Well, TWO Scotts now!
I agree with a lot of the comparisons, accounting for taste of course, but I'll address a few of the questions that Scott L has.
1)Harmonizer - Korg has a long way to go on this issue. The Yamaha is more flexible, and easier to use. It's also an option on the Korg and cost's about 200 bucks.
Harmonizing a trumpet signal might be tough for the processor - I never tried it with anything but voice. The tone of the Korg is great, and the effects are too - it just lacks the versatility and programmability that the psr has.
2)Piano sound - hmmmmmm, I don't really love either one, but after having both, I think I DO prefer the Korg to the Yamaha. I like the sample on the 9kpro better than the lower psr lines, but all the psr's have a similar, thin sounding piano that doesn't light my fire. Another point - the action is so light and mushy on the Yamaha, maybe that's why I can't get into the piano sound. I can't get the right expression from those cheesy keys. If all you do is hold chords down and pluck out melodies, I guess it's OK, but I like to "dig in" when I play piano, and the psr2k just doesn't fill the bill. I also have serious doubts about reliability. It's made so cheap .... I just don't trust it.
3)Chord voicings - I am a bass player, turned pianist out of necessity, so my left hand is limited. I am more comfortable playing my own bass lines, but when I use the arranger - I like to play simple, root position chords. It leaves me with more brain power to elaborate on my right hand voicings which is the "meat" of my sound. I NEVER use a sound in the left hand when the arranger is on. I only allow it to fill in AROUND my chord voicings that I play with my right hand. This way - the arranger is secondary to MY thoughts. I thin out the styles and take out other comping lines, so I have more space to play in. Works for me, and makes each song have it's own personality, rather than sounding like "rootrock" or "heartland" or "8beat1" - you know what I mean?
*** If these two keyboards were the same price, it would be an easier choice, I think, because the Korg has so much more in terms of expansion and storage, aftertouch etc..
The weight factor is very close, size too. The Korg has REAL power chord (no wall wart)
and the dual sequencer is very cool.
HOWEVER - at the price point .... the Yamaha has an awful lot of bang for the buck. The only thing that will keep it out of many player's hands ... is the cheap construction, and terrible key feel. I understand why our pals Scott Yee and Don Mason got used to it - they both had kn5000's and they had very, very light action as well. I never liked the 5000 for the same reason, and I hated the piano sound on it too.
If I had to give a personal recommendation of PA vs. PSR - I'd have to clarify it this way:
If you are a "style dependent" player and only "tickle" the ivories (plastic???)- the 2000 gives you more for your money
If you are more of an experimenter, and have a need for a beefier touch, and need the extra hard drive storage - the Korg will give you those options.
It all comes down to compromise - what are the MOST important features you need, and what bugs you the most. I miss a lot of the ease of the 2000, but I will never go back to that cheesy action again. The only way I would consider it would be if I used a separate controller to touch, and only used the 2000 as a sound source - it SHINES in that capacity. You still have a lot of thinking to do before you buy, huh Scott?
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