Pay $5000+ for a Genos2, that’s still only got three control inputs. Sustain, expression, I guess you can only step through a chain of registrations in one direction!

Why every midline arranger on upwards doesn’t have a multi switch connector beats me. And why they are even being dropped from arrangers that USED to have them is even more puzzling.

My FC7 does selection of Var 1-4, Perf Up/Down and Leslie fast/slow. I have no idea how I’d manage without it! But that’s at least 80% of all button pushing during playing a song. My hands often never leave the keyboard…

Hi Diki,

I share your sentiments. Everything you stated is true.

I have the Roland FC-7 Foot Controller that I use with the Roland E-80 arranger. It is must have accessory. I am disappointed that Roland discontinued this.

I use the Korg EC5 pedal with the Pa2x. Korg arranger players miss this on the Pa5x. Why drop such a useful accessory?

The Genos2 has 3 assignable foot pedal ¼” phono input jacks.
The default assignments are:

Pedal 1 = Sustain
Pedal 2 = Articulation 1
Pedal 3 = Volume

As you mentioned, if I remap them as:

Pedal 1 = Sustain
Pedal 2 = Registration Sequence +
Pedal 3 = Registration Sequence –

Then, I have no inputs left to connect my Yamaha FC7 Volume/Expression pedal.

These limitations led me to buy the Nektar Pacer MIDI Foot Controller. It takes up 1 of the two MIDI Inputs on the Genos2.

The Nektar Pacer has inputs to connect up to 4 expression pedals. This allows me to connect the Yamaha FC7 Expression Pedal.

It also has 10 foot switches that can be configured to do anything you want.

Yamaha used to make the MFC 10 Midi Foot Controller that came preconfigured to work with Yamaha arrangers. Yamaha discontinued this.

Used ones go for around $165.


https://reverb.com/p/yamaha-mfc10-midi-foot-controller


The Roland FC-7, Korg EC5 and Yamaha MFC 10 were purpose built MIDI Foot Controllers for their respective arrangers.

Why discontinue a perfectly workable solution?

Looks like there is a solution on the way:


Korg Forums:
https://korgforums.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=131447


YT : Right click and open in new tab or window :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK50CrBe9hY

Hi Gunnar,

Excellent find!!

Karl has the perfect solution to make the EC5 pedal work with the Pa5x.

I watched the full 12 min YouTube video demo.

Karl can be reached at
Karl-Eike.Oppermann@t-online.de

I wonder how much this switch box costs?

This solution ignores my basic point. While fine for controlling functions that DO have a MIDI command, there is still a considerable list of functions that the EC5 could control that have no MIDI code, so can’t be accessed from your feet. In other words, ANY MIDI foot controller can do them. This product simply takes the programming needed and does it for you, and allows you to use an EC5 if you are lucky enough to already have one…

The common factor between all those older footswitch controllers is that they AREN’T proprietary really… all they are is dumb momentary on/off switches. The only (sort of) proprietary thing is the choice of which multi-pin connector was on the end of it. Change the plug, and a Korg could be used on a Roland and vice versa.

It is the OS that interprets those switches and routes their input to a long list of destinations. Nothing to do with the pedal at all…

There’s also a big problem using MIDI footpedals units like the FCB1010 with an expression pedal. The expression pedal input on your arranger is routed by the arranger’s OS to the appropriate Part, and scaled or reversed for each Part. Change registrations, and what it controls can change at will. Imagine being able to control UPR1 & UPR2 on one registration but only UPR1 on another…. When you use external MIDI expression pedals, you have to change THEM for each registration to send CC11 (expression) to whichever MIDI ch’s the Parts you want to effect are on. Plus change scale, throw or direction if needed.

That’s a LOT of programming unless you restrict yourself to using the expression pedal in the most basic way possible, volume control of all RH sounds identically.

There’s a lot of really clever stuff your arranger’s OS can do with simple inputs that are massively more difficult once you have to use MIDI instead. This is why all these workarounds fall flat, imho. The whole idea of Korg promising a way to control the arranger using simple USB control surfaces/footswitches is predicated on the OS giving a path to control functions with no MIDI code. This they have failed so far to deliver…