I have played KORG PA-1X, PA 80, YAMAHA TYROS, ROLAND G-70 in some local Music stores. Unfortunately I never have enough time to test these workstations. So I need help from an experienced arranger-keyboarder/musician who has tested these arranger workstations more thoroughly. My first impression: Roland G-70 has the most natural and warm sounds, accordions and piano in particular. Then comes the PA 80, then the PA-1X and the Tyros. Regarding styles, the best is KORG PA-1X, then the TYROS, then PA 80, and the last is ROLAND G-70. Styles and sounds (and the possibility to import new sounds / samples) are the most important criteria for me for buying an arranger keyboard. Thats why my top favourite is now the KORG PA 1X, because of its good styles and the good (many only average) sounds. But I dont like the touch screen of the PA 1X. View not sharp enough, to small and I think also of bad quality (some PA 1X owners already reported problems with some menu-buttons). I also think that touch screens are too sensitive and that they stop working properly after a while, particularly if you use the keyboard as a prof. live musician.
General questions: Who has tested these arranger workstations and could give me more advice or recommendations so as to help me make a decision for/against the PA 1X.
Specific questions: Is the PA 1X touch screen functioning well / reliable ? Is it better to have a ordinary screen with buttons or is a touch screen better for live use ?
The PA-80 has a similar sound-engine like tha PA-1X. In the PA-1X manual they say that it is possible to import PA-80 styles/sounds in the PA-1X. Is it also possible to import sounds/styles of the PA-1X in the PA-80 ? If this would be possible it may be more advisable to buy a PA-80 instead. Is there any PA-80 user out there, who has managed to use PA-1X styles on his PA-80 successfully ?
The PA-80 has no sliders for spontaneous sound/style-mixes like the PA-1X. Is it possible to change the volume of a particular track quickly in a live concert with the help of the buttons next to the screen of the PA-80. For example: If I am playing a particular style, with a piano-string combination sound, can I manipulate the volume of the strings immediately, while I am playing live ? Or do I have to open many submenus ? I never mangaged to do that when I tested the PA-80 in music shops in the past. And now they dont have a demo-model any more. You only can order them but not test them any more. So please give me this info.
Please also give me your opinion on the ROLAND G-70 styles. The Tyros also has got some good sounds, especially the demos on the yamaha-homepage are great. But after having played on the Tyros I quickly got bored with the sounds. Particularly because of the fact that you will never be able to import new sounds I cant decide to buy TYROS, although it is the easiest to handle, and although it has the best design / screen quality.
Does anybody know if YAMAHA is going to present a new professional arranger keyboard with sampling options (and may be a better keyboard) at the Frankfurt MUSIK FAIR in April ?
Many thanks in advance for your help.